Admin

Oct

2009

Promotional Products “Write It Down”

I’m sorry, but I’m not finished talking about Mad Men yet. This week, Paul and Peggy — it doesn’t matter that you don’t know them — are trying to come up with an ad campaign for Western Union. Paul feels outshone by Peggy, and is determined to impress Don. All night before the big meeting he stays in his office, drinking and brainstorming to little success until suddenly, while grabbing some leftovers from the break room refrigerator, it comes to him: the perfect idea. Satisfied, he returns to his office, pours himself another glass, and passes out on the couch.

The next morning Paul is awakened by his secretary (the same one who drove the lawn mower over someone’s foot last month), and after searching his office up and down for last night’s light bulb moment he realizes the terrible truth: He didn’t write it down. Somebody at Sterling Cooper should have ordered some promotional jotters. Paul could have slipped one in his jacket pocket on the way to the break room and saved his idea.

Fortunately, when Don hears the news he commiserates with Paul — “I hate when that happens” — and inspires Peggy to wax that “the faintest ink is better than the best memory.” Hey, couldn’t that apply to Western Union too? Then Don produces the perfect tagline for selling telegrams: “You can’t frame a phone call.”

So take a lesson from Mad Men, and make sure your company’s next big idea doesn’t fall by the wayside. Write it down with promotional jotters.

Oct

2009

Motivate and Reward Employees With Promotional Awards!

While salary and benefits certainly are factors in regards to motivation for employee productivity, research has shown that a personal sense of accomplishment and being rewarded for hard work are more powerful motivators when it comes to output in the workplace. In fact, the Wall Street Journal found that 4 out of every 5 employees stated they would switch companies for the same salary if they knew that they would receive praise and recognition for their work in the new company. Thus, companies today are beginning to create corporate awards programs for their companies as they realize the magnitude of the effects recognizing and rewarding employees has on their performance.

Awards can be presented to employees for a range of purposes from simple recognition or appreciation awards, awards for service or anniversaries, incentive or achievement awards, and even awards for the attainment of specific goals like those relating sales. When giving these awards to employees, companies just need to make sure they maintain fairness and consistency regarding the efforts that delineate receiving such honors. Each person who makes the same or similar contributions should have equal opportunity to receive an award for these efforts. Each month at Pinnacle Promotions for example, we give out beautiful glass awards for the “Employee of the Month,” a worker nominated by their peers for the hard work and dedication, as well as a “You’re So Money” Award to the sales employee with the highest gross margin for the month and an “ABC – Always Be Closing” Award to that employee with the highest total monthly sales. (Katie Barnes, this month’s “Employee of the Month” is pictured with her glass award above!)

Additionally, companies should also consider giving awards that acknowledge certain groups of employees or even the entire company, as it is the dedication of all employees that contributes to a business’ success. At Pinnacle Promotions, in addition to our monthly individual awards, we have a monthly sales contest that sets goals for the company to achieve as a whole. If we meet these particular objectives, we are all awarded with a company-wide prize that ranges from a catered breakfast, to a cash grab bag drawing, to a balloon popping contest like we had last Friday for attaining our September goals! Pinnacle employees gathered to the front of the office and chose a balloon to pop. Inside each balloon was a gift certificate with a variety of offerings. In this way, the company created a fun, motivating event and everyone was a winner!

Oct

2009

Promotional Products: Recipes for Successful Marketing Campaigns

I adore October. Yes, I like that the leaves begin to change and the temperature drops, but mostly I love October because it is National Dessert Month. And while I have never become a cooking aficionado, I have loved desserts since I was two and lived across the street from a TCBY. Although I couldn’t even pronounce the word “yogurt,” my noises and hand gestures were enough to communicate my nightly need for the tasty treat, and the unsightly yogurt stains on all my clothes proved my dedication. I still love yogurt and devote a lot (perhaps too much) of my spare time to trying the latest soft-serve stores, but I have also grown to love baking and all other forms of dessert.

Aside from being delicious, dessert is great because it brings people together. How many memories involve sharing pumpkin pie with family on Thanksgiving or indulging in giant ice cream sundaes at childhood slumber parties? And, dessert plays a major role in popular culture from its presence in songs and movies to the old maxim “life’s uncertain, eat dessert first!”

That’s why promotional kitchen utensils, including ice cream scoopers and measuring cups, are ideal ways to incorporate your brand into everyday use. Because one thing is for certain: in today’s media-cluttered world, becoming a valued part of any home provides great exposure for your company.

And, in case this blog posting has made you hungry for more than just tips on how to effectively utilize promotional products, here’s a recipe for my fall favorite- zucchini bread:

3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups white sugar
2 cups grated zucchini
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour two 8×4 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, beat eggs until light and frothy. Mix in oil and sugar. Stir in zucchini and vanilla. Combine flour, cinnamon, soda, baking powder, salt and nuts; stir into the egg mixture. Divide batter into prepared pans.
3. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until done.

Enjoy!

Sarah
Creative Writing Intern

Oct

2009

Building Business Relationships with Promotional Products

I was driving to work the other day when I noticed a billboard featuring an advertisement for a popular company. It (not surprisingly) boasted how much money I could save by switching to their company. I couldn’t help but think about this statement and wonder what it is that makes these advertisements so common. Simply because you attract a new customer based on price doesn’t mean that you have secured a life-long business relationship.

I know that times have been tight, but I greatly value and respect the long-standing relationships I have with some of my service providers. Take my car insurance provider for example. I’ve been faithfully with the same company since I was old enough to insure my own car. We have a relationship. I know whom I can call if I’m in an accident – or if say a tree falls on my car. I wouldn’t trust my car, home and most prized possessions to just anyone. I want a dependable and trusted ally to fight for me. The same principle is applied to all of my service providers all the way down to our pest control company – Larry and I are on a first name basis. My dog, Sadie, greets him warmly every time he comes to spray around the house. Even my favorite shoe and clothing stores keep me hooked with specials “just for me” and free gifts with purchase. I wouldn’t switch from these companies just to save a buck or two.

Now, when it comes down to it, I’ll admit that money is important. But when it’s a dollar difference – and it isn’t in your favor as the product or service provider – what have you done to insure that that additional dollar won’t cost you your business? This is where relationship building comes into play. When you nurture your relationships with your current customers, you have a greater chance at overcoming the smaller obstacles when they arise.

One of the best, and easiest, means of building business relationships it to express your gratitude to your customers. When you thank a client after the close of a sale or simply for being your customer for another year, you show them that you are more than just another company. You reinforce a personal connection that is oftentimes stronger than a business association with a foundation based only on price. Distribute promotional products to your clients after the close of a sale. Or send out a promotional giveaway to all of your customers as the year winds down. You give them a tangible reminder of who you are, what you sell and what service you provide. And don’t forget to give corporate holiday gifts to your top customers (and employees of course). No matter how large or small the gesture may be, helping to reinforce that connection with your clients helps keep your business strong enough to weather the tough times.

Oct

2009

Promotional Gifts to Lift Any Grouch’s Spirits

According to Sesame Street, today, October 15, is National Grouch Day. Obviously in honor of the famed Sesame Street character, Oscar the Grouch, it is said to be a day for grouches everywhere to revel in their way of life, spreading grouchiness and misery far and wide, and only ever shedding happiness upon the misfortune of others.

Oscar the Grouch is a Muppet character that has been a part of the celebrated television series since its very first season, which aired in 1969. He has a green body, no nose, and lives in a garbage can (I can only infer that designing the character without a nose was a strategic move on the part of the creator, enabling him to be well suited for his place of residence). And while he is characterized by his petulant nature, and purports a desire to spread his ill-tempered ways to everyone around him, Oscar is actually used to teach children about respect and tolerance, rather than enforcing his poor behavior. Through Oscar, children are meant to learn that people with different outlooks and lifestyles can not only coexist peacefully, but actually be friends. In fact, Oscar is quite friendly with many other characters on the show, including the trash man Bruno, his girlfriend Grunfgetta, and even Big Bird.

So while this day does provide free reign to express one’s ultimate grouchiness, it also can make one aware of the negative effects grouchiness can produce in the office. Recurrent displays of a poor attitude and “grouchy” behavior can certainly lead to discontent throughout any workplace, as it is easy to spread to others, even resulting in overall reduced productivity and a general feeling of discontent. While the office is one of the easiest places to fall victim to this with the prominence of stress and pressure typically overarching a corporate culture, it is important for companies to examine the presence of such moroseness in their business and take steps to amend it if need be. Offering promotional gifts to show appreciation for employees’ hard work and efforts is one way to do so. A promotional gift can have a greater impact than one realizes and is sure to halt any grouch’s foul mood, and bring a more positive overall aura to the workplace. Even Oscar can exhibit feelings of happiness in regards to his favorite thing – trash. But go ahead and be grouchy for today…

Fun grouch fact of the day: Did you know that during the first season of Sesame Street in 1969 the character Oscar the Grouch was orange? A green Oscar appeared on The Flip Wilson Show in 1970 and explained that he had recently vacationed at “Swamp Mushy Muddy”, where the slime and mold had turned him green overnight. Here he is in his original orange, singing his classic hit, “I Love Trash.”

Jaime
Team Lead – Multimedia

Oct

2009

“So then we put a tourniquet on the CEO…” What Happens When You Forget Promotional Products

There have been a lot of posts on here lately about television shows, but… well, there’s going to be one more.

I just started watching Mad Men this season, after I caught a few episodes on a Delta flight and got hooked. (I have no idea what twist of fate dropped this gem in my lap and spared me several hours of Two and a Half Men or Jon and Kate Plus Eight, except that I have a history of fortunate flying, and have been seated next to more than my fair share of wildly attractive strangers. Don’t worry; I’ll get what’s coming to me.)

Everything I had heard about Mad Men is true: The episodes progress as slowly and meticulously as chapters in a Dostoevsky novel, Don Draper is an unequivocal womanizer, and the dresses are real pretty! Wardrobe aside, I enjoy the slow pace and rich shots because I watch television very closely and can’t stomach the shaky cameras of reality shows. After following the show for only a short time, the characters have become fixtures in my life, and when I clicked over to the Emmys directly after an episode last month and spotted Betty Draper standing on stage, she looked as still and deathly serene as she always does, and I couldn’t get it through my head that she is an actor, not a housewife.

As Mad Men received the Emmy for Best Drama that night, on another channel at the same time the show was throwing a bomb at its unsuspecting viewers.

The episode was more boring than most. For 45 minutes it had waded through corporate meetings, reorganization flowcharts, quiet conversation after quiet conversation, and was about to arrive at a long-awaited conclusion during an office going-away party for Joan, replete with birthday cake and bounties of booze, per usual at Sterling Cooper Ad Agency. Peggy and Joan were talking about something boring, a few people in the background were playing around on a lawnmower on loan from John Deere, and then — then, the totally unbelievable happened:

Warning: If you get offended or nauseated easily, do not watch this video. If you are a good parent, do not let your child watch this video.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why you invest in promotional first aid kits.

Acree
Creative Writing Intern

Oct

2009

Promotional Products Around The Office

I’m not a big television watcher, but I have to admit that I have an unhealthy obsession with The Office. It’s the only show I watch, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world. My roommate knows not to talk to me during that special half hour on Thursday nights and my parents have learned not to call at that time. I sit on my couch, talk to my TV and act like I am a part of the funny office pranks and lunchroom gossip. In fact, when Jim and Pam got married last week, I was almost a little hurt that I wasn’t invited to the wedding.

The plus side of not actually knowing Jim, Pam, Dwight and Michael is that my work life is much calmer, more enjoyable and productive. And while Pinnacle certainly doesn’t have employees as extreme as any of the individuals on The Office, over the past six seasons I’ve come to appreciate that these characters are based on universal office truths.

With that being said, here are a few recommendations for promotional gifts to increase brand visibility among clients and employees who resemble the following characters:

Pam- Pam would love a custom journal so that she could practice her drawing any time inspiration hits. Or, keep her warm and stylish by giving her another classic cardigan sweater to wear.

Jim- Now that he has earned a well-deserved promotion, Jim would benefit from a personalized, executive-style briefcase. And of course, he can never have enough office toys in his desk to help him annoy Dwight.

Dwight- Nerdy and hard-working, Dwight would appreciate an ID badge to ensure that his identification never gets lost during adventures on his farm or a calculator (in particular one that fits right in his pocket) so that he can always maintain efficiency.

Michael- Where to even begin? He would go crazy for an acrylic award, especially one imprinted with the words “best boss” (think The Dundies episode) and he is definitely in need of a digital or atomic clock so that the employees of Dunder Mifflin can never set the time forward again.

No matter what you choose, personalized promotional products will win you awards for your marketing campaign.

Oct

2009

Live from Atlanta… Its Promotional Products Live!

The word “promote” generally encompasses the acts of advertising for, making publicity for, or trying to sell something, namely a product, service, or idea. There are many ways to promote a product, service, or idea, including through the use of media coverage, networking, and/or the distribution of promotional products.

Television is one particular media outlet that has proven to be effective at promoting individuals and brands, and Saturday Night Live has been an integral way for up and coming musical artists, actors, and other celebrities to gain widespread exposure through weekly guest appearances and performances. On October 11, 1975 Saturday Night Live premiered with host George Carlin. This sketch comedy and variety show has reached legendary status, and has featured such prominent figures as The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Candice Bergen, and even several former American presidents!

Whenever I am in need of a good laugh, I often turn to reruns of classic Saturday Night Live episodes for comic relief. One of my personal favorite segments on Saturday Night Live is Weekend Update, and with the upcoming holidays, I thought the following clip would be appropriate.

Please note: Christmas is NOT cancelled this year! In fact, you can make this holiday season even more memorable for valued customers and staff by giving them promotional Corporate Holiday Gifts imprinted with your brand’s name and logo.

Oct

2009

Pinnacle’s Lyrics Lounge: Promotional Products Inspired by Music

Today featuring: Where the Streets Have No Name by U2 – the opening track from their album The Joshua Tree, released in 1987.

I have chosen to feature U2 specifically because this past Tuesday night U2 held a concert at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta and two of our Pinnacle employees were lucky enough to go! The tickets were purchased by Pinnacle as a reward for meeting company sales goals and Pinnacle employees Shelley and Jodi won the tickets in a company drawing! Here’s some pictures they took at the concert!

I wanna run, I want to hide
I wanna tear down the walls
That hold me inside
I wanna reach out
And touch the flame (1)
Where the streets have no name

I want to feel, sunlight on my face
I see the dust cloud disappear
Without a trace
I want to take shelter (2)
From the poison rain
Where the streets have no name

Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
We’re still building, then burning down love
Burning down love, and when I go there
I go there with you, it’s all I can do

The city’s a flood and our love turns to rust
We’re beaten and blown by the wind (3)
Trampled in dust
I’ll show you a place
High on a desert plain
Where the streets have no name

Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
We’re still building, then burning down love
Burning down love, and when I go there
I go there with you, it’s all I can do

Our love turns to rust
We’re beaten and blown by the wind
Blown by the wind, oh, and I see our love
See our love turn to rust

Oh, we’re beaten and blown by the wind
Blown by the wind
Oh, when I go there, I go there with you
It’s all I can do

Lyrical References:

1 – A Promotional Candle to feel a real, as opposed to a metaphorical, flame.

2 – A Promotional Umbrella to take shelter from the poison rain.

3 – A Promotional Windshirt to handle all weather elements.

Oct

2009

Promotional Drinkware with Personality

Today my promotional words of wisdom are inspired by a fun, hooded little fellow who is currently occupying a prime spot on my office desk. Almost too cute to utilize for his intended purposes, my trendy friend, the Biodegradable Sweatshirt Water Bottle, is looking down over my keyboard from my paper tray.

Now I know that it would be practical to sip cool water from the BPA-free plastic bottle that is so uniquely insulated by the oh-so-cute pocketed hoodie sweatshirt he is wearing, but currently I’m enjoying dressing him up to fit my mood for the day. With a drawstring hood that actually does cinch up, cinch down and tie – for purposes that I can only assume are to keep the wind out of his face – I’m finding this water bottle to be a perfect stress relieving, smile-inducing addition to my desk.

This brings me to the overriding point of this blog. Promotional drinkware is not the lackluster promotional item it was sometimes seen as in the past. With new and unique drinkware pieces popping up everyday, it is easy to find the innovative piece that fits your brand and corporate personality perfectly. While a traditional ceramic mug, tumbler or travel mug is always a great way to promote your brand, sometimes you want to spice up your mix a little. With football season in full swing right now and everyone relaxing a little more as they enjoy the few short weeks before the chilly winter weather sets in, it’s a great time to incorporate a little youthful personality into your promotions. The Sweatshirt Water Bottle is a great place to start. Fun and functional, this promotional piece is sure to put a smile on the faces of recipients while landing a spot on their desk and as a prime member of their drinkware repertoire.

The hooded beverage holder a little too youthful for your upcoming promotions? Colorful travel mugs, stylish desk mugs and drinkware accessories are other great ways to personalize your campaigns. Think outside the norm and add some personality and fun to an ever-popular and practical piece of promotional drinkware.

Kim
Marketing Coordinator

Admin

Promotional Products “Write It Down”

Motivate and Reward Employees With Promotional Awards!

Promotional Products: Recipes for Successful Marketing Campaigns

Building Business Relationships with Promotional Products

Promotional Gifts to Lift Any Grouch’s Spirits

“So then we put a tourniquet on the CEO…” What Happens When You Forget Promotional Products

Promotional Products Around The Office

Live from Atlanta… Its Promotional Products Live!

Pinnacle’s Lyrics Lounge: Promotional Products Inspired by Music

Promotional Drinkware with Personality

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