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THE SCARLET MARKETEER
Mary Ellen Pahlka-Sokalski GORETTI GRAD HONORED WITH WOMAN OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
M WO M E N I N B U S I N E S S
ary Ellen Sokalski, CEO of Cherry Hill creative marketing agency The Scarlet Marketeer, received the Woman of Achievement Award from Promotional Products Association International at its annual Women’s Leadership Conference in Hollywood, California, this past June. She has been recognized with more service, creativity and speaking awards in her industry than any other professional and is the 13th woman to receive this honor since its inception. First presented in 2009, the prestigious award recognizes those who lead the way in the advancement of women, exhibit outstanding leadership and make significant contributions to their community and to the branded products industry (also known as SWAG or 3-D marketing). Sokalski, a long-time Cherry Hill resident, graduate of St. Maria Goretti High School (Class of ’77) and Temple University, has had a long and distinguished 37-year career in this marketing industry as a volunteer, speaker, mentor, advocate and educator with more than 200 sessions on effective promotional strategies to her credit. She served on the PPAI board as vice chair of marketing, as President of the Philadelphia Area Promotional Products Association and also served on numerous boards and committees which fostered networking, learning and professionalism both locally and nationally.
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| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | October / November / December 2018
Sokalski was introduced by Cathy Miller, MAS, regional VP for Geiger (a leading branded products agency), who was one of a dozen who wrote letters in support of Sokalski’s nomination. In accepting the award, Sokalski recalled her first industry trade show more than 30 years ago and how the fellowship she observed there inspired her to volunteer for the industry. She saw that people wearing volunteer ribbons seemed to be having the most fun and she wanted to be part of it. In her speech, she also credited several industry leaders for teaching and supporting her over the years. “I learned from these industry icons that these ribbons and pins weren’t a symbol of status … but of service,” she said. Then she challenged her listeners to open an envelope on the table and find the volunteer ribbons that match what they are doing now or want to do in the future. “Share your goals of service, of involvement, of ways you can give back,” she urged. “Because I truly believe that if you’re giving, you’re truly living.” Promotional Product Association International is a 115 year-old trade association representing the most welcomed form of marketing today – promotional products – and its over 500,000 industry practitioners. The Scarlet Marketeer is a boutique ad agency for companies who need marketing help -- everything from news releases to marketing strategy, brand development to promotion plans, copywriting, social media to videos, found at www.scarletmarketeer.com. PRH gohomephilly.com