Businesses nationwide use promotional products to generate name recognition, promote branch openings, introduce new products, motivate employees, develop trade show traffic, thank customers and more. Last year, businesses spent approximately $16.6 billion on promotional products, up from approximately $5.1 billion in 1991, according to Promotional Products Association International (PPAI).
Marketing firms, ad agencies and public relations firms often oversee promotional product programs for large companies. For distributors such as Gregg Roth, these agencies offer lucrative promotional product sales opportunities. "Advertising companies know the industry more and are more familiar with the terminology [than other customers]," says Roth, president of Peerless Business Forms Inc., a distributorship in Metuchen, N.J. In fact, agencies often work with clients to develop marketing concepts and choose effective promotional products before distributors become involved.
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Peerless Business Forms
Inc., a distributorship in Metuchen, N.J., supplied an ad agency with
30,000 black-and-white coloring books for NJ TRANSIT, New Jersey's public
transportation corporation and the country's third-largest provider of
bus, rail and light rail transit. The train-themed books, similar to the
book shown here, include maps and pictures designed by the ad agency that
teach children about rail travel.
Courtesy of NJ TRANSIT,
Newark, N.J.
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Marketing firms, ad
agencies and public relations firms often oversee promotional product
programs for large companies. These agencies encourage their clients to
use promotional products to generate name recognition, promote branch
openings, introduce new products, motivate employees, develop trade show
traffic, thank customers and more.
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Marketing firms, ad agencies and public
relations firms also use promotional products to help their clients activate
inactive accounts, stimulate sales meetings, open new accounts, introduce
salespeople, motivate customers, increase safety awareness and improve customer
relations. Popular items include pens, key chains, calendars, desk organizers,
drinkware, wearables, stress relievers, mouse pads, prepaid calling cards, desk
clocks, portfolios, note pads, baseball caps, award items and more. In fact,
media companies as a whole rank as the 10th top buyer of promotional products
nationwide, according to PPAI.
When an ad agency wanted coloring books for one of its clients, NJ TRANSIT, it turned to Peerless Business Forms. NJ TRANSIT, New Jersey's public transportation corporation and the country's third-largest provider of bus, rail and light rail transit, links major areas in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia. The distributorship provided the agency with 30,000 black-and-white coloring books. The 20-page perfect-bound books were printed on 50# white offset paper with 75# paper stock covers. The train-themed books, which are distributed to child passengers on NJ TRANSIT trains, include maps and pictures designed by the ad agency that teach children about rail travel.
—Kara S. Carpenter
Lenticular Mouse Pads
ActNow Media Inc., Norcross, Ga., offers lenticular mouse pads with 3D or motion (morphing, zoom or flipping) images. Each mouse pad is polybagged and includes rubberized backing and a textured lenticular lens surface that permanently protects the image. There are no charges for shipping, setup and proofs. Turnaround is available in as few as 14 working days. Rush jobs and international shipping are available. For a free sample kit, call (770) 416-6262 or (770) 416-6551 (fax) (Distributors must provide UPS or FedEx account numbers to cover shipping costs). Visit www.actnowmedia.com/asi. Send email to sales@actnowmedia.com.
Patriotic Executive Gift/Award
Piller Industries, Georgetown, Texas, introduces its 10 x 12-inch framed, limited edition, 99.9 percent pure, one-ounce silver coin. The coin features an American bald eagle on one side and the Statue of Liberty on the reverse. Placed in a protective case, each coin is flanked by a full-color picture of an American bald eagle and the U.S. flag, and the end user's logo and imprint. For more information, write to Piller Industries, P.O. Box 1076, Georgetown, TX 78627, or call (512) 863-8541. Visit www.pillerindustries.com.
Calendar Mouse Pads, Cards,
Magnets, Monitor Toppers
Gill Studios™ Inc., Shawnee Mission, Kan., introduces its "Super Savings" fourth-quarter specials on calendar products. Through Dec. 31, the company offers discounts of up to 43 percent on its ultra-thin calendar mouse pads, plastic calendar cards, calendar maxi magnets, calendar monitor toppers, and keyboard and monitor calendars. Call (913) 888-4422 or (800) 392-4455 (fax). Visit www.gill-line.com.
NEWS
SAGE®-Quick Technologies Inc., Dallas, announced plans for the first SAGE Industry Cruise for promotional products industry professionals and their friends to be held April 6-12, 2003. After boarding the Carnival Destiny in San Juan, Puerto Rico, cruise goers will visit St. Thomas, Martinique, Barbados and Aruba. SAGE will sponsor professional education sessions and networking opportunities on board. "Designed for distributors, suppliers, reps and friends, this will be the ultimate networking and education opportunity," said David Natinsky, the firm's vice president. "We've negotiated a fantastic deal on standard, outside and balcony cabins to fit every budget." For more information, call (214) 631-6000 or (214) 631-2323 (fax). Visit www.sageworld.com. Send email to info@sageworld.com.
