URBAN APPAREL HAS been, for a long time, the preferred dress for younger consumers labeled part of the “Hip-Hop” or “MTV” generation. Bright, intricate prints, flashy embellishments, and both baggier fits as well as closer, truer fits to the body are trademarks of urban apparel. Certainly, plunging neck lines, shorter midriffs and tighter everything have taken up residence in urban fashion circles. How does this translate to promotional products? According to Chloe Yoon, CEO of Paramount, California-based Unplugged Label, it translates well. “Urban wear [offers a] mostly comfortable and very relaxed fit, so anyone can wear it,” she said. “It fits the promotional industry because
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INTERNATIONAL CHESS MASTER Gary Kasparov’s loss to the computer Deep Blue in 1997 was a benchmark for computing. It was the first time a computer beat a reigning human world chess champion. At the time, Deep Blue was the 259th most powerful computer on earth. Today, the raw computing power of Deep Blue can be matched in almost any off-the-shelf personal computer. Computer technology may be the most quickly advancing market, which means the wealth of computer-related promotional items is ever increasing. For consumers and end-users, processing speed and capacity aren’t the only factors driving demand. Style and design come sharply into play. Consider the iPod
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By Ilise Benun, marketing mentor The simple answer is never. Follow up is the key to growing your business. When and how you do it is up to you, but you can always do it. There’s no time limit or statute of limitations on following up. It’s better to conduct follow-ups sooner rather than later, but it’s never too late. The amount of time that has passed will simply determine what you say and how you say it. If it’s been a while, you’ll need to remind them of who you are and what you talked about. For example, if you met someone last
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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
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Arthur Blank & Co., Boston, was the recent recipient of the 2007 Boston Green Business Award for its CornCard USA product, the industry’s first non-PVC, corn-based card, as well as for its AB RecycledCard, a new recycled PVC card. The award was presented to the company by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. Each year, the award is given to a company that “produces or distributes a green product.” During the award ceremony, Mayor Menino, said: “Arthur Blank and its 240 employees have been part of our business community for two generations, and they’re to be congratulated for their earth-friendly products that help to protect our
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R.S. Owens, Chicago, recently donated the proceeds received from a Super Bowl raffle to the Chicago Bears’ Bears Care charity. “We are so appreciative of the support we received from the community and R.S. Owens while we were down in Miami,” said Marge Hamm, director of Bears Care. “This gift will help support programs focused on improving the quality of life for people in the Chicagoland community, especially disadvantaged children and their families, through targeted programs supporting education, youth athletics, medical research and health awareness programs focusing on breast and ovarian cancer.” The raffle was held during a company event for the Chicago Bears’
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**VIDEO – Zoogee explores new product lines
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**VIDEO – Waterless tattoos from Premiums Plus still make a splash
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SanMar, Seattle, is introducing 26 new products for the spring and summer 2007 selling seasons. “The rules have changed,” said Lee Strom, senior marketing manager. “Like retail, there are compelling reasons to introduce new products seasonally rather than once a year. Short-sleeve styles make a bigger impact when launched in the spring and summer.” Fourteen new styles are being added to the athletically inspired Sport-Tek collection. Highlights include compression shirts that help lessen muscle fatigue during intense workouts, as well as performance sport shirts and fleece. Twelve new styles are making their debut in the District Threads line. Key products include plush velour separates,
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In an effort to meet the needs of the growing population of women promotional products business owners and sales associates, industry speaker and promotional products business coach, Rosalie Marcus has established the first business coaching and mastermind group exclusively for women in promotional products sales. The group called, The Women’s Selling Advantage is scheduled to begin in May. However, Marcus will present a free introductory teleconference session on April 26. The session titled, “7 Things Every Woman Must Know To Make More Money in Promotional Products Sales,” is open to all women in the industry. Marcus said her mission in forming this group is to “educate
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