Successful Promotions
promotional products • incentives • corporate gifts • meetings • events
www.successfulpromotions.com Volume 89 / August 2013
Click here to see other new and creative promotional products
 
 Cover Story

Thinking Outside the Lunchbox
Wholly Guacamole, America’s top-selling brand of pre-made guacamole, was looking to spice things up like a jalapeno pepper.

Last summer they sent “Boring Lunch Survival Kits” to promote the brand’s 100-calorie snack packs as a back-to-school lunch idea. “This was the first big event we’ve done highlighting the snack packs,” which have been on the market for a couple of years, says Jennifer Sawyer, Wholly Guacamole marketing manager. “We wanted to refresh brand awareness for moms looking for alternatives for their kids’ lunches as an option for sneaking good food into kids’ bellies.”

The survival kits were meant to highlight the versatility of the guacamole snack packs, which encourage consumers to “Dip It, Top It, Spread It, Love It.” The packs freeze well, defrost easily and are great as a spread on sandwiches or a dip with veggies and chips, Sawyer explains.

Wholly Guacamole overnighted about 500 metal retro lunchbox kits with cold packs to trade and consumer media and bloggers. The back of the lunchbox was a dry-erase board, which contained the message, “Out To Lunch, Be Back at _____________.” The lunchbox contained a dry-erase marker, two varieties of 100-calorie snack packs, an avocado shaped squeeze ball, branded chip clip and coupons.

The lunchbox theme was a natural fit with lunch, says Sawyer. “We’re big believers in making an immediate impact,” she says. “We have people that still talk about the avocado-shaped coolers we sent out three years ago.”

An editor recently told Sawyer that she keeps the cooler on her desk and decorates it with the seasons and for holidays. “We wanted that kind of impact with the lunchbox. We hope people will display it on a long-term basis,” she says.

Wholly Guacamole got great feedback from the promotion. Some requested additional samples, and suggested additional media and bloggers to send kits to. Bloggers posted pictures of the lunchboxes on their sites, and Wholly Guacamole gave some away on Facebook. “Bloggers are important in getting across our brand messages to moms,” says Sawyer. “Prizes are important in delivering a brand message, and we take it seriously. Promotional goods are way more strategic than some people give them credit for. It’s about impact.

“We have been a leader in our category for the past 10 years, and promotional products are tools that help generate interest and create intrigue about our brand,” she adds. “It’s a way to interrupt people in their day, and gives us 5, 10, 15 more minutes than we’d get with conventional ads.”

 
 VIDEO

THE JOE SHOW
The Joe Show reveals some of the latest products and promotional ideas available in the market today. Click here to see a brand-new edition of The Joe Show.

 
 What's Your Story?

Tell Us How Promo Products Worked For You
We want to hear your success stories on how promotional products played a pivotal role in your business strategy. Do you have a new employee welcome gift program? Have you used promo items in an awareness campaign, product launch or charity event? Let us know and we'll feature your case study in the Successful Promotions newsletter, and you'll also be eligible to win a $100 Visa gift card. Send an e-mail to jchaykin@asicentral.com with a brief description of your case study, and we'll contact you for further details.

 
 CASE STUDY OF THE MONTH

T-Shirts Help Promote Healthy Message
Akron General Health System wants to be known for its listening skills and recently launched a marketing and consumer-engagement campaign titled, “My Health. My Life.”

“Because Akron General’s goal is to understand the health-care needs of each member of the community, the campaign was launched to communicate this,” says Gina Page, senior account manager/PR with Hitchcock Fleming & Associates (hfa).

Research conducted by Akron General and hfa showed that individuals in the community want a health-care system that listens closely to what they have to say and works collaboratively with them to share important information about their health. The campaign is helping start conversations to achieve the health-care system’s goal. “Our new campaign revolves around education, empathy, collaboration and meeting the wellness needs of everyone at any age,” says Thomas Stover, M.D., president and CEO of the Akron General Health System.

Akron General has thousands of employees and T-shirts were given to them to leverage the staff as brand advocates and to promote the new tagline. “It’s been a huge momentum builder as the positioning is something that every Akron General associate truly believes in,” says Page.

Marketing teams at Akron General and hfa designed the multi-tier campaign that included print, local and cable TV, social media, radio, online, outdoor, paid search and sponsorships. The initial TV spot debuted in April, but some elements of the campaign began in late March.

Be sure to contact your distributor partner to develop your own effective campaign that will lead to successful results.

 
 Product Spotlight

Pink for Life! Full-Color iPhone and Galaxy Cases!
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month...
Go “Pink for Life” with ALL-IN-ONE’s best-selling cases for iPhone 4, iPhone 5, and now the Samsung Galaxy S4!

They’re perfect for raising awareness for fundraisers, events, health care providers, schools, corporate clients... anyone!

Hard plastic smartphone cases / covers printed in stunning
Unlimited FULL-COLOR! Quick Turn service available!

From ALL-IN-ONE® • asi/34256.

 
 SHOWCASE

Back to School Products
It’s that time of year – students are gearing up for their return to school, and they’ll need all the latest promotional items to help them make it a successful season. Contact your ad specialty distributor for these products, and to help with your next campaign.

CARRY ALL. Ultimate organizer backpack has foam panels to protect electronics, a top-entry padded laptop compartment and padded tablet/e-reader sleeve.  asi/84863 STAY COOL. The Super-Pack lunch cooler has a bottom zippered compartment, PEVA lining and a main compartment with Velcro closure. asi/61125
EXPLORE! Discover America with the National Parks Guide USA, part of the National Geographic Kids series. Great school fundraisers or for scouting organizations. asi/73383 EAT RIGHT. Portion control plate ensures kids are getting the recommended amount of grains, proteins, fruits and vegetables. It comes with an activity book that encourages a healthy lifestyle. asi/79930
TRENDY JOURNAL. A unique idea for students of all ages – this journal cover is a hoodie complete with drawstrings and front pocket. Imprint the front with school mascots, fraternity or sorority letters. asi/78825 WRITE NOW. This ballpoint click-action pen with tassel is perfect for tying into a graduation-themed promotion. Great for grads, as well as for any business that markets to them – banks, insurance agencies, etc. asi/78825
 
marketing calendar ••• November 2013

Movember
Have you heard? On November 1, men start clean shaven and then grow a mustache throughout the month helping to raise money for men’s health issues, especially prostate cancer research. Your company can run a fun campaign. Use social media – Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. – to show daily/weekly updates. Solicit clients for donations or ask them to join your efforts. For those who are unable to grow a real mustache, send them finger moustache tattoos or other logoed products that tie into the event. Your distributor can help you craft a fun and fulfilling event.

11
Veterans Day
Pay homage to those who have served this country by attending parades and other events that recognize vets. Visit veterans hospitals to talk to soldiers injured in the line of duty, or call on aging vets at assisted-living homes and other facilities. You can give them patriotic gifts like American flags, military-themed coins, medals and more.

14
Loosen Up/Lighten Up Day
Try this out for a motto, “We take our business seriously, but not ourselves.” And today is the best time of year to run a humor-based promotion. Profile company officials or talk about why it’s silly not to use your products and services. You can even get logoed rubber chickens and whoopee cushions. Ask your distributor partner to help with creating the laughter.

28
Thanksgiving
Now’s your chance to beat the end-of-year holiday crush: When all other companies are sending their clients gifts and cards for Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanza, you can stand out from the crowd with Thanksgiving cards and gifts like serving trays and utensils; plus, you can get them all affixed with your corporate logo. Gifts at Thanksgiving have been a proven winner.

 
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Shopping List

The Best Beverage Insulator At The Lowest Price. Fast Delivery Low Minimums! asi/63681

Made in USA, NO Minimums, Same Day Production Available, and Lowest Price Guaranteed! Your One Stop Shop for ALL Your Promotional Needs! asi/79982

Same Day Tees
With 35 years of experience in screen printing, DTG printing and embroidery, we have grown SameDayTees from a local and respected provider of quick turnaround custom wearables into a trusted and dependable national provider to the ASI industry. asi/81749

Bug Bands Will Keep The Mosquitoes OFF. No Deet, Safe for Kids, Made in the USA. asi/80345

Diamond Cosmetics offers professional health and beauty products providing companies with high quality cosmetic items for Corporate Sponsors of Women's Events, clothing, shoes & accessory manufacturers, health and medical companies, entertainment industry, media, and many more industries and institutions. asi/49640

Quality measuring devices for over 65 years. Stellar service. asi/98160

PSR16 - 16 oz. Solo Soft Flex in White, Red or Blue asi/51730

Made of heavy-duty reinforced banner material and suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Sewn edges with grommets and rope. asi/35964

The Time to Go Countdown Clock is a unique marketing tool designed to create awareness and excitement for events and goals by displaying the days, hours, minutes and seconds remaining combined with customized four color graphics. asi/45451

Pine Treasure Chest. Promotional treasure chests and kits are the perfect traffic builders for trade shows, grand openings, new product introductions and more. asi/80400

QSB86 / Reflective Stripe Cinch Bag
Cinch bag built with 210D polyester featuring top carrying handles, reinforced eyelets and drawstring closure. Great for all ages! Excellent camp and school giveaway. asi/90253

The Tube Winder cleans out and winds up metal, plastic or laminated tubes – just attach to the bottom of a tube and roll toward the cap. asi/92387

Highly detailed die-cast 1/25 scale vehicles & 1/64 scale tractor trailers customized for promotional & premium opportunities.  We also offer pewter & full color enamel  keytags, belt buckles, & medallions.  Low minimum & lead time on many units. asi/88564

3D HoloSpex glasses create spectacular holographic illusions on any bright point of light for holidays, grand openings, and corporate event sponsorship. Amazing patterns, images and logos spring to life creating a visual spectacle and a lasting impression. asi/35591

Premium quality Can Coolers at the lowest prices, guaranteed! Keep your drinks cool at your next event all while promoting your company. Priced as low as $0.35 with many colors and styles to choose from! Rush delivery is available. Made in USA.  asi/92433

203 Skull Cap – Made in the USA. Custom Screen Printing available. asi/88449

Alexa Springs has 5 distribution points, drastically lowering the cost of shipping.  Not only do we have the best shipping rates in the industry but we are also the most competitively priced. asi/34037

Imprinted Flowers
A rose is a rose but an imprinted rose is something else altogether! asi/79982

Show school spirit, team support or organizational pride with trendy slap bracelets. asi/56325

Stadium cup. Entertain and show off your client's logo with a smooth, reusable 12 oz polypropylene cup. Custom imprinted drinkware. Great for food service, meetings, picnics and reunions. Price includes an imprint on 1 or 2 sides. There is no extra charge for 2nd side imprint. asi/45800

Custom Imprinted Key Envelopes are a great way to advertise your business.  Great alternative to a standard business card.  It is the business card that WON’T get thrown away!  Works great as small product packaging too!  Made from heavyweight paper with a reusable metal snap closure.  Two sizes and styles are available in six different colors.  Imprint can be fully customized for your needs.  Full-Color imprinting available.   Prices as low as $0.41 each! asi/51805

These extraordinary glasses carved from the finest food-grade Himalayan pink salt naturally add a nuanced note to complement all leading tequila brands.asi/88719

18" - Stock imprinted foam #1 hand. The originator of the foam #1 hand since 1978! asi/88740

AMERICAN-MADE MARVELS OF MOTION. Custom printed Slinkys in metal and plastic. Full color imprinted pinwheels.  Both branded with your client’s graphics. Produced entirely in the USA. asi/87667

Sheppard Envelope's RFID-blocking Identity TheftGuard sleeves not only protect RFID chip-embedded smart cards, but they print beautifully, making them the ideal product for brand promotion for virtually any industry. Custom printed in one to four colors • Fast turnaround • High Gross Margin • Low unit cost. FIPS 201 Compliant. asi/86872

Free set up • Free e-proof • Free PMS match • Free random sample • 4 color process • Unlimited copy changes • Exact quantity shipped asi/79896

Custom plush eco-leather chair. This plush eco-leather chair will make a great impression on visitors to your office. Choose from over 200 logos, or use the logo you or your customer provide for a totally exclusive look. Easy, one lever height adjustment. asi/54572

TC-001 // Tin Coasters
Tin coaster sets include 4 tin-plated full-color cork-based coasters in an elegant printed tinplate container. asi/63026

WWL 101 - 6” x 6” White/White
Our famous MAGI products are manufactured in the U.S.A. using the highest quality, our expert workmanship and excellent service. asi/57020

Over more than 30 years, Embroidery Concept & Design has gained an impeccable reputation for service and quality that is second to none. We work with hundreds of ASI companies, professional sports leagues and many Fortune 500 companies. asi/52315

Bottle Suit – Double Stitched, Heavy Duty Zipper & Pull-Ring asi/72242

Stay CooL in a SNAP with The CooLooP!
Clean quick-release safely enhances productivity in the workplace & reduces STROKES (lol) on the golf course. It's CooLer than ever to deliver memorable messages & control Heat Stress! Reusable North American Made asi/90159

Custom Keepsake Tin Sprite 24  TF224X
Simply Irresistible! Let them savor all 12 enchanting flavors of snack-sized gourmet brownies. This delectable double dozen comes nestled in a sophisticated silver and purple keepsake tin featuring your full-color logo printed on the lid. asi/53518

 


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