You may not be Oprah or Michael but you have a name for yourself. You should be a marketer of the most important brand you represent: The Brand of You. In this interactive session participate in exercises that will make you a better marketer for yourself and the talents you bring to your organizations. By the end of the presentation you will know your personal brand attributes, elevator pitch and how to use social media to promote the brand of you. 

About the speaker: Randy Hawthorne

Randy Hawthorne lives his brand promises of being an educator, explorer and entertainer. A lifelong learner himself, he enjoys educating others on marketing and leadership topics. As part of his learning quest, he loves to try new things and explore creative ways of solving challenges for himself and others. Through it all he hopes to create entertaining, memorable experiences in his work and personal life.

 A Certified Professional Marketer, Randy lends his marketing and organizational leadership expertise to a number of nonprofits including American Marketing Association, Rotary International, Downtown Lincoln Association, Sheldon Art Association, and the Nebraska Student Leaders Foundation.

Randy has devoted his career to researching consumer trends and developing marketing products that help nonprofit organizations and small businesses prosper. He works as vice president for business development at Firespring where he oversees the research and development and franchising divisions of the company.

Randy was selected as one of Lincoln’s 40 Under 40 by the Midlands Business Journal. He was also recognized as the Volunteer of the Year by the International Festival Events Association. In his spare time, he occasionally makes his way to the stage, geeks out on local history and goes on photography adventures.

Schedule SAGE Online Training 8:00am – 9:00am Exhibits Open 9:00am – 1:00pm SAGE Web Products Training 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Location March 10 – Austin Omni Austin Southpark 4140 Governor’s Row Austin, TX 78744

March 11 – San Antonio San Antonio Marriott Northwest 3233 NW Loop 410 San Antonio, TX 78213

Visit www.sageshowcase.com to Register!

Happy Birthday, Bill- We hope you have a great day!

Why is volunteering with CAPPA important to you?

Being a founding member of CAPPA in 1984 I feel  it is not only a responsibility but an honor to volunteer my efforts to ensure that CAPPA reaches its original goal of serving the Promotional Products industry in our geographical area to the maximum. 

What is one event or person that brought you to the Promotional Products industry?

I was a client for 17 years prior to moving to the Distributor side of our industry.  I relocated  to Austin in 1984 when I married a life-long Texan – and was offered the opportunity to open a Branch Office for the Distributor from whom I had been buying my promotional products in Ohio.

What  is important in your life right now?

Family, Pets, Friends,Sense of Humor and Fairness in dealing with others.

Name one thing not many people know about you?

I studied ballet for 14 years  and have the “bad” feet to prove it!!

What is your favorite place on earth?

Dubois, Wyoming:  Owned property  and horses there in the early 80’s and seriously contemplated moving there.  Dubois is a beautiful town located in the Wind River Valley where the Indians wintered . Residents are friendly and the scenery is spectacular  with a view of the Wind River Mountain Range. Walt Disney Corp. owns several working ranches in the area.

 Before the Board Orientation what was your impression of CAPPA as an organization- good or bad?

My impression of CAPPA has always been GOOD!  Of course I am a biased in my response.  CAPPA can only become stronger and offer more every year to all those engaged in our profession. 

What is the one take away you received after the Board Orientation?

I was delighted and impressed by the seriousness  of every single attendee reflected in their questions and comments.  CAPPA’s 2010 Board represents a group of dedicated individuals  that I envision stepping up  to fulfill their responsibilities to the fullest.

What is your personal goal for CAPPA?

I would have to say one word and that is “GROWTH” …get more industry professionals to realize the importance of being involved in a professional organization of their peers.

Why is volunteering with CAPPA important to you?

Volunteering for CAPPA is important to me because CAPPA would not be an organization with its volunteers. CAPPA can only be as strong as its volunteers. I believe I can help bring change, for the betterment of the organization and its members to an organization that has brought value to its member over the years. Without volunteers CAPPA would not be an organization that can help bring change to people’s lives.

What is the one event or person that brought you to the promotional products industry?

Tom Chambers was the first person that introduced me to the promotional products industry. I was on the printing side of the business, for a company, for about 15 years and they decided to start up a promotional products division and it was a natural fit for me. I quickly moved away from the printing and became a promotional product salesman. 

What is important in your life right now?

Family 

Name one thing that not many people know about you.

I get very passionate about things I believe in. 

What is your favorite place on earth?

Wherever I am at that moment in time. 

Before the board orientation what was your impression of CAPPA as an organization, good or bad?

I did not have a good or bad impression of CAPPA. I saw them as an organization that put on table top shows and education. 

What is the one take away you received after the board orientation?

That we are here to help people through education and information about our industry. We are here to help our members grow and help them change their lives.

What is your personal goal for CAPPA?

My person goal is to help leave CAPPA in a better position than it was before I was on the Board.

Why is volunteering with CAPPA important to you?

I think volunteering with CAPPA is important because it allows me to express myself within our industry and highlight our local economy through the promotion of how powerful custom logo merchandise can truly be.

What is the one event or person that brought you to the promotional products industry?

Dan and Jeff Walker have been a very powerful positive influence over me. Dan showed me early on that the best way to differentiate yourself from the competition is creativity. He also taught me that no matter how serious business became it is always important to maintain a healthy sense of humor.

What is important in your life right now?

My family, God, friends, and partners in life.

Name one thing that not many people know about you.

I am a horsepower junkie. In my extra free time you will probably find me in my garage or with car buddies. My weekend toys consist of a supercharged C5 Corvette as well as a Mustang GT convertible I have had since I was 16.

What is your favorite place on this earth?

Home is what my heart always yearns for. I love being home with my wife and 16 month old son. There is no other place that gives me such an “at peace” feeling.

Before the board orientation what was your impression of CAPPA as an organization, good or bad?

It was good. The outgoing board was made of people I admire and consider good friends. It was a real turning point in the organization and I am very happy to be a part of the new CAPPA.

What is the one take away you received after the board orientation?

I really was impressed with how much we feed off of each other. I feel like my weak points will be politely compensated for throughout my term and I will be able to take a lot of knowledge from my role in CAPPA and apply it to my role at Walker Advertising, Inc.

What is your personal goal for CAPPA?

To do my best to make 2010 the best year CAPPA has ever seen.

For Immediate Release

Company Contact:

Margit Fawbush

Marketing Manager

Norwood Promotional Products

mfawbush@norwood.com

o: 317-275-2549

c: 317-833-7629

 NORWOOD ANNOUNCES CONSOLIDATION OF SOME MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS AND RELOCATION OF INDIANAPOLIS OFFICE

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (February 23, 2010) – Norwood Promotional Products LLC announced today a plan for the consolidation of some manufacturing operations and the relocation of the Indianapolis office.

 A strategic analysis of Norwood and BIC Graphic operations has taken place the last several months with the intention of improving the customer experience and streamlining operational capabilities in core product categories. As a result, the San Antonio, TX facility will be consolidated into other existing Norwood US locations and the support functions in Indianapolis relocated to Clearwater, FL. The move of both the San Antonio operations and the Indianapolis office is expected to be completed by the end of 2010.

“Our goal is to create the most customer focused and cost efficient organization in the industry,” said BIC APP Chief Executive Officer Nicolas Paillot. “These steps allow us to improve processes to benefit both our customers and the organization. The decision to close these two sites has not been easy and is not a reflection on the dedication or performance of our employees.”

The San Antonio site currently employs 345 associates. First consideration and relocation assistance will be given to San Antonio associates for open positions across the Norwood and BIC Graphic organization. The company will also provide severance and outplacement assistance.

Norwood Finance, Marketing, IT, Legal and Human Resource functions in the Indianapolis office will be moved to the corporate offices in Clearwater, FL and the 99 associates will be offered a relocation package to aid them should they choose to move. The company is dedicated to providing job search support and severance to those employees choosing not to move.

“In the long term, this is the right decision for the organization,” said Paul Lage, President of Norwood. “We are very grateful for the many years of service and dedication our San Antonio associates have given Norwood and hope that many of our Indianapolis associates will join the organization in Clearwater.”

 BIC Advertising & Promotional Products: Established in July 2009, BIC Advertising & Promotional Products is a leading global supplier of a wide range of custom imprinted products to the advertising and promotional products industry. In the United States BIC APP operates under the BIC Graphic USA and Norwood Promotional Products trade names.

BIC Graphic USA: A division of BIC USA Inc., established in 1969 under the name BIC Special Markets Division. BIC Graphic USA is a leading supplier of a wide variety of high quality, innovative custom-imprinted writing instruments and complementary products.

Visit BIC Graphic’s USA website for more information.

Norwood Promotional Products is an industry leading supplier of imprinted promotional products. The company offers nearly 5,000 products and is a market leader in several of the industry’s major product categories. Norwood also offers hundreds of products on 24-Hour service at no extra charge.

Representing the best of:

Automotive, Tools & Flashlights • Awards, Recognition & Gifts • Bags, Meeting & Outdoor • Calendars, Planners & Diaries

Drinkware & Housewares • Golf, Sports & Fun • Health, Wellness & Safety • Office, Magnets & Badge Holders • Writing Instruments

For more information about Norwood Promotional Products visit the company’s website.

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Why is volunteering with CAPPA important to you?

Up until I had this opportunity/honor of sitting on the CAPPA board I had always promised myself that I would volunteer but something (family, work, obligations—yada, yada, yada) always seemed to keep me from following through on this commitment.  CAPPA gave me the perfect opportunity to give back while at the same time staying in tune with what was happening in my industry.  I also get to work with smart/insightful and energetic people who all have one common goal.

What is the one event or person that brought you to the promotional products industry?

Cold calling Dell Computer when I moved to Austin from Dallas with Cintas Uniforms.  I bumped into Jeff Haynes from BD&A and he asked what I liked best about what I was doing.  After some thought I realized I really enjoyed the creative and relational aspects of promotional products.  He asked what I thought about doing that full time…and I haven’t looked back since.

What is important in your life right now?

My continued growth/journey in my faith, my family–especially my two sons that seem to get bigger every time I blink, bringing integrity and enthusiasm to my work every day and striking a sincere balance of all of the above—all in that order

Name one thing that not many people know about you.

I am a Foodie…yep, every chance I get I flip the channel to Food Network.  I love to experiment with different recipes, grilling, sauces the works. 

What is your favorite place on this earth?

Hmmm….tough one, God has created so many favorites.  I was truly in awe at the National Forests near Mt. Rainier in Washington but give me the Caribbean beaches/food/sun/play any day.  My parents lived on St. Thomas for 4 years and we visited every year, snorkeled St. John, St. Kitts…it really is an amazing place.

 Before the board orientation what was your impression of CAPPA as an organization, good or bad?

Well, it wasn’t good or bad…it really was just there.  There did not appear to be much value, especially considering how busy I always was on the Distributor front I wasn’t motivated in any way to attend the functions that CAPPA had organized.

What is the one take away you received after the board orientation?

This is a NEW CAPPA!  I think our first Event in April will prove that.  We will be bringing honest to goodness Value in 2010—I am certain of that.

What is your personal goal for CAPPA?

To contribute and learn as much as possible to and about CAPPA , Distributors and Suppliers and to provide real value.  I view CAPPA as a  great vehicle/resource to accomplish this.

1) THEY’RE USED

- Nobody throws away a Post-it Note pad

- People know what they are and how to use them, in fact they have been preconditioned to use them and ask for more when they run out – reorders!!

2) THEY’RE RECOGNIZABLE

- Tie your company name or brand to the Post-it brand

- Post-it brand means quality and value to a worldwide office and home consumer market

- Immediate credibility through association

3) THEY’RE EFFECTIVE

- Post-it Notes have revolutionized the way that people communicate in offices and homes, so what better way to communicate your message than on a product that people use for that very purpose every day?

- People are conditioned to read what is on a Post-it Note not just glance at it

- Day after day, sheet after sheet, your message is communicated continually until the product is gone

4) LONG LASTING AND CIRCULATED

- Post-it Notes “stick around” for weeks or months after receipt and use. This keeps your message visible and communicated even after the product is gone

- They are an interactive product that people reach for time after time

- They are passed on to others as a part of their natural use

5) VALUE

- Post-it Notes have a unique value to an end user. They are so much a part of an office environment that companies and individuals purchase them blank to use as part of their daily operation. This makes them valuable to those companies and individuals who receive them.

Sheet after sheet, day after day, impression after impression, the value of a Post-it Note and its imprinted message is clear