Josh Ellis joined PPAI on December 1 as the new publisher and editor-in-chief responsible for PPB magazine and the Association’s various digital and print publications.
Ellis comes to PPAI from SUCCESS, a national consumer magazine serving small-business owners and solopreneurs with business ideas and personal development, where he was editor-in-chief. He fills the role being vacated by Tina Berres Filipski, PPAI’s longtime director of publications and editor, who is leaving the Association following The PPAI Expo to pursue new interests.
PPB spoke with Ellis to learn more about his background and initial plans.
PPB: What is your professional history prior to joining the Association?
Josh Ellis: I joined SUCCESS as features editor in 2012 before taking over the leadership role in 2015. Prior to that, and going all the way back to my high school newspaper days, I was a sportswriter. I graduated from college in 2008, then spent a little over four years covering the Dallas Cowboys for their official team website and publications.
PPB: What attracted you to your new position at PPAI?
Ellis: In this role, I have a chance to build on my previous work by continuing to serve businesspeople looking for new and innovative ways to do their best work and reach their goals. My dad was a small-business owner, self-reliant for his own results, and I saw the struggle and the stress that often comes with that. I’ve always been interested in giving people like him the tools to win.
PPB: What are your initial objectives for the position?
Ellis: The most important thing for me starting out is just to learn the industry. I’m grateful to have a team in place that understands the promo business, and I’m going to soak up their experience like a sponge while seeking out distributors and suppliers to get their perspectives. Beyond that, I have some ideas about new ways we can engage PPAI members on their terms. People are taking in more content than ever before, although their preferences for how they consume that content are evolving constantly. We’ll find the best ways to serve our members with the news and ideas that will help them.
PPB: Outside of PPAI, what are your interests?
Ellis: I know it’s cliché, but spending time with my family is at the top of the list. I have a beautiful wife, a toddler and another baby on the way, not to mention two dogs that really run the place. I also love to cook and—if the toddler behaves—try new restaurants. When she doesn’t behave, it reminds me how much I enjoy the peace and solitude of golf.
