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ASI Earns 20 National and Regional Honors for B2B Journalism, Design and Industry Reporting

TREVOSE, PA – May 21, 2026

 Prestigious honors recognize ASI journalism, research and creative excellence in the promotional products industry

The ASI editorial team earned 20 national and regional journalism, design and editorial honors in 2026 for multimedia coverage of the major issues and trends shaping the $27.7 billion promotional products industry, including tariffs, sourcing, sustainability, AI-driven business transformation, supply chains and economic disruption. The recognitions came through prestigious competitions, including the Azbee Awards, which drew more than 740 entries, alongside the Jesse H. Neal Awards, one of the most respected honors in B2B media.

Since 2005, ASI (Advertising Specialty Institute®) has earned a total of 323 awards across multiple competitions, reflecting editorial’s dedication to empowering tens of thousands of industry members with data-driven and insight-rich journalism. Analysis like the annual indispensable State of the Industry issue empowers distributors and suppliers to make more informed business decisions and drive revenue growth.

2026 national journalism and design recognitions highlighting ASI excellence:

Hannah Rosenberger, data analytics editor, won a national Jesse H. Neal award for Best Range of Work by a Single Author. A Neal award is considered the “Pulitzer Prize” of B2B journalism. Rosenberger contributes to expansive coverage of the promo products industry with a focus on data-driven reporting, as well as market research analysis and data visualization projects.

An award judge praised Rosenberger for bringing the “creative energy and positive vibe” of the promotional products industry through a dynamic blend of reporting and “pep and pop” design. The judge also highlighted her smooth moderation of a women’s apparel podcast, noting that her contributions go far beyond her title and deliver exceptional value to the industry.

In addition, ASI was awarded six Neal finalist honors, including one for climate change coverage and for Best Range of Work by a Media Brand. “We have an exceptional team of journalists and creatives who produce incredible work and continue to set the standard for excellence every day,” said Counselor Editor-in-Chief C.J. Mittica.

Chris Mohr, president of SIIA Media, which manages the nationally recognized Neal awards, added, “This year’s awards recognize outstanding reporting and demonstrate the essential role of B2B media in informing industries, governments and the public.”

Hillary Glen, digital art director, earned a national Azbee Award for Best Body of Work by a Designer as part of the 2026 Overall Excellence honors. The competition was judged by experienced editors, freelancers, designers and journalism professors. Glen, a multiple award winner, specializes in design for Counselor and Print & Promo Marketing (PPM) magazines, web design and related industry research. She is recognized for her work in, and use of, creative visual storytelling in digital art. The annual National Azbee Awards of Excellence are hosted by the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE).

Glen also earned a national Gold Azbee Award for Best Email Newsletter Design for last year’s redesign of Counselor’s Promogram newsletter, a flagship newsletter trusted for decades by readers throughout the promotional products industry.

“Hillary is exceptionally talented and versatile and so deserving of recognition at this level,” Mittica said. “She is the creative force behind ASI’s visual identity across print, web, video and emerging digital platforms.”

“In the past few years, as editorial evolved from print-forward to digital-first, Hillary didn’t just adapt to the change – she helped lead it,” Mittica said. “Her vision and creativity have been instrumental in that transformation.” 

2026 overall recognitions include:

Jesse H. Neal Awards:

  • Winner, Best Range of Work by a Single Author, Hannah Rosenberger

Neal finalists

  • Best Art Direction for a Cover Design, Re-Fashioned – Counselor’s Winter Issue, Hillary Glen and Freelance Photographer Sean Bolton
  • Best Feature Design (Print), Re-Fashioned, Hillary Glen
  • Best Climate Change Coverage, Promo for the Planet sustainability coverage, Theresa Hegel, Freelance Journalist Olivia Borgula
  • Best Subject-Related Package, The Next 5 Years, Counselor staff
  • Best Range of Work by a Single Author, Theresa Hegel
  • Best Range of Work by a Media Brand, Counselor staff

Azbee Awards of Excellence:

  • Best Body of Work by a Designer, Hillary Glen
  • Gold, Online Single Topic Coverage, Counselor’s tariff coverage, Counselor staff
  • Gold, Email Newsletter Design, Counselor Promogram, Hillary Glen
  • Bronze, Counselor’s 2025 State of the Industry, Counselor staff

In addition, ASI won nine regional Azbee awards, including a Gold for Best Group Recognition Program for PPM and a Silver for Best Podcast for Branding Together. Overall coverage explored the current state and future of the promotional products industry, including research into the EU and U.K. promotional products markets.

The 72nd annual Jesse H. Neal Awards honor the most impactful and innovative reporting across B2B journalism, with a total of 74 winners selected. The ASBPE Azbee Awards of Excellence are highly competitive and celebrate the highest quality B2B reporting, editing and design across 59 categories.

About ASI

The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI®, asicentral.com) is the premier technology, marketing and information provider in the $27.7 billion promotional products industry. The ASI flagship platform ESP+ connects tens of thousands of distributors and suppliers through a powerful, all-in-one system for product discovery, sourcing, presentations and online stores. Family-owned since 1962, ASI also delivers trusted industry news, research, shows, events and education that helps companies grow.