Counselor® PromoGram®
Volume 734 / July 29, 2010
Click here to read this and past issues online.

Freight Costs Continue To Rise
The price of shipping cargo on an ocean carrier has risen two to three times compared to last year's rates, as increased demand has been stymied by lack of space on container ships. The problem stems from slashed inventories last year when retailers and suppliers ordered less product, leading to many carriers being dry-docked. "Business was so bad in '08 and '09 that people cut down on their ordering and the freightliners cut their capacity," said Randy Chen, owner of import company Impex, in a feature article in the upcoming August issue of Counselor. "So everybody's cutting containers and freightliners when all of a sudden business picked up unexpectedly."
Because of the drop in capacity, Chen says a standard shipment from China to a North American port can now take more than a month longer than it used to. Adding to the problem is the practice of "slow steaming," which has become common among carriers. As the name suggests, freightliners have been largely traveling at slower speeds, trying to increase fuel efficiency.

And while distributors wonder when the slowdown will end, suppliers are being squeezed by difficult pricing patterns, especially prevalent if companies don't have existing contracts with shippers. If a company lacks a contract, it's traditionally charged a spot rate, which in the summer of 2009 was at a five-year low of $871 for a 40-foot container shipped from China. This summer, according to firm Drewry Shipping Consultants, the same container requires a spot rate of $2,624, a five-year high. Still, paying this higher price doesn't always guarantee on-time shipping.

"We've all been spoiled," said Marty Lott, president of Top 40 supplier SanMar (asi/84863), in August's Counselor. "Distributors are used to not checking with us, because they assume we'll always have the items they need. Well, now, we may not always have it."

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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 analyze the impact of the latest in a string of cadmium-based recalls and discuss how rising overseas freight costs are directly affecting the ad specialty market. Plus, will a new government plan stimulate the market for small businesses? Check out the video to find out.

Click here to see 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.



Audio Report: Hot List Members Share Their Stories
In Counselor’s August issue, we unveil the people shaking up the industry with new approaches and unique strategies. It’s the annual Counselor Hot List, our group of ad specialty professionals that are running away from the status quo and networking their way to success.

On this week’s ASI Internet Radio Show, two members of the Hot List called in to the show to talk about their latest projects and, well, why they’re so hot. Click here to listen to the Hot List clip from this week’s show.

And, go to www.CounselorMag.com now to check out the whole Hot List from the August issue.



Survey Says Bags Are Top Trade Show Branding Tool
When it comes to promoting a business at a conference or event, conference bags are the best way to get a brand name across, according to a new survey. The study, released by Nexus Collections, found that 23% of respondents selected conference bags as the most effective branding option. "What people are looking for is exposure at the show – not necessarily that people are going to be using these bags afterwards," says Mark Klang, manager of PromosLogos (asi/300581), who says he is not surprised at the strong showing by bags. "Even if it's nothing wild that's really going to get a lot of interest, at least they have people walking around the trade show or the conference with those bags and you've got a nice imprint there."

Pens, conference notepads and lanyards followed on the rankings, with 13%, 12% and 10%, respectively. "Like the conference bags, both the pens and notepads have longevity with many delegates taking them away and using them on into the future," said Nick Jones, Nexus Collections managing director, in a statement. "I can also appreciate the popularity of lanyards as they are so visible at events, every delegate and member of the team sees not just their own, but the hundreds around them as well."

Among the lowest ranked branding efforts at trade shows were the less tangible ones. Sponsorships of educational sessions, programs and catering events held the bottom three spots, with 7%, 6% and 4% of respondents citing them, with advertising and posters with only a slightly better showing. "I'd say t-shirts and pens are my number-one seller," says Unice Latimer, owner of L&L Advertising Supplies (asi/246750), who expected that pens would be even higher on the list of promotions for conferences and events. "Pens are a good one for businesses just to give away for promotional items. It's always good so people can have one on hand or make a note." 


Podcast: Overcome A Summer Sales Slump
On Tuesday’s ASI Internet Radio Show, the hosts took questions from callers looking for advice on how they can stimulate their summer sales. Looking for ways to find new clients and pick up your sales activity right now? Listen to this clip from the show. 

Click here to listen to the overcoming-a-summer-slump 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 on Tuesday, August 3, for our next broadcast when we’ll make a big announcement about the 2011 ASI Shows. Log on to www.asicentral.com/radio at 10:30 am ET 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.



ASICentral: Counselor State Of The Industry 2010 & Exclusive Webinar
Yes, it’s that time of year again. Time for a boatload of industry facts, stats, Top 40s and how-to manuals. Want to know how to prepare your business for growth today, throughout 2011 and even beyond 2012? Then you don’t want to miss this special ASICentral.com feature! Click here to check it out.

Plus, to go along with the State of the Industry issue, Counselor created an educational webinar to give distributors ideas on ways they can plan their businesses over the next few years. Packed with statistics, trends and tips, this webinar is sure to provide inspiration for business growth. Click here to view the educational session.

Got questions, comments or any type of feedback regarding anything ASICentral, don't hesitate to contact us at feedback@asicentral.com. Also, follow ASICentral at: Twitter Facebook YouTube



Last Chance To Nominate New Members For Counselor Power 50
Counselor is now compiling its Power 50 list for 2010 – our recognition of the industry’s most powerful individuals – and we’re looking for feedback from you. Click here to see the list of last year’s Power 50 and let us know whether you think the members are more or less influential today than they were a year ago.

Plus, this is also the place to nominate new people who you think should be on the 2010 Power 50 list. Scroll to the bottom of the survey to submit new candidates for the Counselor Power 50 list. Please write their name and company in the space provided.

Click here to take the survey and make new nominations.



ASI Online Learning Center
Did you know you can take self-paced, on-demand courses at ASI Education's Online Learning Center? This is the newest and most convenient way for distributors, decorators and suppliers to get educated. In our newest course for distributors, "Break Into These Five Hot Apparel Markets," we'll unveil five markets that are buying lots of decorated apparel (think: education, high-tech companies, government entities and more), the types of apparel they buy and how to make the pitch and close the sale.

Click here to take the course.

 



In the News
Harry & David (asi/59710) has appointed Incentives West to service promotional distributors in the West.

Penn Emblem Company (asi/62485) announced that its PennEdge system, a patented, custom emblem program, is now available as a silk screened product.



People On The Move
Adventures In Advertising (asi/109480) have added 25 companies to its network in the first half of 2010, including the following 10 since late March: Mickey Blake, owner of Houston, Texas-based Marketability; Tammy Cormier, owner of Mamou, Louisiana-based Trinity Promotions; Kristin Hollis, owner of Pewaukee, Wisconsin-based Give Promotions; Louis Kaplan, owner of Roseville, California-based The Ultimate Source; Rick Kurman, owner of Lawrence, Massachusetts-based Allstates Business Solutions; Bill and Tina Mehl, owner of Duncansville, Pennsylvania-based Pace Printing & Promotions; Shirley Price, owner of Knoxville, Tennessee-based NuImage Promotions; Stephen Richards, owner of Provo, Utah-based Rich Promos; Ann Marie Robertson, owner of Charlotte, North Carolina-based Red Pepper Promotions; Jeff Vines, owner of St. Louis, Missouri-based STL Style.

Cap America (asi/43792) has named Tom Gillespie vice president of production.



ASI SHOW

TUNE IN TO NEXT WEEK’S ASI RADIO SHOW FOR BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS
A start studded year is planned for The ASI Show in 2011. Tune into the ASI Radio Show (www.asicentral.com/radio) at 10:30 a.m. next Tuesday, August 3, to hear ASI president and CEO Timothy Andrews announce next year’s unprecedented lineup of Keynotes and special events.
Registration, as well as the official hotel reservation sites, will be open at www.asishow.com.

THE ADVANTAGES ROADSHOW WILL BE IN THE NORTHEAST
Don’t miss the industry’s #1 traveling show, the Advantages Roadshow, when it visits the Northeast from August 30-September 2 (Boston, Long Island, Philadelphia and Baltimore).
Delivering a productive, one-on-one atmosphere for distributors to meet with top suppliers, the Advantages Roadshow features free education (sponsored by Fields Mfg., asi/54100) from 8 a.m.-9 a.m., 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.-2 p.m. and exhibit hours from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Visit www.advantagesroadshow.com for complete details. All distributors are invited to attend the Advantages Roadshow for free. No pre-registration is required.

The following are the dates and locations for The ASI Show in 2010 and 2011:
ASI Holiday Preview in Las Vegas, September 13-14, 2010
Orlando, January 23-25, 2011
Dallas, February 16-18, 2011
New York, March 22-24, 2011
San Diego, May 18-20, 2011
Chicago, July 19-21, 2011

Plus, don’t miss the ASI Advantages Roadshow, the industry’s #1 traveling show.
Visit www.advantagesroadshow.com for the complete schedule and go to www.asishow.com for information on all ASI Shows.

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