I’ve had a serious question plaguing me for the past few months: What is 1D and why is everyone obsessed with it? Since I couldn’t find the answer on PM’s search, I turned to Google. (PM’s free search only seems to work for promotional products, which is good for you, but didn’t help my problem.) Turns out 1D is not the retro alternative to 3-D, but rather the abbreviation for One Direction, the Simon Cowell-formed British boy band that has been crowned the newest pop sensation. They have completed all of the steps necessary to win the hearts of tween-agers in the U.S.:
1. Sing catchy hits
2. Have accents
3. Have token hairstyles
4. Date pop stars
Since you probably cannot complete that list to appeal to teens and tweens, try using 1D’s promotional power on juniors’ apparel. Harry Styles would look super-cute imprinted on a raglan sleeve tee and the lyrics to “Up All Night” would be a hit on a sweatshirt.
Turn to page 72 in Promo Marketing’s December issue for more on teen and tween wear.
We All Fall Down
Rugby is a game where everyone gets together in a circle, holds hands and spins around until they all fall down. Oh, wait, that’s Ring Around the Rosie. We don’t know what rugby is, but we know we like the gear, like the Classic Rugby shirt from Charles River Apparel. It is made of 100 percent cotton jersey and features a 4″ yarn-dyed rugby stripe, a white twill collar with stitched reinforcing tape, a white twill placket, rubber buttons and rib-knit cuffs. Available color combinations are black/gray, maroon/white, navy/white, red/white, forest/white, royal/white, navy/gold or red/black.
Duchess of Hazzard
The Dukes of Hazzard is a classic film starring Jessica Simpson, whose jean shorts were nicknamed “Daisy Dukes” after her character because her acting debut was so stellar. At least, that is what pre-teen end-users think, so use that to fuel your sales of the Juniors’ Contrast V Neck Cap Sleeve Split Raglan Top from Kavio!. The 60/40 cotton/poly shirt pairs perfectly with jorts (another name for jean shorts). It comes in 10 color combinations and sizes S through XL.
Jacket Racket
Landway International offers the Youth Newport to answer the age-old mom question of “Where is your jacket?” The 14.5 oz., premium anti-pilling Land-Tec fleece jacket is made of 100 percent polyester and features a full-zip front zipper, two side-seam pockets, elastic cuffs and an open bottom hem. Juniors’ sizes run XS through XL.
