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
Read MoreSeeing The Light Of Day
NOT TOO LONG ago, the Northwestern University women’s lacrosse team got invited to the White House. The resulting photo, which should have been a source of parental pride for years to come, soon became the stuff of media buzz legend. “You wore flip-flops to the White House?!,” proclaimed an e-mail sent to one of the four players who, while posing in the front row, was captured wearing the offending sandals. But the choice of footwear shouldn’t have surprised anyone—it’s merely a sign of the times. In general, the public’s attitude toward clothing styles has become more and more laissez-faire over the years. Suits, once a
Read MoreMoney Moves
THE WORKINGS OF the global economy are beyond ordinary levels of comprehension. The flow of money across international boundaries happens at the speed of light thousands of times a day. Conceptual currency, carried on cables, disappears from New York, appears in China, is split between branches in Beijing and Hong Kong, is converted and withdrawn. The whole system is held together by the even more abstract concepts of faith and agreement. People agree the green, paper rectangles have value, and they have faith the same agreement will be in place each day. As a testament to the strength of the consensus, financial institutions exist seemingly
Read MoreClip It. Snap It. Pin It. Flash It.
IS THERE ANYTHING more American than baseball, apple pie and Chevrolet? Yes. And promotional products distributors will be glad to learn the item just might be the promotional button. Yes, that’s right, the promotional button. From the time of Abraham Lincoln and before, people have used it to tout causes from the fronts of their lapels. It’s a staple of both politicians and protesters, and more recently, its popularity as restaurant “flair” seems to be on the rise. No one will forget “I Like Ike,” or the more current button reference, “Potter Stinks!” Now though, with improved printing processes, customers can get their buttons
Read MoreHey, Mr. Good Looking
HE SWAGGERS UP to the entrance with a smug look on his face, and with good reason. His finely tailored suit fits his chiseled body to a “T.” He notices the approving glances all around him. He knows he looks good. The jacket sleeves stop just short of a costly set of diamond-studded cuff links. His pants are impeccably creased and fall atop brilliantly shined shoes. With damsel on arm, money in pocket and skip in step, he crosses the threshold. The party has just begun. DRESS THE PART There is much truth in the popular saying, “Dress the way you want to be addressed.” A
Read MoreThe Business of Gift Giving
IN THE CORPORATE world, this time of year can be taxing and downright stressful. With the holidays and end-of-year recognition ceremonies at hand, businesses know it’s time to dig deep—not just for the right words to say to staffers and customers, but for the right gifts to give them. There are no hard-and-fast rules to follow in selling corporate gifts and awards programs, but with the right techniques and products, it’s guaranteed CEOs will look forward to distributors’ calls year-round. FIRST THINGS FIRST There are a number of trends taking place in the promotional business gifts and awards category. According to Jay Donlin, vice president of
Read MoreSending Mixed Messages
TO THINK, A mere two decades ago, the World Wide Web still was a new-fangled contraption. Yet, with the advent of podcasting, SMS, even adver-gaming, it’s about as old-timey as the phonograph. Simple Web sites certainly are adequate, but for marketers looking to proactively connect with clients, the Internet as a cutting-edge communication tool has approached a crossroads marked “new media.” What’s the buzz about? Have traditional tactics taken a nosedive? And what, exactly, is “new media,” anyway? For answers to these questions and more, Promo Marketing turned to Holly Berkley, interactive marketing consultant and author of “Marketing in the New Media,” for a pro’s
Read More