Promotional Products that Work

AP Video: Travel Sentry Tag and Lock Promotional Product

2011-12-07T14:53:00.000-08:00

This American Promotions video demonstrates how to use the Travel Sentry Luggage Tag and Lock promotional tool.

This imprinted Travel Sentry Luggage Lock is tiny, but that's just what you want in a luggage lock. It's TSA compliant, so you know it's strong, and the handy personal information label on the lock helps you keep track of your bag. This video shows how to use the simple combination lock.

For more luggage tags and accessories or some imprinted luggage, check out this page on our website.

For product and ordering information, and for samples, contact us at American Promotions 1-877-604-5646.

What accessories to you use when you travel?

AP Video: JournalBooks Pedova Custom Printed Journals

2011-11-30T14:54:00.000-08:00

This American Promotions video showcases a JournalBook from the Pedova line of promotional journals.

These Pedova JournalBooks are made from faux leather that looks real and feels very soft. The Italian style covers have a thread sewn binding, a high quality detail.

The imprinting is blind deboss. You can deboss your logo, or can choose a full cover design, from four stock designs, to complement your logo. Watch the video to see the difference between the two logo options. The Pedova JournalBooks come in five different colors and they include two satin ribbon bookmarks and an elastic pen holder. To complete your promotional package, choose an imprinted pen (we have hundreds of different pen choices).

Click here to see more JournalBooks on the American Promotions website.

To take a look at some of the pen options from American Promotions, click here.

For product and ordering information, and for samples, go to our website or feel free to call us toll-free at 1-877-604-5646.

Do you write in a journal? Would you like a gift like this from your employer?

AP Video: H2Go Stealth Promotional Water Bottle

2011-11-23T14:45:00.000-08:00

This American Promotions video displays the H2Go Stealth promotional water bottle.

Designed for cold liquids, the H2GO Stealth promotional water bottle has a large opening for easy cleaning and for adding ice easily. It is BPA free and comes in nine translucent colors.

The H2Go Stealth has a large imprint area and its clean, modern lines make it a standout in promotional drinkware.

For samples or more product information, contact us at American Promotions 1-877-604-5646.

To see a similar promotional water bottle, the H2Go Vornado, click here.

What is your favorite type of water bottle and why?

AP Video: H2GO Aluminum Classic Promotional Water Bottles

2011-11-16T14:47:00.000-08:00

This American Promotions video showcases the H2Go Aluminum Classic promotional water bottle.

The H2GO Aluminum Classic promotional water bottles come with carabiners and are BPA FREE. They're manufactured in ten vivid colors and are designed for cold liquids. They're available with your imprint or with full wrap stock designs that cover the whole bottle and can be color changed to match your logo.

These full wrap stock designs are very attractive! Simply choose a full wrap stock design out of many choices, click colors to match your logo, and then your logo is printed nestled in a full coverage design that maximizes the water bottle's promotional capability.

To see a line of stainless steel promotional water bottles, click on the names below:

For more product information, visit our American Promotions website by clicking here. For samples or answers to your questions, call us toll-free at American Promotions 1-877-604-5646.

Do you own a metal water bottle, or a water bottle made of some other material? What's your favorite?

AP Video: High Sierra Multi-Tool Promotional Product

2011-11-09T14:59:00.000-08:00

This American Promotions video showcases the High Sierra 15-Function Multi-Tool promotional product.

The advertising specialty High Sierra Multi-Tool is made from stainless steel and comes with a whopping 15 functions. This video shows where they are, helpful since a couple of the tools have multiple function. This tool is so useful and durable recipients will use them for years, giving your logo long term visibility. This product has two locations where logos can be imprinted.

Go to our American Promotions website for product and ordering information, or for samples and answers to your questions just call us toll-free at 1-877-604-5646.

Do you own a multi-tool? What are its most useful functions?

AP Video: H2Go Vornado Promotional Waterbottles

2011-11-02T14:51:00.000-07:00

This American Promotions video shows the H2Go Vornado promotional waterbottle line.

The H2Go Vornado water bottles hold 32 oz. of cold liquid and are BPA FREE. They come in 9 translucent colors. They display a large imprint area of 7 x 3 inches, although if you want more, ask us about the full wrap option. Their large opening makes cleaning or adding ice easy to do.

To see a similar water bottle, called the H2Go Stealth, click here.

For product and ordering information, or for samples, contact us at American Promotions 1-877-604-5646.

What's your favorite type of water bottle?

Product Review: Promotional Stuffed Animals, A Beaver

2011-10-31T10:23:00.000-07:00

We got an order for 250 of these stuffed animal beavers. They're so soft and cute!

Here is a picture of the beaver with the t-shirt. The logoed tiny t-shirts are on their way here from the printer, the one this beaver is wearing is blank. Both blank and logoed tiny t-shirts are available.

Stuffed animals are a growing promotional category. Probably because there are so many animals to choose from, all of them appealing, and animals advertise well---almost everyone loves them.

These beavers are for an organization that fights wildfires. They're going to give them away to their people.

American Promotions carries a large line of stuffed promotional animals. Go here to see a stuffed Bull for a financial company her for a stuffed Bear that was ordered for a bank, and here to see a stuffed promotional cow that was ordered for a pharmaceutical company.

What's your favorite animal? What company do you think should use a stuffed animal promotion?

AP Video: SS Classic Promotional Water Bottle

2011-10-26T14:50:00.000-07:00

This American Promotions video displays the H2Go Stainless Steel Classic promotional water bottle.

The H2Go Stainless Steel Classic water bottles are made from 18/8 stainless steel and hold 24 oz. of cold liquids. Their screw-on black lids come with a hole for the add-on carabiners. They're manufactured in 7 colors. Imprint area is 5 1/4 x 3 inches, but be sure to ask us about the full wrap option (using color coordinated stock art to design a fully covered water bottle).

Go to our American Promotions webpage for product and ordering information of the H2Go SS Classic.

To see similar stainless steel promotional water bottles, click on their names:

For an aluminum version, the H2Go Aluminum Classic promotional water bottle, take a look at this video by clicking here.

For samples and answers to your questions feel free to contact us with a toll-free call at American Promotions 1-877-604-5646.

Do you prefer a water bottle made of stainless steel, or a different material?

Real Promotions: Mousepad

2011-10-24T14:45:00.000-07:00

We had an order recently of full color mousepads. Mousepads are a classic promotional product because of their low cost and high logo visibility.They have a soft fabric top layer on top of a rubber circle, and come in different thicknesses.

I'm using one of these mousepads under my computer mouse at this very moment. It works great, even at the thinner size, which is key to a successful promotion. The product must work well! I think the colors on the mousepad make it a successful promotion as well. What isn't as successful, to me at least, are the five initials printed at the bottom of the pad. I assume it has something to do with the company, but it doesn't tell me what the company does or how to contact them. Including that information would take the promotion to a higher advertising level--even if the phone number or website were tiny on the pad. However, this company still gets high points for choosing long lasting mousepads and for the bright full color logo that catches the eye.

Thanks for your order, and best promoting wishes to you, WPAFB.

What's under your computer mouse?

AP Video: H2Go Bolt Promotional Water Bottles

2011-10-19T14:49:00.000-07:00

This American Promotions video shows the H2GO Stainless Steel Bolt promotional water bottle.

The H2Go Bolt water bottle is made from 18/8 stainless steel and holds 24 oz of cold liquid. Available blank or with your logo, the Bolt also offers a full wrap option that surrounds your logo with a stock art wrap custom colored to match. The stock art wraps are very attractive and give you water bottle a designer look.

The Bolt comes with a screw-on black lid that has a hole for an add-on carabiner and is textured to make screwing the lid on and off easy even with wet fingers.

To see similar stainless steel promotional water bottles, click on their names:

For an aluminum version, the H2Go Aluminum Classic, take a look at this video by clicking here.

Click here for more product and ordering information at the American Promotions website (live chat available). For samples and answers to your questions, contact us at American Promotions 1-877-604-5646

Where do you use your water bottles? What's your favorite?

Product Review: Promotional Sweatshirt Blankets

2011-10-17T13:10:00.000-07:00

My eldest daughter just entered high school. I'm rather in shock, because I can't believe she's old enough and I can't believe I'm old enough.

With her in high school, I expect she'll want to go to outdoor football games (high school football is really big in our town). I remember my high school football days. The bright lights, the loud cheering, the chilly fall air...NO, I didn't actually play. But in my senior year I wore the school mascot suit, taking turns with my twin sister, riling up the crowd. It was a comet suit. Yes, most unusual mascot.

A popular school sport promotion is the sweatshirt blanket.

People use sweatshirt blankets to keep warm and show school spirit as spectators, like this woman in a Hunter green promotional sweatshirt blanket....

or like this sport participant wearing a red sweatshirt blanket, and, um, little else.

Imprinted sweatshirt blankets roll up small, making them slightly more portable than the also popular fleece promotional blankets or plush promotional blankets.

For other school event promotional accessories, check out these fold-out stadium cushions, self-inflating stadium cushions, football shaped stadium cushions, as well as stadium noisemaker sticks (here's the AP video of those noisemakers).

What was the mascot of your school? Anyone else have a Comet for their mascot?

AP Video: H2Go Athans Promotional Water Bottle

2011-10-12T14:49:00.000-07:00

We made this video over at American Promotions to display the H2go Athans promotional water bottle.

The H2Go Athans promotional water bottles are made from 18/8 stainless steel and hold 24 oz. of cold liquid. They come with a standard Screw-On Lid but have a Carabiner Lid or a Sport Pull Lid option. They're designed in six metallic colors and have an add-on carabiner available.

The H2Go Athans water bottles look very sleek and modern with their handsome metallic design. They slope in at the "waist" to make a comfortable hand hold when carrying or drinking.

To see similar stainless steel promotional water bottles, click on their names:

For an aluminum version, the H2Go Aluminum Classic promotional water bottle, take a look at this video by clicking here.

Go here for product and ordering information (live chat available on the website), or for samples and answers to your questions, contact us at American Promotions 1-877-604-5646.

What kind of water bottle do you use?

Marketing Opinion: Courtesy Calls Aren't About Just Saying Hi

2011-10-10T12:09:00.000-07:00

When I answer the phone and hear the words, "Hi, I'm [Jane] and I'm calling from [a business] and this is just a quick courtesy call...." I instantly know that it's NOT just a courtesy call. Jane isn't calling to just say Hi.

It's a sales call. And when callers come to the part in their script that asks, "Are you interested?" I say No. Most of the time. Because I'm not interested. And they're off to the next call. Because they have a certain amount of calls to make an hour so they can get paid. No one is really interested on either side of the telephone.

This pattern as a marketing plan doesn't seem to be working. Paying people to make calls that no one wants to hear? There has to be a better way to use the telephone to connect to prospective customers.

I think I know a better pattern. What if a company sent a gift to a prospective customer, and THEN made the follow up call? And the follow up call was to ask them what they thought of the gift. If they didn't like it, then find out why. If they did like it, then find out why. A conversation happens. A real conversation, not just a false courtesy call to see if someone is interested in listening to a sales pitch. The gift begins the conversation.

Here are some items that are:

inexpensive, which is important for giveaways,
small, so they fit into a mailer,
useful, so they don't get thrown away before the call,
unique, so the gift will be remembered when the follow up call is made.

Here are FIVE mailer gift possibilities:

The Mint Pen. This is a pen shaped container that dispenses mints one at a time. Available in three flavors: peppermint, cinnamon and squint and sugar free.

While I'm on the subject of mints, Check out these Slim Mints:

They're small so they fit in a wallet, pocket or mailer. And they have a large imprint space for the money, plus they get double the logo views when your recipient shares a mint! They are available in a sugar free version too.

That flat credit card shape is easy to mail and portable to carry, so take a look at these uniquely shaped Flatinum USB Flash Drives:

The last two mailer suggestions will be promotional pens. Pens are the most popular promotional item, because they are inexpensive and useful to everyone. But to go into a mail, the pen has to be unique, otherwise it won't get much notice.

Here are two unique pens that will make a promotional mailer stand out:

These pens are the Retractable Pocket Telescope Ballpoint Pens.

The ribbed silver barrel telescopes into a full sized pen! The retracted size is smaller, which makes mailing easier.

These pens are the Shorty Sporty Pens. They're only 3 1/2 inches long, great for mailing, and they include a key chain attachment, which increases the usefulness to include portability as well as writing!

So next time you get a courtesy call, ask the caller to give you a courtesy gift first, and then you'll talk.

Does your company use the telephone for sales calls? Have you ever made a business call and got shot down by an uninterested listener? Do you like courtesy calls?

AP Video: Double Wall Plastic Tumbler

2011-10-05T14:29:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it's helpful to see a cup in a video rather than in a photograph, so we've created this American Promotions video for the Double Wall Plastic Tumbler. The imprint for this product goes on the side.

With Fall and Winter weather right around the corner, it's time for hot drinks. Steaming coffee, hot chocolate and tea warm us up during the cold season. Then comes Spring and Summer with iced tea and cold sodas to keep us cool. If you want promotional drinkware designed for cold AND hot liquids, then the 12 oz. Double Wall Plastic Tumbler is an excellent choice.

The 12 oz. Double Wall Plastic Tumbler is a promotional cup designed for keeping hot or cold liquids at temperature. Its dimensions fit most corporate coffee machines and it is BPA free. It comes in WHITE.

American Promotions carries a variety of tumblers made from plastic to stainless steel. For samples or more product information, contact us at American Promotions or at 1-877-604-5646.

What do you drink to keep cool in the Summer and warm up in the Winter?

Real Promotions: Office Break Room Promotional Imprinted Mugs

2011-10-03T10:08:00.000-07:00

I wandered over to the Break Room of our office complex. I wanted to see what kind of promotional cups that people kept and used. I found five.

One was from a local radio station, one from an electric supply company, a local college, a local branch of Kiwanis Club, and People's Bank. All five of their imprints were in mint condition. These mugs are used a lot, so it's a real life example of how long logoed mugs last.

Although these logos were in excellent condition, they could've used the ad space more completely.

Lots of points goes to the college for including their contact information--they were the only one out of the five.

Now, there are two camps about including contact information. One side says just use the logo, it will keep your business at the top of the customer's mind, and they'll use the phone book or the Internet to find contact information. That makes some sense, but I am of a different mind. I believe that contact information, even if very small, makes more use of the ad space and makes customer communication more easy. In my opinion, the easier it is for a customer to make contact, the more customers will do so.

I've used promotional products to quickly access a phone number. I did it with a dentist's refrigerator magnet and a sign maker's pen. Both included their phone number and both of them received my business.

That being said, sometimes all a company wants is name recognition. I think of the pharmaceutical industry. Since prescriptions are delivered through doctors and pharmacies, name recognition of their drug is all a pharmaceutical company wants. But they are an exception to the general rule. Another exception is promotions for large chains.

The bank mug that I'm looking at right now is for a large chain. They probably ordered a big mug order through corporate and distributed it to the branches. They exchanged customer contact for a cheaper price on the mugs, and I think that can be justified, but they should've included their website at the very least, to encourage online banking.

The radio station should have included their radio station number! The Electric supply company should have included their phone number to make reorders easier! The Kiwanis should have included their meeting time, which is the same year round (for example: Meet with us the fourth Tuesday of every month). This would be a good reminder for their members and would take their mug's advertising potential up a notch.

Mugs are a classic promotional product because they are long lasting, visible, inexpensive and useful. American Promotions carries promotional Bistro mugs here and Diner Mugs here. If you're thinking about a mug promotion, consider taking it up a notch by pairing it with imprinted packets of hot chocolate or coffee like this:

What mugs are in your break room? Your kitchen cupboard?

AP Video: Metropolitan Desk Organizer

2011-09-28T14:23:00.000-07:00

This is a video we made to show the Metropolitan Desk Organizer.

It has a logo area on the top, an integrated photograph frame, and four velvet-lined trays that can double as coasters.

The Desk Organizer makes a great gift for employee recognition or for industries that use tiny objects, like scrapbooking, beading, train models, etc.

American Promotions carries a whole line of Metropolitan office tools and gifts. Contact us for samples or more product information at 1-877-604-5646.

Does your desk need organizing? What are your favorite office tools?

Real Promotions: "Read" Visor Glasses Promotional Clip

2011-09-26T09:44:00.000-07:00

I was thinking about the promotional products that stick around in my life and that I use, when I looked up (I was driving at the time) and attached to my visor was this:

It's a clip that attaches to a visor that holds glasses or sunglasses. I use it all the time, since I only use glasses when I drive. I wish I had two, since I keep my sunglasses in the car too.

The successful part of this promotional product is that it gets used every day, so the imprinted logo gets repetitive visibility. However, this particular company did not use the visor clip to its upmost. The imprinting simply says "Read." I'm assuming it came from a promotion by our local library. Or was it the school? The truth is, I don't remember. The company that paid to gives these visors away made a big mistake by not self-promoting their business. They didn't print their company name or contact information. So I can only give half points to this nameless company! They chose a good promotional product, but they didn't imprint it memorably.

Visor Glasses Clips would be a useful promotion in the Auto industry, from car washes to oil changes, and for an optometrist business, to carry their glasses in the car, as well as a sunglasses business for the same reason.

American Promotions carries a line of visor clips called the Auto Visor Mate Sunglasses Caddy. If you choose this advertising product, be sure to include your company name and either a phone number or website, so that your whole promotional package will point toward your company.

What's on your visor?

Real Promotions: Lexapro Plastic Reusable Grocery Bag

2011-09-19T10:16:00.000-07:00

I bought eggs from my neighbor's little girl, and she gave them to me in this bag:

Her father is a pharmaceutical rep, obviously. But, since I'm always interested promotional items, after I put the eggs away I examined the bag. It's a simple plastic bag with handles made of the same material. This company imprinted a full coverage four color logo on both the front and the back.

Is this a successful promotion? Yes, I think it is. The logo is bright, eye catching and readable from afar--useful attributes on a bag that gets carried around. The base of the bag includes the company name, Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and their five focuses: Pharmaceuticals, Therapeutics, Healthcare, Managed Care, and Specialty Sales. There is no contact number or website--but I don't think that's an omission on their part. The purpose of the bag is not to encourage people to shop at Forest Pharmaceuticals. Since prescriptions can only be written by a doctor, the purpose of the bag is to encourage people to recognize the name of the drug Lexapro and maybe ask their doctor about it. And the cost of plastic bags are lower than if they were non-woven or cotton bags or totes, so these bags help make marketing dollars go farther.

American Promotions carries a line of plastic bags so your company can "carry" your logo into promotional success too. Here's a Vinyl Accessory Bag, the clear Weekender, INSERT PLASTIC BAP LINK HERE

What promotional bags have crossed your path?

Real Promotions: Whole Foods Market Reusable Shopping Bag

2011-09-08T15:29:00.000-07:00

I came across this Whole Foods Market bag. It's very large, non-woven and laminated. Here's a picture of it:

Whole Foods Market not only promotes their company, with their logo front and center, but they show how they feel about the environment, with their bold bag statement "I used to be a plastic bottle" above their logo. They even explain how this bag is "made from 80% post-consumer waste."

I would consider this promotion a success because:

1. The Whole Foods logo is prominent. People who use the bag and people who see the bag will be reminded of Whole Foods Market.

2. The recycled message appeals to Whole Foods consumers

3. The bag is made of laminated non-woven polypropylene which is durable, and the handles are re-enforced, so the bag will last.

4. The bag itself is a successful part of the promotions because it replaces plastic and paper disposable bags at the store, and so it is USEFUL to the Whole Foods customer.

Good job Whole Foods for a great promotion!

This Eco Message bag is similar to the Whole Foods bag: it is made from non-woven laminated polypropylene, and it has a full wrap of environmental designs that can surround a logo.

To look at more non-woven bags we carry at American Promotions, click HERE.

Real Promotions: Cotton Reusable Bag from the Library

2011-09-06T09:29:00.000-07:00

The fundraising arm of our county library is called Central Point Friends of the Library, and they gave away, as part of a promotion, a cotton bag. You can see it here:

A bag likes this fits perfectly for a library promotion, since these cotton bags are sturdy enough to hold heavy books and inexpensive to buy.

To see our line of similar cotton bags and totes, click HERE. and HERE.

Click here to see our whole line of cotton bags and totes.

Real Promotions: Law Office Promotional Imprinted Pens

2011-09-05T10:51:00.000-07:00

Imprinted pens are a classic promotional item. I wanted to see how they did in a real life setting.

So as an experiment, I walked around my Dad's law office and collected all the promotional pens they were using. I collected twelve.

The pens I found were all kinds of different designs. One of them wrote so well, that I had to tell my Mom that I would return it that day. She was attached. That was this pen:

These six pens have rubber grips, which were popular in this office.

I found two of the same kind! These two pens, exactly alike except for color, are some of the most inexpensive pens you see everywhere. Both of them were imprinted with hotel logos.

This is what I can learn from this real life search for promotional pens:

1. How a promotional pen writes translates directly into how attached a person feels toward the logoed pen.

2. People like the rubber grips on pens.

3. The most inexpensive pens are the most common pens, and seeing them everywhere means the pens are displaying those logos everywhere.

My conclusion from this "promotional pen journey" is that logoed pens are a classic advertising specialty for GOOD REASON--people use them and share them and do not throw them away.

To see hundreds of styles of promotional pens, take a look at our website at American Promotions.

Product Review: Sedici Tumbler Promotional Water Bottles

2011-09-03T10:29:00.000-07:00

The Sedici Tumblers combine the usefulness of fast food cups and straws with the durability of BPA FREE acrylic. These Tumblers have a rubber gasket under the lid that aids the acrylic double walls in keeping cold drinks cold. Comes in 8 translucent colors. Includes a matching straw, but upon request contrasting colored straws are available. Did you see the peppermint striped straw in the video??

For product and ordering information, and for samples, contact us at American Promotions 1-877-604-5646 http://www.americanpromotions.com

Product Review: Classic Promotional Umbrella

2011-08-31T12:34:00.000-07:00

Umbrellas make great promotional gifts or giveaways for all seasons of the year: Fall, Winter and Spring for rain/snow and Summer for shade. Because umbrellas are carried open when in use, umbrellas display high logo visibility.

The Classic Folding Umbrella featured in this video is made in the USA, is manually operated, and folds up to a mere 9" long. Available in 5 colors.

For product or ordering information, or for samples, contact us at American Promotions http://www.americanpromotions.com 1-877-604-5646

AP Video: H2Go SS Bolt and Solus Promotional Water Bottles

2011-08-23T10:04:00.001-07:00

This is a video we just created to showcase our collection of sleek H2Go stainless steel water bottles.

You can see more information on these water bottles at: http://www.ameripromo.com/advanced_search_result.php?search_in_description=1&keywords=H2Go&x=54&y=12

Interested in samples or in making an order? Contact us at www.americanpromotions.com or by phone at 1-877-604-5646

Real Promotions: Shari's Non-Woven Tote Bags

2011-08-06T12:34:00.000-07:00

When my husband and I went out to Shari's, a family diner type restaurant, to meet his brother's fiancee's family, we ate dinner and then had pie. Shari's has some good pie! I'm drooling just remembering the coconut cream pie as I look at the non-woven polypropylene bag that Shari's uses pie take out. I took a picture of it here:

They have a two color logo that covers the front panel and rear panel. The tag on the inside says it's designed for multiple use--and that's one of the reasons businesses use these bags for promotions. Because they get re-used and everytime they're being used for shopping, the business logo is receiving more coverage. This is the inside of the bag:

There are lots of different non-woven polypropylene bag and tote designs, some with stock designs that surround a logo with full color and coverage on the front and rear panels. Some non-woven bags are made of recyclable materials (some were former 2 ltr. bottles!). To look at the non-woven polypropylene promotional bags and totes we carry at American Promotions, click HERE. or HERE.

What's your favorite pie?

Product Review: Imprinted Wine and Cheese Promotional Tote Bags

2011-07-21T12:15:00.000-07:00

I'm not a wine drinker myself. The closest I get to a little libation is some sparkling cider, but I suppose this handsome Meritage Wine and Cheese Tote by Picnic Time would work for that as well.
We are going to be releasing at least half a dozen new wine totes at American Promotions in August. They make fine company gifts.

Promotional Noisemaker: Thunderstix

2011-07-19T10:09:00.000-07:00

This is an American PromotionsTV video that shows Thunderstix tubes, noisemakers for stadiums, school events, parades, and political rallies. Banging the two tubes together makes a thundering boom sound that grabs attention everywhere, perfect for advertising a logo.

Click here to see more product information on Thunderstix: http://www.ameripromo.com/thunderstix%C3%83%E2%80%A0-noisemakers-p-2501.html

To ask for a sample or make an order, contact us at http://www.americanpromotions.com or call us at 1-877-604-5646

Great Balls of Fire - Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T17:15:00.000-07:00

Here is a little fun for your 4th of July evening.

A Few Reflections on Independence Day

2011-07-04T15:27:00.000-07:00

For me, Independence Day is not a celebration of our government or even of the United States of America. It is a holiday to embrace every human freedom, and to commemorate a group of great men and women who recognized that God is the giver of all freedoms. He, not government, makes us free. When our nation was established, and for the first time in human history, these Founders courageously crafted a government to preserve these freedoms. They instituted checks and balances on the reach of government power. They intended a nation of freeholders, a nation where people can enjoy these freedoms and achieve their highest hopes and aspirations. They weren't perfect - no men are; but they did something which had never been done before.

The governments of men, by and large, are the enemies of human freedom. The constant war, the declining influence of the United States, the confusion of the regular citizen, the immorality of many leaders, and the shredding of Constitutional principles are all evidence of the general rapacious and self-interested nature of those who seek to govern.

The United States of America is in a perilous place, and its future is dark and uncertain, but I am seeing many concerned and liberty-loving people who are actively working and seeking to set us again on the right path. It is my fervent hope and prayer, that the best days for human freedom are still to come.

Bags and Totes: Eco, Polypropylene, Laminated, Recycled

2011-06-23T10:16:00.000-07:00

Promotional Bags and Totes is a huge category in the Advertising Specialties business. This American PromotionsTV video showcases bags that are recycled, laminated, made of polypropylene (recycled from the same plastic that makes 2 liter pop bottles), hand wipeable or hand washable, and non-woven materials.

To ask for samples or to order, contact us at http://www.americanpromotions.com or call us at 1-877-604-5646

Horsin' Around.

2011-04-29T14:33:00.000-07:00

A month or so back I wrote about my little two year old's adoration of all things equine. He can spot a horse from a quarter mile, and he seems to find every book on the shelf which features a horse, and implores me read it to him. And as the doting parent I am, I do so happily.

Here are three horse theme promotional items for the cowboys, ranchers and horse lovers at work or at play:

Horse Bender
Moseez Horse Stuffed Animal
Horse Stress Ball

Two Legendary Metal Forges

2011-04-28T07:55:00.000-07:00

I was reading yesterday on the Advertising Specialty Institute ASI website when I came across an article in the Mergers & Acquisitions section which announced Wendell August Forge's purchase of Old Forge Metals, Inc., the terms being undisclosed.

Apparently, Wendell Forge has come back after a very trying period, as their headquarters burned about a year ago.

I was a little familiar with Old Forge Metals. Years ago, early in my promotional products career, I sold a series of 100 very high end fully custom chess sets with pewter playing pieces on a marble chess board and custom pewter corner pieces to Tahitian Noni International. I can't remember which supplier I used. If it was not Old Forge Metals - they were at least among the various suppliers that I researched when I was bidding the job.

The article piqued my interest, and I browsed the respective websites of Old Forge and Wendell August Forge. They both do stunning, inspiring work.

As just a small example, check out this Common Ground Alliance award exquisitely crafted for only the highest honors.

American Promotions is an ASI Distributor with 16 years of experience, and we are authorized to offer the products of Wendell August Forge and Old Forge Metals. If this supernal level of recognition product is what you require, you can contact us here.

$10,000 Houses From Trash?!

2011-04-27T20:36:00.000-07:00

I came across a news article on Dan Phillips today - an inspiring and quirky home builder in Texas who builds whimsical homes from 80% plus reclaimed and recycled products in the $10k to $50k range. He runs the for-profit Phoenix Commotion initiative. His work is simply an inspiration. This man understands the value of a dollar. More importantly, he understands the value of a human being, and how to scale a dream to the dreamer.

Solid Bamboo Cutting Board

2011-04-27T20:22:00.000-07:00

Giant bamboo are the largest members of grass family. These mind boggling plants can grow 39 centimeters in the right soil and in the right climate in a single day. Unlike trees they do not narrow as they climb skyward, but instead push into the blue in a regal columnar fashion. I've always been fascinated with bamboo, and if it didn't spread so uncontrollably, I think it would be cool to grow.

Bamboo is a wonderful renewable resource, and many housewares, and home construction materials and decor are constructed from bamboo.

If you are looking for a sincere bamboo cutting board to promote your business or organization, this laser engraved bamboo cutting board is an easy choice. It is generously sized, with beautiful contrasting color and expert laser engraving.

Google Can Be Such A Whale

2011-03-30T23:33:00.000-07:00

The past week has been a whale - or it feels like I am inside one waiting to be spit out on some foreign shore.

At American Promotions, we have been dealing with a major Google Algorithm change which has slammed our position in the Google Shopping feed, and we are desperately trying to ascertain which steps to take to move forward. I have been up until between 1 and 2:30 four nights in the last eight or so days, and fairly late on the other nights too, burning the midnight oil.

To memorialize this craziness, and in keeping with the purpose of this blog, here are a couple of Whale promotional products which you may find a way to use for your business.

Whale Stress Balls

Humback Whale Stress Balls

and a cool website on whale watching in Oregon near where I live.

Visittheoregoncoast.com

Leaf Journal - Custom Green Crush Cover

2011-03-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

While considering products to feature on American Promotions front page for the spring season, I came across the JournalBooks Crush Series, and this gorgeous Leaf Print Journal in Green Crush. This journal is available in a variety of striking colors and patterns. There are even a few with a more masculine aesthetic.

One of the things I really enjoy about working in the promotional products industry is seeking our products which are useful AND delightful to touch and see. This certainly falls in that category.

A Son Who Loves Horses

2011-03-25T08:13:00.000-07:00

I have a 2 year old son who loves horses. We don't own a horse. We tried to own a shetland pony last year, and after four escapes in a week, we concluded that we needed much better fencing than we were able to pay for, and we gave up and gave the horse away. It was a stubborn horse.

However, our 2 year old is the first to see every horse in every field as we are driving by, and when he chooses a book, it always has a horse in it, and if you tell him a story, then he wants you to make a horse one of the main characters.

We are unclear as to why horses became so central to this little guys thinking, but as we've raised each of our children, it is clear that God sends each of them with different personalities and proclivities.

H2Go Fusion BPA Free Bottle

2011-03-25T07:46:00.000-07:00

Here is a water bottle with some tough, sturdy features. The H2Go Fusion BPA Free Water Bottle is made with tough acrylic with stainless steel accents and a big chunky strap which connects the lid to the base. It comes in eight bright translucent colors.

This is the water bottle for the person who goes their own road.

Little Mascots For School Or Business

2011-03-24T07:30:00.000-07:00

Is your business or school represented by an animal mascot? Consider choosing a stuffed animal with a custom logo t-shirt for your next promotion or event. One of the best selling lines of stuffed animals in the promotional products industry is the Moseez line of 31 different critters which are ready to sport your insignia or message and show up at your next event. This line was created by our supplier It's All Greek to Me.

The biggest problem we have had with this line is they are so popular and so well made, that they are constantly selling out.

I live in Oregon, and the Oregon State Beavers and the University of Oregon Ducks are the two big state university brands. Pictured below is the Moseez Beaver and the Moseez Duck.

However, there are 31 different little furry creatures from which to choose. See if you can find yours here.

(I like the Moseez Cougar :)

Up Too Late and A Cool Backpack

2011-03-24T02:05:00.000-07:00

I did a lot of work updating the backpacks on the website tonight. It is late. This is my second night up until 2 a.m.. We have had some problems with the website which are costing us substantially, and I have been scrambling to try to understand and fix them.

I found 18 plus bags and backpacks which I'm going to have the team load onto the website over the next week, because Leed's has some great new backpacks, especially in the sub $15 range, and I want to get some of them featured.

I'm enthusiastic about Leed's this year, because we have already done as much wholesale volume in the first quarter (almost) as we did most of the year last year.

The Leed's Coil Backpack is a great daypack or school pack for the money. It has a nice design and just enough features to make it interesting. It can be had for under $13 or in volume for under $9.

Two More Cool Hand Sanitizer Products

2011-03-23T11:30:00.000-07:00

In my post earlier today, I mentioned a useful hand sanitizer product. I thought I would drop my readers a couple of quick links for two more neat hand sanitizer products.

The first is a Pocket Pump Hand Sanitizer Gel. This little gem is compact, clean and handy, and will tuck into even the smallest hand clutch or pocket. Pictured below.

The second is the hand shaped Hand Sanitizer. I'm always a fan of visual product puns and this one is a classic. Pictured below.

I Never Get This Sick!

2011-03-23T09:05:00.000-07:00

I've been fighting this cold / stuffy nose / periodic headache now for more than two weeks. This is the first time I can remember in my adult life that a sickness has really taken hold like a clamp tightened around my throat and chest and then hung on for two long weeks.

Most people envy the my health. I'm one of those people (knock on wood) who simply rarely get sick. I usually miss less than a day of work a year due to illness. Even with this recent bout of sickness, I didn't miss a full day of work. Although, I did end up sleeping for an hour and a half literally under my desk when I felt terrible a little more than a week ago, and going home early a few days before that.

There are a lot of promotional items which can boast a health benefit. One simple and appreciated giveaway are these hand sanitizer bottles on a carabiner. They are convenient, inexpensive and make quick work of workplace germs. I hope whoever invented hand sanitizer was rewarded with a medal. Better yet, I'm sure he or she became rich.

Although, I use hand sanitizer occasionally, I'm not a mysophobic (the correct term for germaphobia). I think it is important to encounter bacteria in the environment regularly, but to maintain a boosted immune system and good nutrition to keep a strong bodily constitution. Even contact with small amounts of "bad" pathogenic bacteria is good for a healthy individual as it builds immunity. Here is a great article on this subject.

Good Value Fleece Vest

2011-03-22T16:34:00.000-07:00

Sometimes cost is the primary factor in choosing corporate apparel or a gift. This is a well made light fleece sport vest which can be decorated with a company logo for under $20, unless the logo is really complex. I've always liked fleece vests. I went hiking here in Southern Oregon just a couple of weeks ago with my 10 year old son and some of his friends and other parents, and I wore a fleece vest very similar to this one, and it served my purposes perfectly, even shedding off a light rain. It is light enough that I can stuff it into a day pack. If you really want to stay dry, I'd take a packable waterproof shell to wear over the top as well.

There are a couple of other fleece vests which I really like available at American Promotions.

Ladies North End Microfleece Vest
Mens North End Microfleece Vest
Mens North End Down Vest (This is one I'm really considering getting for myself.)

Logo Plush Bunny

2011-01-24T13:41:00.000-08:00

I had a client looking for a logo plush bunny today for a late March delivery. This is a really cute 10" version at a great price.

These are a natural for Easter or other Spring themed promotions, but they are also perfect for hospitals and other not for profit promotions.

A Bit of Spring - But Only For Us

2011-01-22T20:25:00.000-08:00

Today was simply gorgeous. The mid-day temperature was in the low fifties. The sun was shining warmly on my face and arms, and I was wearing a short-sleeved shirt.

Granted, it is January 22nd, and Spring is still at least a month, probably two away, but the beautiful weather makes me very excited for the reasons I love Southern Oregon. The climate here is so beautiful, and the year round green is like very few other places on earth.

I pity the Mid-westerners and Northeasters enduring this frigid single digit night. Brrrrrrr!

However, Spring brings with it lots of rain, and it is time to consider custom umbrellas to promote your business or organization this year. When choosing a promotional item, especially something with so many options like an umbrella, it is best to consider your purchase at least one month (and better if it is two) in order to get everything just right.

American Promotions has plenty of suppliers who can deliver on much shorter lead times, and I personally am aware of umbrella products which can be imprinted and shipped in as few as three business days. Yet, you will always save money, and have more options with preparation.

You can find a great selection of promotional umbrellas here. I'm particularly into this new eco umbrella made of recycled materials and bamboo.

Finding Clients in Unusual Places

2011-01-22T19:43:00.000-08:00

A recent article "Make A Splash In Unusual Places" in the Advertising Specialty Institute's monthly magazine, Advantages, discusses finding clients in unusual places. Tim Larson had been trying to break in to the local Chrysler plant for a long time, but ultimately, the connection was made a kid's pool party.

Other's in the article, found great leads at a horse show, a cowboy poetry event, and when answering someone who had dialed the wrong number.

This article is a simple representation of why it is important for a marketer or salesperson to always be ready and to have multiple ways of approaching a sales opportunity, even in casual conversation. The opportunities constantly present themselves, but it requires a measure of tact and human understanding to resist a pitch, but still naturally share information which people find useful.

Cutter & Buck Performance Double Compartment Compu-Bag

2010-12-11T17:06:00.000-08:00

Now this is a sweet bag for the high profile executive or traveler. The Cutter & Buck Performance Double Compartment Compu-Attache Bag has every bell and whistle and sports all these goodies with timeless style. I especially dig the striped fabric which lines the pockets. It is very high quality leather and is not cheap. However, the prices were just lowered and it now starts with an imprint at $221 and the price goes down in higher quantities.

Heavy Duty Pouch w/ Clip

2010-12-08T10:12:00.000-08:00

I've seen a lot of small pouches and bags which are great for small first aid kits, emergency use, boating and even for packaging samples or small electronics. This tough little pouch is a cut above because it is crafted from heavyweight, thick water resistant and puncture resistant 600 denier cloth and features a full swivel loop and a belt loop. The bright primary colors are sharp and attractive. It of course includes a custom imprint.

Ash City North End Techno Lite Reversible Vest

2010-12-07T11:21:00.000-08:00

Here is a great lightweight Ash City North End vest at a great price. This is the Men's Techno Lite Reversible Vest. It reverses from Techno Lite water resistant Taslan fabric to lightweight fleece. This vest is a great choice for a fall hike, a spring round of golf or for layering in the colder months of the year. It has the EZEM embroidery system to hide the embroidery backing when it is embroidered. And it comes in eight great colors. We sell it at a discount of course.

Case Logic Front Seat Mobile Office

2010-12-07T08:50:00.000-08:00

This is a perfect way to keep road warriors, couriers, and even busy moms organized while in the car. Give this Case Logic Front Seat Mobile Office organizer a spin. It features a zippered compartment for personal items, a padded pocket for a 15" laptop and file and folder sleeves.

Tracking ROI with t-shirts?

2010-12-06T08:06:00.000-08:00

Well this is interesting. I found a company, thanks to ASI, which runs an Apparel Media Group which runs the Apparel Ad Network. They will help provide and offset the cost of apparel for your team or event with sponsored apparel which displays the logo of one of their signed sponsors. Creatively, they package the apparel with brand samples and interactive calls to action.

They have developed a system which they call Interactive Apparel Advertising, which is a fully managed system which actually tracks the ROIs from the calls to action specified in the campaign. Apparel Ad Network differentiates their products from "swag," because they state the products can be designed and purchased by the consumer. They focus on college students and homemakers. Websites and calls to action are discreetly placed right on the apparel.

My biggest complaint with their website was the inaccessibility of the their product offering. I was on the site for almost 20 minutes before I found a media kit PDF which better explains what they sell and how they sell it.

H2Go Stainless Steel Balance

2010-12-04T09:41:00.000-08:00

This H2Go Stainless Steel Balance shapely stainless steel water bottle with a large 24 oz capacity. It has a very durable and chunky molded lid which can be key chains, carabiners or straps. It is available in classic stainless steel as well as eight great metallic glossy colors. It is BPA free and would be a very appreciated employee gift or premium with membership.

If your looking for a quality stainless steel water bottle, give the H2Go Balance a try.

The Billboard Family

2010-12-04T06:15:00.001-08:00

Now here is a modern version of a family working together. The Human Billboard Family is a cute family of four with a baby on the way. They offer a unique and simple business proposition: for the whole family to wear matching custom printed t-shirts, a different sponsored t-shirt each day of the week. They will then create a blog post for their advertising customer and spread the message across the usual social media platforms Facebook, Youtube, Flikr and Twitter.

The Billboard family's website is located here and their Facebook page is here.

Time Magazine even covered them here. However, in the usual Time Magazine fashion, the article author sounds snooty, arrogant and maybe even a little jealous of their potential. It always amazes me (and chaps me a bit) when an intelligent educated individual like a magazine writer condescends enterprising people especially in the era of 9.8% unemployment (more like 17% if you look at the BLS U-6 and the more credible ShadowStats would place it even higher).

Although, I don't know many who would be willing to do this for a living, I'm inspired by the entrepreneurial outside-the-box thinking of this family, and the way they are using social media to offer a package deal for their customers. Good on them.

For a great deal on a fantastic looking shirt, try American Promotions District Threads Pigment Dyed T-shirt. I like the soft feel of these shirts and the pigment dyed colors.

Christmas Craft Fairs

2010-12-01T14:35:00.000-08:00

My wife is hosting a little Christmas Craft Fair for children this Friday at our home. It is on the small side for justifying custom promotional items. However a larger Christmas Craft Fair hosted by a school, community center, club or some other organization would benefit from an economical budget tote with a Christmas theme print. This light cheap bright red cotton tote would fit the bill perfectly.

Brass Christmas Tree Ornament

2010-11-30T16:15:00.000-08:00

Here is a pretty little brass christmas tree ornament which can be imprinted with your company logo.
You can find our full line of promotional Christmas Ornaments here.

Mmmm . . . . Turkey!

2010-11-27T10:53:00.000-08:00

Given it is two days after Thanksgiving and I'm still warmly remembering our scrumptious Thanksgiving dinner, I thought it would be appropriate to post a quick Thanksgiving promotional item - a Turkey stressball and a fun Roasted Turkey Pen. If your company gives away a turkey or a Thanksgiving theme Turkey Gift Certificate, this is the perfect little companion promotion to accompany your gift and get a little branding mileage at the same time. I think a grocery store which is running a loyalty program could obtain goodwill with one of these promotions as well.

And I give you . . .. drumroll . . . the Roasted Turkey Pen

Motorcycles . . . . someday

2010-11-27T10:26:00.000-08:00

Motorcycles are one of the things about which I daydream. However, as a father of six, they really aren't practical right now. Money flows into house payments, gas for the van, high food bills and all other kinds of priorities. However, every few months I find myself on the Harley Davidson or Indian Motorcycle or Victory Motorcycles websites drooling over these bejeweled, chrome machines. My wife of course also believes when you ride a motorcycle it isn't if you will have an accident, but when.

There are dozens of motorcycle themed promotional products. However, here are just a couple of ideas.

The first is a motorcycle stress ball. This would be great for a contest giveaway at a trade show booth where the contest winner is receiving an actual motorcycle. There are other tie-ins such as sales competitions where the theme is "riding."

Another is this Soft-Touch motorcycle shape key chain. This is perfect for a motorcycle repair shop or a motorcycle dealer, or perhaps a commercial motorcycle track. It is very durable and can be created in 15 different colors of vinyl.

These custom PVC luggage tags could also be customized in a motorcycle shape and would be a great addition to a piece of motorcycle luggage.

An Analysis of A Women's Conference

2010-11-17T21:33:00.000-08:00

My wife does a great marketer's analysis of a conference she attended in Portland a couple of weeks ago.

I went to a Time Out For Women conference in Portland last weekend. As a marketer, I can’t attend as just an audience member; I must analyze their marketing and look for areas where they should’ve asked my advice [wink].
I actually was impressed with this conference. They did a lot of things right. Here are 4 great ideas the conference did right, their table covers, their use of printed stickers, their giveaway bag, and their use of special conference pricing, and 1 idea to shorten their long lunch lines, a typical conference problem.
Table Covers: Logo or No Logo?
They had nice table covers displaying their products. They hung well, which is a way you can tell they were on the nice side rather than the cheaply made side. These table covers weren’t logoed, but I didn’t think that was a mistake on their part. They had less than 10 tables full of product. They didn’t need their table to stand out among the crowd, which is when logoed table covers earn their keep, because there wasn’t a crowd of competing sellers. . . .

You can finish the article here

Bungee Rockets

2010-11-17T12:02:00.000-08:00

One of the more surprising good sellers at American Promotions are these bungee rockets. I just wish they came in more colors.

We sell another style - the Venice Bungee Rocket here.

New Facebook Page

2010-11-11T13:36:00.000-08:00

Last night, I put together a new graphic for our new American Promotions' Facebook page. I have yet to feature the Facebook page prominently on the front page of our website, so there are no fans yet besides myself. The old Facebook page was pretty pathetic, and I will be deleting it sometime next week. The new graphic and page will be a good hub for our YouTube videos and some of the other blog posts we are doing. I also want to eventually try some additional contests.

Take a gander at the new Facebook page, comment and let us know what you think.

Cotton At 140 Year High

2010-10-16T16:58:00.000-07:00

Although not the inflation adjusted high, the Wall Street Journal is reporting raw cotton is at a 140 year high in nominal price since records began in 1870. I expect this will affect the price of imprintable t-shirts and other promotional appartel, although with demand low due to the recessionary environment, the manufacturers will try to absorb as much of the increase as they can.

Presently, a basic tee at bargain retailer Old Navy is running $8 online and there are on sale tess on their website for $3.99.

American Promotions is a great source for imprintable t-shirts, and we watch the trends and understand how to make your company look good on a t-shirt.

Try a nice lived-in style like the District Threads Pigment Dyed t-shirt, and give us a call for ideas for creating a nice tee for your company or organization.

Painting the House

2010-10-16T08:13:00.000-07:00

The last month or so, we have used a lot of our extra time to work on painting the house as a family. It is a slow and fairly ineffective way to paint a house, especially with the ongoing life demands of a family of eight. However, I have enjoyed doing it, and we are making good progress. Here a paintbrush stress ball to mark the occasion.

"Mr. Tee"

2010-07-12T11:54:00.000-07:00

This Threadless brand t-shirt titled "Mr. Tee" is wickedly clever.

New $100 Bill Won't "Foil" Inflationists

2010-04-22T06:36:00.000-07:00

A Bloomberg piece describes the unveiling of the new euroesque US $100 bill to be rolled out in 2011. http://bit.ly/95gvxm. The bill is being introduced to fight counterfeiting - as if that is our major fiscal problem!

The article informed me several things I did not know. The $100 bill is now the largest bill printed by the U.S.. The $500 and $1000 bills are still in circulation, but are mostly being sopped up by collectors. The new $100 will feature a new 3-D security ribbon. I think I'll wait until the new bill comes out and use it to buy the DVD for Avatar - just to do it poetic justice. The new money will bear Timothy Geithner's signature - oh joy.

Disappointingly, I did not see in the article any mention that the money will foil the efforts of the inflationists who pervade our federal government. In fact, I suspect quite the opposite.

Custom Sandals

2010-04-21T07:47:00.000-07:00

Summer is just a month or two from now and we have really beefed up our line of c ustom imprintable sandals. Perfect for promoting your company's next summer event or beach party, these would be a hit with almost anyone receiving them. They are also great for promoting resorts or for gifting to build anticipation for a company trip.

If you have a mid size team sales organization, and you are giving away a trip as a reward for top performance, you could pass out custom imprinted sandals with your logo or the name of the promotion to get the promotion kicked off. Wrap the sandals in a logo beach tote and throw in a surfboard key chain to complete the package.

My favorite style is the Classic - a simple promotional flip-flop which gets the job done and has numerous options to get the color and the look you want.

4-Port USB Hub is a Cool Toy

2010-04-10T07:14:00.000-07:00

This little folding 4-Port USB Hub is great. Useful, memorable, and fun, this promotional USB Hub reminds me of another happy product - Legos. I can see the folding accordion body with a different message on every segment. A very effective promotion, I can see gifting this with a solid color USB drive with your company's presentation, message or video.

Cheese Board and Knives Set

2010-04-09T05:59:00.001-07:00

This is a great promotional cheese cutting board and knifes set for the money. It features:

Pie-scored natural oak cheeseboard with four stainless steel cheese knives.
Soft cheese knife, universal blade knife, slicer and cleaver.
A "swiss cheese" style knife which has the utility to keep the cheese from sticking.

This would make a nice company gift with your logo:

Cheese Board and Knives Set

ETS Express Coming Out With Great New Product

2010-03-13T06:57:00.000-08:00

My favorite drinkware supplier, ETS Express is coming out with some very stylish new H2Go water bottles, and we are excited to get them into our line. Check them out.

H2Go Vornado
H2Go Stealth
H2Go Soho
H2Go Wide

Classy Pencil Set

2009-12-07T11:39:00.000-08:00

One of our higher education clients bought a large order of this pencil set. Until the order came across, I didn't even realized we carried this set, but with a closer look, I realized that this is a very slick and classy promotion.

The Black Beauty Pencil Set is 12 colored pencils with dark handsome blackwood barrels, an eraser, and a sharpener all in a compact travel case. Of course, it comes with a one color pad print for your message.

Trying To Eat Less Sugar

2009-12-05T12:03:00.000-08:00

I have an addiction to sugary snacks. I like theater candy, candy bars, hard bulk candy, all kinds of sugary deserts and so on. I decided it was getting out of hand, and I made a resolution to not eat sugary snacks or desserts with white sugar between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I determined that it would still be alright to have honey, sugar on my cereal, jams, dried fruit and that kind of stuff. I haven't been perfect at it. I've had some marshmallows since I started, some dried, candied mangoes (which is really pushing my definition) and two small pieces of hard candy. Nevertheless, I've seriously cut back and I haven't had a serving of desert for more than a week. Here's to hoping I can keep it up.

Ogilvy On Advertising

2009-12-05T10:55:00.000-08:00

David Ogilvy begins his book Ogilvy On Advertising:

I do not regard advertising as entertainment or an art form but as a medium of information. When I write and advertisement, I don't want you to tell me that you find it 'creative.' I want you to go out and buy the product. When Aeschines spoke, they said, 'How well he speaks.' But when Demosthenes spoke, they said, 'Let us march against Philip.'

The purpose of advertising is to sell. It can amuse, delight, alert, wow or otherwise entertain a person, but if it isn't designed to sell and if it is not successful at doing so, it is not doing it's job.

I just discovered this book by David Ogilvy, and I'm definitely going to read it. I will publish a more extensive post on it (or more) on the website when I do.

American Promotions has done multiple jobs for Ogilvy and I'm enthusiastic to learn more about this fascinating and legendary adman.

Plastic cutting board is inexpensive way to promote

2009-12-05T10:49:00.000-08:00

Two months ago, we did a 1000 piece order for this plastic cutting board. It is an inexpensive way to promote all types of businesses. For less than three dollars, you can give someone something of value that they will use frequently.

A promotion like this is a natural for a celebrity chef, a food products company, a kitchen cabinet shop, or as a gift with sale at a kitchenwares shop. However, I can see how this could be used very creatively as well at a community barbecue, by government entities or at a county fair. It is a very unique and affordable promotion, and more unique than your standard promotional fare.

We also have another promotional cutting board, which has more of a billboard quality as the entire billboard can be imprinted with a full color image. It is a fully flexible Dice and Slice TM plastic cutting board which can be rolled into a tube. I like it because it has great messaging potential.

2009-10-19T11:28:00.000-07:00

Here is an inexpensive promotion ideal for a veterinarians, pet stores and grooming businesses. It is a dog bone shaped promotional magnet. The classic promotional items still can work great to keep your name in front of your customer. And the little secret is they are often still the most economical.

Jackets by North End and Ash City

2009-10-19T10:43:00.000-07:00

The North End line by Ash City is one of our better selling outerwear brands at American Promotions. We sell lots of jackets and vests by this Canadian outerwear manufacturer. We seem to sell more of the womens styles than we do the mens. I encourage our readers to give them a look. Check out Ash City's nice website.

We offer a lot of these Ash City jackets and vests here.

The Office is Deteriorating

2009-10-17T11:10:00.001-07:00

My wife and I enjoy the show The Office. Both of us studied English in college and my senior colloqium course was on American humorists. In my opinion, The Office is one of the great examples of American humor. The Office is actually based on a British sitcom of the same name, but this is a thoroughly Americanized version with its own characters and plot lines.

The show constantly riffs on the tensions, diversions and political correctness of the modern workplace.

We actually are not television watchers, so we usually rent it on DVD or more recently we watch it on Hulu (which I highly recommend for watching TV) We missed a good portion of the season 5 episodes, and I haven't taken the time to see if they are available on rental yet. I don't need to own them.

We watched episodes 2-4 last Friday night of Season 6, and I think the humor has become even more unnecessarily sexualized (it has always had a lot of wink, wink humor in it and a fair dose of sexual situations and relationships), but for the most part, it is done in at a PG - PG-13 level

Anyway, I still enjoy the show, but with more reservations than before, and I'm disappointed that it went up a notch in that type of content.

The Office has an entire swag culture surrounding it with all kinds of t-shirt websites and single piece imprinters like Cafe Press purveying apparel and aprons and stuff riffing on the jokes and one liners and the company name Dunder Mifflin. Naturally, NBC has its own promotional items and kitsch shop with promotional items based on The Office

Interviewing My Son

2009-10-17T10:33:00.000-07:00

I had a memorable and important experience last Sunday night. I took the evening off from the computer, and I took the time to play two games of chess with my 10-year-old son and just ask him all types of questions about his life, what he is reading and thinking about, about his schooling and about his spirituality.

I frequently take the time to spend time with my children. I have six of them, and we have a Family Home Evening every Monday night, and a Family Council most Sundays. We also try to do a couple of family activities every month. This is in addition to our help with their schooling and so forth.

For awhile, I was also lunching with one of my children each Friday, but I have not done that for a couple of months and I need to get back to it.

However, last Sunday evening was a little different, because I actually approached it from the standpoint of having a one on one interview with my son, and seeking to understand his place spiritually and the things he like, the things he wants to accomplish and the spiritual condition of his heart and mind. It was a chance to really seek to know him. I have friends who do this over lunch or dinner with their kids.

My friend, Damian Idiart authored this article about the importance of periodic interviews with your children.

I highly recommend this practice as a way to strengthen family relationships and to combat the morally debilitating social forces which attack our children.

Custom Sandals and Flip Flops

2009-10-17T10:08:00.001-07:00

Custom sandals and flip flops are now available at American Promotions. We offer a wide variety of customization options for this unique and creative promotional product. You can customize the colors of the straps, the fabric (where applicable), the footbed, the foam. Another awesome option is the ability to have a logo foot print, which leaves an impression in the sand in the shape of your text or logo.

If your club, business or organization is having a beach party or a reward vacation or cruise this year, custom sandals and flip flops will bring out the sun and the fun.

A Sweatshirt Blanket in Tie Dye

2009-10-17T09:12:00.000-07:00

Sweatshirt blankets are among my favorite promotional items. They remind people of football games, picnics and their favorite school or college. I don't know anyone who doesn't love wearing a Saturday sweatshirt. And a sweatshirt blanket conveys that feel in a nonwearable. They are attractive to give as they can be rolled up nicely and trimmed with a custom hang tag.

One of American Promotions' suppliers has created more sweatshirt blanket options than any other supplier out there. MV Sport has created two separate sizes of blanket. The first is the most popular and is a large heavyweight sweatshirt blanket measuring 54" x 84". The second is a considered a throw (although it is about the size of most comparable fleece blankets). It measures 40" x 52". It is perfect as a baby gift or when you want to give away a nice promo blanket and save about 30%.

MV Sport has created sweatshirt blankets in most collegiate colors. They also have a line of "fashion" pattern sweatshirt blankets which include this awesome one in tie dye - very unique cool.

Another thing I really like about sweatshirt blankets is that they actually lend themselves more to screen printing rather than embroidery, and are more attractive with a large 1 or 2 color screen print than with a small embroidered logo.

American Promotions carries the full line of MV Sport sweatshirt blankets. Check them out here. The tie dye one is sold here.

Bamboo Photo Frame

2009-10-13T18:26:00.000-07:00

I think this bamboo photo frame would make a nice eco-sensible holiday gift. Consider it for your promotional gift giving.

A Few Thoughts on the Economy

2009-09-25T11:08:00.000-07:00

*This post was written on more than a year ago on 9/12/08, but was left in my drafts, because I wanted to do a more in depth treatment of the subject. I decided to publish it as I was cleaning out my blog drafts, because I realize that much of what I said at the time has proved to be increasingly relevant and true. I did not alter the original draft except the final paragraph where I suggest a blog to follow.

Begin post of 9/12/08

My mind has been on the economy a lot lately. It is not news to anyone that the national and even global economy is not healthy. When commodities, debt, and equity markets are wildy gyrating and the country's biggest banks and financial institutions are struggling for survival, it is clear that there are systemic structural problems. I look at the death spiral of Washington Mutual, Lehman Brothers, the implosion of Bear Stearns, the government takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the unprecedented efforts by the Federal Reserve to loan treasuries in exchange for junk debt to member banks and investment banks, and the list goes on, and I begin to wonder if I am going to wake up to panicked lines at the bank and empty shelves at the grocery store.

It is an immeasurable blessing to be a citizen of this wonderful country, the United States, and to have lived my life in such a time of prosperity, relative peace and unparalleled innovation. But, we are seriously in trouble. We have forgotten our great Constitution. We have permitted our government far too much power. And as government at all levels has meddled and tinkered, sometimes with the best of intentions, and other times purely to accrue more power and money, it has shown almost universal ineptitude in trying to solve problems which can only be solved by free interchange of commerce and ideas.

I am a believer in the free market, and I think the most recent economic catastrophes are the result of greed and unsound investment coupled with government interference which botches almost every problem it tries to solve. I'm an optimist at heart, but there seems to be a perfect storm for a protracted recession or worse.

I follow a couple of blogs, which I started back in 2005 when we were shopping for our most recent home, and the economy was rocketing on loose credit and a huge influx of foreign money.

9/26/09
One of the blogs I follow is globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com. I strongly recommend it. Michael Shedlock is right on the money, both in his predictions and his general political principles, and has been now for years.

Great T-shirt Design Contests

2009-09-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

I really like contest based t-shirt websites. Threadless is the undisputed leader in this category and they have created an entire art community around their concept and a $30-$40 million business. shirt.woot comes in a close second. They also have created a serious cult following around their business model, and they have an oh-my-gosh-that-is-so-bizarrely-funny writing style that is simply awesome to behold. There are some good second tier sites as well. Teextile is a great one and I have purchased their product before. Design By Humans is also one that produces top notch artistic product.

American Promotions used to sell thousands of screen printed t-shirts a year, when we were more of a bricks & mortar business with a local customer base, but we really don't sell a lot anymore, because we frankly aren't real competitive in that area.

I do have a partial ownership with my family in a great facebook application t-shirt design website called Status King. We're selling one off t-shirts there but it is a pretty limited niche market.

For Firemen and Those who Love Them

2009-09-23T19:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I posted about the terrible wildfires we had in two locations on the mountains circling our valley. As firemen from all over the area and the US Forest Service swarmed to the sites, and the aircraft loaded with flame retardant soared overhead, it gave me pause to think about the folks who choose that dangerous line of work. I admire and respect them.

Here are three nice promotional items to celebrate the heroic fireman.

Imprintable Stress Toy Fire Helmet

Fire Hydrant Cookie Keeper

Firehouse Mug

Halloween Themed Promos

2009-09-23T19:30:00.000-07:00

We just sent out our second subscriber email for American Promotions using the RatePoint system today. I love it. The design tool is great. It takes some getting used to for the non web designer types like myself, but it is easy enough for anyone who posts a blog or uses WordPress to get the gist of. I have a designer on staff who does some of our work, so we are able to put together some pretty nice designs, but I don't think that kind of training is at all required for the RatePoint system.

Anyway, our second mailer to our subscriber list was for Halloween Themed Promotions. The RatePoint generated webpage for it can be found here http://bit.ly/zWJJF

Promotional Retro Stuffed Animals - Sock Style

2009-09-23T08:43:00.000-07:00

These retro style knit sock stuffed animals are a unique alternative to the standard balls of fur in a logo t-shirt. They have classic good looks and a great comfortable feel. They are on the spendy side for a promotional stuffed animal, but the right recipient will be so thrilled with the quality and adorable style, they are worth the extra money.

Theo the Tiger stuffed animal
Freddy the Frog logo stuffed animal
Buster the Dog stuffed animal with tee, tie, medallion or bandana
Miles the Moose stuffed sock animal
Morris the Monkey stuffed animal

Here is a glamor shot of Theo:

Unique products from the Las Vegas ASI Show

2009-09-23T08:14:00.000-07:00

Tim Andrews, the CEO of ASI put together a little two part video of unique an new products at the Las Vegas ASI Holiday and Incentive Expo. Here are the links:

First 7 featured products

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj9lf44V4AI&feature=channel

The full color denim stainless steel bottle, the bamboo plate, and the 2 gallon full color cooler are all real standouts. The watering device for your Christmas tree is one of the ugliest things I have ever seen. It is one of those inventions that makes you realize that the recession has not gone long enough as we are still creating all kinds of things that people simply don't need.

Here is the 2nd video with 8 more products. I liked the light up ice cubes, the light up cup, and the full color digitally printed umbrella.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I6ykx9tlUs&feature=channel

Want the parents to love you?

2009-09-23T07:38:00.000-07:00

Are your customers young parents? Want them to love your brand? Outfit their baby with adorable snap front reversible jacket by Precious Cargo. It's ready made for your screen printed message - on both sides.

Fire in the Rogue Valley

2009-09-22T19:37:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was an eventful day in the Rogue Valley. There were two major fires scarring the mountain sides and dozens of homes were threatened and at least one burned to the ground. There was a fire on Roxy Ann Peak and another one down near Ashland, Oregon. We have had very hot, windy weather - I believe that it hit 109 today in Central Point.

Here is a picture (credit to the Mail Tribune) for the Roxy Ann fire.

Whenever a major fire like this hits close to home, I think about how vulnerable we are where we live. We also live in a heavily treed and sometimes dry mountainous area. Granted our house has been around since the 1930s, so I think it has a decent chance of survival as it has survived pass fires. It is just one of those days, where I am reminded that nothing is permanent, and a healthy person emotionally needs to be ready to part with their material possessions or accept Nature's sometimes destructive will when they cross Its path.

Baseball Themed Promotional Products

2009-09-22T19:13:00.000-07:00

Since my last post was on Tommy Lasorda, I think a few baseball themed promotional items are in order. Here are a few of the favorites from our website:

Baseball cushion seat (I love this one although I don't know how durable it is over the long haul)
Baseball tin with mints
Baseball cell phone holder
Baseball metallic balloon
Baseball clip

And here are five more from elsewhere on the web:

Baseball Foldup Flyer
Baseball Bat and Magnetic Pen
Baseball Sunglasses (you'd have to be with the right crowd for these as they look really cheesy)
Baseball Antenna Topper
and now for something authentic
Authentic Major League Baseball caps

Tommy LaSorda in National Portrait Gallery

2009-09-22T18:57:00.000-07:00

On my way home from work today, I heard a wonderful radio piece on NPR about baseball great Tommy Lasorda. Today is Tommy Lasorda's 82nd birthday. Happy Birthday Mr. Lasorda.

I learned a lot about this remarkable man I did not know.

He has been with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization for 60 years, 20 of them as manager.
He worked himself up through the organization with a dream to pitch in the big leagues, but only ended up playing 26 games.
He didn't achieve the level of success that he wanted to as a player, but he seems to have no regrets.
He seemed to me to be completely at peace with his path in life and he talked about how each decision changes who you become - the trajectory of life.
His greatest accomplishment, in my opinion, is that he credits his path in baseball with meeting his wife, and he has been with her for 59 years.

It was a wonderful store and can be found here. I suggest you listen to it and read it. It sounds like he has mellowed in his own age as he was no saint.

The painted portrait is found in the National Portrait Gallery, a branch of the Smithsonian.

Nightmare!

2009-09-16T09:53:00.000-07:00

Well that gave us a scare. We had switched a lot of our emails over to the americanpromotions.com domain because of problems with spam. However, in so doing our domain provider renewal notices were not getting to us, and we didn't know that the domain registration expired today. Then without notice, the screen went to an expired domain page and we all panicked.

With immeasurable relief, I got right on the phone and learned that it was not too late. $64 later, we are fine for the next four years.

Upgrade your stadium cushion

2009-09-16T07:38:00.000-07:00

This self-inflating stadium cushion is an upgraded variation from your standard foam style. It has a 5" x 5" imprint area. I ought to try it out to see if it is actually more comfortable. I'm sure it functions like the Thermarest cushions I use when I camp.

Close to Marketing Fame

2009-09-15T17:30:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year, we were contacted by a professional balloonist about putting together a promotion involving a now famous movie which I won't name here, which prominently featured balloons as one of the central plot devices.

After considerable research and some scrambling to put together prototypes, we came very close to winning a promotional contract to help premiere one of the biggest movies of the year, but we ran into one problem, our giant $75 balloon prototype, (of which our customer wanted to do 800 for the full order) popped!

Sometimes, marketing glory is just not meant to be ;)

Holiday Moose

2009-09-15T12:06:00.000-07:00

I'm already starting to see holiday promotions on our vendors' websites, and we are starting to sell some cool weather items. This Bellisimo Moose would be the perfect winter promotion and way to show you care for the company working to convey a feel-good and fun gift.

Nine Ways To Motivate in Tough Times

2009-09-15T09:25:00.000-07:00

Here is a great article by contributing writer Kenneth Hein to the Counselor magazine about motivating people in tough times.

http://www.asicentral.com/asp/open/content/content.aspx?id=3706

The 9 ways are:

1. Lead by Example
2. Offer Incentives for Strong Performance
3. Be Flexible
4. Buy Them Lunch
5. Keep People Informed
6. Invest in Marketing
7. Make Them Better at Their Jobs
8. Image Matters
9. Create Clear Goals

This has a lot of good nuggets for getting your organization through the recession.

Keeping out the skunks

2009-09-14T21:01:00.000-07:00

We live in the country, and we try, albeit pathetically, to be country people. Currently, we are raising a rooster and 11 laying hens. One of my sons is expected to do most of the work, and we buy the eggs from him so he can earn extra money. The problem is, we are very inexperienced in the shelter of chickens, and we seem to lose more to predators than we keep. We have lost a couple dozen hens to predators over the last couple of years, and we are really putting forth a concerted effort to do better with this set.

One of the arch enemies of our chickens is a small family of neighborhood skunks. They also frequently territorially mark our property with their trademark scent. Tonight, a good friend came over with his kids and set special traps to catch the skunks. He has captured and killed three of the critters in the protection of his own flock of chickens, and now we are hoping we can use his resourcefulness up here.

I actually like skunks, in that I think they are very interesting and cute animals. Nevertheless, we cannot have them ravaging our poultry investment, and I don't have the courage or the time, or the desire to try to manage a catch and release which means transporting them in my car.

Skunks can be great marketing mascots, because they are so memorable. One of America's best franchises, Aire-Master uses the skunk to market with winking irony.

Here is a cute skunk promotional stress toy which could be used to remind your customer service staff to not let their customer service stink and for other fun applications.

Princess Leia Headphones and other rejected Star Wars promotions

2009-09-14T20:32:00.001-07:00

I found a fun gem of a link of concept art for Star Wars promotional products which didn't quite make the cut. My favorites are the Bantha slippers and the Leia Headphones as pictured below.

Link and picture courtesy Action Figure Insider and the Ottertorials blog.

http://www.actionfigureinsider.com/ottertorials/2008/02/10/rejected-a-long-long-time-ago/

Chris Jones remembers 9-11

2009-09-12T07:26:00.000-07:00

Chris Jones is not only one of my dearest friends, but he is also one of the best writers I know. His September 11th blog post is well worth the read.

http://thechrisjonesgroup.com/chrisjonesmortgage/2009/09/11/never-forgetwhat/

My favorite paragraph reads:

"So on this 9/11, I’ve decided to remember these two things: one, that I never know what day will be my last day, what hour my last hour, what act my last act, and those days, those hours and deeds are precious beyond expressing. And two, because that is true, if I truly remember that, then every hour and action should be one that I am proud of. That if this turns out to be my last communication with the world, I want to be proud of it."

Amen.

Promotional product distributors I admire

2009-09-12T05:59:00.000-07:00

I'm in the business of selling promotional products. I founded American Promotions, Inc. in 1996 while I was still in college. In recent years, our company has moved online, and we have found that most of the more innovative businesses in our industry have a substantial online presence.

So when I see competition which are web savvy and doing it right, I take notice.

I've decided to give some of the competition a sincere hat tip:

1. 4imprint.com They are one of the biggest, but one of the best. I admire everything about the way they do their website. They are innovative. The Slide tool is ingenious and patent pending (darn it!). They are the industry leader in building trust.

2. promopeddler.com These folks are fellow Oregonians. They are very smart with their search engine optimization and the "Ideas Guru" blog and videos are a lot of fun as well as a good way for buyers to get the creative juices flowing.

3. discountmugs.com Technologically, these guys are awesome. They allow you to design the image and artwork on your drinkware right on the website, and they direct sell a good percentage of the merchandise on the site, so the pricing is fantastic. I have read reviews that their product quality isn't very good. Maybe that is why buyers continue to find little sites like ours. ;)

4. inkhead.com The name and the logo rock!

When the competition is as good as the companies above, I don't mind saying so. One day our site will reach those lofty levels.

SIGG cited for BPA liners in water bottles.

2009-09-11T13:35:00.000-07:00

Iconic Swiss water bottle manufacturer SIGG has admitted in an official letter from the CEO, that water bottles manufacturered prior to August 2008 contain bisphenol-A. In the past SIGG had dishonorably kind of skirted this issue by maintaining that their bottles did not leach BPA, but they remained opaque about the actual chemical makeup of the liner in order to keep their product appealing in the marketplace with BPA so prominently and negatively portrayed in the news. Here is the full article from the Advertising Specialty Institute http://asicentral.com/asp/open/content/content.aspx?id=3760

9-11

2009-09-11T06:05:00.000-07:00

I logged onto the Drudge Report this morning and saw this picture. No caption. No link. Just the picture. I was struck with poignancy. It has been 8 years. I quietly shut my eyes and prayed.