Category: Uncategorized

Crimes and Misdemeanors

Staff Writer

So, Woody Allen is suing American Apparel. Huh.

It’s funny … give our industry one celeb and people go crazy. (And by crazy, I mean that in the entire history of our e-newsletter, that item had pretty much the highest click-through rate, well, ever).
I’m finding it increasingly hilarious that no one can seem to decide which of the involved parties is more distasteful: Woody Allen, for well-publicized reasons, or a company founded by a guy with, shall we say, a less-than-savory reputation.
My coworkers make fun of me because I have “views” about American Apparel. Yes, I cover the

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Music to My Ears

Staff Writer

The other day, at one of our staff meetings, our editorial director (Nikki Stella) was cheerfully humming several tunes from one of her favorite recording artists, none other than Mr. Lou Rawls. At that point, I couldn’t help but chime in with details of my recent purchase of a CD containing all the classic hits of the late, great Nat King Cole! Wooo-wee!
Admittedly, most people in my personal circle look at me kinda weird every time I talk about the CD. But, for those of you out there who really appreciate good music, you can understand why I like Nat King Cole: Consider

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Extreme Makeover Office Edition

Staff Writer

After one very raucous editorial meeting (including some very spicy Indian food) we’ve decided to jump on the reality bandwagon and have the first-ever Extreme Office Make Over in the June edition of the magazine. While we won’t be rebuilding an entire house while a deserving family enjoys a Disney vacation, we will be doing our best to put together an office that will put make everyone else in the building jealous.
After only one day, the response to requests for participation has been amazing. I want to thank the folks over at Leed’s, Prime Line, Journalbooks, SnugZ, Senator, Dart, PictureFrames.net, the

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Breaking News… Just In From Bejing…

Staff Writer

While normally we don’t take time out to highlight non-industry-related achievements, we felt in this case a few words must be said. One of the promotional products industry’s very own will be representing the good, old, U.S. of A. this summer at the Olympic Games in Bejing. This professional’s professional will hang up the cell phone and holster the Blackberry as he travels abroad to become one of America’s only two-sport threats—competing in both table tennis and synchronized swimming. While some have questioned his choice of sports, we at Promo Marketing pledge to give him full support (and possibly a place on the cover

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Goofing Around

Staff Writer

I was pleasantly surprised (and tickled) today when I received a “BREAKING NEWS” e-mail from the marketing department of an industry distributorship stating its president and CEO would be taking a leave of absence to represent the United States at the upcoming Olympics in China. Some of you may have received the e-mail.
I was so impressed (shocked, maybe) by what I was reading about the CEO’s athletic prowess in the first few paragraphs of the press release that I was compelled to holler across the cubicles to Charles Plyter (Promo Marketing’s managing online editor) to see if he’d gotten the release. After a

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The Way To Lead

Staff Writer

Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.
« WARREN G. BENNIS
Leadership style and ability have come into question a great deal lately—most obviously on the national front, but even in the fishbowl that is our industry. For the most part, this year’s political battles have maintained a positive attitude without too much in the way of negative punches being thrown. Niceties notwithstanding, the Democratic presidential hopefuls continue to duke it out over who has more experience, who is tougher, smarter, more charismatic, ethical, and even whose moral fiber is woven more tightly. While all these elements are essential qualities in

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Fall Forward

Staff Writer

I plan ahead. For everything. So imagine my surprise at finding myself reporting on an industry that is routinely looking at, projecting on, and yes, planning for the future. Spring’s barely here and the apparel folks are hunkering down for fall? It felt like the mothership calling me home.
Besides, the current weather situation is making me supremely doubt the whole idea of spring, anyway. I’m still in my down coat, I don’t know what this “spring” is of which you speak. So I’m going to skip the disappointment at this deadbeat season and mosey on over to fall, where the fashion forecast looks

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Every Vote Counts!

Staff Writer

Here in Philadelphia, things are really starting to heat up (and it’s only March). Even though the Republican nomination is sewn up, the Democratic primary is coming to town in full force. Bus stops preach the message of hope and campaign ads talk passionately about change. It’s a different feel for a state normally an afterthought in the doldrums of late primary season. It seems that every cubicle, street corner and marketplace is buzzing with the same question, “Who will win—Barack or Hillary?
The youth vote is cited for Obama. The blue-collar vote is assured for Clinton (or so the news outlets keep saying

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U-S-Beautiful

Staff Writer

I just finished putting together a technology showcase for the magazine, and it is truly amazing the wide array of products that have entered the marketplace in such a short time. USB drives seem to come in every shape and color, from credit-card size to ones tucked neatly inside a pen. It seems like only a couple of years ago they were priced well outside the promotional market (and most non-techies pocketbooks as well). Companies like Flash By Design are including widgets within the programming of the drives—creating sticky drives that automatically load programs or RSS feeds. Other companies like All-In-One Manufacturing are touting

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Here Comes the Bridal Promotion

Staff Writer

Bridal showers are funny things. The invitees all hem and haw about going, but it’s really just like pulling off a Band-aid. It’s never quite as bad as you anticipate.
Just add a mimosa and you can up the fun quotient on pretty much anything.
So this weekend I headed back home to Long Island for my best friend’s shower. As a member of the wedding party, I was charged with creating the centerpieces and favors for the blessed event. And as an editor at Promo Marketing magazine, I, of course, began thinking of whether or not promotional products could somehow find a niche

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