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Monday
March 7, 2011 Ready, Set, ResearchFiled under: Community, Guest Blog, News About ASI, Research Each year, ASI conducts the most comprehensive and important research about our industry to create the Counselor State of the Industry report. But we can’t do it without you. All we ask is that you take 10 minutes to complete a survey. And you could win some great prizes just for participating. There are distributor winners chosen at random for prizes totaling $1,500 in Master Card gift cards, and suppliers can win one of three full-page ads in an ASI publication of their choice. Why is the survey important? Because of the in-depth reporting each year on key sales, marketing and operational metrics used every day by industry practitioners. Nowhere else do you get the scope of this detailed information about our industry. And it’s free to ASI members. If Thanks so much for taking the time to help the industry gather this important research. If you have any questions, please shoot me an email. – Larry Basinait, executive director of research services
Thursday
March 3, 2011 Sales Surge ContinuesFiled under: Industry Initiatives, News About ASI, Research While no one is uncorking the champagne quite yet, economic indicators point to recent consumer spending surges nationwide as a sure sign we’re heading in the right direction. If I was a betting man, I’d put big money down on our industry, as ASI is now projecting 11.2% growth in 2011. ASI’s 4th quarter report and 2010 year-end analysis of distributor sales show distributors are very optimistic about 2011, particularly the largest distributors. Three-quarters (75%) of all distributors feel sales for 2011 will be higher than sales in 2010, while nearly eight in 10 larger distributors feel sales will be higher. Gregg Taft, owner of BNoticed of San Diego, California, is even more optimistic. Gregg predicts his company sales will increase by 25%-35% in 2011. He says just as his clients are investing more in promotional advertising to take advantage of the upturn, his company is likewise investing more in new processes, technology and marketing tools. So as reinvigorated clients reinvest in their brand, companies like BNoticed are more than ready to deliver the tailored promotional product solutions they need. As we’ve reported, total industry sales for 2010 were $17.4 billion, up 9.1% from 2009. And the year ended with a bang — over one-half (52%) of distributors reported an increase in the fourth quarter. We get our figures through exclusive surveys of distributor members who are the primary contact with firms that have been in business at least one year. Those surveyed include 53 of the largest players in the industry. Click here for complete survey results. What’s happening in your neck of the woods? Let me know by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Wednesday
December 22, 2010 We Woof You a Happy HolidayFiled under: Community, Research, Using Ad Specialties Dogs that Tweet. Now I really have seen everything. While searching for unique promo pet products we came across a device from Hammacher Schlemmer that lets Hairy Potter share his “thoughts” with Twitter followers. Somehow, a tag figures out what a dog wants to say and shoots off one of 500 pre-loaded Tweets. Which begs the question: What do dogs think? I’m guessing “bacon!” and “squirrel!” are high on the list. If pet Tweets are a tad too high-tech for you, we’ve got nine other gifts on our list that could easily jazz up a pet store opening, dog show or other pet-themed promotional event. Turns out, the pet industry is relatively recession-proof. People may scrimp when it comes to spending money on themselves, but when it comes to Sir Winklebottom, the sky’s the limit. A recent American Express poll reveals 31% of consumers plan to buy their animal a gift this holiday season. Need some ideas? Check out our list of the top 10 coolest pet gifts of 2010:
To see a “Joe Show” demonstration of many of these products, click here. To read our press release, click here. Are you buying your pet dog, cat or rock a gift this year? Let me know by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Wednesday
November 24, 2010 ’Tis the Season to Shop, Spend and SendFiled under: Industry Initiatives, Members, News About ASI, Research, Using Ad Specialties Whether you shop on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, give or receive, we’re hoping a business gift-giving tip sheet and the results from a recent survey on corporate spending will ring your bells. Nearly every company carefully considers what to give and how much to spend when it comes to gifts for employees and clients. According to a recent survey from ASI’s Successful Promotions magazine, this year gift cards trump cash for year-end employee gifts and bonuses, and food and drink win out for clients and customers. For complete survey results, click here. To read our press release, click here. As always, there’s no limit on creativity when it comes to passing along your company name and logo. According to a recent feature on ASI’s popular “The Joe Show” video, this year’s hottest corporate thank-you gift ideas include:
To see a product demonstration, click here. And while food remains a perennial hit, since it can be enjoyed and shared by the whole office or department, there’s no denying the increasing popularity of accessories for high-tech items and techno gifts, like charging docks with a four-port hub or a wireless USB laser pointer. Companies that want to be seen as socially responsible will send eco-friendly products made of bamboo or from recycled material. Still deciding what to give? Here are some tips that might help:
Let me know what your company is sending by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Monday
November 8, 2010 Promotional Products Beat Prime-Time TVFiled under: Industry Initiatives, Member Benefits, News About ASI, Research, Using Ad Specialties ASI just released the results of a landmark study that proves advertising specialties beat out prime-time TV, radio and print advertising as the most cost-effective advertising medium available. Soon, we’ll send the message about the power of promotional products to the world via a far-reaching public relations campaign. The most significant findings of the 2010 Global Advertising Specialties Impressions Study show advertising specialties are less expensive per impression than most other media – just a half a cent! – and are very affordable and effective when compared to other forms of media. Click here for the global study results, an explanatory video and supporting graphics. Everyone in this industry should make it their business to deliver this message loud and clear to customers, prospects and end-buyers, across every channel available to you. Bring the data with you on every sales call. Perhaps even include the study’s link on your email signature. To help, we’ve prepared a pdf of the study to download, and we encourage you to send it out and especially to chat it up on your social networks. Click here for the pdf to pass along. To Tweet about ASI’s 2010 ad impressions study, use this shortened link: http://bit.ly/diQ6zp. We released the study at the 2010 ASI Power Summit, an exclusive annual gathering of the best minds in the business, taking place this week in Aventura, Florida. Hopefully, everyone there will immediately start spreading the news. The study is the result of 3,332 online and in-person surveys, including interviews with businesspeople in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, London, Sydney, Toronto and Montreal metro areas. The 2.0 study, a follow-up to the definitive 2008 survey, includes new demographic information on politics, ethnicity, gender and age, since knowing the likely recipient of products is paramount for an advertiser. This year, the comprehensive report also adds global markets and includes more products, such as automotive accessories and food. Among key findings, results show:
There’s good reason ASI’s research studies are the most influential in the industry’s history, continuously cited throughout the B-to-B industry and across the advertising and marketing spectrum: They work. I credit ASI’s executive director of research services, Larry Basinait, and his research team, for delivering the material that can help us once again prove the undeniable power of promotional products. At $0.005, the average cost-per-impression (CPI) of an advertising specialty item is less than nearly any other media. To make that claim, Larry gathered data from the Nielsen Company, Outdoor Advertising Association of America, Columbus Dispatch and AdAgeOnline.com. What this study shows us is that even smaller companies can deliver the kind of high-impact punch enjoyed by multi-million-dollar companies. It’s also important to note that the pass-along rate has actually increased 11 points from just two years ago – which speaks directly to the global recycling trend. Not only do ad specialties make impressions on everyone who sees them, but messaging is reinforced every time the item is used. No other form of media can allow the advertiser to so closely tie a benefit to the recipient. So start spreading the news. All we ask is that you properly credit ASI when distributing the study. Let me know your ideas for getting out the message by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Tuesday
October 19, 2010 Court Votes with Promo ProductsFiled under: News About ASI, Research, Using Ad Specialties In a few weeks, ASI will unveil the newest version of the industry’s most influential survey: the 2010 Advertising Specialties Impressions Study. The much-anticipated study provides rock-solid proof of the cost-effectiveness of promotional products. This week, in the lead-up to the hotly-contested November 2 elections, we’re providing a sneak-peek at some of the results, which reveal what Democrats, Republicans and independents think about promotional products, a.k.a. swag (stuff we all get) and freebies, millions of which are distributed during election season along with bumper stickers, buttons and yard signs. Who knew Republicans preferred food baskets – and Democrats liked pens so much? It’s worth knowing next time you court the business of your state or local campaign office. Here are some other study highlights:
Full results of the 2010 study will be released at the ASI Power Summit at the Turnberry Isle Resort & Club in Aventura, Florida, November 7-9. We’re certain the 2.0 version will be of great interest to you – and especially your clients – since the 2008 study continues to be widely circulated and consistently cited. In the meantime, check out our press release about the promotional preferences of the two political parties, and independents, by clicking here. Let me know which results took you by surprise by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Friday
August 20, 2010 Power On To FallFiled under: News About ASI, Research With the dog days waning, it’s hard to think of anything besides a last-gasp vacation and Labor Day barbeque. But I’ve got the perfect way to help you plan strategically for 2011 and beyond, and make those vital people connections: ASI’s 2010 Power Summit. Registration is open for ASI’s annual gathering of the best minds in the business. This year, we’re meeting November 7-9 at the Turnberry Isle Resort & Club in Aventura, Florida. If you’ve already registered but haven’t yet reserved a room, please do so by Tuesday, August 31, since rooms are going fast. Click here for reservations. In addition to a slate of activities and the popular speed-networking event, Power Summit 2010 features 20 of the savviest business leaders in the industry. Summit vets will join first-time panelists like Bobby Lehew, Rich Witaszak, Gentry Harrington, William D. Smith Jr., Sandy Gonzalez, Jeff Anderton, Kevin Kearns, Kim Newell, Matt Malone, Larry Zavadil, Chris Blakeslee and Bill Korowitz to share strategies, tips and trends. We’re kicking things off with an opening session on the state of the economy – and what businesses can expect heading into 2011. And while nearly everyone experienced a tough time over the last couple of years, some companies completely turned their operations around. Find out how in our “From Bear to Bull” session. At the end of every summit we ask participants to rate their favorites (and offer valuable feedback), and each year Matthew Cohn’s session with the latest Counselor Power 50 leaders earns top marks. Don’t miss it this year. We’ll also unveil an update to ASI’s Ad Impressions Study, which continues to be consistently cited on blogs and in trade stories. In a sneak-peek session led by Counselor Senior Writer Dave Vagnoni, you’ll be the first to learn how domestic and international consumers rate the effectiveness of promo products compared to other advertising media like TV, radio and print. It’s great info to have on hand when courting new clients. So before you head off to the beach one last time, check out the website and cruise through all the Power Summit has to offer. Come November, you’ll be happy you signed on for three days of sun, golf and insight. Let me know if you’ve attended past Power Summits and what you found most informative by posting a comment or emailing me here. I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. |
you’re a distributor, you can link to the study 
