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,
Read MoreMarcus Introduces New Selling Program for Industry Women
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
Read MoreSeastone Revamps Gift Card Packaging Program
Seastone, a Provo, Utha-based supplier of specialty gift card packages and gift card promotional programs, recently announced plans to advance the gift card category by revamping its packaging program. “The gift card industry has matured rapidly in its brief 10-year history and is here to stay,” said Phil Rist, retail analyst at BIGresearch. “2006 was the year of the gift card, growing to an estimated $82 billion. We are now seeing the maturation of the gift card package category and will see some innovative developments in this area as a value-add to gift cards.” Over the past three years, Seastone has enhanced its gift
Read MoreTips of the Trade: Should You Blog?
By Ilise Benun, Marketing Mentor Should you have a blog? That’s the question “du jour” these days. The answer: it depends. (We’ll be answering the question live and in more detail in a free conference call on April 26. If you still don’t have a Web site, a blog is a simple way to put one up. A blog literally takes 10 minutes to create and you don’t need any technical expertise. Plus, the simple ones—blogger.com or typepad.com—are free (or almost)! If you do have a Web site and want to integrate a blog, that’s good too. “Blogs are conversations, not ads. They’re less
Read More30-year Industry Vet Named President of Webb Company
Webb Company, Rosemount, Minn., recently announced the appointment of industry veteran Keith H. Olivit as the company’s president. Of the appointment, Alan Webb, founder/CEO, stated: “Keith’s extensive knowledge of the industry and his expertise in developing and managing leading industry supplier companies makes him an exceptional candidate to lead our company.” “We are committed to focusing on the needs and wants of distributors,” Webb continued. “Keith’s experience will assist us with managing our overall product selection, shortening our production time and expanding our growth categories of candy and mint products, as well as health and beauty products.” Olivit’s career in the
Read MoreTips of the Trade: The Most Important Metric for Your Business
By Ilise Benun, Marketing Mentor www.marketing-mentor.com With the first quarter behind us, you should be 25 percent toward achieving the 2007 goals you set in January. Are you? If not, it could be because you haven’t broken the big goal down into the tiny tasks required every week, even every day, that will eventually add up to that goal. Here’s the most important metric you need: how many proposals do you have to submit each month in order to make your numbers? From there, how many calls (cold or warm) must you make to be asked for that number of proposals? How many prospects
Read MoreSmartblast.com and Apparelspider.com Partner to Offer ApparelBlast
In an effort to better target and focus on the growing apparel market, Smartblast.com, an e-mail marketing services company, and Apparelspider.com, provider of a complimentary Web-based quoting/sourcing platform to apparel buyers, have announced their strategic partnership and the creation of ApparelBlast—an apparel-specific e-mail broadcast service geared toward companies that purchase apparel, headwear and related services. The first e-mail broadcast is scheduled for Wed., April 18. “Apparel is clearly the largest segment of the promotional products industry. It is a dynamic and growing product category, and we want to focus on that,” noted Michael Ryan, president of Smartblast.com. “Apparelspider.com’s technology is of tremendous value to
Read MoreHartwell Adds Workwear, Careerwear, Activeware
Hartwell Industries, Hartwell, Ga., now offers workwear and careerwear from VF Imagewear, as well as activewear from Russell Artwear. “We are thrilled to expand the assortment of industry leading brands we offer our customers,” said Rick Cesere, CEP. “Partnering with these two highly respected companies gives Hartwell’s customers access to the best brands in the business.” Hartwell’s brand portfolio, which includes Hartwell, Liz Claiborne, Claiborne, Auburn Sport and A-Game Athletic, will now include Lee, Red Kap, Bulwark and Chef Designs from VF Imagewear, in addition to Jerzees from Russell Artwear. “Hartwell’s ingenuity and flexibility make them a strong partner,” said Brett Barthel, vice president/general
Read More**VIDEO – New products from Aloe Up
**VIDEO – New products from Aloe Up
Read More**VIDEO – SnugZ USA makes a commitment to personal care
**VIDEO – SnugZ USA makes a commitment to personal care
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