WOA 50th ANNIVERSARY -- Web's Balancing Act

Today's industry leaders are again stepping up to the plate and preparing to address whatever curves the market may throw at them.

"This is the first time in my 40 years in the industry that I've seen our segment of the market hit by a 'recession' (whether it meets the formal definition or not)," reports Frank Stillo, chairman and CEO of Sandy Alexander in Clifton, NJ. "During previous U.S. recessions, our business improved—with increases in sales and profits. Companies seemed to spend more on advertising to increase market share or move surplus inventory," he explains.