Industry updates
In Memoriam
Norman Cohn
Advertising Specialty Institute
Norman Cohn, chairman emeritus of the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), passed away on Friday, April 24, surrounded by family. He was 93. Once crowned “The Sultan of Swag” by The Wall Street Journal, he was venerated by colleagues and competitors alike for his lifelong commitment to the industry he helped to shape. ASI announced that Cohn, the 2023 recipient of the Counselor Lifetime Achievement Award, spent 75 years at the forefront of the promotional products industry, launching his illustrious career first as a distributor while still in high school. He later switched to the supplier side and ultimately, to heading up ASI, the family-owned organization that serves as a central hub of the promotional products industry.
2026 Events
New Hires & Promotions
Chantelle McCall
SanMar
SanMar Corporation announced Chantelle McCall has been promoted to vice president, inside sales and sales operations.
McCall joined SanMar in 1991 and helped expand the team from approximately 15 people into a nationwide organization of more than 600 team members supporting customers across the United States. In her new role, McCall will focus on developing strong leaders, creating operational clarity, and fostering a culture rooted in trust, accountability, and growth.
Barb Herman
SanMar
SanMar Corporation announced Barb Herman has been promoted to vice president, outside sales.
Herman joined SanMar in 2006, bringing experience in the textile and decorated apparel industry. Since then, she has played a key role in establishing and strengthening the outside sales organization, building a solid foundation for long-term growth. As vice president of outside sales, Herman will broaden her responsibilities to include digital sales and strategic accounts.
Danielle Scott
Alliance Franchise Brands
Alliance Franchise Brands appointed Danielle Scott as chief development officer. In this role, Scott will lead the company’s development strategy, overseeing franchise sales and growth initiatives across its portfolio of brands. Scott brings more than 32 years of experience in franchise development and operations. As a certified franchise executive, she has led development teams for nationally recognized brands including Sylvan Learning Systems, Patrice & Associates, and Zippy Shell Moving & Storage. Now serving as chief development officer, Scott will oversee the Alliance Franchise Brands development team with a focus on enhancing processes and driving sustainable growth.
Walter Miska
Fully Promoted
Fully Promoted named Walter Miska as its new brand president. Miska is a former Fully Promoted franchise owner and regional vice president. He succeeds Andrew Titus — the youngest son of Fully Promoted founder Ray Titus — who was appointed president of Fully Promoted in late 2022 and led the brand through a growth period that included its 25th year in business. Miska first became a Fully Promoted franchise owner in 2005 and grew his location into one of the top-performing businesses in the system, earning recognition including induction into the Hall of Fame, the President’s Award, and the Extraordinary Mentor Award.
Beth Belich
Vantage Apparel
Vantage Apparel welcomed Beth Belich as sales account manager, where she will cover Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Belich brings industry experience to Vantage Apparel, with a background spanning both the distributor and supplier sides of the promotional products industry. Previously, Belich was an outside sales representative for alphabroder.
Charlie Moore
Vantage Apparel
Vantage Apparel welcomed Charlie Moore as sales account manager, covering South Texas and Louisiana. Moore brings approximately 10 years of experience in the promotional products industry, with a background spanning both the wholesale and brand sides of the business. Throughout his career, he has held both inside and outside account executive roles with major apparel suppliers and has also helped build territories for large wholesale clothing brands.
Eric Pehrson
Vantage Apparel
Vantage Apparel welcomed Eric Pehrson as sales account manager, covering Michigan and Indiana. Pehrson brings a background in sales, leadership, and customer service to the company. Pehrson was elected to the MiPPA board of directors, where he served from 2018 to 2023. His leadership roles included chairing the membership committee for two years, the volunteers committee for one year, and the association’s award-winning spring show, Ideas in Bloom, for two years. In 2022, he served as MiPPA president. Pehrson remained active after completing his board service.
Sarah Leonhirth
L.A.T. Apparel
L.A.T. Apparel added Sarah Leonhirth to its team, bringing with her experience in sales leadership, distributor partnerships, and national account strategy across the apparel and lifestyle industries. In her role as director of sales and strategic partnerships, Leonhirth will lead L.A.T. Apparel’s key strategic partnerships and oversee the inside sales team.
Updates
Microtec, an international manufacturer of heat transfer and finishing equipment, announced its official entry into the United States with the formation of Microtec USA, a new entity established to support the company’s expanding presence across the Americas.
Atlantis Headwear served as a sponsor of the Triveneto Hike & Fly Championship, a paragliding and lightweight mountaineering competition held in Triveneto, Italy.
Fully Promoted brought franchise owners, vendor partners, and leadership together for its 2026 Annual Summit.
Imperial has expanded its College Collection, now featuring 19 universities.
Kornit Digital acquired PrintFactory, a global, Netherlands-based technology provider of cloud-native workflow, color management, and production automation software.
STAHLS’ is hitting the road with Heat Press Pro Day on Tour, a traveling, hands-on education experience designed to help decorators, entrepreneurs, and print professionals.
Roland DG Corporation launched a refreshed global brand message and promise: Make Your Mark.
Siser North America launched a direct-to-consumer store, now available at siserstore.com.
Webinars
Anniversaries
Alliance Franchise Brands marked 50 years since the founding of the company.
Signarama celebrated its 40th anniversary. The milestone year was further energized by the brand’s annual convention, SARCON.
Partnerships
Avery Dennison announced a partnership with Ricky Silva Racing and CLM Motorsports for the upcoming racing season.
Lane Seven Apparel is expanding into the European market through a new partnership with UTT Europe.
For the sixth year, Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions sponsored the Design-A-Bus-Wrap student art contest organized by Laketran, the public transit agency in Lake County, Ohio.
BELLA+CANVAS successfully concluded its role as the official blank apparel provider for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival 2026 merchandise program, delivering both product and on-site activation across two record-setting festival weekends.
Imperial has entered into a partnership with Toss & Spin, a pickleball and tennis platform, wherein Imperial is the official headwear provider.
Awards
Crystal D has been named to the 2026 Counselor Best Places to Work list.
