Member Stories
Book Virtuoso on the Orient X-Press
Book Virtuoso on the Orient X-Press
Longtime IAPHC global member, Charlie Clark, has entered the 36th International Gallery again in 2010.
{Charlie is seen below (left) in his former role as the first Caucasian Director of Hong Kong based C&C Offset Printing Co., accepting an International Gallery award from longtime Chief Marketing Officer of Kodak, our great friend, the inimitable Celebrity CMO and best selling author of the new book "The Mirror Test," Jeffrey Hayzlett.}
And as we are evidently equally fond of punning and parentheses, we highly commend Jeff Hayzlett to you as a rollicking rock em sock em key note speaker for your next meeting, he is awesome! Book 'em, u won't regret looking in the mirror!
Charlie sent us a note the other day:
In addition to his encyclopaedic knowledge of book publishing and the printing arts in general, Charlie is a pretty darn fine marketeer.
Note the third and fourth books featured in this list from his website listing projects he has handled:
http://www.charlieclarkbooks.com/pages/samples.html
"Branding" the success of projects with the imprimatur of International award winning renown is simply smart marketing.
We also like that Charlie's website and his stationery feature the logos of the organizations he is affiliated with:
We remind folks that at the request of time-pressed graphic arts professionals around the globe, the final extension of the entry deadline for the 36th International Gallery is 31 August 2010.
Download the Call for Entries HERE if you want to emulate the great Charlie Clark!
How Cool is Market Your Printing Company on LI
How Cool is Market Your Printing Company on LI ???(LinkedIn)
On 11 August 2010, Ali Westcott the Social Media ingenue and super precocious Director of Marketing & Communications at Concord Litho, and IAPHC Member and NE Regional Director sent us a note:
-----Original Message-----
Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:02:59 -0400
Subject: woo-hoo
To: KKeane1069@aol.com
From: "Ali Westcott" ali@concordlitho.com
http://blog.americanprinter.com/kob/
You made the list! :)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<
Awesome, especially since Milt Vine owner of Seattle Bindery, and Steve Johnson, godfather of Copresco in Carol Stream IL are both IAPHC members of long-standing, and since we have become fast friends with the amazing Lisa Bickford of Highlight Printing right here in MinnySnowta (we have never met mind you, but we are LinkedIn and Facebooked and I'd be willing to bet one of these days Lisa becomes an IAPHC member too!) Well truly it is kind of cool that all of us got a nice mention from Katherine O'Brien the hard working editor at American Printer magazine.
Lisa and Ali and I are also members of an incredibly informative Linked In Group started by our mutual friend Mary Beth Smith, marketing maestro for an Alphagraphics in the North Dallas market. I can think of ZERO reasons that everyone in the graphic arts would resist joining this group, the quality of the conversation is that good!
Facebook for your Company ... are you using it?
Today, 12 August, Roger Buck, just home from the InterACT! Conference in Chicago, sent me a Facebook Instant Message and we continued the conversation about the young lady, referenced in his post on Mary Beth Smith's LI Group:
First Roger sent me a link to a sample of what the new grad had done for one of her clients:
And then he sent me a link to her website:
Earlier today, I was reading the great Howie Fenton of NAPL in his column for WhatTheyThink.com (see Print CEO) ruminating over a recent Nielsen survey that concluded Social Media is a real time suck. Also on WTT today Heidi Tolliver-Nigro, digital evangelist extra-ordinaire was writing about a new report indicating that folks 45 years and older are becoming rapid adopters of social media tools (see Digital Nirvana).
So what's the poor (formerly hide-bound) printing company executive to do? Resist social media on the grounds that it sucks up time with no discernible ROI, or jump on the train with gusto secure in knowing that a key demographic already quite comfortable with print (folks 45 +) are already ticketed and strapped in.
If you see value in making new connections, in sharing knowledge, in being exposed to true thought leadership, then suck it up and get on the SocNet train punkin.
Thanks to Social Media I now count folks like Lisa Bickford, and Hugh Griffin and Mary Beth Smith as valued friends, and wise counselors too.
Join in, Join them, Join us. This train isn't slowing down!
And so we bring it full circle, Ali Westcott tipped us off about the nice mention in Katherine O'Briens American Printer list, and we can tip you off that the company our favourite Digital Debutante works for, Concord Litho, is a great source for fund-raising ideas for non-profits and for extra fun effects like scented printing; indeed, we have a stash of the peppermint flavoured holiday wrapping paper Ali sent us, that is reserved for special gifts indeed.
MGI METEOR DP60 PRO HELPS OLYMPUS PRESS EXPAND DIGITAL CAPABILITIES
Olympus Press is an IAPHC member of long standing and the firm has won an impressive array of International Gallery awards through the years.
We have been intrigued by this press from MGI and share the news below. Note especially the comments about no click charges.
Olympus Press co-owner Glenn Blue (right) and press operator Corey.
MGI METEOR DP60 PRO HELPS OLYMPUS PRESS EXPAND DIGITAL CAPABILITIES
MELBOURNE, Fla (Aug. 2, 2010) – Olympus Press, based in Seattle, Washington, has expanded their business into new digital markets with the addition of MGI’s Meteor DP60 Pro four-color, multi-substrate digital press.
Founded in 1982, MGI Digital Graphic Technology designs, manufactures and markets a full and innovative range of award-winning multi-substrate (paper and plastic) 4-color digital presses, as well as a complete line of versatile finishing solutions.
A key player in the global market, MGI has a portfolio comprised of several thousand customers in a wide range of sectors, including graphic industry professionals, Fortune 1000 companies, government agencies, plastic card manufacturers, silk screeners and photo labs.
MGI is a leader in the professional graphic equipment market and is registered on the Euronext Paris Alternext stock exchange (ALMDG). They received the prestigious OSEO ANVAR “Innovative Company” Label in 2006 & 2009 in recognition of their expertise and innovation in the graphics & finishing industry, and have won seven separate awards in 2008-2009 in recognition of technological innovation.
MGI USA, based in Melbourne, Florida, is MGI’s fully owned subsidiary that services the North and South American, Caribbean and Asia/Pacific markets.
For more information, please visit http://www.mgi-fr.com / http://www.mgius.com
WINNERS ANNOUNCED IN GPA’S PRINTED SAMPLE CONTEST
WINNERS ANNOUNCED IN GPA’S PRINTED SAMPLE CONTEST
Contact: Laura Weber
In a message dated 3/18/2010 8:39:56 A.M. Central Daylight Time, trina@askgpa.com writes:
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for your continued support!! I think that’s a great idea and will contact you next week to talk about it further.
I also have the membership invoice on my desk to handle. Sorry for the delay. Too many things and not enough time :)
Talk to you next week.
Trina
--
Trina L. May
Director of Marketing
GPA, Specialty Substrate Solutions
Email: trina@askgpa.com
Direct: 773-650-9363
Visit us at: www.askgpa.com
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/askgpa
Become a Fan on Facebook: Search GPA, Specialty Substrates
See us on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/askgpa
On 3/18/10 8:33 AM, "KKeane wrote:
Hi Laura and Trina and Bob and all
I will try to get the item below posted to the IAPHC website this weekend; being pretty much a one man band has its limitations!
I had an additional thought too.
Would you folks have any interest in offering a further level of possible graphic arts "awardage" to your GPA Best of Category winners?
Trina and Laura have entered GPA swatch books in the International Gallery in several recent years, and won GOLD more than once. Ron has rounded up entries for the International Gallery and was also a judge several years back.
Several of the local PIA events tell their winners that the local Gold winners go on to the International Gallery (PIA-Michigan does this as an example); the International Gallery entry fees are paid by the PIA affiliate and in the event the local winner further leverages their success with more honors, well it's a win-win for the firm and the sponsoring entity.
I attach a news release from 2008 which touts the entries to the International Gallery that were rounded up by Human Eyes Technologies from all over the world as you can see. They didn't have the expense of putting on their own competition and we gained the leverage of their global marketing forces.
No obligation on this at all, it just occurred to me that maybe we could help each other.
Meanwhile several of you have received membership invitation invoices from me and I hope you will accept, whatever else the Loopy Leprechaun Lawyer may be, I do have a wide audience that could be good for business for GPA :)
By the by, I saw the below item in Sabine Lenz's Paper Specs yesterday and just wanted to say, hey, well done! Looks like a Gallery entry to me!
Stick It to Them!
GPA's Pressure Sensitive Paper Idea Kit is something you'll definitely want to add to your toolkit. It's packed with information and goodies to help you confidently select the right sticky paper for every project, as well as spark new ideas for the most innovative new applications.
The kit includes: a product reference booklet with application ideas and everything you need to know about selecting the right facestock, adhesive and liner; a swatchbook that includes over 20 Ultra Bak Plus premium pressure sensitive paper samples in a rainbow of colors and finishes; and a printed sample showcasing the printability and finishing characteristics of GPA's pressure sensitive papers.
Ultra Bak Plus and Ultra Bak Classic by GPA offer a wide range of pressure sensitive papers for unlimited design options. The huge selection includes permanent and removable adhesives, zero and universal split liners, opaque and tag stocks, fluorescents and specialty colors, along with an endless array of custom items.
To request your free Pressure Sensitive Paper Idea Kit, please e-mail info@askgpa.com <mailto:info@askgpa.com?bcc=musthaves@paperspecs.com&Subject=Pressure%20Sensitive%20Paper%20Idea%20Kit%20Request%20via%20PaperSpecs> .
NOTE BENE : GPA is one of the first firm's to accept our new Association Patron Program (APP) - a form of partnership that allows us to say to our valued partner suppliers -- "do you want to sell more products / services to graphic arts professionals? We have an APP for that!" We thank our friends at GPA and encourage all readers to visit their website at www.askgpa.com
Cheers,
Kevin Keane
President and CEO
IAPHC Inc.
The Graphic Professionals Resource Network
International Gallery HQ - - Our 36th Year
Members TEACH ! It's an EPIC thing to do, ya'Know?
Members TEACH! It's an EPIC thing to do, ya'Know?
We've run across a number of items recently that you may find worth thinking about in the context of your business.
1) The Sabio family in Buffalo, New York have been longtime IAPHC members and International Gallery award winners too. We ran across this article about a gutsy investment made by Jim Sabio for his team and clients at Dual Printing:
The print is fine - Business First of Buffalo:
That's excellent PR for Dual and equally so for our longtime sponsor-partner manroland. Even in tough times, people can have the will to succeed. And great technology can help you get ahead.
2) IAPHC member Jim Kohler is a Printing and Graphic Arts Scientist, in conjunction with International Paper, he is rolling out new tools to help make things simpler and more productive in an average print plant. The new initiative is called Printer's Playbook. Here is a link to the news blurb, please take the time to check out the initial video which fleshes out the key points:
3) We were visiting the other day with an IAPHC member who has recently purchased a 12 head Canon inkjet wide format printer. Many communities and towns have certain landmarks which are easily identifiable, and perhaps due to their size or unique characteristics people (including your customers) are intrigued by these places or edifices. The racetrack Churchill Downs would be a good, illustrative example. Or perhaps the new Cowboy's Stadium would be another landmark example.
Our member, who must remain nameless for the present, as his program is soon to roll out, has a new building in his community which has everyone talking, So our enterprising fellow thought: "what if I leverage the interest in this new place, and personalization technologies, to create a poster of the new building." Each individual poster copy will be personalized with the logo of a key client as well as the logo of our clever marketer. In so doing he has created a campaign that piggybacks off the interest in the new building, shows off the gorgeous full color attributes of his new wide format inkjet printer and also introduces clients to one to one personalization.
In his mind's eye, our 'big-picture' man says he can envision his personalized poster being displayed in lobby's and conference rooms of key clients all over town, and much as we remind folks of the leverage one gets from an International Gallery duplicate award being displayed by a printer's client, it is a true win-win when your customer introduces their customers to your company's name.
Sidebar: the interest in the new facility is so great that our marketeer was unable to find a royalty free photo, so he contracted with Getty Images -- $600 to use the image for 60 days, or on up to 1000 posters.
4) IAPHC member Bob Byers of Sunray Printing in St. Cloud, Minnesota passed along an article that was printed in the September 2009 issue of Franchise World magazine, a long running publication of the International Franchise Association. The article was written by Sunray's VP of Sales and Marketing, Joel Vogel. Most franchising companies encourage their franchise owners to harness the power of direct mail. Joel explains some of the inside scoop to make a campaign really hum. His observations are related to dealing with the US Post Office but we think the lessons translate well to other postal jurisdictions also.
Click HERE to read the full article and a hat-tip to Bob Byers for sending the item to us.
By the way, (Bob and Joel may wish to take especial note) we were visiting with a new legal client one day in late winter, and the gentleman showed us a book of poems and stories he recently had printed as a fundraiser for a foundation. We asked who did the printing and he replied, "they did a great job, really pleased with the book, it's a company in St. Cloud called Sunray Printing." Hard to beat the testimonial power of a happy client!
5) And now for something completely different. IAPHC member Dan Lane is proprietor of Tabs To Go in Auburn, Washington. Dan has an endless pipeline of links to unusual sites that are of particular interest to a graphic arts professional. Here, in case you needed a chemistry of typography refresher course is the Periodic Table of Typefaces:
http://www.squidspot.com/Periodic_Table_of_Typefaces/Periodic_Table_of_Typefaces_large.jpg
The IAPHC, We exist to Educate/Promote/Inform/Connect (EPIC) all our members with the global graphic community. We call this process EPIC and we also call it fun.
If we can help promote you, or your company, or a product or service offering or just share a funny one with our readers around the globe, please pass along your items to kkeane1069@aol.com
We mean it, it's Fun to Educate and Connect our members with the talents of other members and in so doing we Promote one member and Inform another. Like this link for example, in which you will learn of the skills of Mike Strickler, IAPHC Global member in Cotati, California and our pal and IAPHC-Vancouver member Ernst Vegt:
