We’ve made it our mission here at Promo Marketing to provide well-researched and informed analysis of factors and phenomenons that affect the promo industry. Since introducing the PM Longform series last year, we’ve explored issues such as the ongoing trade war with China, the rise of the supplier one-stop-shop, the broader public perception of the industry and more. So, if your New Year’s Resolution for 2020 is to read more, why not start here with some of our most in-depth reported pieces? And don’t forget to check out our most-read stories of the year here.
‘Cheap Swag’: How the Promo Industry Is Fighting a Decades-Old Perception Problem That Just Won’t Quit
The promotional products industry took (another) hit to its reputation after a Fast Company article claiming it was an industry centered around waste and “junk.” We looked at the factors behind that perception and what the industry doing to fight it.
How Millennials Are Leading the Promotional Products Industry’s Youth Movement
Millennials have found themselves the butt of many a joke from older generations. But they’re now firmly established in the workforce. What does a promotional product industry increasingly dependent on millennials look like? We took a look.
Trade War: How We Got Here, Where We Go Next
President Donald Trump famously tweeted that trade wars were “good” and “easy to win.” Months later, that hasn’t quite been the case. So, how exactly did this conflict escalate so fast, and what are the the future ramifications?
Where Have All the Truckers Gone?
Experts have been anticipating the death of the trucking industry for years, due to a shortage of drivers and the advent of self-driving trucks. For an industry that relies on ground transportation for delivery, it’s important to know all of the facts.
Brand Hijacking: Intellectual Property and the Promo Industry
Stopping intellectual property theft can feel like playing a never-ending game of Whack-A-Mole for some big-name brands. But distributors are finding themselves in the middle of things when a client asks for a brand’s logo without permission.
Rise of the Supplier One-Stop Shop (and What It Means for the Promo Industry)
It’s increasingly common for promotional products suppliers to position themselves as “one-stop shops,” expanding into new product categories or acquiring suppliers already in those categories to provide every item a distributor could need. What does this mean for the industry overall?
The Price Buyers
Distributors need to be more than just order-takers for their clients. A strong partnership and diverse skill set can make a huge difference. But when clients want to buy on price alone, what can a distributor do?
This list barely scratches the surface of everything we covered this year. We’re looking forward to another eventful year in promo and beyond. Starting Tuesday Dec. 24, our Headlines and Threads newsletters will be taking some time off for the holidays, but don’t worry. They’ll be back Thursday Jan. 2 to catch you up and keep you updated on all things promotional products.
