|
Wednesday
May 9, 2012 Tweet This: ASI Hosts Randi ZuckerbergFiled under: ASI Shows, Community, Members, News About ASI We’re thrilled social media expert and entrepreneur Randi Zuckerberg is the keynote speaker at the ASI Show in NYC Thursday at 8:45 a.m. I’m sure she’ll help everyone in the audience better promote their business by tapping into every new social media tool available. Long known as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s sister, Randi’s really come into her own since leaving the company and forming her own enterprise, R to Z Media. Zuckerberg also recently signed as an executive producer for a new reality show about Silicon Valley entrepreneurs on Bravo. Zuckerberg, named No. 45 on the Hollywood Reporter’s list of “Digital Power Players,” will speak on “Social Change Through Social Media: How the Web Changes the Way We Live, Vote, Organize and Work.” I’m most interested in what she has to say about ways today’s politicians are using social media to garner votes. As you may have heard, Facebook is using its considerable power for good, launching a new initiative to get more organ donors registered in order to help the more than 114,000 people in the US waiting for lifesaving heart, kidney or liver transplants. Click here to see how Facebook is using its site to get out the word. Here in NY, a Port Jefferson distributor, Hal Kramer, of HDK Enterprises, Inc. (asi/216795), gave us a ton of info on his efforts on behalf of the NY Organ Donor’s Network, the second-largest of the nation’s 58 nonprofit, federally designated organ procurement organizations. His group is trying to get people to better understand the critical need for donated organs, eyes and tissues. One donor, he says, can save up to eight people, but on average, 18 people die every day for the want of an organ transplant. You can find out more at: www.nyhealth.gov/donatelife. Are you an organ donor? Let me know by posting a comment. And if you catch Randi’s keynote, please share the best tip you heard.
Monday
May 7, 2012 Big Show in the Big AppleFiled under: ASI Shows, Community, News About ASI This week, we’re in New York City for our next-to-last show of the season. The schedule is packed and best of all, we’re unveiling a few surprises. The show is Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at the Javits Convention Center on the city’s West Side, a few blocks from the Hudson River and close to Penn Station, the theater district and Restaurant Row. If you’re attending the show and have some time to take in some sights, I highly recommend a jaunt to the city’s newest and most interesting park – the High Line, built on an historic, elevated freight line snaking from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 34th Street, between 10th & 11th Avenues – right near the convention center. Tuesday at the show is, of course, a full day of education (sponsored by Fields Mfg., asi/54100), including a slate of seminars and workshops offering credit toward the ASI® Certification Program. Wednesday and Thursday are exhibit days, and we’re expecting a packed show floor both days. There’s bound to be nonstop networking, buying, selling, connecting and learning along every aisle. Be sure to stop by the ASI booths to check out the upcoming ESP Websites™ and to visit our all-day launch party in the main booth. And if you haven’t already, get a live demo of ESP Mobile™ and activate your free license. Wednesday night, I’m heading to the black-tie Counselor® Awards – the industry’s most prestigious and anticipated awards event – being held this year at Cipriani 42nd Street restaurant. We’ll honor the 2012 Person of the Year and International Person of the Year while applauding a number of other important industry movers and shakers. Throughout the show, you can check out all the news right here at www.asicentral.com, where we’ll post photos, videos and the 2012 list of Top 40 distributors and suppliers. After a long night of dancing and mingling, I know I’ll be dragging a bit on my way to our 8:45 a.m. keynote by marketing czar Randi Zuckerberg, who recently lit up the blogosphere with news about her upcoming reality show featuring Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. Randi – the sister of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg – is a social media leader in her own right, and I can’t wait to hear her tips on best using all the Web has to offer. Make sure you follow her on Twitter – she never fails to amuse and inform. And it’s never too early to register for ASI Chicago (July 17-19) at www.asishow.com. To learn more about exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities, contact Karen DiTomasso, vice president of sales, at kditomasso@asicentral.com. If you’re at the show, please look for me to say hello and let me know how your business is faring this year. Or post a comment or e-mail me. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Thursday
April 26, 2012 Q1 Revenues JumpFiled under: Community, News About ASI As we steam toward the second half of the year, it’s a great time to give a shout-out to the positive results touted in ASI®’s most recent quarterly sales report, showing distributors increased their revenues in Q1 2012 by 6.7% over Q1 2011. Click here to read the full report. And if you need even more evidence the economy has finally turned a corner, check out a CNBC report that says the European debt crisis could actually provide a much-needed lift for American manufacturers. The report goes on to say earnings for large companies like 3M and United Technologies shone in Q1, thanks in good part to bustling domestic business and some shield from the foreign turmoil. Friday, the U.S. government releases its initial GDP estimate for Q1, with economists expecting a gain of about 2.6%. As they say, a rising tide lifts all ships. ASI’s own Quarterly Sales Report measured sales results of industry distributors from January 1 through March 31. The good news for this industry is that distributors in the ad specialty market increased their overall revenues by $247 million in Q1, marking the ninth straight quarterly increase. Hard to believe, but the last time the industry’s distributors faced decreasing sales was in the fourth quarter of 2009. The dark days of 2008 recede farther and farther away with every quarter. Further, the distributors surveyed – representing a cross section of companies of all sizes – also have positive outlooks for full-year 2012. More than three-quarters (78%) of all distributors feel sales for 2012 will be higher than sales in 2011, with even more large companies expecting gains – in fact, 83% of distributors with more than $1 million in sales say they’re forecasting revenue growth for the remainder of 2012, when compared to full-year 2011. In contrast to previous quarters, though, small distributors (annual revenue less than $250,000) showed impressive gains in the first quarter of 2012. These firms increased their sales by 6.8% in Q1, after gains of less than 3.5% for each of the previous four quarters. Mid-size distributors (revenues between $250,000 and $1 million) increased their revenues by 6.2% in Q1 2012, and large distributors (sales more than $1 million) grew by 7.1%. Tweet that! Let me know how your sales are coming along this year by posting a comment or e-mailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Friday
April 20, 2012 Earth FirstFiled under: Community, Industry Initiatives, Members, Using Ad Specialties I still have the $10 Earth Day T-shirt (my first ad specialty tee!) I helped sell in the quad in 1982 during my first fundraiser as secretary of the Society of Professional Journalists at Ball State University. I’m still involved in ad specialties and still concerned about doing all I can to help protect the Earth. Earth Day is celebrated worldwide on April 22, and more companies than ever before are using “green” giveaways to promote their commitment to the environment while advertising their brand, product or event. This year, in what’s become an annual Top 10 list of eco-friendly freebies from ASI®, the theme is products made from renewable resources like bamboo and using manufacturing processes that don’t harm the environment. It’s clear there’s no better way for a company to advertise its brand and its conscience all year long than with logoed giveaways that are biodegradable, all-natural or mercury-free. To see a Joe Show, photos and descriptions featured on this year’s Top 10 list, click here. ASI’s Top 10 Eco-Friendly Freebies: 1. Stone paper journal, from Yanlee Trading Co. (asi/98766). An eco-friendly alternative made from actual stone via a bleach-free process, making it recyclable, compostable, smudge-resistant, water-resistant and tear-proof. 2. Eco golf balls, from MVP Gift Bag (asi/68322). Made from recycled golf balls and packaged in boxes made from recycled paper. Comes with pre-addressed pouch so damaged balls can be returned, recycled and replaced by manufacturer. 3. Seeded paper, from Symphony Seed Paper (asi/74930). Honor Earth Day by planting flowers from seeds embedded in paper branded with company logo. 4. Wooden bead Karma bracelets (asi/78140) from Pinnacle Designs. Made from all-natural wood, easy to imprint. 5. Water bottle with carbon filter, from Ad-N-Art (asi/31518). BPA-free, squeezable water bottle with a carbon filter keeps 200 fewer water bottles from the landfill. Filter allows for turning public fountain or spigot water into clean drinking water. 6. Eco-tee, from Royal Apparel (asi/83731). Tee consists of 50% organic cotton and 50% polyester made from recycled water bottles. Imprinted with water-safe inks and made in the USA. 7. Bamboo serving utensils, from Bay State Specialty Co. (asi/38980). Bamboo grows upwards of 6 feet a day without fertilizers or pesticides. 8. Billboard bags, from Landes Inc. (asi/66230). Worried about your used vinyl billboards and banners clogging up landfills? Landes recycles them into attention-grabbing bags. 9. Dog training treats and pad balm, from Solar Advertising (asi/88148). Made from all-natural, organic materials. Tube is biodegradable. 10. Coco-Eco flip-flops, from Neet Feet (asi/73525). Made from recycled rubber and recycled coconut fibers, they’re great for promoting any company associated with the great outdoors. Let me know what Earth Day product is your current favorite or what your company is doing to promote Earth Day values by posting a comment or e-mailing me. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Tuesday
February 14, 2012 Customer Service At Its BestFiled under: Community I know it’s de rigueur to complain about air travel, so as a longtime frequent flyer I’d like to share a positive story about a recent amazing experience with American Airlines. I kicked off a two-week trip to Argentina at JFK airport in New York, replete with all the stress you’d expect from moving a large group of luggage-laden people to a far-off country. But instead of the usual aggravation, I was greeted with a wonderful surprise – all thanks to the gracious and caring folks at American Airlines. Elvin – one of the friends joining me on a once-in-a-lifetime trip in celebration of my 50th birthday – got in touch with AA before we left asking if they could arrange a special check-in. The airline responded immediately. When we arrived at JFK, we were met at the curb with a security person, luggage handler and the head of special events. They walked us into a special check-in counter area and, lo and behold, a big video monitor (pictured) saluted me with a personalized birthday greeting. One of the security guards told me he’d worked at American Airlines for 35 years and had never seen anyone’s name on a video monitor. And that wasn’t all. We were then taken through a private entrance to the Flagship Lounge, where AA had laid out a spread for us to enjoy. From there, we were led to a conference room where a big birthday cake with my name awaited. Once onboard, AA even had a replica sign of the video display and a fruit and wine basket at my seat. It was an incredible kickoff that deserves acknowledgement – and that should serve as a reminder to anyone in business that we should always strive to exceed expectations for service and make people feel special. The result can be friends – and loyal customers – for life. American Airlines didn’t spend a lot of money to make me feel super special, but I’m certainly going to reward them with my business whenever I can going forward. Let me know what special efforts you’ve made for your customers by posting a comment or e-mailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. By the way, the picture is of the Iguazu Falls – just one of the amazing sights we’ve seen since landing in Argentina.
Friday
February 10, 2012 50 In Argentinah!Filed under: Community, Using Ad Specialties It’s an old adage but one I firmly believe in: Practice what you preach. I’m as bullish on this industry and its products as possible, which is why I chose so many cool items to commemorate a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Argentina to celebrate my 50th birthday. Something else I believe in is taking a long walk in somebody else’s shoes. The experience of choosing and ordering a full slate of promotional items from start to finish was kind of like stepping into an episode of the reality show “Undercover Boss.” What I learned is being a distributor is really hard work. To start, I had ASI’s top-notch creative director Jim Lang create two logos based on his idea, incorporating “50” and “Argentinah” in a nod to a gorgeous country. In one, we also used a map of Argentina, which stretches from Bolivia to the tip of South America, encompassing a wide array of geography and climates along the way. As gifts for the friends accompanying me on the two-week trip, I branded everything from socks, T-shirts and fleeces to bandanas, flip-flops and keychains. There is even a combo iPad screen and keyboard cleaner, as well as a personalized travel diary. Getting really creative – as you certainly can in this industry – I also had M&Ms and playing cards for use during the 12-hour flight actually imprinted with the faces of my friends. In the logoed travel bags I’m gifting, I included useful items like hand sanitizer, lip balm, sunscreen and bags of pistachios. There’s really no end to what you can choose from when it comes to promotional products! My actual 50th birthday is February 13 – a birthday I share with my late mother. I decided on this trip months ago and planned it with zeal. Since I’m the master of detail, I deliberated down to the hour, choosing every destination, hotel, restaurant and even wine. The best birthday gift I could possibly imagine is the gift of friendship, and what better way to celebrate the half-century mark than with my best friends in the land of Jorge Luis Borges, world-famous steaks, Evita Perón and Tierra del Fuego? Logistically, it’s been a challenge, since I’m coordinating travel plans with nine friends scattered across the country, friends whose professions cover the gauntlet – with the personalities to match. Now that the trip is here, I almost can’t believe it’s finally happening. We’re spending the first week in Mendoza, which is like the Napa Valley of Argentina. In between taking in lots of sights and horseback riding like gauchos, we’ll drink lots of fine Malbec wines. A highlight is sure to be seeing Patagonia’s glacier-carved landscapes up close. Luckily, Argentina’s seasons are reverse to ours, so we’ll visit during their summer. The second week we’ll relax our pace somewhat and enjoy the best cosmopolitan Buenos Aires has to offer, including shopping, cooking lessons, visits to a silversmith and art galleries and, of course, dancing the tango and meeting porteños. As the gauchos say, disfrute compadre. In other words, we will enjoy and, above all, have fun!
Tuesday
January 31, 2012 Onward To DallasFiled under: ASI Shows, Community, Media Coverage, News About ASI, Using Ad Specialties We’re winging our way to the ASI show in Dallas for a three-day event that promises to be as action-packed as the great state of Texas itself. Education day on Wednesday features the “Industry’s Biggest Speed Networking Session”. As always, all sessions are eligible for credits in the ASI Certification Program. In addition to two days of exhibits featuring the industry’s hottest new products, Dallas features a brand-new gala at the Dallas House of Blues and a keynote by Twitter co-founder Biz Stone. In addition to offering up some awesome business tips, Stone will let us know how one of the most influential social media outlets in the world opened opportunities in marketing, politics and philanthropy. We’re definitely on a roll, especially considering what a great success we enjoyed in Orlando, with record-breaking education, a SRO keynote and 2,100 people whooping it up at Disney’s Animal Kingdom gala. If you missed us in Orlando, check out some video highlights: Click here to see an interview on the Orlando Fox affiliate with keynoter James Carville, a Democrat who sparred onstage with Republican pundit Bill O’Reilly. Click here for a wrap-up video with highlights from a barn-burner of a show. Click here for best-selling product highlights from our Supplier of the Year, Hub Pen (asi/61966). And click here for a roundup of terrific products for the adventurer set, featuring Counselor Distributor Choice Award winners. Featured products include Tekweld natural insect repellent mister (asi/90807); carabiner bottle opener watch and matching wristwatch from Logomark (asi/67866); Elleven Amped checkpoint-friendly compu-backpack from Leed’s (asi/66887) and the Port Authority Nootka jacket from SanMar (asi/84863). Let me know if you’re joining us in Dallas by posting a comment or e-mailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. |
