The old adage dictates that snitches get stitches. Ring, the home security company recently purchased by Amazon, was reportedly trying to change that saying to “snitches get swag.” The incentive program, which was laid out two years ago in a company presentation, would give users the chance to earn branded merchandise in exchange for reporting…
Read MoreAuthor: Brendan Menapace
2019 Inc. 5000: See What Promotional Products Companies Made the List
Every year, we look forward to combing through the Inc. 5000 list to see which of our friends in the promotional products industry made it among the esteemed ranks. This year, more than 60 companies related to promotional products made the list. That’s a pretty impressive chunk.
Read MoreBDA Acquires BrandVia
Bensussen Deutsch & Associates LLC (BDA) announced today that it has entered an agreement to acquire BrandVia, San Jose, Calif. “BrandVia has long been recognized as an innovative company with great people and great clients,” Jay Deutsch, co-founder and CEO of BDA, said in a press release. “They’ve built a tremendous culture of customer service…
Read MoreSomething Inked Show Recap: What We Learned From Buyers in the Sports, Music and Entertainment Promotional Markets
This past week, we had the fun opportunity of attending the Something Inked show in Las Vegas, where promotional products suppliers met with end-buyers from around multiple exciting promotional markets, such as sports, music, entertainment and more. The show allowed us to zero in a little closer on what these specific types of potential customers are looking for…
Read MoreU.S. Delays Certain Additional 10% Tariffs Until Dec. 15, Including Some Promotional Products
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced today that certain additional 10 percent tariffs set to take effect Sept. 1 would be delayed until Dec. 15. Several promotional products or related items are on the list of delays. Other goods will be removed from the additional tariffs list altogether, for health or national security reasons, though the USTR has not yet specified which items will be included…
Read MoreNebraska Can Finally Sell ‘It’s Not for Everyone’ Merchandise
Nebraska isn’t for everyone, if the state’s tourism commission is being honest with you. Thanks to a new advertising campaign, that message is loud and clear. That slogan actually became official a little while back, but hit a speed bump in the legislative process to get it approved. Thanks to a necessary unanimous decision by…
Read MoreHow Kmart and Sears Looked to Promotional Products to Launch Their Retail Comeback
Everyone loves a good comeback story. Bill Feldberg, chief marketing officer for Something Inked, Nashville, Tenn., recalls a promotional products campaign he did with Sears and Kmart—two former titans now looking to revitalize their brands and reinvent themselves for the new world of retail—that felt especially personal and successful…
Read MoreSnapchat’s Smartphone Case Proves Trends are Cyclical
Funny how trends work, isn’t it? Everything that was once old, outdated and uncool are now the most sought after items. Remember how people thought vinyl records were an antiquated medium after the birth of CDs and MP3’s? Just about everyone you see on the street these days has a smartphone with a touch screen.…
Read MoreKentucky Democrats Raise $200K on ‘Moscow Mitch’ Merchandise
In something of a role reversal for Mitch McConnell, whose own campaign made a pretty penny on “Cocaine Mitch” gear earlier this year, the Kentucky Democratic Party is cashing in big time on “Moscow Mitch” merchandise. The Kentucky Dems started up a “Moscow Mitch” web store, offering T-shirts, a brass Moscow Mule mug, a shot glass, stickers, buttons and a Cossack hat…
Read MoreU.S. Will Place Additional 10% Tariff on $300B in Chinese Imports Starting September
In a series of tweets yesterday, President Donald Trump reported that U.S. trade representatives returned from China talks with disappointing results, and that he would add a “small additional tariff of 10 percent” on $300 billion in Chinese imports, effective Sept. 1…
Read More