Admin

Aug

2009

Promotional Products on the Soapbox Track!

This Saturday I had the great pleasure of attending my first ever soapbox race!

Atlanta was lucky enough to be one of two cities selected to host this year’s annual Red Bull Soapbox Race. Red Bull closed off 10th street in Midtown Atlanta and created a curvy track that tested the skills of each driver and the agility of each handcrafted soapbox car.

Fifty teams entered the human-powered race to compete for the coveted title of first place and a weekend NASCAR experience in Charlotte, NC. Each team was judged on their speed, creativity and showmanship. With each team being encouraged to perform a skit, dance or some form of entertainment prior to their race down the track, there was no shortage of leprechauns, lederhosen, togas and other various “characters” walking the streets of Midtown.

The race was loads of fun and I was incredibly appreciative of the fact that admission to such a fun and popular event was free. And being such a nut about cool advertising techniques, I couldn’t help but notice the promotional products and amazing branding that Red Bull does for this once-a-year event.

As we walked from the train station towards the race, we followed the banners (not to mention crowds of people!) to the designated entrance. An imprinted hand fan was the first item we received as we walked the path to the Pit to see the soapbox cars before the race. Then we received an icy-cold free Red Bull. FREE. Yay! That almost never happens anymore. With the free drink and an invitation to their outdoor lounge area, I actually felt like a VIP for a minute! After we found the perfect place to watch the race, the Red Bull crew (wearing Red Bull tanks) distributed imprinted bells to those lining the track. While that was the extent of the giveaways I actually witnessed (although I did see several Red Bull custom shaped coolers in passing), I would bet that near the finish line and judges’ station (we were at the starting line) many other items were offered as well.

Take a tip from Red Bull when planning your events. Getting your name out into the public is a great way to generate knowledge and demand for your products or services. Need to create buzz about your event? Promotional banners are a great way to market an upcoming event. Post them in areas surrounding the location of the event. They’ll help promote beforehand and add to the excitement the day of. Hosting an outdoor event? Offer guests imprinted hand fans to help them cool off. There’s nothing worse than a cranky crowd of thousands of sweaty people! And make sure to set up drink stations where people can take a quick break from the festivities and grab a water, or in this case, possibly a Red Bull.

While you may not have a tangible free sample of your product to offer or the financial backing to organize such a large-scale event, you can still use some of the demonstrated tips and tricks used by Red Bull to promote and generate excitement about your company. Remember to have fun with your marketing. Entertaining guests and attendants and giving them a promotional product to take home is a great way to increase your corporate branding.

Kim
Marketing Coordinator

Aug

2009

Don’t Forget About Feet: Promotional Products for Tired Tootsies

Did you know that August happens to be Foot Health Month? The month isn’t over yet, so you can still purchase promotional products to help customers and/or employees pamper their feet in time to observe this unique and obscure awareness month… And I can assure you, none of the end users of your “Foot Health” related giveaways will complain if you sneak some of these products into your promotions next month or any other time of year!

Well-groomed toes and feet are especially important during sandal season, so ladies and men alike will appreciate a gift like the Small Foot Care Kit. This set contains all the essentials to get feet in great condition. With the economy still hurting, people have had to cut back on luxuries like regular pedicures, and this product can help women rejuvenate and rehydrate dry, cracked skin on their heels and the soles of their feet. Even men can enjoy this gender-neutral spa kit, although many males will probably claim to want a pouch for their wives or daughters. No matter whose hands (or more appropriately, feet!) the item actually touches, the recipient will be grateful for the indulgent lotions and spa tools to recondition dried-out digits. There is no time like the present to start taking better care of your feet- they support you all day long, so why not show them some love right back?

Spa items are guaranteed to be a hit with your target audience, and the bliss provided by any personal care tools will foster a positive relationship between your brand and the products’ user. Check out our “Pamper Yourself” category for perfect holiday gifts for overworked executives or associates- you can even use these items as inspiration for a companywide “Spa Day” to keep workers motivated.

Dana

Marketing Coordinator

Aug

2009

PINNACLE Spells Promotional Products

I received an e-mail chain this week entitled “Random Thoughts of the Day” that basically outlined miscellaneous thoughts and situations that occur in our daily lives. Here was one of my favorites, a situation that used to happen to me more often than I’d like to admit when having to spell Conaway, Strickler & Margolis at the law firm where I used to work:

“Every time I have to spell a word over the phone using ‘as in’ examples, I will undoubtedly draw a blank and sound like a complete idiot. Today I had to spell my boss’s last name to an attorney and said “Yes that’s G as in…(10 second lapse)…ummm…Goonies.”

Inspired by this concern, today’s blog will consist of ‘as in’ examples for Pinnacle using promotional products!

P – as in Promotional Pens.

I – as in ID Badges & Holders.

N – as in Notepads.

N(2) – as in Non Woven Tote Bags.

A – as in Automotive Accessories.

C – as in Coolers.

L – as in Laser Pointers.

And finally E – as in Executive Gifts.

What does that spell? PINNACLE! (As in Pinnacle Promotions)

Aug

2009

Bueller… Bueller…

I have to say I was in shock after hearing the news of director/writer/producer John Hughes’ unexpected passing earlier this month. It is always sad to hear of someone passing, but even more so when it comes too soon in one’s life.I may be a bit young to be quoting lines from his films, but that is just a testament to his work and the fact that he could relate to the youth of that generation and even those that followed. His most famous films (Sixteen Candles, Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller) centered on the high school genre and revolved around one student’s woes or how a group of students interacted with one another.

Since the school year is beginning again for all of us in the real world, I thought it was appropriate to pay homage to one of the greats in the entertainment industry whom immersed himself in teen “dramedy”. We always want our kids to be prepared for whatever may come their way and Pinnacle is a great place to find supplies that make things a little easier. Not only do we have some stylish backpacks and cool functional USB drives, but we also carry the “not so fun” but necessary promotional items like pens and composition notebooks

So the next time you catch one of John’s flicks on TV or have nostalgia for those high school years just- “Don’t you, forget about me (Pinnacle)” for getting you geared up.

Stephania
Sales and Marketing Production Assistant

Aug

2009

Express Your Beliefs with Promotional Signs and Presentation Tools

News coverage has recently been inundated with stories and images of American citizens voicing concerns over President Obama’s proposed healthcare plan. With millions of Americans currently not holding any health insurance, and millions more currently underinsured, the government’s healthcare expenditure is out of control, and the whole country is in agreement that changes need to be made with urgency. However, opinions about how to revamp healthcare programs to conserve federal funds are far from unanimous. The on-going debate about Obama’s plan has led to a media frenzy, and neither the Republicans nor the Democrats have taken a clear-cut stance on the issue.

For years controversial topics such as this one have brought people with common beliefs together to fight for their shared convictions. Anything from animal rights, to anti-smoking, to green and sustainable initiatives, is enough to spur passionate dialogue from informed (and unfortunately sometimes, uninformed) citizens. Whether you are setting up a protest, or merely trying to direct peoples’ attention to a cause that you are dedicated to, it is important to prepare adequate signage and displays to effectively communicate your message. Your collateral needs to be bold enough to make a statement, but I would advise against setting up anything too permanent. Chances are that you will want to repeat your efforts in another location in the future, so your best bet would be to purchase presentation equipment that can be put up and taken down without a hassle. Also, consider transportation whenever you are planning for a cause-related event or rally. Can your display pieces be moved by a compact car? Or will you need to rent appropriate vehicles? Advance preparation will greatly benefit the execution of your event, and you will be more relaxed if you do not have to scramble for last-minute collateral and promotional materials.

To assist with your publicity efforts, we feature a wide array of Trade show Displays & Signage on our website. You can purchase items like portable tables and custom imprinted banners to enhance the professionalism of your staged protest or campaign. Passersby will be more likely to take notice of an attractively conveyed message, and if you do happen to capture press coverage, your organized rally will be taken more seriously than just a spontaneous get-together. Also, consider purchasing inexpensive giveaway items that support the objectives of your campaign. Items like pens or bumper stickers can gain serious promotional mileage, but make sure that you have adequate supply to distribute to all of the supporters in attendance.

As Americans, we are fortunate to be granted the right of free speech, and in accordance with that right, why not articulate your meaningful words on a customized promotional product or piece of promotional signage?

Aug

2009

Wind-Down the Year with Fun Promotional Products!

I’d like to share my newest promotional product obsession with you: the Kikkerland Robot Pencil Sharpener. So cute and so unique, this fun little multi-functional office accessory does double duty as a pencil sharpener and walking wind-up toy.

I think the biggest selling point for me was that you actually wind up the robot by sharpening a pencil! Of course you can always use the trusty key when your pencil isn’t in need and you just need to see him move (wind-up toys always make me smile!). Once he’s done making his moves, shut the flaps in the front to cover his “mechanics” and he becomes a fun little accent on your desk.

As August winds down, it’s a great time to start planning for the upcoming holidays and end of the year celebrations. The Kikkerland Robot Pencil Sharpener along with other unique toys and executive games make perfect holiday promotional gifts. When giving a logoed promotional product, you want to impress your intended recipients while still getting your branding message across. Funky gifts and gadgets do just that.

Whether you throw a holiday bash for clients and employees or give subtle, yet thoughtful, end-of-the-year gifts, fun toys and trinkets make memorable promotional gifts. Impress your clients this season with imprinted yo-yos, puzzles or even wind-up robots. They’re sure to land a permanent spot on their desks!

Kim
Marketing Coordinator

Aug

2009

Promotional Products for the Hippie Inside Us All

So I’m a couple of days late, but this week (August 15-18) marked the 40th anniversary of what is now regarded as one of the most monumental events in music history, and an icon of the 1960’s hippie counterculture, the Woodstock Music & Art Fair. Billed as “3 Days of Peace & Music” – which ran over into a fourth day – the Woodstock festival lured over 400,000 concertgoers despite heat, rain and mud, to a 600-acre dairy farm in Bethel, New York (43 miles south of the actual town of Woodstock, New York) for a queue of 32 live acts from the likes of the Grateful Dead; Janis Joplin; Creedence Clearwater Revival; The Who; Jefferson Airplane; Joe Cocker; Blood, Sweat & Tears; Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; and Jimi Hendrix, just to name a few.

It was originally spawned as a fundraising effort by four young men (the oldest of whom was 27 in the summer of ’69) to raise money to build a recording studio in Woodstock, NY where artists like Bob Dylan and Richard Manuel already resided. Their idea began as a 2-day rock concert for 50,000 people or so in Wallkill, NY, with tickets ranging in price from $7 to $18. It would evolve into the free, 4-day, half a million people event in Bethel it became thanks to the citizens of Wallkill passing a last minute law banning the concert, early arrivals camping out before security gates were placed, and an ultimate decision to make the concert free instead of attempting to pool resources to improve fencing and security. Despite the challenges and changes, the crowds, the rain, the hour-long lines for the toilet, and the result of a $1 million debt and 70 filed lawsuits, Woodstock still produced an overall sense of success as, with the potential for riot and disaster, there was only social harmony and great music.

In honor of Woodstock’s anniversary, I have compiled a list of promotional products to help bring out the hippie that inevitably lies somewhere within us all, the part of our minds and souls where there is only room for peace, love and music.

An acid wash t-shirt – because actual acid was made illegal by the Controlled Substances Act in 1970.

A bandana – because you need something to cover up your greasy, dread-like locks.

Aviator-style sunglasses – because your eyes will need shade from the bright, summer sun.

And of course, a lighter – because legend claims that the practice of waving lighters at concerts began during Woodstock when candles were held aloft as the sun went down and Melanie took the stage.

Jaime
Creative Writing Intern

Aug

2009

Put Your Marketing Message on the (Promotional) Moon

Because Pinnacle Promotions is the home of RocketShip 24-Hour Express Service™, I thought it would only be fitting to write a blog post about the 32nd anniversary of NASA launching the Voyager 2 spacecraft! Space exploration is an exciting concept, and August 20th, 1977 marked a significant advancement in humans’ understanding of the universe around us.

The Voyager 2 is an interplanetary space probe that became the sole spacecraft to reach Uranus and Neptune. To date, it is the only device of its kind to have completed the Planetary Grand Tour, an ambitious plan that exploited a unique occurrence in the Solar System, which happens only once every 176 years when the outer planets are arranged in a particular geometric pattern.

To make your next marketing campaign truly “out of this world,” consider using a theme related to space exploration or the extraterrestrial. We offer an enormous array of promotional products that relate to this topic, and you can be as playful or serious with your product selection as you would like. A Moons Calendar, which features photos of the moon in different phases for each month, or our America in Space wall calendar can bring clients or employees one step closer to outer space exploration, and remind them of your company’s name and contact information 365 days a year. With 2010 quickly approaching, make sure that you have ordered custom imprinted calendars to promote your brand.

To demonstrate your brand’s wit and light-hearted attitude, imprint alien stress relievers with a catchy tagline or slogan. For a more serious take on the theme, why not opt for a moon stress reliever to convey your marketing message? Or take a look at this futuristic futura photo frame to decorate your recipients’ desktops and keep your company’s name in front of them all day long. Personally, I think Judy Jetson would have enjoyed a trendy, cutting-edge item like this one!

Motivate customers or employees to “reach for the stars” with promotional products inspired by matter from our galaxy and beyond!

Dana
Marketing Coordinator

Aug

2009

Promotional Products to Keep Your Kitchen Area Safe

I’m usually pretty handy in the kitchen. As I’ve said before, I love to cook. But this weekend, I made a tiny little mistake that ended with my finger wrapped up in a bandage.

While I was chopping baby carrots for the grilled chicken salad I was making, the tiny carrot unexpectedly decided to roll on me. Unfortunately, this little roll moved my index finger directly into the path of the oncoming knife.

I’m okay. Don’t worry. I quote the Black Knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, “tis only a flesh wound.” But still, it hurts. Okay. Yes. I’m a baby. My brother, “the cook,” is still teasing me for my patheticness. But my incident drives home why safety and preparedness in the kitchen is so important. Where else do you work with fire, oil, glass, gas and knives (not to mention the countless other chopping, blending, mincing, slicing, and dicing tools) all in one place?

The kitchen really is no joke. You have to take caution when working with dangerous/sharp/flammable materials. Make sure your kitchen (or at least a room nearby) is stocked with a few basic safety essentials. First aid kits are great for minor wounds. Also, make sure you know where your fire extinguisher is located, and be sure to keep up with all related maintenance requirements. It won’t help if it isn’t working.

Happy Cooking!
Kim
Marketing Coordinator

Aug

2009

Promotional Products for People Who Talk Too Much

Now I know we all hate when our inboxes become cluttered with chain mail and viral videos that don’t usually serve any higher purpose than to give a mid-morning chuckle and waste a few minutes of our time, but my dad sent me this one a few weeks ago and it has now been circulating around the Pinnacle office – and I think it is pretty funny:

The baby is pretty cute and quite the chatterbox, but the clip only precipitates the real topic at hand – do women really talk more than men? It is a matter about which the male population has long speculated, and the female population has long denied. Well back in 2006, a female psychologist tried to affirm this longstanding stereotype in her book “The Female Brain.” According to its author, Louann Brizendine, founder and director of the University of California, San Francisco’s Women’s Mood and Hormone Clinic, women in fact speak an average of 20,000 words per day, nearly three times the scanty 7,000 spoken by men. Don’t get too excited men – Ms. Brizendine has since retracted this claim, and there have been numerous studies published that now place this presumption back in the category of myth. New consensus? The sexes speak just about the same amount, averaging out to about 16,000 words daily.

So we all like to talk, and at Pinnacle Promotions, we have some great products that are perfect for doing just that! Exercise your vocal cords with the the Tuxedo Digital Media Player that can also record and play voice messages. Or if you happen to be victim to someone who talks just a little too much, you probably need some Noise Cancelling Headphones.

Admin

Promotional Products on the Soapbox Track!

Don’t Forget About Feet: Promotional Products for Tired Tootsies

PINNACLE Spells Promotional Products

Bueller… Bueller…

Express Your Beliefs with Promotional Signs and Presentation Tools

Wind-Down the Year with Fun Promotional Products!

Promotional Products for the Hippie Inside Us All

Put Your Marketing Message on the (Promotional) Moon

Promotional Products to Keep Your Kitchen Area Safe

Promotional Products for People Who Talk Too Much

Recent Posts

Browse by Category

Archives

Get blog updates via email