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LogoMall Has Actors Walking Across the Screen

Filed under: Industry Initiatives, Member Benefits, News About ASI

By now, most of us have seen the epic 3-D blockbuster “Avatar.” There’s little doubt the flick represents the moviemaking future.

ASI’s LogoMall is reaching for the stars as well, using the latest in digital marketing - walking, talking onscreen personalities - to engage visitors and potential buyers.

It works like this: Click on a LogoMall website and an actor of your choice actually walks out onto the screen, says hello and proceeds to guide you through the site, helping you find promotional products and ideas.

The first time I saw it, one word popped into my mind: Cool. 

The videos - and there are plenty to choose from - are professionally produced by ASI affiliate RIVWorks Inc.  They can also create custom video to further personalize your site. No matter what you choose, the end result is further reinforcement of your brand and higher sales conversions.

To view an online demo, click here.   

The best part of this incredible new marketing tool is it’s easy. Instead of spending time and money making the videos yourself, we do it for you, leaving you more time for selling.

As an added bonus, real-time analytics track each campaign to show you your video impressions and click-through rates to document leads.  The interactive platform also records whether visitors are first-time or return, and then it delivers the right video instantly. 

Distributors with a LogoMall site can join the future of online marketing and subscribe to the new video service immediately, at special pricing for ASI members. 

Tell me what cutting-edge moves your company’s made recently by posting a comment or emailing me here.  I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.


Strong Momentum for ESP Web and ESP Orders

Filed under: ASI Shows, Industry Initiatives, Member Benefits, News About ASI

Everyone enjoys positive feedback, which is why I’m pleased to share some recent testimonials about ASI’s ESP Web and ESP Orders.

Philip Myers, owner of Myers Printing (asi/278937), went so far as to call the upcoming new services “awesome.” For more comments, and to read the press release, click here.

In development for almost a year, the new ESP Web runs on standard Internet browsers - including Explorer, Firefox and Apple’s Safari - for instant access anytime to products, supplier data, ESP Orders and customer information. 

ESP Orders is a total order management system, available with ESP Web, that allows distributors to create sales orders, purchase orders and invoices electronically and without rekeying any data.  All order information is replicated automatically, dramatically improving efficiency and providing more time for selling.

For a sneak-peek video of the revolutionary new ESP Web — which begins rolling out to all ESP users at the end of March — and ESP Orders, click here.

And don’t forget to check out demonstrations of ESP Web and ESP Orders at all upcoming ASI Shows, including ASI Dallas (Monday, February 1, through Wednesday, February 3) and ASI San Diego (Wednesday, February 24, through Friday, February 26), in the training room at the ASI booth and in select “power session” rooms. 

If you were one of the 400 who participated in ESP sessions during education day during our first show of the year in Orlando, tell me what you thought by posting a comment or emailing me here.  I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.


ASI Provides Savings with UPS Ocean Freight

Filed under: Industry Initiatives, Member Benefits, News About ASI

Good deals are wonderful. Great deals are even better, which is what supplier members now get when they ship ocean freight with UPS. This latest ASI benefit can add up to annual savings between $3,000-$10,000.

The UPS Ocean Freight program provides suppliers with a full array of global freight and transportation solutions for almost any size shipment, including less-than-container loads, full-container loads, special equipment, and oversized cargo.  

We specifically chose UPS because it’s a world-class supply chain and transportation leader, with over 100 years of proven service, which is exactly what companies need to help them maneuver today’s complex shipping regulations.

For complete details, click here to read the press release.

And if you’re at ASI Show Orlando, look out for UPS representatives, who will be on site through Tuesday to discuss the new benefits.

I’d love to know how similar benefits have saved your company money, so post a comment or emailing me here.  I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.


Sneak-Peek Video of ESP Web and ESP Orders

Filed under: Industry Initiatives, Member Benefits, News About ASI

For my final blog post of 2009, I’d like to offer my best wishes for a very happy New Year - and share with you a cool video we just posted (final edits to come) with a sneak-peek of the new ESP Web and ESP Orders - click here to watch.  

In the fall, many of you replied to my email requesting feedback on ESP Online and we took literally hundreds of your comments and incorporated them into the new version of ESP and our all-new ESP Orders product.

This revolutionary new ESP Web is available across standard Internet browsers — including Explorer, Firefox and Apple’s Safari — for instant access anytime and anywhere to products, supplier data, orders and customer information.

The intelligent search engine allows users to find just the right product for clients, and it uses the same technology on sites like Barnes & Noble and Wal-Mart. 

ESP Orders is a total order management system available with ESP Web that allows distributors to create sales orders, purchase orders and invoices without rekeying any information.

The video covers the highlights, but if you or a colleague want to find out more, and you’re at ASI Orlando, Sunday, January 3, through Tuesday, January 5, attend one of the quick free demos of ESP Web and ESP Orders in the training room at the ASI booth (you can’t miss it!) and in “Power Session” rooms.

Please let me know any questions you have (or any reactions) by posting a comment or emailing me here.  I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.


New Sprint Wireless Savings for ASI Members

Filed under: Industry Initiatives, Member Benefits, News About ASI

I hate to admit it, but I came of age when the very idea of cell phones was strictly sci-fi.  Today, wireless devices of all kinds are so popular - and absolutely integral to any business - that a wireless discount makes absolute sense for our members.

Our latest member benefit features savings on wireless services and equipment from Sprint are:

  • 13% off on select wireless service plans for company accounts and 8% off for individual and employee accounts.
  • Significantly discounted prices on phones and devices, with no mail-in rebate requirement for company-liable accounts.   
  • Savings on wireless accessories. 

To sign-up for the program for free, click here

According to Dale Denham, ASI senior VP, we chose Sprint for very specific reasons: call quality, service coverage and commitment to emerging technologies.  ASI is now the only industry organization delivering real wireless savings.

Sprint will also exhibit at The ASI Show Orlando on Sunday, January 3, through Tuesday, January 5, when company reps will be happy to help you sign up for the program so you can start reducing your wireless expenses.

I’d love to hear how member benefits have saved your company money, so please post a comment or email me here.  I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.


ESP Web Cash Giveaway

Filed under: Industry Initiatives, Member Benefits, News About ASI

We just announced two revolutionary new products:  ESP Web and ESP Orders (espweb.asicentral.com).  To celebrate, we’re giving away a $250 gift card in a drawing among those who engage with us in social media.  Just share your comments about the new ESP Web and ESP Orders, or any other ASI product. 

I want to know your thoughts, and you can enter the contest three ways:

–  Post a comment now here on the blog about the new ESP Web, ESP Orders or any other ASI product.  You might tell me how we’re helping your business, or what else we can provide.

–  Visit ASI’s Facebook page here and become a fan - click the icon at the top with the plus sign that says “Become a fan.” 

–  Go to my Twitter page here, and become a follower by clicking the “Follow” button.

If you’re already a fan of ASI’s Facebook or a follower on my Twitter - or both - you’re automatically entered.  You can still post a comment on my blog for an entry.  If you don’t have these accounts, visit the sites at the links above to get your free account.

The new ESP Web is a revolutionary update of ESP Online.  See the blog post right before this one to see how it will increase your sales dramatically and make distributors more efficient and more profitable. 

Watch these sites for more information about ESP Web and news from ASI, and let me hear from you.  Enter the contest - it’s open now through December 31, 2009 (rules). 


Revolution! New ESP Web and ESP Orders Boost Sales and Productivity

Filed under: Industry Initiatives, Member Benefits, News About ASI

Imagine Google, Word and QuickBooks combined into one simple-to-use program focused on promotional products.  It’s here - welcome to the revolution!

ESP is improving the way distributors do business with two all-new products - ESP Web and ESP Orders - designed to dramatically increase sales and improve productivity.  ESP Web is the update for ASI’s flagship business tool ESP Online, the industry’s leading sourcing and marketing program, with 2.5 million product searches conducted in a typical month. 

ESP Web allows instant access anytime and anywhere to products, supplier data, orders and customer information.  And our new order management system - ESP Orders - will allow distributors to communicate electronically with suppliers by creating online sales orders, purchase orders and invoices. 

This far-reaching business system runs on standard Web browsers - including Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, Mozilla’s Firefox and Apple’s Safari - and revolutionary features include:

  • Highly intelligent search engine that helps distributors quickly identify the right product and price and makes suggestions for similar products.  Known as “guided navigation,” it is similar to searching on major retail sites, like Barnes & Noble and Home Depot.
  • New end-buyer presentation tool that allows for total customization - including innovative design elements.
  • Streamlined, easy-to-use modern interface, where information and functions are presented on a single screen and users can open up new tabs right in their browser. 
  • Completely integrated order management module, called ESP Orders. 

ESP Orders, being released with ESP Web, is a complete order management program based on the best practices of industry-leading distributors.  ESP Orders allows distributors to: 

  • Create comprehensive sales orders and purchase orders.  Transmit product, supplier and end-buyer information directly from ESP Web to ESP Orders - gaining valuable selling time.
  • Send error-free supplier purchase orders, saving money on bad orders and re-dos.
  • Invoice customers automatically to improve cash-flow and overall organization.
  • Export all ESP Orders information to QuickBooks and ASI ProfitMaker to help make bookkeeping easier and more accurate.

In the works for nearly a year, demonstrations of both products will be available at all ASI Shows, including Orlando, Dallas and San Diego. 

Suppliers will especially love the new ESP Web, since distributors are able to find products and place orders faster no matter where they are.  Order errors are greatly reduced, as suppliers and distributors take advantage of the industry-standard screens found in ESP Orders.

There are no additional costs to current ESP Online users who switch to ESP Web, and special pricing is available for ESP Orders.  ESP Web will begin rolling out automatically to all ESP users during first quarter of 2010. 

To see an overview of ESP Web, visit espweb.asicentral.com.   Users of ESP for Macs (previously announced) can visit espmac.asicentral.com.  To read the press release, click here.

And I’d love to hear what you think of these revolutionary new services so post a comment or email me here.  I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.


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