Counselor® PromoGram®
Volume 888 / January 26, 2012
Click here to read this and past issues online.


Consumer Confidence Hits Eight-Month High

Following a strong December of retail sales, U.S. consumer confidence has reached its highest point since May of 2011, according to new data released from Gallup. In its latest scoring of conditions, Gallup said its Economic Confidence Index improved four points and continued an upward swing that began in the fall of last year. “U.S. economic confidence continues to improve, consistent with recent modest improvement in unemployment, positive news on jobless claims, and the general perception that the overall U.S. economy is getting slightly better,” Gallup said in a statement.

While the new data shows general optimism, Americans’ views of current economic conditions are roughly the same as they were in late January of 2010 and 2011. Gallup concedes that the view of consumers is highly volatile and could change within weeks. In the last two years, after initial optimism, Americans became more pessimistic as time passed. “U.S. gas prices have increased since late December, and the European economy appears to be entering into a recession,” Gallup said. “In addition, this presidential election year is not only likely to produce a political stalemate, but could lead to some political confrontations.”

The increased consumer confidence relayed in Gallup’s data is supported by other recent polls, including one released last week by The Washington Post and ABC News. The Post/ABC poll found that 45% of Americans believe the U.S. economy has begun to recover, a nine-point jump since November.

ASI NEWS
New Strategic Alliance
ASI announces a new strategic alliance with Sourcing City, the market leader of digital services and networking trade events for the ad specialty industry in the U.K.
Find out more.
Record-Breaking Start to Show Season
ASI Orlando posted record-breaking education, attendance and exhibitor levels, contributing to making it the fastest-growing show in the industry.
Find out more.

ASI welcomes the following Suppliers to the LogoMall Network.
Find out more.
Find, review, and purchase the latest exclusive ASI products...
Find out more.

Podcast: Exclusive Michael J. Fox Interview
Tuesday’s ASI Internet Radio Show featured a special interview with Hollywood star, Parkinson’s activist and eternal optimist Michael J. Fox. “Don’t go for the way things are supposed to be,” said Fox, who will deliver a keynote presentation at ASI San Diego. “You have an ability to change things for the better.”

Besides talking about his daily battle with Parkinson’s disease and his fight to overcome it, Fox encouraged listeners to live in the moment. He especially focused on using the power of humor in life and in business. “Humor is essential,” he said. “You can’t take yourself too seriously. Humor helps you maintain humanity and humility. There’s a funny side in everything. Lessons can be learned in the funny side, too.”

Click here to listen to the exclusive Michael J. Fox interview from Tuesday’s show.

And, don’t forget to join us for our next broadcast on Tuesday, January 31. Log on to www.asicentral.com/radio at 10:30 a.m. ET to check it out.



PrintingForLess.com Acquires Southwest Color
Montana-based supplier PrintingForLess.com (PFL) (asi/79558) has acquired assets of Arizona-based digital printer Southwest Color, the companies have announced. Financial terms of the agreement, which was finalized on January 23, were not disclosed. “This deal lets us increase our product offerings and provide faster turnaround,” said Daniel Gaugler, vice president of marketing for PFL. “There’s great value in digital printing. Now we can really personalize each piece, and we can do smaller runs.”

According to the terms of the transaction, Chad Smith, owner of Southwest Color, has joined PFL as its director of digital services. One additional member of Southwest’s staff has also relocated to Montana. “Everybody in this venture is going to benefit immensely,” said Smith. “We call on a different group of customers than PFL, so there’s not much overlap. We will be able to sell what PFL does, which is primarily short-to-medium run, offset work, and have the firepower of PFL’s industry-leading e-commerce platform, which is extremely important.”

Founded in 1996, PFL offers full-color printing services which include business cards, magnets, postcards, brochures, calendars and greeting cards. While declining to provide PFL’s 2011 revenues, Gaugler said his company is “looking at double-digit organic growth in 2012.” PFL executives have also said they plan to pursue other acquisitions this year to continue on a path of expansion.



Counselor’s How-To Minute: A Cost-Cutting Plan
In a video report, Counselor presents a business strategy video each week that focuses on how distributor firms can overcome a specific challenge or rise to the occasion on an opportunity in front of them. This week: How to cut costs to save now and in the long run.

Is it a mistake to allow your staff to work from home? Is there really an advantage to paying vendors early? Have you ever considered the benefits of a wellness program? Check out the video for some targeted advice.

In a quick, minute-long video from the ASI Show Orlando, Counselor Senior Writer Dave Vagnoni walks viewers through three simple steps they can take to trim expenses and improve efficiency. Click here to watch the video.



Top Brands Fail To Leverage Facebook
A new social media study shows some of the world’s leading companies aren’t communicating effectively with consumers through tools like Facebook, suggesting a missed opportunity in customer outreach. “The majority of companies we looked at are not moving toward a more interactive use of social media, even as their customers are becoming clearer about their expectation to interact with their brands,” said Jim Singer, a partner at firm A.T. Kearney, which published the study. “It was clear that most brands are lagging in their social media conversations and interactions.” 

According to A.T. Kearney – which evaluated 50 top brands – 94% of companies land visitors on a one-way communication page. Additionally, the majority of leading companies with a Facebook page have either filtered or restricted their wall to display company-only posts. Twenty-seven out of 48 companies did not respond to a single customer reply, and only four companies – Toyota, GE, American Express, and Citi – responded to more than 25% of consumer postings. “Although on the whole, today’s consumers are satisfied or even surprised to receive a direct reply from a company, tomorrow’s consumers will have much higher expectations,” said Christina Heggie, an A.T. Kearney analyst.

Further data shows companies aren’t creating close to as many personal posts (13% in total) as they are promotional and external posts (61%). Researchers say personal social connections can have a significant influence on brand loyalty. “Getting consumers to put themselves on the line invests them in a brand; whether they ‘like’ it or hate it, they are committing to an opinion,” said Singer. “That’s what companies need to sit up and take notice of, though it seems that all too often, they don’t.”



The Joe Show: Rockin' Ideas
In this episode of The Joe Show, Managing Editor Joe Haley showcases five versatile products that can be used in a variety of markets and campaigns. Have you been looking for a trendy and super-portable USB flash drive? How about a fun item perfect for the music industry, entertainment clients or even trade show promotions? Check out the video.

Click here to watch another brand-new episode of The Joe Show.

Want more videos? Subscribe now to our YouTube videos.



Call For Nominations: 2012 Counselor Awards
Counselor magazine is currently asking for nominations for worthy winners of its prestigious 2012 Counselor Awards. We invite you to send in nominations for the following awards: Person of the Year; International Person of the Year; Entrepreneur of the Year; Woman of Distinction; Family Business of the Year; Marvin Spike Lifetime Achievement Award; Bess Cohn Humanitarian Award.

Please e-mail your nominations, including a few sentences about each nominee, to Karen Akers, awards editor, at kakers@asicentral.com. The deadline for nominations is Tuesday, January 31.



Last Call For Entries: Counselor Product Design Awards
Counselor magazine is looking for innovative products for its Product Design Awards competition. Suppliers are invited to nominate their favorite eye-catching products in the following categories:

• Apparel/Caps
• Awards & Recognition
• Bags
• Calendars
• Computer Accessories
• Desk Accessories
• Drinkware
•Electronics
• Housewares
• Meeting Products
• Packaging
• Sporting Goods
• Watches & Jewelry
• Writing Instruments

In order to enter, please submit the following three items: 1. A sample of the product (We recommend that the product be exclusive to the supplier that is submitting it, although this is not a requirement.); 2. A quick description of the product, including any special features; 3. The category that the product should be considered for. There is a limit of one submission per category, per company. All submissions will be judged on the following areas: design appeal, functionality and the ability to attractively feature a logo (when appropriate). Winners will be featured in the May issue of Counselor.

Please send all entries to: Karen Akers, Awards Editor, Counselor Magazine, 4800 Street Road, Trevose, PA 19053. Questions? E-mail Karen Akers at kakers@asicentral.com. Please note that only products from North American suppliers will be considered and the deadline for submissions is tomorrow, January 27.


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In The News
Crystal D (asi/47759) has announced that employees donated $4,450 to the Keystone Community Food Shelf in St. Paul, MN, through payroll deduction services in 2011.

Flexfit/Yupoong has announced a partnership with the Long Island Ducks and Bridgeport Bluefish baseball teams, in which the company is the official on field headwear for both teams and will be the first choice for all retail sales at the Waddle In Shop and Bluefish Gear Shop during the 2012 season.

One Stop (asi/75085) will launch a new Web service that allows customers to design their own website and start an online business at no cost. For more information, visit www.onestopinc.com and click “Custom Websites” under the Marketing Tools tab, or call 800-968-7550. The company has also released its 2012 catalog collection, which features 1,006 products from 100 brands.

Post-Up Stand (asi/79052) was recently featured in The Cleveland Plain Dealer for its success in creating large banners and displays for trade shows and customer showrooms.

Prime Line (asi/79530) has added 10 new designs to its line of Rubik’s products, including the Rubik’s Highlighter, Rubik’s Highlighter Set with Magnets and the Rubik’s Puzzle Pen.

Tervis Tumbler Co. (asi/90914) carried out a “Smart Cup” campaign in the second half of 2011, in which humorous punch lines and interactive customer experiences combined to win over customers for the company’s line of innovative insulated drinkware.

Zebra Marketing (asi/365683) recently named Rob Hewitt the Zebra Top Producer for 2011 and Sue Reed the Salesperson of the Year for 2011.



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People On The Move
Alternative Apparel (asi/34850) has announced that Mark Robinson has been named director of sales.

Ash City USA (asi/37127) has appointed Laura Turner to the new position of vice president, marketing.

Gold Bond (asi/57653) has hired John Mezzatesta as the new strategic account manager for New York and New Jersey.

Jetline (asi/63344) has announced that Megan Erber, regional sales manager for the Mid-Atlantic sales territory, will now be covering the state of New York, in addition to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

Trimark Sportswear Group (asi/92122) has announced that Michael Snyder has joined the company as director of U.S. business development.

Zebra Marketing (asi/365683) has announced that Sue Reed, Elliott Colebeck, Kimble Walch and Brad Babish have been named senior account executives.



ASI SHOW

STAY ON THE CUTTING EDGE FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR OFFICE
Do you want to stay fresh and on the cutting edge without leaving your office? Look no further than the ASI Virtual Trade Show taking place February 15, 2012. All distributors are invited to attend for FREE!
Register now and plan to:

  • Peruse the booths of leading suppliers displaying hot, new products
  • Chat with vendors about specific client projects
  • Participate in ASI Education – all part of the ASI Certification Program
  • Network with other sales professionals in the online Lounge

Visit www.asivirtualtradeshow.com for more information and to register for FREE. The ASI Virtual Trade Show hours are from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15.

THE ADVANTAGES ROADSHOW IS HEADED WEST
Just as you rely on Advantages magazine to find the hottest items and latest ad specialty trends, you can count on the Advantages Roadshow, the industry’s most popular traveling show, to deliver great suppliers and new marketing ideas when it visits your town.

All distributors can attend for FREE!

February 6 ● Seattle ● Embassy Suites Seattle North - Lynnwood
February 7 ● Portland ● Sheraton Portland Airport
February 8 ● Sacramento ● Doubletree  by Hilton Hotel Sacramento
February 9 ● Concord ● Crowne Plaza Walnut Creek/Concord
February 10 ● San Jose ● Embassy Suites Milpitas

Enjoy free education from 7:45 a.m.-9 a.m. and 1 p.m.-2 p.m. and tabletop exhibits from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information and to register, visit www.advantagesroadshow.com.

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


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