Episode #75: Branding Together: Using Promo Products to Support Literacy Programs
Date: February 17, 2026
Duration: 51:15
Meet Christy and Brian Floriani, owners of BUKU Branding, a promotional products distributor that devotes 100% of its net profits to advancing literacy in America. The duo joins the February 2026 Branding Together podcast episode to talk about why they’re so passionate about bringing literacy to everyone, plus why promotional products serve as a great vehicle for a giveback business model.
Industry Headlines:
- PRINTING United Alliance’s 2026 Pinnacle Awards Now Open for Submissions
- Joint ASI-PPAI Study Finds Promo Among the Lowest Carbon Impact Advertising Channels
- Brother Industries Announces Plans to Acquire Mutoh
- Promo Insiders: What’s the Latest With Tariffs?
Branding Together February 2026 Time Stamps
01:41 – Industry Headlines and Updates
09:10 – Opening up 2026: Trends from the Trade Shows
19:38 – Introduction: Christy and Brian Floriana, Buku Branded
24:03 – Raising Money for Literacy Through Powerful Promo
36:59 – The Personal ‘Why’ and Future of Buku Branded
47:42 – Game: Promo Products and T-shirt Slogans for Literary Characters
More Episodes
Episode #80: Branding Together: How Small Sustainability Changes Can Have a Big Impact
The April 2026 episode of Branding Together features insights from Julie Schneiderman of EcoSticks, who discusses industry certifications, innovative activations, and small behavioral shifts that can create big environmental impacts.
Listen
Episode #79: Resilience in Apparel: Persevering Through Natural Disaster and Finding Another Calling
Shane and Erin Lunsford, Grace Apparel Company, share the inspiring journey of building a resilient apparel business after a natural disaster.
Listen
Episode #78: Threads of Change: A Guide to Managing Anxiety for Small Business Owners
Kevin DeBruyn, owner of Adaptive Counseling and Case Management, discusses the prevalence of anxiety among small business owners.
Listen
Episode #77: Branding Together: Retail Brand-Building Secrets From the Creator of Atomicchild
As an entrepreneur, Jimmy Bryant of Atomicchild shares his perspective and advice for any promotional products distributor and apparel decorator that is blurring the lines with retail.
Listen
Episode #76: Identifying and Alleviating Digital Printing Bottlenecks
The OGs of DTG are back! In this episode, they discuss both challenges and solutions in digital printing, focusing on automation, efficiency, and identifying bottlenecks in production processes.
Listen
Episode #74: Shop Safety - Protecting Your Shop and Employees
Explore the common misconceptions surrounding shop safety protocols with Gary Jones, VP of Environmental, Health, and Safety Affairs at PRINTING United Alliance, learning why many shop owners underestimate the risks.
Listen
Episode #73: Branding Together: The Importance of Transparent Supply Chains, Featuring Atlantis Headwear
Explore the importance of transparent supply chains, the challenges of sustainable practices, and the future of sustainability in apparel.
Listen
Episode #72: Branding Together: Unveiling Our Special Merch Project, With Stanley/Stella
The conversation features an interview with Jeremy Morillo from Stanley/Stella, plus the story of building the Branding Together merch.
Listen