Print Solutions Magazine, March 2005 -- Off Hours

From almost any vantage point in Cleveland, the Terminal Tower is visible. It soars 708 feet, making it the second-tallest tower in Ohio and one of the tallest in the country. In February, more than 950 people raced up 42 stories as part of the 3rd Annual Tackle the Tower race in support of the Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland. Mike Burns, president and CEO of Quikey Manufacturing, Akron, Ohio, and Hank Frisch, owner and president of distributorship Team Promotions, Cleveland, renewed a friendly rivalry by racing each other in costumes.

Burns’ and Frisch’s battle of wills began last year, when the two raced with oversized promotional products strapped to their backs. Frisch, who knew someone directing public relations for the event, suggested they engage in an exhibition match before the main event. The two agreed to gather pledges and make personal donations to the cause.

Encumbered by a 6-foot pencil, Frisch sprinted to an early lead in 2004, only to be overtaken by Burns—sporting a 4-foot replica of a Quikoin holder—on the 30th floor. Quikey has manufactured the popular coin holder since 1951.

Seeking to reverse his fortunes, Burns switched costumes this year. He bought a Zorro-type mask at a local costume shop and crafted bandoliers from the company’s Arm Bandit™ wristbands. Frisch stuck with his giant pencil and prevailed again in the end. “Mike is a tough competitor,” Frisch says. “I wasn’t sure if I had enough lead in my pencil to outlast him but with a final burst, I took him on the 38th floor.”

Burns acknowledges that he lacked energy toward the end of the race. “Once again, I arrived without a kick at the top, and he was ahead of me,” he says. “Next year is going to be a totally different story. I’ll be ready to roll.”

As Frisch works on becoming the king of the Tower run, he takes nothing for granted: “I know next year Mike will be coming at me full force. Besides, he was kind of scary looking in his mask.”

Together, Frisch and Burns gathered more than $1,000 in contributions, and the event raised an estimated $20,000 in pledges for the Ronald McDonald House and gave both men’s businesses a successful promotional boost. Frisch and Burns gave promotional products to other runners. “There were a number of orders that flowed through Hank to us as a result,” Burns says. “We generated a few looks with the costumes as well.”

The duo plan to race again next year, but they hope to open the field. “We’d like to expand it to engage more people,” Burns says. He hopes more industry members will participate, perhaps even enough to form teams. “The whole concept of promotional products is that they’re a little more lighthearted than other types of advertising,” he says. “You can have some fun with them.”

—Andrew Brown


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	The Arm Bandit and the Pencil Race for Charity From almost any vantage point in Cleveland, the Terminal Tower is visible. It soars 708 feet, making it the second-tallest tower in Ohio and one of the tallest in the country. In February, more than 950 people raced up 42 stories as part of the 3rd Annual Tackle the Tower race in support of the Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland. Mike Burns, president and CEO of Quikey Manufacturing, Akron, Ohio, and Hank Frisch, owner and president of distributorship Team Promotions, Cleveland, renewed a friendly rivalry by racing each other in costumes. Burns’ and Frisch’s battle of wills began last year, when the two raced with oversized promotional products strapped to their backs. Frisch, who knew someone directing public relations for the event, suggested they engage in an exhibition match before the main event. The two agreed to gather pledges and make personal donations to the cause. Encumbered by a 6-foot pencil, Frisch sprinted to an early lead in 2004, only to be overtaken by Burns—sporting a 4-foot replica of a Quikoin holder—on the 30th floor. Quikey has manufactured the popular coin holder since 1951. Seeking to reverse his fortunes, Burns switched costumes this year. He bought a Zorro-type mask at a local costume shop and crafted bandoliers from the company’s Arm Bandit™ wristbands. Frisch stuck with his giant pencil and prevailed again in the end. “Mike is a tough competitor,” Frisch says. “I wasn’t sure if I had enough lead in my pencil to outlast him but with a final burst, I took him on the 38th floor.” Burns acknowledges that he lacked energy toward the end of the race. “Once again, I arrived without a kick at the top, and he was ahead of me,” he says. “Next year is going to be a totally different story. I’ll be ready to roll.” As Frisch works on becoming the king of the Tower run, he takes nothing for granted: “I know next year Mike will be coming at me full force. Besides, he was kind of scary looking in his mask.” Together, Frisch and Burns gathered more than $1,000 in contributions, and the event raised an estimated $20,000 in pledges for the Ronald McDonald House and gave both men’s businesses a successful promotional boost. Frisch and Burns gave promotional products to other runners. “There were a number of orders that flowed through Hank to us as a result,” Burns says. “We generated a few looks with the costumes as well.” The duo plan to race again next year, but they hope to open the field. “We’d like to expand it to engage more people,” Burns says. He hopes more industry members will participate, perhaps even enough to form teams. “The whole concept of promotional products is that they’re a little more lighthearted than other types of advertising,” he says. “You can have some fun with them.” —Andrew Brown © 2005 Print Solutions Magazine



Mike “The Arm Bandit” Burns (left), president and CEO of Quikey Manufacturing, Akron, Ohio, and Hank “The Eraser” Frisch (right), owner and president of distributorship Team Promotions, Cleveland, relax after racing up 42 stories in Cleveland’s Terminal Tower. The 3rd Annual Tackle the Tower race raised an estimated $20,000 for the Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland. The Terminal Tower in Cleveland is the second-tallest tower in Ohio and one of the tallest in the country.