Andrea Billups
“I can’t speak highly enough about working with Progress as a trusted partner,“ says Andrea Billups, executive editor of Duke Magazine. “In a world of bad customer service, this is as good a customer relationship as I’ve ever experienced for a project like this.“ She noted that her Progress sales rep “is exemplary in his outreach and follow through, making for a seamless experience.
Their partnership has elevated the magazine, with Progress meeting their needs every step of the way. “Whether it’s changing dates or ordering a larger run, they are always there to guide us.”
“They are always quick to answer questions and work within our budget to achieve the best possible results. It’s never ‘No, that can’t be done’ but rather ‘Let’s see what we can do.’ That mirrors our philosophy as well.”
She says it’s obvious how much pride the Progress team takes in its work. “They are every bit as committed to doing their jobs well as we are to putting out the best magazines. We fit together perfectly.”
Jay Pearison
“We’ve been working with Progress for nearly 20 years,” said Jay Pearison, president of Pearison, Inc., a family-owned company in Indiana. “They are exceptionally good, and are outstanding people.”
Pearison’s main sales tool is an annual 274-page catalogue “It has to be perfect and Progress is consistent with what’s so critically important to us — and a big part of that is color.”
He says many printers are willing to sacrifice consistent high quality color to save money and come in at a lower price. He believes the color has to be as good as what a customer sees on their smartphone.
“We’re selling very specific products and we cannot afford to have them returned.” He says that it’s clear that the Progress team takes pride in their work, and it’s reflected in the quality of the printing.
“What you see in the proofs is what you get.”
James Irwin
This year, Viriginia Commonwealth University won five awards for its 2023 publications, including the prestigious magazine of the year award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
“We have a wonderful relationship with Progress,” says James Irwin, managing editor of VCU’s magazine. “They are a fantastic partner.”
The magazine prints twice a year. He often asks Progress for production estimates up to six or seven months before publishing, a combination of different page counts and print runs depending on the magazine's budget.
It's a big ask, “but without fail in a day or two after we submit a request, we have a whole list back detailing our various options. It’s so organized and allows us to make really good decisions in real time."
The product they deliver is very high level, with great print quality.
Ultimately, working with Progress brings “peace of mind, knowing they have us covered.”