ASI's Industry Intern Program Increases Member Participation By 89%

TREVOSE, PA – June 29, 2018 – The Advertising Specialty Institute^® (ASI) today announced its increasingly popular industry internship program continued its strong momentum, enjoying an 89% increase in the number of participating member companies, with 288 interns now working at 237 supplier and distributor companies for the summer.

Overall, the number of participating interns grew 73% over last year. The number of participating supplier companies more than doubled from last year, with the number of distributor companies coming in at 84% over 2017.

“The industry response to ASI’s summer internship program has been fantastic,” said Timothy M. Andrews, ASI’s president and chief executive officer. “It proves what ASI has advocated all along – that introducing a new generation to the creativity and profitability of our industry is not just smart, it’s essential for continued growth.”

ASI’s third annual industry intern program is open to any member company in the $23.6 billion promotional products industry, providing free online training, access to ESP and a chance for interns to win a $1,000 scholarship.

The interns are working at 27 supplier and 210 distributor companies, including returning companies Halo Branded Solutions (asi/356000), Lion Circle (asi/67620) and The Vernon Company (asi/351700). Companies new to the program include DRI Duck Traders (asi/50835), Proforma (asi/116308) and SoBe Promos (asi/245603).

Hiring an intern helps companies gain brand advocates, get fresh ideas, enjoy an extra set of hands and create a talent pipeline for future hiring. It also helps the industry teach a new generation about promotional products.

“Before the program, I didn’t know that there was even an official name for custom branded products,” said former intern Alex Anagnostaras, who worked for HGX, Inc. (asi/ 2248860. “Now, I understand the industry and the importance of promotional products within the marketing mix.”

New this year, ASI increased the number of online webinars offered during training and, in response to student feedback, added more classes on sales, marketing, graphic design and more. Interns can view the industry-centric webinars anytime and at their own pace. The free training helps alleviate concerns suppliers and distributors may have over not having enough time to devote to training newcomers to their company and the industry.

ASI also expanded free ESP access until October 1 to accommodate West Coast interns who often return to college later than other students. ASI will also encourage greater social media interaction between interns across three main platforms: Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat (#PromoInternASI).

In addition to training and ESP, each participating intern receives:

• A chance to win a $1,000 scholarship awarded to interns who write the best essay about their experience (click here to read last year’s winning essays)
• Invitation to attend ASI Show^® Chicago, minus expenses, Tuesday, July 24, through Thursday, July 26, featuring a special keynote with Shark Tank co-host Robert Herjavec
• Internship certificate upon completion of the program
• An ASI summer gift pack of promotional items

The 2018 ASI Summer Internship Program is free to ASI members who hire one or more interns to work at their company for the summer. Click here for more information or to register an intern for next year.

ASI started its internship program in 2016 to attract more young professionals to the industry and to expose them to the power of promotional products.

For information on joining the 2019 ASI Internship Program, please contact ASI Marketing Manager Christine Shaw at cshaw@asicentral.com.

About ASI
The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI^®) serves a network of 23,500 suppliers, distributors and decorators in the $23.6 billion promotional products industry. ASI’s flagship product, the technology platform ESP^®, manages the industry’s entire supply and marketing chain. ASI also produces award-winning digital and print content, live events and educational programs that enable companies in 55 countries to be more efficient, productive and profitable. ASI’s Counselor^® magazine provides the most authoritative business content in the industry, and the ASI Certification Program features 500+ live and online education courses for over 40,000 professionals. The company, family owned and operated since 1962, is proud to have been consistently ranked among the “Best Places to Work” in Philadelphia and Bucks County, PA. For more info: www.asicentral.com.