|
Monday
January 4, 2010 Counselor Distributor Choice Award Winners and “Tim’s Take” VideoFiled under: ASI Shows, Industry Initiatives, Members, News About ASI We’re having a terrific time at the first show of the year in Orlando, despite getting caught in the same cold snap hitting the rest of the nation. Last night, we warmed things up by honoring the industry’s best at the 2010 Counselor Distributor Choice Awards and presenting the Supplier of the Year award to Gold Bond (asi/57653). The awards recognize the most-valued ASI suppliers in 50 product categories, as determined by ASI Supplier Performance Ratings and votes cast by over 2,500 distributors (a record for the competition). Nearly 150 finalists were recognized and 51 suppliers were named winners at a really fun ceremony. For the list of winners and finalists, and to view some awesome photos, visit asicentral.com/dcawards. Also take a look at a new video we just posted called “Tim’s Take,” which offers my insight into the industry and the new year, based on an interview I did for ASI TV with Editor-in-Chief Melinda Ligos. As I say in the video, as we greet 2010 and the first trade show of the year – which is shaping up as a success – I’m bullish as ever. Please let me know your outlook for 2010 by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Wednesday
December 30, 2009 Sneak-Peek Video of ESP Web and ESP OrdersFiled 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.
Tuesday
December 22, 2009 Vote Now For New Advisory Board MembersFiled under: Community, Industry Initiatives, News About ASI Voting is now open to select members of ASI’s four new ASI advisory boards. To vote, simply click here by Thursday, December 31, and follow the on-screen instructions. Final board members will be announced in January. The four new boards are: * ASI Advisory Board * Technology and Operations Advisory Board * Marketing, Public Relations and Industry Research Advisory Board * Safety and Legislative Advisory Board So make it an early New Year’s resolution to vote today. And let me know what you think of the candidates by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Monday
December 21, 2009 New Sprint Wireless Savings for ASI MembersFiled 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:
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.
Monday
December 21, 2009 Educating Buyers in Today’s Philadelphia InquirerFiled under: Industry Initiatives, Media Coverage, News About ASI, Using Ad Specialties Monday’s Philadelphia Inquirer featured a story about the growth of hand sanitizers in our industry – educating end-buyers about the value of providing useful advertising specialties to their clients and prospects. To watch the video, “Philadelphia Business Today” (starts automatically), click here. To read the article online, click here. The story centers on how hand sanitizers now rival pens as one of the most popular logoed items. As we reported last week, searches of the key words “hand sanitizers” by promotional products distributors via ESP Online jumped 439% for the period between October 2009 and October 2008. Only searches for pens – which for years have been the best-selling logoed product in the promotional products industry – were higher that period. In addition, searches for sanitizer products of all kinds jumped by triple digits this year. Send the link to my blog (http://www.timandrewsblog.com/) to all your clients and prospects, as an idea for a product they might be interested in for their customers. What’s your hottest product for 2009? Please post a comment or email me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Friday
December 18, 2009 ASI Publications Win Three More National AwardsFiled under: News About ASI One of the best parts of any job is handing out compliments to a deserving staff. So it is with great pride that I congratulate the editorial teams from Counselor, Advantages and Wearables magazines for once again proving they truly are among the best-of-the-best. Recently, those three publications were cited for editorial excellence by FOLIO: magazine.
To read the award-winning articles, click here. I’d like to applaud our entire editorial team for the outstanding work they do day in and day out, and single out Counselor editor Andy Cohen, Advantages editor Kathy Huston and Wearables editor C.J. Mittica. So far, ASI publications have won 11 national editorial awards, thanks in large part to the guidance of Senior VP Melinda Ligos, editor in chief of ASI’s six magazines, and Rich Fairfield, executive VP and publisher.
Thursday
December 17, 2009 Hand Sanitizers Rival Pens in PopularityFiled under: News About ASI, Using Ad Specialties Here’s an astonishing statistic to consider during cold, cough and sneeze season: searches for “hand sanitizers” by distributors via ASI’s products database jumped 439% for the period between October 2009 and October 2008. That means hand sanitizers now rival pens as one of the most popular promo items – thanks in part to the swine flu (H1N1). Only searches for pens – which for years have been the best-selling ad specialty – were higher that period. In addition, searches for sanitizer products of all kinds jumped by triple digits this year. For more details, check the press release here. We spoke to Larry Wilhelm, chief executive officer of Custom HBC (asi/47934), The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that when soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used to help prevent the spread of germs. Further, Wilhelm says sanitizing products aren’t just used as promotional giveaways. Increasingly, more distributors are wisely approaching company human resources departments, which buy sanitizers for employees to reduce absenteeism caused by illness. I’d love to hear about your best-selling item, and why you think it’s taking off. Post a comment or email me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. |
