We’re all familiar with the saying, “There’s nothing new under the sun.” Luckily, this statement does not apply to the promotional products industry. Much like our friends at the North Pole, Promotional Marketing has worked long and hard to deliver right to distributors’ doorsteps the newest and hottest promotional products on the market for 2007. From dog tags that can store top-secret information to laser-infused holiday ornaments, the following pages offer up a wide selection of fresh products that made this year’s celebrated Best New Products list. And so, without any further ado and in the words of the late, great Marvin Gaye—let’s get
Read MoreIn The Psyche Of The Salesperson
It may sound a bit didactic to theorize on our instincts in the market, but the majority of suppliers and distributors do show interest in the sales process. Since the basis of our network revolves around selling, we should focus on the quest for new and different sales methods. We have the industry advantage of access to great resources and historical data about the promotional product sales process. We’ve seen countless theories on sales models and explanations of what we do. We act as product specialists, brokers, agencies, solutions providers and more. And what motivates us to sell differs as much as our job titles
Read MoreTo Your Health!
THERE IS A growing problem in the United States: citizens’ bellies. With each passing year, the Center for Disease Control, the surgeon general, and the American Heart Association continue their cries about the dangers of obesity. And, if the official U.S. health-oriented organizations aren’t proof enough that Americans are growing wider, surely a poll of any eatery would confirm the fact. The warnings have reached a violently high pitch and Americans are finally catching on. Healthy living trends are changing retail and corporate focuses. The new considerations encompass relaxation, mental health and skin care, as well as exercise and diet. This is an ideal time for
Read More12/06_Recog_Intro
xcerpted from www.super-solutions.com, a human resources-related Web site: Managers have a lot to learn about employee recognition, according to the results of a recent national Maritz Poll. More than 1,000 full-time employees were asked to compare companies’ reward practices to employee preferences. The results show there is a significant gap between how employees are currently recognized in the workplace and how they actually want to be recognized: • Only 27 percent who want to be recognized by non-monetary employee incentives, such as award merchandise, gift cards or trips, are recognized that way. • Only 29 percent who want to be recognized by a cash bonus
Read MoreCorrections
In the September issue of Promotional Marketing, the Comparison Corner story titled “To Tag or Not To Tag” mistakenly attributed quotes by Paul Bellantone, vice president of marketing and membership for PPAI, to Pat Burgher, CAE-manager of business development for PPAI. The article also listed Burgher’s title as “President of UPIC,” which is inaccurate. UPIC is an identification system run by PPAI. It is not an organization unto itself.
Read MoreFast Lane Clothing’s Ground- Breaking Draws Prominent Crowd
Tampa, Florida-based Fast Lane Clothing recently performed the ground-breaking ceremony on the site that is soon to be the new location of the company’s headquarters for its new offices that will be constructed on a 1.5 acre East Tampa lot, located at 5112 N. 22nd St. Mayor Pam Iorio, State Representative Arthenia Joyner and Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce’s President and CEO Kim Scheeler attended the ceremony. Local television network stations, newspapers, business owners and citizens attended the ground-breaking where Mayor Iorio proclaimed her vision for the revitalization of East Tampa. “Progress is contagious,” noted Iorio in a speech about Fast
Read MoreNatural Trends’ Sanitizer Pen is Mightier Than the Germ
Headquartered in Provo, Utah, Natural Trends announced that four patents have been secured for its proprietary Sani-Pen dispenser. The pen-shaped spray sanitizer was first introduced three years ago. While additional patents are pending, the recent patents provide protection for the invention in the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan. The unique dispenser easily clips on to a pocket or lapel, and the twist-lock pump design eliminates the need for a cap, making the product convenient, quick and easy to use. The test tube-like container holds a half ounce of liquid and delivers more than 200 sprays. The popularity of the
Read MoreAvaline’s Czark Appointed as Chief Financial Officer
Len Hornstein, CEO of Avaline, Parsippany, N.J., recently announced the promotion of Doug Czark to CFO. Czark, a 1986 graduate of Sacred Heart University with a B.S. in accounting, joined Avaline in 2003 as controller, and has been responsible for the design and implementation of several key information initiatives. “Doug is extremely competent and persevering,” noted Hornstein. “He has taken the initiative to improve our operations even further. We are a better organization for his many contributions and this appointment reflects his value to our business.” Of his new appointment, Czark said, “I have been fortunate in joining
Read MoreRiver’s End Adds Nike Brand for 2007
River’s End, Minneapolis, enters a new era in apparel distribution by focusing its 2007 product line and catalog on distinctive brands and new collections. Featured on the catalog cover, and only available at River’s End, is Nike Performance Activewear. The Nike brand gives customers an authentic, innovative sportswear line consisting of performance features, ladies’ styles and a wide selection of apparel combinations. The 2007 catalog, which is currently available, also features other retail brands, including Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger and NYNE. The catalog kicks off a celebration of 25 years in the apparel industry. In addition to adding well-known brands, River’s
Read MoreCustom HBC Purchases Wayzata Bay Products
Custom HBC, Waconia, Minn., has announced the purchase of the assets and equipment of Wayzata Bay Products, one of its key suppliers. Of the purchase, Custom HBC’s president and owner, Larry Wilhelm, said, “This acquisition significantly adds to our internal production capacity and flexibility, thereby enhancing our ability to support our distributor customers.” Wayzata Bay Products’ owner and president, Jon Ratliff, is serving as a consultant to Custom HBC to manage the installation and start-up of the equipment at the company’s facility. For more information, call (877) 442-9881 or visit www.customhbc.com.
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