Tag: Industry

Look for the Silver Lining

Staff Writer

I had the pleasure of attending an open house and media dinner this past week in Chicago. By all accounts, it was a fantastic event which included spending time with some of the industry’s nicest folks, lots of laughs, a great Moroccan restaurant, a professional belly dancer (as well as some not-so-professional belly dancers, you know who you are) and even a tarot card reader.
I am quite the skeptic and when I sat down for my reading I thought to myself, “Hmm, I am sure this will be way off the mark.” In actuality she was pretty much on target, even if

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$10 Million Lead Paint Fine and Other Industry News

Staff Writer

Though the topic has been out of the news spotlight, we shouldn’t forget about the lead paint issue that effects the promotional products industry. While no one knows how wide-spread the problem is, it is nice to see companies are beginning to be held responsible for their actions.

Producer of Give-Away Lunchboxes Ordered to Pay $10 Million

L.A.-based lunchbox maker sold 100,000 lead-tainted lunchboxes to the state.
Oakland, CA -In San Francisco Superior Court yesterday, Judge Richard A. Kramer ordered L.A.-based T A Creations to pay $10,071,500 for the company’s violation of California law when it sold lead-tainted lunchboxes to

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News From Around the Industry

Staff Writer

SanMar Debuts the 2008 District Threads Collection Catalog
Seattle-based SanMar Corporation, a leading supplier of imprintable apparel and accessories, is releasing its 2008 District Threads catalog. The 36-page catalog showcases the entire District Threads line of essential fashion apparel, while offering a preview of forthcoming fall styles.
“The District Threads brand finds its appeal with teens and young adults who are looking for clothes that reflect their comfortable, relaxed approach to life,” explains Jeremy Lott, SanMar vice president of sales and marketing. “It’s all about a smart balance between fashion and function-like our District Threads organic styles, which combine environmental responsibility with casual

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Rocky Road

Staff Writer

Astronomical gas prices. Food shortages. Global warming. It’s feeling a little apocalyptic out here, no?
In case you happen to have missed the news, are evading the stock market or avoiding all human contact—there’s this economy thing going on right now and people are kind of freaking out.
The possible imminency of a recession is palpably affecting the retail sector, according to the Women’s Wear Daily Web site, WWD.com.
Obviously, the real question is how/if it will affect the wearables contingent of the ad specialties industry. I think we’re all fairly confident the T-shirt will remain a sound investment. However, does a slowdown

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That Pesky Flag Pin

Staff Writer

The Pennsylvania Democratic primary finally arrived, and it’s good to see the promotional products industry is so relevant on a national (and, dare I say, international) stage. I’m, of course, talking about the flag-shaped lapel pin scandal which is sweeping the nation (for a second time). Poor Senator Obama can’t seem to catch a break on this one. First it was on. Then it was off. And, now, apparently it’s back on again. People are latching onto the issue to say he isn’t patriotic. That he hates America (as if the act of running for the presidency doesn’t earn you any patriotic points). <br

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‘Til We Chat Again …

Staff Writer

I’ve got some good news and some great news. I’ll start with the great news first: After a tenure of 51⁄2 years, Friday, April 25 will be my last day at Promo Marketing magazine. I’ve accepted a new position as a writer at an ad agency. So, herein is my final entry to my three-month stint as a PromoMarketing.com blogger (well, I suppose the part about the end of the blog might be the only bad news).

But, here’s the good news: Although I will no longer be a full-time staff editor at Promo Marketing, I will, however, continue writing for the magazine

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Media Manners

Staff Writer

I’ve shouted out to The Tercet Group before in this blog, but in light of recent revelations, I’ve decided to shill compliments one last time. As of May 31, 2008, the Chicago-based full-service marketing and communications agency will be closing its doors.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with these ladies for the past year, as they’ve represented industry supplier S&S Activewear. We say it all the time around here at PM—if every company in the industry dealt with the media the way this group did, we’d have a much easier time getting things done.
This industry has been blessed with

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Crimes and Misdemeanors

Staff Writer

So, Woody Allen is suing American Apparel. Huh.

It’s funny … give our industry one celeb and people go crazy. (And by crazy, I mean that in the entire history of our e-newsletter, that item had pretty much the highest click-through rate, well, ever).
I’m finding it increasingly hilarious that no one can seem to decide which of the involved parties is more distasteful: Woody Allen, for well-publicized reasons, or a company founded by a guy with, shall we say, a less-than-savory reputation.
My coworkers make fun of me because I have “views” about American Apparel. Yes, I cover the

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Breaking News… Just In From Bejing…

Staff Writer

While normally we don’t take time out to highlight non-industry-related achievements, we felt in this case a few words must be said. One of the promotional products industry’s very own will be representing the good, old, U.S. of A. this summer at the Olympic Games in Bejing. This professional’s professional will hang up the cell phone and holster the Blackberry as he travels abroad to become one of America’s only two-sport threats—competing in both table tennis and synchronized swimming. While some have questioned his choice of sports, we at Promo Marketing pledge to give him full support (and possibly a place on the cover

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Goofing Around

Staff Writer

I was pleasantly surprised (and tickled) today when I received a “BREAKING NEWS” e-mail from the marketing department of an industry distributorship stating its president and CEO would be taking a leave of absence to represent the United States at the upcoming Olympics in China. Some of you may have received the e-mail.
I was so impressed (shocked, maybe) by what I was reading about the CEO’s athletic prowess in the first few paragraphs of the press release that I was compelled to holler across the cubicles to Charles Plyter (Promo Marketing’s managing online editor) to see if he’d gotten the release. After a

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