I hate the term
"trinkets and trash".
As an industry professional who has spent multiple decades providing companies of all sizes with custom branded solutions my passion for our industry runs deep. Many years ago that slang was used as I entered a meeting and I knew it was time to make a change.
marketingedge was born from a desire to position ad specialties in a new light, taking inspiration from high fashion and other industry publications to showcase how promotional products and branded apparel can have purposeful messaging and meaningful impact through creative design.
Since 2008, the marketingedge team have worked to evolve the "swag" conversation, striving to present relatable topics and case stories that inspire suppliers, distributors, agents and buyers to re-think the way they select, decorate and share their branded promotional products, uniforms, awards and more.
Our mission statement is "to elevate promotional products in the marketing mix".
We value innovation, creativity and brand engagement. Thank you for sharing your time with us.
We hope the information and inspiration we share is of value to you.
- Steve Whigham, founder/publisher
Steve Whigham
publisher
Steve Whigham has been a distributor of promotional products since his early days of university when presenting unique decorated solutions to student clubs and local businesses put food on his table. Marketingedge Magazine was born from a desire to share his passion for creative marketing solutions that employ branded merchandise and apparel. In 2018 he and Marketingedge Magazine celebrated a 10 year anniversary of presenting promotional products in a brighter light, showcasing that this is not a billion dollar industry built on trinkets and trash. If you have feedback to share or are interested to learn how you can become an advertising partner, or just to brainstorm creative ideas Steve is your guy.
Kiersty Kelly
general manager
Kiersty Kelly has tackled many different roles in the promotional industry, including customer service, sales, administrative assistant and accounting. She joined the Marketingedge team in 2013 with the whimsical title ‘The Executioner’, to ensure that various tasks are managed and ideas get carried out (so long as they are good ones!) and to provide support to other team members. For inquires about Marketingedge Top Products competition, new subscription opportunities and general feedback about the magazine we would best direct you to Lady KK.
Joshua Paxton
digital workhorse
Joshua Paxton is a graduate of McMaster University Degroote School of Business, and is an award-winning second generation distributor of promotional product solutions. His father is multi-time PPPC award winner Gerry Paxton. Like his Dad, Josh loves the challenge of creating solutions for unique challenges and has a passion for helping people and organizations. When not at a computer researching, writing, designing or sharing posts, or in a meeting, or on location with Race Time Radio, he is spending time with his three children and wife, Diane.
Greg Fess
photographer
Greg Fess is a professional photographer located in Waterloo, Ontario. His career has spanned over three decades, specializing in commercial photography for the likes of Samsonite, Sun Life Financial, Home Hardware and Dalsa. Greg has been the most frequent contributing cameraman to the original Edge Gallery features and can be credited with the artistic approach to many of our favourite themes.
Andy Wright
photographer
A Renaissance man with a multi-disciplinary approach to his craft, Andy Wright has been capturing unique images from events, live music, architecture, people, nature, food and beverage and more for over 15 years. Each genre influences the other and makes for unusual and appealing results. His work can be reviewed online at only1andywright.com, and on his social channels. His first work with behind the camera was creating the special edition Music Issue, September 2021.
Lisa Wood
copy editor
Lisa loves to write. That’s the guiding light that took her from small-town Northern Ontario to Carleton University to pursue an education in journalism. She said thank you for her newly acquired interviewing skills, finished with an English degree, then went on to graduate from Book and Magazine Publishing at Centennial College armed with amazing proofreading and editing skills. Lisa enjoys giving a helping hand to anyone who needs a boost communicating with their audience. She has become a biographer!, writing people’s stories. Maybe you have one that Lisa could help you tell.
Alex Morin
contributor
Alex is energy. He’s also the founder of Promonoise, an educational company that provides cutting-edge product review videos, business-related blogs, podcasts, and other resources. He also runs Almost Enlightened, a podcast and coaching company, as well as Working Writers Co. a mentorship for authors. He’s got 20+ years of experience in promotional advertising, having led sales and marketing teams for one of the industry’s largest hard goods suppliers. Alex has a wife and three kids, enjoys nature, loves music, and is passionate about learning and teaching.
Audra Noble
art director
Audra Noble has spent over 20 years in the graphic design field. She loves a creative challenge and the variety of clients and industries that each project provides. Creativity is woven through each thread of her life. Audra uses her gifts and talents to make a positive impact on those around her as a business owner, community volunteer, and mom. Graphic design is a vehicle to connect with new people and organizations that inspire her in business and life. With each issue of Marketingedge Magazine Audra has the responsibility of bringing all the pieces together and crafting a masterpiece. And she does. Every time.