(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 31, 2022

The Magnet Group Hires Regional Sales Manager 

The Magnet Group has announced its most recent hire is Steve Parker. As Regional Sales Manager, he will cover: CA, AZ, OR, NV, WA, HI, PR, and MX.

VP of Field Sales, Dave Glaser shares, “Steve is so well known and loved from his years on the distributor and supplier sides along with his history of giving back to the industry as previous SAAC President. He is a perfect fit for the future of The Magnet Group, the company says. 

October 31, 2022

Crestline Names New Director of Marketing

Crestline has welcomed a new director of marketing, Jonna Demeo, the promotional products company announced on Monday.

Jonna joined Crestline in early October after previously serving as the director of marketing for an insurance services company.

“We are fortunate to have Jonna join our team,” said Elizabeth Fagan, vice president of Crestline. “Her years of experience in strategic planning, direct response marketing, and e-commerce will immediately impact our ability to provide increased value to our customers and sales team.”

As director of marketing, Demeo will develop and implement all marketing activities related to Crestline’s strategic direction and position. Brand promotion, product marketing, and customer messaging will also fall within her responsibilities.

“I’m delighted to be joining Crestline,” Jonna said. “I chose a career in marketing because it gives me the opportunity to blend strategy with execution and bring creative ideas to life. I’m looking forward to collaborating with the Crestline team to provide an exceptional experience to our customers.”

Jonna is a lifelong Mainer, although she briefly lived out of state while attending the University of New Hampshire, where she received a bachelor’s degree in business.

She now lives in Topsham with her husband, Dave, and their two children, Leigh and Brook. Jonna spends her free time enjoying the outdoors with her family and says they can usually be found exploring trails or strolling through one of the many amazing downtowns in Maine.

“Geiger’s rich history in Maine and the company’s dedication to sustainability are some of the many reasons I joined the organization,” Jonna added. “I’m thrilled to get the opportunity to intertwine those attributes into our marketing initiatives.”

October 31, 2022

Brett Garran Named Vice President of Sales at Edwards 

Top 20 supplier Edwards Garment Co., known as Edwards, has named Brett Garran as their new Vice President of Sales.

Brett has been in the apparel industry for nearly 15 years and has been a vital part of the Edwards sales team since joining the company in 2013. Most recently, Brett has been leading the effort of growing sales with Edwards National accounts as their National Sales Director. Over the past 9-1/2 years at Edwards, Brett has contributed to the growth and visibility of Edwards and has grown accounts under his care double digits each year.

In his new role, Brett will guide all sales efforts for the Edwards catalog division including directly overseeing Edwards Territory Managers and leading account management efforts across all markets. He will closely collaborate with Customer Service, Marketing, Merchandising, and the Vancouver-based EdwardsX custom division. With this promotion, Brett has also been added to the leadership team at Edwards.

This successful history of growing sales and visibility gives Edwards the confidence that Brett will continue to lead efforts to grow and be a major player in the corporate apparel industry.

October 31, 2022

Redwood Classics Apparel Recognized For Technological Innovations

Redwood Classics Apparel is pleased to announce that they have received the Technology Innovation Award at the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC) Business Achievement gala, held on October 14, 2022, in Toronto.

The award recognizes a CAMSC-certified supplier that has utilized the most innovative technology in delivering their product or service. The technology must also have contributed to the company’s performance in operations, design, and market success while establishing Canada’s international reputation for innovation and excellence.

Redwood Classics received the award for their innovative use of sustainable all-over-print (S.A.O.P.(™) ) technology in apparel decoration. Using 100% biodegradable ink and technology that enables materials to be printed in smaller batches using fewer resources, S.A.O.P.(™) gives distributor partners and designer brands the ability to consider their environmental footprint more mindfully through a revolutionary production process.

“When we brought this technology to Canada for the first time, we had no idea how it would be received,” says Redwood Classics Apparel President, Kathy Cheng. “What we found was that it enabled us to foster economic inclusion, thanks to the lower minimums required and our ability to print on more fabrics than before. It has also shown us that there really is an appetite for sustainable production processes in our industry.”

Cassandra Dorrington, President and CEO of CAMSC, agrees with Kathy’s assessment. “The theme of our award ceremony this year was to recognize superheroes in our industry, and Redwood Classics certainly fit into that category. By leading the way in sustainability and eco-friendly production, Kathy and her team are setting a great example for future manufacturers. They are proving that it can be done, and it can be done while making a positive impact on a company’s bottom line.”