Pens.com backs START UP Season 14 in first TV sponsorship

Pens.com is sponsoring Season 14 of the PBS and PTV series START UP, marking the company’s first brand partnership and first move into television as it celebrates its 60th anniversary. The deal centers on a 15-second spot and spotlights small business stories nationwide.

Why it matters: - Pens.com is using its first-ever brand sponsorship to connect its promotional products business to small business entrepreneurship. - The partnership ties Pens.com’s 60th anniversary to a national TV series with a built-in audience of entrepreneurs, educators and business supporters. - START UP’s reach on PBS, PTV, WORLD Channel, PBS.org and the PBS app gives the sponsorship broad visibility.

What happened: - Pens.com announced sponsorship of Season 14 of START UP, a 6-time Emmy-nominated series about American small business owners. - The sponsorship is Pens.com’s first brand partnership and first television programming venture. - Season 14 began airing locally on Sept. 21, 2026, and launched nationally on Oct. 4, 2026. - The season is available on WORLD Channel, PBS.org and the PBS app, with local station dates and times varying by market. - The partnership includes a 15-second sponsorship spot designed to celebrate entrepreneurship across America. - A partnership page is available at More information.

The details: - START UP runs 13 educational episodes focused on the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. - Pens.com describes itself as a global leader in branded merchandise and a champion for small businesses since 1966. - The company sells customized pens and writing instruments, apparel, bags, drinkware and other promotional products. - Pens.com says it serves millions of customers across 22 countries and operates more than 11 facilities across North America, Europe, Africa, Australia and Asia. - Pens.com is a National Pen brand and a Cimpress company, which trades on Nasdaq under CMPR. - START UP is hosted by Gary Bredow and produced by Jenny Feterovich. - The series has been used as an educational tool in schools, universities and prisons. - START UP has received 6 Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Host, Writing and Casting.

Between the lines: - The deal gives Pens.com a consumer-facing storytelling platform that matches its long-running pitch to small business owners. - The sponsorship also lets START UP align with a well-known business services brand as the series continues to frame entrepreneurship as a national public-interest story. - Kristin Smith, Pens.com chief marketing officer, said the company sees the series as reflecting the real work behind building a brand. - Gary Bredow said Pens.com has supported small business and entrepreneurship for 60 years and helps owners stand out in a competitive market.

What's next: - Viewers should check local PBS and PTV listings for air dates and times in their market. - Pens.com and START UP are promoting the sponsorship spot alongside the season rollout. - More information is available at the company’s announcement and at START UP’s website.

The bottom line: - Pens.com is turning its anniversary year into a brand-building moment by sponsoring a national TV series built around the same audience it has served for decades.