The Ballpoint Pen

Research shows that the most commonly-owned promotion product is writing instruments.  Only logoed garments outsell writing instruments (pens, pencils and highlighters), according to the Promotional Products Association International.   These useful items give up to 350 impressions per month--a great return for such a low cost item!

Pens are available in all price ranges and materials including plastic, recycled water bottles, paper or metal. They can be basic or include USB drives, highlighters, stylus points or magnifiers.  Novelty pens include those shaped like vegetables, fruits or hypodermic needles; some even emit a laughing sound when squeezed.  With all these options, there are writing instruments suitable for virtually every theme and budget.

Did you know that 2012 is the 25th anniversary of the BIC Clic Stic pen?  While its big brother the BIC Stic pen celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, the Clic Stic is a best seller in its own right.  There are 400 barrel and trim color combinations that allow almost every corporate color combination to be represented.  In 2010, over 100 million units of this style were sold in the U.S.   Best of all, unlike many pens styles, BIC pens are made and assembled in Florida.  This means the the product is always in stock in every color.   BIC is offering their Clic Stic pen on special promotion through December 2012.  Please contact me for more details.


Dona Blunt, MAS (PromoDona)
847-398-5500
dona.blunt@newportpros.com

 

 

Back from Las Vegas

Just returned from Las Vegas where our industry's largest trade show took place.  The show had hundreds of exhibitors with thousands of products on display.  Many were old stand-bys and some were brand new.  The majority of the new products were accessories for phones and iPad/tablet devices--stands for desk and cars, chargers for use in automobiles and computers, screen cleaners and many others.  See album of new items posted on Newport's Facebook page--www.facebook.com/newportpros


Dona Blunt, MAS (PromoDona)
847-398-5500
dona.blunt@newportpros.com

It happens every year at this time...

On January 1st each year, there is one universal event that happens to all of us--our previous year's printed calendar has become obsolete!

In case you think that all printed calendars are a thing of the past, see below for the results of a 2010 survey, entitled "A Study of Calendar Usage in U.S. Households" conducted by MarketToools Inc on behalf of the Promotional Products Association International. This was an e-mail survey to a panel of 1052 households in the U.S.

• 50% of the respondents have never used the calendar on their cell phones
• 41% prefer to use a physical calendar at home
• 37% reported never using a calendar on a computer     

What does this mean to you for advertising your company's information and brand on a calendar?

• 92% of respondents would keep an advertising calendar
• 82% enjoy receiving calendars as complimentary gifts
• 78% of those who have a printed calendar at home, had at least one advertising calendar.
• 74% of the respondents could remember the name of the company that gave them the calendar.
• 70% plan to do business wiht the company that gave them the calendar.
• 61% looked at a calendar between 2 and 10 times a day.
• 48% had a more favorable impression of the advertisier after having received the calendar.
• 41% had referred somebody else to the companythat fave themt the calendar.

Thus calendar advertising should be in your 2012 marketing budget!  I am starting to take reservations for 2013 calendars now and if you order before July 1st, you will receive Early Order Pricing.  With a wide variety of sizes and styles to choose, your company name can be on display for 365 days in your customers' and prospects' home or place of business.  Contact me to view the 2013 styles.
           


Dona Blunt, MAS (PromoDona)
847-398-5500
dona.blunt@newportpros.com

Promotional Ideas for January 2012

The new year will be upon us soon; see the list below for some events that could be a good promotional tie-in for your brand/marketing message.  Contact me for related items for these events.

National Skating Month (http://www.usfsa.org/)
National Volunteer Blood Donor Month (http://www.organdonor.gov/)
Self-Help Group Awareness Month (mentalhelp.net/selfhelp)
January 9: National Clean Off Your Desk Day
January 24: Belly Laugh Day (http://www.bellylaughday.com/)
January 15-21: Hunt for Happiness Week: sponsored by the Secret Society of Happy People (http://www.sohp.com/)



Dona Blunt, MAS (PromoDona)
847-398-5500
dona.blunt@newportpros.com

How to get your promotional item to stand out at a golf tournament

To read golf ball article:Gofers are consistent in scrutinizing the contents of a golf goodie bag.  They may be participating to help out a charity or their local chamber, but they will always ask “what’s in the bag?”  If you have been solicited to contribute an item for such a bag, what is an appropriate and affordable item to use?

Many golf events do not allow non-golf items to be submitted for the bag, so always inquire before ordering or contributing a product.  Although typical items are ball markers, ditty bags, towels, sun block and lip balm, that doesn’t mean the golfer will not appreciate receiving or using these items.  A few non-traditional ideas are shoe horns, the new taller golf tees, divot tools that clip onto a hat brim, mister bottles and golf towel holders.  If your budget allows a more expensive items, consider umbrellas, golf bag covers, embroidered caps and golf shoe bags.

There is often a quandary as to which brand golf balls should be provided.  Golf balls can be lost quickly and your advertisement goes with it, but golf balls are much needed and appreciated for that same reason.  If you are uncertain as to which brand of golf balls you should use (the hottest brand or a more affordable brand), then you should review the article in The Wall Street Journal that compared the properties of several golf balls (see link below).

Still stumped for golfer-related ideas?  Then give PromoDona a call!

To read golf ball article:

Dona Blunt, MAS (PromoDona)
847-398-5500
dona.blunt@newportpros.com

Promotional Dates for July and August

Looking for a great way to get your company noticed this summer?    Below are some recommended imprintable products that can tie your promotion with one of these upcoming  dates.

JULY 2011

Cell Phone Courtesy Month: cell phone accessories, such as cases and screen wipes.

National Ice Cream Month:  ice cream scoops

National Grilling Month:  Barbeque utensils, seasonings packs, oven mitts, aprons

3 July: Stay Out of the Sun Day: sunblock lotion, sun visors, sun glasses

AUGUST 2011

Cataract Awareness Month:  eye glass accessories; sun glasses

Immunization Awareness Month:  immunization charts

2 August:  National Night Out (to promote police-community partnerships): flashlights

15 August: National Relaxation Day: aroma therapy items, yoga mats, herbal teas

26 National Dog Day: dog treats, bandannas, reflective collars



Dona Blunt, MAS (PromoDona)
847-398-5500
dona.blunt@newportpros.com