PRINTING United Alliance has formed a partnership with the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), a technology, marketing and information provider in the promotional products industry.
The partnership allows members of both organizations to benefit from the increasing convergence of promotional products and print distributors, printing, and apparel and promo decoration.
“For the many printers and print distributors evaluating promo products or interested in expanding their business, this partnership offers them multiple access points to ASI, the leading promo industry service provider,” says Ford Bowers, CEO, PRINTING United Alliance.
“For ASI suppliers and distributors who decorate in-house, this relationship with the alliance delivers invaluable support, education, research, events and expert guidance on the best techniques and technology to help them more effectively and efficiently decorate promo products,” Bowers adds.
As part of the agreement, ASI will assume ownership of the following programs and content:
• Events: Five Power Meetings and Power House hosted-buyer events.
• Media: Print & Promo Marketing (PPM) magazine, a daily e-newsletter, media website and the Print & Promo Marketing Product Search tool.
In addition, PRINTING United Expo and ASI are teaming up to offer an ASI Promo Products Knowledge Center and provide promo-focused education sessions at this year’s expo, taking place September 10-12 in Las Vegas. The 800-plus exhibitors expected at the expo this year will include several of ASI’s top 40 suppliers. In turn, the alliance will offer print-focused educational content at upcoming ASI trade shows.
A co-marketing agreement including events, print, social, email and digital media will provide members of both organizations a clear understanding of where promo and various segments of printing overlap, identify opportunities, and promote membership.
“Considering that 20% of ASI distributors have ties to the print sector and a similar proportion of screen printers have expanded into promo, the potential for synergy is clear,” says Timothy M. Andrews, ASI President and CEO. “By pooling talents across promo, screen printing, print and decorating, we’ll create a dynamic marketplace unparalleled in its scope and potential,,,”
“… Alliance members and printers who are looking to improve their decoration services and expand into promotional products will now have the prime opportunity to do so,” adds Andrews. “We are excited for this partnership and the countless benefits it provides to the industry.”
