THIS IS AN industry that has something for everyone. There are domestically manufactured goods for the patriotic and outsourced items for the pragmatic; there are T-shirts for the sporty and henleys for the spiffy. Not surprisingly, the industry also caters to customers on a shoe-string budget and those rolling in dough. This month, two suppliers discuss products that are just right for both limited and unlimited budgets.
According to Norman Lavine, president of Retrographics Publishing, Cresskill, N.J., costlier or higher-end promotional products should not be evaluated only on price-specific measurements. “High-end should refer to the end result of what you want the recipient to experience in receiving the gift,” he explained. “The product should be measured by the residual value and lasting impression the recipient experiences and remembers. Under this definition, the adage, ‘You get what you pay for’ is scored by the valuable results.”
Retrographics Publishing offers a variety of unique products with a very personal touch, such as the company’s best-selling The New York Times reproductions. “Each gift contains the specific front cover and entire The New York Times reproduction that is directly in response to special dates for each recipient,” explained Lavine. “This item is very applicable for corporate gifts, anniversary promotions and customer recognition.”
Retrographics Publishing also offers a variety of other topical books that can provide lasting and memorable impressions: Greatest Moments in Golf History, Greatest Moments in Baseball (available with 22 teams), University Series for alumni and donors, History of College Football (available with 10 teams), and the Any Day Jigsaw Puzzle. List pricing on these items rage from $40 to $90.
On the other hand, Skokie, Illinois-based Plastic Premium Access offers its
services to customers with budgets both large and small.
“I am a significant asset to distributors looking to meet particular budgetary needs,” noted Kelly Borre, director of sales. “We are a good match for those whose customers want to give away an item that has to meet certain criteria, cater to a specific demographic and is available within a particular time frame. We specialize in creating custom products that fit every budget.”
It is precisely this knack for producing custom orders for budgets of all kinds, coupled with the company’s commitment to excellence, that gives Plastic Premium Access its clout. “Through the distributor market, we do a lot of custom work for companies such as Kraft, General Mills, McDonald’s and Coca Cola, all of which have very stringent manufacturing standards,” she explained. “We’ve put our strengths into helping distributors create custom promotional products from visualization all the way through fruition.”
Case in point: Microsoft wanted to increase standard sales by handing out a fun, premium item at a trade show. The company wanted to create an item that was different, functional and enjoyable. Furthermore, it had to be small enough to fit on a computer desk. Plastic Premium Access developed a one-of-a-kind dinosaur staple remover that would grab attendees attention, all while bringing awareness and familiarity to the Microsoft name. Microsoft found the item to be ideal for promoting its brand, while helping to increase retail sales overall.
So, when on the hunt for a promotional product that can provide long-lasting impressions but at a higher price, visit www.retrographicspublishing.com. By the same token, if a custom premium is needed in a larger any quantity to fit any budget, visit www.plasticpremiums.com. The right product is always available at the drop of a dime.
If you have a hot topic you would like debated in Comparison Corner, please e-mail Jennifer Hans at [email protected].
