By Ilise Benun, marketing mentor Earlier this year, I wrote about how to connect with prospects via LinkedIn. But I recently found Biznik, a business networking site geared to independent professionals. You’ve got to check it out, if only for its tagline: “Business Networking That Doesn’t Suck.” Biznik started in Seattle and, although still in its infancy, it has more than 5,000 members. The focus of the online site is to help people network offline. So, in addition to the online networking features, members can use it to host and promote live events, from networking dog-walks to educational workshops. Says one member, “Unlike
Read MoreOOPPS Announces 2008 Advisory Board
The Organization of Promotional Products Salespeople (OOPPS), Wayland, Mass., recently announced the establishment of its 2008 Advisory Board. The Board is comprised of a variety of promotional products salespeople from across the country, as well as supplier, distributor and service provider representatives. According to OOPPS personnel, the mission its Advisory Board is to “help guide the direction of [the organization] for the benefit of salespeople throughout the industry.” Members of the 2008 OOPPS Advisory Board include: Salespeople: Larry Alford, Axis Promotions (Massachusetts) Linda Apfel, CAS, 20/20 Promotions (Minnesota) Katherine Burke, MAS, Above & Beyond Incentives (Texas) Mona Carollo-Scarborough, CAS,
Read More**VIDEO – Ready 4 Kits is ready for action
**VIDEO – Ready 4 Kits is ready for action
Read MoreA Great New Beginning
“I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic somewhere behind the morning.”
J.B. Priestly, British Writer & Broadcaster (1894 – 1984)
I can look around my office and home and find remembrances of the past everywhere. Sometimes simple objects, not necessarily meant to bear great significance, will remind me of beginnings and endings. In these moments, I consider what I have learned and where my choices in both my career and personal life have led me.
This month, there is a new beginning—a
**VIDEO – Winthrop-Atkins introduces new golf accessories and calendars
**VIDEO – Winthrop-Atkins introduces new golf accessories and calendars
Read MoreChocolate Inn Finalist in Supplier Star Award
Chocolate Inn, Freeport, N.Y., has been voted by distributors as one of the 2008 Supplier Star Finalists in the S7 sales volume category. The company will be recognized at the 2008 PPAI Awards Night on Jan. 16, 2008, held during The PPAI Expo in Las Vegas. Company president, David Miller praised the “hard work and dedication of the entire Chocolate Inn team and multi-rep sales force” for the accomplishment. “I know that there are many suppliers to choose from in this industry and appreciate the loyalty of our distributor customers,” he said. For more information, call (800) 526-3437 or visit www.chocolateinn.com
Read MoreBeacon Promotions Launches New Web site
Beacon Promotions, New Ulm, Minn., has launched a new Web site at www.beaconpromotions.com. According to Art Olsen, president and CEO, the new site brings all the Beacon brands together, which will improve navigation for distributors. “Beacon’s strength and growth has come from providing exceptional customer service and delivery everyday for our customers,” said Olsen. “Now, with this new Web site, our customers will be able to quickly see all the product categories we have to support their selling needs.” The home page is set up by categories and there is a feature that allows visitors to browse products from the company’s catalogs.
Read MoreJERZEES Introduces Improved Fleece
Atlanta-based JERZEES has enhanced its fleece line with a variety of new product innovations. While some improvements are currently available, they will not be completely filtered into the marketplace until 2008. Enhancements to JERZEES fleece include: • Increased stitch density and loft, for a heavier product (in all 8 and 9 oz. fleece) • Tighter stitch density, which provides a smoother printing canvas to ensure vibrant color • NuBlend fleece, which is virtually pill-free and is produced from air-jet spun yarn • A longer draw chord length with knotting to prevent chords from falling out of the garment • Two-needle cover seaming for increased
Read MoreStreetblimps Uses Google Earth To Track Campaigns
Streetblimps, a company that implements out-of-home marketing campaigns based in Garden City, N.Y., has become the first mobile billboard provider to incorporate Google Earth into its GPS monitoring. The new technology uses satellite imagery to depict a truck’s location, within 50 feet. Streetblimps’ monitoring system enables clients to track their campaigns in real time and is managed by an independent third-party. “Our system sets a new standard of accountability,” said Doug Frantin, president of Streetblimps, whose company owns its own fleet of more than 80 mobile billboards in major markets throughout the United States. “The mobile billboard industry has lagged behind other advertising mediums
Read MoreNew Z Lander Introduces Line of Apparel Made from Corn
New Z Lander, Troy, Mich., recently introduced Ingeo Performance Apparel, a line of synthetic material made from corn. According to company personnel, the Ingeo fiber offers a host of performance and environmental features, including: moisture wicking, non-flammable, UV resistance (UPF 52), wrinkle-free, non-shrinkage and colorfastness past 50 washes, natural non-microbial and hypo-allergenic benefits, odor absorption and compostable/biodegradable properties. Ingeo performance apparel is currently available in men’s and women’s polo shirts, mock turtle necks and T-shirts. The company plans to introduce blankets, ball caps, jackets and woven goods in the future. For more information, call (888) 678-2007 or visit www.ingeosales.com
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