Posts tagged ASI
ASI Announces New Texas Expo
0SAGE’s MAPPS expo, which for years took place in Dallas, Texas, will be replaced by a new Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) trade show in 2013.
According to an ASI media release, The ASI Show will “fill a gap in the August show schedule with the new Promotions Southwest expo at the Irving Convention Center in Dallas, Texas.” ASI reports that Dallas’ Irving Convention Center is a “state-of-the-art venue.”

Promotions Southwest will take place on August 12, 2013, and will support area industry professionals who expressed interest in a show to replace the MAPPS expo.
The Identity Group CEO Bob Black told ASI that the event will be “the perfect opportunity to maintain sales momentum going into the third and fourth quarters giving distributors the chance to meet with quality suppliers in a beautiful new venue.”
Interested parties can contact Karen DiTomasso at kditomasso@asicentral.com or at 215-953-3768. Distributors are invited to attend Promotions Southwest free of charge.
ASI Introduces ESP Websites Company Stores
0Last week, the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) launched ESP Websites Company Stores — a new way for distributors to create online stores branded for customers.
Promotional items distributors can use the tool to quickly build customized company stores for sales prospects. “Potential clients can easily review the online store – stocked with products sporting their own logos – and immediately see promo products in action, advertising their brand, promotion, event or product,” according to an ASI media release.
Highlights include:
1. On-the-spot branding: Upload a client’s logo to see it applied to sample-ready products.
2. Store templates: Website templates are available in nine colors.
3. Merchandising options: Choose up to 10 product collections for a home page.
4. eCommerce shopping cart: Making an online payment has never been easier.
For more information on ESP Websites Company Stores, click here.
Corporate Gifts: 2012 Trends
0It’s that time of year again: Companies are determining just how much they can afford to spend on corporate gifts for employees and clients. And perhaps not-so-surprisingly, employers are planning to spend less than they did in 2011.
An Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) press release reveals that surveyed companies will spend an average of $26 per person on client gifts this year and $42 on each employee. “Spending is down slightly from last year, when companies spent an average of $30 per client and $43 per employee,” reports ASI.

Still, that businesses are willing to splurge on holiday gifts is telling, especially in this time of economic uncertainty.
Which items will be distributed this season? ASI reports that food baskets and other branded food gifts continue to reign supreme in 2012. However, products like gift cards, writing utensils and calendars are also popular this year.
Is your company sending out corporate gifts this year?
Save the Date for the Advantages Roadshow!
0What’s the best part about a traveling trade show? It comes to you!

Guess who’s coming to town this January? According to a Save the Date email sent out by the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) today, The Advantages Roadshow is hitting the Northeast Jan. 21 – 25, 2013.
Take a look at the schedule:
Jan. 21 | Boston, MA | The Westin Waltham 70 3rd Avenue
Jan. 22 | Long Island, NY | Sheraton Long Island Hotel
Jan. 23 | Secaucus, NJ | Crowne Plaza Meadowlands
Jan. 24 | Philadelphia, PA | Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue
Jan. 25 | Baltimore, MD | Double Tree by Hilton Baltimore North – Pikesville
If you’re a promotional products professional in the Northeast, don’t miss this big opportunity! Not only is the show free, but it features some of the industry’s top suppliers, like Bodek and Rhodes, Broder and more. Plus, attending earns you five ASI Education Credits to use toward your ASI Certification!
Check out the Advantages Roadshow’s full schedule (including areas outside the Northeast) here.
ASI Takes Home Four Folio Awards!
0The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) — one of the promotional items industry’s leading organizations — has done it again! Today, it announced that three of its publications earned 2012 Eddie Awards from Folio: magazine.

According to a media release, receiving an Eddie Award is one of the industry’s biggest honors. ASI’s three winning magazines beat out over 2,000 other nominees.
How did they place?
Counselor
- Best single article, “Best Places to Work Road Tour,” September 2011, Silver
- Best series of articles, “State of the Industry 2011,” Bronze
Advantages
- Best single article, “Build a Better Business Card,” February 2012, Bronze
Stitches
- Best single issue, September 2011, Bronze
“I’d like to congratulate our editorial team on a huge 2012 winning streak,” said ASI president and CEO Timothy M. Andrews in a statement. “We have, without a doubt, the most talented B-to-B editorial and education team in the nation, and I’m mighty proud of the hard work everyone on the team puts into each and every issue, making sure our readers benefit from insightful reporting and quality design.”
Please help us congratulate ASI!
ASI 2013 Spring Idea Showcase Catalog
0The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) has done it again! The promotional items organization announced today that it has already received more than 100,000 pre-orders for its 2013 Spring Idea Showcase Catalog.

The catalog, which comes envelope-ready, is available now! What will you find inside?
- More than 350 products from over 50 suppliers
- Promotional ideas for special events
- Free digital version with purchase
“Whether you’re on the lookout for a quirky new product or a reliable best-seller, the 2013 Spring Idea Showcase catalog is sure to help you shake up your marketing mix,” said ASI president and CEO Timothy M. Andrews. Additionally, according to Andrews, this year’s catalog features more campaign ideas than ever before.
Have you ordered your copy yet?
What’s Trending: Silicone Watches
1If 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
0Whether 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?
0In 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?
Congratulations, ASI!
0Did you know that the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) owns three award-winning magazines? The American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) bestowed seven awards to the institute’s stand-out publications yesterday.

According to an ASI media release, “Stitches, Wearables® and Advantages® magazines, which serve suppliers, distributors and decorators in the $18.5 billion advertising specialty industry, were honored in the 34th annual Azbee Awards of Excellence competition conducted by ASBPE.” Competing publications include Computerworld and Bloomberg Businessweek.
Stitches, a magazine edited by Nicole Rollender, received the gold award for Original Research in its “State of the Industry” issue. Wearables, Advantages, and Stitches all received additional regional awards.
ASI President and CEO Timothy M. Andrews said he’s proud of his team for “routinely producing one outstanding issue after another, providing print and online readers with a wealth of information to help their businesses thrive and increasingly creative ways to connect to the business community at large.”
“ASI magazines are the only industry publication to ever win a national editorial award,” he added.
Help us congratulate ASI by leaving a comment below.