Case study · Pentel
The Inking Center
We helped define Pentel Arts’ inking category and conceived the Inking Center, the most successful retail display in Pentel’s history.
We open retail doors for premium brands
Sales and marketing, integrated. We sell fine art and writing brands into specialty retail across North America, and market them with what we’ve learned serving retailers over 50 years.
1970
In the trade since
3rd
Generation of family leadership
9
Brands represented
200+
Retailers across North America
Sales + Marketing = Brand Building
Sales
Passion that opens doors
We present your brand with real passion to the buyers who matter, win placement, reorders and promotions, and give stores a reason to say yes.
Marketing
Listening & Observing
We listen to buyers, staff and artists, watch what sells shelf by shelf, and create the displays, campaigns and promotions that fit.
Together
Brand building
What we hear on the floor shapes what we present to the buyer, and what sells shapes the next campaign. That loop builds brands, not just orders.
Brands we represent
Since 1983East Coast
Legacy supplier · 43 years
Since 2025North America
Since 2026North America
Stocked by
Since 2025North America
Stocked by
Since 2007East Coast & Midwest
Since 1970North America
Legacy supplier · 56 years
Since 2012East Coast & Midwest
Since 1986Northeast
Legacy supplier · 40 years
Since 2026USA
Stocked by
What we do for the brands we represent
Sell-in
In-person & video buyer presentations
Marketing
Promotions and eblasts
Merchandising
POP, planograms and displays
Analysis
Sell-through, store by store
Service
Training, events and reorders
Commissioned on results
No retainer, no setup fee
Live data
Custom Salesforce CRM
One team
Sales and marketing under one roof
Getting started
1
Fit conversation
Meet the team
2
Territory plan
Target accounts
3
Sell-in and launch
First 90 days
4
Quarterly review
Results together
A sales team that works from live data
On every sales call, our team has the full picture at hand in our custom Salesforce CRM.
- Up-to-date sales reports
- Marketing interactions
- Account history and past orders
- HTML email marketing campaigns
- Keynote decks with data & digital content
- Mobile access in every store
Supplier report
Sales, commission and rate by month
Sample
Sales
Commission
Rate
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
$
C
%
$
C
%
$
C
%
$
C
%
Account report
One customer, by month
202420252026
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Σ
HTML email campaigns
Targeted to every account
Sample
Delivered
Opened
Clicked
Keynote decks
Data & digital content for buyers
Sample
Programs that move product
Displays, analysis, launches and events we have built with our brands and retail partners.
Case study · MABEF
A U.S. relaunch, direct to dealers
When distribution was disrupted, MABEF chose SAMPRO to rebuild the market with a direct-to-dealer program and MAP pricing.
Case study · Sailor
Dealer special editions
Since 2014 we have worked with key retailers to create their own limited edition Sailor pens and inks, giving them something truly special to offer their customers.
More programs
Campus sampling
Luchetti at SCAD
Faculty sampling at SCAD created demand from two professors, who added the Luchetti sketchbook to their class lists.
Assortment analysis
Brush rationalization
A one-page brief and SKU-level analysis that helps retailers right-size brush assortments by turns and sales.
Merchandising
Stoneground display
A new 24-inch cabinet display with a custom header, built to merchandise the full Stoneground range.
Signage
MABEF signage program
In-store posters on why MABEF easels last: performance, durability, materials and easy assembly.
Promotions
Gift with purchase
The 2026 MABEF program: a free palette with any Studio or Lyre easel, and a free field easel with select Studio easels.
Launch program
MABEF in the U.S.
Retailer keynote, catalog and buying program for MABEF’s direct-to-dealer launch.
Brand experience
The Iwata Gallery
A showcase of airbrush art in Portland, Oregon, built around Iwata.
Events
In-store events
Demo days and anniversaries with our retail partners, like Binders’ 70th celebration.
Trade shows
NAMTA / Creativation
Meeting buyers and launching new programs at the art materials industry’s annual show.
Trade shows
Creativeworld Frankfurt
Visiting our partners and finding new brands at the international trade fair for art and creative supplies.
Buying groups
iAMart sales meeting
An annual presenter at the iAMart buying group sales meeting, bringing our brands and programs to independent art retailers.
200+ independent retail partners across North America
Point at a dot to see the store and which of our brands cover its territory.
180+ art supply stores
25+ fine writing and stationery shops
15+ campus stores
Alaska
Caribbean
How we go above and beyond for our retail partners
- Free in-store setups and resets for the brands we carry.
- Staff training and product demos on your floor.
- Assortment reviews by turns, sales and planogram.
- Events and launches that bring artists into your store.
- Retail promotions built to support brick and mortar.
- One call for every brand we represent.
What partners say
“In an industry where trust is essential, the Sampro team has consistently earned both my trust and respect.”
Stacey Mann
Senior Buyer, Binders Art Supplies & Frame
“If you ask me what success really means, it’s this: growing a business without losing sight of family, and having the privilege to share that journey with a good friend.”
Ira Goldstein
President, Jerry’s Artarama
“‘Above & Beyond’ doesn’t begin to describe the service we receive from the Sampro team.”
Shawn Szirbik
Owner, Hull’s Art Supply & Framing
“Our secret weapon was a thing called ‘Human Touch,’ where the internet, AI and anything else of modern means cannot compete.”
Howard Krinsky
President, Binders Art Supplies & Frames
“In our industry, the promises that are made between suppliers and retailers are everything. We rely on an open, straightforward way of doing business, and Sampro understands this.”
Jon KenKnight
President, Sam Flax Orlando
“Partnerships like this are the kind that make business fun, built on trust, shared values, and a genuine commitment to doing things right.”
Brendan Schmidt
Vice President, Atlas Stationers
“Their care and understanding in representing many of the major brands in the industry is witnessed in the growth and expansion of those fortunate enough to be in their stable.”
Joe Gyurcsak
Resident Artist, Blick Art Materials
“They study your market and competitors. The bottom line is that they set a new standard of service.”
Yael Ezra
General Manager, Superkit Marketing
“Michael and his team’s distinctive market vision and innovative tools have been game-changers for our sales professionals and their retailer customers.”
Frank Stapleton
Founder, MacPherson’s
The people behind the work
Sales and marketing professionals, in the trade since 1970.
Michael Hammer
CEO
Transformed Hammer Associates into SAMPRO, with the belief that the future is integrating sales and marketing together.
Abe Hammer
President
Further refined our marketing goals into brand building, with dynamic campaigns backed by sound financial analysis.
Scott Hammer
VP, Sales
Leads sales across our territories and is one of the most recognized names in the fine pen community.
Ronni Hammer
VP, Finance
Decades in luxury retail at Neiman Marcus before running the books.
Lucky
Official greeter
Welcomes every visitor to the Pound Ridge office.
Please reach out to start a conversation
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