Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/696966
68 • July 2016 • S I G N & D I G I T A L G R A P H I C S 68 68 68 68 68 • 68 • • July 2016 July 2016 J • July 2016 uly 2016 uly 2016 uly 2016 uly 2016 uly 2016 uly 2016 uly 2016 Employing Independent Bringing in a reliable partner to get the best results Sco Franko is the president of Franko Design Concepts and Consulting, US Signcraers, e Sign Store and Building Impressions. Send emails to sco@ frankodesign.com. "On a project like this, if you don't have a professional like Yorston, you'll spend way too much of your time and energy researching something that they already have within their line of resources." T comes from the vice president of business development, Patrick Dooley, of North Shore Neon. The project he is referring to is a huge display sign for the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square. The company he referenced is Yorston Associates—an independent manufacturers' rep agency that focuses on the sign and graphics industry. Dooley's statement shows the value that he and his organization experienced with enlisting the inde- pendent rep rm to help bring solutions to a large and complex branding project. And they are not the only brand providers that have come to recognize how benecial it can be to have a partner like Yorston in their corner. When it comes to building impressions, you've got to be able to develop and provide a visual that portrays the brand powerfully but is also produced with the right components that keep it looking good and func- tioning well for the duration it is meant to last. The more complicated or sophisticated the job, the more difcult it is to know what and how to use the best components for the job. That's where the rep comes in with their lines of products, materials, and services. The rep's job is to listen and understand the goals of a project and then recommend or provide the right solutions with the backing and support of the lines they represent. You gain their expertise as well as the knowledge of the manufacturer. If the idea of working with a manufacturer's rep is new to you, consider gaining a little insight into the rep world by visiting the Manufacturers' Agents National Association ( MANA) online at www.mana- online.org. There you'll learn more and can begin to become more comfortable with the concept. MANA is a not-for-prot trade association located in Morton Grove, Illinois, for independent reps. Charles Cohon is the organization's CEO and presi- dent. He was a guest presenter at the 2015 ISA Sign Expo where he shared his expertise on why and how reps and manufactures can and should work together successfully in the sign industry. Yorston Associates is one of the rep agencies that he points to as an example of how sign companies, manufacturers and reps can work together successfully. Yorston and Associates has been in business for more than 30 years. The com- pany serves and consults the sign industry. At the helm is the owner and founder, Bill Yorston, with his son Adam, who is also now working his way into company leadership as well as establishing himself as the go-to guy for industry and project solutions that range from logistics to specic components like extrusions, ex face, lighting and more. In fact, when it comes to Adam, in the short hand- ful of years he's been with Yorston he's already been a part of several award winning teams, has sat on the board of directors for NSSA, was featured in Agency Magazine, participated as a LEAD on a Sa1esWise Teleforum, achieved his CPRM (certied professional representative manufacture) designation, and was rec- ognized as a NSSA Elite 2015 and ISA Elite 2016. I asked Bill and Adam to share some of their background and how they help sign companies build impressions. B Y S C O T T F R A N K O Buildin Impressions ARCHITECTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL Manufacturers' Representatives New York Marriott in Times Square.