Colleen McKenna, Author at Print & Promo Marketing

The Outsiders

Your clients want coats that not only make the wearer look good, but their brand too. Here are 10 things to keep in mind as you sell gear for winter 2014/2015.

Planning ahead is part of the job description at a magazine. We plan the stories we will write, who will travel to industry events, when the magazine will go to the printer and then out to you, when we will take a long weekend so that it does not interfere with production. We are always planning at least a month or two ahead of time. Promotional products distributors plan even further in advance by selling programs three or four months (or even a year) ahead of the event or giveaway.

5 Soccer Promotions for After the World Cup

July 1, 2014May 8, 2024 Colleen McKenna

Studies show that Americans prefer soccer to NASCAR. Here are five items to sell to soccer fans.

Three Pleas for Help from Chinese Workers Found in Fashion Chain’s Garments

Three women reported finding notes from factory workers in their garments from Primark, though the company claims it does not manufacture clothing in sweatshops.

Decoration methods in the promotional industry are ever-expanding. You already know the top two decoration options for apparel and accessories—embroidery and screen printing—but rhinestones and dye sublimation both have loyal followings as well. Decorators always are exploring different ways to apply these imprint favorites, coming up with creative ways to get the most out of the item’s decoration. This exploration can create a lot of choices for you and your clients, the biggest of which being indirect or direct decoration.

Self-promotion is often an afterthought for promotional distributors. You are so busy running around promoting your clients’ brands that you forget about promoting your own. Grandee Ann Ray, president/CEO of Grand Ideas Inc., Charleston, S.C., shared a self-promotion she did to promote her promotional business and support a local eco-friendly nonprofit.