At the end of every year we take a look at how well our content does in terms of website traffic. This year -- just like last year -- we’re doing a series of posts breaking down the stories that have drawn the most website traffic in terms of pageviews. This week: Top 20 Promogram News Stories from 2019.

Top 20 Promogram News
Stories from 2019

Number 20

Bloomberg: Sycamore Could Add $1 Billion in Debt To Staples & Exit the Company
Post Date: March 26, 2019
Author: Christopher Ruvo
Staples, Inc. is the parent company of Top 40 distributor Staples Promotional Products (asi/120601). Read more…

Number 19

U.S. Raises Tariffs to 25%
Post Date: May 13, 2019
Author: John Corrigan
China retaliates by raising tariffs on $60 billion worth of U.S. goods. Read more…

Number 18

Promo Distributor Owners Killed In Tragic Accident
Post Date: January 22, 2019
Author: John Corrigan
Troy and Jessica Nelson, owners of Grand Forks, ND-based distributor Trojan Promotions, were killed in a tragic accident after a 75-foot-tall tree fell into the house they were renting while on vacation. Read more…

Number 17

Hullinger Shares Details of Alphabroder’s Cyber Attack
Post Date: November 5, 2019
Author: C.J. Mittica
In a Power Summit session, the CEO explained how the promotional products industry’s largest supplier handled a recent ransomware breach. Read more…

Number 16

Senator Wants To Ban Federal Agencies From Buying Promotional Products
Post Date: October 31, 2019
Author: Christopher Ruvo
Sen. Joni Ernst says "it’s time to bag the swag." Read more…

Number 15

Feds Investigate Promo Firms’ Ties to Alleged UAW Corruption
Post Date: April 25, 2019
Author: John Corrigan
A number of promotional products firms are being targeted in a federal investigation of corruption allegations brought against the United Auto Workers (UAW), one of the largest labor unions in the United States. Read more…

Number 14

Deb Taylor Steps Down as CEO of Taylor Corp.
Post Date: September 6, 2019
Author: Christopher Ruvo
The parent company of Top 40 distributor Taylor Communications will now be headed by Glen Taylor, Deb Taylor’s uncle. Read more…

Number 13

BDA Will No Longer Be Acquiring BrandVia
Post Date: September 10, 2019
Author: Christopher Ruvo
The two Top 40 firms have agreed to call off the acquisition. Read more…

Number 12

Judge Orders Liquidation of Heritage Sportswear
Post Date: April 24, 2019
Author: Christopher Ruvo
Tom Witthuhn, Heritage’s recent top officer, is no longer with the company. Read more…

Number 11

Witaszak No Longer With Staples Promotional Products
Post Date: September 12, 2019
Author: Christopher Ruvo
The long-time head of the industry’s second largest distributorship is now not with the $600 million company, Counselor has confirmed. Read more…

Number 10

Feds Bust Promo Companies For Price Fixing
Post Date: February 4, 2019
Author: John Corrigan
Netbrands Media Corporation and two of its top executives have agreed to plead guilty. Read more…

Number 9

Authorities: Promo Pro Killed While Saving Rabbi’s Life In Anti-Semitic Synagogue Shooting
Post Date: April 29, 2019
Author: Christopher Ruvo
Hero Lori Gilbert-Kaye was a senior account manager at Pro Specialties Group (asi/229725). Read more…

Number 8 

‘Mastermind’ Of Promo Price Fixing Scheme Gets Prison Time
Post Date: June 28, 2019
Author: Christopher Ruvo
At least three other co-conspirators have also been sentenced to jail. Read more…

Number 7 

Promo Products Executive Pleads Guilty To Price Fixing
Post Date: April 14, 2019
Author: Christopher Ruvo
Akil Kurji faces up to 10 years in prison. Read more…

Number 6

Staples Promo Products Names New Top Executive
Post Date: September 13, 2019
Author: Christopher Ruvo
Harvard graduate Matthew Eckhouse takes over from Richard Witaszak. Read more…

Number 5 

Phishing Scam Victimizes Top 40 Distributors
Post Date: November 15, 2019
Author: Christopher Ruvo
Plus, nine tips for how to protect your company. Read more…

Number 4 

Staples Undergoes Massive Rebrand
Post Date: May 24, 2019
Author: John Corrigan
The parent company of Top 40 distributor Staples Promotional Products has unveiled a new logo, social media campaign and many new products. Read more…

Number 3 

Court Filing: Heritage Sportswear Should Be Liquidated
Post Date: March 27, 2019
Author: Christopher Ruvo
Sources say the Top 40 promotional products supplier has encountered financial difficulty, but is continuing to operate and not about to close. Read more…

Number 2 

Alphabroder Suffers Ransomware Attack
Post Date: October 16, 2019
Author: Christopher Ruvo
The promo products industry’s largest supplier said it was hit by SODINOKIBI malware. Read more…

Number 1 

Shineman Out as Vistaprint CEO; Keane Takes Role
Post Date: January 31, 2019
Author: Christopher Ruvo
The announcement of Trynka Shineman’s departure comes following a fiscal quarter described as “the worst in a long time.” Read more…