Staples Promo Division Announces Plant Closure
Counselor Top 40 distributor Staples Promotional Products (asi/120601) has announced that it will close one of its Iowa plants and reduce staff at another facility nearby. In total, effective in January, Staples will lay off 59 employees at sites in the towns of Hawarden, IA, and Marcus, IA. "Volumes declined and so we decided to outsource some work," said Rich Witaszak, general manager of Staples Promotional Products, in an interview yesterday with Counselor. "We're offering all of the employees a chance to work at other locations. Business is doing so well everywhere else."

The Hawarden plant, which is primarily used to decorate headwear, will close outright, while the Marcus plant will remain open, according to Witaszak. All employees at the two facilities were notified of the changes in November. "There is so much work at other places, it makes sense to offer the jobs to our people," Witaszak said.

Despite the plant closure and staff reductions in Iowa, Witaszak says Staples' sales are up "double-digits" for both the fourth quarter of this year and for all of 2010. "Sales have really increased in the last several months," he said. "Things have been very good with key accounts and with all our business." Staples Promotional Products is the largest distributor in the ad specialty industry with 2009 North American revenues, as estimated by Counselor, of $360.8 million.

Video Report: News Of The Week
In this episode of Counselor's Industry Update video, we detail a job reduction for the largest distributor in the industry and reveal a 2010 top-product list from the industry’s biggest online seller. Plus, why has consumer sentiment reached its highest point since June? Watch 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.

4imprint Names Top Products Of 2010
As rated by its customers, Counselor Top 40 distributor 4imprint (asi/197045) has announced its top promotional products for 2010. The list of 11 items includes a grocery tote bag, a pen, two different sizes of business card magnets and a golf umbrella, among others. "This was a fun list to put together," said Greg Ebel, vice president of sales and marketing for 4imprint. "We're constantly assessing likes and dislikes so we can offer our customers the very best. This was a chance for us to step back and see which products came out on top for the entire year."

The ratings, according to 4imprint, are based on customers' experiences and opinions, as relayed through the company's website. Users are also asked to share comments along with their ratings in order to help 4imprint gauge quality and satisfaction. "We review the feedback our customers provide on a real-time basis," Ebel said.

Besides the products listed above, the list also includes a translucent power clip, a sportspak, a coolie, a folding chair and a banner display. The full list can be viewed at www.4imprint.com. "Through the eyes of people who have really used these products to promote their organizations, these products have consistently delivered," said Ebel.

Ranked by Counselor as the fifth-largest distributor in the ad specialty industry, 4imprint reported 2009 North American sales of $165.4 million. The company is also the largest online seller of promotional products in the industry.

Podcast: Get A Bigger Piece Of Client Ad Budgets
On Tuesday’s ASI Internet Radio Show, the hosts took questions from callers looking for advice on how they could get more business from current clients. Looking for ways to expand sales from your best clients? Want to prove to clients that you offer more services than just providing promotional items? Check out this podcast for effective strategies. 

Click here to listen to the client-relationship-expansion 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, December 21, for our next broadcast. Log on to www.asicentral.com/radio at 10:30 a.m. 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.

Consumer Sentiment Reaches Six-Month High
Analysts are now forecasting the best holiday shopping season in four years as confidence, spending and expectations among consumers are all continuing to trend higher, according to a pair of new surveys. The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary index of consumer sentiment in December has risen to 74.2, reaching its highest point since June. Meanwhile, separate findings from a CNBC survey show 60% of Americans plan to spend more for holiday gifts this year, a 10% improvement compared to 2009.

With consumers' optimism increasing, the National Retail Federation is now predicting that November-to-December sales will rise by 2.3% this year, compared to 2009. The International Council of Shopping Centers recently said it expects December sales to improve as much as 3.5%. "I would generally say that the core customer is absolutely back shopping," said Neiman Marcus CEO Karen Katz.

Believing the economy is strengthening, consumers are more likely to buy big-ticket items this year, data also shows. For example, one in six Americans expects to give or receive an Apple product, like an iPad or an iPhone. Only matched by Wal-Mart, electronics retailer Best Buy is now a top choice for purchases, with 48% of Americans saying they will spend money at a big box store this holiday season. Internet sales have reached watershed marks this year as well, with roughly 25% of consumers in the U.S. saying that shopping on the Internet is one of their top two choices for spending, the largest percentage ever.

Looking beyond December, data from the surveys shows 37% of Americans expect the economy will improve in 2011, while just 20% believe it will get worse. Optimism about wages is increasing, too, with workers expecting earnings gains of 2.1% in 2011, up from 1.3% a year ago. For the first time since 2007, the majority of Americans feel the value of their homes will rise in the next year as well.

Webinar Helps Distributors Prove Value Of Ad Specialties
Counselor conducted a webinar last week designed to provide distributors with information and data that allows them to prove the ROI and value of promotional items to clients. Based on the ASI Global Advertising Specialties Impressions survey, the online education session examined the various ways that distributors could use cost-per-impression data to show clients the return on investment they receive from their promotional campaigns.

Click here to watch a recording of the webinar.

And, click here to check out the complete findings of the 2010 Global Advertising Specialties Impressions survey.

Podcast: Exclusive Laura Bush Interview
The hosts of ASI Radio's Tuesday Morning Show recently welcomed former First Lady Laura Bush to the show. Bush shared her experiences in the White House, and offered stories about the many charitable causes that she's involved with. She also provided listeners with ideas for how they can thrive through obstacles and challenges. "Keep your eye on the ball and stay focused," Bush said during the show. "You have to do everything you can to keep your eye on what the goal is and not be sidetracked by other criticisms or problems that come up."

Click here to listen to a podcast of the whole interview.

Counselor Introduces Holiday Party Contest
Have a great company party planned this month? Tell the industry about it, and enter our 2010 Holiday Party Contest. Go to our Best Places to Work Facebook page (www.facebook.com/BestPlacestoWork) or to our website at www.CounselorMag.com to let us know about your company’s holiday party. Did you do something unique this year? What kind of holiday festivities went on in your office?

Let us know now by entering the Counselor Holiday Party contest. Go to www.facebook.com/BestPlacestoWork to upload pictures, videos, and stories. The most creative entry will win a $100 gift card for their office.

In The News
Cap America (asi/43792) has presented John Wermers & Associates with the top sales award at its annual sales meeting in St. Louis, MO.

Distinctive Merchant Services (asi/181212) announced that it has moved to: 10325 Craftsman Way, #106, San Diego, CA 92127. The company's new telephone number is 760-484-0933 and the e-mail remains the same.

RecognitionWorx Inc. (asi/71340) announced that it held a lunch-and-learn seminar for its employees titled "Thrive This Holiday Season: Creating a Healthy Stress-Free Holiday for You and Your Family."

People On The Move
All In One (asi/34256) announced that it has added Theresa Land to its national sales team.

The Allen Company (asi/34330) has announced three new additions to the national sales force: Mark Strauss, Midwest sales representative covering OH, IN, KY, MI and IL; John Gonring, Midwest sales representative covering IL, KS, MO and WI; and Shawn Strohman, central states representative covering IA, MN, NE, ND and SD.

ASI SHOW

HAVE YOU REGISTERED YET FOR THE ASI SHOW?
From the industry’s top suppliers and best-in-class education to an unprecedented list of keynotes and special events, you’ll find it all at The ASI Show. Plus, ASI distributor/decorator members enjoy FREE admission, FREE education, FREE networking and even a FREE hotel room.

Look for these hot events at the 2011 ASI Shows:

• ASI Orlando (Jan. 23-25): The biggest event on the East Coast will feature a dynamic Keynote by actor and activist Michael J. Fox (co-sponsored by Evans Mfg., asi/52840, and Showdown Displays, asi/87188), the Peppermint Twist-Off, the Million-Dollar Sales Summit (Co-sponsored by Fields Mfg., asi/54100, Logo Included and Logo Mats, asi/67849) and a brand-new Gala at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™.

• ASI Dallas (Feb. 16-18): The largest show in the Southwest will feature an empowering Keynote by former First Lady Laura W. Bush(sponsored by Pepco Poms, asi/77280), the Ultimate Texas Bash at Eddie Deen’s Ranch, a Factory Tour of ThermoServ and the ASI Women’s Summit.
  

• ASI New York (March 22-24): The first and only major industry event in New York will feature The Industry’s Biggest Speed Networking Session, a private bash at hip hop mogul Jay-Z’s nightclub the 40/40 Club, the ever-popular Family Business Reception (led by Stephen Treat) and discounted tickets to the Broadway musical Billy Elliot.

• ASI San Diego (May 18-20): The newest event to serve the West Coast will feature the 2011 Counselor Top 40 awards, the Women’s Networking Reception: Build Your Contact, Build Your Business and a private performance by Emmy® award-winning comedian Wayne Brady.

• ASI Chicago (July 19-21): The largest show of the summer and biggest event in the Midwest will feature an exciting Keynote by local celebrity and football coach Mike Ditka (sponsored by BamBams, asi/38228), a sneak peek at new fourth-quarter items during the acclaimed Supplier Secrets Keynote and a new Gala at Chicago hot-spot the Enclave Nightclub.
  

Register today for the 2011 ASI Shows at www.asishow.com or call 877-ASI-SHOW with questions.

THE ADVANTAGES ROADSHOW HITS THE ROAD IN LESS THAN A MONTH
The industry’s #1 traveling show, the Advantages Roadshow, is heading back on the road in early January. All distributors are invited to attend for FREE when the Roadshow visits the Northeast with stops in Boston, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Baltimore (January 3-7, 2011).

Featuring the latest ad specialties from the industry’s leading suppliers, the Advantages Roadshow schedule includes free education from 7:45 a.m.-9 a.m. and 1 p.m.-2 p.m. and exhibits from 9 a.m.-1p.m.

For the complete 12-week Advantages Roadshow schedule, visit www.advantagesroadshow.com.

Follow The ASI Show on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook today!

The following are the dates and locations for The ASI Show in 2011:
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.