PostScript

Whether you’ve started to experiment with it or are feeling like a pro, generative artificial intelligence (AI) is one trend that’s here to stay. While some think its impact could match that of the internet boom — remember the newness of email? Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks starred in a whole movie about it! — we’re still in the Wild West era of this shiny new technology. Ethics remain a gray area and ma

Earlier this year, Brand Chain announced the exciting news that the association will merge with PRINTING United Alliance April 1.As we approach this milestone, the Brand Chain editorial team sat down with Ford Bowers, CEO of PRINTING United Alliance (left). We discussed the trends he’s keeping a pulse on and what people can look forward to as our organizations join forces. What follows is our conv

March 18 is Global Recycling Day, an opportunity for brand solutions providers to reexamine how their businesses engage in sustainable practices and highlight the eco-friendly work their team is doing.Brand Chain staff spoke with Brett Boake (left), general manager of Score Promotions, about how their organization has grown in their commitment to sustainable practices, and how other brand solution

Toronto, ON Canada (Mar 6, 2024) – commonsku, a promotional products business and sales software, and Numo, the industry’s leader in upcycling promo, team together to make magic from skucon merch. At skucon in Las Vegas, 48 beautiful tablecloths were created for the event with supplier partner Visual Textiles. After the conference, to extend the lifecycle of the tablecloths beyond the event, they

🏀Question: We have an employee who does a March Madness bracket pool in the office. Do we have any liability by allowing that? Can we tell them it's not allowed?Answer: Bracket pools for March Madness are growing in popularity given the easy management though online resources. Since these pools aren't limited in size like fantasy football or other leagues, they can be a fun way to connect co-work

The year is 2017. A new social platform is breaking through the market, embraced by younger generations for lip synch challenges and dance videos. While platforms like Vine start to fade out (RIP) and Facebook comes under federal scrutiny, it becomes apparent there’s a new sheriff in town — TikTok. By the end of this year, the platform is projected to reach 2 billion users. Its popularity can’t be

No matter what time of year it is, it’s always a good time to start planning your next sale. While winter hasn’t ended in many parts of the country just yet, warm weather will be here before we know it, and with it spring-sale fever. Below are some tips for preparing your shop for the season and beyond.Start Planting Planning Your Promotion 📝🌱Before you can create a buzz about your spring sale,

Over the last few years, our association has evolved further than we could've ever imagined. From our new name and branding, to re-imagined events and an innovative digital platform and mobile app, we are so proud of where we are today. And you, our valuable community, have been with us through it all. Now, we're pleased to announce the next iteration of Brand Chain's long legacy. Starting April 1

Partnership underscores combined organizations’ respective strengths to elevate supply chain capabilities and even more educational resources, access, and support to members Feb. 15, 2024– FAIRFAX, Va. — PRINTING United Alliance, the most comprehensive member-based printing and graphic arts association in North America; Brand Chain, the essential community for the brand solutions supply chain; and

Does running a blog really impact your business enough to make the effort worthwhile? In short: yes, it does! Marketers in the business-to-business (B2B) space who incorporate blogging into their strategy report a 67% increase in lead generation compared to their counterparts who do not utilize this approach. When it comes to business-to-consumer (B2C) marketing, companies that run blogs generate

By now, you’ve probably seen your fair share of 2024 holiday lists (but ICYMI, check out this roundup from BrandWatch). There’s no shortage of opportunities for holiday sales and fun social media spotlights, but when everyone’s feed is flooded on major holidays, breaking through the noise can be a challenge.Enter the lesser-known (but often twice as fun) days of awareness! Posting with these light

Card products are versatile tools that can make a big impact on personal and organizational branding. Brand Chain community members Emily Myers (Business Card Service, Inc.) and Jeff Howicz (Team Concept Printing) shared five reasons to consider adding cards to your product mix.1. They’re a great foundation for client relationships.The classic business card is one of the most foundational products

Congratulations! Your company has grown, business is booming and you’ve hired more employees to help you meet the new demand. Not every company is able to say they are having that success.However, as you add employees, the number of employment regulations your company falls under changes as well. So while you are managing additional payroll, scheduling and benefit responsibilities, be sure to keep

Stanley cups, artificial intelligence (AI), print on demand… What’s in for 2024 and what’s out the door? We asked Brand Chain members to weigh in. Read on and share your hot takes in the comments.👀 IN FOR 2024Soft earth tones in apparel, directly lifted from retail trends. (I know this is an easy one, but I’m sticking with it. I think it’s part of the continued “catch up” of promo to retail.)—Joe

(January 1, 2024) New flavors, new spices, new chefs! PromoKitchen, the all-volunteer, 501C non-profit that focuses on education and mentorship in the promotional products industry, is spicing things up in the kitchen with a brand-new chair and six new board members. After two years as a chef on the board of PromoKitchen, Ashley Colautti has been named PromoKitchen’s new chair for 2024. With 16 ye

As we roll back into routines and gear up for new projects, here are a few things the Brand Chain editorial team is consuming to get inspired as we start a new year. 📈 Key Trends in Content Marketing 2024: 67 Predictions: This crowd-sourced compilation from Content Marketing Institute gives us plenty to chew on. There are a ton of interesting takes on artificial intelligence (AI) with a clear the

Have you considered booking a booth at an industry expo, or need some pointers on upping your game? Exhibiting is an excellent sales and marketing tool, and there are plenty of events available to bring your product into the spotlight. If you’re new to expos and don’t know where to start, we’ve got you covered! The Liftoff team has been in the game for a few years. After an especially busy period

(Dec. 12, 2023) PromoKitchen, the all-volunteer, 501C non-profit that focuses on education and mentorship in the promotional products industry, is thrilled to announce their highly anticipated networking mixer is back for 2024!Hosted at the House of Blues on January 15 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., PromoKitchen will be kicking off PPAI’s Expo once again with the chance to mix and mingle with the innovators

The following is a sponsored article from our partners at DLS.If your clients provide products to major retailers, you might have encountered the increasing demand to incorporate radio-frequency identification (RFID) tagging on their merchandise. The prevalence of retailer RFID mandates is growing, making it imperative to grasp the fundamentals and ensure compliance for your clients. This comprehe

Consumer preferences are changing at the speed of light, and technology continues to transform the landscape of client engagement. As a result, today’s brand solutions providers find themselves at a critical juncture. Industry leaders recognize that focus must extend beyond offering quality products and services. To remain relevant, providers of print and promotional products must acknowledge and