Netflix resurrected "Arrested Development" from the TV graveyard earlier this year by debuting all 15 episodes of a new fourth season.
We don't want to reveal any spoilers for those of you too busy binge-watching "Breaking Bad" instead, but there was something about the season opener that particularly stood out: Michael Bluth's cellphone calendar was stuck on 2003. His college-age son's solution? Hit the "today" button. Simple enough, but this three-minute joke could've easily been cut had a printed calendar been present.
While they may lack the trendiness of the latest iOS device, promotional calendars and planners continue to turn a tidy profit. But how can distributors stand out in a market heavily marked by tradition? Here are several products to show your clients (and, perhaps, bring Michael Bluth to 2013).
Executive Decision
When working a 9-to-5, it's all about being professional (we get some odd looks at meetings when we pull out our "Hello Kitty" planners). Fortunately, this is no longer a concern thanks to the Executive Weekly Planner from Waldor Products. Featuring a tan Latigo case framed in black, the 128-page planner offers ample space for notes and appointments. Clients also can take advantage of its two-year reference calendar, holiday list and other extras. For more information, visit www.waldorproducts.com.
Enjoy the View
Sometimes there's no escaping the grueling schedules demanded by employers. Since vacations are unlikely, make sure your clients have the next best thing: the Coronado Calendar Collection from Deerfield Calendars & Greeting Cards. The USA-made wall calendars come in multiple styles, including Destination (pictured), America the Beautiful, Inspirations, and Patriotic Landmarks. Each calendar features 12 full-color photos. An executive design with gold framing and a textured style background is available. For more information, visit www.adgpromo.com.
Triple Threat
Digispec's 12-month MousePaper Calendar Recycled Note Paper Mouse Pads are a much better distraction than Facebook (they give us something informative to look at while glued to our computers). The 7.25x8.5x12" calendar mouse pads function as a monthly calendar, note pad and mouse pad in one. Clients can begin their calendar on any month of the year. For more information, visit www.digispec.com.
Gotta Stay Fly
We are the masters of the misheard lyric. In fact, we only now realized Will Smith was rapping about fly calendars versus pimped-out rides in "Summertime." And by "fly calendars" we mean the Chrome Year at a Glance Wall Calendar from Finn Graphics Inc. Made of chrome material, the 18x18" calendar boasts an imprint area of 8.25x8.25". It comes with adhesive tabs for easy hanging. For more information, visit www.finn-line.com.
Stick with It
Magna-Tel Inc.'s Ad-A-Cal Magnets will help your clients stick around for a long time. The full-color, non-toxic, USA-made, white flexible magnets are approximately 30 mil thick. A 3x2.25" full 13-month paper calendar pad can be added to the bottom of the magnet starting with December 2013. Custom magnet shapes, along with three stock magnet shapes, are available. For more information, visit www.magna-tel.com.
The Future is Now
Robot-shaped calendars are no longer some far-fetched concept dreamed up by science fiction enthusiasts. Triumph Calendars Die Cut Robot Calendars from Norwood come as a pad with a cover and 12 die-cut sheets. Punch out each monthly robot as time passes or put them all together at once. Some assembly is required. For more information, visit www.norwood.com.
It's a Date
We've got 99 problems, but forgetting plans isn't one-we jot down important dates in the 2014 Weekly Pocket Planner from Payne Publishers Inc. The Smyth-sewn weekly pocket planner includes gold or silver edged pages, famous quotes and 16 pages of four-color U.S. maps. It shows one week per opening. For more information, visit www.paynepubpromo.com.