Austin Single-Use Bag Ban Begins
Officials in the city of Austin, TX, have begun enforcing a single-use plastic and paper bag ban that's one of the most comprehensive of its kind in the nation. The ordinance, which legislators passed unanimously last year, allows most retailers to only provide customers with plastic bags that are at least four millimeters thick, paper bags that are made of 40% recycled content, or reusable bags like totes. "We understand it will be an adjustment," says Courtney Black, a city spokesperson. "Hopefully shoppers can adapt and businesses can adapt."

As in other cities, there are exemptions to the ban. "You will still see produce bags and bags you can put your meat in," Black says. "Some restaurants are exempt and they can use the plastic bags for take-away food. Pharmacies will still provide small paper bags given with prescriptions." To help consumers and businesses prepare for the ban, which went into effect on March 1, Austin held several reusable bag giveaways and spent $850,000 on an education campaign. "That includes marketing and advertising to let shoppers know what to expect," Black says.

Although the ban has strong support among city leaders, the new law has vocal critics as well. The Texas Retailers Association (TRA) recently filed a lawsuit challenging the ban, arguing the ordinance violates the state's health and safety code. "The language seems to be squarely on point," says Ronnie Volkening, president of the TRA. "Local governments may not enact ordinances that restrict or prohibit use of containers or packages such as plastic bags. Our position has been that voluntary market-based solutions would work better."

In its suit, the TRA is petitioning a county court to strike down the ban. In a statement, Austin city officials said they fully intend to defend the ordinance before a judge.

BIC APP's 2012 struggles, the company said, are attributable to the "implementation of our new ERP system, resulting in shipment delays. These issues are being addressed and the business has shown an improvement in customer service." Ranked by Counselor as the fourth-largest supplier in the industry, Norwood and BIC Graphic North America reported 2011 sales of $350 million, down from $385 million a year earlier.

American Apparel Reports 2012 Financials
Counselor Top 40 supplier American Apparel (asi/35297) announced yesterday that it increased its overall net sales by 13% in 2012 (reaching a total of $617 million) and by 10% in the fourth quarter. In breaking down its divisions' results, the apparel supplier indicated that its wholesale division – which includes its ad specialty sales – grew its revenues by 12% for full-year 2012 and by 19% in the last quarter of the year. The public company (NYSE: APP) also realized positive operating income last year of $1 million, after overcoming a loss $23.3 million in 2011.

"We are pleased with our fourth quarter results that again show solid growth and continuing momentum in all business segments and almost all major geographies," said Dov Charney, chairman and CEO of American Apparel. "Significant sales growth, operating expense control and the acceleration of leverage of our fixed costs allowed us to increase EBITDA performance [in 2012] to $36.6 million from $14.5 million in the prior year. Although we are pleased with this growth, we are focused on continuing to improve our financial performance. During this past year, we have carefully invested in systems and infrastructure to facilitate future growth."

Motivation Show In Chicago Canceled
The Motivation Show, planned for May in Chicago, has been canceled. Hall-Erickson, which managed The Motivation Show, says, "Alternative venues and event models for future shows may be explored; however, there are no plans to discuss at this time." 

The organization also announced that the proposed Motivation Show Las Vegas will be merged into the PPAI brand Expo, scheduled to take place in Las Vegas in January 2014. PPAI will handle all exhibit inquiries and logistics for the combined show.

The Joe Show: Creative New Items
In this episode of The Joe Show, Managing Editor Joe Haley shows off some new products perfect for a variety of promotions. Looking for fun products to pitch to supermarkets of education clients? How about an innovative item that caters to end-users' survival instincts? Check out the video for creative applications for five useful items.

Click here to watch another brand-new episode of The Joe Show.

Want more videos? Subscribe now to our YouTube videos.

Exclusive Interview With Ben Stein
On today's Tuesday Morning Show, the hosts interviewed best-selling book author and humorist Ben Stein, who revealed his impressions of the economy today and where it's headed. Plus, we shared our Favorite Things and discussed how to get over fears of social media.

If you missed the show, a recording is now available at www.asicentral.com/radio. And, don't forget to join us for our next broadcast on Tuesday, March 12. Log on at 10:30 a.m. ET to listen to the show and give us a call at (215) 953-4979 to hear your voice on the air.

Counselor's How-To Minute: Improve Your Elevator Pitch
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. In this episode: How to start a business relationship with an everyday conversation.

What's the best way to relate to people quickly? How can you avoid coming on too strong? What should you do to advance the conversation?

In a quick, minute-long video, Counselor Senior Editor Dave Vagnoni walks viewers through three simple steps they can take to improve their elevator pitches. Click here to watch.

Take The State Of The Industry Survey
Counselor is currently polling professionals in the industry – both distributors and suppliers – to find out how the market did in 2012 and to get impressions on where the industry is headed in 2013. We need your input. Please take some time to click the appropriate link below and complete the annual State of the Industry survey. Your responses will remain anonymous, and you'll be helping to create Counselor's annual State of the Industry report.

Distributors click here to take the distributor State of the Industry survey.

Suppliers click here to take the supplier State of the Industry survey.

2013 Best Places To Work Nominations Now Open
For the sixth year in a row, Counselor is setting out to identify the industry companies that employees simply love to work for. These are the distributors and suppliers that have a loyal work force and that provide a work environment which employees want to go to every morning.

Counselor will be unveiling its annual Best Places To Work list later this year at the inaugural Best Places to Work Conference in November – it will undoubtedly include an elite list of industry companies. Do you want your company to be considered? Getting involved is easy – and it's completely free to participate. The only necessary qualification is that a company has at least 10 employees. To nominate your company, or any others in the market that you think deserve to be recognized, simply click here. Also, there's no risk to participating. Only the honorees – those companies with the best scores from the survey – will be published in Counselor.

So, don't delay. Click here to register your company to be considered for one of the most exclusive lists in the ad specialty market: Counselor's Best Places To Work.

In The News
Bodek and Rhodes (asi/40788) has released the UltraClub Platinum Polo Collection that features luxury fabric and revolutionary technology. For more information, visit www.bodekandrhodes.com.

iPROMOTEu (asi/232119) announced it will be running Dunk Fest 2013, its annual NCAA college basketball tournament open to all professionals in the ad specialty industry. Visit www.ipromoteu.com/dunkfest.html for more information.

Jetline (asi/63344) has announced that its salesperson Joe Dworkin has been named the ePromos (asi/188515) 2012 Supplier Inside Rep of the Year.

Leed's (asi/66887) announced that it launched a new Mobile Tech category, which includes more than 190 items compatible with smart phones and tablets. For more information on the Mobile Tech items available, go to www.leedsworld.com/mobiletech.

Notes Inc. (asi/74357) announced that it has introduced the industry's first self-stick Stik-Withit notepads made of 100% sugar cane paper.

Proforma (asi/300094) announced that it welcomed nine new owners to its network in February: Bill DePauw, Proforma Global Promotions in Baltimore, MD; Mike Doyle, Certified Marketing Pros, Powered by Proforma in Stoney Point, ON; Katherine Giraldo and Nathalia Heiliger, Proforma East Coast Business Solutions in Moncks Corner, SC; John Sapanara, Proforma RiverCity Solutions in North Huntingdon, PA; Eric Turner, Proforma Smart Business Solutions in Birmingham, AL ; Asher Brummel, Proforma A and S in Brooklyn, NY; Chris Hughes, Proforma 10 10 Branding in Minneapolis, MN; Eric & Myong Kantor and Yun Jeong, Proforma Strategic Advantage in Puyallup, WA; Brian Roney, Proforma Gators in Gainesville, FL.

Starline (asi/89320) has redistributed sales representation for the Northeast territory.

• Northeast Central (NYC, Long Island, NJ): John Cudahy
• Northeast West (Upstate NY, PA): Scott Schaefer of SS Enterprises
• Northeast Mid-Atlantic (MD, DE, VA, WV, DC): Gary Cuppernull of Cupps Sports
• Northeast North (CT, MA, VT, NH, RI, ME): Dave Mattson of DJM Sales

• Anthony Destino, inside sales representative/Northeast

The Chesapeake Promotional Products Association has announced the winners of the 2013 Peake Awards. The recipients include: Supplier of the Year–Baltimore Glassware Decorators (asi/38209); Distributor of the Year–Summit Group (asi/339116); Supplier Representative of the Year–Megan Erber, Jetline (asi/63344); Distributor Representative of the Year–Doni O'Connor, Target Marketing Group (asi/341761). To view the entire list of winners, visit http://www.cppa.biz/Resources/Documents/2013%20Peake%20Award%20Recipients.pdf.

The Image Group (asi/230069) recently received the Silver ADDY Award from the Advertising Club of Toledo in the Advertising Industry Self-Promotion/Digital Advertising Category for its new website at www.theimagegroup.net.

People On The Move
Geiger (asi/202900) has appointed Jamie Ondrejko as division manager for the Geiger Southwest division and will oversee sales partners in AZ, NM and CO.

HTT Apparel & Headwear (asi/58842) has recently hired two new Territory Sales Reps. Chris Sinatra will cover all of the IL territory and Richard Pezzuti will be responsible for NY and NJ. 

Jetline (asi/63344) has hired Scott Harris as Southwest regional sales manager. He will be responsible for TX, OK, LA, KS, AR, NM and CO.

Lapgevity (asi/249351) has partnered with Jamie Norman, sports and entertainment concierge, to offer premium ticket access to sports venues and events across the country. This partnership complements Lapgevity's current offerings, which include season ticket holder gifts, game day apparel, and fan appreciation promotions.

ASI SHOW

IT IS GOING TO BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT
ASI Long Beach, March 22-24, is just around the corner. And, you need to be there. With just a few days invested, your business will benefit for months. You’ll leave re-energized and armed with new sales and marketing ideas to boost your sales and expand your market share.

Taking place at the Long Beach Convention Center, ASI Long Beach promises to deliver what other shows don’t, including a robust education program (with 61 workshops), innovative suppliers, thousands of new, money-making products and non-stop networking.

•Explore a wide spectrum of products: With more than 300 suppliers you’ll find solutions to your clients’ toughest projects.
•Participate in three days of education: Choose from 61 workshops focused on topics impacting the industry today. 
•Enjoy 24/7 networking: From focused lunch programs to the Gala Celebration at Gladstone’s, you’ll have the opportunity to make impactful business connections. 
•Attend a funny yet informative Keynote: Economist and funnyman Ben Stein will present a compelling Keynote on today’s business climate.

Join other industry leaders at ASI Long Beach. Register today at www.asishow.com. ASI distributor/decorator members enjoy free admission all three-days a hotel room on the evening of March 23. Or, call us at 877-ASI-SHOW with any questions.

Not an ASI Member? Click here for a two-day pass.

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The following are the dates and locations for The ASI Show in 2013:
Long Beach, March 22-24
New York, May 8-9
Chicago, July 16-18

Plus, don’t miss the ASI Advantages Roadshow, the industry’s #1 traveling show. Visit www.advantagesroadshow.com for the complete schedule and go to www.asishow.com for information on all ASI Shows.