SAAGNY News

I learned over the last months that I really like being home and not constantly travelling. Wanting to spend more time with my young grandchildren and not miss watching them grow up. I am also looking forward to helping my wife, Jacqui, with her business as a Geiger salespartner, something I haven’t been able to do in the past.

Persistence and a commitment to relationship building have defined my career. I credit much of this success as a recruiter and mentor to my background in sales. I understand what salespeople want, what they need to do, what they’d prefer to avoid, and the heartbreak of losing a big order they thought was theirs.

I started with Geiger in 1994 by answering a job advertisement for a division manager at Martin Meyers Company, a Geiger-owned business in Pennsylvania. I wasn’t looking for a career, since prior to Geiger I never stayed in the same place for more than 5 years. The people and sense of community at Geiger and this industry, kept me coming back. I was “having too good a time” to go elsewhere.

When I first started, I had no experience with promotional products, but I knew how to sell. I had to work hard to acquire the necessary knowledge by taking the supplier catalogs home each night and memorizing the information in them. I became well-recognized by the salesforce for product knowledge and research speed. I didn’t share this secret – I also had an early copy of ESP!!!

I am very proud of recruiting quality people to the team and feel that building relationships is the key success in this wonderful industry. Others have agreed, honoring me with awards like being named to ASI’s People to Watch in the 2000s, PPB’s 2010 Best Bosses, President of PAPPA (SACDV at the time) several times, PAPPA 2014 Humanitarian of the Year and the PAPPA Hall of Fame. I am very grateful for being a part of founding of RAC and believe so strongly in the outstanding network of regional associations

This industry is so very special.  The nature of my position had me active with PAPPA, SAAGNY and NEPPA.  SAAGNY, in particular, invokes warm feelings of the early days at the Concord, to the excitement of the first End User Event in Manhattan.

One of my first ideas for Geiger in 1994 failed miserably. Gene Geiger called me about it not long after, mentioning that he’d heard that it didn’t go well but made me promise to keep the ideas coming. I think that particular speech, more than anything, kept me at Geiger and in the industry for the next 26 years.

Thank you to SAAGNY, it’s leaders and membership for all you have given me.  You are special!!

The December SAAGNY Life has arrived.  Click here to get the latest from SAAGNY.     

Imprint Marketing Concepts, Inc. today announced that the organization’s Founder and President, Mark May, is retiring at the end of 2020. Mark’s decision to retire will bring to a close a remarkable career of 35 years.

Mark founded the company in 1986 and has worked relentlessly for its success. During his tenure, the company has grown into a multi-million-dollar organization and a respected leader in the promotional products industry.

Brett Coplin, IMC’s Vice President, said: “Mark is an exceptional business leader who has transformed IMC, making it one of the best-performing and most respected companies in the promo industry. Mark’s vision, drive, and focus, combined with his commitment to serving the best long-term interests of the company, have materially strengthened IMC. He leaves an agile and resilient company, well placed to win in this fast-changing, dynamic industry. I’d like to thank him personally for his passion, leadership, friendship and mentorship.”

During Mark’s tenure at IMC, he guided the company from a modest local promo company to an international provider of branded merchandise and corporate apparel. His focus on collaborative selling and honesty allowed the company to grow and be competitive. He also oversaw numerous initiatives outside of the promo industry that allowed the company to diversify.

Perhaps the most admired part of Mark’s legacy is the relationships that he has built over 35 years. Employees, clients, and supplier partners know Mark as an honest, trustworthy leader in the industry. He leaves the organization in solid standing with systems the company can continue to use to grow.

Turn Your Wrongs Into Rights - The SAAGNY Foundation is accepting donations of misprints, samples, unused pens and pencils to donate to schools in the New York, New Jersey, and CT areas.  #forgoodnessake

Thank you to the following companies who have generously donated:

• Team Walter B
• Mike Valentini Promotions
• Rob Craxford
• Paul Sprunk
• Anonymous Donor

The Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York (SAAGNY) Board of Directors, in accordance with the association bylaws, elected three Directors to serve as officers in 2021.  All terms begin on January 1, 2021.

The 2021 Executive Committee will include Rachel Levin, CAS of distributor Stran Promotional Solutions as President; Michael Reisbaum, of supplier Blue Generation as Vice President; and Christian Brandt as Secretary/Treasurer.  Paul Sprunk of MLR-Paul Sprunk Associates will remain on the board and Executive Committee as Immediate Past President. 

SAAGNY President Paul Sprunk, remarked: “It's a great feeling knowing that the 2021 Executive Committee for SAAGNY will include such qualified and dedicated individuals.  As I transition from President to Immediate Past President, I am confident that SAAGNY is in great hands with the new Executive Committee and Board of Directors.”