Promokitchen Podcast

Chef Kate Plummer and Sous-Chef Amanda Delaney are at it again! In this heart-warming and hilarious installment of our Growing Up Promo series, they sit down with Josh Goodelman, Lead Janitor (aka Vice President) of New York based supplier Liqui-Mark, as he shares stories from the early days of how his grandfather's turned father's retail pen business entered the world of promo. Josh also talks about what pivoting looked like for them when the pandemic hit, how the competition has helped shape him into the leader he is today, and why he's not done growing up (promo) just yet.

Denise is chief executive officer (CEO) and cofounder of Fairware. Denise got the idea to launch Fairware when she noticed how difficult it was to source promotional merchandise that reflected the social and environmental priorities of many of the brands and organizations she admired. Prior to starting Fairware, Denise spent seven years as the Director of Sustainability and Community for Mountain Equipment Co-op, Canada’s largest outdoor retailer. She is currently a board member of Promo Cares, an industry group with a mission is to inspire, educate and provide actionable strategies to encourage social and environmental responsibility in the promotional products industry and our communities. Mesa, AZ-based Marshall Atkinson is one of the leading production and efficiency experts for the decorated apparel industry. He is the owner of Atkinson Consulting, LLC. As a coach, Atkinson focuses on operational efficiency, continuous improvement, workflow strategy, business planning, marketing, employee motivation,

On Dec 4, Tee Hamilton, our dear friend and founding chef at PromoKitchen lost her battle with cancer. Tee touched the lives of so many people in the promotional products industry whether it was through her brilliant video work, beautiful illustration and design output or her advocacy for the creative professional in her industry education outreach. Tee was an original in every sense of the word. She stood out in any room she walked into. She was admired and respected for the work she did. Was she misunderstood at times? Sure. But all great artists inspire a range of emotions in people and Tee was no exception. This podcast is dedicated to celebrating Tee’s life. We have collected stories from a number of people who knew and loved Tee. We hope this episode will allow you to reflect back on the impact she had or possibly give you a chance to get to know her better. A big thanks to the entire promotional products community who shared their stories about Tee. Before you listen to the stories, PromoKitchen is

PromoKitchen is hosting a new education event! Need a fresh start? Yes please! With 2021 just around the corner, join Chefs Jay Busselle and Jessica Gibbons-Rauch to learn how to leverage LinkedIn. Yes, you might feel a little anxious as you realize your profile is missing the mark on a few (actually many) sections – but don’t stress, Jay & JGR can help! https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/5516073785432/WN_hLMjRiGnQtuwI2ddbah9GQ

This is a new podcast series where you get to go back in time and revisit the stories of some brave and somewhat geeky rebels who were keenly searching for a new path forward in the promotional products market. Welcome to the "PromoKitchen OG Podcast Series." Are you curious about these founding PK chefs and renegades? Don't you want to know why they started PromoKitchen and what they were trying to accomplish? In the spirit of vision and to help you trailblaze a new path forward - take some time and listen to these dreamers!

On Nov 17, 2020, Paul Bellantone announced his decision to step down as President and CEO of PPAI. Paul joined PPAI in 1998 and worked his way to the CEO position in 2011, a role he will serve until March 2021. In his 2 decades at PPAI, he helped steer the organization through choppy waters - like 9/11, the financial collapse of 2008-2009, the shooting at the Mandalay Bay mere months before Expo 2018, and multiple legislative threats. And with the current coronavirus pandemic, Paul’s steady hand has guided an industry that’s had to adjust to a whole new way of doing business. Since PromoKitchen started in 2011, we have had the opportunity to interview Paul on several different occasions. Looking back at the episodes since 2012 is an interesting time capsule of his time as CEO. In this episode, chefs Mark Graham (commonsku) and Danny Rosin (Brand Fuel) sit down with Paul to explore the reasons behind his decision to step down, what he thinks about the future of the industry and also what’s next for him

In this episode, Kate Plummer talks with Latisha Marshall, Robert Cunningham and Annette Jensen about their recognition on PPB’s Uncommon Leaders. They talk about what makes a good leader, how things have changed with COVID and how to follow in their footsteps.

Chef Kate Plummer sits down with Aly Brunton of commonsku to discuss the power of awards and how as a company they created the skummunity awards and how they narrowed down the winners. Join us every Wednesday over on Twitter for a brand new #promochat 3:00PM Eastern, Noon Pacific

Chef Kate Plummer and Sous-Chef Amanda Delaney sit down with Joe Douglas (aka British Joe), Client Relationship Manager for Illinois-based supplier Orbus, for a growing up promo story with a twist. Joe talks to us about all things Orbus, including how he introduced his father's existing exhibit and signage company into the world of promo upon moving to the US. He also talks about the vast differences between living in England and living in America, the culture shock that is the state of Alabama, and we all talk about how seeing our own company's promo out in the wild really makes us feel.

PromoKitchen OG Danny Rosin talks about his experience as a founding member of the organization and how much fun he has had investing in the organization.

Chef Kate Plummer sits down with Melissa Newman, social media manager of ASI to talk about what makes good content, how it can help you grow and why staying the same is dangerous! Join us every Wednesday over on Twitter for a brand new #promochat 3:00PM Eastern, Noon Pacific

In this episode, Johanna Gottlieb gets to connect and chat with Monica May. They discuss their personal upbringing and why Hispanic heritage month is important to each of them. Monica is a proud Tejana who has deep roots in South Texas, she has spent a large part of her professional life working to understand how culture and profession can work together. She began work with Employee Resource Groups (IBGs) in 2007 while working at Dell, Inc. and continued on through her tenure. She joined Expedia as a Global Program Manager in Travel Partner’s Group in 2019 to lead strategic initiatives that focus on optimizing the performance of their software partners. She immediately looked to join the Latinx community to continue the work that began early in her career, with emphasis on the importance of mentorship for continued success in the community.

Chef Kate Plummer sits down with Roger Burnett of Social Good Promotions and PromoCares to discuss what makes a good cause marketing campaign, how to lead with good and how PromoCares has evolved over the years. Join us every Wednesday over on Twitter for a brand new #promochat 3:00PM Eastern, Noon Pacific

Chef Kate Plummer and Sous-Chef Amanda Delaney sit down with three promo rock stars who not only share a love for all things promotional products, but they also share one of the industry's most recognizable last names. Industry veteran Dana Zezzo, VP of Marketing and Vendor Relations for American Solutions for Business, and his daughters Megan Zezzo, National Account Manager for S&S Activewear, and Maria Zezzo, Account Manager for industry service provider FAST Platform, talk to us about what growing up promo was like for them. They also talk about what it was like not only following in their father's footsteps, but how weeks on end of work travels together and summer internships with Dana's (then) customers helped shape them into the Zezzo's they are today.

Revolutionaries. Renegades. Dreamers. Leaders. This is a new podcast series where you get to go back in time and revisit the stories of some brave and somewhat geeky rebels who were keenly searching for a new path forward in the promotional products market. Welcome to the "PromoKitchen OG Podcast Series." Are you curious about these founding PK chefs and renegades? Don't you want to know why they started PromoKitchen and what they were trying to accomplish? In the spirit of vision and to help you trailblaze a new path forward - take some time and listen to these dreamers!

Chef Kate Plummer and Sous-Chef Amanda Delaney sit down with promo rockstars who share more than a love of promo. Veteran Paul Kory and his daughters Meghan Kory and Morgan Kory share their story in Growing up Promo.

In this episode Johanna Gottlieb talks with three of this year's Counselor Magazine's rising stars, our own Kate Plummer and Kate Masewhich and Tiffany Wu. They shared their perspectives on earning this honor and talk about what they see for the industry ahead.

Sous Chef Javier Melendez interviews Chef Kate Plummer to discuss the value of factory tours and education and how suppliers and distributors can pivot in this new world. Join us every Wednesday over on Twitter for a brand new #promochat 3:00PM Eastern, Noon Pacific

Deep Dive - Vicki Ostrom - Trends Chef Kate Plummer talks with trend expert Vicki Ostrom from SanMar about what's trending now. Their conversation ranges from Create-It-Yourself, to cottagecore to why tie-dye is seeing a resurgence. Join us every Wednesday over on Twitter for a brand new #promochat 3:00PM Eastern, Noon Pacific

In this episode Chefs Russell Bird and Johanna Gottlieb discuss the history of the PromoKitchen mentor program and where it is today. They talk about the new look of the program and how to sign up to be a mentor or mentee!