Today marks a new beginning. Today, Sandy Alexander expands our promise to every brand that counts on us.

Andy Fetherman on Finishing, Family, and Leading with Heart

In this episode of Color Bar, hosts Betsy Davis and Kim Opdyke sit down with Andy Fetherman, President & CEO of Müller Martini North America, for one of the most energizing — and unexpectedly moving — conversations.

Andy has spent over 35 years in the print industry, starting as a press-side technician (yes, he fell for the “box of halftone dots” trick too) and working his way to leading one of the most storied finishing companies in the world. He joined us to talk about the Müller Martini and Hunkeler merger, what it means for print partners, and how the theme “Better Together Than Apart” became more than a slogan — it became a culture.

Together, the group digs into:

• How Andy landed his first job by knowing what a halftone dot was — and nothing else
• The Müller Martini + Hunkeler merger and what a seamless 18-month transition actually looks like
• Attracting the next generation of talent with flexible schedules and open cultures
• AI in the workplace
• Managing with your heart, not your numbers
• And the story of his son Michael that will stop you in your tracks

This one hits differently. Don’t miss it.

AI is Reshaping Print with Harrison Bailey from Smart Elephant

Dinetec in Action

Optimizing Menus for Higher Margin Performance

When a regional LSR brand wanted to drive more attention to its high-margin menu items, it turned to a more strategic approach to menu design across both digital and printed touchpoints. While the existing menu boards and handheld menus effectively displayed offerings, they weren’t intentionally guiding customer focus or influencing purchase behavior.

To solve this, Dinetec analyzed the brand’s current menu boards and point-of-purchase materials, layering in financial data to better understand the relationship between menu placement, creative design, and profitability. Using mapping technology and performance insights, the team restructured menu sections, repositioned key items, and introduced refreshed creative elements—including imagery, specialty icons, and updated layouts—all while staying aligned with brand standards.

The final optimized menu system was rolled out across all customer touchpoints, creating a more strategic and visually engaging experience that naturally directed attention toward higher-margin items. Beyond the immediate redesign, Dinetec also established a scalable framework for ongoing menu updates and continuous optimization, giving the brand a smarter, data-driven approach to menu performance moving forward.

To further discuss or learn more about implementing similar tech solutions in your restaurants, please contact us at [email protected] or reach out to your Sandy Alexander sales representative.

Meet Direct Mail’s “Thoughtful Overachiever” Era with AJ Layo from Sylvamo

In this episode of Color Bar, we’re joined by AJ Layo of Sylvamo for a conversation that redefines what’s possible in direct mail when the entire ecosystem works together.

From paper mills to printers, technology partners to USPS, AJ shares how true collaboration is transforming direct mail into a smarter, more measurable, and more impactful channel. We dive into Sylvamo’s investment in innovation—from their “Intelligent Paper” initiative bringing AI into direct mail, to their efforts educating brands on how to better leverage USPS promotions to drive efficiency and ROI.

This episode also explores how the role of paper has evolved—from an afterthought to a strategic decision—and why sustainability, data, and performance can (and should) coexist.

One of our favorite moments? AJ describes direct mail as a “thoughtful overachiever”—and honestly, it couldn’t be more accurate when done right.

If you’re thinking about how to create direct mail that performs, proves its value, and stands out in today’s landscape, this conversation is a must-listen.

Dinetec in Action

Driving Efficiency and Cost Savings in Menu Management

A national casual dining concept was struggling with slow, manual menu change processes that made it difficult to efficiently update pricing and items, manage multiple menu versions, and align print production with actual ordering needs. This resulted in longer time to market and higher production costs for menu updates.

The Solution? Leveraging Dinetec’s menu management technology to gain time and efficiency in menu production.

• The application’s versioning platform was utilized to automate menu changes including price and item revisions
• Similar menu versions were grouped together which allowed client to analyze the financial profitability of menu consolidation
• Menu ordering patterns were integrated with print quantities to analyze percentage of inventory waste

Versioning technology resulted in an annualized savings of $100k and a 25% reduction in production time; menu consolidation netted an annual savings of $319k; and reduced inventory waste resulted in $85k annualized costs savings.

To further discuss or learn more about implementing similar tech solutions in your restaurants, please contact us at [email protected] or reach out to your Sandy Alexander sales representative.

Leadership and the Power of the Pivot!

This episode of ColorBar is about more than personalization—it’s about pressure, pivots, and what it really takes to evolve.

Our guest, Rich Askam, a pioneer in print personalization joins us. Rich and his team were the force behind Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” campaign, where they hand-produced 1.6 million personalized bottles in just three months.

But behind that success is a story many in the print and marketing world will recognize.

Rich shares what it felt like stepping into a family business—balancing legacy with the need for change—and the difficult reality that sometimes, in order to move forward, you have to let go of what came before.

“You’ve got to clear the runway sometimes to let another plane take off.” 

From shutting down a long-standing business to rebuilding from nearly zero, Rich walks through the moments that defined his career—and the mindset that helped him navigate them.

This episode explores:

•  The emotional weight of leading a family-owned business 
•  Why businesses don’t fail overnight—they fade when they stop changing
•  The fear of pivoting vs. the opportunity inside it
•  How necessity drives innovation and creativity 
•  Why personalization is still underutilized—even today
•  The balance between AI, technology, and human creativity 

Rich also shares insights into his upcoming book, Your Name Here, and his personalized children’s series, You Are the Star.

A conversation about embracing change, thinking differently, and why the most defining moments in business often come when everything feels uncertain.

What if we’ve been measuring success all wrong?

In this episode of Color Bar, we sit down with Allie Watt to explore how the next generation of talent is redefining what it means to succeed—and what that means for leaders across industries.

Allie offers a candid, grounded perspective shaped by real experience: this generation isn’t less committed—they’re committed differently. They’re not driven by hours logged or burnout endured. They’re driven by impact, clarity, and purpose.

They want to understand the why behind the work. They expect a seat at the table. And they recognize that without a clear definition of what “winning” looks like, success becomes nearly impossible to achieve.

This conversation challenges long-held assumptions about performance, leadership, and culture. It highlights a broader shift—from effort to outcomes, from hierarchy to collaboration, and from grind to intentionality.

For organizations looking to attract, retain, and unlock the full potential of the next generation, the message is clear: this isn’t a trend to watch—it’s a transformation to lead.

Because the future of work isn’t coming. It’s already here.

The Evolution of Brand Activation with Denise Costello

What makes a brand activation actually work?

In this episode of Color Bar, Denise Costello joins Betsy & Kim to discuss the shift from one-time campaigns to connected brand experiences that drive memory, engagement, and long-term impact.

They cover experiential marketing, pop-ups, influencer strategies, execution pitfalls, and why the best brand moments start with a clear intention.

Chris Minn, CEO of Digital Ink, joining us to talk about where the print industry is headed—and why it’s time to retire the phrase “web-to-print.”