BREAKING: Supreme Court Tells TikTok to Sell or Say Goodbye – What Does This Mean for Small Business Owners?

Well folks, it’s official. The Supreme Court has just dropped the final hammer on the TikTok debate: ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, has until Sunday to either sell the app in the U.S. or watch it get banned. Yup, that’s right. Your viral dance videos could be going the way of Vine (RIP). Insert dramatic music here.

In a unanimous ruling that may or may not have included a few judgmental side-eyes, the Supreme Court has ordered that ByteDance sell TikTok, or else... poof—no more TikTok for American users. The ruling comes after mounting national security concerns about how much info TikTok’s collecting on you (and, let’s be honest, how many hours you’ve spent mindlessly scrolling).

So, What’s the Deal with Project Liberty?

Enter Project Liberty, led by the law firm Kirkland & Ellis, who made a big offer earlier this month to acquire TikTok and save its U.S. presence. They're promising to protect user data from foreign threats (because we all know those exist) while preserving TikTok’s vibrant community. You know, the one that’s all about lip-syncing, viral trends, and questionable recipes.

But here’s the kicker: Javier Melendez, a national account exec over at Walker-Clay (shout out to the promo industry), says there’s simply too much money on the table for TikTok not to sell. He predicts a white knight will swoop in with a golden parachute, and TikTok will be back in action before you can even figure out how to do the latest trending dance.

Javier might just be onto something. After all, TikTok isn’t just a social media platform; it’s a business hub, particularly for the small biz crowd. As Melendez points out, TikTok is too big to ignore. It’s like trying to ignore the person at the office who brings in donuts every Friday—impossible.

The End of TikTok? Not So Fast!

While TikTok had already prepped for the worst (i.e., preparing to pull the plug on U.S. operations this Sunday), the Biden administration has decided to take a chill approach for now. According to ABC News, the government won’t force TikTok to shut down immediately, but app stores and hosting services could face fines of up to $5,000 per user if they continue to host the app after the deadline. That’s a lot of money—and we’re not just talking about the TikTok stars who make their bank off lip-syncing.

This whole situation boils down to national security. The government’s concerned about how TikTok might use all that data it collects on its 170 million U.S. users (yes, 170 MILLION), and whether China could be spying on your dog videos and kitchen fails. And, let’s face it, TikTok has a lot of power in shaping what you see—and, by extension, what you buy.

TikTok’s Influence on the Promo Industry

For small business owners—especially those in the promotional products industry—TikTok has become an essential tool for marketing. Whether you’re promoting custom pens, branded t-shirts, or quirky swag, TikTok offers a direct line to potential clients, partners, and customers. And if you’re not taking advantage of this platform yet, you’re missing out on a massive opportunity.

Meg Erber, Director of Sales at Proforma (a powerhouse in the promotional products world), points out that TikTok has become particularly crucial for engaging Gen Z and Millennials. Heck, even Gen Xers are getting in on the action, and they control over $2.4 trillion in annual spending power. Yes, you read that right: $2.4 trillion. That's not pocket change, people.

What Happens Next?

As of now, we’re all waiting to see what TikTok’s next move will be. Will ByteDance sell TikTok to a U.S.-based company like Project Liberty? Or will we see a new app rise from the ashes like the social media phoenix it is? Will your “For You” page be graced by fresh, unexplained algorithm choices? Only time will tell.

But for business owners, particularly in the promo industry, the loss of TikTok would be a huge blow to marketing strategies that rely on viral trends and quick engagement. That’s why people like Nick Lateur, VP of revenue at Merch.ai, are already bracing for impact. He knows the ripple effect will be felt by promo professionals everywhere. If TikTok goes down, so do the speed at which promo trends spread—and the chance to connect with communities that would otherwise never meet.

As we wait to see if TikTok will get that last-minute Hail Mary, it’s a good time to start brainstorming your next viral campaign—just in case. And hey, maybe learn a few more dance moves in the meantime. You never know what could happen.

Stay tuned, and remember: in the world of social media, one day you’re on top, and the next you’re... gone.

(Also, if this blog post doesn’t go viral, I’m blaming the algorithm.)

Outlook 2025: Promo Firms Expect Sales Growth

From PPAI - the promotional products industry's largest, not for profit organisation.

The branded merchandise industry is gearing up for a potentially transformative year in 2025, with growth expectations running high across both distributors and suppliers in the PPAI. The data from PPAI Research reflects optimism for significant growth despite a tumultuous 2024, underlining key strategies for achieving this growth and navigating ongoing challenges.

Expecting to see growth in 2025

Sales Growth Projections and Key Strategies

Almost 45% of PPAI distributors anticipate a 6%-15% growth in 2025, while another 34% expect a more modest 1%-5% increase. A similar trend is seen among suppliers, with 45% predicting a 6%-15% growth and 38% targeting 1%-5% growth.

The primary growth strategies identified by both groups are noteworthy:

• Suppliers are focusing heavily on expanding product lines, with 82% of PPAI suppliers emphasizing this as a key growth strategy. Other priorities include enhancing customization capabilities (46%) and entering new markets (41%).

• Distributors, on the other hand, are primarily focused on entering new markets (53%) and increasing their sales personnel (33%) to drive growth. Rising client budgets (28%) also remain a crucial factor for distributors' growth strategies.

Industry Consolidation

The 2024 M&A activity — such as S&S Activewear’s acquisition of alphabroder and iPROMOTEu’s merger with AIA Corporation — has raised the prospect of continued consolidation in 2025. About 35% of suppliers expect increased competition from larger firms, indicating concerns over market dominance and the intensifying competitive landscape. However, only 12% of distributors share this view, with many remaining focused on growth strategies rather than consolidation threats.

Interestingly, over half of distributors (51%) and 46% of suppliers see industry consolidation as having little to no impact on their operations, suggesting that some players believe they can still thrive despite larger competitors. Moreover, 37% of distributors and 16% of suppliers view consolidation as an opportunity for growth through strategic acquisitions.

Diversifying Sourcing Strategies

In light of evolving trade policies — especially with the potential impact of tariffs on imports — sourcing strategies are shifting. A significant number of suppliers and distributors are considering new regions to diversify their supply chains:

• Suppliers are increasingly looking to Southeast Asia (excluding China), with 49% identifying it as a key sourcing region for 2025. India and Mexico are also gaining prominence, chosen by 27% of suppliers each.

• On the distributor side, there is a strong interest in Mexico (49%) and Southeast Asia (43%), with South America and India also appearing as potential sources.

A notable trend is the rise in domestic sourcing, with 46% of distributors planning to focus more on Made in USA products, reflecting a desire for supply chain resilience and faster shipping times.

Advocacy Priorities

Regulatory issues and challenges in the workforce continue to be significant concerns for both distributors and suppliers in 2025:

• Suppliers are particularly focused on sustainability compliance (41%), while labor and workforce issues (33%) also remain a key priority.

• Distributors, on the other hand, are more concerned with labor and workforce challenges (42%), and sustainability compliance (24%) remains a secondary priority.

The potential regulatory changes, especially concerning tariffs and trade policies, are prompting both distributors and suppliers to reassess how they navigate these shifts. The focus on flexible regulatory frameworks remains crucial for smaller businesses to maintain competitiveness in an evolving market.

Looking Ahead to 2025

The promotional products industry stands poised for robust growth in 2025, fueled by strategic expansion into new markets, product lines, and sourcing regions. However, the potential challenges posed by industry consolidation, changing trade policies, and workforce issues require careful navigation. As Alok Bhat from PPAI noted, the question is not just how the industry will grow but how it will strategically achieve and leverage this growth in a competitive and ever-evolving landscape.

original article:

https://www.ppai.org/media-hub/outlook-2025-promo-firms-expect-sales-growth/

Pantone’s Color of the Year: The Bold, the Bright, and the "What on Earth is That?"

Every December, the world holds its breath as Pantone, the global authority on color, reveals its Color of the Year. This annual tradition sends designers, fashionistas, and art geeks into a frenzy as they debate, dissect, and, often, scratch their heads over what color will dominate the coming year. Some colors are pure genius (hello, Living Coral—2019), while others… well, let's just say they leave us wondering if the folks at Pantone got into the eggnog a little early.

But before we dive into this year’s "hue-nami," let’s take a trip down memory lane to explore how Pantone came to be the world’s ultimate arbiter of color.

A Brief History of Pantone and the Color of the Year

Pantone, founded in 1962 by Lawrence Herbert, was originally a commercial printing company that created a standardized color matching system. Before Pantone, printers would simply say “make it red,” and the result could vary from hot pink to deep crimson, depending on who was in charge of the ink. This led to all sorts of confusion—especially when you’re trying to print the perfect shade of red for Coca-Cola’s logo.

Enter Pantone’s genius idea: the Pantone Matching System (PMS). Pantone devised a unique numbering system for each color, ensuring that anyone, anywhere could reproduce the exact same shade. This was a game-changer for industries relying on consistent color reproduction, like fashion, interior design, and packaging. And in 2000, Pantone took it a step further by introducing the Color of the Year.

This was not just any color announcement—it was a global event. Suddenly, everyone had to know: What color will define the year? Would it be a calming blue? A passionate red? Or, I don’t know, chartreuse?

The Highlights (Some Hits, Some Misses)

1. 2000: Cerulean Blue Oh, Cerulean, you lovely, serene blue. You became the color that everyone wanted to wear in 2000, whether on their walls or their wardrobes. Fun fact: Cerulean blue made an appearance in The Devil Wears Prada, where Meryl Streep’s character, Miranda Priestly, schools Anne Hathaway on the fashion industry's subtle yet powerful role in shaping global trends. It was the perfect start to Pantone’s Color of the Year reign—elegant, universal, and surprisingly philosophical. Take that, 2000s pop culture.

   
   

   

   
   
   
   

2. 2006: Sand Dollar Ah, yes. The sandy beige of 2006. As many an interior designer threw up their hands in confusion, the rest of us pondered why we were supposed to embrace a color that reminded us of slightly weathered beach toys. "Isn't this just beige?" people muttered, sipping their nonfat lattes. Pantone later clarified that Sand Dollar was "tranquil" and "earthy." Sure, Pantone. Sure.

   
   

   

   
   
   
   

3. 2011: Honeysuckle Now we’re talking! A warm, pinky-red that made us feel like we were being hugged by a fluffy cloud of cotton candy. If you didn’t want to wear Honeysuckle, you were probably the type of person who also says things like “I don’t really care about Valentine’s Day.” No judgment. Just saying.

   
   

   

   
   
   
   

4. 2017: Greenery Ah, yes, the famous "greenery" of 2017. It was nature's call to action, and also, apparently, a call to throw a bunch of lime-colored cushions on your couch. Critics were split—some loved it, others felt like they had just been transported into a hyperactive gardening catalog. "It’s fresh! It’s lively!" Pantone promised. It’s also the color of overenthusiastic houseplants, if we're being honest.

   
   

   

   
   

5. 2022: Very Peri Very Peri was Pantone’s first-ever new shade—a vibrant, blue-based purple with a red undertone. Some people loved it, calling it bold and daring, while others... well, they probably just stared at it for a while and wondered if their TV settings were off. "It’s like purple met blue and had a weird, electric baby!" one designer exclaimed. Not exactly a shade you'd find on your grandmother's wallpaper, but it definitely made an impact.

   
   

   

   
   
   
   

Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year: Drumroll, Please…

And now, the big reveal. For 2025, the Pantone Color Institute selects PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse, a warming, brown hue imbued with richness. It nurtures us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort.

How to Embrace the Color of the Year in Your Life

Now, whether you think Pantone’s choice is brilliant or just an over-hyped shade of confusion, there’s no denying that the Color of the Year shapes trends for the next 365 days. Here's how you can embrace it, no matter what it ends up being:

• Wear it: Get yourself some clothes in Mocha Mousse, and suddenly, you’re a trendsetter. Even if the color makes you look like a walking chocolate bar, you’ll get compliments for being “bold” and “fashion-forward.”

• Decorate with it: If you can’t wear it, put it in your home. Pantone colors somehow manage to make throw pillows and rugs feel like they have an existential purpose.

• Name your pet after it: Because Drumstick the dog sounds cute, but “Very Peri” the cat? Now that is a conversation starter. "Here Mocha Mocha Mocha"

• Instagram it: Take a selfie in front of a matching backdrop and tag it #ColorOfTheYear for ultimate social media cred.

  
  

In the end, Pantone’s Color of the Year is about more than just a swatch—it’s a cultural touchstone. It represents where we’ve been and where we’re going, and, sometimes, it represents a color that we probably wouldn’t choose for our living rooms.

But hey, what do we know? Mocha Mousse wins the vote.

Mocha Mousse? It’ll be fabulous—at least until 2025 rolls around.