Commonsku will be holding a webinar Thursday, Aug. 4 from 2 to 3 p.m. ET to share insights from ASI’s State of the Industry report, the single most researched report about the promotional products industry. Guests Michele Bell, ASI’s vice president of editorial, special events & education, and Nate Kucsma, ASI’s senior executive director of research and corporate marketing, will discuss a range of topics, including the No. 1 challenge to the industry’s health and which markets are increasing their use of promo. Register for the webinar here.

Top 40 supplier Logomark (asi/67866) has hired Christian Brandt as Northeast regional sales manager. He’ll be responsible for distributor clients in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Brandt has more than 20 years of industry experience, including roles at ASI, as well as Top 40 suppliers Vantage Apparel (asi/93390), The Magnet Group (asi/68507) and Leed’s (asi/66887), part of Top 40 supplier Polyconcept North America (PCNA, asi/78897). For the past five years, he’s been a board member for the Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York (SAAGNY).

Goldstar (asi/73295) has hired Jaymie Cook as Northwest regional sales manager. She has experience in sales, relationship management, advertising and marketing, and will be responsible for Northern California, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Hawaii, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota. “We are thrilled to have Jaymie as the newest member of our growing and dynamic sales team,” says national sales manager Parker Melvin. “Her skillset and industry experience are the perfect recipe for success, and I have no doubt that she will achieve great things in the Northwestern U.S.”

Vera Muzzillo, CEO of Top 40 distributor Proforma (asi/300094), judged the final round of the University of Florida’s Big Idea Gator Business Plan Competition. The competition is a celebration of student entrepreneurs, and the business plans they submitted serve as a vehicle to help them learn how to form, adjust and modify their idea into something feasible and financially viable. “It was such a pleasure to play a role in helping the next generation of entrepreneurs as they follow their dreams,” Muzzillo said.

The Book Company (asi/41010) has introduced Capri Blue, a premium luxury fragrance brand to the company’s growing number of retail gift product offerings. The products, which include candles and personal and home care products, are USA-made, vegan, nontoxic, clean, cruelty-free and fashion-forward. “We’re thrilled to offer another relevant lifestyle brand that’s big on social media and can be found at on-trend retailers like Anthropologie, Sephora and Nordstrom,” said Roni Wright, vice president of The Book Company. Capri Blue may only be purchased with branding and in case packs.

Barker Specialty (asi/132690) has appointed Bob Steinbach as senior account executive and director of strategic sourcing. Steinbach has nearly 45 years of experience in business development, supplier sourcing and sales leadership in the promo industry, and was previously the president and owner of The Idea Company (asi/229485) in Wallingford, CT.

Quinn (asi/80228), a supplier of flags and banners, welcomes three new employees to its customer service team. Crystal Moore has administrative and customer service experience; Sandy Langhirt brings administrative, customer service and sales expertise to her new role; and Whitney Wentz has a background in customer service and production/operations.

Fully Promoted (asi/384000), a Top 40 distributor, says it has launched an enhanced training program, adding an additional layer of support and education for franchise owners and their teams. The new program is in addition to the existing training school and mentorship program. It focuses on implementing a variety of innovative revenue streams that support new industry trends, technology, and products that can be integrated into the existing business model, the company said.

Proforma (asi/300094), a Top 40 distributor, won two Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) In-House Design awards last week. This is the 11^th consecutive year the distributor has been recognized for in-house graphic design leadership and excellence by GDUSA, a business-to-business thought leader for graphic design professionals for nearly 60 years.

The Michigan Promotional Professionals Association (MiPPA) has named Roger Burnett the first chairman of the newly established Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging committee. MiPPA President Eric Pehrson MASI said, “We’re so pleased that Roger has once again stepped up to take a leadership role in helping us establish initiatives and programs to advance understanding, education and advancement of this important issue.”

Cap America (asi/43792) has appointed new multi-line sales representation. Valerie Spiller of Elite Marketing will represent the company in Illinois and Chris Yoder of 5Y Marketing will represent the company in Wisconsin. Spiller is a Chicago native and has more than 20 years of experience in sales and marketing, while Yoder has nearly 25 years of industry experience, beginning as a distributor in the Green Bay and Milwaukee areas.

Top 40 distributor iPROMOTEu (asi/232119) has appointed Stacey McConnell as senior marketing manager. In her new role, McConnell, who has more than 20 years of marketing experience, will manage event operations, logistics and marketing initiatives for iPROMOTEu, including digital catalogs and direct mail campaigns. McConnell has led marketing and event initiatives at Top 40 distributor AIA Corporation (asi/109480), AIM Smarter LLC and Promo Marketing Media Group.

Top 40 distributor iPROMOTEu (asi/232119) has appointed Stacey McConnell as senior marketing manager. In her new role, McConnell, who has more than 20 years of marketing experience, will manage event operations, logistics and marketing initiatives for iPROMOTEu, including digital catalogs and direct mail campaigns. McConnell has led marketing and event initiatives at Top 40 distributor AIA Corporation (asi/109480), AIM Smarter LLC and Promo Marketing Media Group.

Quinn (asi/80228), a supplier of flags and banners, recently welcomed four new multi-line representatives for an educational “Tour and Talk” at the supplier’s headquarters in Hanover, PA. Patrick Reinecker and Dan Pauley of Reinecker Marketing Associates (Southern Midwest region), Dave Hunzelman of DMH Marketing (Northern Midwest) and Dave Mattson of DJM Sales (New England) learned about the onsite production process, new and bestselling products, and future projects.

American Solutions for Business (ASB, asi/120075), a Top 40 distributor, recently teamed up with suppliers OtterBox (asi/75326) and Gold Bond (asi/57653) to donate drinkware to Glacial Hills Elementary in Starbuck, MN. The school approached ASB with a request for drinkware to distribute to students; the distributor then coordinated with OtterBox, which donated product, and Gold Bond, which laser-engraved each bottle with the Glacial Hills and ASB logos. “Gold Bond is honored to partner with American Solutions and their continued efforts and support of the local community in Glenwood,” said Kim Newell, vice president of national accounts for Gold Bond.

Proforma (asi/300094), a Top 40 distributor, recently celebrated the launch of its 6,000^th ecommerce store. The milestone was made possible by the company’s built-in-house, user-friendly, and customizable ecommerce solution – ProStores. Proforma says its ecommerce footprint has increased by 300% in six months. “Our team is just scratching the surface of what we believe is possible,” said Brian Roney, Proforma’s director of ecommerce. “Milestones such as this are a testament to the strength of our technology and people.”