(Editor’s Note: PromoWire by PPAI Media is a running digest of news releases and updates submitted from organizations around the promotional products industry. PPAI Media edits these only slightly, including for length, and will consider newsworthy entries from any member organization.)

January 10

New PromoCares Online Fundraising Store

PromoHunt has partnered with PromoCares to power its new print-on-demand fundraising online merchandise store.

  • Profits from this store’s purchases will support the Planet Water Foundation, a non-profit focused on bringing clean water to the world’s most impoverished communities, through the installation of community-based water filtration systems and education programs.
  • For a limited time from now through January 12, if you purchase a Water is a Human Right Tee for $25, 100% of your purchase will be donated, thanks to S&S Activewear’s blank tee donation, Supacolor’s digital transfer donation and PromoHunt’s donation of its decoration services and print on demand online store platform.
  • If you’re at The PPAI Expo, visit PromoHunt Booth 5340 to watch your shirt get made live or to make your own Water is a Human Right Tee. For those not attending The PPAI Expo, items purchased will ship within 10 days of purchase.

January 9, 2023

SanMar Debuts Fresh Takes In Spring Release

SanMar (PPAI 110788, S16) announced its Spring 2023 Fresh Takes launch featuring more than 120 new styles across 15 brands.

  • From expanded retail offerings in TravisMathew and Russell Outdoors and trend-forward looks from District and Port & Company to an exclusive licensing partnership with Brooks Brothers, SanMar is ready with new Fresh Takes on products for any branded merchandise needs.
  • To get into a springtime state of mind, SanMar is adding 13 breezy new workleisure styles from TravisMathew that balance style and functional comfort for teams who believe in looking good and having fun! There are also 14 new looks from Port Authority inspired by the golf resort lifestyle – think effortless uniforming with polished polos, cotton-rich comfort, crossbody bags and woven throws.
  • “This spring, our new product offering ranges from tailored to casual, outfitting teams in the workplace, outdoors or at play,” says Shel Renning, vice president of merchandising at SanMar. “What all of our new products have in common is that they help our customers expand the definition of comfortable want-to-wear apparel.”

Boundless Network Acquires PromoAdvantage

Austin, Texas-based distributor Boundless Network (PPAI 267078, D11) has acquired PromoAdvantage Marketing Group (PPAI 264160, D3), a Twin Cities-based promotional products distributor founded in 2001.

“The acquisition of PromoAdvantage adds exceptional in-house capabilities to Boundless in warehousing and kitting,” says Dave Klotter, CEO of Boundless. “The addition of these capabilities to the Boundless platform continues to fulfill Boundless’ mission to be the industry’s leading distributor partner to the best sales professionals in the promotional industry.”

  • PromoAdvantage was founded in 2001 by experienced promotional products executives Bill Cobbs and Phil Osheim with a core competency in providing warehouse and fulfillment options.
  • PromoAdvantage will continue to provide dedicated fulfillment and kitting services from its facility in St. Paul, Minnesota.
  • PromoAdvantage sales partners will be integrated into the Boundless team. Cobbs will remain with PromoAdvantage as a sales partner post-transaction, while Osheim will be retiring after a transition period.

“As a sales team, we are excited to partner with Boundless. PromoAdvantage and Boundless are both grounded in culture, care for customers and core values,” says Cobbs. “The combined company will allow our sales partners to continue to grow their businesses and better service their customers at scale.”

Starline Names Brian Porter Chief Revenue Officer

Top 40 supplier Starline (PPAI 112719, S10) announces the promotion of Brian Porter to Chief Revenue Officer. Porter has held the position of senior vice president of sales and marketing since joining Starline in 2018. The company is on track to double its sales under his leadership, achieving record growth in 2021. In his new position of CRO, Porter will take on a more strategic sales and marketing leadership role within the organization.

Brian Porter, new CRO of Starline

“Brian understands the important role that technology and operations play into the evolving sales and marketing industry landscape,” says Jon Norris, Starline COO. “I look forward to working with him in this new role as we drive Starline forward as a continued industry innovator and leader.”

Porter’s industry experience spans nearly 30 years, including positions at Pro Towels, Spector & Co., and Barton Nelson (Bebco). He has also served as chair of the Promotional Products Education Foundation and is a longtime volunteer for the Promotional Products Association of the Midwest regional association, serving as its president in 2016.

Pro Towels Partners With Web Services Pros And Shopworks To Launch PromoStandards Catalog Integration

Pennsylvania-based supplier Pro Towels (PPAI 112755, S8) and Palmetto Blankets, in partnership with Web Services Pros (PPAI 799562) PromoLink and ShopWorks (PPAI 226604), has launched the following endpoints for the Pro Towels Catalog, live with PromoStandards integration standards:

  • Product Data 2.0.0
  • Inventory 2.0.0
  • Product Pricing and Configuration 1.0.0
  • Media Content 1.1.0

“We are so very proud of our key partnership and working relationship with Web Services Pros and ShopWorks in taking our information technology integration to the next level,” says Kevin Nord, CEO and owner of Pro Towels.

The integration is expected to make the Pro Towels and Palmetto Blankets products, catalog and inventory more easily accessible to all users.