custom apparel

20
Jun
2014

Personalize it! And, you can be a winner, too.

Personalization is key in the promotional products business. But when it comes to personalization, it seems retail is following the promotional industry’s lead. From the first day that your barista asked to put your name on your cup of coffee at Starbucks, personalization was creeping into mass retail. But recently, both Gatorade and the U.S. Soccer Organization are banking on your desire to personalize their products.

Gatorade’s #WinfromWithin campaign went for the personalization angle earlier this year. You can create your own, personalized label for your Gatorade bottle. But, in creating your own label you were also entered into a contest to win a case of Gatorade bottles with your labels on the bottle.
Screen shot 2014-06-20 at 10.31.24 AM

The U.S. Soccer Organization is currently using personalization to encourage fans to purchase gear and get excited about our national team’s participation in the 2014 World Cup, which begins in Brazil on June 12th. Their “One Nation. One Team.” campaign allows you to not only purchase an official U.S. National Team jersey, but for the first time in an active World Cup season you can personalize the official home jersey with your name and number.

U.S. Soccer

U.S. Soccer

What brands will follow next for personalization? Will you be able to brand your own soda can before it comes out of the vending machine? How about personalized flavors of your favorite brand of chips from your local supermarket? Will we soon see “Gucci by me” on purses and shoes at the mall?

Tell us what you think is the next great frontier of personalization!

Pinnacle Promotions

If you like it then you can put your name on it! A New blog post by @PinnaclePromos

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Posted by Lee in Brand Identity and Corporate Logos, 0 comments
06
Jun
2014

Where Will We Wear Next?

Wearables! This is all anyone in both the tech and retail arenas are talking about. Mashable says, “Wearable technology is perhaps the most prolific trend in the tech industry today.”

Click to see full image from Mashable

Click to see full image from Mashable


This infographic from Mashable highlights the life of the wearable. It all started with MIT Professor Edward Thorp attempting to invent a wearable computer that would allow him to cheat at Roulette. He wasn’t too far off the mark with a 44% success rate. From there, we’ve moved through the calculator wristwatch, the wireless webcam, and all the way up to Google Glass.

Google wanted to create a hands-free smartphone. Their idea grew into what we know today as Google Glass. Glass is an optical-mounted, voice-controlled, augmented reality wearable computer. In the beginning, it looked like the headgear you might have worn overnight attached to your braces in 8th grade. Currently, Google Glass comes in any number of fashionable eyewear pieces. And as with any trend, Google Glass wearers have already earned their own trendy nickname and have news stories dedicated to Glass use in public areas and private businesses. Here is a link to Google’s own etiquette list of Dos and Don’ts.

In the promotional products industry, as retail goes so do we. We can expect to see the wearables tech trend encroach on the promotional products industry. How long before we see custom promotional Google Glass-ready sunglasses? How about promotional watches equipped with Bluetooth for music and phone access? When will we see personalized t-shirts be RFID-equipped for event staff or VIP access?

What do you think will be the next big thing in promotional wearables? What will be next to make Mashable’s list? Tell us what you think!

Pinnacle Promotions

We’ll be wearing WHAT!?!? A New blog post by @PinnaclePromos

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Posted by Lee in Current Events News, 0 comments
23
May
2014

FORE: Shoot Low, Win Big!

Does your golf outing planning schedule look like this? Win big with good planning and the perfect products.
Screen shot 2014-05-23 at 12.16.47 PM
For years companies have used the Golf Tournament as a way to socialize and reward their customers. One company we know spends as much as $45,000 on their annual spring event. A Golf Tournament has also been a stalwart fund-raiser for the non-profit segment.

Non-profits have certain challenges, especially when it comes to fund raising events that are reward-return based. They need the perfect promotional products to not only thank donors for past giving, but to also encourage them to donate again and spread their message. Sometimes it takes more than one stress ball or mug to do just that.

Here are some ideas to help non-profits find the perfect promotional products for their next Golf Tournament.

Traditional:

Balls Tube with Tees golfballs

Golf Towel golftowel

Golf Colorblock Polo golfshirt

Creative:

Keep it Cook Golf Kit golfkit

Cutting Board cuttingboard

Divot Tool/Bottle Opener divot

Waayyyyy outside the “tee” box:

Flip Flops w/ Bottle Opener flipflop

Morph Cinch Pack golfcinch

Brew 2 Go Kit dirnkset

Executive Putter Set putter

The right golf promotional products will provide big returns on your outing investment!

Pinnacle Promotions

FORE! Big wins from golf outings for non-profits! New blog post by @PinnaclePromos

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Posted by Lee in Seasonal Marketing Ideas, 0 comments
09
May
2014

The Unique Wedding Experience

Screen shot 2014-05-08 at 4.47.36 PMListen up, event planners and hospitality facilities! You already know that there is no longer such a thing as a “traditional wedding.” There are entire reality television programs built around brides (or bridezillas) competing for the most unique, most memorable wedding. You see it every day. Your brides want the unique wedding experience and we are here to help you give it to them!

Two of the biggest contributors to achieving the unique wedding experience: Pinterest and promotional products.

Pinterest: Pinterest burst onto the scene in 2010 hailing itself as a “virtual discovery” tool. At the core, Pinterest is a bookmarking site. In reality, it is a crafters, foodies, and shoppers paradise. Since its inception, Pinterest has become the #1 social networking site based solely on “time spent” statistics. In 2013, Pinterest was valued at $3.8 billion and there is no slow-down in its near future.

For brides and wedding planners, Pinterest is a welcome haven for ideas and support. You can shop for dresses, get alternative venue ideas, and even plan your menu.

Top Wedding Boards on Pinterest from Vogue Magazine.

The Pinnacle Wedding board is one of our most popular boards.

Pinterest Wedding Boards even have their own Buzzfeed list.

Promotional Products: Promotional products can also help make a wedding even more memorable! Here are a few promotional product ideas to help your clients host a totally unique wedding experience:

Wedding-branded flip-flops to help everyone in the bridal party relax.flipflops




Personalized Napkins can be used for everything from brunch to cocktails to the main meal.napkin

Perfect for the sit-down meal AND a nice wedding favor, the Stemless Wine Glasswineglass.

A memorable addition to a beautiful outdoor wedding and a favor guests will want to use over and over: Fiesta Mason Jar Tumbler.masonjar

Event planners, hotels and venues can be ahead of the curve and offer these great ideas to their customers. Set your company apart, overhaul a wedding and help the brides and grooms that you work with create a one-of-a-kind, magical wedding day.

For more wedding ideas, please check out our Pinterest board or our website. Comment below if you know have other good ideas about how to use promotional products for a unique wedding experience.

Pinnacle Promotions

Don’t plan your wedding without reading this! New blog post by @PinnaclePromos

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Posted by Lee in Seasonal Marketing Ideas, 0 comments
02
May
2014

School Supplies Supply Smiles: Pinnacle Promotions Makes a Big Impact in Haiti

When Pinnacle Promotions began more than 20 years ago, it was founded on a premise of doing good work and being good people. That desire has never left the heart of owners Mitch and Dave Weintraub. Recently, Pinnacle Promotions partnered with Martin Genauer and the law firm of Berger Singerman to support the Foundation Groupe Jean Vorbe in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

bagTogether, we worked to provide the children at the Foundation and the Foyer Divin Orphanage with more than 500 blankets and convertible bag-backpacks filled with pens, pencils, erasers and other school supplies. The Foundation was kind enough to send along pictures of some very happy children.

haitiletter

Translation:

I acknowledge receipt of your letter from the 11th and thank you. I take this opportunity to ask you to send Martin Genauer and Pinnacle Promotions, on behalf of Foundation Jean Vorbe and the orphanage Foyer Divine, my most sincere thanks.

I attached some pictures of the children receiving the blankets that will be so useful for the coming cool months.

Once again, thank you or having thought of us and wish you the warmest regards.

Jean Marie’ Vorbe

Screen shot 2014-05-02 at 10.01.14 AMScreen shot 2014-05-02 at 10.01.27 AMScreen shot 2014-05-02 at 10.01.38 AM

The value of giving back into the lives of children is immeasurable. We consider ourselves fortunate to have been a part of making a difference for school children in Haiti.

Pinnacle Promotions

New blog post by @PinnaclePromos – Pinnacle Promotions Makes a big Impact in Haiti

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Posted by Lee in Pinnacle Promotions Gives Back, 0 comments
25
Apr
2014

Oops! The RIGHT Way to Make the WRONG Impression

On the episode of Friends titled “The One Where Joey Loses His Insurance,” Ross has begun to teach his first-ever college course. He is intent on making the right impression, and starts his very first class by introducing himself with an English accent. The hilarity ensues when Monica and Rachel stop by class one day for lunch and discover the bogus accent. He insists the entire fiasco began all because he wanted to make the right impression.

In the promotional products industry, without careful guidance it can be all too easy to make the wrong impression. Our sales team shared examples of the right way to Make the right impression.™

Right: Hand sanitizer for the hospital or doctor’s office
Wrong: Food containing nuts for the hospital or doctor’s office

Right: Branded towels for the local gym
Wrong: Orca whale stress balls for the local gym

Right: A gift pack including sunglasses, hats and sunscreen for the luxury resort in South Florida.
Wrong: Heavy, customized fleece jackets for the luxury resort in South Florida.

Right: Ribbon reflector light for a cancer fundraiser
Wrong: Zippo lighter for a cancer fundraiser.

Right: Filtered water bottle for an alcohol treatment facility.
Wrong: Shot glass for an alcohol treatment facility.

Right: Customized cowbells for the local chicken fast-food restaurant.
Wrong: Customized chicken feet for the local chicken fast-food restaurant.

At Pinnacle Promotions, we know the right way to Make the right impression.™

Posted by Lee in How to Reach a Target Audience, 0 comments
02
Apr
2014

Trends for 2014: More, more, more

We have had numerous vendors stop by our offices in Atlanta. We’ve seen a few things stand out as trends for 2014.

Overall, the trend we have seen in every category is the ability for a product to be more than one thing! The keys for products to be more than one thing can be boiled down to three main themes: Security, Versatility and Stress-down.

clearbagSecurity: From bags to tech gear, the thing we hear over and over is “security.” The NFL Bag policy has not gone unnoticed by manufacturers. They are creating more and more clear bags. The requests for customized clear bags have come in every shape and size, and at various price points.

Security is not limited to bags. The iWallet is a perfect example of a branded product designed with “identity theft prevention” in mind. Not only are the cards protected from deactivation from the phone, but also the grip prevents card slippage or loss. iwallet

Versatility: The key to versatility is for a product to be more than one thing. The Gwee button iPhone screen cleaner is a phone stand and a cleaner. This mouse pad is also a screen cleaner. The In-Pillow travel pillow converts from a small pillow, (with a pocket!) to a basic tablet holder to a stand-alone screen mount! pillow

Stress-down: The stress ball has been a hallmark of the promotional products industry as long as we can remember. However, the sheer volume of options in “anti-stress” promotional products has increased. You can now put your logo on everything from the traditional stress ball to Office Spa kits complete with lavender “stress relief” hand lotion.

Screen shot 2014-04-02 at 3.55.30 PMPinnacle Promotions takes the stress out of ordering your promotional products with our Rocketship 24-hour Rush Service. There are thousands of products that can be ordered with rush service and no rush charge. If there is anything that will take the stress out of your life, it is getting the right product at the right time the right way to help you Make the right impression.™

Pinnacle Promotions

New blog post by @PinnaclePromos – Trends for 2014: More, more, more

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Posted by Lee in Top Trending Topics, 1 comment
07
Mar
2014

All I really need to know to Make the right impression™ I learned in Kindergarten

Based on Robert Fulghum’s wildly popular book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, we have added our own twist on the “things I learned in Kindergarten” for the promotional products industry.

All I really need to know to Make the right impression™ I learned in Kindergarten.

  1. Offer your attention and advice willingly.
  2. Do what is right.
  3. Praise in public, critique in private.
  4. Leave a customer’s office the way you found it.
  5. Try, and then try again.
  6. Be kind. Apologize first.
  7. Be on time.
  8. Offer a clean, dry hand to shake.
  9. Care more about people than they care about you.
  10. Come bearing gifts, such as quality promotional products.
  11. Confidently promise and over deliver.
  12. Listen. Really listen.
All I really need to know to Make the right impression™ I learned in Kindergarten

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Posted by Lee in Brand Identity and Corporate Logos, Pinnacle Promotions News, 0 comments
26
Feb
2014

The Fuller Brush Man’s Necessities

fullerThe Fuller Brush salesman is a legend in the outside sales community. The Fuller Brush man was the original traveling salesman. He went door-to-door, cold calling from city to city, state to state across the country. Movies have been made about him, from The Fuller Brush Man to Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. He is a part of pop culture, and the ideal that salespeople strive to be. pta

While the Fuller Brush man-model has changed over the years, the role of the “traveling” or outside salesperson still exists. Whether a local person or across states or countries, the role of the salesperson has changed over the decades but there are some business essentials that every outside salesperson needs.

See if you agree with our list:

Business Cards: A must for any salesperson, inside or out. You can order online, or even print your own these days. Business cards are also moving out of the traditional-size mold and branching out into more creative shapes and designs.

Business Card Holders: Don’t keep your cards in your wallet. Instead, pull your business card from a classy holder.

Luggage Tag: Easily spot your luggage on the baggage carousel. Luggage tags make life easier for the seasoned traveler!

Messenger Bag: Many of our messenger bags have a handy laptop compartment.

Seat beads: A must-have for the salesperson who spends most of their life in the car!

Good Shoes: Enough said.

Sleep Mask: This Napoleon Dynamite sleep mask will keep other flyers from bothering you because they know you mean business.

A Good Book: Goodreads will help you find your next good book, and tell you what your friends are reading, too!

Hand Sanitizer: Stay germ free and safe while you travel.

Fun Giveaways: What a better way to make the right impression than to give your clients and potential customers something to remember you by. And if you can make them smile in the process, even better! Our clients loved their poppers! VIDEO

Stress-headache Medication: And lastly, do not leave home without relief for those long travel days, weather delays, or cancellations!

To be successful, you must always be prepared. So, make sure you don’t leave the office without these sales necessities!

Posted by Lee in Cool Promotional Products We Love, Giveaway Games, Marketing Ideas, 0 comments