Promo industry veteran Rob Watson has been named managing director of Top 40 distributor The Image Group’s (asi/230069) Richmond, VA-area business.

Watson will serve as a member of the executive management team and assist in the development and execution of growth and digital strategies. The Image Group’s Richmond division serves more than 400 customers and has had a strong presence in the region for more than 30 years.

Rob Watson, The Image Group

“I’m excited to join such a great team, lead our Richmond office and help The Image Group continue to transform,” said Watson. “Richmond is my hometown. I look forward to connecting with friends, colleagues and clients. In returning to the distributor side of the industry, I’m particularly interested in evolving the dynamic between solutions-based agencies and supplier partners.”

Zack Ottenstein, president of The Image Group, said that Watson’s success in leadership roles over the last 15 or so years in the promo products industry makes him an ideal executive addition to the company.

“Rob’s unique perspective and track record of delivering outstanding results with best-in-class suppliers, distributors and industry organizations will add exceptional value to our clients and our team,” Ottenstein said. “The Image Group’s competitive differentiation is its focus on building solutions that help our clients achieve their business goals. Rob sets us further apart immediately and we’re thrilled to welcome him.” 

Zack Ottenstein, The Image Group

Watson comes to The Image Group from Top 40 supplier Vantage Apparel (asi/93390), where he spent more than three years in roles that included chief digital officer and chief experience officer. In those capacities, “he helped transform the company’s digital presence to meet the growing need for on-demand, e-commerce solutions,” The Image Group noted.

Watson’s promo career includes a number of other high-profile industry positions. He was chief marketing officer at former Top 40 distributor Axis Promotions (now part of Top 40 firm HALO Branded Solutions [asi/356000]), and spent more than five years at ASI, the promo industry’s largest membership organization, where he was vice president of digital user experience and then senior vice president of marketing and user experience. Prior to ASI, Watson was president of MediaTree, a digital promotional marketing agency that specializes in providing entertainment rewards for gifting and incentive programs.

With reported 2020 North American promotional product revenue of $50.4 million, The Image Group ranked 30^th on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest distributors in the industry. The company, which has dual headquarters in Richmond and Toledo, OH, serves more 700 companies across the United States, providing solutions in promo, print and employee recognition. A key merger in 2017 and an acquisition in 2018 helped bolster the firm’s presence in Virginia.