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Thursday
September 2, 2010

Sex=Sales

Filed under: Education, News About ASI, Using Ad Specialties

As ASI’s Successful Promotions reports in this month’s issue, when it comes to marketing, sex still sells. And if you’ve got a sexy celebrity hawking your goods, look out: You just might make international news.

In addition to a list of the 10 sexiest celebrity marketers, Successful Promotions details five successful marketing campaigns that incorporated sexy themes. The scintillating promotional products featured include Sexy Water and the “candom,” a can cooler shaped like an oversized condom.

To read the Successful Promotions “Sex (Still) Sells” issue, click here.

The reports were written by ASI Staff Writers Jennifer Vishnevsky and Daniel Walsh, who interviewed a slate of marketing experts about celebrity appeal and the role of sex in advertising. The key is to match the right celebrity to your brand – and integrate them in the campaign beyond just paying for them to show up for an event or a photo shoot.

While there’s no guarantee that star power will translate directly into super sales, a successful sexy campaign can have a huge impact on the bottom line. As Walsh reports, Calvin Klein’s sales increased by 275% after the clothing company ran ads in 1980 featuring a young Brooke Shields saying, “You want to know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing.”

Here’s our list of the Top 10 Sexiest Celebrity Marketers:

  • Jennifer Aniston. The former Friends star is promoting her new scent, Lolavie, and appearing in Smart Water campaigns.
  • Patrick Dempsey. “Dr. McDreamy” is the spokesman for Versace and appears in ads for Serengeti eyewear and Unscripted, a line of colognes for Avon.
  • Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino. The ab-fabulous Jersey Shore star charges $7,500 and up for an event appearance sure to attract the paparazzi.
  • Lady Gaga. The Twitterific pop sensation is now creative director of Polaroid, and has lent her name and image to Virgin Mobile, Monster Cable and Viva Glam by MAC Cosmetics.
  • Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese soccer stud is the official worldwide spokesmodel for Emporio Armani underwear and Armani Jeans.
  • Megan Fox: The star of the blockbuster Transformers is the face of luxury brand Armani.
  • Isaiah Mustafa: Portrayed as “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like,” the former NFL player helped Old Spice cologne become the number-one all-time most-viewed sponsored channel on YouTube.
  • Sandra Bullock: The Oscar winner is the face of Artistry Crème LuXury, an Amway company that hopes its connection to the A-lister will elevate its brand status.
  • Scarlett Johansson: The starlet evokes Marilyn Monroe in Dolce & Gabbana perfume and makeup ads, and is the new face of Moët & Chandon champagne.
  • Paris Hilton: The hotel heiress lent her mug to campaigns for Guess and restaurant chain Carl’s Jr. and reportedly gets up to $500,000 for appearances.

Successful Promotions  is read by more than 50,000 corporate marketers throughout North America who are looking for innovative techniques and products to promote their businesses. As an added-value service, more than 800 of ASI’s biggest distributors have a gift subscription for Successful Promotions sent to their biggest clients.

Let me know who you think is the hottest celebrity marketer by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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Monday
July 26, 2010

The Gift Book: Christmas in July

Filed under: News About ASI, Using Ad Specialties

When the thermostat hits 90 and beyond, it’s hard to think of winter, but now is the perfect time to plan for the fourth-quarter gift-giving season, when more industry sales occur than in any other period.

The Gift Book is the right catalog at the right time, providing loads of quality items for incentives and corporate gift-giving programs – some starting as low as $1.19. 

Order by August 31 and receive a free personalized digital version of the 2010-2011 Gift Book, plus free shipping. Distributors can also choose between two covers options: standard and a stylish, deluxe red version.

No matter what the occasion, or the budget, you’ll find what your clients need among more than 400 products from 60-plus suppliers. Searching is easy, thanks to special sections on food and drink, cards and stationery, and the ever-popular golf section. 

Looking for high-end thank-you gifts? Choose from a variety of trendy electronics, writing instruments, desk accessories, stylish watches and leather portfolios.

The Gift Book is just one of nine customized catalogs offered by ASI as sales-generating tools for suppliers to advertise a wide variety of products and for distributors to sell, market and promote their company. Best yet, distributors can personalize each catalog by imprinting thier logo and contact information on the cover in full color.

For more information, click here to read our press release.

And don’t forget – Saturday is the last day to nominate yourself or someone else for one of four ASI advisory boards. Nominations close July 31; voting begins September 1 and ends September 30. Names will be announced at the ASI Power Summit in November. Click here for more information.

Let me know how catalogs have helped you sell by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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Friday
July 16, 2010

Cool Products From Hot Sponsors

Filed under: ASI Shows, Using Ad Specialties

How do you determine what’s hot? Counselor magazine editors tackle that question every year when devising their annual list of the hottest people, products and ideas in the ad specialties industry.

Luckily, our editors have a lot to choose from, given the high “cool factor” inherent in this business. At the HOT Party, held this week at the ASI Show in Chicago, we got a look at a number of innovative products, including several from our party sponsors.

For a look at the sponsors’ products, click here to watch my Tim’s Take video, which features:

  • Military distressed visor cap. From Otto International Inc. (asi/75350). A snappy-looking cap made of washed pigment and cotton twill with a matching fabric adjustable hook-and-loop closure.
  • Soft mesh-back cap. Also from Otto. Since it features a soft, low-fitting crown, this cap pulls down and looks really nice. And I love the pro stitching on the front.
  •  16 oz. glitterware pint glass. From Sabina (asi/84470). This is a terrific addition to any party. Our guests had great fun checking out the effect that liquid has on the inside mirrored finish.  
  • Personalized M&M tin. From MY M&M’S|Mars Direct (asi/68888). You can imprint anything on these candies, from faces to quirky sayings, which makes for a wonderful leave-behind, as we found out at the party.
  •  Full-color custom-labeled energy drinks. From BamBams (asi/38228). Perfect mixers for any event. Customizable and very cool.

 Let me know your favorite cool products by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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Thursday
July 15, 2010

School’s Out – But School Products Are In

Filed under: ASI Shows, Using Ad Specialties

It’s never too soon to stock up on Back to School items, and I got a terrific preview of fun products this week at ASI’s Chicago show.

Click here to watch my Tim’s Take sampling of the many products I discovered browsing a packed show floor. Here are just a few:

  1. Recycled paper pen. From Sweda LLC (asi/90305). It looks like a pencil but writes like a pen. Made of recycled paper with a large color eraser.
  2. Eco-cube. From Hit Promotional Products (asi/61125). Made of 100% vegetable-based material and biodegradable. It’s a cube – and memo holder, pen stand and paper clip dispenser.
  3. Scrubs notebook or hoodie notebook. From Gordon Sinclair (asi/57800). This is the coolest thing ever. An 80-page notebook with three front pockets with a cover that looks exactly like hospital scrubs. Perfect for doctors, nursing homes, medical staffs. It also comes as a hoodie (pictured) – which any student or educational market will love.
  4. Brown baggin’ it lunch bag. From Leed’s (asi/66887). It’s water-resistant, wipeable and fully insulated. Great for any educational or office market.

Let me know your favorite product from the show floor by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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Thursday
July 1, 2010

Some Like it Cool…We Like it Hot

Filed under: Industry Initiatives, Using Ad Specialties

One of the best parts of this job is checking out all the cool stuff fueling this industry. This week, we released a Top 10 list of the hottest products with the season’s coolest features, including a USB wind turbine and a football that transforms into a can koozie.

What more do you need on a hot summer day – or to inject a little sizzle into a summertime promotional campaign?

The Top 10 Coolest Hot Products:

  • Electronic Rock Guitar Shirt:  Features mini amp and magnetic picks to strum “guitar.”
  • The CoolerGrill:  Keep cold ones cold while you grill. High-end promo appeal.
  • USB Wind Turbine:  Wow appeal for eco conventions and conservation conferences.
  • Flexi-Vase:  Lays flat when not in use, then takes on vase shape when filled with water.
  • 5-Color Fun Crayon:  Perfect for education or day-care promotions/giveaways.
  • Matrix Travel Wallet:  Great giveaway for executives or traveling salespeople.
  • Silicone Oven Mitt:  Won’t melt, stain or scratch. Never loses its shape.
  • Slap-On Watch:  Slap on, slap off. Look out, next generation! Comes in 6 colors.
  • Can-In-Ball Koozie:  Promote teams or beverage companies with a football can cooler.
  • Deep-Etched Olive Oil:  Etch anything on lovely 750-ml bottle of Italian olive oil.

To see photos of the products and purchasing information for each, click here. And for more info, click here to read our press release.

What products are heating up your recent campaigns? Let me know by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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Tuesday
June 22, 2010

Celebrate the Top 10 U.S.-Made Promo Products

Filed under: News About ASI, Using Ad Specialties

Not long ago, The New York Times asked “Is anything made in the U.S.A. anymore?” Their answer? “You’d be surprised.” I know I was.

The U.S. remains by far the world’s leading manufacturer by value of goods produced. For every $1 of value produced in China factories, the United States generates $2.50, the Times said.

ASI is happy to do its part with its first-ever Top 10 list of promotional products made in the U.S., proving once again that the innovative American spirit remains in full force when it comes to promo products and creative ad campaigns.

Just in time to celebrate summer and Independence Day, here’s our list of Top 10 Made-in-the-USA Products:

  • Ice Cream Cone Hat: Fun, goofy hat is the perfect promo for ice cream shops.
  • Fireworks Fan/Viewer: Hand fan cools user and viewer enhances rockets’ red glare.
  • Picnic Stick: Jams into the sand or campsite to hold beverages without a wobble.
  • Head Lamp: Look out for bears! Great for hands-free campsite lighting and giveaways.
  • Flying Disc: For beach and outdoor promos, Frisbee golf courses or leagues.
  • Kite: Go fly one at your next corporate picnic. Comes bagged for easy hanging.
  • Igloo Cooler: Terrific addition to tailgating promotions.
  • Picnic Backpack: Party on-the-go with this catch-all backpack.
  • Flashing Buttons: Lights up any nightclub promotion.
  • Freezer Pop Mold: Perfect reminder for motels and hotels.

To see photos of the products and purchasing information for each, click here. To read our press release, click here.

What’s your favorite U.S.-made product? Let me know by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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Friday
June 11, 2010

We’ve Got Your Number

Filed under: Guest Blog, Member Benefits, News About ASI, Using Ad Specialties

What would you say if someone offered you a complete customer service center – for free?

That’s exactly what ASI is now offering distributors who buy our 2011 Spectrum catalog. In December, the first 100,000 Spectrums will come complete with an 800 number on each page that leads to an ASI call center. When end-buyers need info on any of over 500 products, a representative will happily provide it.

Better yet – the ASI representative will then contact the distributor to let them know they have a hot lead and an interested client.

There’s no additional cost. The catalog just needs to be preordered before August 4. For more information, click here to read our press release.

With this latest program, distributors can better market themselves as a sophisticated, full-service operation – no matter their company size. And suppliers now have a way to track the performance of their advertising in the catalog.

Spectrum is already one of the most recognized catalogs in the industry, and the 2011 edition will still feature all of the qualities that make it so successful:

• “Customer Favorites” section, highlighting the most popular products
• Self-mailer size that fits easily into a 6” x 9” envelope
• Over 525 products from 100 quality suppliers
• Free digital version, including a customizable version on LogoMall websites.

Spectrum, which prints in November with a total circulation of 625,000, is just one of nine customized catalogs offered by ASI as sales-generating tools for suppliers to advertise a wide variety of products and for distributors to sell, market and promote their brand.

Please contact me at dbrown@asicentral.com or at 800-546-1350 if you’re interested in learning more about the program. Since we’re printing a limited number, this will be on a first-come, first-served basis, so I urge to be the first to take advantage of this special program today.

– Dan

Dan Brown is ASI’s executive director of distributor services.

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