The Big Deal About Automobiles… The automobile industry is one of the largest in the United States. New vehicle production, sales and other jobs related to the use of autos are responsible for one out of every 10 jobs—approximately 13.3 million—nationwide, according to a 2003 report, “Contribution of the Automotive Industry to the U.S. Economy,” prepared by the University of Michigan and the Center for Automotive Research. The report also found the U.S. automotive industry produces a higher level of output than any other single industry. When measured in constant 2000 dollars, automotive output increased by 73 percent from 1990 to 2003. Other interesting facts
Read More06/06 Editor’s Note
“Creative ideas flourish best in a shop which preserves some spirit of fun. Nobody is in business for fun, but that does not mean there cannot be fun in business.” Leo Burnett – advertising executive famous for creating such icons as the Jolly Green Giant, the Marlboro Man, the Pillsbury Doughboy and Tony the Tiger. Simply stated, the promotional products industry is fun. Walking around the Promotions East show in Atlantic City, N.J., earlier this month, the fun and comraderie of all those involved was surprisingly evident. While competition in the industry is fierce—one gentleman at the show actually described it as “canabalisitic
Read MoreDefault: 06/06 Insurance Intro
Eighty-four percent of Americans had some form of health-insurance coverage in 2004, according to a report released by the U.S. Census Bureau. That equates to 245.3 million people in the United States who were potential targets for health-insurance promotions. Last year’s figure is up two million from 2003, meaning up to two million prospects may have slipped through the hands of promotional products distributors. And, with health-insurance companies such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina reporting an eye-opening 91 percent increase in total revenue from 2001 to 2005, according to the Triangle Business Journal, it is clear the insurance market is
Read MoreComparison Corner
Over the years and through countless interviews, Promotional Marketing’s staff has heard suppliers and distributors voice their opinions on an array of hot topics that directly or indirectly affect the advertising specialty industry. Sometimes voices are heated, sometimes they are calm; but they always make a valid point. Therefore, starting with its June issue, Promotional Marketing’s new section, Comparison Corner, will provide industry professionals space to wax their views on key issues. First up: domestic-made versus outsourcing. In addition, Comparison Corner will sometimes be used to compare and contrast high-end versus low-end promotional products, as well as promotional products versus their retail counterparts. If
Read More05/06 News_Dunbrooke
Dunbrooke Outfits Disabled Troops, Hires Eberz Earlier this year, Dunbrooke, Independence, Mo., in conjunction with Blumberg Marketing, New Rochelle, N.Y., provided jackets for amputee soldiers and marines at the second annual “Support Our Troops Weekend” sponsored by the Adaptive Sports Foundation. Thirty-six members of the armed forces between the ages of 19 and 21 were given ski and snowboarding lessons with the help of customized equipment. “This is a part of getting back into life,” explained Anita Buyers of Blumberg Marketing, who has taught adaptive skiing for 20 years. “The purpose is to help rehabilitative efforts outside the hospital.” In other news, Joe Eberz joined Dunbrooke as
Read More05/06 News_Bodek
Bodek & Rhodes Introduces New D.C. Sales Representative Bodek & Rhodes, Philadelphia, announced the addition of Chris Sprankle as the sales representative for Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Sprankle, who joined the company in Feb., is based in Washington, D.C. “Already Chris has shown a tremendous knowledge of the customer-first approach that makes a difference,” said Scott Seigal, vice president of sales. “In addition, he is familiar with the territory and the people who have businesses there.” Prior to joining Bodek & Rhodes, Sprankle built and honed his sales and sales management skills in the home-building-products industry in the Maryland and Washington, D.C. area. In his new
Read More05/06 News_Norwood
Norwood Confident Against Roller Lawsuit “We are confident that the evidence will show Mr. Roller’s allegations are false and without merit,” said Frank Bellis, CEO of Norwood Promotional Products, Indianapolis, in a statement released by the company’s counsel, Jonathan Polak. “We look forward to disproving Mr. Roller’s claims during arbitration, as required by his employment agreement.” According to a release issued by PPAI, Bellis’ statement is in response to a suit filed by former Norwood CEO Thomas Roller alleging that upon his termination last December, he was told that 6,000 shares of Preferred Stock given to him as part of Norwood’s debt/equity restructuring in 2004 were
Read More05/06 Editor’s Note
“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” Les Brown – 1930’s era bigband leader of the Band of Renown. have joined the Promotional Marketing team at a fresh and exciting time. After having reviewed the industry data from the Promotional Marketing statistics vault for the 2006 top 50 distributors, it is clear this is a booming industry, and there is no end in sight. In 2006, the top 50 distributors generated $267 million more in promotional product sales from last year, and the growth doesn’t stop there; it has trickled down into all aspects of the industry. It is
Read More05/06 Retraction
Retraction: In “Recognize the Potential of Badges, Buttons and Lanyards” in the April 2006 issue, a quote by Karen Slabotsky of Martini Promotions—“By far, our most popular item is our silkscreened lanyard. A higher-end, top-selling item is our four-color process, Digi-dye lanyard, which features superior printing technology”—was mistakenly attributed to Kimberly Damp of Universal Strap, which does not silkscreen any of its lanyards. Also, Universal Strap’s woven buttons are not available in only eight colors, but can be woven with up to eight colors.
Read MoreMAKE AN IMPACT with DIRECT MAIL CAMPAIGNS
PEOPLE LOVE to get mail. But, they hate junk mail, and unsolicited faxes and e-mail— facts that keep direct marketers teetering between subtlety and straighforwardness. Direct marketers can avoid audience alienation, experts say, by focusing on the basics: targeting the right audience with the right message, and using strong copy and creative elements. The most important element is the mailing list, according to Matthew Staudt, president of Interactive Marketing Group, Allendale, N.J. “If there is any question about the validity of the list, all the other elements of what might be an otherwise successful campaign are suspect,” said Staudt. “List data becomes outdated on
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