january 2016 promo products in 2016 and beyond … express... · january 2016 promo products in...
TRANSCRIPT
January 2016
PROMO PRODUCTS IN 2016 AND BEYOND OFFER AMPLE OPPORTUNITY
Last year, we we explored a full range of ideas on our blog to helpdistributors of specialty advertising and promotional products meet theircustomers’ needs.
For example, we took a closer look at classic favorites like writinginstruments, desk toys and the beloved morning icon known as thecoffee mug, while also exploring other, more quirky promo items whichmake their marks. For example, one investment management firmgives out neckties to its best clients. Other institutions more interestedin courting nonWall Street types have taken to branding fanny packsand tote bags to reach their target audiences.
While insurance agencies and realtors have been giving out qualitycustombranded pens for decades to prospects, customers andpartners, items like the tote and the fanny pack, embroidered or printedwith logos, have helped travel firms, bookstores and even public radiostations give their brands mobility and a practical touch.
We also discovered that the change of the seasons — and consumers’anticipation of it — provides other opportunities. When winter turns tospringtime and then summer, it’s possible to appeal to customers witheverything from golf and outdoor sport items to promo products thathelp business reach customers when they fire up the barbecue oroutdoor grill.
UPCOMING EVENTS
If you are attending any of theseconferences, please feel free toreach out to set up an appointmentor connect with Jay Busselle,Business Development,[email protected] or 6026902595.
ASI Show!Dallas, TXFebruary 1011ExhibitingBooth 1050
NBMArlington, TXMarch 1012Exhibiting
PPAI Expo East / ISSAtlantic City, NJMarch 1619Exhibiting / Education SessionBooth 500
NBMIndianapolis, INJune 24Exhibiting / Education Session
NOTABLE QUOTES
Moreover, we noticed the way that businesses use promo productsoutside the traditional realm of business, such as at trade shows ornetworking events. Cultural, arts and music events, such as South bySouthwest (SXSW) and Coachella, see everyday brands and smallerentrepreneurial outfits turning attendees into customers, the way thatNASCAR and HarleyDavidson turn car and bike enthusiasts intolifelong fans and loyal buyers too.
There was plenty of evidence in 2015 that businesses are tapping boththe traditional and the unusual to reach their customers, and thatbranding with promotional products is more important than ever.Ensure you’re providing products with the best quality logos, whetherthey are imprinted, screen printed or embroidered, with Idea CustomSolutions.
A REBRAND IS KEY TO STAYING CURRENT
Whether or not you are up on the latest lingo used by millennialconsumers, change is always a part of corporate life and marketing.You need not have FOMO (fear of missing out) or be “on fleek” (onpoint) to keep up with what is new. But staying current with trends andtastes should always be a priority.
When companies merge or change their products, a simple logo tweakmay do the trick. Other times, a more comprehensive rebrand canhelp keep customers engaged, while letting a firm show off its newshining identity.
For example, two food giants, Heinz and Kraft Foods, merged recently.Given the size and scale of each side’s operations, a rebrand startingwith the parent companies was thought to be the best option.
Altogether, the new KraftHeinz owns and markets eight billiondollarbrands that include cheese, peanuts and coffee, plus a dozen othermajor brands of condiments and dessert foods. Each wanted to retainthe strength and name recognition of the parent brand. That’s why theystarted by forging a new corporate identity and logo, fusing both namestogether with some slight alterations in the logo’s design.
Meanwhile, Pepsi, a company whose core product has not changedmuch in a hundred years, alters its logo to suit consumers everydecade or so.
Certainly the rebrand isn't just a tool for mega corporations. Often asmaller company with a new product or service can benefit from anupdate to its logo and marketing collateral.
As one “essential guide to rebranding” published this fall by iMediastates, companies should have a good reason to tweak their brandidentity, and that a rebrand is more than just a new “logo on the door”but everything from “business cards, to letterhead, to automatedemails” and more.
Working with an expert firm can help any business modernize a brand.And in doing so, your new look and new logo can recharge yourbusiness at the right time in a competitive market. When the timecomes, Idea Custom Solutions can rebrand your company quickly andprofessionally, as well as enable you to offer rebranding services tocustomers — complete with logo design to creation of new marketingcollateral and business documents.
TWO IDEA CUSTOM SOLUTIONS TEAMMEMBERS MAKE THE POWER 75
Just this fall, two members of our team were named to the “Power 75”list by Stitches Magazine, a publication of the Advertising SpecialtyInstitute.
For the sixth year in a row, Stitches has named the top companies andkey people among apparel suppliers and manufacturers, to point outthe innovators, “movers and shakers, and risktakers” that have playeda major role in reshaping the decorated apparel industry.
Joanna Grant, Vice President of Graphic Production, and Jay Busselle,who heads up Idea Custom Solution’s business development, wererecognized for their work in the industry and evolving the company aspart of its recent rebranding to better support promotional productssuppliers, distributors and decorators.
Today, Idea Custom Solutions provides clients with a range ofbusiness services and support that facilitate their growth andprofitability. The new tagline, “Your success. That’s the whole Idea!”reinforces our mission that companies view Idea Custom Solutions asa partner rather than a vendor.
KEEP MOVING FORWARD TO STAND APART
During a cold winter morning on December 26, 1776, someone took arisk that paid off. That day, a littleknown general named GeorgeWashington led a band of soldiers in a small fleet of canoes across theicy Delaware River to surprise enemy troops who were holed up inTrenton, New Jersey, and resting after their holiday festivities. Bycontinuing to pursue their goal and doing the unexpected, Washingtonand his men captured about 1,000 Hessian soldiers and won a moralvictory.
The same principle applies to entrepreneurs because business keepsgoing yearround. The most successful people know they have topersist no matter what the day or the season. While competitors laylow, they find ways to improve their skills and companies. Here are afew tips so can start the year off strong.
Keep Connected, Keep Business Moving. Restarting theregular communications that halt with the holiday — as soon aspossible — is one way to boost activity. Likewise, “slow months”are the perfect time to drop in on customers, follow up, or justsay hello. Employ simple communications to heat things up andhelp you further develop relationships or generate newprospects. Pick up the phone, make an appointment, or evenset the stage with an email.
Plan Ahead for Opportunities. Planning ahead for the monthand the beginning of the year means different things to differentpeople. But as the person who knows your business best, it iscritical to position yourself to be most successful. Be sure to armyour business with the tools and personnel needed. Forexample, when small business owners know they will have tohire salespeople, production staff or marketing help later on inthe year, it often makes sense to start scouting and interviewingnew employees and talent now in the supposedly “slower”
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Sachin MaharanorUnit Supervisor, Digitizing
Sachin has been with Idea CustomSolutions since 2007. He is the unitsupervisor for digitizing and, in thisrole, focuses on quality improvementand training for the team. Hispromotion to this position is one ofthe proudest accomplishments forhim, along with reaching themilestone of nine years with thecompany.
To anyone not familiar with IdeaCustom Solutions, Sachin says, “It isthe most successful company inembroidery digitizing in the graphic
TweetThat!
TweetThat!
TweetThat!
TweetThat!
winter months.
Recently, CEO of ConnectOne Bank Frank Sorrentino explainedin a quick video how companies like his plan for for rapid growtheach year. Sorrentino thinks that preparation is one of the mostimportant parts of running a business and stated that, whencompanies “don’t plan” for their growth by making investmentsin equipment or adding the right people, “that’s when they getthemselves into trouble” down the road.
Retool and Tune Up. Keep in mind that every new yeartypically means new products are on the market. Use theseason to become more familiar with products that may beperfect for your target market (maybe by attending events suchas the ASI Show in Dallas) and meet existing customers’ needs.You can also work on sharpening your presentation skills andnail down your tactics to convert opportunities to close businessin 2016.
Moreover, retooling yourself and your business should involve“cleaning up” from 2015 and making room for a fresh new year. KevinDaum, a bestselling author, identifies actions such as getting rid ofexcess and (literally) cleaning out your work space as cathartic andliberating. With less clutter, you will be able, he writes, to focus on newskills to improve while properly revisiting 2015’s successes andfailures.
By keeping active in your business, it’s more likely you will shake offany winter chills. Better yet, you will come to view snow days andslower times as chances to tighten your game and capitalize onopportunities that competitors will miss. Idea Custom Solutions is here24/7 to provide you with graphic production and business services!
CLIENTS ARE RAVING
“ I am SO glad that I gave Idea Custom Solutions a chance, aswe’ve been very pleased ever since. Each art project we submithas been done exactly as we requested and in a VERY timelymanner. The EPS viewer has been a godsend because we do nothave any of the programs to view these types of files on our own.We are looking forward to sending more projects your way andutilizing your company for virtual layouts for our clients. ”
Theresa GonzalezOwner, Stay Visible
Embroidery Digitizing
industry.”
He is married to Asha and has adaughter named Shreya. Onweekends, Sachin likes to watchmovies with them. “My favoritemovie is ‘3 Idiots’ and I also like towatch Discovery, because it is veryinformative channel.”
During the week, Sachin’s favoriteactivities are playing cricket andspending time with his friends. Healso enjoys swimming and playingfootball, as well as collecting stampsand coins.
Sachin’s goal is to give his best toIdea Custom Solutions to help growthe company and himself. “I wouldlike to become the best trainer in thecompany. I am a very sincere andhardworking guy and alwaysavailable if you need me.”
TWEET THAT!
Let Idea Custom Solutions help youfind content for social media:
Not only did theeconomy rise in2015, so did demandfor corporate giftsand#PromoProducts.http://goo.gl/UhLxcz
Jamba Juice isoffering customersbranded#PromoProducts asincentive to pay withAndroidPay.http://goo.gl/A9MjfC
Your #logo’s color isjust as important asits design elementsand the name of the#brand that youpresent.http://goo.gl/KMfdhL
What are the “4 BestWays to #Brand aSmall Business” in2016?http://goo.gl/U2BJJh
CBS Sports gotready for itscoverage of#SuperBowl50 with a
TweetThat!
TweetThat!
TweetThat!
TweetThat!
TweetThat!
TweetThat!
Vector Artwork
new #logo to matchits marketing.http://goo.gl/0kXBab
#Logos are not justcorporate badges.They are anopportunities for yourcompany to engageits audience.http://goo.gl/JFL5Kk
Ghostbusters isprimed for a reboot insummer 2016. TheGhostbusters #logo,designed by the lateMichael Gross,remains iconic.http://goo.gl/7x1vzJ
What would#MajorLeagueBaseball#logos look like in a#StarWars universe?http://goo.gl/44AaVF
#Infographics are agreat addition to yourdigital branding and#MarketingCollateral.Here are 5 tips onusing them.http://goo.gl/ghQVxA
#StarWars maniahas sprung off thescreen and onto#PrintAdvertising anddigital media as well.http://goo.gl/XMQZrE