Survey Reveals Top Markets To Target
IBISWorld, a market research analysis firm, recently released a report that lists the industries expected to perform the worst and best in the next 10 years. The survey offers plenty of insight for small business leaders looking to explore new markets. “Technology and innovation continue to influence the list fairly significantly,” says George Van Horn, senior analyst for IBISWorld. He points out that voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) providers (like Skype or cable companies offering the technology) topped the list, along with eCommerce in the fourth spot and search engines in the eighth. At the same time, the worst performer is predicted to be soon-to-be antiquated wired telecommunications carriers, while brick-and-mortar DVD and video rental providers take the fourth spot, as online providers broaden their market share.

Distributors in the ad specialty market agree that the tech and online-focused industries are where they’re seeing potential. John Festa, senior sales consultant for Geiger (asi/202900), says that online shopping and high tech areas in general are showing signs of strong growth.  “Selling on the Internet is growing – and Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and those kinds of things are expanding. Buyers today are younger.” Juan Carlos Lopez, president of Nema Associates (asi/282191), says that, “the companies who are virtually savvy and know how to present their ideas and concepts that way are where things are going,” and as he looks for new clients, this continues to be a key area. “The consumer is becoming very fluid – they aren’t captive like they used to be,” he says.

Van Horne points out that when an industry starts to have serious problems, it’s generally because it’s being eclipsed by a different industry fulfilling consumer needs in a whole new way, or else foreign competition is taking its toll. It’s the latter that explains why manufacturing industries dominate the worst performing list, with tank armored vehicle manufacturers at number two; vacuum, fan and small household appliance manufacturers at number three; and other manufacturing industries taking four other spots in the top 10 worst-performing markets over the next decade. “All manufacturers are aching in these times,” says Lopez, who has seen his manufacturing clients cutting down on spending.

An additional category poised for growth from Van Horne’s perspective is all things green, particularly environmental consultancy, which holds the fifth spot on the best for the decade list. “A lot of the social trends and demographic issues that were influencing business before the recession have done relatively well during the recession.”

Video Report: Industry News Of The Week
In a new feature, Counselor PromoGram is offering a video news report that will highlight the top stories every week. Called Industry Update, each episode will detail the most important trends and news items impacting the ad specialty market.

In this episode, we discuss some thriving end-user markets, introduce a new industry supplier and share information on new legislation sure to impact the market. Click here to watch Counselor PromoGram’s Industry Update.

If you have any news you’d like to see covered on Industry Update or in Counselor PromoGram, please send it to newsdesk@asicentral.com.

New Online Supplier Firm Will Launch Next Week
After a full year of planning and design work, 99CentPromos.com (asi/73967) will launch on Monday, affording a completely automated and full-service Web site with a variety of customer features. The 100% online product provider is being powered by Logomark (asi/67866), meaning the site will offer items that are sourced, manufactured, decorated and shipped by Logomark. "We're tremendously excited about providing for the day-to-day needs of distributors," said Damian Want, senior vice president of Logomark, in an interview with Counselor. "We'll be offering great deals on high quality products. These are first-run products, not clearance. And because the products are from Logomark, customers can also have peace of mind to know the items are safe."

According to Want, 99CentPromos.com will allow distributors to quickly and efficiently find products, obtain proofs and place orders – all completely online. "We've made a significant investment to make this an automated Web site that's hassle-free," says Want. "Distributors should also know that since we won't have catalogs, we're able to pass along the cost savings to our customers."

Podcast: How To Thank Clients
On Tuesday’s ASI Internet Radio Show, the hosts took calls from audience members looking for ideas on how to show clients the love – in honor of Valentine’s Day. Looking for unique ways to thank customers for their business? Check out this podcast.

Click here to listen to the client-appreciation segment from Tuesday’s show.

Florida Firm Finishes Super Stretch  
With the championship celebration still going on in New Orleans, two weeks of intensive Super Bowl-related work are finally winding down for one Florida screenprinter and embroiderer. As an official project partner with Reebok, Atlas Embroidery and Screen Printing (asi/700400) recently produced tens of thousands of Super Bowl-logoed apparel items at its Ft. Lauderdale manufacturing site. “We had our five presses running since the AFC Championship game [two weeks ago],” says Adam Cohen, vice president of sales at Atlas. “After the Super Bowl, we ran them until 10:00 [Monday morning]. This has given us a major shot in the arm.”

The screen printed apparel, which ranges from short sleeve T-shirts to hoodies, was distributed and then sold at sporting goods stores, hotels and other venues throughout Florida. Atlas printed several designs, including items featuring Peyton Manning and Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees. “We had been on their [Reebok’s] radar and we got an opportunity to put a bid package together,” says Cohen. “We went through an extensive site survey, but it came down to our ability to do the job quickly and efficiently. I’d say we hit it out of the park.”

Rather than hire additional temporary workers, Atlas offered its staff of around 60 employees a large amount of overtime hours. “We probably had 60 to 70 hour weeks,” says Cohen. “It gave us the chance to give our people big chunks of money in their paychecks to start them off well for the year.”

Take The State Of The Industry Survey
Counselor is currently polling professionals in the industry – both distributors and suppliers – to see how the market did in 2009 and to get impressions on where the industry is headed in 2010. We need your input. Please take some time to click the appropriate link below and complete the annual State of the Industry survey. Your responses will remain anonymous and you'll be helping to create Counselor's annual State of the Industry report.

Distributors click here to take the distributor State of the Industry survey.

ASICentral: Industry's Top 10 Sexiest Products
Looking for a hot idea for a Valentine's Day promotional giveaway or business gift? Look no further! Introducing ASI's inaugural list of the Top 10 Sexiest Promotional Products.

From chocolate lips to red heart USB drives, we've got a top-10 list that's guaranteed to get you in the mood. As an added bonus, don't miss a special Valentine's Day Joe Show video showcasing some of the products. Click here for complete coverage. 

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New Course Available on ASI Education's OnlineLearning Center 
Be sure to register at http://www.asicentral.com/asionlinelearning for some exciting new courses available exclusively to ASI members. Brought to you by ASI Education, Online Learning is the newest and most convenient way for distributors to get educated. Here are some of the courses from our New Distributor Success Track available now:

NEW: Green Apparel From A-Z: Grow Your Eco-Wear Business. Wearables makes up 30% of the nearly $20 billion ad specialty industry annual sales -- and that includes its growing eco-wear subset. In this course, we'll teach you about the most fundamental eco-friendly fabrics, the important global standards and practices, and the tips to help sell eco-wear and improve your business. 
Course Track: New Distributor Success
* Nailing Down the Basics
* Write Your Business Plan
* Marketing Your New Business
* Steps to Selling Success
* Creative Case Studies
* Avoid These First-Year Pitfalls
* Managing Your Business
* Wearables Crash Course
* Building Profitable Client Relationships.
Coming Next Month:
* Social Networking Tactics That Deliver Results

In The News
Bullet (asi/42424) has launched a new 10 milliliter, alcohol-based hand sanitizer spray gel called "The Spritz."

Crystal D (asi/47759) was honored as the 2010 Supplier Achievement Award winner in the “Etching-Engraving” category at the PPAI Expo in Las Vegas, NV.

Gill Studios (asi/56950) won the 2010 Gold Supplier Achievement Award for "Best Full Line Catalog" (S9-S16) at the PPAI Expo.

iPROMOTEu (asi/232119) has announced that it generated order volume of nearly $48 million in 2009. In the past six years, the company's order volume has increased $30 million, attaining an average annual growth rate of nearly 25%.

Noteworthy (asi/74360) has announced it will no longer charge for artwork.

Penn Emblem Company (asi/62485) is offering a new embellishment program called PennEdge, providing an identification product that uses a special type of stitched border. 

TSC Apparel (asi/90518) has announced that Image Works won the $10,000 grand prize awarded to TSC'S Texas Hold ’Em No Limit Poker Tournament champion. The tournament was held at the Mandalay Bay Casino poker room in Las Vegas.

Vantage Apparel (asi/93390) was honored as the 2010 Supplier Achievement Award winner in the “Embroidery” category at the PPAI Expo. The company's entry was also named "Best of the Best" across all 22 categories.

Ward Promotional (asi/355430) was named "Small Business of the Year" by the Modesto, CA, Chamber of Commerce.

People On The Move
Crown Products (asi/47700) has appointed Phil Harris as vice president of sales and marketing.

FirstPoint International (asi/54405) has hired William Metzler as regional sales manager.

Proforma (asi/300094) has added eight new owners to its network. They are: Terry Allen, Proforma Web & Print Solutions, Belpre, OH; Adam Freidus and Harris Freidus, Proforma Blue Star Promotions, Glen Head, NY; Stephanie Lerude, Proforma Executive Giftsource, Reno, NV; Sandy Dean, Proforma SKD Solutions, Hatfield, PA; Craig McPhail, Proforma Incentive Specialties, Stoney Creek, ON; Andy Mealor, Proforma Ascension Marketing Group, Macon, GA ; Jim Shields, Proforma Premier Promotional Products, Scottsdale, AZ; Alan Snider, Proforma Best Ad Buys, Commack, NY.