Need some inspiration for your next promotion? Check out Partnership Activation. This is my favorite new marketing website. There are some truly fantastic promotions being done around the world. Notice how branded promotional products play an important roll in many of these be it directly or indirectly. Before your next campaign bring ideavation in for a no obligation brainstorm on how we can help make your next promotion award winning.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
We own the podium!
After an amazing 17 day journey the Olympics have come to an end. Who could ever imagined that these games would have touched so many people from coast to coast. Where do you even begin? From tragedy to triumph to the renewed sense of patriotism and the emotional roller coaster that the athletes journeys took us on...it will be something nobody in this great nation will forget anytime soon.
Globe and Mail columnist Stephen Brunt's Olympic Montage sums up the games wonderfully. I urge you to watch this video if you haven't seen it already.
Scott
My top five favorite moments of the Games:
(1) Sidney Crosby's overtime goal to win the gold medal
(4) Jon Montgomery's gold medal win and his truly Canadian celebration walk through Whistler with beer in hand
(5) Kristi Richards getting up and finishing her run after crashing in the moguls to show her sportsmanship and class
I'd love to hear what memories you have from the games!
Scott
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Innovations Abound At MAGIC Apparel Show
Innovations Abound At MAGIC Apparel Show
Optimism ran high at The MAGIC Marketplace show in Las Vegas last week. But while things were looking up, apparel innovators were setting their sights lower. Specifically, we're referring to the hips and backside, with three companies offering new innovations in comfort and shape for the most neglected of areas:
M'Chic Fashions is on a mission to eliminate the dreaded "muffin top" forever. The company has created designer jeans with a built-in cotton/spandex panel to create a slimmer silhouette for women across their midsection. "A lot of women wear girdles and Spanx, so this is an all-in-one solution for them," says Tracey Kerr, the company's director of sales. The spandex is breathable and comes in either black or nude colors.
One product that certainly is "behind" the times is the Booty Pop, a padded pair of cotton/spandex underwear designed to give women the backside they always wanted. "Women like to have a nice shape," says Shelia Showalter, national sales manager. "For a lot of women, that's where they're lacking. And there are already several padded products for bras out there." The product, which comes in black and nude colors, will be making its way into select retail outlets starting in April.
The guys weren't left out of the underwear innovations. A company called (B)RIEF underneath is touting a 2-in-1 solution for men ??? 100% cotton briefs sewn into boxers, lounge pants and thermals. "Underwear for the consumer today is changing," says company President Eddie Betesh. "You can't go to bed in your tightie-whities anymore!!
Another major trend that emerged from MAGIC was the use of the shoe as a promotional vehicle. One company, RacerTreadz, is capitalizing on the green trend by making flip-flops out of used racing tires. The company has a license with Goodyear (which supplies the tires for NASCAR) and can customize the sandals with the names, numbers and cars of individual NASCAR drivers, making the footwear out of their very own tires. The manufacturer also is making shirts, hats and other items from the material; one tire helps create 500 hats.
For another trend at the MAGIC show, bags have gotten an intriguing technological upgrade thanks to a company called Scratch Tracks. Its Fydelity line features brightly-colored "Stereobags" that include built-in speakers and a jack to plug into an iPod or smart phone. The bags which include coolers, backpacks, fanny packs and tote bags require four AA batteries to play. For those who want to do without the batteries, another line called Neon Green utilizes an attachable solar panel that recharges electronics. The panel can clip on to most bags and will recharge outdoors or indoors. The company offers similar technology to attach to key chains and the backs of phones.
Optimism ran high at The MAGIC Marketplace show in Las Vegas last week. But while things were looking up, apparel innovators were setting their sights lower. Specifically, we're referring to the hips and backside, with three companies offering new innovations in comfort and shape for the most neglected of areas:
M'Chic Fashions is on a mission to eliminate the dreaded "muffin top" forever. The company has created designer jeans with a built-in cotton/spandex panel to create a slimmer silhouette for women across their midsection. "A lot of women wear girdles and Spanx, so this is an all-in-one solution for them," says Tracey Kerr, the company's director of sales. The spandex is breathable and comes in either black or nude colors.
One product that certainly is "behind" the times is the Booty Pop, a padded pair of cotton/spandex underwear designed to give women the backside they always wanted. "Women like to have a nice shape," says Shelia Showalter, national sales manager. "For a lot of women, that's where they're lacking. And there are already several padded products for bras out there." The product, which comes in black and nude colors, will be making its way into select retail outlets starting in April.
The guys weren't left out of the underwear innovations. A company called (B)RIEF underneath is touting a 2-in-1 solution for men ??? 100% cotton briefs sewn into boxers, lounge pants and thermals. "Underwear for the consumer today is changing," says company President Eddie Betesh. "You can't go to bed in your tightie-whities anymore!!
Another major trend that emerged from MAGIC was the use of the shoe as a promotional vehicle. One company, RacerTreadz, is capitalizing on the green trend by making flip-flops out of used racing tires. The company has a license with Goodyear (which supplies the tires for NASCAR) and can customize the sandals with the names, numbers and cars of individual NASCAR drivers, making the footwear out of their very own tires. The manufacturer also is making shirts, hats and other items from the material; one tire helps create 500 hats.
For another trend at the MAGIC show, bags have gotten an intriguing technological upgrade thanks to a company called Scratch Tracks. Its Fydelity line features brightly-colored "Stereobags" that include built-in speakers and a jack to plug into an iPod or smart phone. The bags which include coolers, backpacks, fanny packs and tote bags require four AA batteries to play. For those who want to do without the batteries, another line called Neon Green utilizes an attachable solar panel that recharges electronics. The panel can clip on to most bags and will recharge outdoors or indoors. The company offers similar technology to attach to key chains and the backs of phones.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Look before you Tweet!
Freedom of Speech? Not with the IOC. Athlete bloggers at the upcoming Winter Olympics http://www.vancouver2010.com. Big brother the IOC is watching. Just because you are representing your country don’t think for a second you are allowed to tell the world about it…well you can but you have to watch your words and photos. http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report_1433.pdf. For starters you can't call it “My Olympic Blog”, the athletes cant be getting paid to post something because that is reporting, the blog can't have advertising. The IOC condsiders blogging “personal expression” but that expression must be restricted to personal experiences. No Olympic symbols, no sounds or moving images, no action photos, no opening or closing ceremony pics and no photos of other people without their permission. What about Facebook and Twitter? I am sure there is another whole list of do’s and don’t’s for those….shouldn't the IOC worry about more important things than athletes promoting the Games and giving more press and attention to an already overhyped event?
Scott
Monday, January 11, 2010
Be seen, Be Heard in 2010
With the 2010 Olympics just around the corner it is interesting to look at the event from the point of view as a promotional marketing specialist. In December I attended the Olympic Torch Relay at Nathan Phillips Square in hopes to see the torch pass through, however I was so overwhelmed by people waiting in line at the Coke trailer and RBC tent to pick up the free goods that I missed the torch altogether.
Having worked in the Promotional Industry for a few years it is always exciting to see the products that marketers select to help build and promote their brand. The tambourines handed out by RBC and the flags and Coke light-up torches were in very high demand that night. The sound of tambourines vibrated through the air and the Coke Torches lit up the sky. I would definitely say a fantastic selection of products for the Olympic Torch Relay.
In case you missed the Olympic Torch Relay check out this You Tube video.
Phenomenal promotional products are not only available to big brands like RBC and Coke. Every day we put our brains together and come up with great ideas to help build brands. Many companies had to scale back their marketing budgets last year, however 2010 is the year to Be Seen, Be Heard. The Olympics has started the year off with a bang now let's keep the excitement going with your companies brand building campaigns.
Here are a few points to consider when thinking about products for your campaign:
1. Share your vision for the campaign with promotional product specialists. There are literally millions of products available. When we know your vision we can help you achieve it.
2. Not 100% sure what your overall vision is? Then, what is the key message you want to deliver? Most promotional product specialists could also add professional brainstormer to their resume as we do a lot of this every day.
3. Give yourself some time. With time on your side the options are more readily available. The Coke Glow Torch was not thought of overnight. An entire campaign was behind it. You have the time to do something custom I would highly recommend it because customization is the key to standing out in a crowd and customization does not mean that it is more expensive.
Fabulous products pass by our desks and our computer monitors every day. For example, today a supplier stopped in and showed us a new umbrella style that is in the shape of a wine bottle! It is a perfect product for a vineyard to sell in their gift shop or a wine company to give away with the purchase of a bottle of their wine.
Whether you are looking for something that is 100% Canadian made, technology based or has the ultimate WOW factor we can help you build an Olympic brand building campaign.
January is tradeshow month so if you do have an idea in mind keep us posted and put our brainstorming skills to work.
Happy 2010.
Having worked in the Promotional Industry for a few years it is always exciting to see the products that marketers select to help build and promote their brand. The tambourines handed out by RBC and the flags and Coke light-up torches were in very high demand that night. The sound of tambourines vibrated through the air and the Coke Torches lit up the sky. I would definitely say a fantastic selection of products for the Olympic Torch Relay.
In case you missed the Olympic Torch Relay check out this You Tube video.
Phenomenal promotional products are not only available to big brands like RBC and Coke. Every day we put our brains together and come up with great ideas to help build brands. Many companies had to scale back their marketing budgets last year, however 2010 is the year to Be Seen, Be Heard. The Olympics has started the year off with a bang now let's keep the excitement going with your companies brand building campaigns.
Here are a few points to consider when thinking about products for your campaign:
1. Share your vision for the campaign with promotional product specialists. There are literally millions of products available. When we know your vision we can help you achieve it.
2. Not 100% sure what your overall vision is? Then, what is the key message you want to deliver? Most promotional product specialists could also add professional brainstormer to their resume as we do a lot of this every day.
3. Give yourself some time. With time on your side the options are more readily available. The Coke Glow Torch was not thought of overnight. An entire campaign was behind it. You have the time to do something custom I would highly recommend it because customization is the key to standing out in a crowd and customization does not mean that it is more expensive.
Fabulous products pass by our desks and our computer monitors every day. For example, today a supplier stopped in and showed us a new umbrella style that is in the shape of a wine bottle! It is a perfect product for a vineyard to sell in their gift shop or a wine company to give away with the purchase of a bottle of their wine.
Whether you are looking for something that is 100% Canadian made, technology based or has the ultimate WOW factor we can help you build an Olympic brand building campaign.
January is tradeshow month so if you do have an idea in mind keep us posted and put our brainstorming skills to work.
Happy 2010.
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