Channel: Test Drive

2008 Editors Picks

Staff Writer

To wrap up the year, I wanted to take a minute to share the promotional products that the team at Promo Marketing found to be the most desirable. With each of us having reviewed hundreds of products for the magazine and seen hundreds more at trade shows, I thought the choice might be difficult. But, to my surprise, within five seconds of the asking, each of my co-workers had an answer they were sure of. Their choices (and mine) are as follows:
Michael Cornnell: Symphony Handmade Paper—Recipe Bookmarks
“What’s not to like about handmade paper?”
Kyle Richardson: Minya International—The Butt Station
“I don’t

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Disaster Relief Program From U.S. Small Business Administration

Staff Writer

Unfortunately, it seems that more and more businesses in the Promotional Industry (and elsewhere) have been hard hit by natural disaster. With a flood-, hurricane-, tornado- and ice storm-ravaged industry, it’s at least a little comforting to know help is available. If you know a business affected, then you should check out the disaster relief program sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
From the U.S. Small Business Administration:
“Whether you rent or own your own home, own your own business, or own a small agricultural cooperative located in a declared disaster area, and are the victim of a disaster, you may be

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Are You Ready To Tangle?

Staff Writer

If you’ve ever picked up a Tangle, then you know the following information is important. We have two in our office and they are constantly being carried around and fiddled with. It’s kind of addicting, really. And, if you don’t know what the Tangle is, I’m going to make you Google it to find out.
In any case, CleggPromo, a leading supplier in sound, light and fun promotional products, announced it signed a deal with Tangle Creations, the originators of the Tangle. Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, CleggPromo will be the exclusive supplier of Tangle in the promotional products industry.
For more information on

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Big 5-0 Coming For Bursel

Staff Writer

Bursel Promotional Products Manufacturer, a Montreal Quebec based firm, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2009. Bursel, under the leadership of its president Raymond Brodeur, has grown from a one-man operation into a large, viable entity employing close to 100 people. To celebrate its anniversary, Bursel is launching its new Web site in the first quarter of 2009.

McIntosh Promoted at Many Mini Toys
Many Mini Toys, based in Jericho, N.Y., announced the promotion of Lauren McIntosh to customer service supervisor. McIntosh joined The WOW Line in January 2006 as a customer service representative and her contributions have been a key component

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American Apparel Issues Statement in Response to Lawsuit

Staff Writer

Los Angeles-based American Apparel Inc. issued the following statement in response to news reports of a lawsuit filed by a former employee:
“American Apparel denies all of the allegations in Mr. Hernandez’s lawsuit and will vigorously defend itself and its shareholders in this contemptible action. Mr. Hernandez was a non-accounting employee in the information technology department who was terminated for legitimate reasons. The allegations in this lawsuit are fictional, which the company believes represents a cynical attempt to extract phony leverage by Mr. Hernandez’s counsel, Keith Fink, who has been engaged with the company in other litigation for over three years. The facts are

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Has the Recession Arrived?

Staff Writer

Whichever candidate comes out on top of the electoral college today, (and not the popular vote) he may just be inheriting a full-blown recession in addition to two wars and several other national security issues. According to the National Association for Business as reported in BusinessWeek, demand—as in supply and demand—is on the downturn for the first time since 2001. And that might just be the one defining factor when taking in the current economic reality:
From BusinessWeek:
“U.S. business conditions worsened in the third quarter and are likely to deteriorate further, according to an industry study released Monday.
The National Association

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Raining Rose Inc. Moves Home After the Flood

Staff Writer

Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based Raining Rose Inc., manufacturer of natural lip balms and body-care products, announced the company has moved back to downtown Cedar Rapids after recovering from earlier flood damage.
“This flood has been a test to our company’s perseverance,” said Chuck Hammond, president and CEO of Raining Rose. “It feels good to have everyone back downtown. Although we know that there is still a great deal of work ahead of us, I know that we have already come out of this stronger.”
All of the Raining Rose staff would like to thank its customers and vendors for their patience and

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Prime Line Backpacks Conquer Kilimanjaro

Staff Writer

Bridgeport, Connecticut-based Prime Line, in conjunction with Bedford, New Hampshire-based Henderson Associates, announced Prime Line’s String-A-Sling backpacks reached the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. “We are always very excited to see the great distances our best-selling String-A-Sling backpacks reach,” said Jeff Lederer, executive vice president. “They were recently provided for the Glory Outreach Assembly Children’s Conference in Kenya,” he added.
For more information on Prime Line, visit www.primeline.com
Chocolate Inn Gets Gold From Geiger
Chocolate Inn, a chocolate manufacturer in the promotional products industry, was again designated a Gold Star Production Partner by Geiger. This designation is for excellence in quality,

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Let’s Hear About Those New Hires

Staff Writer

Don’t be shy folks. We want to hear all about! Whose new? Whose hot (as in selling well, etc…)? And who just landed the well-deserved promotion. It’s a small industry after all, so drop me a line and get the word out there.
Jones Joins Fame Fabrics
Woodstock, Georgia-based Fame Fabrics, a manufacturer of uniform apparel, announced the addition of Dean Jones as regional sales manager for the Southeast covering Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Jones brings 22 years of apparel and textile sales and service experience with him to Fame Fabrics. Jones is an experienced industry veteran with vast

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Joffrey’s Coffee Brews Java For Bloggers

Staff Writer

Here’s some news that will surely keep bloggers up at night:
Tampa, Florida-based Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company announced it is launching a new blend, Coffee 2.0, as the perfect complement to the java-fueled techie. The blend is inspired by the more than 1,500 bloggers who participated in a recent java beta test coordinated by Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company, where they sampled its Jamaican Me Crazy flavored coffee.
Bloggers participating in the java beta test sampling program also filled out a survey about their coffee preferences. Survey results showed 93 percent of bloggers prefer regular coffee, while a mere seven percent prefer decaf.

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