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An Abundance Of Accolades
By: Audrey Sellers, Associate Editor
Issue: 2010feb
If you’re looking for a recap of the PPAI Awards Presentation & Dinner, consider this your comprehensive coverage of the event.
The location may have been Las Vegas, but last month’s PPAI Awards Presentation & Dinner at The PPAI Expo 2010 was all Hollywood. This gold-star gala, held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, was an evening overflowing with much-deserved recognition, plus the chance to catch up with colleagues over dinner and drinks.
PPAI ushered in two new inductees to the PPAI Hall of Fame: Wingfield “Wing” Hughes, MAS, and Kurt Reckziegel. (You can read more about these inductees in the January issue of PPB.) Additional award winners were announced in the categories below, and a twist in presentation format meant that all the winners were announced live. Nominees took home awards produced by Chicago, Illinois-based supplier R.S. Owens & Co., Inc. (UPIC: RSOWENS), while winners received awards produced by the suppliers listed below:
• PPAI Pyramid Awards—produced by Jackman, Maine-based supplier BCH Unique Inc. (UPIC: BCHUNIC)
• PPAI Suppliers Achievement Awards—produced by Cottage Grove, Minnesota-based supplier Advance Corporation (UPIC: ADVANCE)
• PPAI Supplier Star Awards—produced by Celina, Ohio-based supplier Visions Awards (UPIC: VISIONS)
• PPAI Supplier and Distributor Web Awards—produced by Chicago, Illinois-based supplier R.S. Owens & Co., Inc. (UPIC: RSOWENS)
• PPAI Best of the Best Award—produced by Janesville, Wisconsin-based supplier Jaffa, Norwood Promotional Products (UPIC: JAFFA)
Distributors With Big-Time Creativity Get Big-Time Recognition
There’s no small-scale thinking in the PPAI Pyramid Award competition, where distributors are judged on how they creatively use promotional products in business and institutional programs. In its 52nd year, this award examines concept originality and execution effectiveness, plus product appropriateness and program results.
BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS PROGRAMS
Winner
Ice Blue Advertising, UPIC: ICEBLUE, Richmond, Texas
Nominees
Geiger, UPIC: geiger, Annapolis, Missouri
Premiums Plus Incorporated, UPIC: PREMPLUS, St. Louis, Missouri
CONSUMER PROGRAMS
Winner
Spartan Promotional Group, Inc., UPIC: SPAR0001, Oakdale, Minnesota
Nominees
Bamko Promotional Items, UPIC: Bamko783, Los Angeles, California
Geiger, UPIC: geiger, Fort Wayne, Indiana
DISTRIBUTOR SELF-PROMOTION PROGRAMS
Winner
Edventure Promotions, Inc., UPIC: EDVENTUR, Chicago, Illinois
Nominees
Accolades, Inc., UPIC: ACCINC, Norcross, Georgia
Right Sleeve Marketing, Inc., UPIC: RIGHT795, Toronto, Ontario
EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE PROGRAMS
Winner
The Miller Company, UPIC: MILL0006, Colleyville, Texas
GOODWILL PROGRAMS
Winner
Geiger, UPIC: geiger, Seminole, Florida
Nominees
Concepts & Associates, Inc., UPIC: 6971, Birmingham, Alabama
Corporate Images, Houston, Texas
INTERNAL PROGRAMS
Winner
Atlanta Advertising Novelty Co., UPIC: ALTA0002, Atlanta, Georgia
Nominees
Corporate Images, Houston, Texas
Geiger, UPIC: geiger, Lewiston, Maine
NOT-FOR-PROFIT PROGRAMS
Winner
E Group Inc., UPIC: egrpinc, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Nominees
AIA/Freestone Design, LTD, UPIC: FRESTONE, Holland, Michigan
Bullpen Marketing, UPIC: BULLPEN, Houston, Texas
TRADESHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS
Winner
Identity Works, Inc., UPIC: IDWORKS, West Salem, Wisconsin
Nominees
Adventures in Advertising Corporation, UPIC: ADVINADV, Neenah, Wisconsin
Sonic Enterprises LLC, UPIC: sonicpro, Gaithersburg, Maryland
TUTORIAL PROGRAMS
Winner
Bluegrass Promotional Marketing, UPIC: BLUEGRAS, Charlotte, North Carolina
Nominees
Advertising Concepts, Inc., UPIC: ADCONCEP, North Andover, Massachusetts
Geiger, UPIC: geiger, Seminole, Florida
Best Of Pyramid Winner—Business-To-Business Programs
Distributor: Ice Blue Advertising (This distributor not only won a Pyramid, but was recognized as Best of Pyramid winner for its top score in the judging process.)
Objective: To strengthen customer relationships and boost sales by increasing order size.
Strategy And Execution: Playing off of the company’s 35th anniversary, Century A/C Supply created a yearlong campaign called “Route 35.” With this flexible program, it simultaneously targeted three customer segments: small A/C contractors, large dealer customers and property management/government entity maintenance staffers. Using a Harley-Davidson theme, various components of the promotion included a lotto-style scratch-off game, a bingo game and in-store events such as “Hot Dogs and Harleys” and “Hog Days.” The games were active throughout the year, allowing customers to earn additional bingo tickets, scratch-off cards and more entries in an end-of-promotion Harley-Davidson motorcycle giveaway. Promotional items used were “Route 35”-branded products such as event t-shirts, commemorative Zippo lighters, jumper cables, custom mini tools and a flask/cigar holder. A monthly industry trade publication helped promote the campaign.
Results: Sales figures jumped throughout all three segments of customers. The high-profile campaign generated an overall sales ticket increase of 131 percent in two segments and 138 percent in a third. Sales ticket frequency improved in all segments by more than 100 percent.
Inside The Best Campaign Of 2009
After the judges deliberated and tallied their votes, this campaign from Richmond, Texas-based distributor Ice Blue Advertising (UPIC: ICEBLUE) rose to the top. PPB caught up with President Lori Littlepage for a behind-the-scenes look at this outstanding campaign.
PPB: Why did you submit this particular campaign for the PPAI Pyramid Award competition?
Littlepage: It was a yearlong campaign with incredible results. It seemed perfect for the Pyramid competition.
PPB: How did you develop the Route 35 theme?
Littlepage: It started as a 35th anniversary program and the client wanted to give away a couple of Harley-Davidsons to celebrate. After many hours of work with its marketing department, reviewing demographic segments, etc., we came up with the idea of Route 35 to connect the motorcycles, 35th anniversary and the open road.
PPB: Why do you think this campaign was such a success?
Littlepage: A lot of planning and work went into this program. It constantly connected with the client’s different types of customers. The large number of customer events tying back to the program also kept it fresh on everyone’s minds.
PPB: What was the biggest challenge?
Littlepage: The length of the campaign. Everyone needed to stay up, excited and focused for the entire year.
PPB: What’s the trick to creating a great campaign?
Littlepage: There really are no tricks. You have to listen to clients’ needs, understand their challenges and propose solutions that will provide an acceptable return on their investment.
PPB: How has winning a Pyramid Award impacted your business?
Littlepage: This program has been a great experience for us and for our client. We’ve developed an even closer working relationship. As for the Pyramid competition itself, we’re not pleased with the one winner/two nominees change. We felt like winners when we received a Silver Pyramid in 2006, but now if you don’t win the top prize, you’re just a nominee. It seems like something PPAI decided to change in order to make the awards ceremony more exciting, without thinking about the ramifications.
Spectacular Suppliers Take Home Top Honors
When it comes to exceptional workmanship, extraordinary creativity and excellent design, winners of the PPAI Suppliers Achievement Award take the cake. For 54 years, this award has commended suppliers for their topnotch accomplishments in categories ranging from catalogs and sales kits to screen printing and laser engraving.
MOST BENEFICIAL SALES AND MARKETING AIDS
Winner
Hanes/OuterBanks, UPIC: hanesob, Winston Salem, North Carolina
Nominees
BIC Graphic USA, UPIC: BIC, Tampa, Florida
Sanford Business-to-Business Division, UPIC: SANFORD, Janesville, Wisconsin
MOST BENEFICIAL SALES KIT
Winner
Berman Leather Co., UPIC: BERLECO, Danbury, Connecticut
Nominees
Mi Pen Company, UPIC: MiPenCo, Richmond Hill, Ontario
Moderne Glass Co., Inc., UPIC: glass-am, Aliquippa, Pennsylvania
MOST CREATIVE NEW ENTRY DESIGNED FOR PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS USE
Winner
Punch Products USA, Inc., UPIC: VISIONUS, Rahway, New Jersey
Nominees
Econ-O-Line, Norwood Promotional Products, UPIC: EOL, Red Wing, Minnesota
Spherical Concepts and CRAM Globes and Maps, UPIC: SPHE0001, Indianapolis, Indiana
MOST CREATIVE NEW ENTRY DESIGNED PRIMARILY FOR BUSINESS GIFT USE
Winner
Maestro, UPIC: Maestro, Carrollton, Texas
Nominees
International Merchandise Concepts, UPIC: IMC1, Agoura Hills, California
New Products International, Inc., UPIC: NPINC, Chestnut Ridge, New York
BEST FULL LINE CATALOG (S1-S5)
Winner
St Regis Crystal, Inc., UPIC: stregis, Cheektowaga, New York
Nominees
Posh Xessories™, Inc., UPIC: poshx, Chino, California
Visstun, UPIC: VISSTUN, Las Vegas, Nevada
BEST FULL LINE CATALOG (S6-S8)
Winner
Dart Business Accessories, UPIC: DART, Dallas, Texas
Nominees
The Chest, UPIC: thechest, Washington, Missouri
R.S. Owens & Co., Inc., UPIC: RSOWENS, Chicago, Illinois
BEST FULL LINE CATALOG (S9-S16)
Winner
Gill Studios, Inc., UPIC: gill, Shawnee Mission, Kansas
Nominees
Dard Products, Inc. (Tag-Master Line), UPIC: TagMastr, Evanston, Illinois
Prime Resources Corp., UPIC: PRIME, Bridgeport, Connecticut
SCREEN PRINTING ON TEXTILES
Winner
KTP Design Company, UPIC: SYMMETRY, New York, New York
Nominees
Anthony Enterprises, Inc., UPIC: ANTHONY, Escondido, California
Wolfmark Neckwear Co., UPIC: WOLFMARK, Neenah, Wisconsin
SCREEN PRINTING ON SURFACES OTHER THAN TEXTILES
Winner
World Wide Lines, Inc., UPIC: WORLDWID, Covington, Tennessee
Nominees
KTI Networks/KTI Promos, UPIC: pendrive, Houston, Texas
W.C. Bunting Co., Inc., UPIC: 42440, East Liverpool, Ohio
FOIL STAMPING
Winner
Stouse, Inc., UPIC: STOUSE, New Century, Kansas
Nominees
Jaffa, Norwood Promotional Products, UPIC: JAFFA, Janesville, Wisconsin
Journalbooks/Timeplanner Calendars , UPIC: journals, Charlotte, North Carolina
PAD PRINTING
Winner
Tee Off, Norwood Promotional Products, UPIC: TEEOFF, Red Wing, Minnesota
Nominees
Ariel Premium Supply, Inc., UPIC: ARIEL, St. Louis, Missouri
Punch Products USA, Inc., UPIC: VISIONUS, Rahway, New Jersey
OFFSET PROCESSES
Winner
DIGISPEC, UPIC: DIGISPEC, Las Vegas, Nevada
Nominees
Triumph Calendars, Norwood Promotional Products, UPIC: TRIUMPH1, Sleepy Eye, Minnesota
World Wide Lines, Inc., UPIC: WORLDWID, Covington, Tennessee
ETCHING-ENGRAVING
Winner
Crystal D, UPIC: CRYSTALD, St. Paul, Minnesota
Nominees
Advance Corporation, UPIC: ADVANCE, Cottage Grove, Minnesota
R.S. Owens & Co., Inc., UPIC: RSOWENS, Chicago, Illinois
CASTING
Winner
Meridian Metal Works, UPIC: CUSTOM1, Delavan, Wisconsin
Nominees
GEMPIRE/gwi, UPIC: GEMPIRE, Tampa, Florida
Indiana Metal Craft, UPIC: imc, Bloomington, Indiana
METAL STRIKING (INCLUDES CLOISONNÉ)
Winner
Indiana Metal Craft, UPIC: imc, Bloomington, Indiana
Nominees
S & S Time Corp., UPIC: watches, Tulsa, Oklahoma
The Medalcraft Mint, Inc., UPIC: MEDLCRFT, Green Bay, Wisconsin
EMBROIDERY
Winner
Vantage Apparel, UPIC: vantage, Avenel, New Jersey
Nominees
Toppers, LLC (A Corvest Company), UPIC: TOPPERS, Largo, Florida
TRG Group, UPIC: TRG, St. Louis, Missouri
COMBINATION OF PROCESSES
Winner
In Your Face Apparel, UPIC: InYou682, Carrollton, Texas
Nominees
Jaffa, Norwood Promotional Products, UPIC: JAFFA, Janesville, Wisconsin
World Wide Lines, Inc., UPIC: WORLDWID, Covington, Tennessee
SPECIAL PROCESSES NOT OTHERWISE CATEGORIZED
Winner
Bruce Fox, Inc., UPIC: BRUC0003, New Albany, Indiana
Nominees
Crystal D, UPIC: CRYSTALD, St. Paul, Minnesota
Visions Awards, UPIC: VISIONS, Celina, Ohio
CUSTOMIZED NON-CATALOG PRODUCT
Winner
R.S. Owens & Co., Inc., UPIC: RSOWENS, Chicago, Illinois
Nominees
Blouin Displays, UPIC: MFB, Rollinsford, New Hampshire
Crystal D, UPIC: CRYSTALD, St. Paul, Minnesota
SUPPLIER SELF-PROMOTION
Winner
Dard Products, Inc. (Tag-Master Line), UPIC: TagMastr, Evanston, Illinois
Nominees
The Bentcil Co., UPIC: BENTCIL, Indianapolis, Indiana
The Chest, UPIC: thechest, Washington, Missouri
PPAI Suppliers Achievement Winner—Best Full Line Catalog (S9 through S16)
Supplier: Gill Studios, Inc.
Whether distributors need to quickly find a product from Gill Studios, Inc., or they simply want to brainstorm new ideas, the Gill-line catalog is the place to start. It’s packed with more than 150 pages of easy-to-find items organized by material and market categories. Color-coded side tabs are reinforced by top-of-page headers, so readers always know where they are. Plus, new products are highlighted near the front for distributors who want to know what’s new and a lenticular card on the front cover invites readers inside as well as illustrates the quality of products.
Behind The Win: Gill Studios, Inc.
Receiving a PPAI Suppliers Achievement Award is familiar territory to Tom Carrico, CAS, president of Shawnee Mission, Kansas-based supplier Gill Studios, Inc. (UPIC: gill). He has accepted more than a dozen in the past 20 years, but the award still carries big weight. “It’s important to recognize quality and this award encourages suppliers to be the best at what they do,” Carrico says.
He encourages other suppliers to participate in the competition because winning the award skyrockets them to a new level in the industry. When distributors—especially those new to the industry—are seeking supplier partners, the Suppliers Achievement Award is a mark of distinction. “It really puts you among the quality suppliers,” he says.
Something all quality suppliers should have, Carrico notes, is a great catalog. “We consider our catalog one of the most important things we do because it’s the most-used sales tool,” he says. “We also have a major web presence and other tools, but the catalog is huge. It’s representative of our skills.”
Carrico acknowledges that there wouldn’t be any Suppliers Achievement Awards in his company’s display case if it weren’t for his exceptional staff. “We surround ourselves with outstanding employees and we emphasize how important the customer is to us,” he says. “We use the Golden Rule: Treat customers the way we’d like to be treated.”
Distributors Pick Their All-Star Suppliers
It takes above-and-beyond product quality, customer service and communication for an industry supplier to be in the running for a coveted PPAI Supplier Star Award, which is voted on by distributors. This year, 10 suppliers won a Supplier Star in 16 sales volume categories, and the two firms in each category that received the next-highest number of votes were named nominees.
S1-S2 ($50,000 - $250,000)
Star
Posh Xessories™, Inc., UPIC: poshx, Chino, Califorina
Nominees
Royal Industries, UPIC: ROYAL, Brooklyn, New York
Tower Ribbons, UPIC: TOWERIBB, Topeka, Indiana
S3 ($250,001 - $500,000)
Star
Mid-Nite Snax®, UPIC: midnite, Mineola, New York
Nominees
ATT Headwear, UPIC: ATTH0001, Baldwin Park, California
Morris Magnets, UPIC: MORR0007, Monroe, Washington
S4 ($500,001 - $1,000,000)
Star
Kool Pak, Inc., UPIC: KOOLPAK, Hollywood, Florida
Nominees
Colorado Timberline, UPIC: TIMBERCO, Denver, Colorado
Maggie Lyon Chocolatiers, UPIC: MAGGIE, Norcross, Georgia
S5 ($1,000,001 - $2,500,000)
Star
Admints & Zagabor, UPIC: ADMINTS, Bellmawr, New Jersey
Nominees
F & H Ribbon Co., Inc., UPIC: FHRI0001, Hurst, Texas
Megafast, UPIC: megafast, Excelsior Springs, Missouri
S6 ($2,500,001 - $5,000,000)
Star
R.S. Owens & Co., Inc., UPIC: RSOWENS, Chicago, Illinois
Nominees
Bay State Specialty Co., UPIC: BAYSTATE, Middleboro, Massachusetts
ETS Express, UPIC: ETSE, Oxnard, California
S7 ($5,000,001 - $10,000,000)
Star
World Wide Lines, Inc., UPIC: WORLDWID, Covington, Tennessee
Nominees
Cap America, Inc., UPIC: CAPAMRCA, Fredericktown, Missouri
Chocolate Inn, UPIC: CHOCINN, Freeport, New York
S8 ($10,000,001 - $15,000,000)
Star
Beacon Promotions, Inc., UPIC: BEACONP, New Ulm, Minnesota
Nominees
Maple Ridge Farms, Inc., UPIC: MAPLE, Mosinee, Wisconsin
Towel Specialties, UPIC: TOWELSPEC, Baltimore, Maryland
S9 ($15,000,001 - $20,000,000)
Star
Journalbooks/Timeplanner Calendars, UPIC: journals, Charlotte, North Carolina
Nominees
AAkron Rule Corp., UPIC: AAKRON, Akron, New York
Crown Products, Inc., UPIC: CROWNPRO, Mobile, Alabama
S10 ($20,000,001 - $50,000,000)
Star
Gold Bond, Inc., UPIC: GOLD0008, Hixson, Tennessee
Nominees
Hub Pen Company, UPIC: HUBPEN, Braintree, Massachusetts
Logomark, Inc., UPIC: logomark, Tustin, California
S11-S16 (more than $50,000,001)
Star
Leed’s, UPIC: LEEDS, New Kensington, Pennsylvania
Nominees
BIC Graphic USA, UPIC: BIC, Tampa, Florida
SanMar, UPIC: SNMR, Preston, Washington
Three Lessons From A Supplier Star Winner
What does it take to earn distributors’ votes and win in the PPAI Supplier Star competition? PPB asked one winner, New Ulm, Minnesota-based Beacon Promotions, Inc. (UPIC: BEACONP), to find out. Here are three takeaways:
1. Enjoy the recognition. “Since this award is voted on by distributors, it means a lot to be selected or even nominated. There are several good competitors out there and it’s significant to be thought of from among all these other suppliers. It’s not just our company saying we’re the best—it’s our peers and colleagues. Our customers vote on it and you can’t ask for a better endorsement,” says Gary Haley, senior VP of sales.
“I consider it to be the Oscar or Emmy of the promotional products industry,” says President and CEO Art Olsen. “It’s exactly that total recognition.”
2. Be consistent and committed. “We need to be recognized in the marketplace and top of mind with distributors, but above all, we need to have developed trusting relationships with distributors,” Haley says.
“One thing that’s unique about our business,” Olsen says, “is that we own and operate the company. All our partners operate the business, so we’re here every day, researching new ideas and processes, and incorporating those into our business.”
3. Maintain a customer focus. “Our customer service people and field people respond in a way that resolves any situation. We look at the lifetime value of customers rather than what’s happening in a two-minute conversation,” says Haley.
“It’s that every day, day-in-day-out service. The quality and pricing also has to be there. It’s all about paying attention to detail and being responsive,” Olsen says.
Companies With Website Know-How Receive Web Awards
Not all industry companies have the cyber skills to earn a PPAI Web Award, the competition that honors distributor and supplier members who can transform ideas into highly creative and effective promotional products websites. But winners in five categories proved that they have the ingenuity and expertise to create championship websites.
FUNCTIONALITY/USABILITY
Winner
Southern Plus, UPIC: southpls, Hartwell, Georgia
www.southernplus.com
Nominees
Pinnacle Promotions Inc., UPIC: Pinn021, Norcross, Georgia
www.pinnaclepromotions.com
Punch Products USA, Inc., UPIC: VISIONUS, Rahway, New Jersey
www.vision1usa.com
INFORMATION/CONTENT
Winner
Leed’s, UPIC: LEEDS, New Kensington, Pennsylvania
www.leedsworld.com
Nominees
ETS Express, UPIC: ETSE, Oxnard, California
www.etsexpress.com
Motivators, Inc., UPIC: MOTIV8RS, Westbury, New York
www.motivators.com
MARKETING/BRANDING
Winner
Ecompanystore, UPIC: ECOM0001, Alpharetta, Georgia
www.ecompanystore.com
Nominees
3M Promotional Markets Dept., UPIC: POST-IT, St. Paul, Minnesota
www.promote.3m.com/sales_tools
Barker Specialty Company, UPIC: BARKER, Cheshire, Connecticut
www.barkerspecialty.com
TECHNICAL INNOVATIONS/E-COMMERCE
Winner
Ink Head Inc., UPIC: InkHead, Winder, Georgia
www.inkhead.com
Nominees
EPromos Promotional Products, UPIC: EPROMOS, New York, New York
www.epromos.com
Leashables By Oralabs, Inc., UPIC: oralabs, Parker, Colorado
www.leashables.com
VISUAL DESIGN/CREATIVITY
Winner
Bright Stores, Inc., UPIC: bsi, Evergreen, Colorado
www.brightstores.com
Nominees
Garrett Specialties, UPIC: GARR0003, Cherry Hill, New Jersey
www.garrettspecialties.com
Pinnacle Promotions Inc., UPIC: Pinn021, Norcross, Georgia
www.pinnaclepromotions.com
Web Award Is Well Deserved For First-Time Winner
Click through the website for Bright Stores, Inc. (UPIC: bsi) (www.brightstores.com) and it’s clear why the Evergreen, Colorado-based supplier won a PPAI Web Award for visual design/creativity. This website is not only slick but it’s also super easy to navigate—something President and Founder Dan Halama strived to do when he unveiled the website last year.
“The website is effective because distributors can efficiently find information they need to help them with their company-store business,” Halama says. Although he never participated in the PPAI Web Award competition before, Halama was confident his website would stand out this year.
“The Web Award is important because it recognizes companies who put forth great effort to make the industry better. In our case, it’s about educating and providing information effortlessly to the distributor population,” he says.
There’s a whole crew of employees dedicated to working on the Bright Stores website, plus monitoring traffic through Google analytics. “We do a monthly review of the website and make any necessary adjustments,” says Halama.
So what does it take to win a PPAI Web Award? Halama says it’s important to strike a balance between design and ease-of-use. The content of the website should also be easily understood. “Our business is different from most suppliers in this industry because our product is technology,” he says. “It’s far more complex. Our ability to fully organize our data and deliver it in a way distributors can understand is the key to our success.”
Best Of The Best Awards Highlight No. 1 Winners
First given out at The PPAI Expo 2009, the Best of the Best Award was back this year to give special recognition to the top firm in each category: Pyramid, Suppliers Achievement, Supplier Star and Web. Winners were selected based on the highest score from judges or the most votes, depending on the criteria applied to each particular awards category. Here are the winners of the 2010 PPAI Best of the Best Award:
Pyramid Award—Ice Blue Advertising
Suppliers Achievement Award—Vantage Corporation
Supplier Star Award—Posh Xessories™, Inc.
Web Award—Inkhead
Get In The Running For A 2011 PPAI Award
Craving instant exposure and enhanced credibility? It comes from being recognized with a PPAI award. Go to awards.ppai.org and create an account to access entry and nomination forms. You can use this account to manage all submissions and make edits and updates.
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