Totes and Bags . . . Stats to Note

Check out these stats from the ASI's Global Advertising Specialties Impressions Study:

• Logoed bags tie with writing instruments as having the lowest cost-per-impression at 1/10th of a penny.
• 31% of US consumers own a promotional bag. That's sure to increase, as plastic bag bans are enforced.
• Bags generate more impressions in the US than any other promotional items - 5,938 in fact.

Give us a call for to brand your organization with logoed totes and bags!

Go Pink

As you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast Cancer Awareness Month began in 1985 to increase recognition in the disease, to market mammography, and raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, treatments and cure.    

It's that time of year for pink!

The color pink (and especially the pink ribbon) is an international symbol of breast cancer awareness. It represents hope for the future, and the charitable goodness of people and businesses who publicly support breast cancer awareness. It can identify the wearer or promoter and it expresses moral support for women with breast cancer.        

Pink apparel and promotional products can be used to raise money for research, to promote a yearly mammogram for prevention, and to comfort those who have been affected in some way by breast cancer, either themselves, or from a family member.     

3 Ways Promotional Products Promote Breast Cancer Awareness

1. They create memorable and valuable exposure.

2. They develop a list of donors. A small awareness-based incentive  is a good way to encourage a small donation while increasing knowledge about a cause.

3. They can teach (and change) behavior, i.e., a promotional slide guides provide useful information for self-breast exams.  Any product imprinted with a QR code can take a recipient to an educational website.

We've got a tons of items to help you "GO PINK"!  Give us a call at 800-264-4294 or visit our website for ideas. 

Ready to Plan Your Next Promotion?

Back to School Guide for Your Organization

2013 Back to School Guide

for promotional products for YOUR organization

                                                                              

Back-to-school time provides great marketing opportunities for schools, colleges, businesses and organizations! Check out our ideas below or give us a call at 800-264-4294 for Back-To-School ideas tailored specifically to your entity! - - - - - - - - - - Schools - - - - - - - - - - Team Spirit: Boom Boom Sticks, Stress Balls, and Rally Towels make great giveaways for school sporting events. Schools can generate extra income by selling a souvenir cup with concession drinks. Cool Idea: Purchase a tumbler for under $5, sell them for $10 at the concession stand, offering refills for a quarter.              Boom Boom Sticks         Rally Towel              Stadium Horns              Mini Football                        Tumbler  Advertising & Sponsors: Sporting events provide incredible promotional opportunities for businesses. Local businesses can brand items in school colors, while driving those in attendance back to their business.              Magnet Schedule          Drawstring Backpack        Seat Cushion                Sports Bottle  Fundraising: Promote school spirit and raise money for your school. These items are fantastic to sell to parents and friends at school events, sent home memos, sporting events or on the school's website. Cool Idea: Partner with a retail or grocery store to donate $.05 to the school every time your school's reusable shopping bag is used in their store.                      Tote Bag                   Stadium Blanket             Team Duffel              Folding Chair - - - - - - - - - - Colleges - - - - - - - - - -   Events: College campuses nationwide hold events all year long.  New student orientation and returning student events have huge advantages for promotional products.These events are also a great opportunity for local businesses! Consider some of these memorable items that college kids can't live without - and how your business can use the same to market your services.                 Collegiate Kit               Coupon Calendar               Campus Map             Lanyards                     Travel Mug  Bookstore: The campus bookstore is the go to location for basics and gifts.          Academic Planners           Notebooks                    Tumblers                       Hoodies                            Stylus         Greek Organizations: Fraternities and Sororities use tons of promotional products to show pride of organization and commemorating every event. We've got some awesome ideas!               - - - - - - - - - - Business Marketing - - - - - - - - - - Grocery stores, banks, restaurants, etc., all have messages that are beneficial for students. Grocery stores can promote health food choices in an effort to drive grocery spending into their stores. Banks can teach financial responsibility while earning future loyalty. Local restaurants can promote family nights or provide teachers with a way to reward students for various achievements.  Cool Idea: A credit union wanted to target college students and offer them an incentive to open a new account.  They chose a stock design, "Laundry Method for College Students" that gave basic tips and instructions for washing clothes, along with their logo. It was given out at the time of opening a new account. Word spread on campus and there was a 20% increase of new accounts.   - - - - - - - - - - Organization Marketing - - - - - - - - - -     Organizations can utilize promotional products in schools to raise awareness, promote a cause, recruit new members and so much more! Cool Idea:  An organization promoting "Don't Text and Drive" handed out bags to graduates.  The branded bags were labeled "this bag will save your life" and included a t-shirt with a QR code that linked to a video/website and a sharpie keychain to sign an attached pledge not to text and drive.                            Bookmark                     Coloring Book                     Toothbrushes           Floss                           Kids' Fitness Journal        Doctor Coloring Book          Hand Sanitizer              Keychain

We've got a ton of ideas!  We'll work as your personal marketing consultant, and provide insight into what works, what's fresh and what's new in the market. Then, we'll work with you to narrow down your selection and help you choose a sure winner. Give us a call!

Calendars By The Numbers

295: Average number of impressions a calendar receives per month

1,984: Lifetime number of impressions of promotional calendars

$.003: Cost-Per-Impression of a promotional calendar

82%: Consumers who say they can identify the advertiser on a calender they receive

91%: Consumers who keep calendars because "they're useful"

Water Bottles - In Depth

With the variety of options available, how do you decide which type of reusable water bottle is right for your brand? We’ll fill you in on the differences between the most popular options on the market today. Each type of material comes with distinct advantages, and can be used for special purposes. 

While choosing what kind of reusable water bottle is right for you, keep in mind safety, durability, and style. Consider these questions:  What’s your fashion and brand statement? What is the purpose of the water bottle?  

Plastic Sport Bottles
The least expensive option of all the promotional water bottles, these bottles are flexible and have easy openings to get water quickly. Plastic bottles offer more variety as they are available in different shapes and bright colors. They are light-weight, durable, extremely versatile and come in a variety of colors, including translucent, or opaque materials.

BPA-Free Plastic Water Bottles

Many reusable water bottle manufacturers have begun making bottles that that no longer include the synthetic hormone, BPA. If you or your target audience may have concerns over the safety of plastic water bottles, order bottles made from BPA-free plastic. The benefits of a risk free drink make them much appreciated and loved by those are into sports, health, and fitness.

Polycarbonate Water Bottles 

This plastic is ideal because it is durable, light weight, and resistant to stains and odors. Polycarbonate is plastic, but it is harder and inflexible. These bottles don’t shatter, dent, or puncture from normal use. They come in a variety of colors and are the ideal bottle for athletic events.

Recycled/Biodegradable Plastics

If you’re an eco-conscious company, offer bottles made from recycled plastic. Yes, plastics can be biodegradable. They are extremely earth-friendly and breakdown completely in a landfill in 1-5 years.

Best Plastic Water Bottle  Uses: Schools, gyms, fitness events, athletic teams, outdoor promotions, tradeshow giveaways, company picnics, fundraiser walks, special events and resells as fan merchandise.


Metal Water Bottles
This category includes aluminum and stainless steel bottles, which both have the longest shelf life. The downside is that if dropped, they can dent.

Aluminum Water Bottles

Aluminum water bottles are durable, lighter than stainless steel, and keep liquids cold longer than polycarbonate bottles. These bottles have a plastic or resin liner to prevent the metal from leaching into the water. These bottles reduce the chances or your logo rubbing off over time and can also be laser engraved with your logo for an even more impressive effect.

Stainless Steel Water Bottles

Stainless steel water bottles are considered safe since stainless steel is a neutral metal that doesn’t leach. Stainless steel bottles may be used as travel mugs to keep drinks cooler for a longer period of time.  They are durable, but have less style options and are slightly heavier than aluminum bottles. These bottles are relatively indestructible and are cheaper than aluminum. 

Best Metal Water  Bottle Uses: General promotion, product launches, grand openings

Glass Water Bottles
When it comes to product safety and taste, glass water bottles are clearly the best. They'll keep beverages cold in odorless,tasteless and stainfree glass. Although they are breakable and a bit heavier, they are ultra-trendy! 

Best Glass Water Bottle Uses: Client gifts, innovative giveaways

Acrylic Water Bottles

Acrylic bottles come lots of bright, fun colors. The dual wall insulation in acrylic tumblers means that water will stay cooler longer, and not condense on the side of the tumbler. Many come with straws which keep spilling to a minimum. 

Acrylic Water Bottle Uses: Employee rewards, resells for fundraising, general promotion.

Flexible Water Bottles
If you really want to stand out from the crowd, you might consider a collapsible water bottle. A flexible water bottle can fit easily in a jacket pocket, but it still has large volume capacity. You can put water in a collapsible water bottle and freeze it. It can be stored in small spaces like lunch boxes, car glove compartments or office desk for easy access refreshment. These flexible water bottle options are so unique, you can be sure they'll be used often.

Flexible Water Bottle Uses: Innovative giveaways

Still need some help? As always, our customer service representatives are ready to help you pick out the perfect promotional water bottle for your next giveaway or promotion.

Other Things to Consider When Buying Water Bottles

• Brand: As it goes with all of our promotional items, we carry an impressive collection of brand name custom water bottles that convey a sense of class. Choose from CamelBak, Wenger, and other popular brands.
• Lids: There are many different styles of water bottle lid, and how you intend for recipients to use the bottle will dictate which one is best. Push-pull tops, bite valve, and straw-top lids are ideal for active recipients who need to be able to drink on the go. Screw-top lids are better for office workers and commuters who will use the water bottle at their desk or on the way to work.
• Carabiners:  Carabiners are handy – they allow recipients to clip the water bottle to a bag or a belt loop.
• Gift Boxes: Some of our water bottles come individually gift boxed.
• Production Time: Most water bottles can be made within 3-5 business days. If you’re in a time crunch, give us a call for 24 hour production water bottles.
• Quantity: The minimum quantities for water bottles range from 12 pieces to 300 items.  We’ll find the best price point for your intended audience.
• Capacity: Looking for a specific size? Give us a call for extra large or child size volumes.
• Country of Manufacture: Concerned about ordering items made overseas? We have several made in the USA water bottles to choose from.
• Imprint Options: Print your logo on the front or on the cap in order to increase your brand and build goodwill.

Why Promotional Water Bottles?

• Hydration:  More than half the population in America doesn’t drink enough water for staying hydrated throughout the day. Show your support of a healthy lifestyle by providing custom water bottles. 
 

• Versatility: Custom water bottles are practical gifts for nearly any event, at any time of year, and to anybody. They are used regularly and can go anywhere.
   
• Green: In addition to creating impressions for your brand, water bottles also help the environment by discouraging people from drinking bottled water, soda, or some other packaged beverages. Plastic water bottles can take up to 1,000 years to decompose.

• Cost: Water bottles are fairly inexpensive when ordered in bulk. Bottled water can cost up to 10,000 times more than tap water.