Promo Products

AS THE FOURTH QUARTER quickly approaches, manufacturers and distributors prepare for what is unquestionably the busiest time of year. Similar to retail, most companies dealing in promotional products will make their biggest sales push between September and December. New product lines, holiday bonuses and vacation time are among the numerous reasons this season holds so much weight. In an industry that enables end-users to reward customers with complimentary products, it makes sense to take advantage of the traditional gift-giving time of year. Unfortunately, manufacturers of promotional items are forced to compete with more than each other during the holiday season. From the day the Halloween

Christmas Window Pouch Bag from Hospitality Mints

Tumi’s Compact Large Screen Computer Brief from Indigo

Brentwood from Dunbrooke

Kingsford Pocket Planner from Windmill Press

Breakaway Calendars from Halls & Company

Various samples of commercial printing, courtesy of RMF Printing Technologies.

Hampton Mug from Crown Products

This month’s mystery product will be of special interest to distributors currently serving health-care accounts, as well as those looking for a way to break into the market. The product combines a sleek, highly portable design, computer technology and up-to-date patient information for an effective, and potentially life-saving, device. It’s perfect for creating new selling opportunities within existing accounts or opening doors when prospecting. Here are a few clues to try to guess what the product is: • It is a practical way to keep emergency medical information safe and accessible at all times. • It is made using acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic

The real ESTATE market bubble might be losing some air, but, despite cynical expectations, the bubble is not going to burst. In a recent Reuters newswire, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke stated, “It looks to be a very orderly and moderate kind of cooling at this point.” This is good news for distributors of promotional products in this market. Although it is cooling, the real estate niche still has a balmy temperature guage in the upper double digits. Cary Shevin, president of Dard Products, Evanston, Ill., agreed, stating the real estate market is not only huge, but continuous. “And, the prospects are plenty,”