Buzz Worthy
Posts tagged promotional products
Distributor BrandAlliance Welcomes New CEO
015 days
Canada’s second-largest promotional products distributor, BrandAlliance, announced earlier this week that it’s named a new CEO: Marc Roy. Roy will join the BrandAlliance team as of May 27, 2013.
“We are thrilled to have Marc play a significant role in our long-term strategic plan of accelerating growth in North America, as well as globally,” BrandAlliance board chairman Nick Thompson told Counselor PromoGram. Thompson called Roy a “motivational leader” and is looking forward to him joining the company’s executive team.
According to Counselor PromoGram, BrandAlliance reported an 11 percent increase in ad specialty revenues for 2012 over 2011.
Save the Date: PPAI Legislative Education and Action Day
0222 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!
PPAI’s L.E.A.D. — Do Your Part
0450 days
Did you know that Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) staff members and more than 50 other promotional products workers are meeting in Washington D.C. next week? You might be wondering what could be so important that it’s bringing together so many advertising specialty professionals at our nation’s capital.
On March 7 and 8, 2012, dozens of influential individuals within the promotional items industry are coming together for PPAI’s Legislative, Education & Action Day (L.E.A.D.). What’s the purpose of the two-day event? According to Motivators Inc., a promotional products distributor, “The goal is to educate members of Congress about the promotional items industry … so that they can consider its needs when passing new laws.”
Representatives from the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives unfortunately do not always realize what a big role the advertising specialty industry plays in America’s economy. Let’s go over the facts:
- In total, there are over 30,000 promo items businesses in America
- Over $16 billion in revenue is produced each year by the industry
- Almost half a million Americans work for a promotional products company
You can help drive these points home to your representatives by contacting them. Remember, it’s your responsibility to voice your opinion. Otherwise, it will never be heard!
ASI Brings New Products from Orlando to Your PC
1481 days
Unfortunately, not everyone was able to make the hugely popular Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) Show in Orlando, which took place January 16 – January 18. Attendees watched a thrilling debate between journalist Bill O’Reilly and author James Carville, learned skills and information during educational seminars, and most importantly were introduced to exciting, new promotional items.
Couldn’t travel to Florida for the show? No need to fret — ASI has posted some of the show’s highlights on its YouTube page!
In this episode of “The Joe Show,” Joe Haley showcases some stand-out new products from the ASI Show in Orlando. We love the new items, which include wallet readers, golf kits, and more. Check out all of Joe’s favorite products in the video below:
My favorite? The Smencil Co.’s scented pens and pencils are great. Not only will their aroma attract customers, but they’re also made from recycled newspapers — how eco-friendly!
What are your preferred items from the ASI Orlando Show?
Brand Using Social Media
01135 days
Looking to build your brand without stepping foot away from your computer? One promotional products company took advantage of a rare social media branding opportunity to gain logo exposure while in the comfort of their own office. How’d they do it? They paid this guy to wear their shirt. But it didn’t stop there.
As a part of the I Wear Your Shirt social branding package, companies receive 1 full day of PR. Friends, Jason and Evan run the show, with one guy on each coast. Included in their social media branding package
are 2 live web-casts, a blog and live tweets all day.
Promotional Picnic Promotions
Each day, the duo sports a company’s t-shirt to promote their products and services, but as a leader in the promo world, Motivators took advantage of this branding opportunity and sent Jason and a bundle of other imprinted items.
Scan Me: Branding With Social Media
With a vibrant fan base on twitter, @MotivatorsStaff and @IWearYourShirt kept things interesting all day long from a promotional products picnic to a cool live chat about the new Motivators cool scannable bar code.
Now that’s promotional items buzz!
Puff, Puff, Promotional Products
01165 days
by Jenn
in Promotional Items
Monday through Friday, right around 5 PM I send out a tweet inviting all you lovelies to check out the Promo Buzz Blog and get your buzz on. I imagine opened shirt business men whipping their ties in the air and chugging the latest in branding news. I see the librarian tossing off her glasses and the business woman kicking off her heels as they take my well prepared shots of promotional product buzz.
But for today’s blog, some people may be taking a puff instead of a shot, because this week Jamullah Freedom Trading Inc, released a brand new medical marijuana promotional product.
Jamullah's Signature Peppermint Scented T-Shirt
Jumullah puts hemp products online alongside their tobacco equipment and was created by 20 year old Grant Wallace. You can find hemp and peppermint oil scented t-shirts as well as Dead head products like a Grateful Dead Tribute painting and other creative cannabis promotional products. Their signature t-shirt is created with peppermint oil through durascent technology so that even after multiple washes, the peppermint scent lingers.
The Jamullah site boasts, “100% of users agreed, the scent gives you a stimulating feel while wearing the shirt. Currently, peppermint scented t-shirts come with a very large and FUN print on front. Enjoyment can be found in all sorts of forms, from the effects of peppermint therapeutically, to the reactions from friends and family!”
Jamullah's latest Promotional Items, the 420 Gift Box.
Subsidiary company, Freedom Gifts offers products for supporters of the legalization of marijuana as it is medically legal in 14 states. And now, just in time for the unofficial Cannabis Celebration of April 20th, the Atlanta-based cannabis product distributor has created a delightful 420 Gift Box.
Dead Head Art
Check out the medical marijuana legalization chart to see your states laws. Medical Marijuana ID Card holders in Alaska, California, Maine and New Jersey to name a few, can purchase these new cannabis promotional products on-line at Jamullah. Included in the promotional package is a hemp-scented T-shirt and a herb grinder.
If the 420 kit isn’t your thing, how about taking a hit of brand exposure over at Hit Promotional Products? There you can choose cool caps, carabiners, ceramics and bags to have specially imprinted. Promotional products are affective in gaining support and awareness for any cause, so keep your expectations high and choose an imprint today.
Leaving Las Vegas in PPAI Style
01226 days
by Jenn
in Promotional Items
Scrabble Board at PPAI Expo 2010
The PPAI Expo 2010 is closing up shop today, confident that 2010 will be a prosperous year for promotional products. As more people become employed across the United States, the orders come flying in across offices everywhere. This gives hope to all involved promotional product industry from distributors to suppliers and everyone else whose efforts help to surpass the demands for smart, fun and effective giveaways.
Booths at the PPAI Expo were each manned differently while many representatives sported similar apparel and handed out the same trade show giveaways we’re all used to. To stick in a potential customer’s mind, representatives had to connect and instill confidence in their products and services. Throughout the trade show, there were some booths that outshone the others.
For instance, the above deluxe scrabble game was on display and utilized to serve a purpose. The letters spelt out, “Welcome to PPAI,” making for a cheerful greeting and effective branding idea. This booth could have incorporated even greater marketing tools by giving out a letter tile to each visitor and creating a game to go along with it. Likewise, tiles could have been directly mailed and include a note telling the recipients to visit their booth with the letter tile to redeem a prize.
Another booth that attracted the eyes, featured this captivating display of custom umbrellas. These vibrant colors and intricate designs show clients and potentials that your company imprints each item with excellence. It’s important to bring the best of your product to the trade show floor. Consider the trade show floor your stage. Make it a great performance by designing an attractive booth and displaying your best items.
Eye Catching Umbrellas at the PPAI Expo 2010
One company thought ahead and had their hot new item placed on display on the expo lobby area. This fantastic keyboard and mouse pad duo are entirely imprinted making for an impressive end product. This goes to show that by networking before the show and staying in close contact with PPAI and other promotional industry outlets, success is achievable. It’s important to get out there, shake hands and show your clients and potential clients that you’ve got the drive needed to succeed in this industry.
Imprinted keyboard showcased at the PPAI Exoi 2010
As you head home, be sure to use the smart and affective trade show giveaways that the savvy companies gave away so generously. Luggage tags were a big giveaway as usual considering the many people flying in to Las Vegas this week. Likewise, if you’ve held on to some of those trade show snacks, they may curb that hunget while waiting at the security check point.
Have a safe journy to your respected homes and wear your logo or the logo of your favorite trade show representative proudly the whole trip there.
Promotional Items Trends
11227 days
by Jenn
in Promotional Items
A few quintessential promotional product trends have been flowing in and out of booths at the PPAI Expo 2010. Helping to reinforce the trends I spotted were last nights PPAI Awards, where the best in the business were honored. Between being that coveted badge wearing trade show attendee to watching the most innovative company’s claims to fame in 2009 at the award ceremony, there are three things to focus on for 2010.
It’s no surprise that some of the most showcased items this year were environmentally-friendly products. From biodegradable drinkware to plantable seed cards, going green is all the rage. As new government policies are enforced and the general public is made more aware of the dangers of climate change, using sustainable items are becoming increasingly important. Many people will want these items to show their eco-friendly support while others may just be attracted to the cool solar technology that some of these posses. The best thing about eco-friendly giveaways at the PPAI Expo this year was that suppliers are hopeful that going green won’t break the bank. While sustainable materials are harder to find, resources are being found and prices on green items aren’t pulling too far away from traditional promotional item numbers. Now you can go green without using all of your green.
One trade show booth display read, “1 Day Production.” However, the number 1 was actually a piece of paper attached. When questioned about it, a representative answered, “It used to say 5 days! That used to be great but now people want things even faster.” And thankfully, many companies offer quick production and shipping. That said, another trend at the PPAI Expo this year was fast production and shipping times. If a customer calls in and wants an order for an awareness event five days away, they may be hoping for a miracle. Because of the importance of pleasing every customer, many suppliers have added rush service to their already competitive business.
Lastly, a trend that is sure to grow is multifunction items. Today, cell phones can take a photo, post it on twitter and send it to the computer to be printed. As technology bring everything we need right to our fingertips, it’s important to jump on board in the promotional industry. One company showcased stickypads with perferated edges for extra large adhesive paper or adhesive flag options all in one. It even included a clip that held the note pad together and could be used to hold note reminders or important documents together. Other multifunction items at the PPAI Expo included padfolios with attached calculators and pen/flashlight duos.
More then half of the trade show floor has been explored so far leading to these new trends but there’s more to see. I’m sure that these trends will be seen at the upcoming booths and am excited about the strategies and designs that each company incorporates to make their promotional products the most desirable. Stay tuned for more trends and as always, the promotional items buzz.
Giveaways Mark the Road to the PPAI Expo
01229 days
by Jenn
in Promotional Items
You don’t have to set foot in the convention center to see that one of the top 50 trade shows in the United States is taking place. A group of men sitting behind us on the plane ride from New York spent most of the 4 hour trip discussing the latest in embroidery and screen printing. Meanwhile, all over our hotel passersby sported custom badges and held non-woven totes. While today was filled with no trade show floor action, I felt like I was surrounded by giveaways.
There were promotional snacks on our awesome Southwest flight. (I chose the Southwest logoed nuts.) There were promos in the airport itself and then once we reached the beautiful Luxor Hotel, there were more giveaways. They invited customers to fill out survey cards about their experiences at the hotel. Next to the informative cards were a lovely bunch of promotional pens. I’m certain we’ll be running in to a ton of pens tomorrow- so much so that I’m considering not bringing my own pen at all.
Later in the evening we even hit up the promotional items in a hot, or should I say cold, bar. Below 5 is a bar of ice- literally. From the glasses we drank from, the chandeliers that hung and the sculpture of Elvis, everything was ice. They bundled us up in promotional jackets and even offered custom caps and boots if the below freezing weather was too much for us.
But tonight, as I eyeball my corporate apparel (an imprinted promotional woven and black slacks), I’m realizing no snow hats will be needed tomorrow. I have however been preparing with the essentials for any trade show attendee. Thankfully I’ve got a skilled trade show guru with me to help coach me on the lifestyle and traditions of trade shows.
Tomorrow, I’ll be up bright and early to join my team on the convention center floor. We’ll be walking up and down aisles filled with the hundreds and hundreds of booths to scope out the best in promotions and meet up with the brightest personalities in the industry.