Gold Bond Inc., based in Chattanooga, Tenn., announced the introduction of an extensive line of Frost Cutlery. Frost Cutlery, based in Ooltewah, Tennessee, is an importer of fine cutlery brands and a contractor for many domestic brands. Until now, the brand has been sold to major retailers, such as Ace Hardware, and direct to consumers. Gold Bond has the exclusive rights to offer these knives to the promotional products industry. “We’re proud to offer this new line to our customers,” said Mark Godsey, president, Gold Bond Inc. He went on to say that all Frost Cutlery products feature quality raw materials and are guaranteed for
Read MoreUSPS to Increase Pricing in January
Pricing for shipping services will change on Sunday, Jan. 18, the United States Postal Service announced following a vote by its Board of Governors. “The move to annual January price changes for shipping services products is consistent with industry-wide practice, and provides a clear picture of the competitive, affordable prices the Postal Service offers,” said Robert Bernstock, president, mailing and shipping services. Prices will change on Sunday, Jan. 18 for Express Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Select, Parcel Return Service and some international shipping products. Overall, shipping services prices will increase an average of 5 percent. The new prices are available at www.usps.com/prices (click “New
Read MoreiPROMOTEu Taps Mingo as Business Development Specialist
Wayland, Massachusetts-based iPROMOTEu, announced it hired Troy Mingo as its business development specialist. Mingo has eight years of professional, hands-on experience recruiting within the promotional products industry. Adventures in Advertising, Goldman Promotions, The Vernon Company and Indoff are among the industry companies for whom Mingo previously had worked. As business development specialist, Mingo will focus his efforts on increasing the size of the iPROMOTEu network. “iPROMOTEu offers a unique model to this industry,” remarked Mingo. “iPROMOTEu provides important and high quality services to its affiliates at an exceptional value. The end result is that distributors who affiliate with iPROMOTEu will gain the
Read MoreProTowels Etc. Launches line of Throws and Tapestries
Pittsburgh-based ProTowels Etc. announced it is now offering custom throws and tapestries exclusively by Pro-Design. Three styles and nine sizes of custom afghans are now available to order. Thes custom throws are produced using 100 percent cotton and are made in the USA. Two and two-and-a-half layer throws can be produced in up to three colors. Tapestry throws can be produced in unlimited colors to offer clarity of design. “The demand to expand our holiday gift offerings made the partnership with Pro-Design a given in order to bring them to our customers just in time for the fourth quarter,” said Dana Zezzo vice president
Read MoreThe Not-pocalypse
NEWS OF THE country’s crumbling economy is nothing unexpected at this point. Few even blink at word that the Dow has bottomed out at zero, or that fallen autumn leaves are actually worth more than the dollar now. Instead, many have moved on to making practical, fully reasonable plans for survival, like hunkering down in fallout shelters or starting Mad Max-style motorcycle gangs. Before getting carried away hoarding food, bullets and Parker Brothers products (the only thing worse than an apocalypse is a boring apocalypse), some distributors will be pleased to know there is still economic life in the pre-apocalyptic world. Specifically, many financial
Read MoreAesop and the Kitchen
WHEN TRYING TO break new ground with kitchen and household promotions, distributors may be well-served to recall the classic children’s fable about the country mouse and the city mouse. To briefly summarize, the story features two mice each unable to tolerate the other’s habitat. The city mouse cannot bear the simplicity of the country mouse’s diet, and the country mouse is horrified by the constant dangers of the city. So, to apply the lessons of the fable, it’s important to consider end-users’ comfort zones and give them products they’ll actually like. Choose garden tools for the country mouse, a martini set for
Read MorePrime Line Further Expands its Eco-Responsible Program
Bridgeport, Connecticut-based Prime Line announced, because of the positive and successful response to their Eco-Responsible initiative, the company plans to continue enhancing this educational tool about the environmentally friendly qualities in its items. Prime Line also provides additional resources and information for that allows distributors to improve their own environmentally friendly practices. The company has added over a dozen new Eco-Responsible products to their line for 2009, which are also featured in their new 2009 annual catalog. Part of Prime Line’s Eco-Responsible program includes an “Eco-Promise” section, including the promise by Prime Line to continually improve and communicate its Eco-Responsible practices throughout the year.
Read MoreAndretti and Clayman Promotional Group Sign Exclusive Contract
Kansas City, Kansas-based Clayman Promotional Group announced IndyCar driver Marco Andretti and Clayman Promotional Group have signed a two-year exclusive contract to offer Marco Andretti branded merchandise on his official Web site. The merchandise program will allow Marco Andretti fans to purchase Marco Andretti branded articles such as t-shirts, hats, women’s apparel, drinkware, backpacks and even a Marco Andretti Sharpie with his signature on the pen. In conjunction with this agreement, Marco’s authentic race-worn fire suits and race helmets will be available for purchase. Gary Tribolet, national account executive with Clayman Promotional Group said, “Motorsports fans deserve product offerings that are cutting-edge and
Read MoreSAAC Announces 2009 Board of Directors
The Canoga Park, California-based Specialty Advertising Association of California (SAAC) announced its list of new officers and board members whose terms of office will begin on January 1, 2009. The 2009 SAAC officers include: President – Rick Greene, MAS, HALO/Lee Wayne Corporation, Sterling, Ill. Vice President – Les Dorfman, CAS, AITG/Eighth Floor Promotions, Celina, Ohio Secretary/Treasurer – Kim Bakalyar – PromoShop, Los Angeles 2009 Directors: Drake Harrison MAS, Evans Manufacturing, Garden Grove, Calif. Julie Ditchik, Pinnacle Designs, San Fernando, Calif. Thea Schroeder, CAS, Beanstalk Logo Promotions Kaili Yang, Pacific Western Sales, Brea, Calif. Kristi DeLeo, Vantage, Avenel, N.J. Craig Reese, Jack Nadel International,
Read MoreWorkPlace Media Announces Westward Expansion with VP Hire De Jong
In a move signaling the coast-to-coast demand from economically challenged advertisers for more effective channels of marketing, Cleveland-based WorkPlace Media, a marketing firm that targets consumers directly at work, is going west with the appointment of Los Angeles-based Robert De Jong as vice president of business development. De Jong served 22 distinguished years at ADVO, the nation’s largest direct mail company. According to De Jong, “We are at a pivotal moment in time in how advertisers interact with consumers. Never before have advertisers faced such pressure to connect with consumers in a meaningful way that demonstrates a real understanding of the challenges they face
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