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Monday
December 8, 2008 Media Agrees That Promo Products Work, Now Grow Your SalesFiled under: Education, Guest Blog, Industry Initiatives, Media Coverage, Research, Using Ad Specialties From Scott Fuhr, director of corporate communications at ASI: Results from the effectiveness of advertising specialties study from ASI have appeared in multiple outlets over the last several weeks, and Newsday in New York also published an article about how companies should continue investing in corporate gift-giving. Readers of these stories were likely surprised to learn that:
Below are links to some of the stories. I recommend that you forward them to your clients and prospects so that they understand that their message will reach more people when they use promo products. If you have ideas for stories for the media, or know reporters who enjoy covering the advertising business or promotional products, email me at sfuhr@asicentral.com. Watch TV clips of products from ASI Shows, by clicking here.
Monday
November 10, 2008 New Study Reveals Value of Ad Specialties – From ASI Power SummitFiled under: Education, Industry Initiatives, News About ASI, Research, Using Ad Specialties
Last night we heard from Jack Teague – this year’s Counselor Person of the Year and pictured right – in an exclusive on-stage interview during the opening dinner. He shared his views and concerns about the industry, including:
Also, in a special session today we released exclusive results from ASI’s new advertising specialties effectiveness study that compares the amount of impressions for various advertising specialties against other forms of advertising – beneficial information for distributors to use to educate end-buyers and to encourage them to invest in ad specialties. In the study, ASI found that:
Watch the blog for more information and useful business advice and tips from the sessions over the next couple days of the ASI Power Summit. Tell me what you think anytime – post now on the blog or email me at tim.andrews@asicentral.com. Visit youtube.com/timasitv for products from our trade shows.
Wednesday
October 8, 2008 Learning From Startups, Wearables Trends and Rising PricesFiled under: Education, Members, News About ASI, Using Ad Specialties ASI was the winner of four national awards for editorial and design from FOLIO: magazine recently, recognizing coverage in our magazines of wearables trends, rising prices, and challenges running successful startups – among other topics important to your business right now. In addition, the June issue of Wearables (Nicole Rollender, editor), received a Gold Award for ‘Best B-to-B Full Issue’ and was selected for covering the latest apparel trends, including underwear and five different categories of novelty T-shirts. And, the article “Damage Control,” by Michele Bell in Supplier Global Resource, won a Silver Award for ‘Best Feature Writing’ and was chosen for providing information about handling potentially toxic products and what the ethical responsibilities for testing are. I urge you to read each of the magazine issues – because they are packed with information that is likely affecting how you’re selling products to customers right now or running your business at the moment. To read the winning articles, click here. In the FOLIO: competition, more than 100 judges reviewed 2,800 entries and magazines from ASI were recognized among several legacy publications throughout North America, including Fast Company, National Geographic, Newsweek and TIME. Tell me what you think – post a comment now on the blog or email me at tim.andrews@asicentral.com. You can also watch my videos of new products, at youtube.com/timasitv.
Wednesday
September 24, 2008 Greetings from Big, Fat, Ugly MeFiled under: Guest Blog, Using Ad Specialties Guest blog from Kathy Huston, Advantages magazine editor: Let me start by saying that I’m originally from Northern New Jersey. This is why my colleagues here in Trevose, PA make fun of the way I say “cawfee,” “chawklette,” and “draws” (meaning, the things you store clothes in inside your dresser, or as I call it, your “chest-a-draws.”) Nowadays, as a transplant living in Langhorne – home of Reedman-Toll Auto World and Sesame Place and a suburb of Philly – I can say that while I totally disagree with this conclusion, I really don’t take it too personally that Philadelphians are deemed the ugliest people in the history of the world. OK, so that’s taking it a little too far, but the City of Brotherly Love was, in fact, named the city with the ugliest people, according to Travel & Leisure’s “America’s Favorite Cities 2008” survey. Where’s the love, brother? Plus, Philadelphians are allegedly among the least stylish and least friendly. Are they kidding me? As if all that isn’t insulting enough, last year, the American Obesity Association ranked Philly in the top 10 cities with the fattest populations. Thanks, cheesesteak inventor, soft-pretzel makers…and yes, you too, Tastykake bakers (I could go for one of each right about now). The Web site www.brandcurve.com says, “Looks like it’s time for Philadelphia to revamp, revitalize and rebrand!” On that note, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation did unveil a new marketing campaign just before the summer to entice travelers to visit Philly and its surrounding areas. The slogan: “Philly’s More Fun.” Maybe one of you clever promotional gurus can help out with a “Philly’s Phat” campaign to combat the “Philly’s Fat” designation. Suppliers, what do you think? Can you help a brother (sister) out? Think “Phat” hats; highly attractive bobble-head dolls; T-shirts that say “Pretty Philadelphian” and “Keystone Cool.” Let’s turn this thing around. Fellow Philadelphians unite! Or we can just go drown our sad, fat, ugly sorrows in Yuengling lager, brewed right here in the Greater Philly area. That should add another five pounds, but on a more positive note, even the ugliest Philadelphians will look better through beer goggles. I’m joking, Philly! For the editorial team’s take on whether or not we are so very hideous and even more opinionated discussions, watch a video replay of the most recent ASI Radio Show – at asicentral.com/radio. Post a comment now or email Kathy, at khuston@asicentral.com. Also, stay informed and submit your email address in the window called ‘Enter your email for updates’ at the top right of the screen and you’ll receive a note when the next post goes live.
Wednesday
September 3, 2008 Product Ideas from Estonia – PicsFiled under: Education, Using Ad Specialties I just returned from vacation in Estonia, a former Soviet territory that sits on the Baltic Sea. It’s a wonderful country, with tons of rural areas to explore, casual but delicious restaurants and incredibly friendly people. Plus, since Estonia is in the EU but not yet on the Euro, it’s an affordable place to vacation. Like everywhere I’ve been, there were imprinted items being used to market stores, hotels and other businesses. I brought back a couple favorites. At one local restaurant, Ribe, the table was set with the napkin and eating utensils completely enclosed in a linen holder with the restaurant’s name embroidered outside. It was a long piece of cloth with an extended flap at the top that folds down into a loop to cover the utensils – sort of like those 1960s pencil cases that had the roll top. It provided a sense of a more sanitary situation versus when the utensils are placed by hand on the table, and it was a cool way for clients who own or market restaurants to brand their establishments.
I think it also would be a terrific giveaway – diners could take them home and tell their friends. Any restaurant would work – imagine chopsticks at Asian places, for instance.
I also visited a small local shop where a craftsman/merchant offered to imprint a logo or message onto the front cover of an old-style, 100% leather hand-bound journal. It had impressive thick covers and two matching ribbons to use to tie it closed. It even included antique-style paper inside to provide an exclusive feel. A truly unique and personal gift for clients to use to thank their customers. There are several U.S. suppliers who could provide similar products, and some who I’m sure could upgrade their offerings for special, higher-end incentive gifts like these.
Fashion trends often start in Europe, especially Eastern Europe. I’ve been traveling there for several years, and one big, obvious trend this year is a “new color” – white. Shirts, pants, shorts, shoes, belts, you name it. I’d say 15% of the Estonians – male and female – were in all white or mostly white. When I was there 18 months ago, I didn’t see anyone in white. So be on the lookout for those white 1970s shoes to be back in style – and for apparel demands to shift to white in coming months. Tell me what you think – post a comment now on the blog or email me at tim.andrews@asicentral.com. I also mentioned these products on this week’s ASI Radio show – available for replay at www.asicentral.com/radio.
Friday
July 25, 2008 ASI Wins Three National Editorial Excellence AwardsFiled under: Members, News About ASI, Using Ad Specialties While traveling from ASI Chicago I learned that ASI was named winner of three national American Society of Business Publication Editors awards for editorial excellence. ASI was selected as a winner among widely-acknowledged publications in the competition, including BusinessWeek, Computerworld, Fortune Small Business and PC Magazine. The ASBPE trade group reviewed more than 2,300 entries nationwide and selected Counselor magazine’s “Apparel Hot Sheet” and “State of the Industry” issue, and Wearables magazine’s “Fashion Trends” feature for their outstanding content. I’m particularly excited because these awards reflect an emphasis on the integrity of information and educational resources available in our publications to help ASI distributors and suppliers – you – learn about new products and grow their businesses everyday. The “Fashion Trends” and “Apparel Hot Sheet” sections provide ASI distributors and decorators with new apparel products and trends that they can use to increase sales. The “State of the Industry” issue from Counselor magazine provides the most comprehensive and trusted annual report about the advertising specialty industry, including top sales markets and best practices, to over 15,000 paying subscribers. Advertisers should be proud to be featured in all seven of ASI’s magazines – the most nationally recognized in the industry for editorial quality. Congratulations to the editors of these features and to the entire staff at all of our magazines You can see a complete list of this year’s winners and finalists at www.asbpe.org. Tell me what you think anytime – post now on the blog or email me at tim.andrews@asicentral.com. For new products from our shows, watch my videos on YouTube, at youtube.com/timasitv.
Thursday
July 24, 2008 From Chicago: Watch Video of 7 Products to SellFiled under: Education, Members, News About ASI, Using Ad Specialties ASI Chicago has been great and I found seven unique products at the show that you can sell to your clients. See them now in my video, right from the ASI booth. Nearly 800 suppliers are here – 200 of them did not exhibit last year and 129 are exhibiting at their first industry show. So it was hard to decide which products to feature. Watch now. The video includes:
Tell me what you think about ASI Chicago and other products you’ve seen this year, or anything else on your mind – post now on the blog or email me anytime, at tim.andrews@asicentral.com. Check out more product videos from ASI Shows this year, at youtube.com/timasitv. |
