Survey: Family Businesses Lack Estate Planning
A new survey from U.S. Trust and Bank of America Private Wealth Management reveals that only 15% of thriving family businesses last past the second generation. Why? Poor estate planning. While three-quarters of businesses have succession plans, slightly more than a third (38%) of the 240 business owners interviewed actually implement them. "It's something people overlook because they have the here and now things to take care of," says Carol Matusoff, owner of Paper and Ink Promotions (asi/290059). Matusoff has done the proper estate planning for her business, which counts her husband (formerly a life insurance agent) and granddaughter as employees. "I had an in-road because of my husband's line of work, but it wasn't hard to do and the earlier you start the better."

The tax penalties for a poorly planned succession among the 12 million family-owned U.S. businesses are steep. "There is nothing worse for a family than to pay an estate tax and have that business become worthless in three years," says Eric L. Green, legal counsel at Convicer & Percy, LLP in Glastonbury, CT. Tax reasons aside, a plan of transfer is also important for family management reasons. "Financial planning is the easy part," Green says. "Training the next generation to take over and maintaining the family peace are the difficult issues."

He recommends businesses create an "equalization of the estate" among a business owner's children. This means finding a happy medium between the siblings who work at the business and those who do not. This way "the parents can assure that all of the siblings are treated properly, maintain family harmony, and avoid having the sibling in the business be required to deal with their siblings as co-owners when these co-owners have no interest in the business."

This is also the civil thing to do in terms of company employees, says Jay Hemphill, an estate planning and litigation attorney at Ragsdale Liggett PLLC in Raleigh, NC. "Long time employees likely count on the ongoing viability of their employer for their own retirement," he says. "Business owners must fight the temptation to only focus on near-term events. They must take a long term view."

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Logomark Partners With Newton Peripherals
Logomark Inc. (asi/67866) has announced it will partner with Newton Peripherals, developers of the MoGo-family of Bluetooth-enabled devices. The deal will make Logomark the authorized reseller of Newton's products in the ad specialty industry. "Logomark [has] an exceptional reputation, first-rate operations and tremendous reach into both the U.S. and European markets," says Matthew Westover, president and CEO of Newton Peripherals. "We have found that MoGo products have been extremely well received as corporate gifts and the development of this partnership will help to expand our reach into this market."

Logomark will manage inventory, shipping and orders for Newton's initial offering of three ultra-thin mouse peripherals. Also included is the MoGo Dapter, a Bluetooth adaptor that allows users to connect to a range of Bluetooth-enabled devices from their laptops, including printers, phones, cameras and speakers.

"Over the years we have built a solid reputation among our resellers to offer the best in customized promotional products and we are very excited about adding the MoGo family of products to our offerings," says Trevor Gnesin, president and CEO of Logomark. "Newton Peripherals' products are fantastic and they offer the kind of enduring value that makes a corporate promotional product really resonate with its recipient."

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Video Report: SOI Sneak Peek
While Counselor's State of the Industry report is set to be released next week, we've been revealing certain aspects of the survey each week in advance of the issue. In this last installment of Ask Andy, Counselor Editor Andy Cohen answers a whole host of reader questions. Yes, it's a rapid fire edition of Ask Andy. Wondering how to beat a summer slump or whether to move into an office? Check out the video.

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Printing Partners Completes Merger With Mailing Firm
Printing Partners Inc. (asi/299561) announced that it completed its merger with Budget Direct Mail, effective July 1. With both companies looking to expand and grow, the idea was hatched mutually between the owners of the Indianapolis-based commercial printer, Joel and Michael O'Brien, and Budget Direct president Tom Williams thanks to their long-standing business relationship. "I think," said Joel O'Brien, "you can reach your goals a lot quicker and a lot easier by merging than trying to do it separately."

Printing Partners – a $14 million company – retains the Budget Direct Mail name for now but will eventually incorporate it as a division that provides direct marketing solutions to car dealerships and wholesale furniture stores, among others. Currently, 2% of Printing Partners' business is devoted to advertising specialties. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

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The Joe Show: Wine & Cheese Party
In this episode of The Joe Show, Counselor Managing Editor Joe Haley shows off some of the latest ad specialties suitable for a wine-and-cheese party. Do you have a client that has a special outing planned for the summertime? These items could be the perfect things to offer.

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Distributor Tests Marketing Medium At NASCAR Race
When it comes to the promise of "proximity marketing," Ace Marketing & Promotions (asi/103085) President Michael Trepeta isn't thinking small. "We think this is going to be the next billion dollar industry that just doesn't exist yet," he remarks. "We can essentially create networks. Just like the coming of telephones, television, the internet, this is going to be a new form of communication."

The technology, relatively unknown in the U.S., got its first test drive at last weekend's Coke Zero 400 at the famed Daytona International Speedway in Florida. "The reaction was absolutely amazing," says Trepeta. "The acceptance of the fans was incredible." Proximity marketing is the delivery of content through Bluetooth and wireless services to enabled devices (think cell phones). When fans reached certain hot spots at Saturday's NASCAR race (the range is 300 feet for Bluetooth, 600 feet for wi-fi), they would be prompted once on their phones. By choosing to accept, they had access to event information, videos, messages from the drivers, and even what was on the food menus around the race track (branded content from Chevrolet and Coke was also included). It works independently of the phone carrier and doesn't cost anything to receive the information. 

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Broder Adds New Brands, Styles For 2009
Broder Bros. Co., the parent company of Alpha Shirt (asi/34408), Broder (asi/42090), and NES (asi/72808), announced plans to roll out its 2009 line, featuring four additional brands, 150 new styles as well as new brand and category catalogs. The largest supplier in the market is touting its newest brand, PlayBack, which creates eco-friendly, recycled fleece products. "We are building up our assortment and keeping up with retail trends to become even more of a one-stop shop," says Broder Vice President Girisha Chandraraj. "In 2008, we've maintained our competitive pricing and have substantially increased our inventory levels, setting the stage for continued growth and success in 2009."

Rossignol, Dickies Chefwear and 180 Degrees are the other three brands being added to the 2009 line. Existing brands receiving updates include adidas, Authentic Pigment, Chestnut Hill, Columbia, Devon & Jones, Harriton, and others.

Win An Appearance On The Joe Show; Watch The Video
When you register for ASI Chicago — the largest show of the summer — you will be entered to win an appearance on The Joe Show, the product-focused online video series hosted by Counselor Managing Editor Joe Haley. But you need to hurry. The deadline to be entered is July 15. Two winners will be chosen and the segment will be taped on the show floor during ASI Chicago.

Anvil Knitwear, Inc. (asi/36350) announced that CEO Anthony Corsano received the Metro New York Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2008 Award in the Retail and Consumer Products category.

Aprons Etc. (asi/36558) is introducing a new line of die-cut disposable aprons and bibs.

Bag Makers, Inc. (asi/37940) has announced the launch of its new online virtual spec sampling tool, available at www.bagmakersinc.com.

Debco (asi/48885) has announced it is holding 2008 prices on almost all of its items, save for the products in its new GREEN BOOK.

HALO/Lee Wayne (asi/35600) set supplier and account executive attendance records at its 2008 National Sales Meeting recently held in Lake Tahoe, CA.

Kaeser & Blair (asi/238600) announced that more than 30% of its employees recently volunteered to give blood for the company's blood drive.

LogoBranders Inc. (asi/255496) was named Small Business of the Year by the Montgomery (Alabama) Area Chamber of Commerce.

Logostars (asi/67875) is offering to put full-color logos, graphics or text on authentic NHL hockey pucks.

Victorinox Swiss Army (asi/93755) won an award at the Premier Promotional Group Awards Ceremony for largest percent of sales increase for suppliers $50 million and above.

People On The Move
Barker Specialty Company (asi/132690) has announced the hiring of Beth Krane as the director of sales & merchandising. Krane previously worked as an account executive and merchandiser for the licensed division of CorpLogoWare.

Ennis Inc. (asi/52493) announced the election of Frank D. Bracken to the company's board of directors.

Innerworkings Inc. (asi/231438) has named Joseph Busky as its new chief financial offer.

PromoShop (asi/300446) has announced three new additions: Ana Maria Sancho-Fierro, sales administrator; Sandy Kitchen, sales coordinator; Govinda Thomas-Carter, inventory & purchasing coordinator.

Victorinox Swiss Army (asi/93755) has promoted Daniele Luciani and Gary Kakos from inside sales representatives to regional account managers.

THE LARGEST SHOW OF THE SUMMER — ASI CHICAGO — IS JULY 22-24
ASI Chicago, the largest show of the summer and biggest event in the Midwest, is just two weeks away. Taking place at McCormick Place on July 22-24, ASI Chicago will feature more than 80 cutting-edge education workshops (sponsored by Fields Mfg., asi/54100); 800 leading exhibitors, such as Leeds, Norwood, SanMar and BIC Graphic — just to name a few; three free Keynotes, including a new program, entitled Win All the Business You Want by Maribeth Kuzmeski and fun networking, including the popular Gala Celebration at Excalibur (sponsored by SnugZ USA, asi/88060).
Register today at www.asishow.com and plan on enjoying an action-filled, three day schedule, including two exhibit days (July 23-24) and the acclaimed ASI Show Business Development Forum (July 22),

The following are the dates and locations for The ASI Show in 2008:
Chicago: July 22-24

Plus, don't miss the ASI Advantages Roadshow, the industry's #1 traveling show. Visit www.advantagesroadshow.com for the complete 18-week schedule!