Promo Perspectives by SAGE

What is Promo Live really like from both sides of the event? In this episode of Promo Perspectives, Nicole Cook sits down with Jackie Cook from the Supplier Sales team and Andy Evans, Distributor Sales Manager and Promo Live host, to get an inside look at what makes Promo Live different. From the supplier side, Jackie explains how SAGE helps suppliers prepare for the event, from selling and educat...

Discover Yorkn, a sourcing partner built to help distributors find unique products, manage custom projects, and serve clients across the U.S. and Canada. In this episode of Promo Perspectives, Nicole Cook sits down with Jake Pan, owner of Yorkn, to learn more about the company’s 13-year journey, its direct import model, and how Yorkn helps distributors source products that may not be readily avail...

What happens when the promotional products industry decides to market itself to marketers? On this episode of Promo Perspectives, Nicole Cook sits down with Melissa Ralston, Kathleen Burr, and Josh Ellis from PPAI to discuss Merch Moves Us, a new global marketing campaign designed to elevate the perception of branded merchandise and position it as a strategic, data-backed marketing channel. The ca...

Holiday gifting season is closer than it feels, and for distributors, now is the time to start the conversation. In this episode of Promo Perspectives, Nicole Cook explores how distributors can help clients move beyond simply ordering holiday gifts and instead create a thoughtful, memorable holiday gifting experience. The best gift isn't always the most expensive or trendiest product. It’s the one...

Back-to-school season is about more than backpacks and notebooks. It's one of the biggest business opportunities of the year. In this episode of Promo Perspectives, host Nicole Cook is joined by SAGE Distributor Account Advisor Sage Thomas to discuss how distributors can rethink the back-to-school season and uncover opportunities far beyond traditional school products. From hiring initiatives and...

Planning your 2027 advertising strategy? Now is the time to start. In this episode of Promo Perspectives, host Nicole Cook sits down with John Griffin, Senior Account Advisor on the SAGE Supplier Sales team, to discuss why suppliers should begin planning their advertising well before the new media guide is released. John shares how the SAGE Supplier Sales team works with suppliers to build customi...

What makes a great leader, and how do you become one? In this episode of Promo Perspectives, host Nicole Cook is joined by Megan Dean (PPAI), Jill Begun (PPAI), and Halle Moore (BAYSTATE) to discuss the PPAI Leadership Development Conference (LDC), an event designed to help emerging leaders, young professionals, and regional volunteers develop the skills, confidence, and connections needed to grow...

Why do buyers suddenly stop responding? If you've ever had a great conversation with a client, built the perfect presentation, and then heard... absolutely nothing, you're not alone. Getting ghosted is one of the most frustrating parts of sales, but it isn't always a reflection of you or your work. In this episode of Promo Perspectives, Nicole Cook breaks down five of the most common reasons buyer...

Are catalogs still relevant in the promotional products industry—or have they been replaced by digital tools? In this episode of Promo Perspectives, host Anne-Marie sits down with John Griffin, Senior Supplier Account Advisor at SAGE, to discuss how catalogs have evolved from printed books to dynamic digital experiences. John shares why catalogs aren't dead—they've simply adapted to changing buyer...

What does it really take to build a responsible, resilient promotional products business? In this episode of Promo Perspectives, host Nicole Cook is joined by Liz Wimbush (PPAI), Laura Smith (Storm Creek), and Lenny Pollock (Zagwear) to discuss the upcoming PPAI Responsibility Summit and why it has become one of the industry's most valuable educational and networking events. From sustainability an...

Are company stores worth it? In this episode of Promo Perspectives, host Nicole Cook sits down with Chris Jordan, Distributor Sales Account Advisor at SAGE, to explore how company stores are helping distributors win more business, strengthen customer relationships, and simplify branded merchandise programs. From employee apparel and onboarding to pop-up stores, incentive programs, and franchise br...

What does Gen Z actually want from promotional products? In this episode of Promo Perspectives, host Anne Marie sits down with fellow Gen Z team member Emily Pritchard to discuss what makes branded merchandise worth keeping—and what ends up in the trash. From quality and usefulness to sustainability and memorable brand experiences, they share an honest Gen Z perspective on what today's consumers v...

How do custom journals become powerful brand experiences? In this episode of Promo Perspectives, host Nicole Cook sits down with Don Manchester from JournalBooks, a division of PCNA, to explore the world of custom journal sourcing and how distributors can create memorable branded experiences for their clients. Don shares insights into JournalBooks' 50+ years of U.S.-based manufacturing, the sourci...

The FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event on the planet, and with the 2026 tournament coming to North America, the promotional products industry has a unique opportunity to get involved. In this episode of Promo Perspectives, host Nicole Cook sits down with SAGE Supplier Sales Representative and soccer enthusiast Cody Smith to discuss how the World Cup impacts promotional products, branded...

Why do some promotional products become cultural phenomena while others are quickly forgotten? In this solo episode of Promo Perspectives, Nicole explores the surprising ways branded merchandise creates connection, community, and lasting emotional impact. Drawing from our LinkedIn article, "Five Swag Stories You May Not Have Heard About," she breaks down real-world examples of promotional products...

Discover how SAGE’s Information Services team helps distributors solve impossible product searches, verify suppliers, and navigate the promotional products industry with real human support. In this episode of Promo Perspectives, Nicole sits down with Kassondra and Alan from SAGE’s Information Services team to talk about live product research, supplier verification, unusual customer requests, and t...

What makes a website truly effective in 2026? In this episode of Promo Perspectives, host Nicole Cook sits down with Patty McGowan and Brittany Davis from the SAGE web team to discuss what separates an average website from a winning one in the promotional products industry. From mobile responsiveness and personalization to custom forms, branding, and customer experience, this conversation is packe...

Get a fast-paced look at the latest trends, products, and innovations shaping the promotional products industry. From low-minimum custom food service products and ultra-fast large format displays to AI-powered presentation tools, premium apparel, branded footwear, sustainable gifting, and cutting-edge promo tech, this session is packed with ideas distributors can bring directly to clients. Feature...

In this episode of Promo Perspectives, host Nicole Cook sits down with Cat Gagliardo to explore the Co-Creative Exchange (CC|X)—one of the newest and most exciting communities in the promotional products industry. CC|X is bringing together content creators, distributors, suppliers, and industry leaders to collaborate, grow their online presence, and help move the promo industry forward. From share...

What makes the Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC) such a powerful experience in the promotional products industry? In this episode of Promo Perspectives, host Nicole Cook sits down with Arianna Johnson and Laurie Moore to talk all about WLC, from the supportive community and leadership development opportunities to the real-world skills, networking, and confidence attendees walk away with. Whether...

Discover what makes the International Leadership Summit (ILS) one of the most unique and impactful events in the promotional products industry. In this episode of Promo Perspectives, host Nicole Cook sits down with Ellen Tucker and Jessica Gibbons-Rauch from PPAI to break down everything you need to know about this global event. From cross-border collaboration to high-level leadership conversation...

How does a supplier stay competitive on pricing, inventory, and marketing support in today’s promotional products industry? In this episode of Promo Perspectives, we sit down with Michelle, Senior Marketing Manager at BEL Promo, to break down how their team helps distributors win more business. With over 20 years of experience, Michelle shares insights into how BEL Promo maintains low minimums, st...

What makes a great Promo Live presentation—and why should you attend? In this episode of Promo Perspectives, we sit down with Amanda Carpenter, Senior Customer Experience Manager at SAGE and longtime Promo Live host, to break down what makes this virtual event so valuable for both suppliers and distributors. Promo Live is SAGE’s interactive online event held twice a year, giving distributors direc...

In this episode of Promo Perspectives, we’re diving into one of the most impactful leadership events in the promotional products industry—the PPI North American Leadership Conference (NALC). Host Nicole Cook is joined by Melissa Ralston (Chief Marketing Officer at PPI) and Danny Rosin (Co-President of Brand Fuel and Chair of the PPI Board) to break down what makes this event truly unique. From hig...

What made PPAI Expo 2026 so memorable? In this episode of Promo Perspectives, host Nicole Cook shares insights and behind-the-scenes perspectives from industry professionals who experienced the show firsthand. From exciting booth activations like the SAGE slot machine giveaway to discussions about new product features, sustainability trends, industry data, and networking across the global promotio...