In May 2000, Michael J. Fox, best known for his starring role in “Back to the Future,” retired from his role on the ABC television show “Spin City,” and formed The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. From its inception until 2005, the foundation raised nearly $70 million. As a direct result of Fox’s efforts, Parkinson’s disease research has taken a sharp upward turn, and now his foundation is even driving the development of a genome map of the disease. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research proudly reports its efficiency: 84.4 percent of income is directed to research-related activities; 3.3
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WHAT BETTER WAY to jump-start the new year than with a healthy dose of good lovin’? The ‘L’ word is often a hot topic in religious and philosophical circles, on the silver screen and yes, in basketball—ask Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan, stars of the 2000 flick “Love & Basketball.” However, rarely, if at all, is love (the unconditional kind) ever paired with business. Can love and business mix? Apparently they can, says Sharon Price, a marketing guru, who, following the 9/11 terror attacks on the United States, traded in a long and fruitful corporate career for a more earnest version she’s coined “love-based
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Food and drink promotions are by far the most fun. Often they are given as gifts to faithful clients or incentives to hard-working employees. As a promotion, a tasty treat emblazoned with a logo leaves a lasting—and delicious—impression. No matter where the fruit baskets or beer steins are headed, the spirit of merry-making follows in their wake. In that spirit, here is a collection of fun and fascinating facts about food. Funny, amazing and astounding, store these facts in the back of your mind and drop them along with your next food and drink promotion: • Hundreds of years ago, the tomato was widely considered
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The standards of haute couture say it’s the accessories that make the outfit. Consider this: a pair of sandblasted jeans topped with a crisp, white stretch tee and pulled together with some funky, rust-colored cowboy boots. Not bad. But, in order to finish this easy weekend look, the single-most important accessory (besides those funky cowboy boots) is in order. No outfit should go without the addition of a handy tote, purse or backpack. And these days, color, color, color is in. Don’t be afraid to suggest a lime green leather bowling bag to a real estate company or a nautical-striped canvas boat tote to
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The entertainment industry is positively tremendous, covering everything from music and movies to television and computers. So broad a field allows for some seriously flexible promotions that are made all the more worthwhile when the business is booming. Promotional products and the entertainment industry are long-time sweethearts. They have a loving, give-and-take relationship that is here to stay, a relationship sustained by the remarkable flexibility the industry provides. What’s more, the entertainment industry reaches out to just about every member of our society. Everyone loves to be entertained—it’s that simple. The breadth of the industry creates a niche for everybody, and its great activity keeps
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The word “private” usually invokes feelings of, well, quite frankly, something that could potentially break the bank. There are private golf clubs, private beaches, private lessons and private jets, to name a few. Anything private, in most cases, are deemed exclusive to the rich and unreachable to the real world. In the promotional products arena, however, the reverse is true. Private label apparel, while exclusively made by a maufacturer or supplier, are generally brought to market at a lower cost than their branded counterparts. However, lower prices should not be confused with lesser quality. The items are often made from the exact materials as
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Crystal D, St. Paul, Minn., will launch its new and improved Web site on Fri., Dec. 29. The site will focus on increased functionality, easy navigation and comprehensive content. “This redesign is all about our clients,” said Chuck Dahlgren, president. “With new functionality and easy-to-find information, our clients will be provided with a truly enhanced Web experience.” The new Web site, located at www.crystal-d.com, will provide a wide selection of information about Crystal D’s products and services, as well as highlight the benefits of incorporating a recognition program. For more information, call (800) 544-1131 or visit www.crystal-d.com.
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Providence, a promotional products manufacturer and marketer based in Providence, R.I., will celebrate its centennial in 2007. Founded by Harry Klitzner in 1907 as a mail-order company serving fraternal organizations, the family-owned business today sells exclusively to promotional products distributors. Providence’s management team, consisting of Dean Klitzner and Hank Riccitelli points to innovation and customer service as the keys to the company’s longevity. “You have to constantly reinvent yourself,” said Klitzner. “If you can’t change rapidly to meet customer demands, you simply won’t survive.” In addition to being a manufacturer, Providence is now also considered a marketer, with sourcing relationships dating back 50 years. The company’s
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Not attending the PPAI Expo next week? Don’t worry. Promotional Marketing’s got you covered! Beginning on Jan. 4 and concluding Jan. 6, 2007, the editors of PMNow!, Promotional Marketing’s weekly online e-newsletter, will publish daily e-mail updates—complete with video clips and news—right from the Expo floor! Get a bird’s-eye view of the hottest products in the New Products Pavilion; get the latest scoop on what other distributors are saying about the show; find out the best supplier show deals, the biggest booths and the brightest stars (maybe Elvis will serenade attendees again this year). So, sit back, relax and enjoy the show—literally. Let PMNow! do all
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Michael Kelly has joined Medford, Massechutets-based Charles River Apparel as the company’s new Chief Operations Officer, and brings with him more than 20 years of experience in business operations, information systems management and managerial sciences. Previously, Kelly was president and COO for a home fashions manufacturer and the senior vice president of manufacturing and business systems for a home fashions manufacturer and importer. Of his new role, Kelly said, “The biggest challenge was to determine which of the service opportunities for efficiency and improvement to tackle first. We can continue to improve our excellent reputation for service by implementing some of the current technologies
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