Buzz Worthy
Archive for October, 2011
Do You Have What it Takes? 2nd Annual Industry Halloween Contest
0568 days
It should come as no surprise that companies within the ad specialty industry are made up of creatives. We’re adept at coming up with innovative, unique, and inspiring ideas. That’s why, for the second consecutive year, the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) is holding a Halloween contest!
Last year, the employees at CustomInk coordinated their outfits to look like the cast of Glee. The staff wowed ASI with its awesome theme:
According to ASI, if your ad specialty organization has gone all out this Halloween, you could win $100. To enter ASI’s second annual Halloween contest, simply post photos, stories, and/or videos from your company’s Halloween festivities to Counselor magazine’s Best Places to Work Facebook page. Many are sure to participate, so share your post now!
ASI Presents: ‘Digital Power Player’ Randi Zuckerberg
0571 days
by Brandon
in Brand Strategy
Randi Zuckerberg is not just the older sister of Facebook CEO and co-founder, Mark Zuckerberg. Indeed, Randi has been building a legacy of her own. The former Director of Market Development for Facebook was recently named to Hollywood Reporter‘s list of “Digital Power Players,” and has a lot to say about branding, social media, marketing and more.
Don’t you wish you could pick Randi’s brain? Now you can come close to it; the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) announced this week that Randi will be “a special guest on ASI Radio” this December. Tune in on December 6, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. EST to hear what Randi’s got to say about “everything from building a strong brand to the future of social media.”
Additionally, Randi will be speaking at The ASI Show in New York in May, 2012. This is an exciting opportunity to get an inside look into a master of marketing’s opinions and strategies. Don’t miss out; save the date today!
The Joe Show: Fall and Winter Promos
0574 days
Wondering how to promote your organization throughout the cool seasons of fall and winter? The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI)’s Joe Haley has got you covered. Check out the latest episode of The Joe Show below for products that’ll impress all your customers this autumn and through till spring:
My favorites? I love the pink gloves from Worldwide Glove & Supply — distributing these accessories is a great way to wrap up National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and provide your customers with a lasting reminder for their yearly mammograms. I’m also a fan of Joe’s featured gym bag. It’s ideal for promoting wellness this winter!
Did Joe miss anything? Leave a comment and fill us in on your preferred fall and winter handouts for 2011!
Advantages’ Kathy Huston: Sales Tip of the Week
0578 days
by Brandon
in Promotional Items
I love Advantages Magazine. The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) publication offers advice on how to sell in today’s ever-evolving market. For example, the cover story of its most recent issue makes mention of Jersey Shore’s Snooki — who knew a promotional products magazine could be so modern?
Recently, the publication’s Editor, Kathy Huston, began making YouTube videos for ASI. I love being able to see the more human side of the promotional items magazine. Take a look at Kathy’s most recent video below:
We appreciate the tips, Kathy! Sales advice is always welcome. Follow Kathy Huston on Twitter @kathyadvantages!
ASI Reports Huge Success at Atlanta Holiday Preview Tour
0580 days
by Brandon
in Promotional Items
The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI)’s Holiday Preview Tour made its third stop in Atlanta yesterday. The Tour, which features “leading ad specialty suppliers showcasing their seasonal products in a tabletop setting, along with free hot-topic education focused on ways to boost your revenue along with valuable networking,” raked in a whopping 450 distributors at its Atlanta location, according to an ASI press release.
Among the event’s impressive exhibitors were American Ad Bag Co., Prime Resources, and American Apparel. Attendees and exhibitors alike report that the event was a success.
The tour will make its way to Philadelphia next week, and is sure to be just as productive and exciting. What a fantastic way to get ready for the holiday season!
“Think Pink?” Think Again!
0585 days
With so much buzz surrounding National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, you might have considered using the term “Think Pink” in your promotions. However, you’d better think twice – sorority Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) has owned the trademark for the expression since 1997.
According to an Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) press release, “California-based Affinity Consultants, which holds licensing agreements with numerous national fraternities and sororities, is cautioning marketers that the popular term “Think Pink” is trademarked and its unauthorized use could result in legal action.” Therefore, unless you’ve been granted a license agreement through the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation, you cannot legally use the “Think Pink” trademark.
Registered U.S. trademarks are serious business — according to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, once a trademark has been registered, it is protected nationwide. The lesson here? If you’re going to promote breast cancer awareness, come up with your own creative way! Otherwise, you might find yourself in deep trouble.
Vote NOW for the 2016 PPAI Board of Directors
0588 days
Have you voted yet for the candidates for Board of Directors Class of 2016? There are four distributors and four suppliers up for election, and according to the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), polls will close October 15, 2011.
Distributors (From left) Janie Gaunce; Jeff Hall; Bruce Korn, CAS; and Julia Wright, MAS
Promotional Products Business (PPB) magazine reports that member distributor and supplier companies can vote in the election. According to PPB, “If you are the voting contact of a member distributor or supplier company, you are entitled to select four qualified new directors who will represent your interests.” That means eligible persons can choose four out of the eight candidates to serve on the Board.
Suppliers (From left) Rick Brenner; Lisa Newell, CAS; Mike Schenker, MAS; and Natalie Townes, MAS
How do you vote? It’s easy enough! PPB reports that the election “will be conducted electronically by a third-party election administrator.” When you’re ready to vote, click here to select your candidates of choice. Remember, voting ends this Saturday, October 15, so vote today!
ASI’s Tips for SEO Success
0592 days
by Brandon
in Promotional Items
So many businesses within the promotional items industry rely on the Web for success. And yet few people utilize search engine optimization (SEO) to its full potential. Looking to build your business on the Internet? The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI)’s Dave Vagnoni offers tips for SEO success in the organization’s latest YouTube video. Check it out below!
In short, to build your business using SEO, ASI suggests following these steps:
- Focus on title tags
- Get lots of links
- Promote consistently
Is your company as visible as possible? If you’re not following ASI’s advice, it might not be. Through taking these simple three steps, you’ll be well on your way to SEO success!
Another Acquisition & the Bigger Picture
0595 days
by Brandon
in Promotional Items
The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) announced the breaking news today that Logos Your Way has been acquired by Top 40 distributor Halo Branded Solutions. Halo’s CEO, Marc Simon, told ASI that the acquisition is a “perfect win-win.” But as yet another pair of promotional products distributors merges, I can’t help but wonder: Is this a growing trend?
According to ASI, mergers and acquisitions within the promotional products industry are on the rise. “A Counselor analysis of the mergers and acquisitions taking place in the ad specialty market shows that the amount of deals increased by 19% in the first three quarters of 2011,” reports ASI. While deals made by suppliers “remained relatively stable,” more and more distributors are beginning to merge.
So what’s with all the mergers and acquisitions? Joseph Hartman, a financial consultant for JCA Capital Management, told ASI that larger firms are making purchases “because they’re the ones with the cash on hand to really initiate these deals.” Hartman expects to see an increase in this trend through and beyond 2012, as well.
Are you with a company that’s recently merged, been acquired, or acquired another company? If so, we’d love to hear from you! Share your comments below.