Category: Uncategorized

Guilt Trip

Staff Writer

We travel a lot as an industry, I’ve come to learn. And being that I just finished my first-ever promotional products trade-show cycle, I feel a little trepidation at the thought of starting all over come January. I just booked my flights for ASI Orlando and I’m tired already.
I realize making face-to-face connections is invaluable, particularly with you party animals, and maybe that alone is worth the price of admission (flights, booths/accoutrement, shipping, client dinners, etc.). But in terms of ROI, at what point do they stop being valuable and start becoming “same old, same old”? How many times a year do

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Selco Introduces True North Compass Collection

Staff Writer

The Selco Companies, based in Tulsa, Okla., announced the introduction of its True North Compass Collection. The collection contains a variety of wooden, boxed desk compasses that have proven popular for a variety of promotional programs. Mentioned programs include corporate training, mergers and acquisitions, travel incentives, and new product launches. The compasses come with imprinting and engraving options.
About the Selco Companies:
As a manufacturer and supplier of custom imprinted and die-struck medallion watches, clocks, compasses and high-tech products, Selco products are available internationally through promotional products distributors. The company was established in 1935.
For more information on The Selco Companies, visit www.selcocompanies.com

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Fastbadge Comes Fighting Back

Staff Writer

Slidell, Louisiana-based Fastbadge announced it has reopened its doors after Hurricane Gustav forced mandatory closures and evacuations. While the company is still experiencing limited pick-up services from FedEx and the United Parcel Service, the company stressed the limitations would be short-lived and further that it is currently shipping some orders. Fastbadge thanks customers for showing further patience as the final few employees return to town and the company returns to a full workforce.
For more information on Fastbadge, visit www.fastbadge.com
Greater China Holds Steady
Greater China Industries, based in Bellvue, Wash., announced it will honor 2008 prices for distributors on the next price quote

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Editorial Notes

Aaa Manufacturing

All humanity is one undivided and indivisible family, and each one of us is responsible for the misdeeds of all the others. I cannot detach myself from the wickedest soul. —Mohandas Karamchand Ghandi

It is true, we are all guilty. Industrialized nations on the whole have enjoyed an expansive (and ultimately, expensive) period of self-centeredness. Famed Victorian-era psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud would have diagnosed mankind as being severely orally fixated. Trapped in the earliest stages of child development, we’re stuffing ourselves with as much as our mouths can handle—we have been needy, fiscally greedy and most seriously focused on our own self-gratification, regardless of

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Alienated Yet?

Staff Writer

Okay, I know. I’ve been bad. Really, really bad—especially considering the fact that if you want a blog to work, you should post several times a day to keep readers coming back for more.
Um, let’s not get crazy with our expectations, though.
BUT, at the very least, I should be able to get a piping-hot post on the table once a week. I fell off the blogging wagon. Sorry. I realize it’s going to take awhile to regain your trust … prove I’m not just going to cut and run when the going gets tough.
So, to start on the road

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A Room of Her own

Staff Writer

“A woman must have money and a room of her own.” – VIRGINIA WOOLF
Now it’s time to get creative, economically speaking. When living inside a sliding economy, one where the media delivers more bad news with every passing day, it is impossible not to feel a responsibility to tighten up on spending.
So one day in the not-so-distant past, while I was driving home from work in my gas-guzzling SUV, I was challenged by an economic strategist on the radio. He explained that we care for our bodies through exercise, so why wouldn’t we do the same for our wallets. I decided

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More From Around The Industry

Staff Writer

Now for a little rundown of what else is going on in the promotional products industry …
Do we have a Brangelina sighting? Check out who loves the Rebagz eco-line.
An award for the award makers. See who was honored at Crystal D.
Someone is on the rise at Pioneer Balloon. Find out who scored the promotion.
TPS joins the IGC… Find out what this stands for.
Green packaging is real. Curtis Packaging becoms Ceres company.

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Selco Site, Boxercraft Shorts and Emblem Sales Support

Staff Writer

Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Selco announced it has launched a new Web site as a direct link to its Abelle Promotional Time collection. This watch collection has a $15 to $50 sell price range. The site now includes a new, lower 25 piece minimum allowing mixing and matching of styles to reach the minimum.
Go to www.AbellePromotionalTime.com to visit Selco’s new Web site.
About The Selco Companies
The Selco Companies was established in 1935. A manufacturer and supplier of custom imprinted and die-struck medallion watches, clocks, compasses and high-tech products, The Selco Companies’ products are available internationally through promotional products distributors.
For more

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How was Chicago?

Staff Writer

After catching a late-night flight back from Chicago, I can say it’s good to be home. It was a good trip in terms of meeting new people and finding exciting products that we will be showcasing in upcoming issues. While I’m not sure how the show traffic compares to last year (you tell me), there definitely were ample suppliers and distributors to talk to. Unfortunately, I won’t be in Long Beach next week but I hope everyone will stop by the booth and say hello to Anthony and Erin. It’s a good place to check out our end-buyer catalogs and if you haven’t

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June PM Style, Abridged

Staff Writer

I have to cut short my usual written tomfoolery today (we’re working on something pretty big ‘round here … more on that later), but I wanted to be sure you caught all the good stuff the June Style section has to offer. I know I’m a little late on this, but hopefully you’re not too disappointed.
If you missed these tidbits the first time around, don’t worry. That’s what I’m here for.
Here are the highlights:

pg. 72: The Wide Euro Band Scoop Neck Hoodie from California Basics is one of the coolest sweatshirts I’ve seen in awhile. The contrast-color whipstitching channels

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