Promo Insiders
If it impacts the promotional products industry, then the editorial team for Counselor, ASI’s flagship publication, is on top of it. Join these industry insiders as they delve into the issues, challenges and opportunities that matter most to promo.
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3/19/2025
Creating Promo Campaigns the Sustainable Way
Ahead of Earth Month, Kris Robinson of Jackalope Kreative shares tips for highlighting sustainability with your self-promos and pitching eco-friendly merch to clients.
3/10/2025
The Evolution of Women’s Promo Apparel – And Why It’s So Important
Cassie Stanczyk and Victoria Thomas from BELLA + CANVAS join female sportswear founder Marina Paul to break down why quality women’s apparel is key for all markets.
3/5/2025
Spring Into Sales
ASI Media Editors Theresa Hegel, Sara Lavenduski and Hannah Rosenberger reflect on noteworthy promo campaigns, share sales tips for the spring and summer months, and taste-test interesting eats.
2/28/2025
What Promo Pros Need To Know About the White-Collar Recession
ASI Media Editors Hannah Rosenberger and Christopher Ruvo offer insights into how the employment phenomenon is impacting the branded merchandise business.
2/19/2025
Sorting Through Sustainability Certifications: How To Choose What’s Right for Your Company
In this episode of Promo Insiders, Kate Nash of Raining Rose discusses the value of sustainability certifications, how to choose which is right for your business and where such certifications fall short in evaluating a company’s environmental and ethical efforts.
2/13/2025
A Comprehensive Recap on Tariffs & Their Impact on Promo Companies
The Promo Insiders team sums up the blitz of tariff news and how suppliers and distributors are trying to adapt.
2/5/2025
Failing, Facing Fears & Finding ‘Superpowers’ With Torsten Gross
Gross, a marketing executive and competitive racecar driver who also happens to be a C6 quadriplegic, will be the keynote speaker at ASI Fort Worth in March.
1/29/2025
The Current State of Nearshoring in Mexico
Scott Edidin and Scott Pearson of supplier 6AM Sourcing (asi/46173) discuss the promo industry’s opportunities in Mexico, following President Donald Trump’s swearing-in for his second term.
1/22/2025
Former Ralph Lauren Exec Francis Pierrel on Bringing ‘Elevated Brand’ Ethos to Promo
In this episode of Promo Insiders, Francis Pierrel, talks about moving from the luxury retail space to becoming the CEO and partner of LR Paris.
1/16/2025
Recapping Key Trends, Business-Building Strategies & Inspiration From ASI Orlando 2025
ASI Media’s Christopher Ruvo and Brendan Menapace sweep you through some of the most pertinent takeaways from promo’s first major trade show of the year.
1/14/2025
9 Bold Predictions for 2025
A trio of ASI Media editors weigh in on industry sales, tariffs, AI and their guess for Product of the Year.
1/10/2025
Don’t Sleep on Payment Card Interchange Fee Settlement
Jeffrey Schrimmer, president of Brighter Promotions, explains how promo firms can file a claim in the $5.5 billion settlement in an antitrust class action suit against Visa and Mastercard.
12/26/2024
10 Big Promo Stories From 2024 You May Have Missed
Three ASI Media journalists share stories with important significance for the promotional products industry that they believe deserve another run in the spotlight.
12/19/2024
Forecasting 2025 Promo Trends
Mary Furto of Counselor Top 40 supplier PCNA discusses consumer purchasing habits and their impact on industry products on the cusp of a new year.
12/11/2024
Savvy Strategies for Reviving Your Business or Brand
Stephanie Stuckey, chair of roadside oasis Stuckey’s, provides tips and tales that will help breathe fresh life into a business in this preview of her keynote at the ASI Show Orlando 2025.
12/4/2024
Extended Producer Responsibility: What Is It & Why Does It Matter?
Andy Keller of ChicoBag, a member of the Promo for the Planet Editorial Advisory Board, talks about current and upcoming EPR legislation and how it will affect the industry.
11/20/2024
6 Markets To Target Now With Print
Rusty Pepper of Taylor OnDemand shares tips for selling print to clients in six of promo’s top sectors.
11/15/2024
How Supplier Wayo Is Using AI To Alleviate Overseas Supply Chain Complications
Wayo co-founder Julia Xu discusses the supplier’s AI model, created based on data from thousands of overseas factories to simplify international product sourcing.
11/7/2024
Distributors’ Strong Q3 Puts Industry Annual Sales Record in Reach
ASI’s top research executive and executive news editor discuss the numbers and narratives behind the merch market’s third quarter, how Q4 is shaping up and what lies ahead in 2025.
10/31/2024
The Reality & Future of AI
Two experts discuss how AI can transform your business and the best practices to start using it right now.
10/24/2024
5 Big Takeaways From the ASI Power Summit
AI, consolidation and the election dominated the discussion at this year’s event, which brings together the leaders of the promo industry.
10/16/2024
Spooky Season Sales
ASI Media’s editors talk fall selling opportunities and taste-test unique snacks.
10/10/2024
Takeaways From ASI’s 2024 End-Buyer Research
As the series wraps up, ASI Senior Executive Director of Research Nate Kucsma outlines a few key trends from the study’s 25 market segments.
10/3/2024
Strategies for Successful Staff Succession Planning
Jeff Butler, CEO of TrinityFix, delivers actionable tips to help get this essential aspect of business continuity correct in what’s a preview of his upcoming talk at the ASI Power Summit.
10/2/2024
Stealth Greenwashing: A Deeper Dive Into Misleading Sustainability Claims
In this episode, Lou Elliott-Cysewski, a member of the Promo for the Planet Editorial Advisory Board, shares insights into how greenwashing has evolved and offers guidance on how the industry can avoid it.