PromoWire (10/25-10/26): Notes And News Releases From Around The Industry
(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.)
October 26, 2022
Geiger Acquires Brandam As Part Of Strategic Growth Plan
Geiger has acquired Brandam LLP, a Hertfordshire-based promotional merchandise provider, the promotional products company announced Wednesday.
Geiger will now take care of Brandam’s extensive client base and continue to support their branded merchandise needs as part of Geiger’s strategic plan for local and global expansion.
Brandam, owned by Paul & Gail Copping, has operated in the promotional gifts arena for 20 years.
“We are delighted to place Brandam in the trusted and experienced hands of Geiger,” said Brandam Managing Partner Paul Copping. “We are confident that Geiger will continue to offer our valued clients the highest standards of service and the innovative merchandise choices they are accustomed to.”
“We are very excited about working with Brandam’s established client base and are committed to providing them with the excellent customer service and creative brand vision they expect from a promotional merchandise partner,” said Vicky Kinasz, managing director of Geiger International. “In addition, Geiger’s rich experience and global scale allow us to offer these clients a wider offering, including digital solutions, global capability, and services from design and procurement to decoration and fulfilment all from under one roof in our West London office.”
October 25, 2022
AIA Focuses on Company Growth with Expansion of Business Development Team
AIA Corporation (AIA) recently welcomed two new members to its Business Development team as part of its continued focus on strategic growth.
Wendy Smith, CPIM, MASI, joins as Vice President of Business Development and will oversee the team. Smith will report to Rich Berg, Senior Vice President of Owner Success. Additionally, Paula Klingman has been hired as a Business Development Manager, joining the existing team of managers, all of whom will report to Smith.
In her new role, Smith will focus on strategy, team development, and outreach to entrepreneurial and growing distributors. Under her leadership, the team will leverage their combined decades of industry experience to understand a distributor’s individual needs and provide solutions utilizing AIA’s industry-leading tools, resources and Community support.
With over 20 years of experience, Smith’s career has included business development and leadership positions at companies including Gallo Winery, Hammacher Schlemmer and Rand McNally. In her most recent role at Digital Products International Inc. (DPI), she managed the inside and outside sales teams that focused on rewards and recognition programs, promotional products industry, retail, specialty distributors, and home shopping networks. As a longtime member of Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) and the Incentive Marketing Association (IMA), Smith earned her Master of Advertising Specialty Information (MASI) from ASI and is a Certified Professional of Incentive Management (CPIM) from the IMA.
“AIA’s strong Leadership Team, their investments to help distributors succeed, support of entrepreneurship, and the connected Owner Community are what drew me to work for the company,” said Smith. “I’m excited to collaborate within AIA and the industry-at-large to foster new relationships and drive awareness of the benefits of working with AIA, our people, and our expanding toolbox of distributor-support services. I’m proud to be a part of an organization focused on helping distributors to stand out and take their business to the next level but allowing them to maintain independent ownership of their business and their unique identity.”
Joining AIA as the newest Business Development Manager, Klingman brings more than 20 years of experience as a successful distributor, sales representative and business development executive. This work has allowed her to understand the opportunities and challenges of growing a small business and she takes pride in uncovering new ideas, delivering strategic and tactical planning and finding solutions for distributors designed for their specific needs.
“Wendy and Paula are a perfect complement to our already terrific Business Development team,” said Berg. “Both women have extensive experience working in the promotional products industry. We’re thrilled they are bringing their talents to AIA and with their leadership and guidance we look forward to adding more progressive and creative distributors to our growing Community.”
Proforma Renews Family Cooking Show For A Second Season
Proforma, the $500 million technology and business success leader, is pleased to announce the renewal of the Proforma Family Cooking Show for a second season. This series allows the Proforma Family the opportunity to connect with one another by sharing recipes and family stories. With hundreds of creative recipe submissions for season one, this series has proven to be a hit among the Proforma Network.
“With all the amazing feedback we got from the first season, I really can’t wait to start filming the upcoming one!” Said Chef David, one of the series’ hosts. “Even more so, I’m excited to see the recipes our Proforma Family submits for the new season.”
Episodes will be released leading up to Proforma’s 2023 Annual Convention and Family Reunion, and the winners in each category will once again be announced at the event. Submissions have officially opened for the Proforma Network to contribute recipes, and production on the series will start soon. The Family Cooking Show is one of many creative initiatives the Proforma Marketing Team has materialized to promote a positive culture internally and throughout the industry.
“We always say it, but at Proforma, we really are a family,” said Patrick Magyar, VP of Marketing. “And nothing brings family together like sharing a meal. We’re thrilled that our Owners, Suppliers, Sales Professionals, and Support Team Members share our enthusiasm for this trendsetting project.”