Gill Studios

Are you in search of the next "it" 
 product? Well, look no further. Here is a 
 small sampling of what the various 
 vertical markets can offer your customers.

Overland Park, Kansas-based Design Resources; Lenexa, Kansas-based Gill Studios and Fairfield, New Jersey-based Points of Light have applied to participate in the accreditation program developed by the Quality Certification Alliance (QCA), the promotional product industry’s only independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping companies provide safe products.

In 1914, the year that saw the beginning of Charlie Chaplin's film career and World War I, the Western Union Co. introduced the first consumer charge card. It was printed on paper, required the balance be paid in full every month and was only good for use with Western Union. Nearly a century later, between credit cards, debit cards and gift cards, people are more likely to make a purchase with a plastic card than they are with cash.

The Printing & Imaging Association of MidAmerica recently presented Lenexa, Kansas-based Gill Studios with four “Best of Category” awards at the PIA 2010 Graphex Graphic Excellence Awards Gala. Entries were judged first on technical complexity and the quality of printing, then on design features and overall appearance.

Headquartered in Lenexa, Kan., Gill Studios has partnered with ScanLife, the global leader in mobile barcode solutions, to offer 2-D mobile barcodes and discounted code creation on a variety of Gill-line products.

Take a look to your left, and then take a look to your right. In fact, take a look anywhere and you will more often than not see some of these. Stickers and decals are the ultimate in-your-face way to promote a brand. After all, what better way is there for a contractor to get his business message across than to display his company's logo with an inexpensive and long-lasting decal on the side of his work vehicle?

Want to see a first-hand account of the latest products in the industry? Check out Print Professional's mini vertical product market showcase for some of the hottest trends.

On April 14, Lenexa, Kansas-based Gill Studios announced several position changes in its senior management. Its current president, Tom P. Carrico, will be retiring as of May 3. He will remain with the company in an advisory role for a portion of 2010. Paul M. Lage, former president and CEO of Norwood Promotional Products, will replace Carrico as the new president and CEO of Gill Studios.

Do you think outside of the box? If so, you might consider adding integrated or affixed items to your product line. Here is a collection of the latest styles companies have to offer.

Promotional products are where it's at—the money, that is. Sales figures alone for Promo Marketing's annual Top 50 Suppliers ranking showed healthy growth for the 2008 fiscal year. In fact, this year's Top 50 reported a combined total of $5,368,273,564, a 12 percent increase over findings from 2007.