Advertise on podcast: Promo Perspectives by SAGE

What's new at PPAI Expo this year? Quite a bit! On this episode of Promo Perspectives, Nicole Cooke sits down with Ashley Vanderstuff, Senior Manager of Events and Expositions at PPAI, to discuss the new experiences, programs, and improvements coming to this year's Expo. From AI-powered matchmaking and Student Day to expanded networking opportunities and a brand-new Expo party at Grand Prix Plaza, PPAI is introducing several new ways for distributors and suppliers to connect, learn, and experience the industry. Ashley also shares the vision behind Expo's three-year evolution, what attendees can expect from the redesigned show, and why having a plan is essential when navigating 270,000 square feet of exhibit space. In this episode: The vision behind PPAI Expo's three-year evolution Student Day and opportunities for the next generation of promo professionals Expo Exchange, an AI-powered matchmaking experience The new Business Services Pavilion Expanded community meetups and networking opportunities The Expo party at Grand Prix Plaza Tips for planning your time on the show floor Why this is a great year for first-time and returning attendees Ready to experience everything Expo has to offer? Register and learn more at https://www.ppai.org/expo/ This episode is brought to you by S&S Subscribe for more conversations with the people, ideas, and trends shaping the promotional products industry.

Some promotional product mistakes are scarier than others. 👻 In this spooky episode of Promo Perspectives, Nicole Cook breaks down seven common promo mistakes that can turn a great idea into a nightmare. From choosing a product before understanding the goal to skipping proofs, missing deadlines, and overwhelming clients with too many options, these mistakes can cost time, money, and opportunities. Nicole explains how distributors can avoid these pitfalls by thinking beyond the product itself and focusing on the purpose, audience, and experience behind every promotional campaign. You'll learn why the biggest logo isn't always the best logo, why the cheapest product isn't always the best value, why planning ahead gives you more creative freedom, and how narrowing down product choices can help you become a true consultant instead of simply sending a list of products. This episode is brought to you by Delight Promotional Products

Discover new products, creative customization options, and fresh ideas for your next promotional campaign in this episode of Promo Live! Hosted by Amanda Carpenter and Andy Evans, this episode brings together supplier presentations showcasing everything from custom footwear, branded playing cards, and charm collections to performance socks, trade show displays, custom headwear, premium corporate gifts, heated workwear, and technology accessories. Explore how suppliers are helping distributors create more memorable brand experiences through personalized products, flexible fulfillment, on-site customization, premium packaging, and innovative decoration techniques. You'll also see how to match products to the right audience, build engaging online stores, and find solutions for a wide range of industries and events. Whether you're looking for trending products, new supplier capabilities, or inspiration for your clients' next campaign, this episode is packed with ideas to take back to your business. This episode is brought to you by Delight Promotional Products

A great client presentation is about more than putting products on a page. It should feel professional, personalized, easy to understand, and built around the client's actual needs. In this episode of Promo Perspectives, Nicole Cook is joined by Amanda Carpenter, Senior Customer Experience Manager, to discuss the art of creating effective promotional product presentations. Amanda shares practical advice for distributors, including how to properly brand your presentation, determine how much research to do before selecting products, avoid overwhelming clients with too many options, and make recommendations feel truly hand-selected. The conversation also covers SAGE tools that can make presentations more engaging, including instant virtual samples, lifestyle images, Design Studio, interactive presentations, and client feedback features. You'll also learn why storytelling can help communicate the value of higher-priced products, how to follow up without becoming a nuisance, and the important details distributors should check before sending a presentation, including setup charges, shipping and handling, pricing, and final previews. Whether you're creating a quick set of ideas or a detailed quote, this episode offers practical ways to make your presentations more useful for both you and your clients. This episode is brought to you by Delight Promotional Products

Fall is more than pumpkin spice and orange leaves. It’s a season full of events, experiences, and opportunities for distributors to connect promotional products to what their clients are actually doing. In this episode of Promo Perspectives, Nicole Cook explores six opportunities for fall branded merchandise, from football and tailgating to fall apparel, cozy products, employee gifts, and early holiday planning. The key? Don’t just ask clients if they need fall products. Find out what they have coming up and build your recommendations around the experience they want to create. Nicole also explains why fall is the perfect time to start holiday conversations, why promotional products don't have to look traditionally "fall," and how focusing on behavior rather than seasonal imagery can lead to more useful, memorable products. Plus, she ends with a challenge for distributors: Pick five clients and ask them what they have going on between now and the end of the year. Their answers could uncover your next promotional opportunity. This episode is brought to you by Delight Promotional Products.

What is Promo Live really like from both sides of the event? In this episode of Promo Perspectives, Nicole Cook sits down with Jackie Cook from the Supplier Sales team and Andy Evans, Distributor Sales Manager and Promo Live host, to get an inside look at what makes Promo Live different. From the supplier side, Jackie explains how SAGE helps suppliers prepare for the event, from selling and educating to presentation support and being hands-on through the live event. Andy shares what he sees from the distributor side, including the conversations, products, and unexpected ideas that come out of each presentation. The conversation covers why Promo Live offers a uniquely engaging and accessible experience, how suppliers can connect with 800+ distributors, the value of a 15-minute presentation and dedicated supplier space, and how real-time engagement helps capture leads and generate opportunities. They also discuss what makes a great Promo Live presentation, including product demonstrations, enthusiasm, storytelling, and showing distributors how products have actually been used. Whether you're a distributor looking to discover new products and ideas or a supplier considering participating in a future event, this episode gives you a look at Promo Live from both sides. This episode is brought to you by Yorkn

Discover Yorkn, a sourcing partner built to help distributors find unique products, manage custom projects, and serve clients across the U.S. and Canada. In this episode of Promo Perspectives, Nicole Cook sits down with Jake Pan, owner of Yorkn, to learn more about the company’s 13-year journey, its direct import model, and how Yorkn helps distributors source products that may not be readily available through traditional suppliers. Jake shares how Yorkn supports custom projects, direct importing, decoration, drop shipping, and more, while offering over 18,000 products and door-to-door pricing that includes freight and duties to one location in the U.S. or Canada. The conversation also explores the differences between the U.S. and Canadian promotional product markets, Yorkn’s Toronto warehouse and fulfillment capabilities, and its recently launched REST API access for distributors. Whether you need a hard-to-find product, a custom solution, or a sourcing partner that can help simplify international fulfillment, this episode offers a closer look at what Yorkn can provide. This episode is brought to you by Yorkn

What happens when the promotional products industry decides to market itself to marketers? On this episode of Promo Perspectives, Nicole Cook sits down with Melissa Ralston, Kathleen Burr, and Josh Ellis from PPAI to discuss Merch Moves Us, a new global marketing campaign designed to elevate the perception of branded merchandise and position it as a strategic, data-backed marketing channel. The campaign is aimed at marketers, brand builders, media planners, creatives, and other decision-makers who influence marketing strategy. The PPAI team discusses why the campaign was created, the research behind it, how it is designed to change perceptions of promotional products, and how distributors, suppliers, decorators, and other industry professionals can help amplify the message. They also dive into the campaign's growing collection of research, case studies, social assets, talk tracks, tools, and resources, along with plans for future additions such as an ROI calculator and user-generated content. In this episode: • Why PPAI launched Merch Moves Us now • Reframing branded merchandise as a strategic marketing medium • The research and personas behind the campaign • Why data and ROI matter when marketing to marketers • How merch can work alongside digital and traditional media • Resources and tools available to industry members • How distributors and suppliers can become campaign ambassadors • The campaign's global reach and international partnerships • What's next for Merch Moves Us • What success could look like one year from now Learn more about the campaign at merchmovesus.org. Subscribe to Promo Perspectives for more conversations about the ideas, trends, people, and strategies shaping the promotional products industry. This episode is brought to you by Yorkn.

Holiday gifting season is closer than it feels, and for distributors, now is the time to start the conversation. In this episode of Promo Perspectives, Nicole Cook explores how distributors can help clients move beyond simply ordering holiday gifts and instead create a thoughtful, memorable holiday gifting experience. The best gift isn't always the most expensive or trendiest product. It’s the one that makes the recipient feel appreciated, fits their needs, and creates a connection that lasts beyond the holiday season. Nicole shares practical strategies for helping clients: • Start with the recipient, not the product • Choose gifts people will actually want and use • Think beyond traditional holiday-themed products • Create a memorable unboxing and packaging experience • Offer personalized gifting options at scale • Identify additional opportunities like employee programs, executive gifts, awards, and company stores • Start planning early to account for product availability, decoration, packaging, shipping, and international recipients The key takeaway? Don't just sell the holiday gift. Create the holiday experience. And with millions of products, Smart Search, and the Idea Generator available through SAGE Workplace, you have the tools to help your clients find the right gift and bring the entire experience together. Subscribe to Promo Perspectives for more insights, strategies, and ideas to help distributors grow their promotional products business. This episode is brought to you by Yorkn

Back-to-school season is about more than backpacks and notebooks. It's one of the biggest business opportunities of the year. In this episode of Promo Perspectives, host Nicole Cook is joined by SAGE Distributor Account Advisor Sage Thomas to discuss how distributors can rethink the back-to-school season and uncover opportunities far beyond traditional school products. From hiring initiatives and workplace routines to community sponsorships, sports, fall events, and holiday planning, Sage explains why this season is really about helping businesses reconnect with customers as they transition into one of the busiest times of the year. You'll also hear practical ideas for positioning promotional products, identifying new prospects, and creating seasonal campaigns that resonate with clients, even if they don't sell directly to schools. Whether you're looking for fresh sales ideas or a new perspective on seasonal marketing, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you make the most of back-to-school season. This episode is brought to you by Brighter Promotions.

Planning your 2027 advertising strategy? Now is the time to start. In this episode of Promo Perspectives, host Nicole Cook sits down with John Griffin, Senior Account Advisor on the SAGE Supplier Sales team, to discuss why suppliers should begin planning their advertising well before the new media guide is released. John shares how the SAGE Supplier Sales team works with suppliers to build customized advertising strategies based on business goals, budgets, product launches, and seasonal promotions, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. They also discuss why premium placements fill quickly, how themed advertising opportunities can increase visibility, and why early planning leads to better long-term results. Whether you're advertising with SAGE for the first time or looking to maximize your marketing investment, this episode offers valuable insights into making your advertising dollars work harder. Learn more about advertising opportunities with SAGE by reaching out to your Supplier Account Advisor or visiting sageworld.com. This episode is brought to you by Brighter Promotions

What makes a great leader, and how do you become one? In this episode of Promo Perspectives, host Nicole Cook is joined by Megan Dean (PPAI), Jill Begun (PPAI), and Halle Moore (BAYSTATE) to discuss the PPAI Leadership Development Conference (LDC), an event designed to help emerging leaders, young professionals, and regional volunteers develop the skills, confidence, and connections needed to grow their careers. Whether you're just getting started in the promotional products industry or looking to strengthen your leadership abilities, this conversation explores why LDC has become one of the industry's most impactful professional development events. In this episode, you'll learn: What makes the PPAI Leadership Development Conference unique Who should attend (hint: you don't need to be a manager!) The practical leadership skills attendees take back to work Why networking at LDC creates lasting career relationships How regional volunteers and young professionals learn from one another Why attendees leave with greater confidence, stronger connections, and actionable leadership tools If you're looking to invest in your professional growth, this episode is a great introduction to everything LDC has to offer. 👍 Like this episode, subscribe for more Promo Perspectives, and leave a comment sharing what leadership skill has had the biggest impact on your career. To register for LDC, click here: https://www.ppai.org/event/leadership-development-conference/ This episode is brought to you by Brighter Promotions.

Why do buyers suddenly stop responding? If you've ever had a great conversation with a client, built the perfect presentation, and then heard... absolutely nothing, you're not alone. Getting ghosted is one of the most frustrating parts of sales, but it isn't always a reflection of you or your work. In this episode of Promo Perspectives, Nicole Cook breaks down five of the most common reasons buyers ghost distributors and shares practical strategies to improve your follow-up, stand out from competitors, and build stronger client relationships. You'll learn: Why interest doesn't always mean buying intent How too many product options can stall a sale Why projects disappear for reasons outside your control How to differentiate yourself beyond price and products What to do when buyers simply avoid saying "no" Better follow-up strategies that provide value instead of just checking in Whether you're new to promotional products or a seasoned sales professional, these tips will help you approach ghosting with a healthier mindset and improve your sales conversations. 👍 If you found this episode helpful, like the video, subscribe for more Promo Perspectives, and let us know in the comments: What's your best strategy for reconnecting with a client who's gone silent? This episode is brought to you by Brighter Promotions

Are catalogs still relevant in the promotional products industry—or have they been replaced by digital tools? In this episode of Promo Perspectives, host Anne-Marie sits down with John Griffin, Senior Supplier Account Advisor at SAGE, to discuss how catalogs have evolved from printed books to dynamic digital experiences. John shares why catalogs aren't dead—they've simply adapted to changing buyer behaviors and technology. From personalized digital catalogs and industry-specific presentations to AI-powered customization, this conversation explores how distributors can use catalogs more strategically to inspire clients and generate more sales. Whether you're a distributor, supplier, or marketing professional, you'll walk away with practical insights into creating product presentations that are more relevant, engaging, and effective. In this episode: Are printed catalogs still effective? Why digital catalogs are becoming the industry standard How curated catalogs improve the customer experience The benefits of SAGE Catalog Studio How AI is shaping the future of product presentations Why both print and digital still have a place in today's sales process Subscribe for more conversations about marketing, promotional products, and industry trends from Promo Perspectives. This episode is brought to you by Safety Made