Ravaging Vampire Attack

I’ll admit that I was a little behind the social networking curve. I was still a Friendster guy when clearly it was time to move up to Facebook (which is apparently the adult way to send a Ravaging Vampire Attack to another adult).

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Selco Site, Boxercraft Shorts and Emblem Sales Support

Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Selco announced it has launched a new Web site as a direct link to its Abelle Promotional Time collection. This watch collection has a $15 to $50 sell price range. The site now includes a new, lower 25 piece minimum allowing mixing and matching of styles to reach the minimum.
Go to www.AbellePromotionalTime.com to visit Selco’s new Web site.
About The Selco Companies
The Selco Companies was established in 1935. A manufacturer and supplier of custom imprinted and die-struck medallion watches, clocks, compasses and high-tech products, The Selco Companies’ products are available internationally through promotional products distributors.
For more

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A Caring Industry

As people have probably seen from both this week’s and last’s newsletter, there is no end to the compassion shown by the suppliers and distributors of this industry. With the two tragedies, the earthquake in China and the continuing flooding in the Midwest, came news of devastation that needs no elaboration. What also came was a true outpouring of support. Journalbooks, Norwood, PPAI amd Hub Pen are just a few of the companies and organizations providing support and relief efforts. I hope everyone will consider donating to help make their efforts a success. Below are links to articles from last week’s newsletter.
Journalbooks Aims

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The End of Paper or Plastic?

I think supermarket vocabulary is about to change. As plastic grocery bags look to be heading the way of the dodo, the age-old question of paper or plastic my not be relevant in the not-so-distant future. I say this for many reasons, both societal and personal. Firstly, a string of cities and even entire countries have moved to ban the unbiodegradable petro-chemical sacks that have a tendency to not only end up as unsightly litter, but to also clog up drainage and sewage systems. Secondly, many companies have started to produce some quality, green alternatives, which, citing the laws of supply and demand, indicates

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U-S-Beautiful

I just finished putting together a technology showcase for the magazine, and it is truly amazing the wide array of products that have entered the marketplace in such a short time. USB drives seem to come in every shape and color, from credit-card size to ones tucked neatly inside a pen. It seems like only a couple of years ago they were priced well outside the promotional market (and most non-techies pocketbooks as well). Companies like Flash By Design are including widgets within the programming of the drives—creating sticky drives that automatically load programs or RSS feeds. Other companies like All-In-One Manufacturing are touting

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Bill Gates: American Workers Not Smart Enough???

I recently came across a news article on Bill Gates’ testimony before the House Committee on Science and Technology, held on March 12. As part of the hearing, Gates requested the current 65,000 cap on H-1B visas—which allows that number of foreign workers to be legally employed at U.S. companies within a given year—be removed. He argued “the shortage of trained scientists and engineers had grown so severe [in the U.S.] that it required a dramatic increase in the number of highly skilled immigrants permitted to enter the country,” according to the www.artstechnia.com Web site. Gates contended that “despite the excellence of America’s institutions

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Supplier Candid Camera (or New Product Videos)

Some people may have seen me strolling around the recent PPAI and ASI shows. I was the one with the video camera convincing unsuspecting marketing managers and sales reps to show off their companies latest products on film. Now that the editing is finished, we’ve begun posting the first of the videos. I hope that everyone will take a few minutes to check them out. You never know, the sights and sounds of the shows may just shake a few of those forgotten memories loose (whether you like them or not).

Check out all the new videos including Ball Pro, Visstun and Canyon

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Trade Show Hangover

It’s not a literal hangover, but I have to say three trade shows in five weeks really takes a toll on one. The latest and greatest trip was to Dallas, where I did not get to visit Dealy Plaza, but where I did get to meet a ton of people and add to our growing product video library. Keep an eye on the Web site for new videos from companies like Pro Towels (who all call me Chaz) and Snugz (starring national sales manager Sydra Newell). By the end of the third day both the camera and myself had enough. Ugh.<br

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The Color of Green Ink

Thanks for the comment. Good point about the ink that companies use. I made a few calls about the organic printing/imprinting, but have not heard much back yet. I’ll let you know what suppliers we come up with.
I do know Anvil Knitwear is doing a lot right now in terms of implementing new, more environmentally friendly lines and practices. You might want to check out the AnvilOrganic line (http://www.anvilknitwear.com). The president over at Anvil, Anthony Corsano, is truly committed to going green. I’ve had a few discussions with him about it. Some of what they are doing can be found

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