Buzz Worthy
Archive for November, 2011
Will You Be Attending This Year’s PPAI Expo?
0543 days
According to the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI)’s official Web site, the PPAI Expo is “the promotional products industry’s largest and longest running tradeshow dedicated to bringing distributors and suppliers together.” But why should you attend this year’s event? PPAI President and CEO Paul Bellantone along with Paul Lage, MAS and Bob Davis, CAS discuss how this year’s event will benefit attendees. Check out the video below:
To summarize, attending the PPAI Expo will bring you:
- Face-to-face interactions that build trust and help grow relationships
- Live education and training
- An open and effective exchange of ideas
- A human connection that will help power your business
The trade show will take place January 2 – January 6, 2012. Registration for the PPAI Expo 2012 is open now; if you’re a PPAI Member Distributor or a qualified Nonmember, register today!
Are Turtlenecks Back in Fashion?
0549 days
Turtlenecks often get a bad rap. They’re associated with nerds, dorks, and villians from awful 80s movies. But, in reality, they’re actually quite stylish!
According to Wearables magazine, turtlenecks are making a resurgance. Editor C.J. Mittica says that even “…publications like Glamour and GQ have given turtlenecks their official endorsement.” Take a look at the Advertising Specialty Institute’s latest video that shows off some of the hottest turtlenecks available NOW:
What do you think — would you wear one of these trendy turtlenecks? Share your thoughts; we’d love to hear from you!
Obama’s Cuts: What They Mean to the Promotional Items Industry
0555 days
Last week, the Obama administration announced that it’s going to be making some spending cuts. The federal government is aiming to slash spending on travel, mobile phones, laptops, and other items in an effort to save approximately $4 billion each year. And while I’m sure we can all agree that cutting out wasteful expenses is a step in the right direction, we may not agree on what “wasteful” is.
A recent Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) study revealed that “Consumers made a purchase after receiving a promotional product (20.9 percent) more often than after viewing a print ad (13.4 percent), TV commercial (7.1 percent) or online ad (4.6 percent).” And yet part of President Obama’s cuts is a “swag ban,” as stated by the Washington Post. What exactly does that mean? Obama doesn’t feel that “coffee mugs, pens, T-shirts and other public relations articles that federal government agencies purchase with taxpayer money to promote their work” are as effective as other forms of advertising.
Those of us within the promotional items industry know that Obama’s reasoning behind giveaway cut-backs is unfounded. Matt Bertram, president of Fields Manufacturing, told the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) that Obama’s position “is extremely troubling and shows how little he knows about the industry.” Indeed, the president’s quick decision seems to come from false grounds.
Where do we go from here? Fred Albrecht, owner of Proforma Albrecht & Co, said the spending cuts are actually an opportunity. “I believe we need to continue to promote the cost effectiveness of our products as the absolute best media available to create brand awareness,” Albrecht told Counselor magazine. The idea here is that we need to reiterate the fact that our industry brings value to the world of advertising.
What do you think — are Obama’s reasons behind cutting back on promotional items reasonable? If not, what are your plans moving forward? Tell us how you feel!
The Joe Show: Holiday Products
0557 days
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Or, at least, we’re almost there. How will you attract new clients and customers this holiday season? The latest episode of the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI)’s The Joe Show covers some of the industry’s most useful and appealing holiday products. Check out the clip below!
So what’s your favorite holiday gift? Is it the custom designed holiday ornament? Maybe you like the tough and durable custom imprinted gloves. Whatever you choose, your clients are sure to love ‘em!
Are there any products that you think Joe missed? Share your comments!
New ASI Study: Are You Delivering the Products They Really Want?
0560 days
On Tuesday, the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) released a study documenting how buyers and end-users of promotional items really feel about what’s being delivered. It’s being hailed as a “landmark study;” it is the first of its kind.
ASI’s report, entitled “Defining the Disconnect: An Analysis of Channel Beliefs vs. Customer Needs in the Advertising Specialty Industry,” is a detailed analysis that reiterates the importance of delivering what your customers want and need.
Here are some of the study’s most significant findings:
1. Customers expect high quality
According to ASI, “Distributors understate the importance of high-quality shirts to males.” The report even asserts that men have higher expectations about the quality of their promotional products.
2. Brand isn’t everything
ASI reports that 75% of distributors and suppliers thought branded items were a priority for customers. However, only a third of end-users agreed. This shows a major disconnect.
3. End-user participation
If you’re not interacting with your customers, you’ve got to make a change. According to ASI, end-users would like to take surveys, visit trade show booths, and communicate via social media platforms in order to receive giveaways.
For a full look at ASI’s report, click here. Are the findings surprising to you? Share your thoughts!
October U.S. Employment Report Yields Positive Results
0564 days
For those of you who have been living under a rock, the American economy (and the world economy, actually) hasn’t been doing so well recently. So when payroll company ADP and consultancy Macroeconomic Advisers put together a better-than-expected national employment report for October, people were understandably excited.
The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) reports that “Small and businesses were the driving force behind a better-than-expected gain in jobs in the United States in October.” According to ASI, employment within America’s private-sector increased by 10,000 more than economists had projected. On top of that, more jobs were added in September than originally thought, and layoff announcements declined.
Is your company or organization seeing changes that reflect these numbers? Hopefully the industry will continue to grow and prosper, and more jobs will be created throughout November!
The Inside Scoop on the Advantages Roadshow
0567 days
Are you an avid Advantages magazine reader? Are you a promotional products company located in the Northeast or Mid-Atlantic? If so, you’ll be thrilled to know that the Advantages Roadshow is coming to your area this January!
According to a statement released by the Advertising Specialty Institute, the Advantages Roadshow is a free opportunity to see the beloved magazine come to life. The show will be on the move between January 23 and January 27. Participants will “discover hot, new products and attend cutting-edge education without having to travel far from home.”
The Advantages Roadshow is your key to the inside scoop on top suppliers’ 2012 product lines and best-selling promotional items. Perhaps more importantly, the traveling show will help increase your ad specialty knowledge base and help you earn credit toward your ASI Certification. Check out the schedule below to see when the Advantages Roadshow is coming to your town!
Boston | January 23
Long Island | January 24
Secaucus | January 25
Philadelphia | January 26
Baltimore | January 27
For more information on the ASI event, click here!