Buzz Worthy
Brand Strategy
Come to the promotional items buzz for brand strategy blogging tips and to here the business branding talk of town.
What’ll be Trending in 2012?
0165 days
It’s hard to believe it’s already December 19; where did the year go? 2011 has surely had its ups and downs. But now’s your chance to be ahead of the curve and take a peek at what’ll be trending in 2012.
According to the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), there are five trends that will impact the promotional products industry over the course of the year. Let’s take a look at what they are:
1. Local Elections
2. Altering Buying Habits
3. Brand Focus
4. Fierce Competition and Pricing
5. Emphasis on Customer Service
Do you agree with ASI’s predictions? Share your thoughts below!
Are You On Twitter? 3 Steps To Success
0175 days
by Brandon
in Brand Strategy
If you’re in the promtional products industry, chances are you utilize a variety of social networking platforms to reach your customers. But are you using them to their fullest potential? Check out the video below in which Counselor magazine’s Dave Vagnoni shares tips on how to succeed with Twitter:
To summarize, Dave’s got three steps to success:
1. Ask & Answer — Engage customers and potential customers by asking questions. Don’t forget to acknowledge and respond to mentions, too!
2. Market & Search — You can use Twitter to share your blog posts, upcoming events, and more.
3. Follow Poeple that Matter — Follow people in the industries you’re looking to work with, and create a network!
These are some really fantastic tips. Have any others you’d add? Share your thoughts!
Obama’s Cuts: What They Mean to the Promotional Items Industry
0198 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
0200 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?
0203 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!
ASI Presents: ‘Digital Power Player’ Randi Zuckerberg
0217 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
0220 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!
“Think Pink?” Think Again!
0231 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.
Promotional Trends: Kitchen Promotional Items
0765 days
A PPAI 2010 web-video revealed the most promotional item friendly room in the house. After a recent study, the promotional product leaders found that the top promotional items were found inside of the kitchen.
Family in kitchen
They say food is the key to man’s heart and to be honest, I think it may be the key to woman’s hearts too. That might be the reason why 91% of all people surveyed said they keep a promotional item in their kitchen. Even better, 82% of people had more than 1 promotional item chillin’ on the refrigerator, lounging on the counter and relaxing in drawers.
So what does this mean for the promotional products industry?
You had better spruce up that line of kitchen promotional items today because the survey shows that 50% of people spend 3-5 hours in the kitchen each day. So I hope you’re hungry for the best promotional kitchen items the web has to offer. Here are my picks from some of the top promotional companies.
- Custom Printed Jumbo House Jar Opener
For a low cost, and tons of visibility, choose promotional jar openers. Motivators offers a variety of shapes and sizes so that every industry can capitilize on these fun and functional items. They’re lightweight, durable and useful. Recipients can keep them in the kitchen but they can be used around the whole house. Any hard to open jar, knob or handle will turn easily when you use a handy jar opener.
Custom Round Corner Business Card Magnet
Another kitchen favorite are these promotional magnets from Promo Punch. A refridgerator is to your kitchen what your back bumper is to your car. Dress it up and display your personality. Some magnets will be imprinted with fun slogans or cool images that will spruce up your kitchen. Even business card magnets are perfect for in the kitchen because they’ll keep you connected with customer. You can lighten up the kitchen with these magnets in no time. Use them to hold up your children’s art work, fun photographs and important shopping lists.
- Custom Executive Collection Cutlery
Lastly, if you’re looking to cut through the competition and make a lasting impression on clients, choose the executive collection cutlery from Leeds. It’s the perfect corporate gift! PPAI noted that 58% of recipients keep their items over a year, but with higher end items, you can expect years and years of branding.
Check out the cool and collective PPAI video put together to showcase their finding on promotional kitchen items.
Beware Promoters, Beware Fashionable Women
0771 days
Band promoting has always been an interest of mine. If your tunes fire me up, let me escape or make me shake, rattle & roll, then I want to share you with the world.
I’ve joined street teams to hand out flyers of up-coming shows, written radio scripts promoting fun weekend concerts and run the merch table a variety of different venues. You could call me a big fan, maybe even a groupie, but in the most professional sense, you could call me a promoter.
Venue Concert
However, today I prefer to be called a fan. Especially after the smack in the face the indie band, Beware Fashionable Women just gave to promoters everywhere.
In a shocking interview with Sentimentalist Magazine published April 20, 2010, front-man Barak Shpiez was asked what he hates about being in a band.
Is it the long tours away from home? Is it the constant demand to impress fans and appease management? Or is it the problems with music pirating? None of the above.
Instead, Shpiez shot back an answer so good that I want to share it all from the barrel to the bullet.
Beware Fashionable Women
“I hate to sound like a whiner, but where are the promoters these days? Now “promotions” companies are just middlemen between the artist and the venue that serves no more function than being the booking agent.”
I believe that a band promoter is vital to a band’s advancement in the music industry but only if they are dedicated to the cause and loyal to their promotees.
So, if you’re a promoter I challenge you to answer Shpiez’s question. In particular I challenge Vigilant Promotions to prove him wrong. Their website reads, “Vigilant Promotions applies everything from street teams to radio promotion, press to the web, in order to cater to a wide range of clients looking to make an impact in the music industry/market.” Well that sounds fantastic, but are you really following through?
The promotion company is currently showcasing the Beware Fashionable Women CD cover and includes a link to the official band site on their homepage. Right above the entry is a larger spot showcasing their partnership with The Source Magazine, otherwise known as “The Hip-Hop Bible”. Is this big name client, receiving all the attention and leaving the little guy out? If so, I’m beginning to understand Shpiez’s discontent with the promoting industry.
Promoters
“Venues have become inundated with requests to play that they outsourced that job to these companies. When booked at a club, artists are expected to be the sole promoters for their shows, but they don’t have nearly the resources or access that a promoter might have to radio DJs, print ads in the local papers, email lists, interns, etc.”
Have promoters really become nothing more than outsourced middle men? And whose duty is it to promote a particular show? Bars and clubs surely want business every night and in my experience, venue concerts can bring in tons of business. However promoters must showcase the bands playing through radio contests, print advertisements, street teams and promotional items. Shpiez doesn’t see these efforts being executed.
“By not participating in the promotion of shows they book, promoters have allowed attendance at these shows to dwindle. In response, they simply have raised their cut of the door. So bands can’t make enough money to even fund their own endeavors (promotion of future shows, tours, recording, etc)”.
Merch Table
With no promotions, attendance decreases and promoters are forced to take higher cuts from cover charges, leading to less of a profit for the musicians themselves. With the costs of traveling, lodging and other expenses, playing out and going on tours becomes increasingly difficult for independent bands.
Between lower gig pay and the lack of enthusiasm and call to action of promoters, bands are left to market themselves. This is what Shpiez of Beware Fashion Women hates about being in a band.
“Promotions companies are a negative influence on any scene and only exist to make venue owners’ lives a bit easier.”
There response comes as no surprise as even in their MySpace bio the band is refer to as “… respectable musicians who possess the ability to be the worst celebrities.” They ask the world, “Why must a band only encompass one version of that vague idea that is pop music?” And continue saying, “BFW understands that labels, managers, bookers, and indeed the listening public would much prefer a band that stuck to one thing and repeated themselves into oblivion.” But they’re not going to give you any of that bull shit.
I’m pretty amped about Beware Fashionable Women, their tunes are infectious. And I’m excited to hear what promoters everywhere have to say in response to Shpeiz’s complaints. In the meantime, promote yourself with these Bandmix promoting tips.
Can band promoters help to brand indie bands? Or is the only marketable music that stuff spewing from the lips of teeny boppers like Justin Beiber and Ke$ha? Lord, I hope not.