S SUMMER WINDS down, I recall weekends filled with fairs and festivals. A few were large Chicagoland events where popular consumer brands tended to dominate the event marketing activities. However, the majority of weekends were spent at neighborhood fairs, which featured a wide range of local merchants, including realtors, insurance agents and health clubs handing out logoed merchandise. Although many different businesses were represented, I missed seeing the conspicuously absent ad specialty distributors, who in turn missed an opportunity to meet potential clients, promote services, and explain the role ad specialty products play in today’s market. I asked several local distributors why they did
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TO TAG OR not to tag. This is the question facing new companies entering the promotional products arena and established companies reevaluating the way they do business. “Tag” in this case refers not to the products but to the companies themselves. In this industry, nearly everyone is familiar with ASI numbers and most are familiar with UPIC identifications. Why would one company choose a UPIC identification over an ASI number or vice versa? Why do some companies opt for both? Why do other companies use neither? To better understand the markets, Promotional Marketing contacted Tim Andrews, president of Trevose, Pennsylvania-based ASI; Scott Fuhr, director of corporate
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“Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties.” Erich Fromm (March 23, 1900 – March 18, 1980), internationally renowned German-American psychologist. here is no doubt about it: The promotional products industry is one that requires an unending well of creativity and innovation. With that being said, the true task at hand is, how do company leaders continue to foster a high level of competitive creativity on a daily basis? Some of the keys to this creative upkeep come from the ongoing workplace creativity research of Teresa Amabile, professor of business administration at Harvard Business School. Amabile found that managers must show awareness of work activities, provide
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For the second year in a row, SanMar, Seattle, was recognized for outstanding customer service by EmbroidMe, an embroidery and promotional products retail franchise based in West Palm Beach, Fla. The Vendor of the Year award was presented to Jo Ann Pancheri, a SanMar account executive, at the Vendor Show in San Antonio earlier this month. Pancheri leads a team of SanMar customer service representatives, including Brian Butler, Sean Elder and Beth Lahore. Tipton Shonkwiler, director of marketing at EmbroidMe, said franchisees, “Have been extremely impressed with the extra-mile attitude and memorable customer service SanMar has provided. SanMar has been a strategic partner in
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Z Marketing, Westminister, Colo., is offering its PicoPad Wallet Notes at $2.45 (C) until the end of the year. The patented credit card-sized notebook, complete with pen and self-stick notes is now available with four-color printing on the front, back and inside. “The product was introduced last year, and we do the marketing for new suppliers coming into the industry,” noted Barry Dobb, president of Z Marketing. “We’ve been very successful with the product since its introduction, but have decided to offer end-column pricing through the rest of the year.” Dubbed the “original PDA” by designer Alan Regala, the PicoPad has been featured in
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Pelican Products, Torrance, Calif., has added M1 (3310) and M3 (3370) incandescent task lights to its line, and have refined existing models in its M-Series line. Both items feature a tail-cap switch for easy on/off/momentary, one-hand operation and are constructed of nearly indestructible CNC machined aluminum with a no-slip, knurled, diamond pattern. The flashlights are powered by CR123 lithium batteries, which have an extremely long shelf life and offer exceptional performance in extreme temperature conditions. Pelican has also refined the existing M3 2370 L.E.D. to include Type III Hard Anodizing in a black or O.D. Green finish, and a tail-cap switch. Additionally, the M1
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Bodek and Rhodes, Philadelphia, recently hired Rich Carter as the company’s new e-commerce development manager. Carter joins Bodek & Rhodes with more than 15 years of experience in interactive marketing, e-commerce and Web design. “Rich has an amazing grasp of what today’s Web site user is looking for, in terms of searching for and ordering products, information flow and easy navigation,” said Mike Rhodes, president. “Coupled with this, is his creative eye and strong sense of design. It translates into a site that is altogether informative, interesting, friendly and efficient—one that will help our customers do business and grow their businesses.” In his new
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Broder, Trevose, Pa., is offering free freight to its entire customer base on orders of $150 or more, including any of the company’s 23 brands. The program will last through the rest of the year. Orders can be placed online, via telephone or fax, with the exception of sale items or white T-shirts. “We really wanted to show our appreciation to our customers and felt that extending a great incentive such as free freight would go a long way,” said Brian Mangione, vice president of sales. “This is our way of saying thanks to our loyal customers. The program takes the additional
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When Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay stepped foot upon the summit of Mt. Everest on May 29, 1953, they carried with them more than just the spirit of England. After reaching the Earth’s highest point of elevation, the two adventurers took some photographs and then placed pieces of candy on top of the snow. What if those sweets had been bearing a company logo? Talk about market real estate. The natural world is often overlooked as a viable avenue for promotions, and with good reason. It’s hard to find somewhere to hang a magnet or fill a coffee cup in the middle of
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At its annual sales seminar this year, The Partnering Group, Tunica, Miss., added Clay Hughey of Footprint Marketing, Addison, Texas, to its list of distributor members. The addition brings the total number of distributor members to 12, with close to 100 salespeople and sales volume of more than $45 million. In addition, suppliers Prime Resources, GWI Gempire, Moderne Glass and Bag Makers were added as strategic partners. The Partnering Group now includes 35 supplier companies. The Partnering Group is a full-service promotional products organization consisting of select distributors and suppliers that come together for mentoring, marketing and economy of scale practices. For more information, call
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