Mike Szymczak, co-founder of Salt Lake City-based supplier Origaudio (PPAI 421483, S7), is retiring from the promotional products industry.
A Change In Leadership
Origaudio, a subsidiary of HPG (PPAI 110772, S11) – ranked the No. 8 supplier in this year’s PPAI 100 – has announced that Szymczak will step down from his development and sales management role at Origaudio, as well as his vice president of business development role at HPG, on Aug. 18.
- He will also see out the remainder of his tenure on the board of American Solutions for Business (PPAI 101656, D12) – ranked the No. 9 distributor in the PPAI 100 – through the end of 2023.
“This industry is the absolute greatest to be a part of and I’m thankful for all the people I’ve met because of it,” says Szymczak, who will remain an HPG investor. “I’m proud to have worked alongside the HPG family as we’ve collectively grown the Origaudio brand and have every confidence they’ll continue to in my absence.”
In a video, Szymczak announced that Nick Lateur, director of sales at HPG, will assume his development and sales management role as it relates to Origaudio.
- Entering the promo industry in 2015, Lateur worked in national sales for San Clemente, California-based supplier AP Specialties and Mason, Ohio-based IMAGEN Brands (PPAI 114197, S10) before joining HPG as director of national accounts for HPG’s specialty channel.
“Mike Szymczak is a true innovator and someone I deeply admire,” Lateur told PPAI Media. “While I’m (selfishly) a little bummed out about his decision to step away from the day-to-day work at HPG/Origaudio, I’m also extremely happy for Mike and his family for having the ability to continue to blaze his own path in life. He’s earned that privilege.”
“I humbly accept the fiery-hot Origaudio torch he is now passing to me,” Lateur adds. “I’ll continue to instill creativity and innovation to the unique brand that he and Jason Lucash built 14-plus years ago, and I consider it one of my top professional honors to be the one to carry Origaudio successfully into the future.”
In 2009, Szymczak and Lucash launched Origaudio, which has earned numerous accolades inside and outside the industry for its cutting-edge products, innovative packaging and clever go-to-market strategies.
- In 2011, the duo appeared on Shark Tank, accepting an offer from investor Robert Herjavec, who offered the exact $150,000 for 15% deal that they hoped for.
- In 2018, Origaudio was acquired by HPG, which was formerly named HUB Promotional Group.
“The HPG team wishes to congratulate Mike on his success and thank him for his wonderful contribution to the entire enterprise,” says Trina Bicknell, chief revenue officer at HPG. “He has earned his stellar reputation through hard work, ingenuity and genuine kindness toward those around him. I’m delighted he won’t be far away as he remains an investor and look forward to his input in the future as we grow both Origaudio and HPG.”
