|
Monday
February 22, 2010 LogoMall Has Actors Walking Across the ScreenFiled under: Industry Initiatives, Member Benefits, News About ASI
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.
Monday
February 22, 2010 Industry Sales $15.9 Billion for 2009Filed under: Research We recently announced industry sales results that reflect what we’ve been saying for months: while the industry took a major hit in 2009, the worst appears to be behind us. ASI’s exclusive annual industry sales estimate shows promotional products sales were $15.9 billion, down 19.5% versus 2008. The annual estimate is adjusted for certain year-end information, including distributors that exited the industry during 2009 and distributors that have not been part of ASI for the last 12 months. While sales dropped, quarter-by-quarter declines throughout 2009 have slowed consistently. Fourth-quarter 2009 sales were off 9.7%, the lowest decline among the other three quarters. Results also indicate that economic turbulence may be easing, with 34% of respondents reporting a year-over-year increase in sales during the fourth quarter. That is the largest percentage of respondents whose sales were up since the third quarter of 2008. Better yet, there’s solid evidence promotional products remain a great value among all advertising mediums. Spending on ad specialties for full-year 2009 is about double what marketers spent on radio advertising, about 26% larger than Internet advertising, and nearly four times greater than outdoor ads. Click here to read the press release. The general consensus from distributors is that it’s time to seize the momentum we do have, increase marketing and grab market share. The pendulum will swing back — and we need to be ready when it does. I’d love to know what strategies you’ve employed in recent months and how you’re positioning your company for the future so post a comment or email me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. |
