Los Angeles Bans Single-Use Plastic Bags
In a 13-1 vote yesterday, the Los Angeles City Council voted to ban single-use plastic bags, a move that will affect an estimated 7,500 grocery and retail stores. Once the ordinance is formally adopted later this year, the law will require large city stores to phase out single-use plastic bags over a six-month period, while smaller stores will be given 12 months to comply. After one year, Los Angeles stores would be permitted to charge customers 10 cents each for paper bags.

"Los Angeles is leading the state and the nation," said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "With this new measure, one in four Californians will be living plastic bag-free. We hope our actions will encourage other big cities, counties and states to take action."

In approving the ban, Los Angeles has become the largest city in the U.S. to eliminate single-use plastic bags and joins 48 other California communities that have taken similar actions. The ban – protested by the plastics industry but cheered by environmentalists – is designed to encourage consumers to shop with reusable bags, reducing trash in landfills and waterways.

The Los Angeles ban, as well as the recently-announced single-use plastic bag ban in Hawaii, does not apply to reusable items. That means totes as well as reusable imprinted plastic bags are not only permitted in these areas, but endorsed as alternatives to potentially environmentally hazardous single-use bags. "Many retailers are using thicker reusable plastic bags, which is great for business," says Eric Grossman, CEO of Texas-based Metropak, Inc. (asi/70830).

Officially, the Los Angeles ban will go into effect after a standard environmental review and a procedural city council vote this fall. Across the U.S., 74 communities have established or have voted to enact single-use plastic bag bans – the vast majority of them in California.

Boundless Network Expands With JAMS Partnership
As first reported in a Breaking News Alert, Counselor Top 40 distributor Boundless Network (asi/143717) has signed a partnership agreement with California-based distributor firm JAMS (asi/233335). Financial terms of the deal, which was announced yesterday, were not disclosed.
"The JAMS team is awesome, and Boundless is excited about them joining our team," said Jason Black, CEO of Boundless Network, in a statement.

Through the deal, Boundless adds $7 million in annual revenues to its operation and further expands its reach in the West Coast market. Executives at JAMS, which is known for its service to the casino and gaming industry, expect to benefit from the technology support provided by Boundless. "When we sat down with Boundless Network, we quickly recognized their progressive vision for the industry and how it aligned with ours," said Josh Blake, president of JAMS. "This is certainly a win-win-win partnership that will benefit Boundless, JAMS, and most importantly, our clients."

Continuing a multi-year stretch of gains, Austin-based Boundless Network reported 2011 North American ad specialty sales of $44.1 million, ranking it number 31 on the Counselor Top 40. In the first quarter of 2012, Boundless furthered its growth, increasing its enterprise business by 47%.

Counselor's How-To Minute: Write A Business Plan
In a video report, Counselor presents a business strategy video each week that focuses on how distributor firms can overcome a specific challenge, make a key decision or rise to the occasion on an opportunity in front of them. This week: How to develop a business plan.

Wondering how an effective business plan can improve your company’s vision? Thinking about applying for financing from a bank? Considering an exit strategy? Need advice on how to best project sales over the next three to five years? Check out the video for ideas.

In a quick, minute-long video, Counselor Senior Editor Dave Vagnoni walks viewers through three simple steps they can take to craft a successful business plan. Click here to watch.

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The Joe Show: Pretty In Pink
In this episode of The Joe Show, Managing Editor Joe Haley showcases five unique products that’ll help you sustain sales growth in the second half of the year. Looking for a cap with a little bling? Searching for a pen even the harshest critics will love? Want to see the product that’ll be all the rage at upcoming dance recitals? Check out the video.

Click here to watch the latest episode of The Joe Show.

Want more videos? Subscribe now to our YouTube videos.

Economists Optimistic About U.S. Employment
A new round of forecasts released by the National Association for Business Economics (NABE) shows greater belief among analysts that job growth in the U.S. will continue. The report, which surveyed 54 economists, predicted that U.S. unemployment will drop to 7.5% by the close of 2013, while consumer spending will increase. "Expectations for housing, vehicle sales, employment and industrial production all improved in the current survey," wrote survey chair Shawn DuBravac, commenting on the results.

Economists surveyed by NABE projected 2012 GDP growth of 2.4% and 2013 GDP growth of 2.8%. Respondents also forecasted an average of 188,000 jobs will be added monthly in 2012, a slight improvement compared to the 170,000 jobs predicted in NABE's last survey. Also, by the end of this year, economists now believe U.S. unemployment will fall to 8% after previously expecting unemployment to hit 8.5% in December. Further, economists think inflation and interest rates will stay low both in 2012 and in 2013.

Podcast: Plan Successful Summer Promos
On Tuesday’s ASI Internet Radio Show, the hosts took questions from callers looking for advice on how they can create cool summer promo campaigns for clients. Need a list of themed product ideas for barbecues and fundraisers? How about fun ideas for golf tournaments? Looking for items for graduation parties?

Click here to listen to this segment from Tuesday’s show. And, don’t forget to join us for our next broadcast on Tuesday, May 29. Log on to www.asicentral.com/radio at 10:30 a.m. EDT to check it out.

Check Out The New CounselorMag.com
In addition to the print version of Counselor debuting a redesign this month, the magazine’s website has been transformed. Go now to www.CounselorMag.com to see a true media hub for the ad specialty industry. Containing the most recent news, analysis of the most pressing trends, how-to articles that offer practical business advice, and video coverage like no other in the industry, the new www.CounselorMag.com also provides easy ways for readers to interact with us. Twitter and Facebook feeds are planted on every single page – giving visitors ways to post comments and respond to articles in real time.

Plus, news and articles (including a twice-weekly update of the industry’s personnel appointments and promotions) will be changed, updated and enhanced every single day – giving the industry reasons to visit www.CounselorMag.com as often as possible. Check it out now.

In The News
Affinity Express, an ASI affiliate, has launched Idea Custom Solutions, a new name and website for its Graphic Production and Support Services division. It was designed specifically to support the requirements of suppliers, distributors and decorators. For more information, visit www.ideacustom.com.

Carhartt Workwear & Haws USA (asi/43861) has announced that, due to a system upgrade, all orders received and finalized between May 24 and June 4 will be held for processing until the final upgrade is complete. Orders received in this timeframe are expected to start shipping between June 6 and June 11. This order delay does not affect products shipping from Haws USA's warehouse in North Carolina.

Gill Studios (asi/56950) won three Best of Category awards and three Awards of Excellence from the Printing & Imaging Association of MidAmerica.

Newton Manufacturing Company (asi/283300) has released "Booth! There It Is," a white paper that discusses how to build an effective event marketing plan. It can be downloaded for free at http://www.newtonmfg.net/BoothThereitis.aspx.

Norwood (asi/74400) and BIC Graphic North America (asi/40480) have launched 50 new mid-year products in a wide range of product categories, including writing instruments, drinkware and paper products.

The Quality Certification Alliance has announced that Hit Promotional Products (asi/61125) has achieved QCA Accreditation.

People On The Move
National Gift Card Corporation (asi/73011) has announced that former marketing coordinator Samantha Goldstein has been promoted to director of marketing, and former strategic partnerships manager Ashley Zielinski has been promoted to director of strategic partnerships.

ASI SHOW

150 MORE SEATS JUST ADDED – ACT TODAY
Tony Robbins Sales Boot Camp●ASI Chicago ● July 17

WOW! The industry is excited for Tony Robbins Sales Boot Camp taking place during ASI Chicago on July 17, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. In fact, Tony’s full-day event sold out earlier this week. However, due to popular demand, we just added 150 more seats. Register today to guarantee entry into this unprecedented sales training opportunity.

As the ad specialty industry’s largest show of the summer, ASI Chicago (July 17-19) is THE place to be to find the tools to take your distributorship to a whole new level of success.

• Spend quality time with hundreds of leading suppliers
• Be on hand for the debut of thousands of money-making items for the fourth quarter
• Make new business connections during nonstop networking
• Attend an inspirational and informative Keynote by Mayor Richard M. Daley
• Earn 8 points toward your ASI Certification during a full day of education with Tony Robbins (co-sponsored by Fields Manufacturing, asi/54100 & Showdown Displays, asi/87188)

Register today for ASI Chicago at www.asishow.com. ASI distributor and decorator members enjoy FREE admission and a FREE hotel room.

Follow The ASI Show on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook today!