PPAI has announced the hiring of Rob Phillips, who will join the PPAI Media team in the newly created position of deputy editor.

In the role, Phillips will work in tandem with PPAI Media staffers and freelance journalists to produce and refine content across platforms, including the PPAI Newslink and Promotional Consultant Today newsletters, PPB magazine, PromotionalProductsWork.com and beyond.

He will also assist Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Josh Ellis in implementing the department’s broader strategies in accord with PPAI’s mission to be the voice and force to advance the promotional marketplace for the benefit of the community.

Prior to joining the Association, Phillips worked as an editor, writer and on-air personality for the Dallas Cowboys’ digital media team for 17 seasons, even winning an Emmy in his time as a Cowboys employee. He also spent a year as a managing editor for custom business publications at North Texas-based marketing agency SUCCESS Partners and served as a marketing communications specialist for a home security and automation company, providing daily communications for its independent network of authorized dealers.

New to the industry, Phillips looks forward to helping PPAI bring education, relevant news and value to promo companies as they look to grow their businesses.   

“My grandfather lived a decent, hardworking life as a drug store owner in Jackson, Mississippi,” Phillips says. “I’ve always valued small businesses as the backbone of our country. I’m really excited about providing resources to them as we all try to reestablish a normal, pre-COVID life.”

Phillips joins the team ready to utilize the knowledge of his colleagues as he grows into the role and hopes to improve PPAI Media’s overall offering.

“I’ll be providing day-to-day support for [Ellis] and our talented team of editors as we continue raising the bar for coverage of the promo industry,” Phillips says. “I look forward to building relationships with PPAI members – learning their goals, successes and challenges – to help us deliver the best possible information and analysis.”

Outside of work, Phillips and his wife Katie are proud parents to a 2-year-old daughter, Emmy Kate. They enjoy taking trips to the park and relaxing in front of whatever Emmy Kate chooses on Disney+.