Plan Ahead
The Pitch: The cost of raising a child to 18 is $291,570, not including birth or college. Geez, no wonder I don’t have any money. It’s never too early to start saving and kids should be made aware that money doesn’t grow on trees (my dad’s voice is in my head). Gibco Inc. (asi/56743) offers a wise choice for banks: a really cute plush owl bank (item CP18-bank). Click here to see it: www.gibcoinc.biz. And email supplier for pricing info: cami@gibcoinc.biz.
The Bottom Line: “Who, who, who” wants to save?

Take Stock
The Pitch: While we are on the subject of the financial market, here’s an item for the adults. Item EBK-B&B from La Belle Time/Hurricane Line (asi/66010) is a metal key holder with a bull, a bear, and a dollar sign hanging off a long bar that can be imprinted. I just noticed that the Dow is over 11,000 (whoo hoo!), so people might even start feeling a little better about Wall Street. Think about this item for brokerages, financial planners, banks and more. Pricing starts at: 100; $2.88-R. Click here:
www.hurricaneline.com
The Bottom Line: Bullish.

Master Skills
The Pitch: Congrats to Phil Mickelson on his Masters win yesterday (no offense to his fans, but I was rooting against Tiger). Day 3 LLC (asi/48712) offers a fun product (item #10111) for other Masters-level players (if even in their own minds). It’s the Driving Range Game, which, as you’d assume from its name, golfers play at the driving range. It simulates playing on any course and the compact game booklet includes simple rules, maps, score cards and summary sheets. Think about including this in a tournament goody bag. Pricing starts at: 50; $6.99-P. Email plop@thedrivingrangegame.com for more information.
The Bottom Line: Sure to be a hole in one.

Grumpy & Sneezy
The Pitch: If you think I am talking about 2 out of 7 dwarves, you are wrong. I’m talking about the fact that we are in the midst of an unpleasant allergy season, with near-record pollen amounts being reported. Not to worry, though, because Ariel Premium Supply (asi/36730) brings some relief. Item WHF-CB08 is a mini air purifier that plugs into a computer USB port. It protects the environment from germs, pollen, dust mites, bacteria and smoke. Plus, an added bonus, there are no filters to replace. These would be perfect for any home or office and pricing starts at: 25; $24.74-R. Click here: www4.arielpremium.com.
The Bottom Line: It’s a breeze.

Nominate Your Company for the Best Places To Work Contest
For the third year in a row, Counselor is setting out to identify the industry companies that employees simply love to work for. These are the distributors and suppliers that have a loyal work force and that provide a work environment which employees want to go to every morning.

Counselor will be unveiling its second-annual Best Places To Work issue in September, and it will undoubtedly include an elite list of industry companies. Do you want your company to be considered? Getting involved is easy – and it's completely free to participate. The only necessary qualification is that a company has at least 10 employees. To nominate your company, or any others in the market that you think deserve to be recognized, simply click here. Also, there's no risk to participating. Only the honorees – those companies with the best scores from the survey – will be published in Counselor.

So, don't delay. Click here to register your company to be considered for one of the most exclusive lists in the ad specialty market: Counselor's Best Places To Work.