DON’T LOOK NOW, but—POOF!—the promotional products industry just went green. Green meaning, of course, eco-friendly—not violently seasick, uncontrollably jealous or oddly monochromatic. No longer is saving the earth simply a topic for college campuses and backstreet beat coffee shops. The environmental sloganeering has been replaced by actual conversation—which, it should be pointed out, never would have happened without the sloganeering—as big businesses wake up to the natural world around them. Suppliers and distributors are singing a new tune that is friendly to everyone’s ears. More importantly, end-users are purchasing environmentally responsible products and supporting conservational business practices. Even if they don’t realize it, or
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FOR A LONG time, outerwear has been somewhat on the outskirts of the promotional apparel landscape. Much more attention had been given to its business-ready, corporate casual counterparts. These days, however, promotional outerwear is charting its own course and marching to the beat of its own drum. With a rise in environmental awareness and a greater focus on fabrication, outerwear has redefined its role in promotional apparel, and thus distributor profits. “Fabrications are the big story in promotional outerwear,” noted Cathy Groves, vice president of marketing at Overland Park, Kansas-based Dri Duck Traders. “Bonded soft-shell fabrics, cotton canvas waterproof and fabrics with any type of
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THE DECOR, AMBIENCE, music and human anatomy are major factors for both fine-dining aficionados and marathon bar-hoppers when selecting establishments from which to indulge in weekend-long merrymaking. While these eye- (and ear-) catching ingredients work in tandem to draw patrons into dimly lit, neon-laced nooks and crannies, truth be told, it is spirited drinks, such as beers, wines and cocktails that keep frolickers there. However, besides the overabundance of wine and spirits, there also are a host of promotional items that serve to attract party-goers from tavern to tavern, ultimately attracting them to advertisers’ brands. If a distributor thinks barware could only be sold to
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PEOPLE WHO LIVE in a modern world crave modern things. It’s almost laughable—actually, it is quite laughable—to think of some poor soul in this day and age bearing a boom box on his shoulders with blinking lights rivaling those on the Millennium Falcon and listening to the latest tunes from a basement-recorded Hi-Fi cassette—trademarks of the hip ’70s and ’80s. Why go through all the effort when the compact iPod and an entire generation of its relatives are available? But, even in a modern world, there are some things better left alone: the inscriptions on American currency, the rain forest and the innocence of a
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OPERA IS EXPLAINED by the irrepressible Richard Gere in the equally irrepressible romantic comedy “Pretty Woman” as something that engenders an extreme reaction. “If they love it,” his character said, “they will always love it. If they don’t, they may learn to appreciate it, but it will never become part of their soul.” One could say America’s love affair with chocolate is born out of a similar level of passion. On the one hand are the ’holics—no explanation needed—and on the other, those who can hold their indulgence to once in a great while. But level of fancy aside, and discounting the universally pitied bunch
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CAROLE JACKSON MEANT well. Back in the now-comically wayward 1980s, at least fashionably speaking, her book, “Color Me Beautiful” was a must-read. Women everywhere flocked to “get their colors done”—the seasonal palette from which they should never, ever stray—and promptly followed the process by chucking each tube of lipstick and shoulder-padded blazer that didn’t make the cut. The downside, of course, was with every new color consultation (because who could stop at one?) came a new set of hues, so one can only imagine the complete state of confusion in which the decade’s would-be fashionistas found themselves. In today’s apparel sector, by comparison, color’s faddish
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By Ilise Benun, marketing mentor We’re moving into 4th Quarter at the end of this week, so it’s not too early to begin planning for the New Year. That’s why today’s message includes your very own 2008 Marketing Calendar. It’s a week-by-week schedule of marketing tasks: one version for marketing “rookies” and another for “veterans.” I created this break-it-down-to-tiny-tasks-and-do-it log to accompany an article I wrote called “Mark Your Calendar” for HOW magazine’s current Self Promotion issue. (The entire article isn’t posted online anywhere, but the magazine is on the newstands through October.) Speaking of calendars, here are a few marketing workshops
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Admore, Macomb, Mich., a subsidiary of Ennis, Midlothian, Texas, is celebrating 60 years of manufacturing premium presentation folders. Founded in 1947 by Norman Humphrey, Admore joined Ennis in 1991, where it has become one of the largest manufacturers of premium presentation folders and related items sold through distributors. Admore has expanded its product line throughout the years to include stock and custom presentation folders, key and gift card holders, portfolios, certificate covers, binders, totes, CD/DVD packaging, photo holders, Conformer Expansion products and other commercial printed products. The company’s printing capabilities include PMS, process and UV printing, foil stamping, embossing, laminating and UV coatings.
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Eight promotional products distributors have affiliated with iPROMOTEu, Wayland, Mass., in July, representing an annual sales volume of approximately $1,000,000. To date, a total of 106 promotional products distributors have affiliated with iPROMOTEu this year. They represent an annual sales volume in excess of $20,000,000. Presently, more than 325 distributors from 42 states (including Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia) are affiliated with iPROMOTEu. The following individuals are among the new affiliates: Dennis Ciecko of Valued Incentives & Promotions, New Hartford, N.Y.; Dennis Hawk of Shenandoah River Promotions, Charles Town, W.V.; Krystal Nunez of OC Promo Group, Fullerton,
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Tom Riordan, CEO, today announced Maple Ridge Farms, Mosinee, Wis., is breaking ground for a new 85,000 sq.-ft. facility that will operate in conjunction with its existing facility. The new structure, which will be located in the Central Wisconsin Business Park in Mosinee, adjacent to the company’s current location, will increase total operating space to 110,000 sq. ft. “The addition of this new facility will more than triple our existing operational space and allow us to continue to grow our business,” stated Riordan. “We estimate the new facility will be large enough to handle our growth for the next five to seven years,
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