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April 30, 2007Socialight Stickers the Globe
At first I wasn't sure what to think of these photos, but I understand the logic behind them now. Socialight, a web startup that allows you to geo-tag sticky notes for your friends, is the brand in the stickers so they're using the promotional stickers as a metaphor for their product. I think that's a cool idea in principle, but I think you have to avoid exploiting people or desecrating religious statues.
Posted by mark at 9:21 AM. Permalink: Socialight Stickers the Globe | Comments (0)
April 27, 2007US Catching Japanese Tissue Fever, Finally
| Tissues, tissues, tissues. I've posted about the ubiquitous Japanese promotional tissue many times over the years, and it looks like finally the US is catching on. Perhaps they could have done something a little more inspired with the creative, but they do deserve some credit for picking up on what is a really great promo item. (via The Advertising Lab Formerly Affiliated with MIT) |  |
Posted by mark at 9:16 AM. Permalink: US Catching Japanese Tissue Fever, Finally | Comments (0)
Back to the Future Footware
| This is clearly only tangentially related to promotional products, but apparently at least a couple prototypes (below) of Marty McFly's Nike sneakers from the future, as seen in the film Back to the Future (above), were made. Much like children's cartoons and toys, it begs the question, do the sneakers promote the movie or vice versa? It would also perhaps be the first time product placement in a movie was done 20 years before the product existed. Of course, if the sneakers were made in 1987, people would have probably started disappearing from photos or something. Or maybe sneakers would have started disappearing from photos. |  |
Posted by mark at 9:00 AM. Permalink: Back to the Future Footware | Comments (0)
April 26, 2007Man's Best Friend-vertising
| We've lived through headvertising, sheepvertising, eggvertising, bugvertising, thumbvertising, nutvertising and even childvertising, so dogvertising should come as no surprise to anyone. |  |
Posted by mark at 12:48 PM. Permalink: Man's Best Friend-vertising | Comments (0)
More Laundry Promos
Here's another laundry-related promo, some Perry Ellis promotional laundry boxes. Much like the eco-hangers, promotional laundry boxes are a great opportunity to reach a target audience. In this case, people who get their shirts laundered at a place fancy enough to use boxes.
Posted by mark at 10:17 AM. Permalink: More Laundry Promos | Comments (0)
April 25, 2007TMNT Tops Crackers, Not Box Office
| Sorry, I mostly posted this just for the headline. This is a pretty awesome promo, though. Pairing mutant, turtle-ish characters with a mutant, cheese-ish product is a marketing tie-in triumph for the ages. In addition to imprinting on stock items, we can do custom manufacturing, and if you have the time and budget to create an item from scratch, custom stuff can be really cool. |  |
Posted by mark at 12:29 PM. Permalink: TMNT Tops Crackers, Not Box Office | Comments (0)
Eco-Hangers Make a Comeback (or, No Wire Hangers!)
According to the CEO of HangerNetwork, 3.5 billion wire hangers end up in US landfills every year. While the idea of an eco-friendly hanger isn't new, the idea has really gathered steam lately, with features in the Wall Street Journal and other newspapers and magazines. The hangers are both an ecological and an advertising boon. Clothing brands like Van Heusen have adopted them as an ecologically-friendly promotional product creating branded hangers to give to dry cleaners. The hangers are both made from recycled paper, and biodegradable.
Posted by mark at 10:20 AM. Permalink: Eco-Hangers Make a Comeback (or, No Wire Hangers!) | Comments (0)
April 24, 2007Fancy Water, Another Great Environmental Promo
| Since we're still in the Earth Day spirit of things, here's another great environmental awareness promo. This one is from the National Geographic Channel, who put a unique twist on promotional water by packaging it as if it's a fancy vintage like wine. Truth be told, with global climate change increasingly effecting weather patterns, water is increasingly becoming a scarce resource in many areas of the globe. When groundwater reserves are depleted in many highly populated areas, vintage 2007 water may be indeed a luxury item. |  |
Posted by mark at 8:11 AM. Permalink: Fancy Water, Another Great Environmental Promo | Comments (1)
April 23, 2007Pepsi Launches Design a Can Contest
The latest example of a company allowing users to customize their product is the new Design Our Pepsi Can site. Go there and you can either use their online tools or download a template to design a Pepsi can. The winning design will be featured on millions of actual cans. We hope they choose our design submission (below), which is clearly bound to be the most breathtaking can design of the contest.
Posted by mark at 4:43 PM. Permalink: Pepsi Launches Design a Can Contest | Comments (0)
Emissions Awareness Balloon Promotes Sustainability
This powerful demonstration of the magnitude of automobile exhaust from even a single vehicle was done by the World Wildlife Fund in Beijing. With its rapid economic growth and increased demand for automobiles, China is the target for the Fund's 20to20 mini-site that features 20 tips for sustainable development. When it comes to making a statement about sustainability, it seems balloons and tailpipes are a classic combination. At ePromos, we're happy to help our customers raise awareness about environmental issues, and even find environmentally-friendly promotional products.
Posted by mark at 11:31 AM. Permalink: Emissions Awareness Balloon Promotes Sustainability | Comments (0)
Hello Air! Branding in the Sky
Why brand just a pen or mug, when you can brand a whole airplane? Eva Air, a Taiwanese airline, has Hello Kitty-fied and entire Airbus 330, inside and out. The product of two years of negotiation between the airline and Sanrio, the company who owns the character, the plane is primarily used for flights between Taiwan and Japan. We feature plenty of promotional airplanes, but alas, none of them are full-size. Next up, battle between Hello Kitty plane and Wonder balloon.
Posted by mark at 9:02 AM. Permalink: Hello Air! Branding in the Sky | Comments (0)
April 22, 2007How It Works: Laser Engraving
Ever wonder how laser engraving is done? Wonder no more. The video below shows how promotional pens are laser engraved:
Posted by mark at 1:23 PM. Permalink: How It Works: Laser Engraving | Comments (0)
April 21, 2007Make the Logo Bigger
Most of the time when imprinting items for customers, we maximize our use of the imprint area. In other words, we make the logo bigger.
(song by Burn Back, via speak up)
Posted by mark at 12:03 PM. Permalink: Make the Logo Bigger | Comments (0)
April 20, 2007I Get Busy!
They didn't call me on my cell phone, they just sent the goods. I got my homestar runner figurines today, plus this awesome t-shirt. They even threw in a promotional keychain.
Posted by mark at 3:59 PM. Permalink: I Get Busy! | Comments (0)
Sopranos Cleaver Mug
| Try this on for size: In a TV show about gangsters, one of the characters makes a movie called "Cleaver" about gangsters, which the other gangsters in the TV show find a little to close to reality for comfort. A tad confusing, eh? Anyhow, here's the promotional mug for the movie, as seen on the show. |  |
Posted by mark at 9:36 AM. Permalink: Sopranos Cleaver Mug | Comments (0)
April 19, 2007Six-figure Promo Woes for Brian Urlacher
| What do you get when you cross a bear and a Vitamin Water cap? $100,000 in fines. That's what Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher got from the NFL for wearing an unauthorized promotional cap at a Super Bowl media event. Since Vitamin Water competes with official NFL sponsor Gatorade, wearing that hat was a big no-no. In related news, The Onion reports that the 1985 Chicago Bears are headed back to the studio to record a follow-up to their hit single, "Super Bowl Shuffle." |  |
Posted by mark at 5:11 PM. Permalink: Six-figure Promo Woes for Brian Urlacher | Comments (0)
Bio-Plastics in the Promotional Products Industry
| The resurgence in interest in bio-plastics was front page news today in the Wall Street Journal. A combination of high oil prices and the impact of global warming, bio-plastics are looking more attractive both economically and environmentally. At ePromos, we feature a number of corn plastic promotional products, as well as other biodegradable promos and other environmentally friendly items. If current trends continue, we'll probably see an increasing number of corn plastic items throughout the promotional products industry. |
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Posted by mark at 12:03 PM. Permalink: Bio-Plastics in the Promotional Products Industry | Comments (0)
Yahoo Profits Down, Promos Hot
Despite releasing their new Panama ad serving software, Yahoo profits are down. On the brighter side, I did find a photo of a whole bunch of Yahoo trade show promos, which means they definitely still do have some hardcore fans out there. Of particular note is one of my all-time personal favorites, the giant novelty foam cowboy hat!
Posted by mark at 10:13 AM. Permalink: Yahoo Profits Down, Promos Hot | Comments (0)
April 18, 2007Promos Help Google Search...
...for new recruits, that is. We've featured some Google promos before, including gifts for advertisers, but I think this is the first batch of promos I've seen that are specifically geared towards recruiting. With a tight job market increasing recruiting costs, particularly in competitive areas like technology, promotional products for recruiting can be a very cost-effective way to entice top candidates. Of course, you'll also have some creative competition, so make your recruiting promos really compelling. After all, the top candidates are going to be the ones who really appreciate your creativity.
Posted by mark at 1:00 PM. Permalink: Promos Help Google Search... | Comments (1)
April 17, 2007Xbox Pita Promo Is Absoultely Smashing
I don't know a lot of details about this one, but I can assume with some certainty that this promo was sent out to promote the video game Viva Pita, a "fantastic and magical place where pitas live, play, and dance." Apparently, in this game you "interact" with the pitas, watch them grow and "maintain harmony." This isn't exactly the kind of interaction I have in mind when I see a pita, but the promo is pretty cool nonetheless.
Posted by mark at 9:11 AM. Permalink: Xbox Pita Promo Is Absoultely Smashing | Comments (0)
April 16, 2007Creative Bag Raises Awareness of Autism
| Images of this creative bag have surfaced around the web and it's definitely a worthy addition to some of my previous bagvertising posts. Thsi particular bag was created to raise awareness about autism and promote a program that helps children with autism, encouraging people to "reach out." |  |
Posted by mark at 5:07 PM. Permalink: Creative Bag Raises Awareness of Autism | Comments (0)
Kodak Clock...Is Time Running Out?
I found this image on Flickr, where the person who originally posted it noted that they no longer use film. Is this promotional clock useless in a world where film seems to be dying out? Not necessarily. Kodak actually has a pretty successful online business, and they definitely have a roadmap for navigating the challenges they face in the future. A promo like this clock, even in a filmless world, serves as a reminder that Kodak started supplying photographers over 100 years before Flickr even existed.
Posted by mark at 12:18 PM. Permalink: Kodak Clock...Is Time Running Out? | Comments (0)
April 14, 2007Briefly: Imprinting Accuracy - Avoiding Chi-Tonw
| I've said it before, and I'll say it again, when it comes to promotional products, imprinting matters. After all, you don't want a Chi-Tonw incident. You may wonder what the heck I'm talking about, so let me explain. In April of 2005, a Chicago tattoo artist accidentally tattooed an unlucky client's chest with the word "Chi-tonw" instead of "Chi-town." |  |
"I was looking at each letter like an individual work of art, not at the spelling," he said. "I guess he wasn't either. I showed him the drawing, he said it was perfect. Then he paid me. I stenciled it onto him, he checked it in the mirror and he said, 'Let's do it.'"
As a show of solidarity, over the past couple years at least several other people have purposely gotten "Chi-tonw" tattoos. I know what you're thinking, but hey, it's their skin. Anyhow, the moral of the story is, when you're imprinting merchandise with your logo and message, make sure you're working with someone you can trust. And check your proof carefully before you approve it.
Posted by mark at 12:05 PM. Permalink: Briefly: Imprinting Accuracy - Avoiding Chi-Tonw | Comments (0)
April 13, 2007Blackberry Does Nice Direct Mail Promos, Too!
The Vonage direct mail promo I posted yesterday was pretty great, but so is this one to promote the Blackberry. I think one of the things that has made the Blackberry so successful, particularly in an area where a lot of other manufacturers weren't able to gain traction, is the actual feel of their product. I think part of why people find a blackberry usable is the feel in the hand and the ergonomics of using it (particularly the scroll wheel). If you manufacture a product, having a custom manufactured stress ball version of it can be a powerful sales tool. When projector manufacturer InFocus came out with a super-compact video projector, we actually created a life-size version of it out of foam to show people just how compact it was and the promo ended up being an incredibly successful sales tool.
Posted by mark at 9:16 AM. Permalink: Blackberry Does Nice Direct Mail Promos, Too! | Comments (0)
April 12, 2007Cut Your Phone Bill in Half...Literally
Vonage wants to help you cut your phone bill in half...literally. This clever direct mail promotion includes a pair of promotional scissors and instructions on how to cut your phone bill, and the cost of your phone bill in half. A great example of a simple, effective promotion that uses an everyday item to really get a point across. Bonus points for making the outside of the package seem like "tool" for cutting your phone bill might be an installation CD, because it drives home the point that Vonage is easy to use and doesn't require any tech skills!
Posted by mark at 10:13 AM. Permalink: Cut Your Phone Bill in Half...Literally | Comments (0)
April 11, 2007Flat Fuzz Ball
Here's an image from a promotional product patent. It looks like a weepul, and according to the patent it may or may not include a face. The patentable aspect of this particular ball of fuzz is that it is flattened, so it can be used as a direct mail promo. Excuse me while I go patent the flattened stress ball.
Posted by mark at 5:54 PM. Permalink: Flat Fuzz Ball | Comments (0)
April 10, 2007Google Chapstick...for Women
Here's another interesting Google promo, it's a promotional lip balm which seems to be geared specifically towards women. I know that Google has been involved with blogher, an organization that promotes women bloggers, so perhaps it was a tie in with their recent conference.
Posted by mark at 4:19 PM. Permalink: Google Chapstick...for Women | Comments (0)
April 9, 2007Vendable Compressed T-Shirts
| The recent launch of Google Patent Search just made one of my favorite pastimes, looking at patents, a lot easier. This invention is a compressed t-shirt that is made in the size/shape of an item being vended from a machine, so it could be used in the machine. It even includes the amount of change necessary to get an actual soda if you were lucky enough to get a shirt. Keep an eye out for future posts from the vaults of the US patent office! |  |
Posted by mark at 12:30 PM. Permalink: Vendable Compressed T-Shirts | Comments (0)
Puma Balloon Promo
In order to promote the launch of their new golf line, Puma released 2,000 promotional balloons on the streets of Antwerp. The helium balloons were designed to look like golf balls and they carried items from Puma's new golf line and text encouraging people to check out their web site. Previously, we've featured promotional balloons both big and small. (via Marketing Alternatif)
Posted by mark at 9:41 AM. Permalink: Puma Balloon Promo | Comments (0)
April 6, 2007Avoiding Imprinting Mistakes
When creating custom imprinted merchandise, picking the right item is clearly important. Making sure your logo and message looks great, is just as important, although sometimes it doesn't get the same consideration as product selection. After all, not everyone is a graphic designer or tagline. Luckily, we've got an in house art department to make sure your imprinting looks great. As this photo from The Onion illustrates, picking the wrong font can send the wrong message.
Posted by mark at 10:50 AM. Permalink: Avoiding Imprinting Mistakes | Comments (0)
April 5, 2007Perfect Match(box) for Ford Truck
Here's my nomination for best use of promotional matches. Ford picked the perfect item to promote their
Ranger Extreme, a limited edition truck featuring an expandable cargo bed. Could there be a better way to illustrate the expandable cargo bed feature? A match made in heaven if you ask me. (via direct daily)
Posted by mark at 5:29 PM. Permalink: Perfect Match(box) for Ford Truck | Comments (0)
Burmese Elvis Clock
| Who is the Burmese Elvis? I don't know, but he's on this clock! The clock itself is hanging on the wall of a Burmese silk factory according to the person who posted the photo. What's the lesson here? I guess that promotional clocks and Elvis are valued around the world. Also, it looks like Burmese Elvis won some trophies. |  |
Posted by mark at 9:25 AM. Permalink: Burmese Elvis Clock | Comments (0)
April 4, 2007Droids Go Postal for Star Wars 30th Anniversary
As part of the hoopla surrounding the 30th anniversary of the first Star Wars movie, the US Postal Service is using stickers to transform some mailboxes into likenesses of the friendly, valient droid R2D2. The mailboxes will be used in approximately 200 cities. For more information on the campaign, check out the USPS Jedi Master site. At ePromos we need to figure out a way to combine our mailbox stress ball with our robot stress ball. We're working on it.
Posted by mark at 10:41 AM. Permalink: Droids Go Postal for Star Wars 30th Anniversary | Comments (0)
April 3, 2007Vintage Technorati Button
 | I just wanted to post this because this is clearly a vintage Technorati button, and Technorati started Thanksgiving weekend 2002. I think it's important to see because, kids, back when I was young, we didn't have blog search engines. Heck, we didn't even have the blogs. We had to learn basic html just to make web pages and we walked to school in the snow uphill both ways, dagnabbit. |
Posted by mark at 9:48 AM. Permalink: Vintage Technorati Button | Comments (0)
April 2, 2007The Medium Makes the Message Fun
| Here's a really cool promo that basically uses a stretchy rubber to make a business card that is really only readable when you stretch it out. Sure, using the intrinsic properties of the web or a magazine to make an advertisement stand out is cool, but using the intrinsic properties of an actual physical item is even cooler. Right? That's one of the big advantages to advertising with promotional products, but it's something that is often overlooked. |  |
Posted by mark at 11:38 AM. Permalink: The Medium Makes the Message Fun | Comments (0)
April 1, 2007I Dropped the Ball This Year
Unlike last year, I really dropped the ball on creating some April Fool's Day promotional products. But this only means I'm going to do something twice as good for next year. I promise.
Posted by mark at 11:36 AM. Permalink: I Dropped the Ball This Year | Comments (0)
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