Under Armour isn’t the only apparel giant making changes at the top. While Under Armour has been in the news after CEO and founder Kevin Plank stepped down from his position (while remaining involved in a new capacity), you might have missed that Nike’s top executive Mark Parker is leaving at the same time. Due…
Read MoreAuthor: Brendan Menapace
Gen Z Is Waging War on Baby Boomers With Meme-Influenced Apparel
Gen Z and Baby Boomers are natural enemies. Both generations love to rip on each other online, and sometimes in real life. Finally fed up with Boomers calling younger generations lazy and entitled, Gen Z has been retaliating the way it knows best: memeing at them. That’s how “OK boomer” was born, and now apparel with the phrase is selling big…
Read MoreIowa Senator’s ‘SWAG Act’ Looks to Ban Federal Government Promotional Products Purchases
Iowa senator Jodi Ernst is introducing legislation to prohibit federal government agencies from using tax dollars on promotional products and advertising except in special circumstances. Citing the $1.4 billion spent annually on public relations campaigns, Sen. Ernst wants to curb government spending on “mascots” and promotional products items through the bill, called the Stop Wasteful…
Read MoreWhat Will Under Armour Look Like Without Kevin Plank as CEO? (Probably Not That Different)
Last week, Under Armour announced that its founder and CEO Kevin Plank is stepping down from the position. Plank’s position will be filled by current chief operating…
Read MoreThe Golden Rule(s): 4 Keys to Five-Star Customer Service
We talked to Jeff Bourland, owner of Proforma Southwest, to find out what works when it comes to managing sometimes demanding customers, turning challenges into successful sales, and customer service do’s and don’ts. Bourland has been in the industry for more than 20 years, so it’s safe to say he knows a thing or two about good customer service…
Read Morealphabroder Back Up and Running After Malware Attack
After suffering a malware attack on its order processing and shipping systems, alphabroder announced that it is fully operational again for U.S. customers. The supplier said it has “no evidence that any customer data or account information was compromised or accessed by this malware”…
Read MoreNevada GOP Releases ‘Witch Hunt’ T-shirt, Tote Bags for Fundraising Push
In the latest edition of political parties and politicians using merchandise to take a direct shot at opponents, Nevada Republicans are looking to raise funds with a “Witch Hunt” T-shirt and tote bag. The design features cartoonish versions of four prominent Democrats riding broomsticks…
Read MoreReports: U.S. and China Trade Talks Near Breakthrough, But Depend on U.S. Dropping Tariffs
Following another round of talks between the U.S. and China in Washington, Chinese officials say that it hopes both sides can work together for a solution, but that a resolution would depend on the U.S. canceling tariffs. “China’s position, principle and goal for the China-U.S. trade negotiations has never changed,” Ministry of Commerce spokesman Gao…
Read MoreThe San Antonio Spurs’ Hispanic Heritage Merch Line Is a Perfect Celebration of Culture
The San Antonio Spurs are celebrating the Hispanic heritage that’s so deeply ingrained in their city’s culture with not only a theme night, but a huge merch line consisting of 22 different apparel items. The team dubbed the apparel line, which is called La Cultura, a “love letter to the culture that San Antonians call home”…
Read MoreAfter Merger, Office Supplies Wholesaler Essendant to Offer Promo Items Via Staples Promotional Products
In January of this year, Staples Inc. finalized its merger with Essendant via Sycamore Partners, its private equity owners. Essendant is a wholesale distributor of workplace and office products. Its customers are resellers such as office supply superstores, mail order companies, drug and grocery store chains and e-commerce businesses. We didn’t report on the merger…
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