Channel: Test Drive

A Little Goes A Long Way

Staff Writer

If the recent primary campaigns have taught us anything, it is that a little bit can go a long way. Barack Obama didn’t just break, he shattered every single fundraising effort, with the bulk of his funding coming from small online donations. By collecting $10 or $20 at a time he was able to stuff a multimillion dollar war chest, a chest that in no small part helped him get the nomination.
It strikes me that this approach should be applied to charitable giving as well. Charities shouldn’t discount campaigns aimed at smaller donors, and likewise people should trust that even if they

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Five Things More Expensive Than Gas

Staff Writer

It’s really an exciting time for water-cooler talk. Hillary calls it quits, a heat wave hits the East Coast, and gas prices are doing their very own imitation of that Mountain Climber game from the Price is Right. Of the three, I think gas prices truly have the staying power to be part of office chatter for quite some time.
Gas prices have risen from $1.34 just under eight years ago, (Hmm, what happened eight years ago?) to a staggering nationwide average of just more than $4—an pproximate 64 percent increase. In an effort to help everyone cope, I’ve put together a

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$10 Million Lead Paint Fine and Other Industry News

Staff Writer

Though the topic has been out of the news spotlight, we shouldn’t forget about the lead paint issue that effects the promotional products industry. While no one knows how wide-spread the problem is, it is nice to see companies are beginning to be held responsible for their actions.

Producer of Give-Away Lunchboxes Ordered to Pay $10 Million

L.A.-based lunchbox maker sold 100,000 lead-tainted lunchboxes to the state.
Oakland, CA -In San Francisco Superior Court yesterday, Judge Richard A. Kramer ordered L.A.-based T A Creations to pay $10,071,500 for the company’s violation of California law when it sold lead-tainted lunchboxes to

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Gold Medal Fleece and New-At-Vantage

Staff Writer

RiverMills Made in USA Fleece endorsed by U.S. Track & Field Champion
RiverMills Outfitters, manufacturer of Made in USA fleece apparel, is proud to announce the endorsement of Dr. Thomas Fahey, 10-time U.s. Track & Field Senior Discus Throw Champion. Dr. Fahey will be wearing RiverMills R100 microfleece jacket at this year’s National Senior Games where he is going for an unprecedented 11th straight National Seniors Champion title.
For more information on RiverMills Outfitters, visit www.rivermillsoutfitters.com

Vantage Adds Veteran Garran to Sales Team
Avenel, New Jersey-based Vantage Apparel hired Brett Garran as the sales representative for Northern N.J. and Western N.Y. Garran

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News From Around the Industry

Staff Writer

SanMar Debuts the 2008 District Threads Collection Catalog
Seattle-based SanMar Corporation, a leading supplier of imprintable apparel and accessories, is releasing its 2008 District Threads catalog. The 36-page catalog showcases the entire District Threads line of essential fashion apparel, while offering a preview of forthcoming fall styles.
“The District Threads brand finds its appeal with teens and young adults who are looking for clothes that reflect their comfortable, relaxed approach to life,” explains Jeremy Lott, SanMar vice president of sales and marketing. “It’s all about a smart balance between fashion and function-like our District Threads organic styles, which combine environmental responsibility with casual

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The End of Paper or Plastic?

Staff Writer

I think supermarket vocabulary is about to change. As plastic grocery bags look to be heading the way of the dodo, the age-old question of paper or plastic my not be relevant in the not-so-distant future. I say this for many reasons, both societal and personal. Firstly, a string of cities and even entire countries have moved to ban the unbiodegradable petro-chemical sacks that have a tendency to not only end up as unsightly litter, but to also clog up drainage and sewage systems. Secondly, many companies have started to produce some quality, green alternatives, which, citing the laws of supply and demand, indicates

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$200 a Barrel Oil

Staff Writer

Light, sweet crude. This market term for oil is somehow endearing, hearkening back to a time when Hollywood glorified oil men. Wildcatters striking it rich and Jed Clampett moving his family to Beverly … Hills, that is. There was an everyman’s face put to the image of oil wealth.
Oh, how times have changed.
As of today, oil has peaked to an all-time high of more than $122 dollars a barrel as worried traders start buying on what they think the future will hold, whether it be increased demand (see China and India) or decreased supply (see OPEC). And as

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Extreme Office Makeover

Staff Writer

I’m surrounded by promotional products—and I mean that literally. For the upcoming June edition of Promo Marketing magazine, we will be doing an Extreme Office Makeover, which is very similar to the reality television home makeover shows, only on a much smaller scale (and, of course, limited to promotional products).The response from suppliers wanting to participate has been amazing and products are starting to stack up (one of the publishers started calling me Fred Sanford because of the junkyard quality of my cube as boxes roll in).
To my right are a rainbow collection of new-fangled letter openers/staple removers. At my feet, sits a

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That Pesky Flag Pin

Staff Writer

The Pennsylvania Democratic primary finally arrived, and it’s good to see the promotional products industry is so relevant on a national (and, dare I say, international) stage. I’m, of course, talking about the flag-shaped lapel pin scandal which is sweeping the nation (for a second time). Poor Senator Obama can’t seem to catch a break on this one. First it was on. Then it was off. And, now, apparently it’s back on again. People are latching onto the issue to say he isn’t patriotic. That he hates America (as if the act of running for the presidency doesn’t earn you any patriotic points). <br

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ASI Vegas-Lag

Staff Writer

ASI Vegas-lag is kind of like jet lag, only worse. Not only are you tired and unsure of what time it really is, you start to see promotional items every time you close your eyes (maybe some of you live this way already). Admittedly, I’m a couple of days out from the show, but I still feel like I’m recovering. The 10:40 red-eye flight back to Philly didn’t help (the whole time cursing the people who just took Tylenol PM and slept the entire flight—you know who you are).
I was wondering what others thought of the show. I think the shows are

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