Buzz Worthy
Daniel
Welcome to my wonderful world of promos, logos and expos. You'll be feeling the buzz each time you visit Promotional Items buzz because I serve up shot after shot of innovative branding ideas, top of the line advertisements and effective promotional marketing. Join me as I backpack around trade shows, finding the best in giveaways or sit back and relax while reading my latest tips on branding for your business. I also welcome any passionate bloggers to get in touch and share their own knowledge here at Promotional Items Buzz. I feel the buzz...do you?
Posts by Daniel
Advantages’ Kathy Huston: Sales Tip of the Week
0108 days
by Daniel
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!
BREAKING NEWS: Counselor Magazine’s 2011 ‘Best Places to Work’ List
0159 days
by Daniel
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.
Follow Up Post: “New Product Safety Requirements”
0186 days
by Daniel
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!
Didn’t Make it to ASI Show Chicago? No Worries!
0200 days
by Daniel
in Promotional Items
You weren’t one of the lucky ones– you didn’t get to make it out to the Advertising Specialty Institution’s big 2011 Chicago trade show. You might be stressing out about all the great products you’re missing out on. If these statements resonate with you, you’ll be happy to know that ASI has an official YouTube page on which the organization has been uploading a variety of videos covering the tradeshow’s highlights, takeaways, and hottest products.
Check out the latest video posted by ASI, in which the company’s President and CEO, Timothy Andrews, shows off some of his favorite products.
Andrews predicts the Gigantic Fortune cookie from Good Fortunes ASI/57689, Vinola from Logomark ASI/67866 and the heart-shaped mirror from Hirsch Gifts ASI/61005 are going to be big sellers in the fourth quarter.
WTA Proves Strong can be Beautiful
0265 days
by Daniel
in Promotional Items
How do you brand a sport? Usually teams and sports already have their designated and dedicated fans, and the rest of us watch when we catch a game. But the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), in order to develop a closer relationship with fans of the sport, has launched a new promotional campaign: “Strong is Beautiful.”
At a time when the many forms of media constantly send out over sexed messages about what a woman’s image should be, this campaign introduces a new idea. According to Caroline Wozniacki, WTA World’s No. 1,“It takes so many elements to reach the top of such a competitive sport as tennis – strength of character, discipline, and will power. All of these things define who we are as people and as athletes. For me the new campaign is able to capture the inner strength of players in a beautiful way,” as reported on 10Balls.com.
This message of a convergence between strength and beauty is a rare one in today’s society. Girls are more likely than ever to stare at and look up to the heavily-photo-shopped images of celebrities that appear in teen magazines. Therefore, through disseminating its “Strong is Beautiful” message, the WTA has not only established a unified message for the sport of tennis, but is also contributing to a more honest, healthy standard of beauty for girls all over the world.
According to TheSportsCampus.com, the WTA’s promotion will be sent out via television, digital and print ads, and social media over the next two years. Its message is clear– for women, as well as the sport of tennis itself, strong can be beautiful.
Despite Economic Hardships, Promotional Products Remain Priority
0272 days
by Daniel
in Promotional Items
It’s no mystery that over the past several years, companies, organizations and governments have been forced to make budget cuts in an attempt to save money. From schools eliminating art programs to company layoffs, we’ve all been impacted by the drastic measures taken to cut spending. Something that might surprise you, though, is the fact that many of these organizations are still investing in promotional products.
According to PRnewswire.com, “Although most marketing costs are being slashed, companies are still finding room in their budget to purchase promotional products.” It’s interesting that while other forms of marketing, advertising and promotions have been cut considerably, promotional items are still relevant, and at this point even preferred. However, with one look at these products’ budget prices, you can see why this is the case; promotional products offer high influence without costing the buyer a bundle.
One organization that has taken full advantage of this inexpensive promotional medium is the Texas government. As reported by Star-Telegram.com, “…more than $3 million was set aside in fiscal 2010 to spend on items and events promoting state programs, agencies and universities — expenses that have drawn both criticism and praise.” Critics of the spending say that this money should be spent on other important issues, such as lowering taxes and lowering spending.
However, executive director at the Austin-based Center for Public Policy Priority, F. Scott McCown, disagrees. According to McCown, “Marketing can be an important part of a program. For example, if you are trying to recruit foster parents, marketing may help you increase public awareness and attract applicants.” Indeed, marketing, especially via promotional products, can help raise awareness for a variety of issues at a low-cost.
The key, says Newsday‘s Jamie Herzlich, is “knowing your audience and finding the one that not only delivers value but also provides ongoing brand recognition.”
For governments, schools, and small and large business across the country and the world, promotional items can deliver an important message without breaking the bank. While some may criticize spending on marketing efforts, the truth is that promotional products are one of the most affordable means through which to achieve brilliant brand exposure. That brand exposure helps establish companies, organizations and even locations (such as the state of Texas) as establishments to visit or with which to do business, and that exposure is priceless.
Osama’s Death Evokes a Patriotic Promotional Response
0277 days
by Daniel
in Promotional Items
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you have heard about the US’ successful Osama bin Laden mission. Immediately following the news of bin Laden’s death, Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr were lit up in a frenzy of celebratory Tweets, posts and reblogs. Indeed, America and its allies have not been shy about celebrating this recent development in what is by now an almost 10-year war on terror.
But how has the killing of bin Laden affected those in the promotional world? According to PRNewswire.com, “Companies selling promotional products with a patriotic bent are reporting super-size sales this week as news of the death of the 9-11 terrorist fueled nationalistic fire.” Bin Laden’s passing, it would appear, has evoked a patriotic response from Americans that has not been seen since the months following September 11, 2001.
One way Americans are showing their excitement about the capture and execution of bin Laden is by purchasing USA-themed promotional apparel touting the phrase, “We got him!” See the below photo, which demonstrates this sentiment imprinted on a red, white and blue hat.
The current patriotic promotional party goes far beyond promotional apparel, as well. For example, Gerald Zhou of Pinata Casa claims to have sold more Bin Laden-shaped pinatas over the past few days than he has sold in the past year. ”Osama is one of our most popular pinatas,” he said.
However, promotional companies’ quick response on a ground-breaking event is nothing new. According to Timothy M. Andrews, CEO and president of the Advertising Specialty Institute, “The promotional products industry has a history of turning on a dime and responding quickly to whatever the marketplace and news of the day commands, and this historic response and patriotic surge is no different.” Clearly the promotional world’s reaction to bin Laden death is no exception to that rule.
Use Prom Favors to Make Your Prom Night a Very Memorable Experience
0286 days
by Daniel
in Promotional Items
Prom: one of the most memorable and exciting times for any high school senior. It only comes around once in a lifetime, so people want to make sure that all of the prom planning is just right. Therefore, anyone who is in charge of planning the event pays extra close attention to the event where it will be held, the food that will be served, the music that will be played, and the transportation that will be provided. And of course, there is the special after prom event which usually lasts through the end and possibly into the end of the weekend. With all this planning ahead, there is only one thing that is left to be focused on – prom favors.
These prom night giveaways are put in place as event accessories which help support the level of fun and excitement that prom goers will be able to enjoy. Each time you put some prom promotional items in the hand of a high school student, they have a tangible reminder of the special night that they can save and look back on in five, ten, or twenty years.
If you really want to make prom as memorable an event as possible, check out some of these awesome prom favors below:
1. Galactic Balloons
These biodegradable latex balloons will fill the background of your prom venue with a warm and inviting ambient setting. They come in pretty much any color you could possibly want, and are extremely durable for lasting through the night. The great thing about them is that you can get the name of your school and the year of the class silk-screen printing on the face of the balloons so it looks super professional. Items like these balloons are the exact type of support that you need to make your prom night everything that it can possibly be.
2. Round Bubble Tote
This particular prom promo provides your guests will some additional fun and enjoyment. While on the dance floor, the kids will move around blowing the bubbles from the bubble tote into the air. As people dance around the bubbles, they will cement the perfect memory of what it was like to experience their high school prom. As with the balloons above, the circular bubble tote can have anything you want imprinted on it including a graduation year or school mascot. The item simply hangs around your neck so you can continue to move around while you play with it.
3. 2011 Key Chain
As previously stated, one of the most important parts of prom night is taking something away that can be remembered for a lifetime. If you can incorporate some sort of prom favor that can be viewed by the recipient on a daily basis for years to come, then it is that much more effective. That’s why the 2011 Key Chain is the perfect thing. This silver charm will attach to your car keys via the split ring so that prom goers can see it every day. While one part of the item displays the year of graduation (in this case 2011), the additional charm can be laser etched with whatever you prefer it to say.
Try some of these fantastic prom giveaways for your upcoming event, and have a safe and happy prom!
Earth Day Is One of the Biggest Awareness Events of the Year: What Are You Doing to Promote It?
0298 days
by Daniel
in Promotional Items
Next Friday, April 22 is Earth Day, one of the biggest awareness events of the year. Since so many people across the world, it is definitely worthy of mentioning at the Promotional Items Buzz. So let’s start off by doing a quick history on Earth Day and what the goals of it are. Then we will check out some of the best ways to promote Earth Day, and some fantastic promotional items which can be used to help support it.
Earth Day was created by United States Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970 for the purpose of raising awareness about the health of the planet. Senator Nelson recognized early on that the “green” movement would be supported the strongest by college students, hence the reason why April 22 was chosen as the day for Earth Day (this date is after spring break but before final exams).
Since 1970, Earth Day has become an international movement in which people focus on what they can do to make the planet better. Events are held throughout the United States especially with the main purpose of organizing as many people in one place as possible. Some of these events are created simply to educate people about how they can be more “green” in their daily lives. Examples of these are benefit concerts and festivals like the San Francisco Earth Day Festival. Other Earth Day events are more active, where volunteers actually participate in clean-ups or tree plantings. As everyone knows, power is in numbers. So any Earth Day event where as many people as possible can get involved gives the planet the best chance of getting back into shape.
This is where you come into play – if you are planning on getting people out to an Earth Day event this year, you need all the help that you can get. The thing about Earth Day is this: lots of people have the desire to put their energy in a positive place. They want to volunteer for an Earth Day event, they just don’t have the time to do all the research. You have the power to steer them in the right direction.
How is it done? The most effective way to get the word out is always with a tangible reminder. Any type of promotional items that you can give people with an Earth Day theme will open up their minds about what they can do to help. The Earth Day giveaways have all different types of functions and appearances, but the main purpose is always the same: to get people out of their homes and to your Earth Day event on April 22.
Plenty of Earth Day promotional products are made from eco-friendly materials like corn plastic or bamboo, to demonstrate the commitment that people should be making to the planet. So a sports bottle made from recycled plastic or a golf tee carved out of biodegradable wood are both fantastic choices. Some other Earth Day gifts like custom seed packets or recycled pencils will also help get the word out about your event.
Make sure to choose the right Earth Day giveaways so that you can get as many people as possible to participate in the festivities this year!
Some Excellent Promotional Items to Offer Your Clients During the Warm Weather
1313 days
by Daniel
in Promotional Items
They say March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. Well now March is just about over, and it’s still freezing outside! Not to worry though, pretty soon the weather will be heating up for good (or at least for a while), and people will be ready to spend as much time as possible in the outdoors. When they are ready to do so, you as a business owner or marketing manager better be ready to take full advantage.
Now what is the best way to gain exposure for your company by appealing to individuals in a large setting? With quality promotional items that focus on creating comfort and convenience for the recipients. In this case, the products we will be discussing are seasonal for the spring – this makes them even more relevant and effective for the task at hand.
So let’s get right into the mix by checking out some of the most effective promotional products that you can use to gain exposure for your business this spring.
Up first is one of the big ones: promotional T-shirts. For decades, people have worn cotton tees as a part of any wardrobe. They are appropriate for all casual occasions, and they never go out of style. Recently, there is been a huge movement to create T-shirts with funny or clever sayings and themes. Therefore, more attention than ever has been focused on who has the coolest new tee. So this spring, it is wise to capitalize on the hype by creating the best possible T-shirt that you can for your company.
Promotional T-shirts come in all different styles and prices. There are short sleeve T-shirts, sleeveless T-shirts, and even eco-friendly T-shirts (these are ideal for positioning your brand as “green”). Since the tees appeal to such a universal demographic, you can be certain to have a large degree of success with these items no matter who you give them to. Plus, you can assume that during the warm weather people will be hanging out at the beach, park, or at sporting events. So, you can expect any of these venues to be the perfect target for which to launch your T-shirt campaign.
Another great choice of promotional items for the spring is custom water bottles. Everyone knows that once the temperature gets above 60°F, people are going to start getting active and participating in sport. Physical activity leads to perspiration, and perspiration leads to dehydration. To avoid this, any exerciser needs a reliable way to contain and transport water.
That is where the promotional sport bottles come into play. Once again, you have literally hundreds of different styles to choose from, so it’s best to pick the ones that you feel will best represent your brand. The idea behind custom water bottles is that you are giving athletes and bikers something that they can rely on. Once the reliability of the water bottle is associated with your brand name, people can expect your business to honor the same value.
Finally, consider going with something with some more entertainment value. How about a promotional flyer or some imprinted beach balls? Anything you can do to stir up some springtime fun will be welcomed with open arms by your potential customers. The main point of these warm weather accessories is to get your brand name into the hands of as many people as possible.
So for instance, if you are at the beach there is no telling as to how many people are going to pop your beach ball around. The same goes for an imprinted flyer at the park. People tend to throw these items around large venues, and the amount of exposure you receive will be exponential. By incorporating these promotional items into your springtime branding campaign, you can really expect to take your company to the next level.