Online Ad Spending On The Rise
U.S. online ad spending is expected to grow by nearly 11% this year, according to a new report published by eMarketer. This week, the market research company revised its original forecast of a 5.5% increase up to 10.8%, due to a surprisingly strong showing in the search and banner marketing categories. "As Google makes gains, so does a large slice of online advertising," said David Hallerman, senior analyst for eMarketer. "When Google reported a 21% jump in net U.S. ad revenues for Q1 2010 – compared with a mere 5.3% gain in last year's Q1 – that was a key signal that the tide was turning."

The boost reflects the growing role that online advertising plays for marketers of all kinds – including ad specialty distributors and their clients. "I'm actually surprised that it's [only an 11% increase]—it's so easy for companies like us to get new clients on the Internet," says Rob Knaszak, president of PDS Corporate Sales (asi/290671).
           
eMarketer expects the search market to increase some 15.7% in 2010, helping boost the online ad sales market to $25.1 billion for the year, up from the $22.7 billion eMarketer had predicted in December of last year. "It's kind of amazing—you think back 15 years ago and nobody had a computer," says John Woodward, owner of Bug Art Studios (asi/149871). He says, though, that he just signed a deal with a customer who found him through his website, and will be using his company to print 5,000 postcards.

The eMarketer survey predicts that the category of online advertising slated to make the biggest gain this year is video, increasing by 48% in 2010, while spending on banner ads is expected to rise 8.2% this year. Further, eMarketer forecasts that overall online advertising spending will increase by 8.4% in 2011 and 12.1% in 2012, reaching more than $30 billion annually two years from now.

Correction: Newton Manufacturing Databases Weren’t Breached
ASI inaccurately stated in a story in Counselor PromoGram on Tuesday that Newton Manufacturing (asi/283300) had its databases breached at least three times by hackers since the fall of 2008. 

Newton's president, Lee Cochran, said there were no intrusions made into any Newton databases. He stated that these issues related to files being transferred from a trading partner for two clients that were intercepted outside of Newton's systems. The discovery of these situations was determined through routine Newton security evaluations. 

"Newton had an unfortunate situation and took appropriate actions with full compliance of regulatory standards and communication to affected individuals," Cochran said."These two clients greatly appreciated these measures as no one was affected and Newton has maintained strong on-going relationships." 

Cochran said Newton continues proactive assessments to assure that system infrastructures are operating securely. 

Video Report: Industry News Of The Week
Every week, Counselor PromoGram offers a video news report that highlights the industry's top stories. Called Industry Update, each episode details the most important trends and news items impacting the ad specialty market.

In this episode, we update how a large industry distributor has refinanced its operations to stave off disaster and reveal one supplier that's on the lookout for private equity investment. Plus, shipping giant UPS is expanding globally – into Vietnam. Click here to check out the trends and 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

Hiring Trends Point Upward
Spurred by more private-sector and Census-related hiring, April employment in the U.S. grew at the fastest pace in four years with companies adding nearly 300,000 jobs. Government data also shows 121,000 more jobs were created in February and March than initial reports estimated. Additionally, with the rise in employment, private payrolls have now grown for four consecutive months, led by gains in the manufacturing and service sectors.

Separately, the latest Employment Trends Index provided by The Conference Board, a private research firm, rose to 94.7 in April, up from 93.9 in March. The index, which uses eight components to measure employment growth and predict the future job market, improved for the eighth straight month. Also, reflecting a new wave of spending, The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index rose more than five points in April, reaching 57.9. "Consumers' concerns about current business and labor market conditions eased again," said Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board's research center. "Looking ahead, continued job growth will be key in sustaining positive momentum."

Internationally, many nations are joining the U.S. in seeing slow, but steady economic growth in 2010. In the first quarter, the economies of Great Britain, Germany, France, Canada, Brazil, China and India all improved.

Podcast: Effective Marketing Strategies
On Tuesday's ASI Internet Radio Show, the hosts took questions from callers looking for advice on how to make their marketing efforts more successful. Looking for ways to improve your self-promotions or do you want some examples of successful marketing campaigns? Listen now to this clip from the show. 

Click here to listen to the marketing-strategy segment from Tuesday's show.

If you'd like to check out a recording of the whole online radio show, go to www.asicentral.com/radio. And, don't forget to join us next Tuesday, May 25, for our next broadcast. Log on to www.asicentral.com/radio at 10:30 am eastern time and give us a call at 215-953-4979 or e-mail us at radio@asicentral.com to participate on the show. We want to hear from you.

Register Now For Free Online Education
Counselor will be hosting two live online education courses next week sure to help you expand your business in 2010. On Wednesday, May 26, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm ET, we'll conduct a live webinar titled Improve Revenues & Margins With Green Products. Want to know how to capitalize on the growing eco-friendly market? Check out this online education session, moderated by Counselor Editor Andy Cohen and sponsored by green-product category leader Anvil (asi/36350). Click here to register now.

Then, on Thursday May 27, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm ET, we're hosting a webinar on how to improve your self-promotions. Looking to ramp up your marketing efforts with self-promos? This session, moderated by Counselor Senior Editor Michele Bell, is for you. Click here to register now for the online education session titled Create An Effective Self-Promo.

Get On Counselor's Hot List
Are you doing something unique, hip, fun or trendy in the industry right now? Do you know somebody who is?

Counselor is looking for nominations of people for its third annual Hot List, which will be published in August – our Hot Issue. We're on the lookout for anyone in the industry who is taking an interesting approach to business, shaking up the status quo or simply networking like a maniac at all hours of the night. We're in search of those people who are making the industry a unique marketplace that's fun and energetic.

Send an e-mail to Karen Akers at kakers@asicentral.com explaining in 50 words or less why your nomination should be recognized on Counselor's Hot List in August. And, please make sure to include a picture of the person you're nominating

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.

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.

In The News
Barker Specialty Company (asi/132690) has announced the incorporation of Barker Specialty Canada, opening a new office in Toronto.

Beyond Zebra Inc. (asi/138945) and Soren Travel Gear (asi/90507) recently helped launch actress Teri Hatcher's new website by producing a promotional campaign that included a Catamaran zip tote giveaway.

Facilis Group has added the following new partners to its network: SBS Promo (asi/315999); Mo' Money Associates (asi/275350) and Evergreen Business Solutions (asi/190426).

Flexfit Headwear (asi/32199) has been named the title sponsor of Agenda Show: NYC, a showcase of streetwear and action sports apparel and accessories.

Pingline (asi/78137) has announced that it is offering an expanded product line this spring, including more eco-friendly USB memory sticks, HUBs, and iPod/iPhone and Blackberry accessories and chargers.

SnugZ USA (asi/88060) has partnered with StoneMass, an online marketing company, to offer distributors a SnugZ USA tab for their Facebook fan page. Distributors can link directly to the SnugZ USA online catalog and view specials and promotions. For more information and to sign up, go to www.stonemass.com.

The Allen Company (asi/34330) was chosen as a finalist for the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award, given by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.

People On The Move
New Clients Promotional Marketing (asi/282470) has announced that Teki Hall has become the majority stockholder in the company and has assumed the positions of president and CEO. Jeffrey Hall has been named executive vice president of sales and business development.