THE PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS industry is an evolving one. Case in point: a little over five years ago when this writer first came aboard the Promo Marketing (formerly Promotional Marketing) ship, there was little, if any, talk of the environment and what the industry could do to preserve it. However, within the past two years alone, it seems the entire industry has gone “green,” with both suppliers and distributors heralding their environmentally responsible business practices and industry publications dedicating entire issues to the topic. Even with the widespread attention environmental safety has received, there are other notable topics brewing in the industry these days.
Read MoreLet’s Make it Personal
THE FACT IS, people enjoy taking care of themselves. And with this innate self-preservation quality of humankind, it comes as no surprise it would bring rise to a bustling promotional product category that proclaims: “It’s just me, myself and I,” as was so eloquently put by ’80’s hip-hip pioneers, De La Soul. Distributors looking to freshen up their bottom lines (and their sales pitches) should consider personal-care items. Manufacturers of these products say there are few other promotional product categories that offer the same repeat-order consistency. A 2005 survey conducted by PPAI showed personal-care products accounting for 1.58 percent of total industry sales. Just one
Read MoreGuess Who’s Coming To Dinner
THERE IS NO denying food preparation plays a particularly crucial role in people’s lives and interactions. Aside from being an inescapable, everyday task, the act of making a meal can carry powerful significance. Offerings of hospitality are frequently made in the form of a freshly prepared feast, as are gestures of appreciation and goodwill. During the holiday season, it becomes especially evident that cooking is part of the way in which people celebrate. Whether honoring Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa this winter, many families will partake in the festivities by gathering together around the dinner table. Cooking and eating, simply put, are more than biological
Read MoreFinding the Right Angle
AS THE PUNCHLINE of more than its fair share of boring-job jokes, selling insurance has gotten a bad rap for years. Yet it’s no easy undertaking. Doing so successfully requires the salesperson not only to bring up the stuff of people’s worst nightmares—natural disasters, fire, death—but to place each in the context of certain reality. They’re the universal bearers of bad news. And by default, the sector’s promotional products have about as much symbolism as the hooded cape and scythe. Thankfully, however, this downer of an image has started to fade away in favor of more useful, lighthearted product offerings. Mark Yokoyama, director of marketing
Read More2008 Style Preview
FORGET THE FOUR SEASONS. 2008’s fashion forecast is all about states of mind. Better-cut styles will have wearers exuding confidence. Reinvigorated color choices illustrate newfound energy. Going corporate takes a turn toward the future, while organic looks keep consumers’ feet and thoughts on terra firma. Below, suppliers take stock of their offerings for the industry’s most fashion-friendly new year in recent history. “For 2008, we are thrilled to introduce our brand new Missy division, which features basic to fashionable apparel that is cut to fit the everyday woman. Nine new styles will be available at the start of the year.” —Dean Vuong, vice
Read MoreMemoAct Completes Transition To New Ownership
MemoAct LLC completed a transition year to new ownership and added several new staff members. The company leadership believes the change brings a renewed dedication to improving business relationships, customer-satisfaction levels and efficiency in production processes. MemoAct recently released an updated product guide with a line up of new products as well as a variety of old favorites. In addition, it is now offering many new services, including low-minimum, direct-imprinted, full-color golf balls, dog tags and poker chips. Another new addition to the MemoAct product line this year is environmentally friendly Bio-Baggies. The product contains a roll of eco-friendly disposable baggies in a pocket-sized
Read MoreAmerican Ad Bag Is Offering a New Product for 2008
Once discarded, the Oxo biodegradable bag will dissolve over time, leaving no harmful soil residue. With exposure to sunlight, oxygen and heat, the bags’ special plastic will convert the into water, carbon dioxide, mineral salt and biomass—rendering it no more environmentally unfriendly than a fallen leaf. Oxo Biodegradable Plastic Bags are available in 4 sizes: 9×12” + 2, 12×16” + 3, 15×18” + 3 and 18×22” + 3 featuring a foldover die-cut handle, 2.5 mm Oxo-biodegradable film and 250 piece minimums. For more information, visit www.adbag.com Do you have a press release for PromoMarketing.com or Promo Marketing magazine? We
Read MoreWhispering Pines Sportswear Acquires Adams Headwear
Whispering Pines Sportswear of Monroe, N.C. is the new owner of Adams Headwear. Adams Headwear, formerly based in Niceville, Fla, covers everything from classic ball caps to the latest in sun-blocking technology and extreme headgear. Adams also features water- and stain-repelling finishes, patented Cool-Crown mesh linings and a snap-off ball marker that can be customized with a company’s logo. All Adams’ products are now stocked and shipped directly from Whispering Pines’ warehouse locations in Pageland, S.C. and Salt Lake City. Adams Headwear products also are available through the Whispering Pines drop-ship program allowing distributors to eliminate stocking and shipping. About Whispering Pines Sportswear
Read MorePrime Line’s Kathy Schneider Named Supplier Representative of the Year
Bridgeport, Connecticut-based Prime Line proudly announced that Kathy Schneider, southwest regional sales manager, has been named Supplier Representative of the Year by the Houston-based Houston Promotional Products Association. “This award is given out annually to a salesperson who has gone above and beyond in servicing distributors in the Houston area. Kathy’s energetic personality and hard work made her the overwhelming choice. We are proud to have her on our team,” says Paula Shulman, vice president of sales at Prime Line. Schneider has been in the promotional products industry for nearly 20 years. In addition, she is on the board of Promotional Products Association Southwest
Read MoreChammyz Clothing Adds New Spa Line
Chammyz of San Diego, an industry-leading after-dive garment manufacturer, has expanded outside of the scuba dive market and created a new line of robes and spa wraps for men and women. Known best for their all-natural line of after-dive and after-water-sports clothing—which is designed to provide the wearers warmth, dryness and comfort—Chammyz has added to their line to meet increased demand by resorts, spas and outdoor enthusiasts. The all-natural fabric is a product of tree waste, using leftover bark, stems, roots and leaves to create a functional fabric. Chammyz fabric has a moisture-management system that removes any moisture from the body and instantly evaporates
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