iPROMOTEu

from the President & CEO

MESSAGE

Welcome Message

Thank you for your interest in iPROMOTEu. I very much appreciate your desire to learn more about how we operate and to better understand how iPROMOTEu can benefit you and your business. I invite you to read this information, and then to contact us if you have a continuing interest in our services. We will gladly answer all your questions.

In 2014, iPROMOTEu was again recognized by ASI’s Counselor Magazine and PROMO Marketing Magazine as being among the largest distributor companies in the promotional products industry. In addition, based on ASI/Counselor’s State of the Industry report in July 2014, iPROMOTEu was the #1 fastest growing distributor company last year and over the past five year period among all of the industry’s twenty largest distributor organizations. Furthermore, iPROMOTEu has been honored for being one of the top ten Best Places to Work in the promotional products industry. No other industry organization has enjoyed such favorable recognition.

At iPROMOTEu, we believe we’ve established a superior platform for distributors (and for salespeople who want to become a distributor). Our track record, in just a few years, clearly demonstrates the value we provide. Nearly 600 distributors are currently affiliated with iPROMOTEu from almost every state in the country and Canada. Significantly, iPROMOTEu works only with experienced industry professionals. Of considerable importance to our affiliates is the fact that there is no franchise fee or long term commitment; nor is there any non-compete provision or any other provision that would restrict your ability to do business if you ever decided to disaffiliate. iPROMOTEu is not a franchise system; we are not a network of franchisees or a network of salespeople. Rather, iPROMOTEu is a network of independent business owners. You are our customer. You are in control of your business and we work for you. iPROMOTEu is the industry’s most desirable option for distributors and salespeople.

Our affiliates are our main priority, and they love being a part of iPROMOTEu. We gladly will arrange for you to speak with existing affiliates so you can hear from them first hand regarding their experiences with iPROMOTEu.

I hope you will seriously consider affiliating with iPROMOTEu and joining the many other distributors and salespeople throughout the country that have found value in our services. Thank you, again, for your interest in iPROMOTEu.

Very truly yours,

Ross S. SilversteinPresident & CEO

iPROMOTEu is one of the largest and fastest growing distributor organizations in the promotional products industry. Nearly 1,000 experienced independent promotional products distributors and their sales reps are affiliated with iPROMOTEu. Since iPROMOTEu works only with experienced distributors and sales reps, we enjoy a terrific reputation for professionalism and success throughout the industry and especially among suppliers. iPROMOTEu Affiliates continue to own and operate their distributorship, and they do so using their own company name and identity.

iPROMOTEu believes distributors spend too much of their time not selling and, instead, focus too much of their time on tedious, time consuming, non-revenue generating activities. iPROMOTEu relieves you of this burden so you have more time to sell – and earn more money.

ABOUT iPROMOTEuThe extensive list of resources and support offered by iPROMOTEu includes:

• Order financing so you don’t have to use your own capital or worry about cash flow

• Order follow-up, customer invoicing, and accounts receivable assistance to save you time

• Sales and marketing support, including free expert advice from Cliff Quicksell and David Blaise to help you grow your business

• A print and packaging division to make it easy for you to diversify into print and packaging so you can generate more sales

• A virtual assistant program to help you focus your time on revenue generating activities

• A payment advance program to help you get paid faster

• A network of preferred vendors with whom we’ve negotiated discounted pricing and other important benefits

• Advanced and constantly evolving technology so you can be as efficient as possible

• Regular professional development opportunities to keep you learning and connected to the iPROMOTEu community

About iPROMOTEu

This booklet provides an overview of iPROMOTEu’s benefits and how they can

make you more successful.

For more information, please visit our website at

www.ipromoteu.com/explore

Other industry organizations rob you of your freedom and independence. With iPROMOTEu, you retain the freedom and flexibility to operate your business as you choose. You remain in control and maintain your company name and identity.

iPROMOTEu is not a franchise organization; there is no long-term, restrictive agreement with us. Unlike other industry organizations, with iPROMOTEu there are no non-compete provisions, or other onerous provisions, that prevent you from doing business how you want, when you want, and with whom you want.

If you don’t find iPROMOTEu to be an ideal fit after six months, you may cancel your affiliation at any time.

The iPROMOTEu network is comprised of only independent distributors; we don’t have company sales reps that compete against you for business. We are not a network of salespeople or a network of franchisees; rather, we are a network

of independent business owners.

We’re here to support you, not control you. You are in charge. We work for you.

“I operate under my own name and identity. My customers belong to me now and forever. There are no restrictive provisions. I can terminate my affiliation at any time (not that I would ever want to). The service and support is excellent. I wish I affiliated years earlier. I love iPROMOTEu.” – Mark Quinlan, Bend, Oregon (Affiliate since 2008)

Keep Your Name & Brand

keep your name &

BRAND Your customers

remain your customers — even if you

decide to leave iPROMOTEu.

“iPROMOTEu has provided us with such unbelievable support in the past three and a half years that I cannot imagine not having them in my corner. They have helped us

with everything from getting us the lowest prices available in the industry to assisting us with large down payments.”

– Larry Stock, Livonia, Michigan (Affiliate since 2009)

“iPROMOTEu has changed our lives for the better and had a positive effect on the way we do business. The training, the support and leadership have helped take our business

to a new level. We couldn’t be happier.”

– Darrell McChesney, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Affiliate since 2010)

iPROMOTEu finances your orders so you don’t have to utilize your own capital or worry about cash flow. There’s no need to apply for individual credit with suppliers; that’s our job. Financial backing from iPROMOTEu enables you to confidently seek large orders from bigger customers. You can rest comfortably knowing that no order is too large. Say goodbye to pre-payments and deposits, to credit applications and credit limits. With iPROMOTEu, your financing worries disappear.

order

Order Financing

FINANCING

At iPROMOTEu, we realize that selling is the most important thing you can do with your time. We understand that the more time you can spend selling, the more sales you will make and the more money you will earn. We offer back-office support that frees up your time and allows you to focus on selling and other revenue-generating activities — as well as other things in your life that are important to you. Take a vacation. Relax. Enjoy. You can do all this, worry free, with iPROMOTEu. We’ve got your back.

Order Follow-Up iPROMOTEu follows-up on all your orders with suppliers — and we do an excellent job. Our production coordinators have regular contact and great rapport with nearly every supplier you might use. With years of experience and hundreds of thousands of orders — totaling more than a half billion dollars — under their belt, iPROMOTEu’s production coordinators have unmatched industry experience.

Your dedicated production coordinator will leave detailed notes in iPROMOTEu’s order management system to let you know exactly what’s happening with your orders. You can check the status of your orders through the system anytime you wish — 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Additionally, your production coordinator is available to you by phone or email for rush orders or special requests.

iPROMOTEu can assist with your customers when you take a vacation. You can feel confident that the orders will proceed smoothly while you are away and that your customers will receive prompt, professional and courteous service and support.

Invoicing iPROMOTEu’s invoicing team will track down the supplier invoice as soon as the merchandise has shipped and then promptly draft a customer invoice according to the terms and pricing you’ve set. The draft invoice will then be emailed to you for your review and approval.

Once approved by you, the invoicing team will prepare and send out the final customer invoice. This invoice has your company name and logo prominently at the top, center of the invoice. The remit to address for payment is that of iPROMOTEu.

Accounts Receivable AssistanceYou will also have a dedicated accounts receivable

coordinator to assist you with the timely payment of your customers’ invoices.

“Growing my business has been stress free

thanks to iPROMOTEu. I concentrate on selling and iPROMOTEu handles everything else. This means less time in the office and

more free time to do the things that

I really enjoy.” – Cindy Gibbs, Erie, Colorado

(Affiliate since 2005)

Back-Office Support

supportBACK OFFICE

& marketing support

“Thank you for having the insight and the

commitment to bring Cliff onboard to help Affiliates.

I cannot stress to you enough how much he has

helped me position my company for success! One

word – WOW!! Although we have just started

working together, he’s already had an immediate

and direct impact on helping me develop business

that I would not have even considered pursuing

three months ago.” - Craig G. Pierce, Westminster, Massachusetts (Affiliate since 2008)

Sales & Marketing

iPROMOTEu Affiliates receive FREE one-on-one support from Cliff Quicksell, as well as a host of other helpful tools.

Cliff Quicksell is iPROMOTEu’s Director of Marketing and works as a “business coach” for our Affiliates, assisting them with their business plans and their marketing plans and helping them create a course of action

for generating more sales. His consulting and coaching is available at no charge to iPROMOTEu Affiliates. Cliff has three decades of experience covering every aspect of the promotional products industry and has won PPAI Pyramid Awards for marketing innovation and creativity an astounding twenty-two times. He is one of the top rated and sought after trainers, speakers and consultants in the promotional products industry.

Cliff’s sales and marketing support for Affiliates encourages you to lead with creativity rather than with product. He provides the tools you need to follow his advice including exclusive, award-winning self-promotion mail pieces that our Affiliates can take advantage of with much lower costs and minimums than if they were produced independently. Affiliates send these pieces to their toughest prospects and yet still get a 60 -80% open-rate.

In addition to Cliff ’s support, iPROMOTEu offers our Affiliates a variety of sales and marketing tools to help you grow your business including:

• iPROMOTEu Industry Success Seminars featuring David Blaise

• Capability Booklets that outline the many ways you can help your customers.

• Numerous marketing pieces that serve as touch points and business generation for your customers.

• A variety of creative marketing campaigns to help get you in the door.

SALES

“When Ross and Rick announced the addition of

Bob Schwei to the iPROMOTEu Team, I was very

pleased. I have long viewed the print industry as

a natural extension of our business. Recently, I

was able to land a very profitable $25,000 print

sale consisting of 60,000 peel-off postcards. Bob

was instrumental in helping me navigate the

nuances and vocabulary of the print business

by interacting with vendors, explaining to me

the differences in their proposals and ultimately

providing me with very thoughtful advice.”

- Art Silverman, Tenafly, New Jersey (Affiliate since 2006)

Print & Packaging

Do you already sell, or would you like to sell, custom print and/or packaging? iPROMOTEu provides the support you need to increase your sales by diversifying into this related industry. Our Print & Packaging Division, led by industry expert Bob Schwei, is an exceptional resource for all iPROMOTEu Affiliates.

Bob holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Printing Management and has extensive experience with all phases of custom print and packaging. He also has considerable experience in the promotional products industry having owned and operated his own print and promotional products company.

To complement the guidance Bob offers our Affiliates, iPROMOTEu has formed a recommended print vendor network. These vendors offer iPROMOTEu Affiliates, among other things, discounted pricing, special and exclusive programs, and exceptional service.

Bob’s advice and expertise regarding the print and packaging industry is available at no charge to iPROMOTEu Affiliates.

& packaging divisionPRINT

Through iPROMOTEu’s Payment Advance Program, you can get money quickly -- at the time the order is invoiced -- so you no longer have to wait for payment from your customer.

Here’s how it works: You can request a payment advance for any customer-invoiced order. iPROMOTEu will grant to you the payment advance, less an advance fee, as quickly as the same day as your request. It’s that simple!

With iPROMOTEu’s Payment Advance Program, you get paid faster!

Virtual Assistant ProgramPayment Advance Program

The Virtual Assistant Program provides you with experienced industry professionals to assist with all sorts of administrative and marketing tasks including:

• Product Research

• Order Entry

• Order Management

• Supplier Interaction

• Customer Communication

• Invoice Approvals

• Social Media Guidance

• Marketing Assistance

• Prospecting Support

• Database Management

• Problem Resolution

ProgramVIRTUAL ASSISTANT

ProgramPAYMENT ADVANCE

There is an hourly fee for the use of a Virtual Assistant.

“The VA Program has been a fantastic resource

for my company. I have utilized the program

for product research and other back office

assistance. However, what I found to be the most

beneficial and measurable function performed

was having calls made to prospective clients.

Lead generation and follow up activities are often

the most difficult tasks to keep up with but the

iPROMOTEu virtual assistant I worked with

eagerly took on the challenge and exceeded my

goals”. The flexibility of the program allows me to

have the help when I need it.”

- Theresa Gonzalez, New Fairfield, Connecticut (Affiliate since 2009)

suppliers with special pricing

“One of the many benefits of affiliating with iPROMOTEu is the great customer service we receive from preferred suppliers. I have noticed that if

I have a question or an issue that needs attention, the reps respond very quickly; much faster than when I was working on my own.”

– Michael Anderson, La Verne, California (Affiliate since 2010)

Preferred Suppliers

3M Promotional ProductsAAA Umbrella Aakron RuleAdimages DrinkwareAdmints & ZagaborAJM InternationalA La CarteAlexander ManufacturingAll In OneAllen CompanyAlpiAmerican Ad BagAmericana SportswearAmerican GreenwoodApollo Embroidery/ Embroidery USAAriel Premium SupplyAshCityAtlantic Coast CottonAwardcraft/VisionsAZX SportBall ProBamBamsBarton NelsonBeacon PromotionsBenchmark IndustriesBentcilBerne ApparelBic GraphicBirchcraft StudiosBlue FrogBlue GenerationBuztronicsCanada SportswearCalibre InternationalCastelli CustomCFS Promotions

Charles River ApparelChocolate InnCleggThe Corporate MarketplaceCPS KeystoneCrossCrown ProductsCrystal D CreationsCurto ToyCustom Crest (Custom Printing II)Cutter & BuckDard Products (Tagmaster) DebcoDelta ApparelDFS GroupDigiSpecDLXDunbrookeDYREdwards GarmentEmpire PenESP CanadaETS ExpressEvansFerstenFey/ReflectixFieldsFirst Source AwardsFossil WatchesGalaxy BalloonsGaryLineGemlineGill StudiosGMG PenGold BondGordon Sinclair

HartwellHeadwear CanadaHeadwear USAHeritage/Virginia T’sHotlineHub PenHumphreyiCLICKIlliniIMCIndependent FoldersInnovation SpecialtiesJ CharlesJetlineJornikJournal Books/Timeplanner Calendars KTI NetworksLancoLarLuLeashables by OralabsLeed’sLogo IncludedLogomarkLogo MatsMagnetMaple Ridge FarmsMarathon PrestigeMillennium LeatherMineral SpringsModerne Glass CompanyMolenaarNationwide PromosNeet FeetNES Clothing (Broder Bros.)Norwood Promotional ProductsNotes Inc.

NoteworthyNumoOtto CapPacific Coast GolfPacific Western SalesParamount ApparelPar OnePaul K. GuillowPedrePeerless UmbrellaPerfect PromotionalPhillips Van Heusen Corporate/IZODPilgrim Promotions in PlasticPioneer Balloon CanadaThe Platform Group GalleryPoints of LightPrime ResourcesPrinting For LessPro Golf PremiumsProfessional Towel Promo Biz USAProvidencePunch Products/Vision USAQuickpointRainkistReady 4 KitsRiver’s End TradingS&S ActivewearSabinaSafehavenSanford Promotional ProductsSanMarSeville GearShowdown DisplaysSimba CalSnugZ

SoundlineSpector ImageStarlineSteven Smith Stuffed AnimalsStormDuds RaingearStouseSt. Regis CrystalStromberg GroupSwedaSwiss Army Brands/VictornoxTarget GraphicsTarget IndustriesTattoo FactoryTaylor & GrantTekweldThe Book CompanyThe Innovations LineTK Cups/ Sorg’sTomaxTowel SpecialtiesTravel ChairTri-MountainTrimarkTSC ApparelVantage Visual Textile ResourceVitronic Promotional ProductsVoncoWarwick PublishingWebb CollectionWindbrellaWindmill Press, Saratoga PenWorld Wide LineWov in LineZenith Promotions/The Last Straw

PREFERREDiPROMOTEu’s network of preferred suppliers consists of the very best suppliers in the promotional products industry. These

suppliers provide iPROMOTEu Affiliates with discounted pricing, exceptional service and a host of other benefits. By using

iPROMOTEu’s preferred suppliers, you are able to offer your customers great pricing and superior product selection.

Our preferred suppliers provide outstanding customer service to iPROMOTEu Affiliates, ensuring that all orders are handled

appropriately and that any necessary troubleshooting is addressed quickly and professionally. Your customers will be amazed

by what you are able to accomplish and resolve, and they will appreciate that you are working with a top-rated and reliable

group of suppliers.

In addition to the great pricing we negotiate with our preferred suppliers, iPROMOTEu Affiliates also benefit from discounted

arrangements with many industry service providers for such tools as product research, customer websites, catalogs, etc.

Technology

iPROMOTEu’s Xebra technology gives you a quick and easy way to quote customers, prepare purchase orders, track orders in production and generate financial reports that help you keep track of your sales and profit. Xebra has been extensively customized in order to best meet the needs of iPROMOTEu and our Affiliates. We are able to offer special tools through Xebra that will help you grow your business, including prospecting, inventory management, and integrated e-commerce/company store solutions.

iPROMOTEu is constantly working to enhance it’s technology, regularly adding new functionality that allows Affiliates to be more productive. A recent major initiative added online catalogs of major industry suppliers, an easy to use order grid for apparel orders, and integration that automates communication between Xebra and leading industry suppliers. Work is currently underway to transform Xebra into a web based application. There is no extra charge for the use of iPROMOTEu’s Xebra technology.

To operate Xebra, you need a Windows based PC and a high speed Internet connection. iPROMOTEu will provide training on the system; this training typically requires two hours of your time. After your initial training session, additional help is always available by contacting iPROMOTEu.

TECHNOLOGY

Professional Development

Although, as an iPROMOTEu Affiliate, you own your independent distributorship, you are not alone. Rather, you are part of a cohesive, energetic, successful group of like-minded professionals. iPROMOTEu offers ample opportunity for our Affiliates to meet, network with, and learn from other affiliated promotional products distributors as well as our experienced senior management team.

We host a number of Regional Meetings throughout the year. At these exclusive iPROMOTEu events, you’ll learn what’s new and exciting at iPROMOTEu, get energized to sell with sales and marketing presentations by Cliff Quicksell, and benefit from great industry advice on a variety of topics. Throughout the year, you’ll have the opportunity to hear first-hand from promotionalproducts buyers at our end-user panel discussions what’s really important to them and to meet with representatives of many iPROMOTEu preferred suppliers at a variety of events and venues so you can better understand their products and how to sell them more effectively.

When you affiliate with iPROMOTEu, you are never alone. We attend every major tradeshow, often reserving a private meeting room for our Affiliates and offering breakfast and lunch along with speakers and workshops. We also frequently host an evening event for the benefit of iPROMOTEu Affiliates. During the tradeshows, you’ll have the opportunity to meet, one-on-one, with Cliff Quicksell, Bob Schwei, Ross Silverstein, Rick Badiner and other representatives of iPROMOTEu. Additionally, our Affiliates

have the chance to help, and learn from, each other through iPROMOTEu’s “Ideas Forum”

and to continue their learning with our iPROMOTEu Industry Success

Seminars. The iPROMOTEu team consists of experts in nearly every aspect of your business who are available to help and guide you as needed.

business developmentPROFESSIONAL

Can I use any supplier/decorator/printer I choose?Absolutely. However, iPROMOTEu has established its own network of preferred suppliers, decorators and printers. We encourage you to work with our preferred vendors whenever possible as you receive discounted pricing, superior customer service and other special benefits.

Do you offer graphic design services?Yes, iPROMOTEu offers exceptional art and graphic design services from our corporate office so that you and your client can rest assured that the work will be done quickly, professionally and affordably.

What about marketing help?Cliff Quicksell works as iPROMOTEu’s Director of Marketing providing creative programs and resources for our Affiliates to use and offering advice and support. There is no charge to you for Cliff’s services. We also have a host of other marketing tools and resources available for you to use.

What do I tell my clients (or what can I send them)?A sample letter which can be customized by you and an iPROMOTEu fact sheet are available for you to send to your customers. These documents explain your affiliation with iPROMOTEu, what iPROMOTEu does, and how the partnership will benefit your customers. These documents can be modified and placed on your letterhead.

What do I do about my reps (I am already splitting commission with them)?There are many ways to handle this situation and each case is different. Our business development team can give you advice and assistance in creating the right plan. Many of our Affiliates have sales representatives.

What do the invoices you send to my customer look like?The invoice will display your company name and logo prominently at the top. Invoice instructions will direct your customer to make checks payable to iPROMOTEu and to remit payment to an iPROMOTEu bank lockbox.

How do you handle sales tax?We collect sales tax remitted by your customers on your behalf and we send you a check and report every month. You are responsible for completing any required forms and for remitting the forms and payment directly to the taxing authority.

Do you do product research?iPROMOTEu does not provide regular, recurring product research for our Affiliates. Industry service providers such as ASI, SAGE and others offer these tools; iPROMOTEu has negotiated steep discounts for your benefit. If your product needs are unique, we will be able to assist you based on our extensive industry experience.

When do I get paid?You are paid weekly by direct deposit with respect to all orders for which we received payment from your customer during the prior week. You also receive a report via email detailing the payment you will be receiving.

What are the fees for joining?iPROMOTEu is the very best economic and lifestyle arrangement in the industry. The cost to you for all that iPROMOTEu has to offer is surprisingly low. Contact us today to learn more.

How do I get started?Qualified distributors need to fill out, sign and return the Independent Distributor Affiliate Agreement for processing and review. Once accepted, you will be set up in our systems. This setup process takes approximately one week.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

“Best business move I ever made. It has allowed me to free myself up for more sales time and reduce my payroll due to all the benefits that iPROMOTEu offers.”

– Lee Ann Peter, Lake Barrington, Illinois (Affiliate since 2005)

“We wouldn’t be where we are today without iPROMOTEu. Our company has grown and earned top industry accolades for its work because of our affiliation with iPROMOTEu.

iPROMOTEu is a combination of visionary leadership and an assembly of the best-of-the-best talent at all levels within the organization. iPROMOTEu provides a career that is flexible, full of opportunity and FUN. I am able to create a great living while learning from others. I truly

love what I do! It goes without saying; iPROMOTEu exceeded all of our expectations.”

–Scott Meade, Princeton Junction, New Jersey (Affiliate since 2004)

Accolades

Inc. 5000 listed in the 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 issues of

Inc. Magazine recognizing America’s fastest growing private

companies.

ASI/Counselor “Top 40” Distributor every year since

2008 recognizing the forty largest distributor companies in the

promotional products industry.

PROMO Marketing “Top 50” Distributor every year

since 2008 recognizing the fifty largest distributors in the

promotional products industry.

ASI/Counselor “Power 50” every year since 2006

recognizing the most influential people in the promotional

products industry.

ASI/Counselor “Best Places to Work” for being one

of the top ten best places to work in the promotional products

industry.

PPAI “Pyramid Award” in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and

2014 - for outstanding marketing campaigns and effective,

results-oriented programs.

PSDA “Grand PEAK Award” in 2012, 2013 and 2014 -

for print and packaging excellence and knowledge.

ASI Spirit Award “Fastest Growing Distributor” for

being among the top ten fastest growing distributor companies

in the promotional products industry.

ASI/Counselor “Hot List” recognizing the most dynamic

and trendy people in the promotional products industry.

EY Entrepreneur of the Year recognized as one of the

most prestigious business award programs in the country, the

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year awards celebrate the country’s

most innovative business leaders.

ACCOLADES

2014 Finalist

“iPROMOTEu is a no brainer. It means, simply, more money in our pockets. More selling time, more support, better systems and record keeping, great marketing suggestions, and the

nicest people in the industry.”

–Jeff Benesch, San Diego, California (Affiliate since 2007)

“I have been affiliated with iPROMOTEu since 2004. I was with a franchise organization before iPROMOTEu. I did a lot of research before joining iPROMOTEu. I can tell you that my years at iPROMOTEu have been great. They are a wonderful team to work with; I always feel like they are building the network FOR us and that they are always fighting to make our jobs

easier. As long as I am in the industry, I can’t ever see leaving.”

–Greg Christman, Appleton, Wisconsin (Affiliate since 2004)

Ready to learn more or take the next step? Contact us right away.

www.iPROMOTEu.com/explore

Phone: 800-850-3370 E-Mail: [email protected]

321 Commonwealth Road, Suite 101Wayland, Massachusetts 01778

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800-850-3370 • www.ipromoteu.com/explore