Buzz Worthy
Posts tagged Promotional Items
Raining Rose CEO Named 2013 Iowa Small Business Person of the Year
026 days
Congratulations are in order for Raining Rose’s Charles B. “Chuck” Hammond Jr., who has been named the 2013 Iowa Small Business Person of the Year.
The promotional items supplier CEO helped transform Raining Rose Inc. from a small company with just 12 employees to a large operation with more than 140 staff members.
According to Promo Marketing magazine, “As the 2013 Iowa Small Business Person of the Year, Hammond will represent Iowa at National Small Business Week ceremonies in Washington, D.C. June 16-22 where he will compete for the National Award.”
Congratulations to Hammond and the entire team at Raining Rose Inc.
Australia Announces Ban on Small, Separable, High-Powered Magnets
0188 days
Back in July, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) pushed major retailers like Amazon and Urban Outfitters to discontinue selling Buckyballs and other similar products that pose risk to children. Now, Australia is taking the idea one step further.
According to Compliance and Risks, high-powered magnets that are small and separable (like Buckyballs) have been banned in the land down under. So what’s the danger in these innocent-looking toys?
Click here for a CPSC video that explains just how hazardous the tiny yet strong magnets really are.
Does your promotional items company sell a similar product? If so, how will you make sure it meets health guidelines?
Sandy and the Promotional Items Industry
0199 days
Days after Hurricane Sandy swept over the East Coast, companies continue to deal with the aftermath. The promotional items industry is no exception.
![By NASA, MODIS/ LANCE, HDF File Data processed by Supportstorm, Caption by Michon Scott [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](http://www.promotionalitemsbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Sandy_Oct_29_2012_1815Z-2-186x300.jpg "By NASA, MODIS/ LANCE, HDF File Data processed by Supportstorm, Caption by Michon Scott [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons")
But thanks to organizations like the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) and the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), we have a fairly good idea of which businesses have been affected.
Some companies are already back up and running. They include (but are not limited to):
- Royal Apparel
- Chocolate Inn / Taylor & Grant
- Liqui-Mark Corp.
- Colemax Group LLC
- Admints & Zagabor
- Lanco Corp.
- Motivators Inc.
- Prime Line
However, the list of companies that remain closed or open with limited power, Internet and/or phone is unfortunately much larger. For more hurricane-related announcements, check out PPAI and ASI.
Save the Date: PPAI Legislative Education and Action Day
0217 days
Looking to get involved in one of the promotional items industry’s most important annual events? Now’s the time to prepare for the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI)’s Legislative Education and Action Day (LEAD), which will take place in Washington D.C. April 10 – 11.
According to PPAI, “Each year, industry professionals travel to Washington D.C. to educate members of Congress about the effectiveness of promotional products and the strength of the industry in the U.S.” Check out PPAI’s latest video to find out why attending is so important — straight from other industry professionals:
Together, we can make a difference, so save the date and/or sign up today!
How ‘Green’ Are Your Promotional Items?
0223 days
Greenwashing – spinning to make a company or product appear eco-friendly — has been prevalent for decades. And the promotional items industry is no stranger to this deceptive type of advertising.
But now the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s “Green Guides” will help ensure marketers make truthful statements about their products’ environmental attributes.
According to the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), “The Green Guides caution marketers not to make broad, unqualified claims that a product is ‘environmentally friendly’ or ‘eco-friendly’ because the FTC’s consumer perception study confirms that such claims are likely to suggest that the product has specific and far-reaching environmental benefits.”
The Green Guides cover degradable claims, certifications, and the use of the words “sustainable,” “natural” and “organic.”
While the Green Guides are not law, the FTC can take action against deceptive marketing.
Are your products as green as they appear?
Oops! Beeping Promotional Item Causes Bomb Scare
0231 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.
Promo Items at the Political Conventions
0252 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?
2012 PPAI Board of Directors Election: Why You Should Vote
0257 days
“The board members are the ones that help to make the decisions that move this industry forward.” -Julia Wright, MAS, Wright Choice Promotions
Those within the promotional items industry have an important election coming up. Which Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) members will be voted onto the Board of Directors this year? It’s up to you!
According to PPAI, the election, which started today and will run through October 4, 2012, “is your opportunity to have a say on important issues.” Let’s take a look at this year’s nominees.
Distributors
Tom Goos, Image Source, Inc.
Dave Regan, MAS, The Vernon Company
Suppliers
Eric Johnson, MAS, Halls & Company
Kim Newell, World Wide Lines, Inc.
The candidates’ biographies are available here. Be sure to read them over before you cast your vote! Check out the video below to see why voting is so important:
Midwest Drought to Impact Promotional Items Industry
0265 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?
SAAGNY Elects Board of Trustees, Holds Annual ‘Pirates Day’
0300 days
Just days after the SAAGNY Foundation elected its new Board of Trustees, the non-profit charitable organization went to work at Happiness is Camping’s 12th annual “Pirates Day.”
The board’s newly elected chair, Rhonda Blum, CAS, of Motivators Inc., said in a press release that she is excited to bring a new energy to the foundation. And her words ring true; Blum and other members of SAAGNY Foundation’s Board of Trustees donated their time (along with some promotional goodies) to Happiness is Camping’s “Pirates Day” event.
Happiness is Camping, a free summer camp for children with cancer and survivors, “provides a total of 400 girls and boys ages 6-15 with a free overnight camping experience that varies in time depending on their health,” according to SAAGNY Foundation’s press release.
Eric Rackoff of Staples Promotional Products, a member of the SAAGNY Board of Directors and Chair of the Happiness is Camping initiative, said running the event is very personal for him. “Having lost a sister and brother to cancer when they were kids, over forty years ago, I do this in their memory. I was also taught by my father to ‘give back,’ especially to children,” Rackoff said.
Additional companies within the promotional items industry that donated include American Ad Bag, Jetline, National Premium, Sweda and Tekweld.