Industry News

Promotional Products, Items, Branding, Freebies, Give Aways, Gimmies, Logos, and Convention Stuff

Inkspress, Inc — Thu, 03 Nov 2005 14:45:00 GMT

I am working with this wonderful customer that is all about events and promotions. They call me at least twice a week to discuss the next one. They are a dream come true as far as their business is great--but, even more, they are a joy to work with because they ask me what I think and like my different and unique ideas. I get my creative juices flowing as soon as I hear the receptionist say that they are on the line! As a result, I find myself going through the catalog files quite often trying to find that new, unique and special item for their event. However, I couldn't go along with placing my clients' info on the belly of a pregnant woman! I do have a limit for the unique...

As I look through the catalogs, I find myself getting lost in all the different items: Jewelry, Multi-functional items--the “what-the-heck-is-it” items. New colors, new ideas, new fun!

I have items all over my desk and on my shelves as a reminder of events that are planned and events yet to be planned. The three camouflage hats on my desk remind me of the season that is quickly going away. The 6-pack cooler is there to remind me of the season of spring that will be here before you know it. So many items and so little time...

And just when you think you have seen it all, there is a place in Japan that will burn little messages onto beans. When you carefully care for these little beans that are complete with their own little container, in about 5 days, the bean will emerge from the ground to expose a leaf that has the message on it! Ok, that totally excites me! I haven't had any takers on it yet, but I'm hopeful.

I know that there are a lot of different professions in the world, but I love my job (many of heard this before..) and I get to use BOTH sides of my brain! Oh sure, there are days that I think I should have stayed home in bed, but for most of them I find them just great challenges to find the ultimate item for my customer.

One of the best ideas that I came up with didn't cost my customer a dime--it was just the best suggestion for their particular need at that moment. If we all just keep it in mind that it is not all about the dollar, but about making our clients happy, they will remain loyal customers, too. Ok, I've left my state of business eutopia--I'm back.

Well, I've got my eyes wide open and looking for the next innovative item. If anyone has a really ultra-cool, new, neat item they want to share, go ahead, we're ready! Let us have it!

What About The Starving Kids In China??

Inkspress, Inc — Fri, 15 Jul 2005 10:30:00 GMT

Be on the alert as SpongeBob, Dora the Explorer, Blue's Clues and The Backyardians will be surfacing at your local grocery store coming this fall. In a deal with Grimmway Farms, these lovable characters will be gracing the front of packages of 1.6 oz. single servings to 5 lb. bags of baby cut and peeled carrots. Boskovich Farms made the deal with SpongeBob for bags of spinach. Other Nickelodeon characters will be prominently displayed on the front of bags of oranges, tangerines and clementines from LGS Specialty Sales. Upcoming deals also include using Nickelodeon characters on cartons of lowfat milk.

In the past, poor SpongeBob has had it rough. He has been tagged the Pied Piper of children everywhere-- Leading them down the cartoon-sprinkled path of obesity and inactivity. He has been accused of being homosexual and teaching children tolerance. And all this time I thought he was just a cartoon! With popularity like that, you would think he would figure out what to do about terrorism, homelessness, world hunger, aids and curing cancer. Hey, the Supreme Court is in need of a new judge soon…

Anyway, as a last ditch effort to resurrect poor Bob's image, Viacom International Inc. has agreed to give Bob an overhaul in the PR department—allowing good old Bob to be spokesman for good nutrition everywhere.

An idea worth applauding is Nickelodeon's "Let's Just Play." Nick recently announced the second annual Worldwide Day of Play where the network will go dark on Oct. 1 to engage kids in healthy and fun activities. Now that takes guts on the part of the number one network channel to tell their fans to shut down for the day. In addition to the “Let's Just Play“ campaign, it also awarded more than half-a-million dollars in grants to schools and after-school programs in 2004-2005 to help provide resources that will create and expand opportunities for playing physically. Nickelodeon will also give away an additional $1 million this year. With Nick being seen in 89 million households, it's nice to know that good eating and healthy lifestyles are being promoted by their top characters.

Whether the motives of a few high-powered executives over at Viacom are to give their boy a renovation or not, it doesn’t matter a hill of beans to me. In the end, if kids in this country get up off of the couch, turn off the television and walk outside chewing on a carrot stick, who (in their right mind) can find fault with that??

Carrie Is So Very

Inkspress, Inc — Thu, 14 Jul 2005 08:41:00 GMT

Carrie Underwood, the new American Idol for 2005, has signed a new deal with Skechers--the makers of those stylish tennis shoes. The Skechers people have said that a new ad campaign will begin this fall with Underwood featured wearing the sports and fusion styled shoes that reflect her interests. Do you wear sport or fusion styled Skechers on the farm?

I am sure that Carrie's face on promotional T-shirts are coming our way, and all forms of specialty items like the Carrie Key Chain or the Carrie Flyer Disk. But, at least she's not selling lipgloss or belly button rings. So, shoes are just fine!

As the second place winner of American Idol, maybe Beau Byce will be selling hair conditioner?

Microsoft Relaunches Small Business Center

Inkspress, Inc — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 09:18:00 GMT

Microsoft has just launched a re-designed, perhaps re-thought--small business center. Popular with many small business folks, this site cuts to the chase and helps small business owners get the answers they need.

Security is high on everybody's mind and Microsoft has provided a nice track for learning more about security (I would also recommend Security Awareness for Ma, Pa and the Corporate Clueless--a Business Blogging Awards winner). There is also a learning section that helps you with the information you need to know, when you need to know it.

I great place to start if you have any questions about your Windows computer or software.

Resources:Microsoft Small Business Center --Microsoft Gives Small Biz Site a Makeover