Buzz Worthy
Promotional Items
ASI: Wearables to Be Big in 2013
0176 days
If your promotional items company focuses on wearables, the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) has some great news for you. The organization is predicting that 2013 will be a big year for products like t-shirts, hoodies and more.
According to ASI, the wearables industry has a few things going for it right now. First, average order size for apparel is up. That means people are choosing larger quantities of products to hand out to their customers, clients and employees, etc. Second, buyers are reporting that they have more money to spend as budgets begin to relax.
How can you take your apparel sales to the next level in 2013? ASI offers the following tips:
1. Focus on quality
Although cost is still a primary concern, buyers are beginning to consider quality and style as very important again. “The shift in buyer taste has helped increase the average dollar size of industry apparel orders, resulting in more revenue for distributors,” reports ASI.
2. Show off your brands
Clients want to know that the products they’re buying are high quality. That’s why your brand-name items are going to do well in 2013. “[The people I work with] like to have the branding of the apparel on their shirt in combination with their brand because it adds prestige,” Matt Gledhill of Walker Advertising told ASI.
3. Offer athletic apparel
Did you know that shirts that are antimicrobial, odor-resistant and moisture-wicking have become extremely popular in recent years? Many distributors have found that performance shirts are in high demand. ASI says it’s due to their exclusive features, buyers’ expanding budgets and clients’ sporty lifestyles.
Have you noticed these trends, as well?
For more tips, check out ASI’s “Wearables” Sales Forecast 2013.
What 5 Promo Items Do Distributors Sell the Most?
0213 days
In the promotional items industry, it’s important to understand which products sell. If you’re a supplier, you’ll want to know which items to offer to distributors. And if you’re on the distribution end, you’re interested in what your customers really want.
So what category of products is most popular? According to the Advertising Specialty Institute team blog, “distributors sell shirts the most, to the tune of 1/5 (20%) of all industry revenue.” Whoa!
Bags, writing instruments, other wearables and caps help round out the top five products sold by distributors.
What do you think about these numbers? Are you surprised that apparel sells so well? Share your thoughts!
Oops! Beeping Promotional Item Causes Bomb Scare
0236 days
They say there’s no such thing as bad publicity, right?
Last week, cable network BET sent a promotional package to CBS radio stations in Los Angeles. The box, which contained a promotional item to advertise the channel’s new talk show, “Don’t Sleep!” was said to be beeping when it arrived. The suspicious delivery spurred havoc at three radio stations owned by CBS.
The 27-story building was evacuated at approximately 10 a.m. PST, as a bomb squad was brought in to assess the situation. Radio reporter Pete Demetriou told Variety that the suspicious parcel was actually just a promotional alarm clock.
Still, Demetriou asserted, it was important to ”follow protocol” to ensure the safety of CBS staffers.
What’s Trending: Silicone Watches
1246 days
If you are searching for promotional items, chances are you are looking for something useful, unique and affordable. What product fits the bill while also being super-trendy?
Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI)’s Wearables magazine Editor C.J. Mittica explains how you can make a big impact with promotional silicone watches:
As you can see, there are several different types of custom silicone watches. While inspired by Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong bracelet, this product’s incorporated watch makes it really stand out. Do you see this trend taking off?
Promo Items at the Political Conventions
0257 days
Whether or not you’re a fan of politics, there’s one thing everyone within the ad specialty industry can agree on: The conventions bring some really cool promotional items.
The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) shared photos from the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Let’s look at some of the best products:
Promotional drinkware at the Republican National Convention
Promotional t-shirts at the Republican National Convention
Custom water bottles at the Democratic National Convention
Promotional buttons at the Democratic National Convention
What do you think of the political promotional items? Any favorites?
Can Promotional Items Help Sway Voter Opinion?
0278 days
In politics, distributing logoed products is nothing new. With hundreds of millions of dollars spent on giveaways leading up to a big election, one can’t help but wonder: Can promotional items really help sway voter opinion?
According to the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) and Counselor magazine, items like branded apparel certainly do have an impact: “more than two-thirds (67.4%) of respondents have taken an action as a result of receiving a promotional item, with more than half visiting a candidate’s website.”
A smaller percentage of both men and women — 34 percent and 24 percent, respectively – said that they’re more likely to vote for a nominee after receiving a political giveaway. Furthermore, the study revealed that nearly 25 percent of Democrats have contributed money to a campaign after receiving a promotional giveaway. So while website hits and donations don’t necessarily equal a vote, ASI’s findings do highlight the importance of promotional items in raising awareness for a candidate and his or her fundraising efforts.
“It’s clear from ASI’s election survey results that candidates need to pay close attention to how they brand their campaigns and get out their core messages, since what they choose to sell or give away can sway voters to pull a lever, give money – or choose the other guy,” ASI president and CEO Tim Andrews said.
Have you ever voted based on a promotional item you received?
Ready for Fall?
0298 days
Whether or not you want to admit it, the autumn season is right around the corner. Don’t worry — it’s not time to pack up the bathing suits and pool supplies just yet. But when it comes to promotional items, it’s best to be prepared for next season’s promotional campaigns!
Thankfully the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI)’s “The Joe Show” covers fresh products all the time. The most recent episode covers “New Products for Fall Promotions.” Check out the clip here:
As you can see, Joe’s picks range from unique socks to dazzling holiday ornaments. These giveaways are perfect for tailgating events, charity drives, and more.
Make sure your company or organization has the best fall promotions so you can stand out through the holiday season!
Best Places to Work 2012 Summer Road Tour: Sneak Peek
0315 days
by Brandon
in Promotional Items
Counselor magazine’s “Best Places to Work” 2012 Summer Road Tour has made several stops across the country. Want a sneak peek into the industry’s coolest offices? If so, you’re in luck! The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) has posted several short interviews from some of their favorite locations. Let’s take a look:
1. Mid-Nite Snax
2. Motivators
3. Visstun/Digispec/CounterPoint
Which promotional items company do you think is truly the best place to work?
USA-Made Promotional Items Reign This July 4th
0320 days
While Independence Day technically took place last Wednesday, festivities continued into this weekend. And, as if setting out to prove just how patriotic they really are, people all over America opted for USA-made promotional items this holiday.
The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) reports that the “U.S.A-made trend is picking up speed,” with “more than a third of U.S.-based manufacturing executives at companies with sales greater than $1 billion are planning to bring back production to the U.S.” It’s therefore no surprise that promotional items made within the US were the stars this July 4.
According to ASI president and CEO Tim Andrews, “ASI found numerous companies distributing products that are made in the U.S. – and whose sales help drive the American economy. As we celebrate our independence, there’s no better time to honor the American entrepreneurial spirit in full force throughout the $18.5 billion promotional products industry.”
Some favorite USA-made promotional items this summer include cocktail shakers, beach towels, and coolers.
What promotional items did you see at your 4th of July gathering?
Summer and Fall Promo Items from Spectrum
0327 days
by Brandon
in Promotional Items
Looking for the hottest products and freshest ideas for summer and fall? The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) has released the summer/fall edition of its 2012 Spectrum Celebration — a catalog that comprises more than 200 products from over 50 suppliers.
According to an ASI press release, the latest edition of Spectrum has already reached almost 300,000 industry professionals.
In addition to hundreds of products, Spectrum Celebration also comes with a budget and planning guide, a self-mailer, and a free digital version. You can view a sample and/or purchase the catalogue online by clicking here.
Will you be ordering ASI’s newest catalogue?