Buzz Worthy
Archive for August, 2011
BREAKING NEWS: Counselor Magazine’s 2011 ‘Best Places to Work’ List
0633 days
by Brandon
in Promotional Items
Counselor magazine, an Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) publication, released its 2011 ‘Best Places to Work’ list yesterday. The list comprises the 85 best companies within the ad specialty industry for which to work. According to ASI, while the honored organizations vary in size and structure, they “are the industry’s Best Places to Work.”
As reported by ASI, “The companies on this map – ranked from one to 85 – all share one thing in common: Their employees love going to work there every day.” But how did ASI discover which companies’ employees are happiest? According to ASI, the list was created through the use of an in-depth survey. The survey was completed by over 4,500 ad specialty industry employees and was conducted with help by research Quantum Workplace, a research firm.
Topping Counselor magazine’s list is Seaena, a promotional products company that specializes in laser-printed crystal products. Other companies on the list include American Ad Bag, Motivators, Proforma, and Pinnacle Designs. For the complete list, click here.
All Star Activewear Acquired by TSC Apparel
0638 days
by Brandon
in Promotional Items
TSC Apparel, an Ohio-based subsidiary of ProFill Holdings, has announced that it has acquired All Star Activewear, a wholesaler, reports the Advertising Specialty Institute. According to ASI, the acquisition is part of a bigger plan for TSC Apparel– expanding into the Houston, Texas region.
“To accommodate increased orders in the region, TSC has also expanded its Houston distribution center by more than 50%, the company announced this week,” reports ASI. The company claims that it is focusing on Houston as an area for growth, and that All Star Activewear, which already has an established customer base in Houston, will help TSC to achieve its goals.
TSC began its expansion into Houston last year when it opened a new distribution center. Houston is serving as a hub to much of Texas, as well as for Louisiana and Oklahoma.
What You Can Expect from the New PPAI
1641 days
by Brandon
in Promotional Items
“I think PPAI members can expect a more forward-facing organization,” said the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI)’s new president and CEO, Paul Bellantone, CAE. Check out PPAI’s new YouTube video below, in which Bellantone discusses transitioning into the organization’s new CEO, as well as the challenges and goals that face PPAI today:
“PPAI is more than just a trade show that’s held … in Vegas every year,” stated Bellantone in the new YouTube video. Indeed, the organization has a great story to celebrate! Bellantone, who has built solid and strong relationships with PPAI’s members, said he is excited to help fulfill members’ needs. Congratuatlions, Mr. Bellantone!
Promotional Products Industry Going Strong
1645 days
by Brandon
in Promotional Items
Yet another promotional products big name has announced a recent spike in sales. According to an Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) press release, Staples Inc. has reported increases for its second quarter.
ASI reports that Staples Inc. ” increased net income, overall sales and adjusted diluted earnings per share in the second quarter this year, according to results announced this week.” Additionally, Staples Inc.’s total sales has risen 5.2% since second quarter 2010, and its net income has increased by 36%, reports ASI.
As reported by ASI, “The top line benefited from double digit sales growth in facilities and breakroom supplies, strong customer acquisition, and the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates,” Staples said in a statement.
“Few Places in the World are as Important to the Ad Specialty Industry as China”
0648 days
by Brandon
in Promotional Items
The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) released a new YouTube video today that offers viewers an inside look at business in China. The video, entitled “A First-Hand Look at Business in China,” follows ASI associates as they tour Chinese factories, convention centers, and more.
Check out the video below, which explains how business in China affects the promotional products industry here in the U.S.:
The latest ASI video gives those in the promotional products industry a better idea about China and its manufacturing operations and how they affect the industry at home. “…The ad specialty industry will be unavoidably tied to China,” says narrator Dave Vagnoni. “And as night falls on our trip to the other side of the world, it’s clear: The question of ‘What happens next?’ has no easy answer.”
Interested in Being Unique? Check Out the Joe Show’s Latest Vid.
0653 days
by Brandon
in Promotional Items
A brand new video was released today by the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) about some stand-out promotional products that might appeal to unique industries with which you’ve yet to work. The latest episode of The Joe Show gives an overview of these interesting items, from aprons to UV wrist bands. For a closer look at some of these products, check out the clip below from ASI’s The Joe Show:
As you can see, there are promotional products out there for all sorts of industries. If you’re attending a trade show soon and are hoping to stand out, then consider some of these new items. As always, we’d like to thank Joe from The Joe Show for another great update! We’ll keep our eyes peeled for more fun and innovative promotional products!
Breaking News: Distributor National Premium Acquires C.A.M, Inc.
0655 days
by Brandon
in Promotional Items
National Premium, a Top 50 promotional products distributor, has acquired C.A.M., Inc., according to a press release from National Premium’s Vice President of Operations and Marketing, Kim Busboom. As a result, National Premium’s annual revenues grew by 35%. Additionally, the promo products distributor has added 30% in resources, Busboom reports in the release.
According to an Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) article about the acquisition, “C.A.M. will continue to operate under its current name through 2011, but will transition to the National Premium name next year.” Current employees will remain in the firm’s main office, and can expect to see a few new co-workers in an attempt to “grow this location,” says Busboom.
Busboom offers further consolation for employees nervous about the merge: “It’s going to be business as usual in their office. We’re going to see what works best and we anticipate significant growth.”
Follow Up Post: “New Product Safety Requirements”
0660 days
by Brandon
in Promotional Items
As a follow up to Tuesday’s blog post, today we’re sharing with our followers a video posted on the Advertising Specialty Institute’s YouTube Channel. The new clip, “New Product Safety Requirements – Counselor PromoGram Industry Update,” outlines the changes that Congress put into place with the reform of its CPSIA law. Check out the video below!
We’re also excited about increases in the U.S. job market, as discussed in greater detail in the video. For similar videos, be sure to check out ASI’s YouTube page!
New Lead-Testing Requirements to Affect Promo Product Industry
0662 days
by Brandon
in Promotional Items
In 2008, The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) was put into place. The Act, which was criticized by many, set new acceptable levels for a variety of substances. It was denounced by some in the promotional products industry because of its wide-sweeping nature.
According to an article featured on the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI)’s Web site, “The new legislation narrows the CPSIA’s lead-testing requirements to products manufactured since the date of enactment, creates certain exceptions for small-batch manufacturers and removes lead limits for used children’s products.” The revisions to the CPSIA will help to reduce the stress of the law while ensuring that children are still sufficiently protected, reports the ASI.
Acceptable levels of some substances will change with the Act’s alteration, as well. For example, the ASI reports that, starting August 14, children’s products cannot contain more than 100 parts per million (ppm), down from the current level of 300 ppm. This will not only affect distributors of promotional products, but also manufacturers, importers and retailers.
The amendment to the act is positive news for parents and children in the U.S. According to Inez Tenebaum, who serves as chairman for the CPSC, “As a result of the Commission’s decisions, consumers can rest assured that lead should be virtually nonexistent in toys and other children’s products.”