Absorbent, Ink.-Promotional Products and Marketing Blog

BPA Coverage in the Local Media

April 28th, 2008 by Lee Eldridge

Everytime I turn around I find a new article on BPA and polycarbonate bottles. This last Friday we were interviewed by KSNT NBC TV-27 out of Topeka:

http://www.ksnt.com/news/local/18195329.html

The Pitch, which is the weekly alternative publication from Kansas City, ran a cover story on BPA in their April 24-30 issue. Primarily the article covered interview’s with University of Missouri professors and researchers Frederick vom Saal, Wade Welsons and Susan Nagel. I would have preferred if The Pitch had made a stronger effort to cover both sides of this story. I did find this passage somewhat amusing:

In 2003, Welshons and vom Saal traveled to an international toxicology symposium in Germany, at the University of Berlin, where scientists from around the world were presenting papers on their research. Many of the papers presented were on bisphenol A.

A scientist named Jörg Oehlmann showed how bisphenol A in snails caused such an overgrowth in ovarian cells that the animals exploded and died.

A study by Gilbert Schönfelder found amounts of bisphenol A in human blood, specifically in the blood of pregnant mothers and in the placenta and umbilical-cord blood of their babies.

Then Waechter, the scientist with Dow Chemical who had visited vom Saal’s lab at MU, stood up and read the results of a study he’d co-written. The study, which contradicted Schönfelder’s, insisted that humans aren’t exposed to bisphenol A because they metabolize it completely in the liver. His findings had come from cultures he’d done with liver cells in petri dishes, not living animals.

“It was at that point that you went a little ballistic,” vom Saal says with a giggle, looking at Welshons.

Welshons says he stood up in the auditorium in Berlin and challenged Waechter’s facts.

“I was civil,” Welshons says. “I asked questions like, ‘On what basis do you accept this C-R-A-P instead of actual measurements from animals and people? What basis is there for that?’ And he ran away.”

“Waechter literally stopped taking questions and ran out of the room,” vom Saal says. “We’re in this big corridor, and Wade jumps up and runs after him, and he’s yelling, ‘Come back here! Come back here and answer this question!’ And Waechter ran out of the building with everybody in the audience sitting there.”

Other scientists at the meeting don’t remember it this way. Oehlmann, the scientist who did the snail study, writes in an e-mail, “I attended that meeting in Berlin in 2003 but do not remember a person leaving the room after being asked a particular question.” Ellen Silbergeld, a professor of environmental health sciences at Johns Hopkins University who attended the Berlin symposium, tells The Pitch in an e-mail, “There were several heated discussions at the meeting, but I do not recall anything like this.”

http://www.pitch.com/2008-04-24/news/ever-since-university-of-missouri-
biologist-frederick-vom-saal-and-his-team-learned-the-dangers-of-bisphenol-a-and-
plastic-the-chemical-industry-has-been-trying-to-discredit-them/full

Stay tuned. I’m sure that there’s still more to come.

Posted in Product Safety | Comments Off

B.P.A. and Canada

April 25th, 2008 by Lee Eldridge

It has been widely reported that Canada intends to ban the import and sale of plastic polycarbonate baby bottles. Just do a Google search and you’ll find plenty of media outlets following up with similar reports as this one on MSNBC:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24200546/

Although Nalgene sport bottles are often cited in the media coverage, most of the research being conducted is focused on BPA’s impact on newborns and infants up to 18 months of age.

These stories are based on the suggestions from Health Canada, the Federal department responsible for helping Canadians maintain and improve their health. But as usual, there is more to the story than what our media portrays. Here’s what Health Canada said:

“Canada is the first country in the world to complete a risk assessment of bisphenol A in consultation with industry and other stakeholders, and to initiate a 60 day public comment period on whether to ban the importation, sale and advertising of polycarbonate baby bottles which contain bisphenol A.”

And later in the same press release:

“It was determined that the main source of exposure for newborns and infants is through the use of polycarbonate baby bottles when they are exposed to high temperatures and the migration of bisphenol A from cans into infant formula. The scientists concluded in this assessment that bisphenol A exposure to newborns and infants is below levels that may pose a risk, however, the gap between exposure and effect is not large enough.”

And finally:

“To be prudent, the Government of Canada is proposing to reduce bisphenol A exposure in infants and newborns by proposing a number of actions: to ban polycarbonate baby bottles; to develop stringent migration targets for bisphenol A in infant formula cans; to work with industry to develop alternative food packaging and develop a code of practice; and to list bisphenol A under Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.”

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/2008/2008_59_e.html

This is far from the condemnation of B.P.A. that was widely reported by the press. Canada is certainly one of the most proactive countries when it comes to research and consumer protection. But their own conclusions are that the levels of exposure to newborns are below those that pose a risk.

Posted in Product Safety | No Comments »

“Get Healthy, Get Outside” - Promoting Outdoor Exercise for Adults

April 22nd, 2008 by Kristen

Whether it be the fear of gyms and health clubs, the boredom of the treadmill, or just lack of motivation, getting people to exercise can be difficult. Promote your business and promote healthy clients by jumpstarting a “Get Healthy, Get Outside” campaign for your business. To help your target audience get started, provide them with some practical and motivational tools that are sure to keep them on the right track.

Promote outdoor exercise by handing out Pedometers bearing your company’s logo and clad in its signature color. Pedometers can also be used to promote the local park and walking trails. This way, your clients can set goals for themselves and keep track of their daily activity while keeping your business in mind.

Everyone needs a little motivation so keep ‘em entertained! Offer a little motivation by providing an FM Radio that clips onto pants or a shirt. This gift will act as a quick jump start for someone who doesn’t typically spend time outdoors. When they are fit, they’ll have you to thank.

Hydration is a key, too! Brawny Water Bottles displaying your company’s name will not only be great exposure for you but will also greatly reduce the use of plastic water bottles, significantly impacting the environment.

Posted in Promo Ideas | Comments Off

Showing Appreciation For Working Mothers

April 22nd, 2008 by Kristen

It’s safe to say that hands down, no one deserves more applause and recognition than our hardworking mothers. The day-to-day responsibilities of not only caring for themselves, their husband and home, but their children and even their children’s friends are hard work! And for that, they need a big “Thank You!” Use promotional products to show the mothers amongst your clients and employees that you appreciate them, too.

With all the stress a mother endures, how about hand delivering an Aromatherapy Candle to all the mothers in the office, complete with an imprinted company logo and a heartfelt thank you card? Or send a useful Sleep Mask that will give moms those much needed and uninterrupted zzz’s. Now, whenever she needs to relax, she’ll be reminded that her employer is looking out for her, too.

What can brighten a mom’s day better than a surprise #1 Mom Gift Basket from your company? Fill the basket with items such as a Chef Set, a personalized Coffee Mug, and a practical Foot Care Kit. Delivering a Mother’s Day Basket to your clients really lets them know that they aren’t just any client - they are also your friends. She’ll take great pride in knowing that you care, which likely encourages her to use your company again in the future. She’ll be more likely to use your company again in the future and take greater pride in it knowing that you are looking out for her.

Posted in Promo Ideas | No Comments »

No Wedding Woes: Ideas for “Saving” your Wedding

April 21st, 2008 by thanh

Wedding Mints

Here comes the bride.

But first, here comes all the bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, flower arrangements, reservations, rehearsal dinners … the list goes on. Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but Absorbent, Ink. has some simple, but special ideas that can add to the magic of your big day.

“Save the Date” items are products given to guests before the wedding to remind them of your upcoming wedding date. Ordering personalized products is similar to personalizing cards, so couples can get creative and go beyond a wedding card. The bride and groom’s photo can be printed on a Magnet Calendar, a popular item given to guests anywhere between three months or a year before the wedding. Similarly, Photo Frame Calendars can also include a photo and are great desk accessories for recipients. Practical “Save the Date” items include Mouse Pads and Candle Tins. Guests will be reminded of the wedding date with every use of the product!

“Save the Memories” gifts, better known as wedding favors can range from lavish gift bags to simple knick-knacks. Here’s a tip to keep the stress level and price tags low: wedding reception items can double as wedding favors. Champaign Flutes personalized with the bride and grooms names are great keepsake items for guests. Most guests won’t expect to keep their drink Coasters, but ceramic, metal and leather coasters make an elegant and practical gift. Mint Tins and Candy Favors are a sweet way for guests to save the memories. Pearl Balloons are a simple décor that complement elegant wedding themes. They’re also a fun item for small children to take home.

Posted in Off Topic | No Comments »

Press Coverage of Bisphenol-A (BPA) and Nalgene Polycarbonate Bottles

April 18th, 2008 by Lee Eldridge

Product safety is incredibly important to us, and we do everything we can to offer only the safest products available. We’ve been attending seminars and discussing issues related to product safety and promotional products with our industry suppliers and leaders. The more that we understand about our products, the better job we can do of choosing the best products to offer on our site.

Well, this appears to be the perfect time to kick off a new Product Safety section of the Absorbent, Ink. blog. With the recent press coverage of Bisphenol-A (BPA) and Nalgene Polycarbonate Bottles, our Client Services Department has already been answering a handful of related questions from our customers.

It’s always interesting to watch a story take on a life of its own. Despite the fact that agencies such as the FDA, EPA and the European Union have repeatedly researched and investigated Bisphenol-A, and have approved of its use, on April 9th, the Today Show featured a story expressing concerns about the use of BPA in plastics. Unfortunately NBC’s coverage was less than totally accurate as discussed here by the American Chemistry Council:

http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_acc/sec_news_article.asp?CID=206&DID=7226

But this isn’t a new story. This has been bubbling around for a few years. California had been considering a ban on certain substances including Bisphenol-A in 2005 with Assembly Bill Number 319. Here’s an article from the Canada Free Press concerning the science behind the reports at that time:

http://www.canadafreepress.com/2005/milloy042505.htm

California ended up removing Bisphenol-A from their legislation, as did Maryland and Minnesota, who were considering similar legislation:

http://www.bisphenol-a.org/whatsNew/20060412.html

Yesterday, the American Chemistry Council sent a letter to the FDA asking them to clarify and update their position on BPA in order to help alleviate consumer concerns:

“An updated review of bisphenol A in food contact applications, led by the premier food safety agency in the United States - the FDA - will help explain the extensive scientific review that has already been conducted on this compound. And this review will allow the agency to issue the most recent evaluation of all the science, and all agency reviews to date, quickly and in a way that is understandable to the public. We believe that an update by FDA, accompanied by a clear communication from the agency about what the science means, is needed, and ask FDA to move forward promptly with this review. It is important that FDA move as quickly as possible to undertake this review, since the results, regardless of outcome will help better inform the public.”

http://www.factsonplastic.com/acc-calls-on-fda-to-update-review-of-bisphenol-a/

The plastic industry’s position has been consistent: Bisphenol-A has been well tested and has repeatedly been shown to be safe by virtually every major institution that has researched this issue:

http://www.bisphenol-a.org/human/polyplastics.html

Today MSNBC has reported that Nalgene will be changing their popular line of polycarbonate sports bottles to a new BPA-free material:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24200402/

The story reads as if Nalgene is recalling their products. They are not. Once again, less-than-stellar journalism has raised consumer fears. Nalgene is doing what other smart businesses have done for years: responding to customer concerns. We have been in contact with Nalgene, and we have been told that they will soon be making their popular sport bottles out of a BPA-free material called Tritan copolyester. This happens to be the same material that Camelbak uses for their bottles.

For more information directly from Nalgene and their plans to phase out their line of polycarbonate bottles:

http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/

Even Camelbak, who has already been producing BPA-free products, was affected by this recent uproar. Since the Today Show misidentified all #7 plastics as containing BPA, Camelbak will be removing the #7 from the bottom of their bottles.

http://www.camelbak.com/index.cfm

This reaction from Nalgene and Camelbak has reminded me of the time Mars stopped making red M&Ms. From Wikipedia:

“The red candies were eliminated in 1976 due to health concerns over the dye amaranth (FD&C Red #2), which was a suspected carcinogen, and were replaced with orange-colored candies. Despite the fact that M&M’s did not contain the dye, red M&M’s were removed to satisfy worried consumers. By 1987, the public had forgotten the scare, and the red candies were reintroduced, but they also kept the orange colored M&M’s.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M&M’s

On a related note, we have recently added the BPA-free Camelbak bottles to our line of sport bottles:

http://www.absorbentprinting.com/drinkware/sport-bottles

We will continue to monitor research on Bisphenol-A. We’re certainly not scientists, so we rely on common sense and the best information available by the scientific community at large. At this time we will continue to offer products that may contain small levels of BPA. We will also continue to research and add more BPA-free versions of our sport bottles for concerned consumers.

Posted in Product Safety | No Comments »

Promoting Your Business Down to the “Tee”

April 16th, 2008 by thanh

Golf events are a great opportunity for businesses to increase brand exposure and goodwill. Golf events can range from local golf tournaments to corporate outings or benefit events. Businesses can sponsor an event by supplying golf equipment and essentials or by providing corporate gifts and prizes. Logos and promotional messages imprinted on items such as golf balls, visors and towels let all participants identify the stakeholders of the event. Absorbent, Ink. offers an extensive collection of golf products, from basic golf tees to high-end golf bags.

Promotional Products: Customized, factory-direct Golf Balls are great gifts for large benefit events. Golf Tees and Golf Ball Markers are small items that go the distance – brand logos will be spotted all throughout the golf course. Send a big message with a basic item such as an Umbrella. It’s a practical item that limits sun exposure but increases brand exposure.

Corporate Gifts: Personalized Golf Clubs and Executive Putter Kits are savvy gifts that are sure to create buzz at a corporate outing or fundraiser event. Custom Sport Watches are a popular item ideal for clients or employees. It’s great for businesses wishing to leave a lasting impression at golf events.

Drinkware: Sport Bottles, or Can and Bottle Coolers are fun promotional items perfect for any sporting event. Sponsors can personalize drinkware products to reach both golfers and spectators.

Posted in Seasonal Promotions, Promo Ideas | No Comments »

Building customer relationships

April 11th, 2008 by thanh

With top companies spending billions of dollars advertising to prospective clients, customer acquisition appears to be the most important objective at these businesses. However, a business’ most valuable consumers are often its current customers.

Here are five tools that businesses can use to follow up with customers:

1. Start simple with a Thank You card. Businesses that don’t send Thank You cards are usually facing time constraints. Thank You cards send a positive message, especially if they are hand-written. Although this does take time, a thoughtful Thank You card can separate your business from the competition (especially if they’re too busy to send one!)

2. Similar to Thank You cards, postcards are another way to follow up with your customers through the mail. An added benefit of using postcards is that they can deliver a variety of messages. Postcards can serve as reminders, congratulatory messages, holiday greetings or marketing fodder. Keep the message informative and fun, but not overly promotional. Imprinting a brand logo on the postcard is a sufficient reminder to the customer.

3. “Leave Behinds” are simply promotional products given to customers after a client meeting or sales transaction to show a business’ appreciation and leave a lasting impression. The product essentially follows the customer to their home or workplace and serves as a reminder tool.

4. Use corporate gifts to build customer loyalty while increasing your brand’s value. Corporate gifts are a popular use of high-end promotional products. Start by gathering a list of your top clients. It could be a large or small group depending on your budget. Keep in mind that the goal of corporate gifts is to add value to a brand and its relationship with the consumer, so choosing a high quality gift in lower quantities is more effective than a high quantity of products with lower value. Corporate gifts are a great way to keep your business at the top of clients’ minds.

5. A strategy to communicate with customers after a sale is to collect feedback. Follow-up a sale with a phone call or e-mail that surveys the customer’s experience and satisfaction with the product or service. This is a strategy that has two-way benefits. Not only will customers feel empowered with the opportunity to voice their opinion, but businesses can greatly benefit from the information gathered. Just remember to keep the survey short and simple.

When implementing these CRM strategies, it is important for businesses to keep two key ideas in mind. First, personalization helps cut through the clutter. A direct mail piece addressed to “Our Valued Customer” defeats the purpose of CRM. Imprinting a brand logo or message onto a promotional product makes the gift more personal. Personalization reduces the generic feel that plagues most marketing campaigns. Secondly, a loyal customer is a business’ best salesperson. Customers who are satisfied with their relationship with a business are a doorway to new sales leads. In other words, investing in customer retention also leads to customer acquisition.

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Encourage student sign-up during orientation

April 3rd, 2008 by Abby Ink

Question: The Career Center wants to encourage new students to register for information on internships, job opportunities and career fairs. How do we inform students about this service?

Answer: A great way to reach new students is during orientation. Coordinate with orientation administrators to set up a booth or work shop for students to attend. Hand out fun, yet practical items to students who register for the program. Products such as ice scrapers, mouse pads or lanyards imprinted with the career center’s contact information serve as reminders for students to utilize the services.

Posted in Ask Abby | No Comments »

“Prom”-o Marketing

April 1st, 2008 by Abby Ink

For every teenager attending Prom, finding the perfect dress, tuxedo, accessories and hairstyle is half the battle and half the fun. With so many brands in the retail, salon and spa market, it is becoming more and more difficult to entice the teen audience. Today’s teens are attracted to quality and instant gratification, so short promotional messages that capture their attention work best. For example, a promotional product imprinted with a brand’s logo and a “Buy one get one” promotion has a higher perceived value in consumers’ minds versus a flyer printed with the same information. For Prom season, businesses like retailers and salons can use promotional products to attract teens searching for their perfect Prom essentials.

A great promotional product for salons and spas is a Manicure Kit. It is a fun and practical product that reminds teens to visit your salon for all their cosmetology needs before the big night.

A Compact Mirror is a creative product that retailers can use to attract new customers. Imprinting a brand logo and the message, “Come see yourself in our dresses,” encourages teens to explore the products a retailer has to offer.

Don’t forget about the fellas! Shoe Polish is a small, but essential item. It is a great product to remind the guys to visit a tuxedo shop for all their Prom needs.

Posted in Promo Ideas | No Comments »

BPA Coverage in the Local Media

B.P.A. and Canada

“Get Healthy, Get Outside” - Promoting Outdoor Exercise for Adults

Showing Appreciation For Working Mothers

No Wedding Woes: Ideas for “Saving” your Wedding

Press Coverage of Bisphenol-A (BPA) and Nalgene Polycarbonate Bottles

Promoting Your Business Down to the “Tee”

Building customer relationships

Encourage student sign-up during orientation

“Prom”-o Marketing

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