(Editor’s Note: PromoWire by PPAI Media is a running digest of updates from organizations around the promotional products industry. PPAI Media will consider newsworthy entries submitted by any member organization.)

May 22

Proforma CTO Mike Dobozy Shares Cutting-Edge Automation At Red Hat Summit

Proforma (PPAI 196835, Platinum) – the No. 3 distributor in the 2024 PPAI 100 – recognizes its Chief Technology Officer Mike Dobozy for his recent presentation at the Red Hat Summit, a global conference bringing together IT professionals, customers, partners and peers to propel technology goals forward.

  • Dobozy’s presentation addressed automation best practices, recent innovations in machine learning, and the transformative impact automation has had on achieving strategic, industry-leading initiatives within Proforma.

“Participating in Red Hat Summit is an honor,” says Dobozy. “Proforma’s interest and investment in automation not only showcases our dedication to staying at the forefront of technology globally but is also a prerequisite for executing our AI vision at scale.”

Facilisgroup Community Convenes For Top Executives Event

Facilisgroup (PPAI 493664) recently hosted its two-day Top Executives event at its headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri.

  • The in-person gathering provided a platform for distributor partners, Facilisgroup leadership and preferred suppliers to collaborate with open dialogue and share experiences and expertise to foster growth and mutual learning opportunities.

Howard Schwartz, a Facilisgroup distributor partner and founder of HDS Marketing, says, “I’ve grown up within this community and I thrive on these interactions. This is really the most important thing for me about the software and why I’m a member of Facilisgroup. It’s the community that I really learn from.”

Tom Spoltman, vice president of strategic sales for alphabroder, likes that the event brings distributors and suppliers together to share what’s important to them. “Listening to our top customers throughout North America and understanding how the business is changing and evolving not only yearly but sometimes quarterly or monthly has been very valuable.”

Stran Expands Sales Team With Industry Veteran Justin Warren

Stran Promotional Solutions (PPAI 161542, Gold) – the No. 20 distributor in the 2024 PPAI 100 – has grown its sales team by adding Justin Warren as a strategic account executive.

  • Warren started his career in the recruitment industry and joined Touchstone Merchandise Group in 2007. In 2021, he moved to LogoMotions in a business development role where he played a pivotal part in expanding the distributorship’s market presence.
  • In his new position at Stran, Warren will continue to develop his existing book of business and focus on new beverage clients and other CPG/retail clients.

“I have known Justin for a number of years and am excited for the energy, passion and client base that Justin will bring to the Stran team,” says Nick Kiefe, executive vice president of sales. “Justin’s 17 years of industry experience will not only help to drive new opportunities and business for Stran, but he will be a positive influence on the rest of the sales team and the organization.”

Warren adds, “I couldn’t be more excited about joining Stran and this team of industry leaders. The people at Stran have been incredibly welcoming and are already providing amazing resources to help me offer my clients unique and creative solutions.”

May 21

Atlantis Headwear Joins Nonprofit Dedicated To Advancing A Circular Economy

Master Italia S.p.A. Benefit Corporation, parent company of Atlantis Headwear (PPAI 753003, Base-Standard) has joined the Ellen MacArthur Foundation community.

  • This prestigious nonprofit organization is dedicated to promoting and advancing the concept of a circular economy, which aligns with the company’s commitment to a more sustainable, responsible future.
  • While the North American Atlantis Headwear line is already fully sustainable, Master Italia S.p.A. has crafted sustainability goals that shape daily operations at its Italian headquarters. These objectives are integrated into a comprehensive action plan, guiding the brand’s trajectory toward becoming fully sustainable by 2025. Collaborations such as this one play a pivotal role in assisting the company to achieve its objectives.