About Us
Corporate Imaging Concepts partners with you to build a stronger, more visible brand through creative execution and leading edge technology.
marketing services
Promotional products design and development
Here you’ll find more than 600,000 items as well as price, shipping and delivery details.
Promotional products design and development
Here you’ll find more than 600,000 items as well as price, shipping and delivery details.
Awards and incentives programs
Direct purchasing from leading brands saves time and cuts cost.
Awards and incentives programs
Direct purchasing from leading brands saves time and cuts cost.
Custom uniform design and distribution
CIC offers a full range of uniform apparel and accessories – from polo shirts to aprons and chef’s hats.
Custom uniform design and distribution
CIC offers a full range of uniform apparel and accessories – from polo shirts to aprons and chef’s hats.
Industry-leading Technology
for online ordering and fulfillment
top 40 Ranking
in sales out of 19,000
promotional products companies
Top 10 Recognition
as one of the industry's best places to work out of 21,000 distributors & suppliers
purchase price access
Direct purchase price access to brands exclusively sold through retail channels.
Supply Chain
Fully integrated international supply chain linked to our webstores.
Experienced Experts
Our account executives average more than 10 years working in the industry
Customer Service
CIC’s onsite creative team realizes that the strength of our brand depends on the strength of yours. We provide the most proactive and personal service in the industry.
See advantagesOur dedicated sales team of marketing professionals has an average CIC tenure of more than ten years. You won’t find that type of company loyalty anywhere else in the industry. In fact, the first employee hired when we were founded in 1996 is still with us today.
In addition to backgrounds in art, graphic design, marketing and advertising, CIC employees are known for their upbeat energy, intellectual curiosity, dedication to your complete satisfaction, as well as resourceful creativity in furthering your program goals.
When you partner with CIC, you’ll work with a team of professionals you can depend on – not a phone bank overseas. We have the expertise to handle all of your branding projects from website development and collateral production to online programs.
History
Founded in 1996, Northbrook-based Corporate Imaging Concepts, LLC provides branded promotional products and online company store portals for some of the country’s largest corporations. CIC’s game-changing LEIF™ technology solution links customers directly to world-class suppliers and leads the industry in supply chain efficiencies. The company's commitment to technology advancements, combined with a workforce dedicated to exceeding customer expectations, has resulted in steady double-digit growth along with industry recognition as a sales leader and one of the best places to work. For more information visit: www.corp-imaging.com
With a passion for supply chain efficiency, game-changing technology and superior customer service, Brian Abrams left a successful law career behind to found Corporate Imaging Concepts in 1996. Since then the company has continued to grow, revolutionizing the industry through hard work, a dedicated team and an unwavering commitment to building better branding solutions.
The inspiration for CIC came from a company Brian started in 1991 while in law school. Back then he was imprinting t-shirts and sweatshirts for fraternities and sororities. Rekindling his entrepreneurial spirit, Brian set out to improve that original business model.
CIC is founded. From day one, Brian knew that CIC’s success would depend on a talented team of customer service, sales, technology and warehouse experts that work to exceed client expectations every day. Our employees are among the best in the business. Always have been and always will be.
CIC signs its first company store client
CIC moves its headquarters from Northfield, IL to Northbrook, IL
LEIF™ supplier direct ordering module is released
CIC acquires the assets of Greatways, Inc.
CIC opens its first warehouse and begins fulfilling its clients’ LEIF™ orders.
LEIF™ supplier direct ordering module is released
CIC expands into its new headquarters in Northbrook, IL
The Proofprfkt™ real-time proofing module is added to the LEIF™ platform.
CIC opens its Jacksonville, FL office
CIC opens its Indianapolis, IN office
CIC is recognized as one of the top 20 Best Places to Work
CIC is recognized as one of the top 10 Best Places to Work
Corporate Imaging Concepts, Inc. became Corporate Imaging Concepts, LLC through a partnership with Cardinal Equity Partners. This strategic alliance strengthened our ability to continually reinvest in human engineering and new technology that improve your processes while enhancing your brand.
CIC opens its Milwaukee, WI office
CIC is recognized as one of the top 10 Best Places to Work
CIC begins fulfilling orders for its European customers through its warehousing in Poland
Today, CIC maintains its industry-leader status, offering superior products and services along with the fastest, most accurate and cost-efficient supplier direct system available anywhere.
What hasn’t changed through the years is our unwavering commitment to exceeding client expectations through flawless service. We’re proud to still be serving our very first client and to have grown alongside them as their branded product resource.
What hasn’t changed through the years is our unwavering commitment to exceeding client expectations through flawless service. We’re proud to still be serving our very first client and to have grown alongside them as their branded product resource.
Executive Team
CIC’s Board includes industry professionals along with customer service, supply chain and quality experts. We’re driven to create optimal solutions through best-in-class technology solutions and customer service that’s second to none.
Brian Abrams CEO, Board Member
Brian founded CIC in 1996, building the company from a one-person start-up to an industry leader. In addition to his work as a lawyer and CPA, Brian has served on the boards of several closely held corporations and on the charitable boards of Montessori schools and service organizations. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois as well as a doctorate of Law degree from the University of Michigan.
John Ackerman Board Member
John is a co-founder and Managing Director of Cardinal Equity Partners. He currently serves on a number of boards including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s parent company, Hulman & Company. John holds a bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Michigan as well as a master’s degree in Management from Northwestern University.
Jeff Gilfand President
Jeff joined CIC after working as a Senior Auditor at Ernst & Young. A CPA, Jeff also held senior financial executive and operations positions at VISANOW, Primesport and Strata Marketing. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois.
Peter Munson Chairperson of the Board
Pete is a co-founder and Managing Director of Cardinal Equity Partners, where he focuses on sourcing deals and managing portfolio investments. He is the past Vice Chairman of Educational Choice Trust, the nation’s first and largest privately funded school voucher program. He is also a past Senior Vice President of JPMorgan Chase, NA. Pete earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from DePauw University.
Atul Shevade CTO
Before joining CIC, Atul was a founder and CTO of iMenu360 Inc., a high frequency, online ordering portal for restaurants around the world. He was also the co-founder and general partner of Ordernetwork, LLC. In addition, Atul served as a Senior Management Consultant at Ernst & Young. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago, a master’s degree in Computer Science from Southern Illinois University as well as a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from S.G.S. Institute of Technology and Science.
James Smeltzer Board Member
Jim is a co-founder and Managing Director of Cardinal Equity Partners. He’s been engaged in sourcing, evaluating and completing their private equity investments since 1993. He serves on the board of all of Cardinal’s portfolio companies, including CIC. A CPA, Jim previously served as CFO of Cardinal Communications, Inc. and as a Senior Tax Advisor at KPMG. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Ball State University.