Promo Products

Does the thought of selling stress balls have you popping anti-anxiety pills? Do you cringe at the sight of blinking logo pendants or run in fear from foam hands? Relax, you’re not alone. The prospect of bringing assorted novelties to sales calls is enough to make some business printing professionals rethink their careers. Change is never easy. But by and large, it is usually positive, and the $19 billion promotional products industry is increasingly providing life support for flagging distributorships. Those who are successfully adding customized advertising and marketing tools to their product lines are focused on serving customers’ objectives, not simply supplying promotional

Anoticeable crowd gathered around one vendor in particular during Glenwood, Minnesota-based American Solutions for Business’s national sales conference—held Feb. 28 through March 4 at the Minneapolis Hilton Hotel—and an excited buzz filled the air. Fueld Films, Parker, Colo., was busy introducing distributors to the next generation of creative solutions. Attendees were mesmerized as they watched a series of 30-second video ads, each custom designed for a variety of markets. “With the advent of new online video services like YouTube, and the introduction of interactive marketing campaigns, the face of advertising has changed forever,” explained Brady Anderton, a partner in Fueld Films with his brother, Jeff,

Celebrating more than 113 years in the promotional products industry, Batavia, Ohio-based Kaeser & Blair has revamped its website. Distributors interested in adding promotional products to the items they sell can visit the site to obtain information on securing free, authorized dealerships; there are no franchise fees, marketing fees or binding legal agreements. And, those already selling ad specialties can discover new ways to increase their earnings. The site features detailed, comprehensive information on the overall program, as well as quick-moving video snapshots. In addition, a free, detailed prospectus is available, explaining every aspect of owning an independent Kaeser & Blair dealership. For more

Nearly every region in the country can lay claim to a host of summer-related events. Whether it’s a local team that makes it to the finals, a state fair or company picnic, a blockbuster movie screening or one in the assortment of days-long summer music festivals, entertainment events kick into high gear once the summer season does the same. And, the more entertainment events there are, the more promotional tie-ins—like CD cases and MP3 players—have the potential to capture the attention of targeted end-users. As a result, new supply opportunities for apparel, banners, tickets, wristbands, loyalty cards and an array of entertainment-related products are

Several years have passed since the inception of television makeover programs. Nevertheless, the various creative concepts of executive producers continue to garner high viewer ratings and consequently, industry profitability. From fashion makeover shows such as the Style Network’s How Do I Look?, to ABC’s emotionally-driven Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, is it a wonder why American popular culture hinges on trends and image? It is rather simple to apply this concept to almost any business sector. Take the $18.01 billion promotional products industry, for example. With an industry dating back to 1789, when promotional products took the form of commemorative buttons celebrating George Washington’s presidential

In the upcoming spring season, the elite consumers of fashion meccas, such as Rodeo Drive and Fifth Avenue, will sport 1940s-inspired blouses and satin shorts. Additionally, a trip to the local mall will reveal mannequins draped in fluorescent elastic dresses made popular in the 1980s. Don’t be fooled—it’s still the 21st century. “Retro” tends to only temporarily exit the fashion scene. The classic coin purse is an example of retro-resurgence. Ben Stiller, founder of Akron, Ohio-based Quikey, initially patented Quikoin in 1951. He hoped to design a pocket coin holder to decrease the amount of coin wear on men’s pants pockets. The product

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