Chef Kate Plummer and Sous-Chef Amanda Delaney are at it again! In this heart-warming and hilarious installment of our Growing Up Promo series, they sit down with Josh Goodelman, Lead Janitor (aka Vice President) of New York based supplier Liqui-Mark, as he shares stories from the early days of how his grandfather's turned father's retail pen business entered the world of promo. Josh also talks about what pivoting looked like for them when the pandemic hit, how the competition has helped shape h...
Jan 13, 2021•39 min
Denise is chief executive officer (CEO) and cofounder of Fairware. Denise got the idea to launch Fairware when she noticed how difficult it was to source promotional merchandise that reflected the social and environmental priorities of many of the brands and organizations she admired. Prior to starting Fairware, Denise spent seven years as the Director of Sustainability and Community for Mountain Equipment Co-op, Canada’s largest outdoor retailer. She is currently a board member of Promo Cares, ...
Dec 30, 2020•41 min
On Dec 4, Tee Hamilton, our dear friend and founding chef at PromoKitchen lost her battle with cancer. Tee touched the lives of so many people in the promotional products industry whether it was through her brilliant video work, beautiful illustration and design output or her advocacy for the creative professional in her industry education outreach. Tee was an original in every sense of the word. She stood out in any room she walked into. She was admired and respected for the work she did. Was s...
Dec 15, 2020•1 hr 7 min
PromoKitchen is hosting a new education event! Need a fresh start? Yes please! With 2021 just around the corner, join Chefs Jay Busselle and Jessica Gibbons-Rauch to learn how to leverage LinkedIn. Yes, you might feel a little anxious as you realize your profile is missing the mark on a few (actually many) sections – but don’t stress, Jay & JGR can help! https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/5516073785432/WN_hLMjRiGnQtuwI2ddbah9GQ
Dec 08, 2020•36 sec
This is a new podcast series where you get to go back in time and revisit the stories of some brave and somewhat geeky rebels who were keenly searching for a new path forward in the promotional products market. Welcome to the "PromoKitchen OG Podcast Series." Are you curious about these founding PK chefs and renegades? Don't you want to know why they started PromoKitchen and what they were trying to accomplish? In the spirit of vision and to help you trailblaze a new path forward - take some tim...
Dec 02, 2020•47 min
On Nov 17, 2020, Paul Bellantone announced his decision to step down as President and CEO of PPAI. Paul joined PPAI in 1998 and worked his way to the CEO position in 2011, a role he will serve until March 2021. In his 2 decades at PPAI, he helped steer the organization through choppy waters - like 9/11, the financial collapse of 2008-2009, the shooting at the Mandalay Bay mere months before Expo 2018, and multiple legislative threats. And with the current coronavirus pandemic, Paul’s steady hand...
Nov 24, 2020•1 hr 7 min
In this episode, Kate Plummer talks with Latisha Marshall, Robert Cunningham and Annette Jensen about their recognition on PPB’s Uncommon Leaders. They talk about what makes a good leader, how things have changed with COVID and how to follow in their footsteps.
Nov 18, 2020•41 min
Chef Kate Plummer sits down with Aly Brunton of commonsku to discuss the power of awards and how as a company they created the skummunity awards and how they narrowed down the winners. Join us every Wednesday over on Twitter for a brand new #promochat 3:00PM Eastern, Noon Pacific
Nov 11, 2020•12 min
Chef Kate Plummer and Sous-Chef Amanda Delaney sit down with Joe Douglas (aka British Joe), Client Relationship Manager for Illinois-based supplier Orbus, for a growing up promo story with a twist. Joe talks to us about all things Orbus, including how he introduced his father's existing exhibit and signage company into the world of promo upon moving to the US. He also talks about the vast differences between living in England and living in America, the culture shock that is the state of Alabama,...
Nov 11, 2020•34 min
PromoKitchen OG Danny Rosin talks about his experience as a founding member of the organization and how much fun he has had investing in the organization.
Nov 09, 2020•41 min
Chef Kate Plummer sits down with Melissa Newman, social media manager of ASI to talk about what makes good content, how it can help you grow and why staying the same is dangerous! Join us every Wednesday over on Twitter for a brand new #promochat 3:00PM Eastern, Noon Pacific
Nov 04, 2020•14 min
In this episode, Johanna Gottlieb gets to connect and chat with Monica May. They discuss their personal upbringing and why Hispanic heritage month is important to each of them. Monica is a proud Tejana who has deep roots in South Texas, she has spent a large part of her professional life working to understand how culture and profession can work together. She began work with Employee Resource Groups (IBGs) in 2007 while working at Dell, Inc. and continued on through her tenure. She joined Expedia...
Oct 30, 2020•27 min
Chef Kate Plummer sits down with Roger Burnett of Social Good Promotions and PromoCares to discuss what makes a good cause marketing campaign, how to lead with good and how PromoCares has evolved over the years. Join us every Wednesday over on Twitter for a brand new #promochat 3:00PM Eastern, Noon Pacific
Oct 30, 2020•22 min
Chef Kate Plummer and Sous-Chef Amanda Delaney sit down with three promo rock stars who not only share a love for all things promotional products, but they also share one of the industry's most recognizable last names. Industry veteran Dana Zezzo, VP of Marketing and Vendor Relations for American Solutions for Business, and his daughters Megan Zezzo, National Account Manager for S&S Activewear, and Maria Zezzo, Account Manager for industry service provider FAST Platform, talk to us about wha...
Oct 22, 2020•37 min
Revolutionaries. Renegades. Dreamers. Leaders. This is a new podcast series where you get to go back in time and revisit the stories of some brave and somewhat geeky rebels who were keenly searching for a new path forward in the promotional products market. Welcome to the "PromoKitchen OG Podcast Series." Are you curious about these founding PK chefs and renegades? Don't you want to know why they started PromoKitchen and what they were trying to accomplish? In the spirit of vision and to help yo...
Oct 15, 2020•49 min
Chef Kate Plummer and Sous-Chef Amanda Delaney sit down with promo rockstars who share more than a love of promo. Veteran Paul Kory and his daughters Meghan Kory and Morgan Kory share their story in Growing up Promo.
Oct 07, 2020•38 min
In this episode Johanna Gottlieb talks with three of this year's Counselor Magazine's rising stars, our own Kate Plummer and Kate Masewhich and Tiffany Wu. They shared their perspectives on earning this honor and talk about what they see for the industry ahead.
Oct 02, 2020•29 min
Sous Chef Javier Melendez interviews Chef Kate Plummer to discuss the value of factory tours and education and how suppliers and distributors can pivot in this new world. Join us every Wednesday over on Twitter for a brand new #promochat 3:00PM Eastern, Noon Pacific
Sep 30, 2020•15 min
Deep Dive - Vicki Ostrom - Trends Chef Kate Plummer talks with trend expert Vicki Ostrom from SanMar about what's trending now. Their conversation ranges from Create-It-Yourself, to cottagecore to why tie-dye is seeing a resurgence. Join us every Wednesday over on Twitter for a brand new #promochat 3:00PM Eastern, Noon Pacific
Sep 29, 2020•21 min
In this episode Chefs Russell Bird and Johanna Gottlieb discuss the history of the PromoKitchen mentor program and where it is today. They talk about the new look of the program and how to sign up to be a mentor or mentee!
Sep 28, 2020•15 min
Bonus Deep Dive for you today. This one was recorded in early March but with everything that happened, it fell to the wayside. The topic is still timeless though. Denise Taschereau from Fairware sits down with Chef Kate Plummer to discuss sustainability, building a company when your mandate seems niche and what you can do to make a difference. Join us every Wednesday over on Twitter for a brand new #promochat 3:00PM Eastern, Noon Pacific If you’re looking to learn more about what Denise talks ab...
Sep 25, 2020•25 min
Chef Charity Gibson from Peerless sits down with Chef Kate Plummer to discuss what virtual tradeshows now look like and how we can make them better and be better at sales. Join us every Wednesday over on Twitter for a brand new #promochat 3:00PM Eastern, Noon Pacific
Sep 24, 2020•31 min
In this episode Kate Plummer, Clearmount and Johanna Gottlieb, Axis Promotions talk with Jason Emery from Toddy Gear. They discuss reopening safely during a pandemic and what it has been like at Toddy for the last few months.
Sep 22, 2020•44 min
Last year we did a podcast called Newbies and Vets. Mark Graham and Johanna Gottlieb went back to last year's newbies to talk to them about what it has been like to do your first year in promo DURING A PANDEMIC! It was such a fun conversation with three amazing women. Melanie Dwyer-Joyce has been an account coordinator for Rightsleeve Marketing since April 2019. She has a background in fashion and digital marketing and a passion for sustainability and supporting social-enterprises. Krista Franch...
Aug 28, 2020•33 min
In this podcast Kate Plummer and Johanna Gottlieb talk to Michele Bell and Jake Krolick from ASI. For the first time, this year’s Counselor Awards ceremony was held virtually. They discuss the planning and behind the scenes magic that helped make this event a success.
Aug 21, 2020•34 min
In this episode Kate Plummer and Johanna Gottlieb chat with DeShaun Diggs about Racism in America. We learn about some personal experiences and hear a great perspective from DeShaun.
Aug 11, 2020•39 min
In this podcast Kate Plummer and Johanna Gottlieb talk with Valerie Spiller. Valerie has over 20 years of sales and marketing experience. She has spent time working in positions in the Manufacturing, Consumer Goods, and Banking industries. Her sales career began in Sporting Goods with the Gatorade brand and has evolved to emphasize the Promotional Products Industry. She loves her work and helping customers find solutions, and it's clear to anyone she interacts with. Outside of work she enjoys gr...
Jul 21, 2020•31 min
In this episode, we dig deep into apparel trends with Josh Appelbaum, VP Apparel with Hit Promotional Products.
Jul 07, 2020•30 min
In this episode Kate Plummer and Johanna Gottlieb talk to Julie Kwan about the PPAI Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Playbook and how we can make changes in our industry and move forward together.
Jun 25, 2020•37 min
Chefs Kate Plummer and Johanna Gottlieb talk with Benn Sledge from Aztec Specialties. They cover what it means to be a minority business owner and their importance to our supply chain. In this discussion Benn opens up doing a self check in and why this movement is different than others.
Jun 16, 2020•32 min
