The role of PPAI Media continues to evolve, and the department’s staff is changing with it.

“When the new-look PPAI.org launched this summer, management of every facet of the website transitioned from the Marketing department at the Association to the Media team, creating opportunities for expanded impact in the team,” says PPAI Media publisher and editor-in-chief Josh Ellis. “I’m proud of the growth we’ve experienced not only as a department serving our members, but individually throughout the staff.”

The latest moves bring change to three positions.

  • Longtime staff journalist James Khattak, CAS, moved from his role as deputy editor to the position of manager, content and special media projects.
  • To fill the role of deputy editor, John Corrigan was promoted from his previous news editor position.
  • Replacing Corrigan as news editor, journalist Arianna Johnson joined the team in October.

PPAI Media’s responsibilities now include not only the editorial coverage that makes up PPAI Magazine and the newsletters PPAI Newslink and PromoPro Daily, but also research, public affairs, social media and digital content.

James Khattak, CAS

James Khattak, CAS

Manager, Content & Special Media Projects

Originally joining the team as news editor in 2011, Khattak was the primary reporter behind PPAI’s online coverage of industry happenings for more than a decade. In 2022 he transitioned to the position of senior digital editor, in which he oversaw the launch of the PPAI Media Monthly newsletter series, and in the spring of 2023 stepped into the role of deputy editor to take charge of all day-to-day editorial operations.

In the new role, Khattak is responsible for integrating PPAI Media’s work across the organization’s digital footprint, overseeing the execution of PPAI.org’s user experience and leading key projects such as PPAI Media’s recognition programs, such as Greatest Companies to Work For, Rising Stars and the #Online18. He also leads PPAI Media’s internal graphic design work.

“My time at PPAI has always been very collaborative,” Khattak says. “In this new role, I’m working with my peers in the Association in different ways and with a different focus. The challenges are new, the way I work with my colleagues is new and what we produce is new.”

Khattak calls the changes “invigorating.”

“In my early days at PPAI, I think I started every conversation with ‘I have a question.’ Today, I can be that resource for the people I work with,” he says.

John Corrigan

John Corrigan

Deputy Editor

Bringing nearly six years of experience covering the promotional products industry in the summer of 2023, Corrigan has played a key role in PPAI Media’s breaking news coverage. He earned internal recognition as one of the PPAI staff’s own rising stars this spring.

As deputy editor, Corrigan oversees PPAI’s two news editors, Johnson and Jonny Auping, as well as several freelance contributors to ensure the quality and on-time delivery of all PPAI Media newsletters and PPAI magazine.

Corrigan had most recently reported on the human resources profession before joining PPAI. Prior to that, he was a staff writer for ASI. Corrigan says, “As one of the few people who have worked on multiple promo editorial teams, I’ve been blessed to learn from industry veterans about not only who the movers and shakers are, but also what topics and issues are most important to our readers. I’ll be bringing these insights, as well as a hunger to learn more about this ever-changing industry, to my new role with the goal of advancing PPAI Media’s editorial coverage for the benefit of our members.”

Arianna Johnson

Arianna Johnson

News Editor

A 2022 graduate of Clark Atlanta University, Johnson studied mass media arts, with a concentration in journalism. Her experience includes content internships at The Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros. Discovery.

Before coming on board at PPAI in October, Johnson worked on the breaking news team at Forbes, handling science and technology explanations and trend coverage. While the promotional products industry is new to Johnson, she says that was part of the appeal in joining PPAI Media.

“One of the biggest things that drew me to the role was the industry itself,” Johnson says. “It’s so expansive, and I love to be kept on my toes. I think trying new things and challenging yourself is the only way to continue learning and growing in your career.”

Johnson is a native of Dallas. When she’s not working, Johnson says, she can be found “at a concert, hanging out with friends, walking my dog, watching an unsophisticated reality TV show, playing pickleball, or fueling my shopping addiction.”