Buzz Worthy
Promotional Items
Are Turtlenecks Back in Fashion?
0193 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!
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!
The Inside Scoop on the Advantages Roadshow
0210 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!
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!
Advantages’ Kathy Huston: Sales Tip of the Week
0224 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!
ASI Reports Huge Success at Atlanta Holiday Preview Tour
0226 days
by Brandon
in Promotional Items
The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI)’s Holiday Preview Tour made its third stop in Atlanta yesterday. The Tour, which features “leading ad specialty suppliers showcasing their seasonal products in a tabletop setting, along with free hot-topic education focused on ways to boost your revenue along with valuable networking,” raked in a whopping 450 distributors at its Atlanta location, according to an ASI press release.
Among the event’s impressive exhibitors were American Ad Bag Co., Prime Resources, and American Apparel. Attendees and exhibitors alike report that the event was a success.
The tour will make its way to Philadelphia next week, and is sure to be just as productive and exciting. What a fantastic way to get ready for the holiday season!
ASI’s Tips for SEO Success
0238 days
by Brandon
in Promotional Items
So many businesses within the promotional items industry rely on the Web for success. And yet few people utilize search engine optimization (SEO) to its full potential. Looking to build your business on the Internet? The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI)’s Dave Vagnoni offers tips for SEO success in the organization’s latest YouTube video. Check it out below!
In short, to build your business using SEO, ASI suggests following these steps:
- Focus on title tags
- Get lots of links
- Promote consistently
Is your company as visible as possible? If you’re not following ASI’s advice, it might not be. Through taking these simple three steps, you’ll be well on your way to SEO success!
Another Acquisition & the Bigger Picture
0241 days
by Brandon
in Promotional Items
The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) announced the breaking news today that Logos Your Way has been acquired by Top 40 distributor Halo Branded Solutions. Halo’s CEO, Marc Simon, told ASI that the acquisition is a “perfect win-win.” But as yet another pair of promotional products distributors merges, I can’t help but wonder: Is this a growing trend?
According to ASI, mergers and acquisitions within the promotional products industry are on the rise. “A Counselor analysis of the mergers and acquisitions taking place in the ad specialty market shows that the amount of deals increased by 19% in the first three quarters of 2011,” reports ASI. While deals made by suppliers “remained relatively stable,” more and more distributors are beginning to merge.
So what’s with all the mergers and acquisitions? Joseph Hartman, a financial consultant for JCA Capital Management, told ASI that larger firms are making purchases “because they’re the ones with the cash on hand to really initiate these deals.” Hartman expects to see an increase in this trend through and beyond 2012, as well.
Are you with a company that’s recently merged, been acquired, or acquired another company? If so, we’d love to hear from you! Share your comments below.
In A Digital World, Printed Calendars are Here to Stay
0245 days
by Brandon
in Promotional Items
Last week, the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) uploaded a new video to YouTube. The video, “Printed Calendars, PPAI Research 2011,” details highlights from the organization’s 2011 study on printed calendars. PPAI reports that “From the momentous to the mundane, the dates we can’t forget are recorded on our calendars. But in a world dominated by digital-everything, you have to wonder: Does the printed version of our record-keeping still have a place?”
According to PPAI, research from 1981 by the Calendar Advertising Council proved that consumers rely on printed calendars in the home and the office. “Fast forward three decades,” says PPAI, “and not much has changed.” Today, almost 80% of homes and offices use printed calendars to mark their important dates. Additionally, 61.4% of calendars at home and 76% of the calendars found in offices contain printed logos and brand names, proving that the printed record-book is still relevant in the advertising world.
See for yourself just how influential imprinted calendars are; watch PPAI’s video below:
While we may rely on our cell phones to update Facebook, take photos, and (occasionally) make phone calls, it appears that consumers are still scheduling, planning, and remembering important dates the old-fashioned way. Has your company tried using promotional calendars as an advertising vehicle?
Promo Product Sales to Break Records in 2012 Election Season
0248 days
by Brandon
in Promotional Items
Last week, the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI)’s The Joe Shoe filled us in on hot promotional items for the 2012 election season. As potential candidates make their way through the preliminary debates and approach the 2012 primaries, it’s becoming clear that their promo campaigns are going to have to be impressive (and expensive) to compete. While presidential hopefuls will no doubt be employing several promotional strategies, promotional product distributors are getting ready to see a record-breaking amount of orders.
According to Reuters, the 2012 election will be anything but a shoo-in for President Obama. Indeed, his senior promotional campaign advisor told Reuters that the president is looking at a “titanic” uphill re-election battle. That’s why we’re expecting Obama and his GOP rivals to pull all the stops in preparation for voting day. According to an ASI press release, spending in preparation for the election is expected to break current records. Presidential aspirants will be implementing a variety of strategies, from tech-savvy QR codes to standard pamphlets and brochures. And it should come as no shock that postulants will also be spending record-breaking amounts on promotional items.
“PQ Media, a media research company that analyzes political campaign spending, estimates that the 2012 election spend could surpass $6 billion, far more than the $4.5 billion spent in 2010,” reports ASI. “The group estimates that … about $30 million went toward promotional products … and forecasts big increases … in 2012.” And while Americans are only just starting to educate themselves on next year’s election, the candidates are already stocking up on their promotional items of choice. Have you seen election orders come through yet? Share your thoughts!