The Power of a Pen

I recently received a case study from a supplier that I wanted to share. I think this speaks volumes to the power promotional products have.

The following simple stories illustrate the usefulness of promotional products that goes way beyond the statistics. People DO remember what they have been given.

This case study is written by a co-worker of the subject, Alvin Badiner.

Anyone in the upper Midwest either knows or has heard of Al Badiner. Al has been a "peddler" of promotional products for 50 of his 80 plus years. In his early 80's he still maintains being in the top 10 of his company's sales force. Why? Because he believes in what he sells. He promotes the industry by promoting himself.

Anyone who meets Al is immediately given a pen with his famous To a friend of Al Badiner imprint. The longer you know Al, the more and varied items you'll receive with this imprint.

• Years ago while trying to obtain a car loan I was at a bank and being asked a series of questions. When it came to employment, they asked where I worked. When I said Spartan Group, the loan officer stopped, thought for a moment , and then lifted up his To a friend of Al Badiner pen and said, "Do you know Al?" After that, my loan process somehow became smoother and much more relaxed.

• Al's family was at a hotel and one son received a room less than adequate. After trying to change rooms and the hotel being "full" the clerk was jotting down some notes and asked his name. Once the Badiner name was established, the clerk looked up and said "Oh, are you related to him?" while proudly showing his recent gift, a To a friend of Al Badiner pen. Suddenly a room became available, with a view no less.

• At a local store after the holiday I was trying to return an item I was given as a gift. The clerk asked if I had the receipt, as they would only accept the return with an original receipt or gift receipt. I apologized that I had "no receipt" and I understood policy. She looked up studied me for a minute and said "Didn't you give me this pen?" Sure enough, it turned out I had been in the store months before, and when she couldn't locate a pen - I pulled a To a friend of Al Badiner pen from my purse and let her keep it. She proceeded to take the return. Without a receipt. You can imagine how grateful I was.

• Just recently at a beloved customer's funeral, I was talking with a woman who said she was a granddaughter of the deceased. I introduced myself and then Alvin. She was beside herself "Oh , you're Al Badiner! I have your pen in my purse. I've used one all my life. My friends want to meet you - they all have your pens as well. I feel like I have known you forever!"

• A few years ago, one of our customers-a large national insurance company put on a a vendor appreciation luncheon. Al had attended this for many years. They had collected To a friend of Al Badiner items. As a gift for the 50 or so people being honored as top vendors were a couple of different To a friend of Al Badiner items at each place setting to share and to promote the vendor they knew and loved.

You never know when and how a promotional product will have an impact and be remembered. Think of all the people who believe they are a "friend of Al Badiner," And indeed it turns out to be true.

The industry studies show that over 76% of recipients of a promotional product recall the advertiser's name on the product they received. In addition, over 75% said they actually kept the promotional product - because it was useful!

This study was provided by Sweda USA.

Coffee, Coffee, and More Coffee

One of my 2010 resolutions was to cut back on my coffee consumption. But so far I haven't made a dent in it. I tried to substitute tea for the morning cup of joe, but there is just something about starting the morning with a hot cup of coffee. I love the smell and that's something that I just don't get from tea, hot chocolate or anything else.

My love of coffee started back in the late 80's. Every weekend a group of friends and I would hit a Denny's somewhere in Southern California after a dance. Several cups and laughs later I'd head home hoping the caffeine buzz would last until I pulled into my driveway. There was also this very cool hangout downtown San Diego called Java. This is where my love of Mochas started. A select group of friends and I would sit around having very intellectual conversations. I remember feeling a bit like a beatnik while I was there. When I moved to Virginia I really missed my local coffee shop. Alas came the 90's and Starbucks started to pop up everywhere. I think this is when my caffeine addiction really started. Not only would I have a cup at home before work, I would grab a cup on my way to work, then in the afternoon for a little pick-me-up. And of course I had to stop again on the way home to make sure my caffeine buzz would last through making dinner, helping with homework, scouts, practices, etc. I am happy to say I'm not that addicted to Starbucks anymore. I still love their coffee, but as an occasional treat when I'm out running errands or have a lot of driving to do. I have found I'd much rather meet my girl friends in the morning or network with a group of business owners at locally owned coffee houses such as Spill the Beans in Alexandria or Deja Brew in Gainesville.

I know my obsession has been a bit over the top at times, but I also I'm not alone. The coffee craze continues to go strong. Here are some products that will help you get your buzz on.

Lets start with Joe himself.

The Joes

Are your promotional items working hard? Or hardly working? Sometimes you have to bring in a gritty, tough guy to get the job done. Enter ‘The Joes’. This specialty line of coffee is designed for the Financial, Legal, Healthcare and Corporate worlds.

A fun way to promote your company with a unique twist. The custom names and unique back panels make it a perfect employee perk or client gift. Just the right message in a flavorful packet of coffee.

Features: 2 oz. bag of ground gourmet Arabica coffee packaged in a silver foil bag with custom front label. Custom back label is available.

To see each Joe click on his link below.

• Doctor Joe
• Financial Joe
• Legal Joe
• Office Joe

Where do we put Joe?

No, this is not a paper cup! It's a 10 oz. biodegradable tumbler. It looks like paper but it's really plastic. Save a tree and stop using paper travel cups that you throw away. Show that you care about the environment. small enough to fit in corporate coffee machines. Screw on slide open/close spill proof lid.

The same style is also available in Double walled Porcelain with a silicone lid
• Looks just like a paper cup, but you can use it over and over again
• Environmentally friendly and reusable as well as a great looking desktop item
• Dishwasher safe
• Microwavable (mug only)

Lids come in black, red, blue or green

More info on porcelain tumbler

I need another hand

Have you ever been walking around an airport with your carry-on bag in one hand and balancing your coffee cup, and everything else in your other hand? Here is a new very cool product called the Tugo. The Tugo is a molded, pliable drink holder. It keeps your beverage suspended between the upright handles of your rolling bag. It's unique design helps keep your drink level. It's the perfect travel accessory. It is easily attached and when removed collapses to fit in your carry-on luggage. Fits all size take away coffee cups, small to medium soft drink cups as well as your personal drinkware.

The Tugo is available in retail locations throughout the U.S. To find a retail location near you visit The Tugo website. To order The Tugo with your logo contact Tall Girl Promotions.

Hot New Products for 2010

I've been catching up on my trade magazines and flipping trough the new 2010 catalogs that are being delivered daily. It's so interesting to see the new products that come out each year. I sometimes get a bit giddy over them. And sometimes I just roll my eyes and think "Really?".

Over the next several weeks I'll post some of the products that really grabbed my attention.

I have to start with this one!



It's called the Butt Station.

My first thought is who would want someone sitting on a toilet on their desk? But then I realized how compelled I was to share this with everyone in the office. How it generated so much conversation. Isn't that one of the reasons we use promotional products, to generate a buzz?

And it's absolutely a useful product. It not only functions as a tape dispenser but also as a memo pad & pen holder. And the best part is the magnetic BUTT holds paperclips inside the bowl. Everything you need is right there at your fingertips. Hmmm?

I should note that tape, paperclips, pens, and memo pad are not included.

Now the obvious industries I see using this product are plumbers, bathroom remodeling companies, bath fixture manufactures, etc. What I wonder is, outside this type of company, who would use the Butt Station to promote their company? And what would their tag line be?

Click the links for more information about the Butt Station and other products from the Minya Collection.

I would love to read your thoughts. Please leave a comment. I'll be sure to let you all know if I get any orders for the Butt Station in 2010.

Happy New Year!

Targeted Group Eats Up Restaurant Gift-Card Promo

Most people would associate Scotts Lawn Service with a thick, green lawn but probably not with a thick, juicy steak. However, last summer, selected Scotts customers got just that – or any other meal they wanted – when the company paired up with Restaurant.com for a gift-card promotion.

John Lewis, director of segment marketing for Scotts, says the company worked with Anthem Marketing Solutions to identify customers who were likely to cancel their lawn service during the summer. "Our attrition model takes into account historic cancel data to assign a likelihood of cancellation along with a predicted timing of cancel," he adds.

Customers in that segment received a direct mailer that offered them a $25 Restaurant.com reward if they registered with Scotts online or a $50 card if they registered and signed up for automatic payments. Those who did got a gift card in the mail or an e-mail with a code that could be redeemed at more than 12,000 restaurants nationwide.

"Most of our customers who took advantage of the opportunity simply redeemed the card and enjoyed dinner on us," Lewis says, "but the few who we did hear from told us that they were surprised to receive this type of offer from their lawn-service provider and were delighted to receive this extra benefit for no additional cost."

Scotts had hoped the promotion would increase retention 5% over their control group, but the program resulted in a whopping 26% increase versus the control. "This promotion far exceeded our expectations from a results standpoint," Lewis says. "We plan to initiate similar programs in the future."

Muscle Milk Flexes During Fashion Week

During Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in early September, passersby in New York were asked to pose in front a circus mirror. (You know, the kind that makes you look skinny.) Two brand ambassadors for 100-calorie Muscle Milk beverages then challenged people to make the altered image a reality by trying their product.

At a nearby GNC location, by Bryant Park, live models posed as mannequins in the storefront window. As part of its "From Cute to Catwalk" live window takeover, Muscle Milk's seemingly plastic women posed while brand ambassadors handed out free samples to the public.

The brand then armed 20 key influencers with a Muscle Milk Fashion Week survival pack. It consisted of a Nike sports bag with Muscle Milk Light, Muscle Milk branded lip gloss, a $100 Nike gift card and a Muscle Milk shirt.

All of these efforts were aimed at keeping busy models, designers, celebrities and members of the media fueled during Fashion Week, via CytoSport Inc.'s ready-to-drink protein-enhanced beverage. Samples were handed out at five key locations, including salon venues, the IMG Fashion Lounge and the Lu Biscuit Cafe.

The campaign is part of the brand's commitment to the promotion of a healthy image and active lifestyle. "Promotional items allow us to relay our messages to targeted consumer groups. For example, at New York Fashion Week our shirts read, 'Ready to Wear, Ready to Drink,' speaking about our Muscle Milk Ready-to-Drink Nutritional Shake, which is perfect for on-the-go fashionistas," says Shane McCassy, lifestyle marketing manager for CytoSport.

Jones-ing for Promotional Products

This summer, Jones Soda proudly proclaimed that it was "the official soda of the road trip." To prove it, the premium soda brand teamed with Griffin Technology to reward people for sharing their most creative photos taken while traveling across North America.

Using Twitter, travelers were asked to make a post with the hashtag #roadtripjones and include their destination or itinerary. Photos and videos could then be uploaded at www.jonessoda.com/gallery and hashtagged through Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and YouTube.

Ten winners received one of 10 Griffin iTrip AutoPilots, and 10 photos from their journeys were selected to appear on Jones Soda bottles internationally. The grand prize winner also received a $500 shopping spree at www.griffintechnology.com. The promotion wrapped up on August 28.

During the summer, the Jones Soda RV hit various locations during a 10,000-mile journey throughout the country, tweeting all the way (@Jones_Soda_RV). Consumers who caught up with the RV or stopped by the soda company's national headquarters received bumper stickers and coupons.

Jones Soda has a long history of giving out branded items and will continue to do so, says Josh Groff, brand manager for Jones Soda. "It is a badge of identity for people who wear and use gear branded with the Jones Soda logo – it's how they distinguish themselves from the crowd," Groff says.

The brand, which has a partnership with the Seattle Seahawks, gave away T-shirts before the NFL team's home opener last year. This year it gave out schedule posters. "By making these personal connections with our fans, they each become brand ambassadors," says Groff. "It is an efficient way for Jones Soda to expand awareness, and it is extremely effective because it is done in a viral and genuine way."

Hanes Wants Us All to Be "Passionately Pink"

For anyone who has ever wanted to create their own beautiful T-shirt design, Hanes provided their big chance. Through October 26, the top-selling, Michael Jordan-fronted T-shirt brand invited consumers to become "passionately pink" in the fight against breast cancer.

Original T-shirt designs that offered messages of hope, love and support were entered to win a weekly $100 Hanes gift card in mid-August. Twelve finalists' designs will be featured at www.hanespink.com between November 11 and November 25. The grand prize winner will be announced on December 7; the grand prize is a $250 gift card and a T-shirt with a screen print of the winning design.

Entrants were invited to use the Web site's graphics tools to create their own design. Each week the first 30 people who participated received a free shirt from actress Sarah Chalke, best known from the TV series Scrubs. (She got into the act by creating her own design, which was also for sale.)

The competition was created to launch Hanes' Pink Collection, as well as to raise awareness and support for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The Pink Collection line of bras, panties, socks and shirts was available at select stores and at www.hanespink.com.

Hanes announced earlier this year that it had donated a quarter of a million dollars to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. It became the official apparel sponsor of Passionately Pink for the Cure. Hanes will make a $5,000 donation in the shirt design winner's name to a local affiliate or the Susan G. Komen global headquarters.

Chalke said in a statement that she was excited to be "a part of an amazingly dedicated network. Awareness is the best prevention, and this program encourages people across the country to join the fight against breast cancer in a truly meaningful way."