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Posts tagged Counselor magazine
Counselor Magazine Reveals the Best Places to Work in 2012
0264 days
Earlier this week, Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) publication Counselor magazine published its annual list of the “Best Places to Work.” Eighty-five companies ranked on this year’s list.
According to Counselor, the businesses listed all “have happy employees” and exhibit “high levels of communication and a culture of motivation.” Of course communication includes keeping staff members filled in about the state of a business and its goals and operations. But Counselor asserts that making sure employees feel heard is also imperative.
Those companies also put a huge emphasis on motivating their employees. “Indeed, incentive programs are often at the heart of how these companies not only insure peak performance from employees, but also loyalty,” reports Counselor.
Companies that made this year’s list include Proforma Albrecht & Co. (at number one), ePromos Promotional Products, Inc., Brand Fuel, Motivators, Inc., and Mid-Nite Snax.
Check out all the companies by clicking here.
Midwest Drought to Impact Promotional Items Industry
0268 days
The Midwest U.S. is currently seeing the worst drought in 50 years. And while the lack of precipitation is obviously affecting the cost of produce, did you know it may also impact various categories of promotional items?
Counselor magazine reports that “Because corn and its byproducts are commonly used in everything from candy to cosmetics to cups, the effects will go far beyond food items.” Suppliers from around the nation are pointing to an increase in corn prices in particular.
According to Counselor, since June 15, 2012, the cost of corn has risen by approximately 60 percent. Furthermore, “corn futures have reached a record high of $8.49 per bushel.”
However, according to Mid-Nite Snax Executive Vice President, Craig Fraum, suppliers who planned ahead should be OK. “For the remainder of 2012, we have pre-ordered all of our corn at an excellent locked-in price,” Fraum told Counselor. “This will allow us to be extremely competitive in the marketplace this holiday season. As for 2013, I feel prices will increase industry-wide.”
Has the Midwest drought affected your business’ bottom line?
Can Promotional Items Help Sway Voter Opinion?
0275 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?
Best Places to Work 2012 Summer Road Tour: Sneak Peek
0313 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?
Counselor Tours the Industry’s Best Places to Work
0334 days
by Brandon
in Promotional Items
How do you discover the promotional items industry’s best places to work? One industry publication is going on a nationwide tour to do just that.
Counselor magazine kicks off its second annual Counselor Best Places to Work Road Tour next week and will visit 17 different promotional items companies across the country and even into Canada. Editors Melinda Ligos, Andy Cohen, and Joe Haley are all determined to figure out one thing: “What do these companies do that makes their employees want to come to work every day?”
According to Counselor, the Counselor crew will encounter “cool workplaces, fun offices, and unique business environments” throughout their trip. In fact, last year they saw everything from a Hawaiian Luau to live music at industry locations.
We’re excited to see which promotional items businesses really are the best places to work!
The L.A. Plastic Bag Ban
0362 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.
Counselor Magazine Gets a Makeover
0373 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?