Absorbent, Ink.-Promotional Products and Marketing Blog

Udderly Literal

Jennifer — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:39:22 +0000

A marketing concept at the coffee shop chain Oh It’s Fresh! proves that some things are better said with pictures than with words. Single portions of milk distributed within the coffee chain feature the image of a milk cow’s udder, giving the impression that you’re getting milk straight from a Holstein. Although it’s borderline disturbing, you definitely can’t miss the message.

Source: I Believe in Advertising

White or Wheat?

Jennifer — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:00:45 +0000

As ingenious as the Post-it is, sometimes getting your point across takes a little more creativity. Take this snazzy toaster designed by Sasha Tseng for example. Notes written on the message board are toasted onto the bread of your choice, leaving a breakfast-time message that’s hard to ignore… unless you’re really hungry.

Of course, if you’re looking for a long-term reminder, try something a little less perishable like a message fan or a custom notepad.

Unique USB Drives

Jennifer — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:59:23 +0000

Thumb drives are available in a huge variety of fun and personalized options to fit any storage need. Designer Arwye Wan created the “Wine Stopper USB Memory Stick” to resemble a wine cork, while Dynamism was the genius behind the notorious Sushi drives, available in salmon, sea urchin, sake, and more. There is even a severed thumb drive. If body parts and raw food aren’t your style, more functional thumb drives can be designed in a variety of colors and styles to suit your personality.

Just in case!

Jennifer — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:28:43 +0000

Providing solutions before there’s a problem can really get attention. The Eatalica restaurant wanted to spread the word of a new and extremely juicy burger. Direct mail was sent to customers featuring a “Just-in-case” pouch with a stain-removing wipe. This tactic created positive feelings, a sense of the burger’s excessive juiciness, and lots of referrals.
There are lots of ways to send solutions before there’s a problem:
Sunscreen key chains for an outdoor event
Seat cushions for a sporting event
Coffee set for a late night event

Source: (Direct Daily)

Stand Up To Cancer

Abby Ink — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:40:34 +0000

Yesterday it was announced that news anchors Brian Williams, Katie Couric, and Charles Gibson of NBC, CBS, and ABC, will sit on one set for a prime-time telecast called “Stand up 2 Cancer.” The special will air September 5, 2008 at 8pm et. www.standup2cancer.org

“Katie, Charlie and Brian will report on potentially life-saving research, speaking with both patients and scientists. We hope to entertain you, educate you, move and inspire you,” said movie and television producer Laura Ziskin, who will produce the special.

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You can donate to the organization here: http://www.standup2cancer.org/donate

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Awareness bracelets are another great way to join in the fight against cancer and raise awareness.

Promos you can “benefit” from

Kristen — Tue, 20 May 2008 17:40:52 +0000

Summer is a fantastic time to host outdoor events and benefits to raise money for your non-profit agency. Businesses will jump at the chance to help sponsor your good cause by providing imprinted products, sharing both your logo and theirs. To reach as many people as possible, host an outdoor benefit concert and invite the entire community. Sponsors can provide several food and beverage stands complete with imprinted plastic cups, paper plates, and napkins. Invite the attendees to donate by providing donation bowls at each stand. Or allow people to donate for a glow-in-the-dark awareness bracelet.

A silent auction is also a good way to raise awareness for a good cause. Businesses can support the cause by donating their own services and products for the auction. By hosting the event at a local park or fairgrounds, you can avoid renting a building and keep costs low while still having enough space for the public. To increase exposure and so no one goes home empty-handed, have everyone pick up an event T-shirt on their way out with the T-shirt sporting all the sponsors involved.

To appease your lucrative donors, host an invitation-only formal dinner at a local banquet hall. Invite current donors as well as prospective ones. This is a good way to have an intimate dinner to thank your donors, yet serves as an informational gathering for future donors in order to gain some much-needed support for the cause. Provide imprinted champagne glasses and coasters for your guests. Businesses can help sponsor this event by providing rewarding gift bags for all those in attendance. Imprint the bag with your logo and all of the sponsors of the event. The bag can include gift certificates from the sponsors, along with items such as imprinted picture frames and coffee tumblers. Also include key chains and bumper stickers with the message “I Help Support [Enter Cause Here].” This gesture will ensure more exposure for your cause and for your sponsors, generating more support in the future.

Summer Employee Events

Kristen — Tue, 20 May 2008 15:39:31 +0000

Summer speaks of many things but nothing brings more people together than a couple games of softball and a barbeque. Take advantage of the summertime by forming your own softball teams and having a company-wide tournament to make your employees more team oriented. As a nice gesture and a thank you to your employees, bring people together by inviting family and friends to a company barbeque. Give away corporate gifts at these and other summer employee events. In return you will find loyalty coming out of your ears.

Nothing comes in more useful in the summer time than a Beach Front Folding Chair. Usually, these are needed at outdoor sporting events, such as a community softball tournament, so think of all the great exposure your company is getting when your logo is printed in big letters on the back of a displayed chair. Give one to your employees’ spouse for double the exposure!

Why not setup up a large raffle for all attendees to enter, and give away Barbeque Sets, Picnic Sets, and Golf Bags. Pour beverages into logo-clad Plastic Stadium Cups for everyone to take as a party favor, just so no one goes home empty handed. Feeling generous? Send everyone home with their own Tumbler Sets, sure to last longer than plastic and far more memorable.

BPA Coverage in the Local Media

Lee Eldridge — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:07:44 +0000

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: (more…)

B.P.A. and Canada

Lee Eldridge — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:32:56 +0000

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.

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

Kristen — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:41:26 +0000

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.