EDITOR’S NOTES
LISA HORN PPB EDITOR
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Back To The Future
JANUARY IS A MAGICAL MONTH. A new year is unveiled. It’s a time for reflecting on the past year and planning for the next 12 months—all while keeping an eye out for the unexpected. Looking back, I am pleased with what PPB was able to accomplish in 2007. PPB debuted a new look last year. We updated our logo, color palette, type styles and page design to give you a more aesthetically pleasing experience when reading the magazine. But we didn’t stop there. We incorporated these changes into our new website, www.ppbmag.com. The result is a more modern approach consistent with the look of today’s business online and in print. Additionally, two talented individuals joined the PPB staff as associate editors. Annette L. Kovac works with PPB contributors, shaping the editorial that educates the industry every month. Jen Alexander reports on the industry news and trends that affect your business each week in PPB Newslink. Past, present and future is the theme for the January issue. Here’s some of what’s in store on the following pages. Being inducted into the PPAI Hall of Fame is the highest honor the industry has to offer. It recognizes exceptional contributions to and long-term involvement with PPAI and the industry. This year, Rick G. Ebel, Robert B. Lederer, CAS, and Bob Waldorf, CAS join the 66 previous honorees. Find out how they reached the pinnacle of success in the January cover story on page 90. Turn to page 102, and you can read about how another industry influencer, Mary Ellen Pahlka-Hudicka, MAS, soars to new heights as the 2008 PPAI Distinguished Service Award recipient. Obtaining a MAS or CAS designation is an honor more and more industry practitioners achieve each year. Find out about this lofty thinking bunch, and how you can join them, on page 106. And for a humorous look back at some of the most embarrassing, memorable and proud moments of your peers, turn to page 132. You’ll see why there’s never a dull moment in this industry. Looking forward, how will you grow your business in 2008? Branching out into brand-name incentives is an option. Find out how on page 45.
If you’re like most people, Google is a mainstay for finding products and services online. Will search engines drive prospects to your website— or your competitors? Learn how to make your website more visible on page 49. Decorating is one essential way promotional products differ from unimprinted counterparts found on store shelves. But how is decorating done? This month, PPB debuts Decorating 101, your behind-the-scenes look at the various techniques used to create personalized products, beginning on page 52. And these are just a few of the stories to whet your appetite for this month’s PPB. What’s in store for the future? Since I don’t have a flux capacitor attached to a flying DeLorian, I can’t go back to the future to know for sure (although that would be handy for editorial planning…). What I do know is that topics such as product safety, social interests, environmental concerns and increasing globalization will continue to be serious subjects for the industry, and PPB will provide the tools you need to understand the issues. And since promotional products are the industry’s foundation, we’ll also continue to showcase the most innovative, useful and bestselling products. And, of course, we’ll also keep you informed on what’s new at the Association and how your business can benefit from its PPAI membership. PPAI is your Association, and PPB is your magazine. Let us know what topics you’d like to know more about. Drop me a line at LisaH@ppai.org. Together, let’s make 2008 the most successful year yet. ppb
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PPB
JANUARY 2008