ACS Affiliate Services, a division of Altitude Group and subsidiary of AIM Smarter, welcomes LoGo Goods LLC (asi/556092) and Southern Branding (asi/556091) as affiliate partners. “We are excited about the future of ACS with the addition of these new affiliate partners,” said Kirk Ross, executive vice president of ACS Affiliate Services. “The strong culture inside ACS and the valued affiliate community is something special to be a part of every day.”

Koozie Group (asi/40480), a Top 40 supplier, has promoted Brian Lynch to vice president of supply chain. Lynch’s responsibilities include overseeing the supply chain planning and logistics function of the Florida-based firm. Lynch has more than 15 years of experience at Koozie Group, serving most recently as the director of corporate quality. He reports to Chief Operating Officer Blair Hawley. “I am confident Brian will turn his transformational powers into action and reinvigorate the supply chain planning and logistics functions he now oversees,” said Hawley.

PromoStandards, a nonprofit group that works to standardize and enable the quick flow of information between suppliers and distributors to improve the customer experience, is hosting its first week-long Hack-a-Thon virtually until Monday, Sept. 26. The now-annual event has more than 50 participants from 33 companies making up seven teams, who have been tasked with using PromoStandards processes to develop solutions for hypothetical industry challenges.

AIA Corporation (AIA) announces that it’s made critical enhancements to MVP Central, the Top 40 distributor’s proprietary platform that enables AIA Owners to access information on Most Valued Partner (MVP) suppliers. The software now includes enhanced guidelines for samples, decoration, production and freight; access to marketing collateral from vendors; and resources for packaging, kitting and fulfillment information.

Facilisgroup, a leading software-as-a-service company and partnering community within the promotional products industry, has released a new Split Shipment feature that it says will significantly reduce order processing time. The feature lets distributors add address and product data with one master spreadsheet to increase order accuracy. Distributors can input split shipment details automatically and calculate the taxes for up to 15,000 unique addresses, even if the addresses are from different states. With the feature, they only need to process one invoice.

Gold Bond (asi/57653) has hired Robb Medonis as their golf professional. Medonis will work to elevate and promote the golf side of Gold Bond, focusing on marketing their golf line and also their golf services and capabilities.

Pop! Promos (asi/45657), a Philadelphia-based supplier, has launched Wilson & Reilly, a bespoke leather collection made with what executives described as high-end retail quality. The products feature soft, full-grain leather and sleek debossed detailing. Items can be Pantone-color-matched to suit any brand, Pop! Promos said. 

American Solutions for Business (ASB, asi/120075), a Top 40 distributor, said that Sales Associate Rod Kuncaitis has already achieved his personal best in annual sales this year, with his business up 41%. Kuncaitis has been with ASB for nearly 30 years. “Rod isn’t one to just sit around and wait for things to happen,” said Amy Spychalla, vice president of strategic operations support. “He is a forward thinker and pushes for progress, always coming with new ideas to take to his customers.”

Fully Promoted (asi/384000), a Top 40 distributor, was named one of the top 20 franchises headquartered in South Florida by the South Florida Business Journal. Fully Promoted is part of United Franchise Group, which had six other affiliated brands named to the list, including Signarama, which has numerous ASI-listed locations.

SanMar (asi/84863), promo’s largest supplier, has announced its Fall 2022 New Arrivals. The Top 40 supplier says the launch includes styles from the company's newest brand, Mercer+Mettle, an assortment of fleece, and more than 120 products that will help end-users stay “fashionable and comfortable” this autumn. “We are thrilled to introduce our fall selections for keeping warm in the cooler season while offering our customers sustainable styles,” said Shelley Williams, vice president of marketing at SanMar. “We are proud to partner with creative brands that continue to innovate great products that match comfort with performance.” 

PowerStick.com (asi/51566) has hired Alex Symms as national account manager. Most recently, he was the national account manager/digital marketing manager for Chameleon Like (asi/44558). Previously, he was the Southwest regional manager at Admints & Zagabor, acquired by Top 40 supplier Hit Promotional Products (asi/61125) in 2015, and Southeast regional sales manager for KTI Networks (asi/63776). “Alex is a tremendous and well-respected resource with the skillsets I really wanted on our team,” says PowerStick.com CEO Nigel Harris. “His nearly 20 years of experience will greatly benefit this company and help us continue our leadership role in the areas of tech and custom packaging.”

Top 40 distributor Proforma (asi/300094) announces that nine owners were named to the recent Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies, based on revenue over the last three years. The owners include Brian and Lauren Bridges of Proforma Advantage Systems (asi/491310), Michelle Adams of Proforma Global Sourcing (asi/490971), Michael and Amy Anderman of Proforma 123 (asi/491325), Bradley and Michelle Troyer of Proforma Printhouse (asi/491465), Steve Williams of Proforma Signature Marketing and Fred Greco of Greco Promotions.

Top 40 distributor American Solutions for Business (asi/120075) has hired Steffany Rivera as marketing specialist and graphic designer, tasked with creating marketing content, tools and resources for sales associates. Rivera previously worked as marketing manager for supplier KTI Promo (asi/63776). 

Prominate (asi/300426) has recreated a brand refresh that includes a new logo and identity to better represent the purpose and values of its business. Headquartered in England, the distributor has more than 100 offices around the world, and the new logo reflects brand values of connection, discovery and bravery to pioneer change and lead with curiosity, according to the company. “This is an incredibly exciting period for our business,” said Sarah Daniel, CEO. “Our rebrand is a key to our transformation, truly representing our renewed energy and direction while remaining true to our heritage.”

Front Door Marketing (asi/199527), a distributorship based in northwest Ohio, has hired Sara Wierzbicki as lead sales coordinator. Wierzbicki has nearly a decade of industry experience and has been recognized as Account Manager of the Year at a company where she formerly worked, executives said. Wierzbicki will lead FDM’s customer experience initiatives and ensure clients receive the highest level of customer service. “I am truly excited to add someone with Sara’s experience and accolades to the Front Door Marketing team. Her ability to support customers separates her from her peers,” says Jim Walrod, president of Front Door Marketing.

IMAGEN Brands (asi/93990), an independently operating subsidiary of Top 40 supplier Koozie Group (asi/40480), has hired Mallory Forester and Thomas Lovelace to its sales team. Both will report to National Sales Manager Jackie Walker. Forester is covering the Texas and Louisiana territory. Lovelace is covering the Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee territory. “Considering their proven track records, industry experience and established relationships, Mallory and Thomas are the perfect addition to help us accelerate our brand awareness throughout their territories and showcase our decoration, products and service offerings that set IMAGEN Brands apart,” said Lisa LeMond, vice president of sales and service.  

The Legacy Group, a buying group of nine promotional marketing agencies, held its Legacy Exclusive Sales Event (LESE), where it honored preferred suppliers with awards. SanMar (asi/84863) earned Apparel Supplier of the Year. Hit Promotional Products (asi/61125) won Hard Goods Supplier of the Year. Two Stormtech (asi/89864) pros tied for Supplier Representative of the Year: Kyle Annable and Kim Brochschmidt.