Creative Studio Promotions & Technology (asi/170976), a woman-owned branded merchandise agency, just notched a major sustainability milestone.

The Michigan-based company, co-owned by Counselor’s 2021 Distributor Entrepreneurs of the Year Ann Vidro and Menda Wright, has earned a Gold rating from EcoVadis, which puts Creative Studio Promotions & Technology in the top 5% of companies ranked.

Ann Vidro (left) and Menda Wright of Creative Studio Promotions & Technology (asi/170976)

EcoVadis is a globally recognized assessment platform that rates businesses’ sustainability based on four key categories: environmental impact, labor and human rights standards, ethics, and procurement practices. To achieve a Gold rating and be among the top 5%, companies must obtain an overall score between 70 and 77 in their assessment.

“This rating distinguishes us,” said Vidro. “It validates and quantifies what has been our commitment for years. Businesses focus on supplier diversity and sustainability; we could always say with confidence that we rank high. This rating gives us the proof.”

The EcoVadis Gold recognition is valid through December 2025. Wright said that Creative Studio Promotions & Technology has undertaken an array of initiatives that helped the firm secure the high ranking.

“We’ve been partnering with clients for years on recycling, upcycling or finding new uses for branded merchandise,” said Wright. “If you look at our repurpose program, we’ve been able to support clients in repurposing over 100,000 pounds of outdated branded merchandise.”

Word on the EcoVadis ranking comes just months after Creative Studio Promotions & Technology placed on the Inc. 5000 list of the nation’s fastest-growing companies for the eighth time.

Specializing in online stores, Creative Studio Promotions & Technology takes an agency approach, aiming to be a one-stop shop for clients, creating brand campaigns, building websites, procuring goods, warehousing, fulfilling and sending items all over the world.

Founded in 2012, the company has four locations across Michigan: Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Jackson and Lapeer.

Certain clients increasingly require ESG metrics like EcoVadis ratings. As such, an increasing number of branded merch companies are pursuing EcoVadis assessments, which is progressively turning the platform into a standard and in-demand assessment tool for the promotional products industry.

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