News Last Updated: August 22, 2025
In The News - August 2025
Brandz Agency (asi/145168) has received a Fast 56 Award from the University of South Florida and a JMI 30 Award from the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship at Florida State University. Both award programs recognize fast-growing companies owned or led by alums. “Our success has come from one central belief: people don’t just buy products or services – they respond to how a brand makes them feel,” says Sammy Veinger, founder of Brandz Agency. “These awards reflect not just our growth as an agency, but the deep relationships we’ve helped our clients build with their own audiences.”
The Michigan Promotional Professionals Association (MiPPA) and Ohio Promotional Professionals Association (OPPA) welcome Three Rivers Advertising Specialty Association (TRASA) as a presenting regional partner for the TOM Show series, which begins on Jan. 20, 2026, in New Castle, PA, and will continue on to Columbus, OH, on the 21st, Cleveland on the 22nd and Detroit on the 23rd. Questions can be directed to Sydney Dych at sydney@mippa.org, LaDonna Belcher at allthingsoppa@gmail.com and Patti Ward at patti@trasa.net.
Cutter & Buck Canada (asi/47967), part of Counselor Top 40 supplier Cutter & Buck (asi/47965), has appointed Kristi Larson of KL Agency as sales representative for the company’s promotional products division in Northern Alberta. Larson has represented the C&B and Clique lines in the territory’s golf and retail markets for the past several years. “We are thrilled to have Kristi step into this position,” says Jamie Trowbridge, director of sales at Cutter & Buck Canada. “Her energy, professionalism and deep knowledge of our brands make her an ideal fit as we continue to grow and strengthen our presence in the Canadian market.”
Fully Promoted of Southern New Hampshire (asi/384681), part of Counselor Top 40 distributor Fully Promoted (asi/384000), has been named a Top Family-Owned Business and a top 20 Fastest-Growing Family Company in New Hampshire by Business NH Magazine. The franchise, owned and operated by Sal and Jennifer Calautti, had a 16% average annual growth rate over the past three years.
The Philadelphia Area Promotional Products Association (PAPPA) will host two end-buyer shows in September: the Central PA Client Expo on Thursday, Sept. 11, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET at The Barn at Creek’s Bend in Carlisle, PA, and the Fall Promotions Client Expo on Thursday, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET at The Drexelbrook in Drexel Hill, PA. Pre-registration is available at mypappa.org.
Innovation Line (asi/62660), a Counselor Top 40 supplier, has appointed Dave Fritsch, Kevin Merickel and Robert Cortez of McKillop Sales as its multi-line representation for California, Nevada and Hawaii. The team has extensive experience in the promo and athletic markets. “We’re incredibly excited to have such a seasoned and respected group representing us in our home territory,” says Chris Hodge, senior vice president of sales at Innovation Line. “It’s exciting to see this sales team plug in and hit the ground running. Dave, Kevin and Robert bring a valuable understanding of the market and a reputation for excellence that aligns perfectly with our goals for growth and service in these states.”
Storm Creek (asi/89879) has released its 2026 Essential Catalog with 110 new apparel styles, including 28 made with bluesign-approved fabrics. “The 2026 Essential Collection reflects our unwavering commitment to exceptional fabric quality, functionality and flattering fit,” says Doug Jackson, founder and president. “Beyond the product itself, we’ve put significant effort into simplifying the sales process for our distributor partners, empowering them to confidently share the Storm Creek story and deliver outstanding value to their customers.” Distributors are invited to register for two “2026 Catalog Deep Dive” webinars, on Aug. 26 and Sept. 9.
PCNA (asi/66887), a Counselor Top 40 supplier, has partnered with FootJoy to introduce 11 premium golf apparel options, available in multiple decoration methods. Among the styles are polos, performance mid-layers and outerwear.
The supplier also now offers the Kanga Kase Mate 12-Pack Cooler (2101-01) from Kanga Coolers to distributors in the U.S. and Canada. The soft-sided cooler, which requires no ice to keep beverages cold for seven hours, first appeared on Shark Tank and features insulation made of cardboard and neoprene. PCNA says it will inventory the coolers for quick availability. “It’s a unique, high-impact product that stands out in the promotional space – not just for its functional design and convenience, but for how well it fits real-life use cases,” says Kyle Boronky, senior category director of product development for PCNA. “The built-in insulation and iceless functionality offer a smart, lightweight alternative to bulky hard-sided coolers.”
Atlantis Headwear (asi/37380) has teamed up with the ONA Short Film Festival in Venice to release a collaborative short film called Pueblo del Sol, focused on the themes of community, nature and responsible storytelling. The film was shot in the heart of Chile’s Atacama Desert.
The Women in Print Alliance, part of PRINTING United Alliance, is celebrating its one-year anniversary of offering a formalized membership to individuals, corporations and students. Designed to support, connect and empower women in the printing industry, key benefits include virtual and in-person workshops and meetups, book discussions and a comprehensive member directory for networking.
L2 Brands (asi/75402) partnered with Carolinas PGA as the official headwear provider for Harrah’s CPGA Pro-Am at Sequoyah National Golf Club on June 9 and 10. The supplier showcased a range of popular Legacy golf styles for players and attendees.