When you get prospects on the phone, those first few seconds are crucial. They’re not deciding whether they need merch — they’re deciding whether to keep listening. Some reps bungle those first moments on a sales call. They may talk too fast or soun...

Ten years ago, coming into the branded merchandise industry after a career with brands like Converse, Reebok and Vans, I carried many of the same assumptions that outsiders still have today.Branded merchandise was swag, giveaways and tchotchkes....

Four thousand feet above sea level in Moab, Utah, where red rock formations rise from the desert and the landscape feels built for adventure, RUPT Summer Camp delivered the kind of setting that tends to stick with people.Held June 8-11, the inau...

While it’s no surprise that branded merchandise suppliers are seeing higher demand for “Made-in-USA” products ahead of the United States Semiquincentennial on July 4, one supplier argues the commission behind America250 has fumbled the most importan...

Bad sales behavior is easy to spot when it’s obvious. You know you need to address things if a rep lies to clients or creates drama within your team. The challenge is that some toxic habits don’t start out looking so bad. A rep who hoards leads coul...

Two members of the branded merchandise industry will be experiencing PPAI’s Women’s Leadership Conference for the first time this year thanks to the generosity of their peers.Sara Salazar, founder and brand strategist at Las Vegas-base...

Would branded merch companies say they have "gotten used to" tariffs on foreign imports? Probably not, but they certainly have had a lot of time to adjust to what's become an indefinite reality, as the threat of tariffs have come into the picture si...

Success in branded merch looks a little different than it did a few years ago. It’s no longer about just building a positive culture or regularly hitting goals. The strongest teams do both, and they also stay flexible. Even when orders hit unexpecte...