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MEMPHIS, TN, April 20, 1998 – American Paper Optics, Inc.
announces the selection of owner and 3D aficionado, John Jerit,
as the Memphis Business Journal, Small Business Executive of the
Year. Thirty-five-year-old Jerit, is one of the youngest entrepreneurs
in the 18-year history of the awards to receive the honor on April
7.
Jerit’s 3D “vision” and entrepreneurial spirit
has transformed a disposable, paper novelty business into a 3D
glasses empire with revenues jumping from $125,000 in 1990 to
$4.8 million last year. American Paper Optics has produced over
250 million paper eye glasses for 3D-oriented promotions involving
movies, television, web sites, theme park attractions, laser light
shows, and fireworks displays.
“The thing that most surprised me about getting this award
was that it was fun,” says Jerit. “Typically, when
you think of award-winning businesses, you think of a more corporate,
stiff approach. Paper 3D glasses is a legitimate business, but
it is also kind of a silly business.” As the mastermind
behind the marketing of paper 3D eye glasses, Jerit has sold these “silly” glasses
all over the world—shipped directly from his 9600 sq. ft.
manufacturing facility in Bartlett, TN.
In 1991, American Paper Optics received national notoriety as
manufacturer of 11 million 3D glasses for the Nightmare on
Elm Street sequel, Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare.
Jerit soon followed up by producing 8 million glasses for a television
promotion of Fox’s Married with Children and Revenge
of the Nerds IV. Last year, American Paper Optics also provided
the U.S. Postal Service with over 2 million 3D glasses for its
successful Hollywood Monsters promotion in Stampers magazine.
Since 1990, American Paper Optics has become the world’s
leading supplier of paper 3D glasses. Jerit attributes dedication
to customer service and investing in cutting-edge manufacturing
techniques as keys to his success. “There are a lot of good
ideas,” says Jerit. “But, unless you can bring that
idea to market, it is meaningless. It is easy to have an idea
for a new product and to get that product made—when all
is said and done, it is the marketing and distributing that gets
it out there.”
Andrew Balogh, eight-year employee and vice president of sales,
said, “John is very driven and detail-oriented--these qualities
seem to serve the needs of our customers extremely well.” Jerit’s
drive and determination paid off when American Paper Optics recently
delivered 750,000 glasses to the Toronto Star in just under six
days for the 3D viewing of the Mars Pathfinder images, 20 million
glasses in 90 days for a television promotion in Mexico and 6
million glasses in 60 days for a Denny’s restaurant promotional
tie-in with Twentieth Century Fox’s Anastasia.
A media kit including product samples, company brochure and related
articles are forthcoming via US Priority Mail. For more information
about John Jerit and American Paper Optics, please contact:
Lori Southall – Sales & Marketing Director
American Paper Optics, Inc., 2995 Appling RD- Suite 106
Bartlett, TN 38133
1-800-767-8427 . 901-381-1515 . Fax 901-381-1517
email us - sales@3dglassesonline.com
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