Brand Addition (asi/202515), a worldwide promotional products distributorship with offices in the United States, United Kingdom and beyond, has a new global managing director.

Karl Whiteside ascends to the role, in which he will lead cross-globe operations at the firm that also has offices in Ireland, Germany, Hong Kong and China.

Karl Whiteside, Global Managing Director, Brand Addition

“We are excited for Karl to bring his leadership talents, enthusiasm, drive and customer-centric approach to a broader role for the organization,” said Chris Lee, CEO of The Pebble Group, the U.K.-based parent company of Brand Addition and Facilisgroup, a St. Louis-based software-as-a-service company and partnering community for promotional products firms.

Lee, a member of Counselor’s Power 50 ranking of the industry’s most influential people, will continue in his CEO role at Pebble Group. He further said of Whiteside: “Karl leads with passion and resolve, holding himself accountable while supporting his team and our customers.”

Whiteside has served as the managing director of Brand Addition’s U.S. business since August 2017. He brings 14 years of industry experience, backed by roles in supply chain, inside sales, compliance, logistics and executive management.

During his time at Brand Addition, Whiteside has worked to evolve the company and grow its list of international clients, while focusing on technology and customer solution improvements throughout the business, executives said.

Sustainability, the company noted, will be a primary focus for Whiteside. Brand Addition is embarking on a new four-year plan, called baONE Sustainability & Growth, which Whiteside will lead to “help to transform the organization into a sustainability leader within the promotional products industry,” the company said.

Brand Addition focuses primarily on developing promo marketing solutions for multi-national, under-contract clients in sectors including health and beauty, consumer goods, transport, technology, banking/finance and charity.

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