Uncategorized Archives - Page 89 of 91 - Print & Promo Marketing

Starbucks Closed, Man

February 26, 2008May 8, 2024 Staff Writer

Millions of Americans are about to feel like the Griswalds in National Lampoon’s Family Vacation (Moose out front should have told you). Desperate for their next venti latte, they will (or, depending on when you read this, they have) approached the local java brewery only to find the doors locked and themselves coffee blocked. That’s right, Starbucks is having an unprecedented three-hour-universe-wide shut down in an attempt to re-energize the barista population (They do know they work all day with caffeine, right?). I can only imagine how the meeting will go. Hopped up managers extolling company pride, talking brightly about the

Go On, Admit It

February 25, 2008May 8, 2024 Staff Writer

If you don’t know what the CYA acronym means, or if you’ve never had to do it, this post is not for you.

Recently, I went to a screening of Jack Black’s new movie: Be Kind Rewind. If you’ve seen the previews, you’ll know it’s about two video-store workers (aw, how cute, videos!) who accidentally erase all the tapes and begin recreating such classics as “Ghostbusters” on their own. If you haven’t seen the previews, then I just ruined it. You’re welcome.
Between all the on-screen shenanigans, I started thinking about the crazy things people do to avoid accepting blame. When we

The “S” Word

February 19, 2008May 8, 2024 Staff Writer

I recently had to apologize to a friend that lives, oh, some 80,000 miles away … in the West African country of Coté d’Ivoire, to be exact. He’d (I figured you’d want to know who it was) done something I thought was unjust … and well, I let him have it (via e-mail, of course). However, after having had a week or so to reflect on my response to my Ivorian friend’s unjust deed, I sent him yet another e-mail—this time, expressing my sorrow for the things I’d previously written. Thankfully, he accepted my apology, and in his best “Frenglish,” wrote back: “Today is

Awards With Character

February 15, 2008May 8, 2024 Staff Writer

I just had a nice conversation with Leo Kennedy from Awards With Character. I’m doing a product showcase for the magazine on sports teams and was looking for products a little more off-the-beaten-path than cups, seat cushions and caps (not that there is anything wrong with any of those items).
Leo’s company provides trophies and other products as incentives to schools for both sports teams and academic programs. The difference is, his trophies aren’t brassy figures or silver cups, they are small (adorable, some would say) bear figurines talking part in various sports. Girl soccer bear. Boy baseball bear. Hockey bear (there is a

Selective Memory

February 15, 2008May 8, 2024 Staff Writer

Well, I’m back from ASI Dallas. Let the existential crisis begin.

In the week immediately following a trade show, I begin the process of reaching out to those I met over the course of the two-day event. Truth be told, the task is often fruitless.
Right now, you might be saying to yourself, “Fruitless? Surely you jest.” But no, unfortunately, I’m not. The sad fact is that, out of the hundred or so cards I gave and received, I’ll only hear from a few people. Which leaves me wondering, am I just not memorable?
In PM’s January issue, the subtitle of

Trade Show Hangover

February 12, 2008May 8, 2024 Staff Writer

It’s not a literal hangover, but I have to say three trade shows in five weeks really takes a toll on one. The latest and greatest trip was to Dallas, where I did not get to visit Dealy Plaza, but where I did get to meet a ton of people and add to our growing product video library. Keep an eye on the Web site for new videos from companies like Pro Towels (who all call me Chaz) and Snugz (starring national sales manager Sydra Newell). By the end of the third day both the camera and myself had enough. Ugh.<br

Stupid Groundhog

February 12, 2008May 8, 2024 Staff Writer

Well, Punxsutawney Phil wasn’t lying a couple of weeks ago when he predicted six more weeks of winter. In Philadelphia, it is cold outside——probably the coldest it has been all winter. Regardless of negative-degree weather, today, my team and I began looking for sunnier skies in preparation of spring; looking at assignments, story angles, possible sources and great products to introduce to the market for the spring and summer seasons.
I know we are not the only crew beginning to look ahead, at least in terms of work projects. If you know of a product that is perfect for a spring / summer event

Tell Me Something Good!

February 5, 2008May 8, 2024 Staff Writer

Today, I am feeling appalled. Appalled that while our media dedicates massive resources to the coverage of the excesses of Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, the people of Haiti have been reduced to eating “mud cookies,” literally made of dirt; appalled that the words “ethnic cleansing” are still uttered in the present tense; and appalled that hardworking people face losing their homes because of the subprime lending mess. Globally, wealthy governments and industry leaders have the power to make a difference, but unfortunately, it seems that unless there is something “in it for them,” they choose not to.
In an era where

Sex vs. Environment

February 1, 2008May 8, 2024 Staff Writer

What is the world coming to? Have we finally reached the point where sex doesn’t sell (or at least doesn’t sell as well as it used to)?
On the one hand, there’s a history of product lines that have found success by partaking in what some might call morally-questionable advertising. Using campaigns based on little more than young women in little more than underwear (where did the actually clothes being advertised go). Not caring in the end if their ads are disparaged a bit on modest blogs such as my own because in reality the mere mention probably drives people (men)

HOW THE STARS ALIGN

February 1, 2008May 8, 2024 Staff Writer

Electric communication will never be a substitute for the face of someone who with their soul encourages another person to be brave and true.
«CHARLES DICKENS, ENGLISH NOVELIST
A dear friend of mine is a student of astrology—yes, horoscopes, how the stars align and how these lineups impact our lives. While I do not have much knowledge of these things, she occasionally imparts information to me about astrological matters I should be aware of in my life.
Recently, she informed me Mercury had moved into retrograde and my reaction was a somewhat sarcastic, “So?” She explained this is a time when communications can