Chuck Norris – America’s own personal hero. I don’t know when Chuck Norris jokes became such a fad, but they did and it is hilarious. Best known for his role on “Walker, Texas Ranger,” Chuck Norris is a keen, lean fighting machine. Since we recently received an order from Chuck Norris’s official Web site, chucknorris.com, for our Dual Star Key Tags, I have decided to dedicate this blog entry to the man himself.

Here’s a list of facts about Chuck Norris from chucknorrisfacts.com:

Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.

Chuck Norris counted to infinity – twice.

Chuck Norris doesn’t wear a watch – HE decides what time it is.

Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door.

Chuck Norris can sneeze with his eyes open.

There is in fact an “I” in Norris, but there is no “team”… not even close.

There is no “ctrl” button on Chuck Norris’s computer. Chuck Norris is always in control.

Have you had enough? Probably for today. But thank you, Chuck Norris, for choosing Absorbent, Ink. as your promotional products provider! We can all learn a thing or two from Chuck.

Love,

Abby Ink.

Well, I can hardly contain my excitement. Really, truly! I know what you’re thinking – “Geez, Abby. You have the exact same breakfast of oats and coffee every morning. It’s not THAT exciting.” Well, fellow blogians, that’s not the source of my excitement this morning (although, I gotta tell ya – I really do love those breakfasts, regardless of what people think).

The reason for this morning’s enthusiasm is because on my way into work, my friend and co-worker called to tell me that Absorbent, Ink. was recently ranked eighth in Counselor magazine’s top ten list of fastest-growing promotional product distributors! And how could we not be with a 63% increase in revenues between 2006 and 2008?

Tell me – at what other type of job do you get to play with beach balls, taste custom-imprinted chocolate samples, and write an incredible blog such as this? It’s starting to make sense why this company flourishes the way it does. Fun, communication and liveliness is what allows our company to thrive and instill the kind of morale in our staff that results in happy staffers and even happier, enthusiastically satisfied clients!

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go have some celebratory cake!

We are the champions,

Abby Ink.

Hello! Bonjour! Hola! Guttentag! and Hi!

The name’s Ink, Abby Ink. I have been recruited to take over this blog, and I am letting all of you bloggers out there know (whether you’re a newcomer or an oldcomer) that I have accepted this mission! What used to be known as the Absorbent, Ink. blog will now be … drum roll please … Abby Ink’s Blog.

I promise you nothing but the best. I will make you laugh, I may make you cry, but most importantly I will keep you informed and ahead of the promotional products game!

With that said, I introduce to you my more interactive, more innovative and more FUN Abby Ink Blog! Think of it as a cyberspace face-lift (speaking of, you can catch us on Facebook and Twitter, of course). Click and read away, my friends. And don’t forget to comment. I always love good healthy banter!

Your friend,

Abby Ink

Thank you for visiting our blog. We have recently converted our blog to a Do Follow blog, and have added the CommentLuv plugin. New features to keep our visitors happy. Please let us know if you have any questions. And blog away!

We did some research to figure out just how much McCain and Obama are spending on promotional products.  According to OpenSecrets.org,  McCain has spent $4.5 million on materials for the 2008 campaign with $322,089 going toward t-shirts, buttons, bumper stickers, yard signs, etc.  Obama has spent $5 million on campaign materials with $648,955 going toward t-shirts, buttons, yard signs, etc.

 It looks like the Obama campaign understands the power of promotional products.  However, if they need any consulting they should contact us

Fellow Facebookers, join our Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lawrence-KS/Absorbent-Ink/10067823596?ref=mf

We encourage you to write reviews, create discussion, and have some fun!

You may claim that St. Patrick’s Day is your favorite holiday, but what do you really know about it?

Here are 5 questions to test your knowledge.

First question:

Leprechauns had nothing to do with St. Patrick’s Day until which American movie producer created a friendly, cheerful leprechaun character?



Answer: Walt Disney. Irish folklore describes leprechauns as cranky souls known for their trickery and protectiveness over their treasure. The friendlier American version of the leprechaun quickly evolved into a St. Patrick’s Day and Irish symbol.

Second question:

Which city is home to a St. Patrick’s Day Parade that is the longest running civilian parade in the world?



Answer: Nope, it’s not Dublin. It’s New York City. The first parade started in 1762 and now draws more than 2 million spectators.

Third question:

In Delaware, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, Irish is the leading ancestral group. How many U.S. residents claim Irish ancestry?



Answer: 34.7 million-nearly 9 times the population of Ireland!

Fourth question:

What river is dyed green every year in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day?



Answer: The Chicago River. The city of Chicago uses 40 pounds of green vegetable dye to turn the river green for several hours.

Fifth question:

St. Patrick is credited for bringing Christianity to Ireland. According to Irish mythology, which reptile did Saint Patrick banish from Ireland?



Answer: If you said snakes then you are correct. However, Ireland was never actually inhabited by snakes. The “banishing of the snakes” is symbolic of Saint Patrick’s eradication of pagan theology from the island.

PS: Please feel free to email this quiz to friends or family!

Headlines on Microsoft’s $44 billion bid to buyout Yahoo almost read like a melodramatic love triangle between Microsoft, Yahoo and Google.
• Microsoft wants to win over Yahoo to compete against Google.
• Google calls Microsoft’s move a mockery of the Internet’s “openness and innovation.”
• Yahoo re-evaluates its worth. Says Microsoft undermines Yahoo’s value and rejects the offer.
• Does Microsoft feel scorned and defeated or is it biding, waiting for the next opportunity?

It’s a good thing marketers can take away several lessons from this tangled Web.
1. Alliances are healthy, but not at the sake of individuality: Companies are merging left and right, leaving great power in the hands of a few. If this trend continues, consumers will fall into the umbrella of one big corporation and individuality will be stifled. Marketers should work to preserve uniqueness and innovation. Consumers need a variety of products, services and experiences to fit their individual lifestyles.
2. Always, always keep your stakeholders informed: Yahoo Chief Executive Jerry Yang sent a message to employees, assuring them that leaders are trying to avoid a Microsoft acquisition. It’s important to keep employees and stockholders informed of the company’s position on major issues. When internal communication breaks down, the business could very well crumble with it.
3. A little “shock and awe” can up the ante. Microsoft’s bid made big news, and in the wake of the offer Yahoo’s share price rose 1.48 percent. Shaking up the marketplace can have positive or negative effects. Sometimes the market calls for a little (or big) change in order to re-shape the landscape for competitors and consumers. Here’s when it pays to be prepared no matter what side you are on. Always periodically evaluate your internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats. You don’t want to be in for too big of a surprise.

She may hold the title for biggest celebrity meltdown, but that doesn’t keep her from moving forward in the business world. Her new fragrance, Curious Heart, launched a couple of days ago.

Although it sounds like her marketing gurus have it under control with Curious Heart (in addition to traditional marketing they launched an online-viral marketing campaign), her public relations team is at the end of its rope.

Here are a few ideas to help turn the tables, and re-brand Britney into a life lesson.

• Follow the steps of your mama: Write a book. How about the title “Toxic: How Not to Live Life - The Britney Spears Story.”

• To support the book, go on Oprah and cry. Cry the entire show and beg for forgiveness. Then hand out Round Bounce Back Stress balls to the audience and discuss everything you learned in therapy about how to handle stress.

• Tour the country and hold lectures giving an inside-look on being a celebrity.

• Last but not least, stay out of the bars.

Obviously, she needs some serious help right now, but if she can get her act together she may be able to save face.

We went all out this year to celebrate the holidays! Each department came up with a way to decorate their section, and had a blast doing so. We’ve created a short video for our customers and friends to see how we got in on the fun this year!