VPs and Sherm Teller Award Winner Announced

At the annual President's Club celebration, Jack Nadel International named two vice presidents to its ranks and announced the prestigious Sherm Teller award. Shelly Slubowski from the San Diego office and Paul Navabpour from the Palo Alto office were named VP’s and David Falato received the Teller award.

Vice Presidents
Shelly Slubowski started with Jack Nadel in February 1987. She qualified for the President’s Club her first full year with JNI and has subsequently qualified 16 of the last 19 years. Shelly’s main area of expertise lies with the pharmaceutical industry and although a majority of her business comes from that industry, she has a base of clients ranging from mortgage/finance companies to a high-end health spa. Her personal moniker ‘Fearlessly Original’ has helped to establish and distinguish her from the competition.

Paul Navabpour started with Jack Nadel in June 1992. He qualified for the President’s Club his second year with JNI and has subsequently qualified each year after. Working out of JNI’s Palo Alto office, Paul has taken over office managerial duties and led the JNI “Green” team to a successful Eco website launch.

Sherm Teller Award
The award is given to eligible recipients based on a number of factors including sales volume, professionalism, leadership, and peer recognition. The award is named after Sherman Teller, the third sales employee hired by Jack Nadel in 1953 when the company was founded. During his career with JNI, Sherm was an influential leader and mentor to many. Sherm retired in 1993. He and his wife of over 60 years live in the Los Angeles area.

David Falato has worked for Jack Nadel International for 8 years, coming straight out of the University of Arizona. He has a triple major in Marketing, Accounting, and Finance from the University of Arizona and an MBA from University of Phoenix/San Francisco State University. David started his career with JNI working in our Palo Alto office then moved back to Chicago to open the JNI Chicago office.

Jack Nadel Int'l Hits a Home Run for SUN Microsystems.

The Nadel RFP team took the field at SUN Microsystems and presented a team approach in meeting Sun’s worldwide brand and distribution requirements. Donning authentic baseball jerseys, the squad led by Bruce Cohen – Senior Vice President and Mike Maurice – Vice President, filled the room with key players.

The lineup included: Darrin Keller – eCommerce Director, Debbie Abergel – Vice President Vendor Relations, Scott Brown – Vice President Creative, Ross Hooper – Director IT, and Carmela Wagner – Account Executive.

“JNI met our requirements as a company that understands branding and will fit well with the Sun-Brand Review protocol we have established”, Lisa Fulker - Senior Brand Manager, Sun Microsystems.

“Merchandise aside, Nadel’s worldwide scope in assuring timely delivery anywhere in the world sets you apart”, David Opp - World Wide Procurement Manager, Sun Microsystems.

JNI has secured a 2 year contract to provide branded merchandise and distribute to all SUN departments and offices worldwide.

Nadel’s eCommerce division, in conjunction with Sun Microsystems, has launched http://www.sunwear.sun.com/. This site includes unique and name brand merchandise, along with eco-responsible brands featuring names like Vy and Elle®, BOGO™, Votaic® and SOLIO®.

Built on a JAVA platform, this site exemplifies JNI’s ability to create and innovate to all client technology requirements. Sun’s 40,000 employees and over 1 million customers will be encouraged to purchase from the vast selection choices available.

JNI is listening! The site gives users the ability to add comments and rate products so that hot products can be expanded and slow products can be retired. This is just one of the new features available for JNI’s company store programs.

JNI Announces New Internship Manager

This week Jack Nadel International (JNI) announced that Culver City Account Executive and partner Sam Minster will head up the company’s formal internship program, which was implemented two years ago. The program is designed to showcase the promotional products industry to college students who meet an established profile that indicates potential sales success. Students earn class credits and “real world” business experience while observing and participating in the sales promotion business.

Sam has been a successful Account Executive with JNI for 18 years and during this time he has become an icon of creativity and industry knowledge within the company. His experience in youth marketing and his interest in developing young sales talent uniquely qualifies him for this position.

JNI Announces New Board Seats

Earler this month at the meeting of JNI’s shareholders, they voted to increase the Board of Directors from seven to nine. We are pleased to announce the two newest members are Yvette Widdicombe, VP in our Palo Alto office, and Athans Zafiropoulos, VP in our San Diego office. They join Jack Nadel, Robert Buckingham, Bob Kritzler, Bruce Cohen, Craig Reese, Steve Widdicombe and Craig Nadel.

Yvette Widdicombe
After graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a Communications degree, Yvette joined JNI late in 1986. After three months as the receptionist, she transitioned into AE. Soon after that, Steve left his job to join JNI, and the two were married a little over a year later. Her first time as Tiger was in 1988 and since then she has been Golden and Super eight times each and once as Mega. In 2002 she was named Vice President and last year was appointed to our special events team. In her own words “It has now been almost 22 successful years at JNI, and the best is yet to come.”

Athans Zafiropoulos
Athans joined JNI in 1986 after graduating from San Diego State University with a BA in Marketing. He knew early on that JNI and the sales promotion business was his future. During high school he worked in our accounts receivables depart­ment, and sold party favors to fraternities and sororities while in college. He became a Tiger for the first time in 1988 and has been Golden nine times, Super seven times and Mega twice. In 1995 Athans moved to San Diego and became the Account Coordinator Manager. In 2002 he was given the Sherm Teller award for commitment & leadership, and in 2003 was named Vice President.

The addition of these two will position the company well into the future.

JNI Announces AC's and Employee of the Year

Norma Lepe – Employee of the Year

Norma Lepe was announced as Jack Nadel International’s (JNI) Employee of the Year at the company’s recent annual meeting in Las Vegas. Norma has served in a variety of capacities in her nearly four years with the company, first as a Freight Analyst, then as an Accounts Payable Analyst and now supports 35 Account Executives (AEs) as a Billing Analyst. She is respected and admired by her peers, management and the AEs she serves. Talented and motivated to excel, she is a definite attribute to the company.

Carol Stevens and Marnie Budd – Co-Account Coordinators of the Year

Carol Stevens and Marnie Budd were also announced at JNI’s annual meeting as co-recipients of the Account Coordinator of the Year award.

Carol supports all five ACs in the Portland, Oregon office with dedication and hard work. She has been with the company for 7 years and also serves as Account Coordinator Manager for the Portland office.

Marnie supports three ACs in the Irvine office with that admirable trait of “taking ownership” of the business she oversees. With the company for over three years, Marnie’s knowledge and attitude combine to make her a valuable asset.

Norma, Carol and Marnie have been invited, each with a guest, to the JNI Tiger sales celebration in Naples, Florida.

JNI Announces Promotions of Key Managers

Last week in Temecula at Nadel University, Jack Nadel International announced promotions to key managers.

Debbie Abergel was promoted to Vice President, Vendor Relations. In addition to her role of managing Nadel’s vendors, Debbie will now manage the company’s self-promotions for Account Executives and help with sales meetings and corporate travel.

Bruce Cohen was promoted to Senior Vice President and will be responsible for Eastern Nadel offices. Additional responsibilities include leading the RFP team and helping regional offices with their end user shows.

Yvette Widdicombe had Special Events added to her VP title. Yvette will now be officially adding her touch to Tiger and the Annual Meeting.

Steve Widdicombe and Craig Reese remain Senior Vice Presidents, each with new responsibilities.

Steve will head up AE recruitment, new AE training, and manage JNI proprietary products. He will also be the liaison between Nadel AE’s and JNI Active Promotions office in London.

Craig Reese will manage Nadel’s Western offices and the West’s major account relations. He will also manage the creative department, Nadel PR, JNI websites, Tiger events and the Annual Meeting.

Buckingham Announces Retirement

Robert Buckingham announced his retirement as of March 31, 2008 this week at the Nadel University program in Temecula, CA.. Robert has been in his current position for almost 15 years and a partner with the Nadels for over 35 years. As a major share holder in JNI, he will continue to sit on the Nadel Board of Directors.

Buckingham contributed a number of significant changes at JNI during his tenure, including building the Creative Services department, adding Account Coordinators to the sales department, naming of Vice Presidents and the VP Council. He brought D.A.R.E. to JNI and a most importantly, led the expansion of Jack Nadel International by recruiting the offices of Sacramento, Denver, Houston, Atlanta, New York and Long Island.

Robert W Buckingham is a graduate of the University of Colorado with Bachelor degrees in Journalism and Art History.

From 1960 to 1964 he served as Production Manager for Saul Bass and Associates, Los Angeles. Mr Bass was considered one of the world’s foremost designers, and Robert was involved in the production of film titles, graphics, corporate identity, and the 1962 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, New York.

He joined Metromedia in 1967 and served as an Account Executive for Dickie-Raymond, Metromedia’s direct response agency. (Dickie-Raymond is now the DR Group, part of Omnicom).

He joined Krupp/TaylorUSA in 1969 as an Account Executive and was promoted to Sales Manager, General Manager, and President in May of 1970.

In 1973, along with three partners, Mr Buckingham was a founder of Measured Marketing Services, Inc., which became the parent company of Krupp/ TaylorUSA. Measured Marketing Services was a privately held corporation involved in several other enterprises including merchandise manufacturing, direct response promotions, and worldwide licensing.

In October of 1987, Foote, Cone & Belding Communications, Inc purchased Krupp/TaylorUSA. Mr Buckingham continued as President of Krupp/TaylorUSA for five years. He is currently Executive Vice-President and shareholder of Jack Nadel, Inc. JNI is one of the nation’s leading sales promotion agencies.

He is a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, Alpha Delta Sigma Honorary, Direct Marketing Assn, and the Los Angeles Postal Council (serving as Vice-Chairman for two years). He served on the board of the California Lung Assn of Los Angeles for three years, and was a director of the advisory board of Crespie Carmelite High School. He served five years as Chairman of D.A.R.E. California, and is a director of D.A.R.E. America, the highly visible and successful Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.

Dennis Phillips Recognized

SAAC (Specialty Advertising Association of California) Board of Directors presented Jack Nadel International Culver City account executive and Vice President, Dennis Phillips, with their most prestigious award - Honorary Life Member, which recognizes a volunteer member who is always there - always giving, and asks nothing in return. Phillips has held every position during his 35-year membership; President, Board Member, Secretary, Treasurer, VP, various chairs, and RAC (Regional Assn Council) representative to PPAI. In their 54-year history, SAAC has given this award to only 20 people. It is a true honor and well deserved.

The photo shows from left to right: Tom Levin, SAAC President (Magnet); Jo Ann Macek, SAAC Executive Director; Missy Kilpatrick, SAAC Secretary/Treasurer (Castelli); Les Dorfman (AITG); Dennis Phillips (JNI); Rich Golden, SAAC Trade Show Director; Craig Nadel (JNI), SAAC Banquets Director

Sky Radio Interviews Jack Nadel

Recently, Sky Radio interviewed Jack Nadel on his life as an entrepreneur, author and philanthropist. The interview will be heard on over 25,000 American Airline flights during the month of October and on the Sky Radio website (www.skyradionet.com).

Sky Radio Network provides business, technology, health and entertainment programming to some of the largest airlines in the world, including United, American, Delta, Northwest, US Airways and America West.

To listen to the interview, click the file below: Jack_Nadel_Interview.wma

Jack Nadel International names two new vice presidents.

At their annual president’s club celebration, Jack Nadel International named two new vice presidents to its ranks: Damon Miller from the Denver office, Michele Maschke from the Houston office. Each of these VP’s embody the values and character for which Jack Nadel International has become known.


• Michele Maschke came to Jack Nadel International from Halo in 2002 and is consistently ranked among the highest volume sales people in the industry. Michele lives in Houston with her husband Eric.



• Damon Miller has worked for JNI since 2000 and is a partner at the company. Damon and his wife, Jennifer and live in the Denver area and have a recently addition, their son Bruno.

Jack Nadel International names Paul Navabpour as the 2007 Sherman Teller Award winner.

The award is given to eligible recipients based on a number of factors including sales volume, professionalism, leadership, and peer recognition. It has been given every year since 1980; a total of 26 recipients have garnered the award. The award is named after Sherman Teller, the third sales employee hired by Jack Nadel in 1953 when the company was founded. During his career with JNI, Sherm was an influential leader and mentor to many. Sherm retired in 1993. He and his wife of over 60 years live in the Los Angeles area.

Paul Navabpour started with Jack Nadel in June 1992. He qualified for the President’s Club his second year with JNI and has subsequently qualified each year after. Working out of JNI’s Palo Alto office, Paul has taken over office managerial duties as well as continuing to serve his clients and customers.

A key group of Jack Nadel International employees purchase stake in company.

On March 8, 2007, a group comprised of 26 key Jack Nadel International employees, including its recently promoted President and CEO, Craig Nadel, purchased a major stake in the company. The investment group, named Canopus LLC, purchased shares from Jack Nadel, the founder of the company, and Robert Buckingham, an officer and shareholder since its reincorporation in 1973. This group is now the second largest shareholder in the company, behind Robert Buckingham; with Jack Nadel still retaining significant ownership and continuing as the company’s Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Nadel and Buckingham are positioning Jack Nadel International for future growth with the next generation of leadership.

The new company ownership of Jack Nadel, Robert Buckingham, Craig Nadel, and the Canopus LLC group assures continued success in the promotional products industry.

Jack Nadel International Announces Supplier Partner Awards

• Dave Logero, Leed’s - Customer Service Representative of the Year
  This is the first year that Jack Nadel International has recognized and awarded a supplier partner customer service representative. We rely very heavily on our partners and having a key contact like Mr. Logero is imperative to our success.
  
  
  Leed’s - Distinguished Supplier Partner of the Year
  Leed’s continues to broaden its product offerings each year without sacrificing service. The Leed’s and Jack Nadel International partnership go back many years and Leed’s has won one of our partner awards six out of the last eight years. Leed’s is JNI’s number one volume supplier. Craig Nadel, President of Jack Nadel International presented the award to Sam DiBiase and Susie Gunsuals from Leed’s.
  
  Sanmar - Supplier Partner of the Year
  For nine of the past 10 years, Sanmar has won one of JNI’s highest partner awards, this year winning the highest award, Supplier Partner of the Year. Voted this award by the account executives and account coordinators of JNI, Samar won in many categories including customer service, on-time delivery and pricing. Marty Lott, President of Sanmar, was on hand to accept the award from Craig Nadel.

Jack Nadel International Announces Year End Award Winners.

Las Vegas, NV, January 5, 2007: At its international sales meeting, Jack Nadel International named a number of award winners. These awards included Account Coordinators of the Year, Employee of the Year, Customer Service Representative of the Year, Distinguished Supplier Partner and Supplier Partner of the Year and a special award titled Career Account Coordinator Excellence Award.

• Peter Poon - Employee of the Year
  Peter has been with Jack Nadel International for four years now and during that time he has grown a fledgling import division into a viable account executive resource. With China dominating not only the news in our industry but the world news on a daily basis and double digit import growth over the past decade, it was imperative that JNI enter this marketplace as a direct importer.
  
  Over the past year, Peter has grown the import division by 50%. It is Peter’s hard work, fast response and his ability to deal effectively with the importing hurdles that happen each day that make him Jack Nadel International’s Employee of the Year.
  
  
  Barbara Hazeltine - Career Account Coordinator Excellence Award
  For almost 20 years, Barbara Hazeltine has seen it all. She has witnessed a regional sales promotion company transform into a premier international agency with offices that stretch from California to New York to London and the Far East. She has also been there as the small Sacramento office with just a couple of AE’s has grown into one of JNI’s proudest offices.
  
  Barbara’s tireless work and her help and guidance have had a major impact on Jack Nadel International and thus earning the award of excellence. Barbara will be joining the Tigers in Monterey.
  
  
  Jill Kolley - Account Coordinator of the Year
  Jill supports Jack Nadel International’s account executive Josh Ebrahemi and has worked for the company since February, 2005. With over $3mm in sales and the demands of many overseas production challenges, Jill does her job very effectively without much fanfare.
  
  It is this support and passion for the company and the AE that made Jill Account Coordinator of the Year. Jill will also be traveling to Monterey this year with the Tigers.
  
  
  John Battista - Account Coordinator of the Year
  With Jack Nadel International since October 2004, John supports more than one AE and for a period of time supported the entire New York office. The office also just moved and John was the defacto go to guy in the office during this transition. Research assistant, artist and computer technician are just some of the many hats that John wears on a daily basis.
  
  If the phone rings after hours, chances are John will answer. These qualities and many others have attributed to John’s winning Account Coordinator of the Year.

Shelly Slubowski and Dennis Phillips honored at annual industry dinner

Jack Nadel International (JNI) employees Shelly Slubowski and Dennis Phillips grabbed the honors this week at the Specialty Advertising Association of California (SAAC) dinner with Shelly named SAAC Humanitarian of the Year and Dennis given the Above and Beyond Award.
Shelly has participated in the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk benefiting the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the past 4 years and will be participating this year as well. This fundraising & awareness event is a grueling 60 mile walk – 20 miles each day -- over 3 days. The participants include men and women supporting the fight for education, awareness, early detection & research of breast cancer walking side by side with survivors of the disease, family & friends. She got involved in 2002 when the event came to San Diego and raised over $20,000 over the past four years.
In addition she is involved with a volunteer organization that promotes and instills community service to 5-18 year olds as well as giving her time to JNI events such as the national sales meeting.
Dennis Phillips was awarded the Above and Beyond award for his tireless work on various SAAC events. Dennis is a past SAAC President and has served the organization for the last six years.
And, Craig Nadel, JNI President and CEO, was named to the SAAC Board of Directors at the annual event as well.