2024 has come and gone.
Truly a year for the record books, the last 12 months have seen significant changes to not only the promotional products industry, but also to PPAI and its engagement with its community. Of course, PPAI Media was here for all of it.
Our department has undergone some major changes, too. So, we’re taking this time to celebrate, reflect and relax before we hit the road for The PPAI Expo 2025.
Hope you enjoy our favorite stories and bonding experiences of 2024, as well as our predictions for the year ahead.
Jonny Auping
News Editor
Favorite Story Of 2024: ‘We Divided And Conquered.’ Crystal D Reflects On Business After Tragedy
When a family trusts you to tell the story of their grief and of their departed, you quickly learn the responsibility you hold. When I heard about the sudden death of Crystal D owner Chuck Dahlgren (a few weeks after I joined this industry and PPAI) and I realized that so much of the other leading voices in the company were direct family members, I wondered, “How does a company stay afloat when the decision makers are still grieving?” Two years later, I spoke to those family members who answered that question. I hope I did their story justice.
Favorite Team Bonding Experience: Happenstance led to our team and our organization experiencing a lot of turnover and shuffling of roles. Everyone knows how delicate that process is, but the news really does not stop, not even for a day or two. Rather than an individual experience, our team bonded over the work and having to rely on each other to continue to coordinate coverage from planning to reporting to writing and editing and even social media.
My New Year’s Resolution: To spend my 10-minute breaks during work reading my big lists of books, not for self-improvement reasons, but for my own personal mental balance. It’s easy to want to maximize your time and then end up scrolling on your phone. But when I’m face to face with people, I want to feel refreshed, not burnt out.
Promo Prediction for 2025: We are all going to have a greater understanding of tariffs than our non-industry friends. I certainly hope the impact of these potential policies are minimal, but my own coverage thus far has proven that the ramifications are far-reaching.
Non-Promo Prediction for 2025: ChatGPT fatigue will begin to set in. I can barely open LinkedIn without reading posts that are very clearly written by ChatGPT. It’s more transparent than anyone wants to admit, and in many cases, nothing is actually being said. Once copyright laws get their head wrapped around the technology, what may seem like a fun parlor trick could become a huge headache. All technology that is tackling a specific issue or reachable possibility is a benefit to society, but the “Don’t be left behind” message begins to ring hollow when things are only getting implemented for the sake of themselves.
Arianna Johnson
News Editor
Favorite Story Of 2024: ‘Still Have A Long Way To Go:’ How The Industry Can Be More Welcoming
This was the first story I did with PPAI where I had the opportunity to really sit down and pick someone’s brain. Diversity, equity and inclusion is a topic I hold near and dear, so I was thrilled to able to bring the topic to light from promo’s POV. Being new to the industry, I also learned a lot from Rafael, who’s an industry veteran.
Favorite Team Bonding Experience: My favorite bonding experience was when we went out to eat together every day during my first week. I got a chance to learn more about my new co-workers in a more informal session – and enjoy some free meals!
My New Year’s Resolution: Travel to two more countries in 2025.
Promo Prediction for 2025: More cultural staples like Stanley cups will blow up on social media.
Non-Promo Prediction for 2025: Beyoncé will go on tour or announce some type of residency for her “Cowboy Carter,” Act II era – fingers crossed!
Rachel Zoch
Public Affairs & Research Editor
Favorite Story Of 2024: The Coolest Stuff In Promo
We launched the inaugural “Coolest Stuff In Promo” this past spring, and what a fun way to highlight and celebrate the interesting and innovative people, products and ideas (and more) in the industry! Some of the suppliers made the most of their mentions in the “coolest products” list, using the designation in marketing campaigns and more, and the “coolest ideas” and “coolest people” lists shined a light on some of the most important trends and hardest workers in the industry. Looking forward to the next round!
(Runner up: Inside The Final Trade Show Of A Promo Legend – This is such a great story of how one determined person with a lot of passion and a long list of loyal industry friends can build something great and pass it on.)
Favorite Team Bonding Experience: It may not be the most exciting thing, but I appreciate our weekly team check-ins. It’s nice to see everyone, even if they are super-short calls. We are efficient!
My New Year’s Resolution: More walking, less sugar.
Promo Prediction for 2025: Look for even more sustainable product options to meet growing customer demands, as well as more companies rolling out operational sustainability initiatives. Between market interest and state-level regulations, it’s just smart business.
Non-Promo Prediction for 2025: The eyeroll will once again take the top spot as the most frequently used emoji on my iPhone.
Colet Williams
Digital Marketing Manager
Favorite Story Of 2024: PPAI Officially Defines Sustainability In Promotional Products
This article highlighted the growing importance of eco-friendly practices and showed how our industry can make a real difference.
Favorite Team Bonding Experience: Designing and launching the PPAI website was an inspiring collaboration that highlighted everyone’s strengths and unwavering dedication to enhancing the Association’s online presence.
My New Year’s Resolution: To prioritize creativity and collaboration in every project we tackle.
Promo Prediction for 2025: There will be a big shift toward AI personalization in promotional products, making every item feel truly one of a kind.
Non-Promo Prediction for 2025: Remote work tools will evolve to the point where virtual meetings feel almost indistinguishable from in-person interactions.
John Corrigan
Deputy Editor
Favorite Story Of 2024: Record Remix Cashes In On Vinyl’s Resurgence
Having the opportunity to visit members is always exciting. It just so happens that Record Remix, a supplier with one of the coolest product lines in the industry, is located about 40 minutes from my humble abode. So, a couple weeks before Record Store Day, I was able to tour the workshop, meet the visionary dream team behind the firm and witness the magic happen.
Favorite Team Bonding Experience: My first Expo experience lived up to the hype. In addition to exploring endless aisles of exhibitor booths, I got to know my colleagues better and share a lot of laughs. For example, ahead of the Eagles being blown out by Tampa Bay in the Wild Card Round, I told James Khattak and Sarah Luna that I’m going to “watch the birds.” They replied, “Hitchcock?”
I’d never give up working remotely, but I’m looking forward to hanging out with everyone again in Vegas. I just hope to be present for The PPAI Expo Party this year.
My New Year’s Resolution: Inspired by Kirby Hasseman’s weight loss journey, I’m adding daily push-ups to my 10,000-steps-a-day regimen.
Promo Prediction for 2025: Rupt Ventures will announce three more strategic investments in the promotional products industry.
Non-Promo Prediction for 2025: Super Bowl LIX will feature the Eagles against the Bills. I won’t say who’s going to win (bet the over, though), but I’ll wager five cheesesteaks, three soft pretzels and a side of scrapple if Jonny is willing to send over a bucket of buffalo wings.
Josh Ellis
Publisher & Editor in Chief
Favorite Story Of 2024: I’m most proud of our team’s quick response to breaking news coverage this year. PPAI Media was first to get the stories out when S&S Activewear acquired alphabroder and when iPROMOTEu acquired AIA. But I will have a longer memory of a late-night writing and preparing our Newslink breaking e-blast after the unexpected conclusion of a long power struggle at Gildan, which dragged on for months and resembled a season-long Succession story arc at times. Our team was on top of the drama from start to finish.
Favorite Team Bonding Experience: When you have a change at CEO, it bonds every employee. The way the entire team came together following the transition at PPAI this summer was really impressive. Meanwhile, PPAI Media was going through its own transition at that time, with new people in new roles. But the business and progress has carried on without missing a beat, which has made me very proud.
My New Year’s Resolution: My work resolution for 2025 is to bring even more visibility to PPAI’s Premium Research offerings. While the editorial staff does an excellent job summarizing the work of our market research, only Professional-tier members are able to access the full reports created by Alok Bhat and his team. I want to make sure every member recognizes the value of all available data to help make informed business decisions.
Promo Prediction for 2025: Continued consolidation in the industry is basically a free space, so I’ll take another guess. We’re going to see more suppliers adding “Made in the USA” offerings to their lines, possibly partnering with capable home-based manufacturers. PPAI will be working to create tariff exemptions for the industry, but a lot of suppliers will want that insurance if a trade war does get out of control.
Non-Promo Prediction for 2025: I will rot my brain and alienate my family by spending too much time playing Grand Theft Auto VI after it is released in the fall. Take that one to the bank.
