Cynthia T. Graham, Author at Print & Promo Marketing

Don’t Rain on My Parade

DURING THE TIMES of pharaohs and pyramids, umbrellas were a convenience reserved only for the upper-echelon of society. However, 21st- century umbrellas have much more to do than shield royalty from rain and shine. They are one of the few ad specialty products deserving of the title, “walking billboard.” With new imprinting techniques and equally modern designs, umbrellas are expanding their scope as viable promotional products. Helen Stromberg, president of Hudson Valley Umbrella/StrombergBrand, Peekskill, N.Y., said, “Umbrellas really started taking off when the imprinting technology started advancing ten years ago.” Now, with a wide selection of printing methods available—digital printing, heat transfer and sublimation, for example—vibrant,

TIME HAS COME to answer the question, which, truthfully, has long been decided by some of the leading fashion houses: What’s in for spring? This year’s answer is not color, nor is it cut. Don’t be surprised that length is not it, either. This spring, fabrics are where it’s at. “The newest thing in business casual apparel is a gradual swing toward upscale fabrics,” noted Lee Strom, senior marketing manager at Seattle, Wash.-based SanMar. But, it’s not just any kind of fabric that’s in. “Luxury fabrics, like silk, are becoming more obtainable and are available at approachable price points,” explained Strom. Strom couldn’t be

THE BRANDING OF AN INDUSTRY

THE PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS industry is an evolving one. Case in point: a little over five years ago when this writer first came aboard the Promo Marketing (formerly Promotional Marketing) ship, there was little, if any, talk of the environment and what the industry could do to preserve it. However, within the past two years alone, it seems the entire industry has gone “green,” with both suppliers and distributors heralding their environmentally responsible business practices and industry publications dedicating entire issues to the topic. Even with the widespread attention environmental safety has received, there are other notable topics brewing in the industry these days.

THE FACT IS, people enjoy taking care of themselves. And with this innate self-preservation quality of humankind, it comes as no surprise it would bring rise to a bustling promotional product category that proclaims: “It’s just me, myself and I,” as was so eloquently put by ’80’s hip-hip pioneers, De La Soul. Distributors looking to freshen up their bottom lines (and their sales pitches) should consider personal-care items. Manufacturers of these products say there are few other promotional product categories that offer the same repeat-order consistency. A 2005 survey conducted by PPAI showed personal-care products accounting for 1.58 percent of total industry sales. Just one

HE SWAGGERS UP to the entrance with a smug look on his face, and with good reason. His finely tailored suit fits his chiseled body to a “T.” He notices the approving glances all around him. He knows he looks good. The jacket sleeves stop just short of a costly set of diamond-studded cuff links. His pants are impeccably creased and fall atop brilliantly shined shoes. With damsel on arm, money in pocket and skip in step, he crosses the threshold. The party has just begun. DRESS THE PART There is much truth in the popular saying, “Dress the way you want to be addressed.” A

IN THE CORPORATE world, this time of year can be taxing and downright stressful. With the holidays and end-of-year recognition ceremonies at hand, businesses know it’s time to dig deep—not just for the right words to say to staffers and customers, but for the right gifts to give them. There are no hard-and-fast rules to follow in selling corporate gifts and awards programs, but with the right techniques and products, it’s guaranteed CEOs will look forward to distributors’ calls year-round. FIRST THINGS FIRST There are a number of trends taking place in the promotional business gifts and awards category. According to Jay Donlin, vice president of

PEOPLE WHO LIVE in a modern world crave modern things. It’s almost laughable—actually, it is quite laughable—to think of some poor soul in this day and age bearing a boom box on his shoulders with blinking lights rivaling those on the Millennium Falcon and listening to the latest tunes from a basement-recorded Hi-Fi cassette—trademarks of the hip ’70s and ’80s. Why go through all the effort when the compact iPod and an entire generation of its relatives are available? But, even in a modern world, there are some things better left alone: the inscriptions on American currency, the rain forest and the innocence of a

FOR A LONG time, outerwear has been somewhat on the outskirts of the promotional apparel landscape. Much more attention had been given to its business-ready, corporate casual counterparts. These days, however, promotional outerwear is charting its own course and marching to the beat of its own drum. With a rise in environmental awareness and a greater focus on fabrication, outerwear has redefined its role in promotional apparel, and thus distributor profits. “Fabrications are the big story in promotional outerwear,” noted Cathy Groves, vice president of marketing at Overland Park, Kansas-based Dri Duck Traders. “Bonded soft-shell fabrics, cotton canvas waterproof and fabrics with any type of

FOOD SEEMS TO be a favorite topic in circles of every kind. It is discussed in boardrooms across the country and in bedrooms late at night. After reporting to work following a fun-filled weekend, one of the fondest memories is usually the dining experiences one had, or wished to have. It is precisely for these reasons edibles are stand-out promotional products. What better way to get people talking about one’s brand, products or services than by serving up irresistible food items? Distributors who take heed will have more than their fair share of the profits available with edible promotions. “Everyone loves food and candy,” observed

WHEN IT COMES to office attire, individual style is something to be celebrated. Depending on the employer, stiletto pumps, ruffled blouses and form-fitting pencil skirts are acceptable corporate wear. However, there is something special—dare to say, desirable—about those businesses that maintain a traditional, uniformed dress code in a modern corporate culture that encourages individuality. Employees in these kinds of businesses tend to carry a certain decorum and professionalism about them—if not innate, perhaps deriving from their uniforms and what they represent. Think travel, hospitality, fine dining and automobile sales. It’s as if a uniform has the power to transform the most unlikely employees into

Author: Cynthia T. Graham

Don’t Rain on My Parade

Living in the Lap of Luxury

THE BRANDING OF AN INDUSTRY

Let’s Make it Personal

Hey, Mr. Good Looking

The Business of Gift Giving

The Tale of Time

The Picture of Hard Work