President Biden’s COVID-19 Response Team is working on the logistics of sending millions of face masks to U.S. citizens. The plan is still in the early stages, but some of the administration’s top health experts have been discussing its viability. It’s similar to a plan the Trump administration considered but ultimately scrapped in 2020…
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Sonic Buried a Branded Merchandise Promotion at the End of a 9-Minute Video of a Guy Eating (and It Still Sold Out)
You know how people stay until the end of a movie, mostly Marvel movies, just in case there’s a fun post-credits scene? If you sat through a nine-minute video of a guy eating a Fritos Chili Cheese Jr. Wrap to the end, you’d have been rewarded with the news that Sonic was selling a giant fleece wrap for only 99 cents…
Read MoreTide Introduced ‘Jason Alexander Hoodie’ for Its Super Bowl Ad, Opening the Door for Viral Merchandise Frenzy
Tide is airing a commercial during the Super Bowl where a kid refuses to wash his “Jason Alexander Hoodie,” which goes through the ringer during its lifetime. The internet masses are already asking if they can buy one for real, and Tide might be missing out on a big opportunity for merchandise sales…
Read MoreLady Gaga Launched Branded Oreos to Promote Her Latest Record and People Are Going Nuts
What is it about promotional Oreos that just makes everyone go … dare we say … Gaga? (You’ll laugh in a second.) First it was Supreme dropping branded Oreos. Those sold out immediately, which is no surprise for Supreme. Now, Lady Gaga launched branded “Chromatica” Oreos, and those are impossible to find, too…
Read MorePPAI Appoints Interim President, Announces Executive Search
The Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) board of directors elevated executive vice president Robert (Bob) McLean, Jr., to lead PPAI as interim president while the board undertakes an executive search with search firm SearchWide Global to replace outgoing president and CEO Paul Bellantone…
Read MoreWhat Dr. Fauci’s ‘Common Sense’ Mask Layering Means for Promo Orders
While the CDC is reportedly studying the effectiveness of double-masking and has yet to issue any official guidance on it, the support for it from Dr. Anthony Fauci and other public health officials could potentially lead to new demand from customers looking for face masks…
Read MoreBAMKO Acquires Gifts By Design
BAMKO LLC today announced that it has acquired substantially all of the assets of Gifts By Design of Seattle. The transaction closed effective as of Feb. 1, 2021. Gifts By Design will operate as the awards, recognition and incentives division of BAMKO. “The acquisition of Gifts By Design immediately positions BAMKO to become an industry leader…
Read MoreThe Latest in Restaurant Merch: a Dunkin’ Theme Wedding and Outback ‘Steakwear’
How much do you love Dunkin’? Are you an everyday customer? Every week? Do you have a branded reusable cup? How about a T-shirt? Would you make your wedding Dunkin’ themed and purchase Dunkin’-branded wedding merchandise around Valentine’s Day?…
Read MoreIn Memoriam: Gemline Founder, Sam Isaacson
Sam Isaacson, founder of Gemline, passed away on Jan. 27 after a short illness. He was 89. Always the entrepreneur, in 1957 he left his family’s business and founded Gem Giftwares. Beginning as a distributor, he sold promotional items to school photographers until the mid-1960s, when he started selling gas station premiums. He was one…
Read MoreFinally, a Face Mask With Built-In Bluetooth Earbuds
We’re not sure how it took so long to figure out, but finally someone thought of putting Bluetooth earbuds into a face mask. MaskFone, a face mask that not only features a Bluetooth headset and earbuds, but a five-layer filtration system. In short, it’s stylish and extremely functional…
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