Eskimo Joe’s Promotional Products Group (PPAI 241731, Silver) announces the promotion of Amy McCray to president, effective immediately.

• McCray began her career with the organization in 1996 as a hostess at Mexico Joe’s while working part-time in accounting.
• She advanced through multiple leadership positions, including hospitality manager at Mexico Joe’s and general manager at Joseppi’s before joining EJPPG in May 2012 as director of client services.
• At EJPPG, McCray progressed through key roles including director of internal branding consultants and director of branding operations before her promotion to vice president in 2019.

“Amy’s 28-year journey with our organization demonstrates her deep understanding of our business and unwavering commitment to excellence,” says Stan Clark, CEO and founder of Eskimo Joe’s. “Her proven ability to foster collaboration and deliver exceptional results makes her the ideal leader to guide EJPPG’s next chapter of growth.”

The Magnet Group (PPAI 338534, Platinum), PPAI 100’s No. 9 supplier, has announced the launch of its new website.

A new Advanced Search tool, faster page load speeds, more product categories and enhanced search filters are all part of the new website, which you can access at www.themagnetgroup.com.

SRG (PPAI 230188, Platinum), PPAI 100’s No. 17 supplier, has announced the appointment of Melanie Langille as the new vice president of sales for Promobilia, a division within SRG dedicated to delivering unique and impactful factory-direct solutions to over 10,000 distributors across North America.

• Langille, who brings over 20 years of experience in the promotional products industry, previously served as vice president of sales at SRG.

“Melanie has been a driving force within SRG, and her insight into distributor needs is unmatched,” says Merrick Falkenstein, chief revenue officer at SRG. “Promobilia is poised for continued growth under her leadership, and I couldn’t be more excited to see where she takes the brand next.”

Storm Creek (PPAI 438091, Gold), PPAI 100’s No. 33 supplier, has announced its new commonsku (PPAI 552077) connected+ partnership.

• With commonsku connected+, Storm Creek’s full product catalog, real-time inventory and ordering (e-Po) are now fully integrated into the commonsku platform.
• Customers can now build presentations, create estimates and place Storm Creek orders all within the commonsku ecosystem.

“We’ew always looking for ways to make it easier for distributors to do business with us,” says Teresa Fudenberg, CEO of Storm Creek. “This integration is a big win on that front. We’re excited to be part of the skumunnity!”

Kaeser & Blair (PPAI 103148, Platinum), PPAI 100’s No. 21 distributor, hosted its annual Sales Leadership Summit from June 9-13 at the Don CeSar hotel in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The event brought together nearly 200 attendees – including 80 high-performing dealers representing over $38 million in annual sales, 38 supplier partners and members of the Kaeser & Blair leadership and support teams – for four days of connection, collaboration and celebration.

• Educational sessions included a keynote by industry thought leader Bill Petrie from brandivate on harnessing the power of AI to support dealer growth, along with a Q&A with CJ Schmidt, CEO of HIT Promotional Products.
• A highlight of the summit was the Awards Banquet, where top-performing dealers from the 2024 selling season were recognized.

“Our goal was to create an environment where relationships could flourish, innovation could be explored and our dealers felt empowered heading into the second half of the year,” says Kaeser & Blair Co-CEOs Mitch and Brad Kaeser. “Judging by the energy, feedback and enthusiasm from attendees, we believe we more than delivered.”

Richard N. “Dick” Gray, president of DVE Global Marketing (PPAI 439149, Standard-Base), has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who, which has been publishing biographical data since 1899.

As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Gray, who has served as president of the disabled veteran-owned distributor since 2010, has dedicated over five decades to the printing services and promotional products industries and marked his 55th anniversary in October 2024.