In this episode of the Promo Perspectives podcast, join us and special guest Jeremy Rossbach as we dive deep into the heart of marketing: passion and creativity. Jeremy, a seasoned tech professional who transitioned back to his marketing roots, shares his unique journey, from running data centers to becoming a passionate advocate for network observability and even a podcaster.

Discover how Jeremy channels his marketing energy into meaningful endeavors, including his own podcast, "NetOps Expert," and pro bono work for a non-profit empowering underserved youth through tennis. This episode explores the vital connection between personal values, creative pursuits, and effective marketing. We also discuss how diverse creative talents within a marketing team, from authors and graphic designers to musicians, contribute to truly collaborative and impactful work. We also touch on the delicate balance of receiving and giving constructive criticism in the creative process.

In this episode, we're joined by SAGE's Vice President of Marketing, Billie Forman, to dive into the world of marketing with a large team. This episode serves as a powerful counterpoint to our recent discussion on marketing with a small, limited team.

Billie, with 18 years of experience at SAGE and a deep understanding of the promo industry, shares invaluable insights on:

• The advantages of a diverse, specialized marketing team: Discover how having in-house experts like copywriters, graphic designers, and video producers can lead to greater efficiency, higher quality work, and a deeper understanding of your brand.

• Real-world examples of successful large-team initiatives: Learn how SAGE leverages its diverse team for major projects like the Promo Perspectives podcast itself and the industry's "Super Bowl," PPAI Expo.

• Overcoming the complexities of managing a large, diverse team: Billie discusses strategies for fostering communication, collaboration, and prioritizing projects, especially in a hybrid work environment.

• Fostering individual growth: Get tips on how to empower team members, provide transparency for career advancement, and trust your specialists to excel.

• Scaling a marketing team: Billie offers practical advice on identifying skill gaps, justifying new hires, and deciding whether to bring on a generalist or a specialist.

• The role of AI in modern marketing: Explore how SAGE's team is currently utilizing AI for tasks like image generation, voiceovers, content polishing, and strategic assistance.

Whether you're looking to grow your marketing department or optimize your current large team, this episode is packed with actionable advice from an industry expert!

In this episode of Promo Perspectives, we're joined by his friend William Rubsamen of Whirlix Design to discuss marketing strategies for small businesses with limited marketing teams. Many distributors in the promotional products industry operate with small teams, often with owners or their family members handling marketing efforts. This episode aims to provide practical tips, tricks, and insights to help these businesses thrive.

Gabe and William dive into the realities of wearing many hats in a small marketing department, covering topics like:

Setting Goals: The importance of defining clear, SMART goals to guide your marketing efforts and ensure your content is impactful.

Choosing Channels: How to identify the most effective marketing channels for your specific business, with a special focus on the power of video content.

Leveraging AI: A deep dive into how artificial intelligence tools can save time and enhance various aspects of the marketing process, from planning to content creation.

Competitive Analysis: Understanding what competitors are doing, even with limited resources, using free and affordable tools.

Budget-Friendly Tools: Practical advice on utilizing free or low-cost marketing tools like Canva and Hootsuite, to maximize impact without breaking the bank.

Whether you're a seasoned marketer in a small business or just starting to build your marketing presence, this episode offers actionable strategies to help you make the most of your resources and achieve your business goals.

On this episode of Promo Perspectives, we're joined by special guest Nicole Cook, SAGE's Senior Brand Marketing Manager, to dive deep into the world of brand marketing for the promotional products industry.

Nicole breaks down what brand marketing truly is (hint: it's more than just a logo!) and shares actionable steps for distributors and suppliers to define their unique brand identity. Learn about the three core pillars:

• Mission & Values: What does your company stand for?
• Brand Personality: What's the tone and voice of your brand?
• Unique Selling Proposition (USP): What makes you different and better than the competition?

We also discuss how to maintain brand consistency across all your marketing channels – from your website to social media and email campaigns. Plus, get insights into how to measure brand health even without a single "brand authority" metric.

Whether you're a distributor or a supplier, understanding and investing in your brand is crucial for success. Tune in to learn how to build a strong brand that resonates with your customers and drives sales!

🔔 Subscribe to Promo Perspectives for more tips and tricks to grow your promo business! #BrandMarketing #PromotionalProducts #MarketingTips #BusinessGrowth #Podcast #SAGE #PromoPerspectives

Are you a promotional products supplier or distributor looking to boost your online presence and grow your business? In this episode of Promo Perspectives, SAGE's Senior Marketing Coordinator, Gabe Gotay, dives deep into the essentials of building, executing, and growing a successful digital marketing strategy.

Gabe breaks down the process into three key phases:

• Build: Learn how to set clear, measurable goals using the SMART framework, understand your target audience with detailed buyer personas, and select the most relevant digital marketing channels for your business.
• Execute: Discover actionable tips for developing effective campaigns across various channels like SEO, paid advertising, content marketing, email marketing, and social media. Gabe also highlights how SAGE's tools can simplify your online presence and streamline your marketing efforts.
• Grow: Understand the importance of tracking your key performance indicators (KPIs) and leveraging analytics tools to gain insights. Embrace a mindset of continuous improvement through reporting and iteration to maximize your ROI.

Whether you're new to digital marketing or looking to refine your existing strategy, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice specifically tailored for the promotional products industry.

In this special bonus episode, we sit down with Jenna Quaranta, a significant force in the industry who's made multiple appearances on the PPAI Online 18 over the years.

Jenna shares her incredible journey, from her early days at AlphaBroder to her current role as Director of Sales and Training at HPG, where she coaches over 100 people a week through her own sales academy. Discover how her unique sales methodology, born from deeply personal experiences, prioritizes re-engagement, discovery, and building genuine trust.

In this candid conversation, Jenna reveals:

• Her "Field Sales Method" and how it helps sales reps protect their relationships and mental health.
• Why authenticity and trust are the cornerstones of true influence in the promotional products industry.
• Practical tips for leveraging social media to build relationships and prospect effectively, without wasting time.
• Her powerful insights on setting boundaries with social media and protecting your mindset.
• The crucial first step to take if you're looking to elevate your social media presence or build a brand from the ground up.

This episode is packed with invaluable wisdom for both promotional product suppliers and distributors looking to grow their businesses and build a lasting impact. Don't miss out on Jenna's game-changing perspectives!

#InfluencerMarketing #PromotionalProducts #SalesTraining #DigitalMarketing #SAGE #PromoPerspectives #JennaQuaranta #B2BSales #SocialMediaStrategy #Authenticity #TrustInBusiness

Ever wonder what goes into the high-quality video content that earned SAGE a spot on the prestigious 2025 PPAI Online 18 list? In this episode of the Promo Perspectives Podcast, we're pulling back the curtain on the process and workflow of video production with SAGE's talented producer, Lafonso Brown!

Following up on our previous discussion about videography philosophies, Lafonso dives deep into the nitty-gritty of creating impactful promotional videos. He shares invaluable insights into:

• Pre-production secrets: From brainstorming unique concepts (like our "Email Campaigns" skit!) and meticulous scriptwriting to detailed storyboarding and shot lists – discover how rigorous planning saves time and elevates your final product.
• Production challenges and solutions: Learn about lighting techniques, audio recording strategies (including double-system sound!), and how to navigate on-location shoots, whether it's a fictional narrative or a fast-paced event like Expo.
• Post-production magic: Lafonso reveals the software (Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Audition) and workflow behind transforming raw footage into polished, engaging content, even for animated software demos.

Whether you're a distributor looking to enhance your client presentations or a supplier aiming to showcase your products, understanding the dedication behind professional video production can revolutionize your approach. Lafonso emphasizes that while the tools might vary, the importance of a well-defined process is universal for telling a truly good story.

SAGE recently secured the #1 spot on the PPAI Online 18 for our outstanding social media performance, and a big reason for that success is our video content! In this episode, Lafonso shares his incredible journey into video production and dives into fundamental principles that will help promotional product suppliers and distributors create compelling visuals, even on a budget.

In this episode, you'll learn:

The Power of Storytelling: How understanding narrative in other media (like books and movies) can inform your video production, and how to evoke emotions without saying a word. Essential Video Production Rules: Lafonso breaks down key principles like white balance, focus, headroom, and look room – and when it's okay to break them for creative effect! Budget-Friendly Equipment: Get practical recommendations for building an affordable video kit using your smartphone, tripods, microphones, and lighting. Stepping Up Your Game: Advice on moving beyond basic smartphone setups with DSLR cameras and more advanced lighting. The Importance of Subtlety: Why the best video production is often invisible, drawing viewers into your story without them even realizing the techniques at play.

Whether you're a distributor looking to showcase products or a supplier aiming to reach more industry professionals, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you grow your business through impactful video.