Add more Plush to your Marketing Mix

You may call them stuffed animals, but the trade name is plush, attributed to their soft fabric construction. Plush animals can convey your message in friendly and effective way. 

Here are just six of several reasons to consider plush as part of your marketing mix:
1.)  Broad Appeal: this product reaches across all ages, deomographics and industries
2.) Interactive and connects on a an emotional level.
3.) Creative: selecting a specific animal or slogan (i.e., You can re-Lion on our great service.) add playfulness to your company image.
4.) High perceived value.
5.) Small product with a big impact.
6.) A custom plush character sets your company apart from its competitors. 

How have companies used plush animals?
>A university hid a hawk mascot throughout the campus for students to find as a way to promote safety on the campus.
> One of the national hotel chains uses a plush bear as a welcome gift for guests
>A Human Resources department in Florida gave a sea-related character as a way to say thank you to employees for their hard work.
>An elephant mascot was given as a reward to children when they completed an after-school program.
> An auto dealership puts a plush bear in the front passenger seat in every car that they sell.

Are plush animals appropriate for your business?  Contact me to learn more about how plush animals are can add some fun and profit to your company's bottom line.


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

Need summer-related ideas to promote your brand?  Check out 24 ideas from the link below.  Stay cool and enjoy the warm days of summer!

http://www.newportpros.com/GotoURL/?http:%2F%2Fwww.promoplace.com%2Fws%2Fws.dll%2FSigStore%3FUN=6587%26Theme=7



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

Megaphone Speaker is a Sound Brand Builder

It's probably not news to you that Apple has sold 37 million iPhones in the first quarter of 2012 alone.  Add that quantity to the phones they have sold in previous years and you have lots of iPhone users.

Many accessories have been invented for use for the iPhones and similar brands.  This new accessory, Megaphone Speaker, is both useful and can be used for multiple purposes.  By utilizing the simple concept of a megaphone, this clever product is not electronic, but it can boost the iPhone's sound by up to 15 dbs, or 2-3 times louder and does this without any power cords or batteries.  This portable device can be used to amplify music, incoming call rings or to enhance the speaker feature for conference calls.  The speaker works when the phone is in either the vertical or horizontal position.


Trade Show Success!
One company gave out this speaker at a trade show by having one of its employees stand in the middle of the booth demonstrating the megaphone's amplifying effect.  As reported to  the speaker manufacturer,  the trade show booth was backed up into the aisle as attendees stopped to see and listen.  More importantly, the attendees also took the time to view the exhibitor's services while they were waiting.  The measurable results were twice the number of lead scans as from the previous year and an increase of requests for quotes by fourfold.  The exhibitor exclaimed that this item created the best booth traffic in their company history.

This item should be heard to be believed; contact me for a demo and to learn how you can print your brand on this unique smart phone Megaphone Speaker.  Soon you will be hearing the phones ring louder from your customers and prospects!

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

Swinging Golf Promotions

There are approximately 25-30 million people in the US who play golf. Although the number of golfers have remained fairly constant the past few years, the number of rounds played per year are expected to gradually increase each year from now until the end of the decade.

You do not personally have to be a golfer in order to effectively promote your company at a golf occasion.   From a business perspective golf events are most often associated with sales meetings, team-building exercises, key client thank-yous, chamber events and charity fund raisers.  Becoming a sponsor for part or all of one of these venues is a great way to get your name and brand in front of your prospects.

When purchasing golf apparel ask about the weather conditions that the golfers can expect on the date that they will be playing.  For example, if the golfing will take place in early Spring or Fall in a northern/northeast location, you may want to consider purchasing windshirts that can provide warmth and protection from the rain.  If instead the golf event will be taking place in a hot environment, you should consider purchasing garments that are made of  moisture wicking fabric to provide a more comfortable experience.  Also look for styles which have raglan sleeves as this design element provides greater mobility for swinging a golf club.  Another nice feature is a shirt without a label or tag in the neckline; tagless shirts reduce the opportunity for chafing. 

  Whether purchasing a larger product, such as golf garment or umbrella or something smaller like golf balls, tees, club covers, beverage cooler or golf tools,, there are items that golfers will appreciate in almost all price ranges.  Best of all, your imprint will be seen several times during the course of one or several rounds of golf.  Contact me to help you get in the swing of effective golf promotions.

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

Earth Day 2012

Earth Day is just one week from today, April 22nd.  According to the entry on Wikipedia, the US Senator from Wisconsin, Gaylord Nelson, called for an environmental Teach-In or Earth Day, to be held on April 22, 1970.  It is reported that over 20 million people participated that year, and Earth Day is now observed on April 22 each year in the US as well as in 175 countries by millions of people.

Some communities have an annual Clean-Up Day as part of the Earth Day celebrations but there are other year-round ways to help our Earth while advertising your company.


Eco-friendly garments are a growing trend in corporate apparel.  There are several options within this category and some fabrics can have more than one of these attributes.  ORGANIC fabrics use no pesticides, herbicides or insecticide during the growing process.  BIODEGRADABLE fabrics naturally break down and return to raw material or is absorb by the ear.  POST-CONSUMER fibers contain recycle materials that have been used in other products and have been discarded, such as post-consumer PET plastic bottles, discarded x-ray film, recycled cotton and even black food trays.  SUSTAINABLE materials come from crops that quickly replenish themselves without detriment to the earth, such as fabric made from bamboo and hemp.   GREEN DECORATING TECHNIQUES include using water-based digital system that prints directly from a computer file onto the garment without any screens or ink waste.


For years writing Instruments have been manufactured utilizing petroleum based material.  Instead you can choose pens that are made from sustainable bamboo, recycled plastics, recycled paper, recycled water bottles or biodegradable corn.  Are one of these the "write" choice for your business?

Several states had banned or limited the use of plastic bags; making reusable tote bags a valuable and useful item for your customers. Imprinted totes both eliminate the need to use store-supplied plastic and paper  bags and provide a large imprint area for your company's message.

 Post-Consumer waste can also be used in the manufacturing of plastic used to make fun flyers, yo-yos, memo holders, pails and many other items.  Some of item used for these materials include carpet fibers, recycled money, newspaper, sawdust, denim and electronics plastic.

Solar powered or hand-cranked products do not require the use of batteries and include flashlights, radios and electronics charging devices.

Increased awareness of our impact on the environment has sustained the original Earth Day awareness and goals for more than forty years.  Contact me if you need help to incorporate these environmental principles into your marketing campaigns.

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

PLAY BALL!

It won't be long now until the baseball season begins.   Whether it is the major leagues, minor leagues or park district teams, baseball brings thoughts of warm summer days and following your favorite team at the ballpark, on the tv or on radio.  
Baseball creates a fun theme to use for promoting your business.  Many of baseball's colorful expressions provide great tie in opportunities for your marketing message such as the examples listed below.

• Don't strike out, use our company for your ______ needs.
•  Hit one out of the park with _____________.
• Try our triple play of service, quality and price.

Some baseball-related items that can be imprinted with your logo include: mini baseballs, baseball bat pens, baseball caps, baseball banks, baseball clapper noisemakers, baseball cow bells and even a baseball rubber duck!  Another effective item is a magnet printed with your local team's schedule; this will be retained and referred to throughout the season.  

Contact PromoDona if you are looking for other winning sports-related promotional items that will score you increased visibility and sales prospects.


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

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