The newly organized SHOWTIME, Greenland, N.H., has been given the support of the Advertising Product Suppliers (APS), Mansfield, Texas, according to Alan Goldfarb, SHOWTIME founder. The decision to support SHOWTIME was made by several APS leaders in a recent meeting to review the potential benefits for its membership. APS is the industry’s only trade group whose membership is limited exclusively to suppliers. Goldfarb said the partnership is a milestone for both organizations. “No other traveling trade show has ever before been formally recommended by suppliers,” he said. “As a coalition of suppliers, this is also the first time APS has expressed its support for
Read MoreSanMar Releases New District Threads Catalog
SanMar, Seattle, has released its 2007 District Threads catalog. The 28-page catalog showcases the entire line, in addition to this year’s new styles, for a total of 47 apparel options. The District Threads brand is geared toward teens and young adults. It includes shirts, fleece, outerwear and accessories. The 2007 catalog features 16 new products, of which 12 are currently available. The remaining four, including headwear and a ladies track jacket, will be released in August. “Today’s youth has tremendous buying power and they’re looking for clothes that will reflect their views, aspirations and ideas,” said Jeremy Lott, vice president of sales and
Read MoreTips of the Trade: Don’t be a Robot
By Ilise Benun, marketing mentor Have you noticed that small business owners have been working on their “10-Word Blurb”—how to answer the question, “What do you do?” in a way that will engage another in conversation. (Maybe you have, too?) But, have you also noticed that a lot of them sound robotic? While it’s important to have a clear and concise blurb, it’s also essential not to put the other person to sleep. To make your 10-word blurb more spontaneous, try this: 1. Look directly into the other person’s eyes. That way, even if you’ve said it before, this is the first time you’re
Read MoreRiver’s End Trading Offers Nike Watches and Sunglasses
River’s End Trading, Hopkins, Minn., now offers performance watches and sunglasses from Nike. Nike performance watches are designed for athletes but made for everyone. They feature a 50-lap chronograph, 100m water resistance, interval timing and alarms for target time and date, plus dual time zone displays. River’s End offers three styles of the Triax performance watches, including Triax Mia, designed especially for women. The watches are made with comfort and style and make great corporate gifts for any promotional products application. Nike sunglasses are designed with multiple, interchanging lenses so they can be changed for any lighting condition. River’s End carries them in three
Read MoreTHE BOOK COMPANY NAMED FINALIST IN 2007 “BEST PLACES TO WORK” AWARD PROGRAM
The Book Company, Delray Beach, Fla., was named a finalist in the 2007 “Best Places to Work” award competition sponsored by the South Florida Business Journal. “I was so surprised that our entire staff got together secretively and applied for this honor without letting me in on it,” said Doug Greenhut, president, who started the company in 1998. “Everyday I am thankful for the wonderful group of people that work here. It was gratifying to see that everyone feels appreciated and enjoys coming to work each day as much as I do. That means a lot to me.” The “Best Places to Work” award
Read More0507_Top 50 Overview
Should there be any reservations about the topic, the promotional products business is a thriving one. This assertion would be hard to dispute, given the impressive numbers the industry reported for 2006. According to an annual survey conducted for Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), total promotional product sales revenue in 2006 amounted to $18.8 billion, up 4.25 percent from 2005. This figure translates to an increase of $766 million in sales from the previous year. That’s a lot of promotional products! To put $18.8 billion into perspective, Promotional Marketing’s Top 50 Distributors brought in a total of $2.35 billion in promotional product sales
Read More0507_Electronics_Intro
These days, it seems no one can go a full hour without tapping and clicking his or her way into other peoples’ lives via the Internet, a Blackberry, a cell phone or other handheld device. Even if it were possible, there is surely not a single soul able to get through a minute without coming into contact with some sort of electronic component. Because of these truths, suppliers in the ad specialty business put forth much energy to create the most sophisticated in wired equipment on which businesses can boast their names. Here’s a few to check out.
Read More0507_J&N_Intro
Lasting thoughts and memories captured in a journal or notebook equate to lasting advertising for your clients. Journals are useful and appreciated gifts that become valuable keepsakes cherished by the recipients. Journals are non-gender specific and can be tailored to suit any season, event or audience. Unlimited advertising space and sponsorship opportunities make journals and notebooks the perfect solution for any promotion or marketing need. Journals can easily be customized by adding a die-cut window, full-color insert, overprinted pages or packaged with a companion gift, such as a pen, gift card or product sample. Tim O’Boyle, vice president of sales, Journalbooks
Read MoreHALO/LEE WAYNE ACQUIRES TASCO PROMOTIONS
HALO/Lee Wayne, Sterling, Ill., announced the stock purchase of Tasco Promotions, Dallas. Terms of the sale were not disclosed. Marc Simon, HALO/Lee Wayne’s CEO, said, “Fred Goldstein and his team have built a very successful business. Fred was ready to retire and our philosophy of exceptional service and lucrative sales compensation for industry professionals mirrored his formula for success.” According to Tasco owners, Goldstein and Billy Hale, the decision was easy. “They’re good people running a great operation,” noted Goldstein. “It will be the best possible home for our sales people and their business.” Operational responsibilities will transition from Dallas to HALO/Lee Wayne’s
Read MoreMAGNA-TEL ACQUIRES THE DL LINE
Magna-Tel, Cape Girardeau, Fla., recently purchased the assets of the DL Line. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Magna-Tel assumed all administrative operations for the DL Line on April 1. The DL Line manufactures a full line of non-magnetic promotional home and office products. The product line includes self-adhesive stick-up calendars, kitchen utensils, tools and knives. “All of us at Magna-Tel are very excited about the opportunity for [us] and the DL Line to join together and offer a broader spectrum of products,” stated Charles Duggan, Magna-Tel director of sales. “This is the perfect product fit from the standpoint of both companies and
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