Buzz Worthy
Posts by Brandon
Industry Leader Jeffrey Kramer Passes Away
01 day
Last weekend, Jeffrey Kramer of top 40 supplier Bullet Line, died in his Miami Beach, Florida home of cancer. Kramer, who launched Bullet Line (under a different name – Sun Manufacturing) in 1980, was passionate about the promotional items industry and a need for rush service.
All of us at Promotional Items Buzz are very sorry to hear the news, and would like to offer our condolences to Kramer’s family and friends and everyone at Bullet Line.
You can read Kramer’s full obituary here.
ASI Show New York: Which Suppliers Stood Out?
03 days
It’s been weeks since the 2012 ASI Show New York, and promotional items distributors are still talking about their favorite product showcases. The Advertising Specialty Institute compiled data to determine which supplier booths were preferred stops for distributors who attended the show. Let’s take a look at the winners:
Most Unique
- Spotz Media: Brandcharger
- Wellness Interactive: Something Healthy Rejuvenation Eco Basket
Most Staying Power
- Prime Line: Cool Gear Gel Sipper
Best Bang for Your Buck
- Kook Pak: The Real $0.99 Bag
- WOWLine: Sports Cowbells
Most Likely to Build a Buzz
- Fields Manufacturing: Lanyard
Most Popular Wearable
- SanMar: Port Authority Shrug
Do you agree with the winners? Sound off below!
The L.A. Plastic Bag Ban
07 days
The city of Los Angeles, California, passed a landmark decision regarding single-use plastic bags yesterday. In a 13-to-1 majority, the Los Angeles City Council voted to ban single-use plastic bags in grocery and retail stores.
According to the Advertising Specialty Institute’s Counselor magazine, the law will be formally adopted later this year, and will allow a six to 12 month period for stores to comply. “After one year, Los Angeles stores would be permitted to charge customers 10 cents each for paper bags,” Counselor reports.
The new legislation is groundbreaking because Los Angeles is now the largest American city to denounce the use of plastic bags. “Los Angeles is leading the state and the nation,” said the city’s mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa. “With this new measure, one in four Californians will be living plastic bag-free. We hope our actions will encourage other big cities, counties and states to take action.”
How will the decision affect the promotional items industry? It only applies to single-use plastic bags, meaning reusable bags and other items are allowed. Counselor explains: “That means totes as well as reusable imprinted plastic bags are not only permitted in these areas, but endorsed as alternatives to potentially environmentally hazardous single-use bags.” As more and more retailers begin to search for eco-friendly solutions, companies that distribute promo bags are sure to profit.
The Dressed-Up Hoodie
110 days
by Brandon
in Promotional Trends
Throughout my teenage years, wearing a hoodie meant one thing: I was ready to relax and unwind. But, believe it or not, one San Francisco-based retailer is reintroducing the hooded sweatshirt as executive wear.
According to “Stitchwork,” an Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) blog, “…the dot com boom ushered in an age of executive informality, perhaps most iconically exemplified by Mark Zuckerberg, the gozillionaire founder of Facebook, whose trademark look is t-shirt, jeans, and, of course, a hooded sweatshirt.” Clothing company Betabrand is hoping to cash in on this new trend.
“Stitchwork” reports that the apparel company now offers “the Executive Hoodie, a hooded sweatshirt made of suit-quality merino wool.” It’s reportedly available in three varieties: grey pinstripe, navy pinstripe, and glen plaid.
Could the dressed-up hoodie be the next big thing for the promotional items industry?
Counselor Magazine Gets a Makeover
018 days
One of the promotional items industry’s hottest publications, Counselor magazine, unveiled its first redesign in eight years with its May 2012 issue.
The new look and layout, according to an Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) press release, is meant to capture the attention of business leaders who work in a fast-paced environment. ASI asserts that the new layout “is more actionable and easier to read and contains four new sections packed with strategies and analysis along with award-winning products, fastest-growing companies, best promotions and top ad campaigns.” Wow!
Let’s take a look at some of the new features:
- Bigger physical size
- Table of contents for easy browsing
- Four brand new sections — News, Apparel, Case Studies, and Social
- Social media integration
- Focus on the promo products industry’s top places of work
- An updated logo and new, easy-to-read text
In addition to the print magazine’s redesign, the web version has also received a facelift. “The new CounselorMag.com features online exclusives, news, regular videos and an interactive experience unlike any other in the ad specialty industry,” reports ASI. “With social media integration on every page, CounselorMag.com invites readers to provide immediate feedback on articles and share best business practices with each other.”
Have you checked out Counselor magazine’s new look yet?
Anvil Acquired by Gildan Activewear
125 days
Last week Gildan Activewear Inc. finalized its acquisition of Anvil, the parent company of Anvil Knitwear.
According to the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), Gildan paid a total of $88 million for the purchase. Anvil’s president and CEO, Anthony Corsano, will transition into his new position as part of Gildan’s senior management team. “Corsano will join Gildan’s Branded Apparel division and focus on the continuing development of Anvil’s strategy to grow its business of providing high-volume quality products for non-retailer brands,” reported ASI.
Glenn Chamandy, president and CEO of Gildan, told ASI that Anvil possesses a culture and strengths that will help Gildan to become a leader in printwear. “In addition, the projected economic returns from the acquisition are highly attractive and are expected to create further value for our shareholders,” Chamandy said.
PPAI Unveils Part II of Calendar Study
028 days
Last year, the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) unveiled new data about promo calendars. The organization’s latest video continues the calendar study, offering more proof on why printed calendars are so important. Check out the clip now:
Let’s discuss some of the highlights. According to PPAI, promo calendars provide:
- Strong recall
- Low cost per impression
- Favorable reactions
PPAI calls this combination the “advertising trifecta.” And that’s what makes advertising calendars so effective; they successfully combine all three. According to PPAI, “Despite the increasing reliance on technology, the printed calendar is still a mainstay in the home and office.” Eighty percent of homes and offices throughout America have at least one promo calendar.
Therefore, advertisers can really benefit from utilizing this type of promotional item. Their brand is likely to be remembered, and most recipients even plan to work with the advertiser. If you’re not handing out calendars printed with your company name/logo, it’s time to reconsider!
Have You Adopted the Code of Conduct?
032 days
by Brandon
in Brand Strategy
Are you familiar with the Promotional Products Association International’s Code of Conduct? It’s “a statement of principles. It is what a supplier would hand to a distributor and what a distributor would hand to an end buyer when an end buyer expresses those expectations,” according to PPAI.org. If you work within the promotional items industry, watch the following video:
While there is no law in place for adopting the PPAI Code of Conduct, it could be a great option for your copmany. PPAI asserts that “there is remarkable similarity among those that have been adopted. Many of them draw from working conditions standards that have been put forth by various international entities, government as well as non-governmental.” Why wouldn’t your company want to commit to ethical and responsible conduct?
Honk if You Love Promos!
035 days
As Promotions East prepares for its June 3 – 6, 2012 trade show, industry professionals are beginning to promote the big event.
Touted as “The Industry’s Premier East Coast Event,” the trade fair is sure to be bigger than ever. It will take place at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, NJ. The show will feature new marketing concepts, stand-out products, the industry’s top suppliers, and informative educational seminars.
Check out the bumper sticker Promotions East sent out to advertise the event and its associated contests:
According to the direct marketing piece’s instructions, if you stick the ad on your car and post a photo on Facebook, you’re eligible to win a free hotel stay during Promotions East! But that’s not all; if your vehicle is spotted at the trade show with the sticker attached, you could win a $15 gas card!
Will you be attending Promotions East?
ePromos Unveils Collection of SNIFTY Pens
039 days
Think back to when you were a kid in art class. Your favorite writing utensil, above any colored pencil or paint brush, was the scented pen or marker. Fragranced pens tickle the senses, transforming a visual experience into so much more.
One promotional items company, ePromos, has signed an agreement with SNIFTY scented pens to introduce its product to the industry and to be an exclusive promotional scented pens distributor. According to a press release, “Businesses can now incorporate scents into their promotions to create more memorable and engaging experiences.” ePromos is pitching the new product as a fun twist on the classic pen.
To roll out its new line of promotional scented pens, ePromos will initially offer 10 varieties: Honeysuckle, strawberry, chocolate, watermelon, bubblegum, fruit punch, vanilla, cherry, caramel and coffee.
Do you think the scented writing utensils will be a hit for the promotional products distributor?