The “Espresso” singer teamed up with Cash App for three branded events in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

The best-case scenario for a brand is for their end-users to be thinking about them every night. Isn’t that sweet? I guess so.

For those who have lived under a rock since the summer, that’s a reference to Sabrina Carpenter’s enormous hit “Espresso.” And for everyone who knows the song, congratulations, it’s now stuck in your head, too.

The joke will make sense in a second. Walk with me here…

Carpenter, through a partnership with Cash App, is hosting three pop-up events in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, where her team is leaning into the theme of coffee and “Espresso” to create “Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet Café,” borrowing the title of her hit 2024 album.

This idea of a pop-up shop, complete with branded merchandise, for a pop star isn’t new. Olivia Rodrigo, for example, just partnered with Spotify for a branded experience in New York to commemorate the release of her album GUTS. And it’s not just musical artists – TV shows and streaming services get their own pop-up treatments, too.

However, what sets Carpenter’s campaign apart is the savvy angle of tying in the coffee pun with the coffee shop idea, bringing in another trend in experiential marketing. When you think of your local coffee shop, what do you picture aside from baristas in cool clothes and a display of baked goods? You can probably picture the merchandise for sale and branded packaging – things like T-shirts, mugs, tote bags, thermoses and packaging for coffee beans or tea.

A coffee shop lends itself nicely to merchandise, which is why the likes of Ralph Lauren has used it as a marketing medium in luxury getaway locations across the world.

By tapping into the coffee universe, Carpenter and her corporate partners find themselves at an intersection of different marketing avenues and seem to have accomplished everything you’d hope a branded pop-up of this nature can do. Those include wins promo pros working on experiential marketing initiatives can try to engineer for their clients too, such as:

Build the Brand’s Reach

The main goal of any branded campaign is to spread brand awareness. Thinking just of the promotional products space, you can see that the Carpenter team did that through things like drinkware, T-shirts and various print products.

The merchandise table works very much in the same way it would at a concert, but this way the brand –Sabrina Carpenter – comes to the fans rather than forcing them to pay any price of admission.

Drive Online Engagement

In an age where everything is online, tactile promotional products and experiences should be designed to have an extended life through social media sharing. There needs to be something that drives people to leave their homes and potentially wait in long lines for something. The opportunity to post fun pictures on social media can be significant motivation.

When done well, every conceivable photo angle in a pop-up experience is a good one. There are printed displays to be backdrops and walls, and plenty of eye-catching branded items within view or to be used as props for photos. There are QR codes aplenty. There are dedicated hashtags.

For sure, there should not be any forgetting whose event you’re at.

Strengthen Partner Brands

This café pop-up is, ostensibly, for Sabrina Carpenter. Still, it’s also for Cash App, which harnessed Carpenter’s social capital at the moment to gain some hip points with would-be users.

And of course, let’s not forget the actual coffee shops that transformed into this branded vehicle temporarily. They put their normal brands on hold for a minute, but it was a smart move: Crowds of people, many of them potentially first-time patrons, have experienced sitting in the café and could come back again.

In New York, Carpenter and Cash App took over Partners Coffee. In Chicago, it was Happy Monday. This week, Angelinos can visit Verve Coffee in West Hollywood.

To add to the Cash App integration, customers who use a Cash App Visa card to buy stuff will receive a 30% discount on their purchase – up to $40, according to Sprudge.

The music marketing landscape has changed drastically as a result of streaming, social media and the COVID-19 pandemic. Artists are meeting their fans in new ways. And, after all, an artist is a brand at the end of the day, and fans are customers. It sounds crass to put it so transactionally, but it’s the truth.

Looking beyond the music world, any brand can take a piece of their identity or their brand story, expand on it, and create a memorable experience out of it. If they can meet their customers and potential customers where they live, shop and eat, that’s even better. Finally, sparing no detail through print products, promotional giveaways and catchy design can turn something that feels like a sales pitch into a fun day out with memories to last a lifetime – both in their hearts and on their social media feeds.

End-buyers ages 55+ say they spend a quarter of their marketing budget on promo.

ASI’s exclusive research reveals client buying habits in eight markets and across multiple demographics.

ASI Research is wrapping up our new series profiling the people distributors work with most closely: end-buyers. Each week we released a new data set that spotlights one of eight markets and looks at end-buyers through demographics such as age, gender, region and company size.

This week, our research focuses on promotional products end-buyers ages 55+, the last of several age demographics surveyed throughout the United States.

The percentage of older Americans, particularly those older than 65, who hold a job today has nearly quadrupled since the mid-1980s, a Pew Research Center analysis found – meaning that this demographic is becoming a more important segment to consider in the corporate gifting market. According to ASI’s 2023 Ad Impressions Study, some of the most influential promotional products for consumers ages 55+ include outerwear, umbrellas and performance wear.

ASI’s 2024 end-buyer research reports that end-buyers in this demographic value a distributor that offers comprehensive services, with half naming “doing all the work” as an important distributor benefit – more than any other end-buyer segment surveyed. Additionally, promotional products end-buyers ages 55+ are the most likely age demographic to give promo to prospects and to pay a premium for Made-in-the-USA products.

98% of end-buyers ages 45-54 plan to increase or maintain their spending on promotional products in the next year.

ASI’s exclusive research reveals client buying habits in eight markets and across multiple demographics.

ASI Research has launched a new series profiling the people distributors work with most closely: end-buyers. Each week we’ll release a new data set that spotlights one of eight markets and looks at end-buyers through demographics such as gender, region and company size.

This week, our research focuses on promotional products end-buyers ages 45-54, the third of several age demographics surveyed throughout the United States.

Based on projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans ages 45-54 will make up the largest segment of the workforce within the next decade. ASI’s 2023 Ad Impressions Study notes the five most influential promotional products among consumers in this demographic are outerwear, performance wear, health & safety products, drinkware and polo shirts.

ASI’s 2024 end-buyer research reports that promotional products end-buyers ages 45-54 value trying out new types of products, with over half – more than other age demographics – naming “new products” as an important benefit in a distributor relationship. But they’re also more cost-conscious than other ages surveyed; one in five named price as their top feature consideration while purchasing promotional products.

The Counselor Top 40 supplier has donated a portion of sales to sponsor the rescue and training of service dogs for veterans at the nonprofit since 2020.

Logomark’s (asi/67866) latest ambassadors are furry and four-legged – and making a difference for veterans in Southern California.

The Counselor Top 40 supplier, based in Tustin, CA, has sponsored two more pups in its long-running partnership with the nonprofit Shelter to Soldier, which adopts dogs from rescue organizations and shelters in Southern California, training them to be service animals for veterans in need.

The pups, Hazel and Angus, will be a part of Shelter to Soldier’s team of nine canine ambassadors, traveling with their volunteer handlers to visit hundreds of veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families across Southern California.

Cutco Knives had their wares spread on a branded tablecloth.

“It’s been a heartwarming experience to witness these shelter dogs find their purpose and homes, while also supporting those who have bravely served our nation,” said Michael Bistocchi, Logomark’s chief revenue officer. “Our entire team is grateful to be part of this meaningful journey.”

Shelter to Solider specifically focuses on post-9/11 veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), military sexual trauma (MST) and other psychological injuries associated with traumatic experiences in the line of duty.

Both Hazel and Angus, trained as certified therapy dogs for the ambassador program, are known for their affectionate and compassionate natures. Hazel was named in honor of a young girl who lost her battle with neuroblastoma in 2018, and Angus is a former Shelter to Soldier psychiatric service dog who made his way back to STS when his veteran could no longer care for him.

Logomark – also named a Counselor 2024 Best Place to Work in part because of its dedication to philanthropy – has donated a portion of proceeds from its Perka, iCool and Work collections to the Shelter to Solder initiative since it first partnered with the nonprofit back in 2020. Since then, Logomark has sponsored several service dogs and emotional support animals to go through training at Shelter to Soldier and be matched with a veteran in need.

It’s never too early to start planning.

It’s never too soon to start planning for the holidays, particularly for the promo industry. As Q4 gifting gets underway, distributors should craft a solid marketing plan that helps them stand out from the crowd. Here are five strategies for taking advantage of this bustling season.

1. Start early.
Reach out to repeat clients well in advance of December to share gifting ideas and product suggestions. Encourage them to lock into their plans as early as possible to ensure that sourcing and fulfillment are a breeze. Create social media posts and other content now with gifting options that might spark a prospect’s interest as they finalize holiday plans.

2. Know your audience.
Clients want to be treated like humans, not leads. Knowing your audience will help you determine the best solutions in ways that other business-to-business marketing campaigns might overlook. In a sea of holiday marketing emails, a curated and personalized solution to a prospect’s needs will stand out and lead to higher sales at the end of the year.

3. Go mobile.
Since the holiday season tends to be a break for everyone, your clients are less likely to be at their desks. Consider sending marketing messages through SMS, as well as creating a mobile-friendly landing page in order to maintain touchpoints with clients while they’re away from their computers. But be cautious about overusing texts; a little goes a long way to help avoid annoying your customers.

4. Offer holiday bundles.
Kitting is a great way to get creative with holiday gifting opportunities. Offering a variety of items as part of holiday bundles – and including the option for themed custom packaging – is an upselling opportunity. Or work with suppliers and use their premade bundles to entice clients. Ask your trusted suppliers whether they have themed kits you can offer clients for holiday gifting.

$1.35 trillion

expected holiday sales in the U.S.

5. Take advantage of Cyber Monday.
Holiday discounts tend to be associated with business-to-consumer marketing, but they can also be applicable for the promo industry. “Just like in retail, the concept of urgency and exclusivity also work in B2B,” according to a LinkedIn post from software development firm UpLead. Consider offering limited-time deals and or flash sales.

Add these cozy staples to couches, beds and beach chairs.

Comfort items are still in demand post-COVID – blankets in particular accounted for 2.6% of industry sales in 2023, according to new State of the Industry data from ASI Research. And now that people are traveling more, they’re used everywhere from planes to road trips to beach excursions.

This ultra-plush blanket is made from 100% polyester with whipstitch edges and a convenient carry handle. Comes in 15 colors with a matching decorative satin ribbon.

This plush blanket/pillow combo is made for travel – the blanket folds into a pillow for convenience on the go. A great corporate gift for hospitality clients or employees who travel frequently.

Consider this sherpa baby blanket as a gift for new parents. Perfectly sized for strollers, car seats and couches.

This sand-proof microfiber beach blanket is perfect for outdoor parties and picnics. It stretches to 70” by 85” but folds up in the accompanying travel pack for easy transport. Includes four corner stakes and sand pockets.

Recipients of the WeatherWrap Snuggle Blanket will stay cozy and dry both indoors and out. The plush, puffy polyester fabric is water-repellent and rolls up tight for convenient carrying. A great choice for outdoorsy brands or athletic teams.

This weighted blanket mimics deep-pressure touch with a hefty five-pound weight. Features dual-layered reversible sherpa and fleece fabric and includes a zippered carry bag.

This roll-up fleece picnic blanket has a PEVA backing that protects the fleece from tearing while a matching polyester flap provides the ideal surface for a full-color imprint.

Perfect for camping or cozying up by the fire, this puffy wearable blanket is designed to shield users from cold temperatures with a lightweight 20D ripstop nylon. Available in six colors.

The Denim Beachy Blanket features twisted fringe and a lightweight acrylic fabric perfect for a day at the beach. Measures 50” by 60” and takes either a leatherette patch or embroidery.

Take an eco-friendly approach to one of the industry’s top categories.

Writing instruments are a perennial promo favorite. Brand-new Counselor State of the Industry data indicates that the category accounted for nearly 5% of all industry sales in 2023, and “pens” are consistently the top most-searched product in ESP each quarter. Now, with end-buyers demanding more eco-conscious items for their campaigns, suppliers are delivering – check out the sustainable writing instruments featured here, including pens made of sustainable bamboo and pencils made of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified wood.

Insurance agents are sure to stand out with this bamboo ballpoint/stylus. Can be purchased with gold or silver accents.

The Tri-Stic pen is made of 73% pre-consumer recycled plastic, ideal for eco-conscious events. All three sides, plus the clip, can be imprinted.

Certified by the FSC, this #2 pencil features a brass-colored ferrule and red eraser. Consider schools and community events

The Marcello ballpoint is made of a wheat straw composite and comes in four colors. Pitch to sports teams and trade show exhibitors.

The Eva ballpoint/stylus features a barrel made of recycled paper. Clip comes in four colors. Suggest that professional services companies give them out to new customers.

Made from 40% reclaimed wheat straw, this Zen pen is a sleek and colorful choice for fundraisers and company events. Can be purchased in five colors.

The plantable Sprout Pencil is made of sustainable wood and, once planted, grows into a cherry tomato, basil or cilantro plant. Well suited for garden centers and nurseries.

This click-action pen has a biodegradable cardboard barrel and bamboo clip. A perfect branding match for nature centers.

The Olivia twist-action ballpoint is made of a wheat straw blend and has chrome accents, metal clip and stylus. Comes in five colors.

Staff and volunteers at nonprofit organizations, particularly those with an environmental mission, will appreciate these bamboo ballpoints.

As the FTC cracks down on bogus claims, this Q&A primer helps clarify what’s kosher and what’s not regarding domestic origin labeling and marketing of products.

Williams-Sonoma notched a record-breaker, but for all the wrong reasons.

In April, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) slapped the retailer of kitchenware and home furnishings with what is reportedly the largest ever civil penalty related to alleged false Made-in-the-USA claims – $3.175 million.

The FTC determined that Williams-Sonoma had been advertising certain products as American-made when in fact they were manufactured in China and other countries, all in violation of a 2020 FTC order tied to earlier allegedly fraudulent U.S.-origin claims by the company.

The federal chastening followed fast after a case that had marked an all-time record for a civil penalty stemming from reportedly bogus USA-made labeling. In January 2024, Kubota North America Corporation agreed to pay a $2 million fine for labeling replacement parts for tractors and other agricultural equipment as Made in the USA, even though they were produced overseas.

The recent cases highlight that the FTC is pressing enforcement of rules regarding Made-in-the-USA assertions – a reality about which companies in the promotional products industry would be wise to take heed. Clearly, violating rules can result in sizable civil penalties and other headaches – such as having to submit annual compliance certifications to the FTC, as Williams-Sonoma must now do.

$3.175 million - The record-setting civil penalty Williams-Sonoma was ordered to pay for alleged false Made-in-the-USA claims on some of its products.

Some promo leaders ASI Media spoke with maintain that mislabeling or incorrectly advertising products as American-made, when in fact the items don’t meet the standard to be designated as such, is a problem in many industries, including the merch market.

“It’s an issue across our industry,” shares an executive at a Top 40 supplier who wished to remain anonymous.

Whether done as willful deception or out of ignorance, such false claims ultimately deceive would-be buyers and give the product purveyors an unfair advantage in a domestic marketplace in which end-clients often would prefer to purchase American-produced products, provided the price is right, critics say.

But just what does it mean to be Made in the USA? What standards must be met? What’s a qualified claim? And is there a difference between Made in the USA and Assembled in the USA? While not a substitute for legal advice, this ASI Media Q&A primer helps answer those questions.

Q: When can a product be labeled/marketed as“Made in the USA” under federal rules?

A: For a product to be called Made in the USA, or to claim tobe of domestic origin without qualifications or limits on theclaim, it must be “all or virtually all” made in the United States.This means the final assembly or processing of the productoccurs in the U.S., all significant processing that goes into theproduct happens here and all or virtually all ingredients orcomponents of the product are made and sourceddomestically. “The product should contain no – or negligible –foreign content,” says Mitchell J. Katz, a senior public affairsspecialist at the FTC.

Federal rules on Made in the USA apply to claims on productsthemselves and labeling, as well as in advertising andmarketing materials, including digital platforms like web-based ads, emails, social media and online productdescriptions.

Heads Up: The FTC says that manufacturers and marketersshould not indicate, either expressly or implicitly, that a wholeproduct line is of U.S. origin when only some products in thecollection are produced domestically.

Q: How does the FTC determine if the “all orvirtually all” standard is met when it comes toproduct parts?

A: Katz says there’s no “bright-line percentage” of a product’singredients/components that the FTC says must beproduced/sourced domestically for an item to be calledMade in the USA. Rather, the FTC considers elements like howmuch of a product’s total manufacturing costs can beassigned to U.S. parts and processing, how far removed anyforeign content is from the finished product and howimportant a role internationally produced components are toa product’s form or function.

Things can get tricky, and sometimes, the form or functionfactors supersede cost in relevance to the FTC assessment.

The FTC gives an example in which a watch is produced in theU.S. with American labor and mostly U.S. parts, but thecompany uses foreign-origin movement components in thewatches. The movements may not be a big percentage of theproduct’s production cost, but without them, the watcheswon’t work. “Because movements are essential to thewatches’ function, an unqualified Made in USA claim is likelydeceptive,” the FTC says.

$211,335 - The penalty a Utah-based apparel company, Lions Not Sheep, had to pay for allegedly removing clothing tags andreplacing them with phony Made-in-the-USAlabels, according to a 2022 order from theFederal Trade Commission.

Q: Is FTC approval required to market as Made inthe USA?

A: A company doesn’t need approval from the FTC beforemaking a Made-in-the-USA claim, and the FTC doesn’tpreapprove advertising or labeling claims. Still, thecommission advises manufacturers and marketers to beprepared to substantiate their U.S.-made assertions based onreasonable evidence that shows a product truly meets the“all or virtually all” standard.

The FTC says that, if given in good faith, manufacturers andmarketers can rely on information from vendor partnersabout the domestic content in the parts, components andother elements they produce and advertise. “Rather thanassume the input is 100% U.S.-made, however, manufacturersand marketers would be wise to ask the supplier for specificinformation about the percentage of U.S. content before theymake a U.S. origin claim,” the FTC states.

Q: What’s a qualified claim?

A: “Made in the USA From Chinese Parts.” “Designed in USA & Manufactured in Thailand.” “80% U.S. Content.”

These are examples of qualified claims – assertions onproducts, labels and in marketing/advertising/descriptionsthat share the extent, amount or type of a product’s domesticcontent or processing. They indicate a product isn’tcompletely of domestic origin, as would be the case with anunqualified claim of simply “Made in the USA.”

A qualified claim must feature a verifiable, clear andconspicuous disclosure about the extent to which the productcontains foreign parts, processing and/or ingredients orcomponents.

“Qualified USA claims are becoming more popular,” sharesSierra. “It’s because American customers want to see a USAconnection to the product, but companies don’t want toviolate the FTC’s guidelines.”

Even so, manufacturers and marketers can still run afoul ofregulators with qualified claims and must tread carefully toavoid stating or implying more domestic content orproduction than was actually used to produce a product.

“Avoid qualified claims unless the product has a significantamount of U.S. content or U.S. processing,” the FTC advises. “Aqualified Made in USA claim, like an unqualified claim, mustbe truthful and substantiated.”

Heads Up: It may be smart to avoid using a term like “Created inthe USA,” unless a product meets the criteria for an unqualifiedMade-in-the-USA assertion. Say, for instance, a new tote bag isdesigned in Colorado but then actually produced in India. Callingthis product “Created in the USA” would likely be considereddeceptive by the FTC, as commission officials may concludethere’s a high likelihood that consumers would equate “created”with “made,” which indicates domestic manufacturing fromlargely domestic components. A qualified claim like “Designed in USA & Manufactured in India” would probably be moreappropriate.

Q: Is there a difference between “Made in the USA” and “Assembled in the USA”?

A: Yes, though it’s often misunderstood, experts say. “A lot ofpeople think these claims mean the same thing, but they’rerelaying different information,” Sierra shares.

A product can be called Made in the USA without qualificationwhen it meets the domestic production and the “all orvirtually all” product component criteria. In laymen’s terms,Assembled in the USA means that a product contains ahigher degree of foreign components but that its primaryassembly occurs within the United States and that thisassembly is substantial.

Again, the devil is often in the details.

An FTC example: Say a lawn mower composed of mostlydomestic parts, except for the cable sheathing, flywheel,wheel rims and air filter, is built in the U.S. It’s copacetic to callthat product Assembled in the USA, the FTC says. However,take a computer in which all the major components aremade overseas but then cobbled together domestically –that’s a case in which an unqualified Assembled-in-the-USAclaim would likely be deceptive because the parts areprimarily foreign and because stateside assembly wasn’tsubstantial, according to the FTC.

“A simple ‘screwdriver’ assembly in the U.S. of foreigncomponents into a final product at the end of themanufacturing process doesn’t usually qualify for theAssembled in USA claim,” the FTC states.

Heads Up: Due to certain laws, U.S. content must be disclosed onproducts such as automobiles, textiles, wool and fur items. Still,there’s no law that requires most other products sold in the U.S. tobe marked or labeled Made in the USA or have any otherdisclosure about their amount of U.S. content. It’s up tocompanies if they want to share such information.

Q: How can promo get better on Made-in-the-USAclaims?

A: For starters, suppliers, distributors and end-buyers can digdeeper into educating themselves about the various types ofUSA-made claims, what they mean and where they can beapplied by studying the FTC guidelines.

Further, suppliers should have a dedicated compliancemanager/legal expert review Made-in-the-USA assertions,including qualified claims and “assembled-in” claims, beforeputting them on products, labels or in marketing/advertising.

Greater transparency, backed by good documentation, andimproved distributor due diligence could help, too.

Recognition ceremonies are critical for motivating students, athletes and employees.

Construction is a demanding job, and that means recognition is imperative. According to recent end-buyer market data from ASI Research, awards and trophies are in the top three promo categories for the construction sector. Consider personalized awards and trophies to congratulate workers for quality work and shining safety records.

Year-end recognition ceremonies are well-suited for this glass award with a walnut base. Both the glass and base can be engraved.

Members of dance and gymnastics teams can be rewarded for a job well done with this sublimated award ribbon. Available in a variety of colors, the message can be either silkscreened or hot stamped.

This shadow box is specially designed to display a police badge to recognize excellence and community service. Features double-beveled gallery matting and a personalized mounted plate.

This satin podium banner is perfect for recognizing hardworking athletes and sales reps. Features a full-color digital imprint.

This years-of-service award made of striking optical crystal is a must for companies with long-tenured staff. Features a deep etch imprint.

Government clients will appreciate this eagle award to recognize service to the community.

This bamboo plaque is well-suited for eco-conscious organizations. Can be displayed horizontally or vertically and comes in a variety of sizes.

More than just a fad, fidget-forward products are growing in popularity and functionality, with “pop-it” balls and spinner pens taking promo by storm.

At the height of the “pop fidget” craze of the COVID-19 pandemic, supplier High Caliber Line fulfilled an order of 400,000 poppers – a fidget toy made with silicone bumps that can be pushed in and out like never-ending Bubble Wrap – for a national drugstore chain.

“Kids are nervous when they go to these places,” says CEO and Founder Dan Oas. “They want to give them things to play with to keep their mind off things, particularly getting a shot.”

But it’s not just children who need a way to relieve the stresses of everyday life.

The prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms skyrocketed during the pandemic, and even today, twice as many people in the U.S. are experiencing mental health symptoms compared to 2019, according to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Accordingly, the demand for fidget toys – which have long been associated with aiding focus and easing anxiety – has spiked in the promo industry, reaching more than triple its 2018 popularity last year, based on ASI’s ESP search data. And they don’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.

“It initially started as a fun little novelty toy, and now it’s grown into something much bigger in regards to an awareness amongst society, and that’s what’s supporting it and feeding it,” says Brent Elenowitz of NY-based supplier Lincoln Line. “I think it’s just going to grow from here on out.”

When Fidget Spinners Were King

Just about everyone in promo remembers 2017 as the year of the fidget spinner.

The 3-inch toy spun to the top of the ESP search charts during its peak in summer 2017, staying in the top five from April to August of that year before ultimately being named ASI’s 2018 product of the year. But after the initial craze, many suppliers were left with excess inventory because of the dramatic drop-off in demand, Oas says.

The data reflects this lackluster interest among buyers, with ESP searches for fidget-related terms slowing and then plummeting to their lowest levels in 2020.

But “fidget” jumped back into the top 100 search terms in late 2021, which reflected both a resurgence of fidget toys in general and the next big thing in the fidget world: the pop fidget. ESP searches for the pop fidget skyrocketed by almost 30,000% between 2020 and 2021.

Popper Ball

While searches for poppers have slowed since their height in 2021 and 2022, they’ve maintained a longevity that the fidget spinner didn’t quite manage, Oas says. Part of that has come from suppliers transforming the product from its original flat shape into other forms, like the pop-it ball, or key chains featuring a few “poppable” bubbles.

“We just kind of keep doing more and keep adding different things,” Oas says. “The popper ball was really popular – that was a big winner last year.”

But suppliers say they’re noticing increases in fidget spinner sales as well. Lincoln Line is selling out its standard spinners left and right, Elenowitz says. ESP searches for fidget spinners almost doubled between 2022 and 2023, and the search term has remained in the top 100 search terms every month of 2024 so far.

Popper Notebook

“They’re things to keep you occupied so that you can take that energy, put it into there and then maybe focus your mental energy into whatever it is that’s going on,” Elenowitz says. “And I think that’s how these things help people.”

Are Functional Fidgets the Future?

A rising star in the world of fidget products might be the fidget pen, which has a spinnable piece near the top that users can play with while working or writing. Searches for fidget pens – or spinner pens, as they’re often known – shot up 600% between 2022 and 2023, with levels in 2024 set to outpace that.

Counselor Top 40 supplier SnugZ USA launched a spinner version of its Curvaceous Pen last year after a manufacturer suggestion, and it’s consistently sold in the top 10 of the company’s writing instruments every month since, says Brandon Brown, vice president of marketing.

Spin-It Stylus Pen

When SnugZ started giving out the spinner pens at the office or to distributors at trade shows, recipients were “fidgeting with them without even knowing they were fidgeting,” Brown says.

“We knew we had a hit,” he adds.

The increase in sales of the fidget pen is reflective of a larger trend in the fidget – and promo – market toward functional items, rather than just another “thing,” Oas says. That extends to other products, like the Iconic Pop Fidget Bottle from Elemental Bottles, which features a pop-it strap as a handle.

Water bottle with popper strap

Elemental Bottles launched the product in 2022, when the popper craze was still at its height, says Seth Inyang, co-founder of the supplier. The target market was kids, with a 14-ounce bottle, but Elemental soon had distributors and retailers alike asking for the product in larger sizes to keep up with demand.

“Turning it into a functional piece took it away from just being the fad,” Inyang says. “Nobody’s buying fidget pop by itself unless it’s been reinvented into something, but they’re buying more and more of the water bottle to this day.”

95% of southern end-buyers plan to increase or maintain their spend on promotional products in the next year.

ASI’s exclusive research reveals client buying habits in eight markets and across multiple demographics.

ASI Research has launched a new series profiling the people distributors work with most closely: end-buyers. Each week we’ll release a new data set that spotlights one of eight markets and looks at end-buyers through demographics such as gender, region and company size.

This week, our research focuses on end-buyers in the South, the third of four regions throughout the United States.

According to Census data, about 130 million people live in the South, making it the most populated region of the U.S. Top industries include healthcare, retail and manufacturing, and emerging industries are aerospace, film and urban farming.

According to ASI’s 2023 Ad Impressions study, the five most influential promo products for consumers in the South are outerwear, performance wear, polo shirts, writing instruments and health and safety products. New 2024 end-buyer research shows that when purchasing promo, South end-buyers are slightly more likely to buy T-shirts and buttons/lanyards than other regions.

The most important feature considered by midwest end-buyers when purchasing promo is durability/quality.

ASI’s exclusive research reveals client buying habits in eight markets and across multiple demographics.

ASI Research has launched a new series profiling the people distributors work with most closely: end-buyers. Each week we’ll release a new data set that spotlights one of eight markets and looks at end-buyers through demographics such as gender, region and company size.

This week, our research focuses on end-buyers in the Midwest, one of the four regions throughout the United States we’re spotlighting. According to Census data, about 70 million people live in the Midwest. The largest industries in this region are manufacturing, agriculture, energy and tourism, which are all lucrative opportunities for promo distributors.

According to ASI’s 2023 Ad Impressions study, the five most influential promo products for consumers in the Midwest are outerwear, performance wear, polo shirts, health & safety items and T-shirts. New 2024 end-buyer research shows that when purchasing promo, Midwest end-buyers of promotional products value durability and functionality, and are more likely to purchase caps and headwear than other regions.

96% of Northest end-buyers who use promo products are satisfied with the ROI they receive.

ASI’s exclusive research reveals client buying habits in eight markets and across multiple demographics.

ASI Research has launched a new series profiling the people distributors work with most closely: end-buyers. Each week we’ll release a new data set that spotlights one of eight markets and looks at end-buyers through demographics such as gender, region and company size.

This week, our research focuses on end-buyers in the Northeast, the second of four regions throughout the United States. According to Census data, about 57 million people live in the Northeast. Though this region has the smallest population, it has the most high-density cities, with key industries including healthcare, retail and education.

According to ASI’s 2023 Ad Impressions Study, the five most influential promo products for consumers in the Northeast are outerwear, performance wear, health & safety items, polo shirts, and umbrellas. New 2024 end-buyer research shows that when purchasing promo, Northeast buyers of promotional products are more likely to purchase desk/office accessories, writing instruments and calendars than other regions.

95% of healthcare end-buyers who use promo products are satisfied with the ROI they receive.

ASI’s exclusive research reveals client buying habits in eight markets and across multiple demographics.

ASI Research has launched a new series profiling the people distributors work with most closely: end-buyers. Each week we’ll release a new data set that spotlights one of eight markets and looks at end-buyers through demographics such as gender, region and company size.

This week, our research focuses on the healthcare industry. Health spending was almost 18% of the United States GDP in 2022, or about $4.5 trillion. According to the National Library of Medicine, the healthcare sector is projected to continue expanding in the next 10 years due to increased scientific and technological development as well as increased patient load. However, this sector will also face major challenges like increasing costs, a higher number of uninsured individuals and less pay for providers.

Healthcare end-buyers of promotional products include hospitals, hospice care, medical staffing agencies, nursing homes, pharmacies, private practices, urgent care and rehabilitation centers. ASI Research found that 34% of healthcare end-buyers purchase health and safety products, the highest of any industry surveyed by ASI. According to Counselor State of the Industry data, the healthcare market generated 10.4% of total promo industry sales in 2022, or about $2.7 billion.

79% of education end-buyers would recommend promo products to similar companies

ASI’s exclusive research reveals client buying habits in eight markets and across multiple demographics.

ASI Research has launched a new series profiling the people distributors work with most closely: end-buyers. Each week we’ll release a new data set that spotlights one of eight markets and looks at end-buyers through demographics such as gender, region and company size.

This week, our research focuses on the education industry, a sector which is poised to reach the $10 trillion mark in revenue by 2030. The World Economic Forum predicts that “EdTech” will play a noteworthy role in this vertical, and that AI will have a significant impact on learning experiences and upskilling the workforce of the future. Other trends that may impact the education sector’s growth include increasing enrollment due to the decline during the pandemic, and further diversity, equity and inclusion measures to erase barriers in accessibility.

Education end-buyers of promotional products include elementary and secondary schools, public and private universities, tutoring centers, language schools, technical schools, and special education services. ASI Research found that 55% of education end-buyers purchase bags, the highest of any sector surveyed. Education has long been the number-one market for promo sales, and according to Counselor State of the Industry data, the education market generated 13.1% of total promo industry sales in 2022, or $3.4 billion.

37% plan to incease their promo spending in 2024.

ASI’s exclusive research reveals client buying habits in eight markets and across multiple demographics.

ASI Research has launched a new series profiling the people distributors work with most closely: end-buyers. Each week we’ll release a new data set that spotlights one of eight markets and looks at end-buyers through demographics such as gender, region and company size.

This week, our research focuses on the retail industry, which has been marked by a period of robust spending and growth in the first quarter of this year. The retail industry is trending toward sustainability and greener approaches, but consumers are putting the onus on companies to prove their claims. Social commerce on apps like TikTok and increasing integration of artificial intelligence are also impacting this industry’s growth, according to Forbes.

Retail end-buyers of promotional products include department stores, convenience stores, warehouse retailers, boutiques, supermarkets and specialty stores. Giants within the industry consist of companies like Walmart, Amazon, Costco and The Home Depot. According to Counselor State of the Industry data, the retail market generated 5.9% of total promo industry sales in 2022, which equals roughly $1.5 billion.

98% of finance & insurance end-buyers who use promo products are satisfied with the ROI they receive.

ASI’s exclusive research reveals client buying habits in eight markets and across multiple demographics.

ASI Research has launched a new series profiling the people distributors work with most closely: end-buyers. Each week we’ll release a new data set that spotlights one of eight markets and looks at end-buyers through demographics such as gender, region and company size.

This week, our research focuses on the finance and insurance market, which employs nearly 7 million Americans. Despite economic ticks and turns that have contributed to buyer reluctance in the past year, this landscape has increased demand for financial advisers, new talent and top-level employees to enter the field. Businesses can leverage high-quality branded merch to provide a competitive edge and better engage with prospective employees.

Servicing end-buyers in credit unions, banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies, start-ups and government institutions, these businesses can benefit from utilizing financial promotional products like desk accessories and quality outerwear for employee gifting campaigns or corporate sponsorship for philanthropies. According to Counselor State of the Industry data, the finance and insurance market generated 6.3% of total industry sales or $1.6 billion in 2022.

Transport end-users to the land of sun and lemons this summer.

As summer 2024 quickly approaches, vacationers are gearing up for warm-weather trips overseas.

One of the most popular destinations each year is Italy – specifically the Amalfi Coast, an area south of Naples known for its idyllic pastel buildings, soaring rocky cliffs, magnificent views, bright blue waters and exotic lemon groves. According to travel site Euronews, the area brings in nearly 5 million people a year.

If recent summer seasons give any clue, the bold Amalfi Coast aesthetic – the fashion-forward cousin of the Mediterranean look characterized by natural textures and cool neutral tones – will soon make the TikTok rounds thanks to social media influencers. It’s sure to be further inspired by pop culture releases such as Netflix’s new thriller series Ripley, a remake of the 1955 crime novel The Talented Mr. Ripley set in Italy.

For those who perhaps don’t have an Italian getaway in their summer plans, Amalfi Coast-inspired products that encourage “la dolce vita” – slowing down and savoring life – can be a part of upcoming promotional campaigns.

1. Company Picnics

Employee gatherings outside are an ideal opportunity to celebrate the warm weather and encourage a little R&R. Fun lemon-shaped items are perfect as a giveaway to make self-care easier for team members.

Lemon-shaped and -scented jumbo stress reliever (DSSB38)

2. Team-Building Activities

Companies hosting outdoor activities during conferences and sales meetings should give participants essential sun protection. This sun hat can have your logo and motivational phrase on the brim or ribbon.

Straw hat with bow (PMG1708)

3. Influencer Kits

Consider creating gift bundles that include beauty products and fashion accessories that would fit well on the terraces of the Amalfi Coast. This brightly colored silk head or neck scarf evokes “la dolce vita.”

Silk scarf (RZ0608)

4. Travel Agencies

Vacation specialists and tour companies should send travel items to customers when they finalize their trips to sunny locales. Fashionable sunglasses always make a statement – especially in trendy leopard print.

Oversized cat eye sunglasses (GP74187)

5. Incentive Programs

Hardworking employees and loyal clients will appreciate high-quality housewares and kitchen tools with Mediterranean flare. This classic espresso maker allows recipients to enjoy the Italian experience in the comfort of their homes.

10-oz. espresso maker (SY1107)

ASI’s exclusive research reveals client buying habits in eight markets and across multiple demographics.

ASI Research has launched a new series profiling the people distributors work with most closely: end-buyers. Each week we’ll release a new data set that spotlights one of eight markets and looks at end-buyers through demographics such as gender, region and company size.

This week, our research focuses on the hospitality market, which struggled heavily during the pandemic but has rebounded significantly. Since the pandemic, hospitality employment has grown by almost 8 million and is expected to increase 6.8% in 2024 from the previous year.

Hospitality promotional products serve vendors, restaurants, travel agencies, ski resorts, cruise lines, hotel and motel chains. There are endless options for these companies to use branded merch, including food packaging, drinkware, souvenirs, travel accessories and decorations. Notably, 44% of hospitality end-buyers purchased drinkware last year. Counselor State of the Industry data shows that in 2022, the hospitality sector made up 4.7% of total industry sales, or $1.2 billion.

Click here for a PDF of this infographic.

These varied options show that eco-consciousness comes in all shapes and sizes.

Eco-friendly items are quickly becoming non-negotiable for giveaways and events. They benefit brand image, too: ASI Research reports that nearly 50% of consumers feel more favorable toward the advertiser on an eco-friendly product. The sustainable branded drinkware featured here is well suited for upcoming conferences, trade shows, parties and campaigns, particularly for companies that want eco-conscious items.

Featuring a double-walled interior that keeps beverages at their ideal temperature, the 10-oz. Everglade-II ceramic tumbler (EV-2) doesn’t compromise quality for a sleek look. The bamboo screw-top lid ensures leakage is a thing of the past. Perfect as an employee-appreciation gift.

Recipients are sure to love the sustainability of this 16-oz. stainless-steel/bamboo bottle (IPNL195A) with copper lining. Includes a removable infuser for flavor boosts.

Made with comfort in mind, the 16-oz. Klean Kanteen tumbler (DW3168H-16) has ergonomic contours and a splash-proof lid. The earth-toned exterior complements the recycled stainless-steel construction and vacuum insulation. Choose from five color combinations.

End-users will love this 20-oz. stainless-steel tumbler (1602-05) made with 91% post-consumer recycled content. A condensation-resistant outer layer keeps hands dry, and a double-walled interior keeps drinks hot or cold. Available in five colors.

Eco-minded events can distribute colorful cups (MMA308) made of paper derived from renewable resources. A poly-coated interior offers leak resistance. The 9-oz. size is also great for classroom parties.

Made in the USA of recycled ocean-bound plastic, this 16-oz. plastic pint glass (67716) comes in six colors. Five cents from each unit sold is donated to a marine environmental organization.

There’s no shot that this 2-oz. plastic cup (AU-SC1E) won’t be a hit at celebrations. Made from recyclable BPA-free plastic and available in four colors.

This 20-oz. classic sport bottle (SP20-E) is essential for outdoor enthusiasts, fun runs and bike races. Made of biodegradable and recyclable plastic that’s also BPA- and lead-free.

Eco-conscious coffee lovers will appreciate this 12-oz. wheat-straw mug (DWE12) that helps their morning brew protect the planet. Include in employee-appreciation gift bundles.

Smoothies and lattes alike will taste great in this 16-oz. double-wall insulated plastic tumbler (TGBT16). Available in six transparent colors, it comes with matching lid and straw. American-made and recyclable.

ASI’s exclusive research reveals client buying habits in eight markets and across multiple demographics.

ASI Research is launching a new series this year that profiles the people distributors work most closely with: end-buyers. Each week we’ll release a new data set that spotlights one of eight markets and looks at end-buyers through demographics such as gender, region and company size.

Our first report is on the automative market – a lucrative vertical with many opportunities for branded merchandising, including customized vehicle accessories, dealer apparel, keychains and license plate frames.

Automotive promo products are ideal for businesses like car dealers, body shops, rental agencies, car washes, supply stores and driving schools. These companies use promo for their employees – executives, salespeople, mechanics, customer service associates and instructors – as well as the customers they serve. Counselor State of the Industry data shows that in 2022, the automotive sector made up 3.6% of total industry sales, or $929 million.

Click here for a PDF of this infographic.

ASI’s exclusive research reveals client buying habits in eight markets and across multiple demographics.

ASI Research is launching a new series this year that profiles the people distributors work most closely with: end-buyers. Each week we’ll release a new data set that spotlights one of eight markets and looks at end-buyers through demographics such as gender, region and company size.

Our first report is on the automative market – a lucrative vertical with many opportunities for branded merchandising, including customized vehicle accessories, dealer apparel, keychains and license plate frames.

Automotive promo products are ideal for businesses like car dealers, body shops, rental agencies, car washes, supply stores and driving schools. These companies use promo for their employees – executives, salespeople, mechanics, customer service associates and instructors – as well as the customers they serve. Counselor State of the Industry data shows that in 2022, the automotive sector made up 3.6% of total industry sales, or $929 million.

Click here for a PDF of this infographic.

They create a sense of unity among fans, fostering a shared identity and enthusiasm for a team.

The youth sports market in the U.S. poses robust opportunity for distributors. According to ZipDo, it’s big business: The sector is poised to be worth nearly $80 billion by 2026, with more than 44 million kids participating each year. Players and fans will appreciate these branded team spirit products for the next game or match.

Rev up a team promotion with this 12” x 17” car flag (BCF-250). Whether it’s for a spirited tailgate, community parade or traveling to an away game, it’s a surefire go-to for celebration and promotion. Features a 19.5” display pole for sturdy mounting.

Fans will have a blast in the stands and on the sidelines with this 16” foam mitt (FNP150160). Made of fire-retardant polyurethane, it can feature a mascot or slogan printed in waterproof ink. Made in the USA and available in a variety of colors.

Amplify any cheer or fight song with this 12” megaphone (23125-R) that doubles as a 64-oz. popcorn holder. Made in the USA of 14 pt. white paper board stock that’s finished with a high gloss. Perfect for pep rallies, sporting events and concession stands.

This velour hemmed sports towel (EV1408) is an ideal stadium and arena giveaway. Made of 100% ring-spun cotton, it measures 11” x 18”. Choose from six colors.

Young athletes will score big with this patriotic drawstring bag (DS1505). Made of durable polyester with a spacious main compartment and zippered front pocket. Folds neatly for easy storage.

This stadium scarf (V3242M) keeps the user cozy while making it clear which team they support. Featuring edge-to-edge, full-color dye sublimation on both sides, there are no limits to the decoration creativity.

This noisemaker (NM104) is a surefire way to amp up fans at the next game. Available in a variety of colors and customizable for your needs. Ideal for athletic events and school-spirit nights.

Schools and clubs will command attention with this 40’ x 80’ stadium banner (DPP-4080). Whether on the field, in the stands or at tailgates, it makes a bold statement. Digitally printed on outdoor-grade knitted polyester.

Basketball players and fans will appreciate this 2.5” stress ball (SM-3388), ideal as an in-game giveaway. Made of soft polyurethane foam.

Here’s something unique: a knit scarf with attached hood (MSL163). Made of soft acrylic, it measures approximately 59” x 7”. The cap has an added pouch for storing essentials.

The supplier donated a portion of sales from its Power Bar power bank to the nonprofit Feed My Starving Children.

In 2023, the Cerritos, raised $8,953.64 through its Power Bar for Hungry Kids charity campaign for the nonprofit Feed My Starving Children (FMSC). The supplier’s charity campaign donates a portion of annual sales for its popular Power Bar, a power bank that’s disguised as an ordinary nutrition bar.

Twintech Industry donated nearly $9,000 in 2023 to help Feed My Starving Children provide MannaPack meals to combat malnutrition around the world.

Twintech CEO and founder HC Chao said that as a father and a minority business owner, FMSC was a charity close to his heart. Chao added that he wanted to give back to an organization that helps take care of those who are most vulnerable.

Since its founding in 1987, FMSC has shipped more than 4 billion meals to over 100 countries, according to its website. The nonprofit also notes that 91% of each dollar donated goes directly toward feeding children, and that 99.8% of FMSC meals have safely reached their intended destination. The nonprofit creates three different “MannaPack” meal formulas developed by food science and nutrition professionals “to supplement nutritional needs and reduce problems with malnutrition,” according to the FMSC site. Each meal, packed primarily by volunteers, costs less than 30 cents, with a $106 donation enough to feed a child for an entire year.

Twintech said its contribution will ensure that more than 30,000 meals will be provided to children to help fight against hunger in local and worldwide communities.

Consumers can now proudly swear fealty with more than just the brand’s drinkware.

The Stanley Quencher gained unprecedented consumer loyalty throughout the past year, solidifying its status as the top-selling drinking vessel in the market.

Now, the company has launched an apparel line.

On offer for Stanley fans who want to “Wear the Bear” (the tagline for the collection, in a nod to the brand’s logo) are basics like T-shirts, caps, hoodies, sweatshirts and socks.

This crewneck sweatshirt features two embroidered Quencher tumblers on the left chest. Colors include black, rose quartz, cream and even Stanley green – in homage to the Hammertone green that Stanley, a brand that’s more than 100 years old, made popular with its classic vacuum bottle for many decades.

The Classic Patch corduroy cap in ginger has an embroidered patch.

Stanley also has T-shirt options for kids, with screen-printing in bright, eye-catching colors.

The Kids Roar Tee in cream has a playful imprint.

Stanley isn’t the first retail drinkware line to expand into clothing. Competitor YETI also has an apparel line with T-shirts, caps and beanies.

In recent weeks, shoppers stormed Target locations to snag a special-edition “Galentine’s Day” Stanley Quencher. Stanley also responded to consumer concerns about lead in the vessels, saying they’re “making progress on innovative, alternative materials for use in the sealing process.” Vacuum-insulated tumblers like the Quencher are often constructed with a small lead pellet in the bottom to seal the insulation. It’s encased in glass and therefore inaccessible by users unless the drinkware is badly damaged.

Hearing “no” comes with the territory, but it doesn’t have to impact success. Check out these eight ways to contend with rejection constructively and move more sales to the close.

Rejection is never easy – particularly in sales, where a person’s response is directly tied to your livelihood. It can be tempting to let “no” poke holes in your confidence, which can lead to call reluctance. However, preparation and persistence are often rewarded. According to data collated by Peak Sales Recruiting, more than 40% of sales reps give up on a lead after one follow-up call, but six in 10 customers will say “no” four times before saying “yes.”

So, when rejection threatens to throw you off your game, remember these eight tips:

1. Expect rejection.

Being told “no thanks” is part of being a sales rep. Expecting it will mean you’re less surprised and caught off guard when you do hear it, and you’ll be less likely to take it personally. A “no” also gives you an opportunity to create responses to common objections. If that doesn’t work, practice picking yourself up, dusting yourself off and moving on to the next call.

2. Know your strengths.

Do you offer unparalleled customer service? Soup-to-nuts creative services? Always-met deadlines? Remind yourself consistently of the value you offer and the things that define you in an environment of uncertainty, which will help you psychologically withstand rejection.

3. Shift your mindset.

Look at every call or email as a learning opportunity: Track what works and what doesn’t, and make tweaks as you go. After each conversation, whether you get a “yes,” “no” or “maybe,” ask yourself what skills you used on the call and adjustments you could make.

4. Review your strategy.

If you’re hearing more “nos” than normal, analyze your strategy. Are you calling on the right people? Could the time of day be impacting their response? Are you communicating clearly what you offer and how it can help them? Take a good look at your process, and also ask for honest feedback from current clients, colleagues and your manager.

60%: The percentage of customers who say “no” at least four times before saying “yes”. (Peak Sales Recruiting)

5. Be persistent.

A lead or prospect may have said “no” last quarter, but try calling on them again. Data shows that it takes several “nos” before a “yes.” Maybe in the past three months, their circumstances have changed. You won’t know if you don’t ask, and they may have more of a listening ear the second time around.

6. Measure progress.

Track your “yeses,” “nos” and “maybes” – you might be hearing fewer straight-up rejections than you think. Monitoring responses will also help you gauge how tweaks to your strategy are impacting your success.

7. Listen to understand.

If the person you call on says “no,” ask questions to figure out why. It’s most likely a concern in one of four areas: time, money, authority or effort. See if you can find out where their concern lies, then fall back on the value you offer to counter that objection. A hard “no” could potentially turn into, “I’d like to know more.”

8. Shadow other sales reps.

Ask successful colleagues if you can sit in on their sales calls. Take note of the words they use, the questions they ask, their tone and how they respond to objections. Even if you’re a veteran, it’s a good idea to take some time for a fresh look on the process and dive into another rep’s strategy to find what works.

Business owners who underpay themselves year after year are costing themselves in the long run.

Lots of business owners underpay or altogether forgo paying themselves in the interest of “investing” in their business and its needs. In the initial stages of a start-up or in tough times, one might have to make sacrifices, but doing so year after year points to a much bigger problem. To promote profitability, it may seem to make sense to habitually pay yourself less. In the long run, however, it will cost you and your business more than you might anticipate.

As the business takes off, it’s essential to start taking a decent salary for yourself and your partners. Whatever you pay yourself, it should be enough for you to live comfortably and allow you to save and invest for your future. Let the power of compounding work for you. If you own the building, make sure to charge the business a fair rent. You aren’t doing anybody any favors by hiding the actual expenses and giving yourself a false sense of profitability.

One of my consulting clients, let’s call him Steve, was in his 15th year in business but was paying himself barely enough to meet his household expenses. His wife also worked in his business. They hardly took any vacations or saved for their kids’ education or their own retirement. After I had a few meetings with him, he finally understood and realized the importance of taking care of themselves first. He gave his wife and himself a decent raise. They went on a family vacation that they thoroughly enjoyed, and came back rejuvenated with a new vigor. The following year, their business experienced a 10% growth in revenues and a 5% growth in profits.

Steve realized that he hadn’t performed at his best for several years. With the excessive number of hours he was putting into his business and the small return he was getting, he had lost the needed energy and motivation to think creatively and focus on profits. With the rotten mood he brough home at the end of the work day, his relationship with his family had also taken a hit. As a result of increased compensation, things were looking up. Not only could he pay for his immediate needs, but he could also sock away enough and invest for a comfortable life in his golden years.

How much should you pay? This question comes up all the time, and there is no one formula that fits all. It depends on variables such as type of business, legal structure, profitability percentage, tax bracket and others. Some possible solutions are:

1. At least the pay needed to hire a manager to replace you in case you can’t work anymore
2. Anywhere from 3% to 6% of your revenue
3. A certain percentage of profits, leaving enough for reinvestment into the business, ensuring its continuous growth
4. Enough to cover your necessary expenses plus maintain a rainy-day fund, among others

Family business dynamics. I have seen situations where the father, who has owned the business for years, hires children to management roles and pays them more than his own salary in order to “keep them motivated.” I find two issues with this situation. One, the children must earn their way up to management by proving their worth. Two, paying more than your own salary sends the wrong message of you being of less worth – it undermines your credibility as the leader.

Greed can kill the business. I have also seen the opposite happen. I knew an owner of a printing business who treated it as her ATM machine. She kept taking money out of her business to splurge on her luxurious lifestyle, including building a second house and taking multiple vacations a year. The number of employees went from seven to two. Sales kept shrinking. She lost most of her customers. The only reason she’s still in business is because of a contractual agreement with one large client.

You’re the one taking all the financial risks, having sleepless nights and making sacrifices; there’s nothing wrong with reaping the rewards. If you have managed your business with a focus on profits, you should not have to worry about finances after your exit – which, by the way, you get to decide, not your age, personal situation or circumstances.

The company announced two new giveback programs for 2024, including a partnership with two organizations dedicated to saving coral reefs.

The Baltimore-based supplier has launched a new environmentally focused giveback program this year, donating a portion of all sales of its new Coral Reef towels.

Coral reefs are one of the most important ecosystems on the planet, supporting 25% of all marine species. They’re also a source of food for hundreds of millions of people; they power coastal economies through tourism, fishing and recreation; and they shelter coastlines from storms and erosion. However, due to factors including climate change and direct human impact, half of coral reefs around the world have been lost, and scientists have projected that more than 90% will have died by 2050.

One solution to the problem is to create high-tech coral farms that can grow coral up to 50 times faster and boost their resiliency against warming and acidifying oceans. Once the new coral is grown, the organization says it can plant it into degraded reefs to bring them back to life.

In addition to its coral reef giveback program, the supplier has announced that it will be donating a portion of all sales to the Melanoma Research Foundation.

These two new giveback programs build on the company’s established philanthropic practice of donating towels and blankets to the Salvation Army, particularly in areas suffering the effects of natural disasters.

The pastel neutral is on trend for apparel, accessories and other promotional products.

Expect 2024 to bring warmth and comfort – at least in terms of color. Pantone has announced Peach Fuzz as its 2024 Color of the Year, describing it as a “clean peach tone with a vintage vibe.”

The Pantone Color Institute says the subtle hue is meant to evoke a message of caring, collaboration and sharing.

“A cozy peach hue softly nestled between pink and orange, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz brings belonging, inspires recalibration and is an opportunity for nurturing, conjuring up an air of calm, offering us a space to be, feel and heal, and to flourish from, whether spending time with others or taking the time to enjoy a moment by ourselves,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

The 2024 color is a departure from the more saturated hues Pantone has chosen for other recent Colors of the Year like 2023’s Viva Magenta and 2022’s Very Peri. It’s similar, though, to the 2019 pick Living Coral. Pantone’s announcement also marks the 25th anniversary of the Color of the Year program, which was instituted in 1999, with the color Cerulean Blue.

Trend watchers say Pantone’s latest color of the year is a win. “It perfectly represents trends we’re seeing in the market now ... a rise in neutrals, emphasis in timelessness and attraction to the softness found in nature,”

Others also said, the color “is giving me all the summer sunset vibes” and is the “perfect neutral yet fun color” to complement a brand.

Peach Fuzz works well for athleisure and other apparel basics, lifestyle drinkware and various accessories. Consider these ideas for upcoming trends:

1. Beach apparel

2. Fitness

3. Tropical Vacation

4. Spirit Wear

It’s a social media sensation, the next big thing in the drinkware boom – and the must-have status symbol of 2023.

Just before Thanksgiving 2023, a viral TikTok video showed the aftermath of a major car fire. In the center console among the destroyed seats, roof debris and water from firefighters’ hoses sat a bright orange tumbler with a handle and straw – blackened with soot, but otherwise unscathed. Miraculously, the ice inside was still intact.

The item was the popular 40-oz. Quencher H2.0 FlowState tumbler from Stanley. It certainly made a great ad for the company; the video garnered millions of views and tens of thousands of comments (many of them indicating they were soon to become first-time customers). Terence Reilly, president of Stanley, offered to replace both the tumbler and the car.

It was also an apt image of both Stanley and the Quencher’s remarkable recent success. Despite fears of a recession, slashed corporate budgets, cash-strapped households and a nearly saturated product category, this $50 tumbler became the must-have status symbol of 2023 in both retail and promo.

What’s even more remarkable is this unlikely resurgence is over a century in the making. Stanley, founded in 1913, was known for decades for its classic steel vacuum bottles and lunch boxes in its signature Hammertone Green, mostly used by the workers who first built the country’s infrastructure. The company’s items and its clientele were both suited to spend time outside in the elements.

That changed in late 2022, when a combination of brand flexibility, new executive faces, image retooling, earnest influencers, savvy affiliate marketing and swoon-worthy lifestyle shots – plus a bit of luck – launched the 40-oz. Quencher into the stratosphere. The tumbler is an object of adoration, lauded by millions of social media users and so worshipped that consumers this holiday season camped out in tents outside Starbucks locations to try to score the special-edition Stanley x Starbucks style, many with plans to resell them online for huge markups.

The social media trend is ideally suited for end-buyers in the health and wellness space.

It can be hard to start a fitness routine, particularly for newbies and those who have had less-than-stellar workout experiences in the past. Now, say hello to ‘Cozy Cardio,’ a recent TikTok trend featuring a gentler, home-based way to work out.

The movement’s been popularized in recent months by TikTok creators, who started sharing their early morning workouts that often feature a lighted candle, iced coffee with protein, walking pad, comfortable clothes, and a streaming show in the background.

This is a great way to heal people’s relationship with exercise. It explores the boundaries of new and creative ways of moving your body to still be able to lose weight and feel good.

While health professionals say gentle walking should ideally lead to more intensive exercise over time for maximum benefit, it’s ideal for easing people into building fitness into their days.

Brands are increasingly looking for third-party eco-certifications as a strategy to cut down on greenwashing claims. Expect such requirements to intensify in the new year.

As we round the corner to a new year, most companies are conducting annual reviews, setting goals, and revisiting their values. Navigating modern business with appropriate awareness is no easy task, but one thing’s for certain: You’ll want to continue – or start – placing emphasis on your social and environmental impact amid your fourth-quarter reflections and upcoming aspirations.

The overarching theme across all industries moving into 2024? Sustainable business practices are no longer optional. While companies that were mission-driven from inception are thrilled to see more responsible behaviors take hold, the fact that sustainability is “trending” comes with its own set of challenges. Here, a handful of promotional business owners weigh in on several areas of sustainability worth watching – and getting involved in – as we forge a realistic path forward.

1. Cracking Down on Greenwashing

In the Wild West of marketing, words like “eco-friendly,” “natural,” “sustainable” and “green” are open to infinite interpretations. Businesses all along the supply chain can help the industry create standards of practice and uphold collective integrity by asking questions, requesting documentation and learning more about their partners’ practices before buying.

2. Making Third-Party Certifications a Must

To answer questions of proof, many companies are relying on audits from outside eyes. Official third-party certifications such as EcoVadis ratings or B Corp status on the company level, and OEKO-TEX and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) on the product level, are becoming expected pieces of documentation on RFPs.

3. Addressing PFAS – Again

Mirum is a plant-based, plastic-free material that can mimic the look of leather to create climate-friendly footwear, fashion and accessories.

Back for another year on the sustainability trends list is the need to address PFAS. Polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as “forever chemicals,” are found in outdoor and leisure apparel, cookware and other items such as an industry favorite: the stress reliever ball. According to the Environmental Working Group, these chemicals “pollute water, do not break down, and remain in the environment and people for decades.” As of July, at least seven states have passed PFAS restrictions or reporting requirements for a range of consumer products.

Companies are following suit with their own alternatives, prioritizing products that are fully circular and can break down in soil over time. Mirum, for example, is a new USDA-certified bio-based product, used to produce plastic-free and plant-based bags, shoes, apparel and automotive interiors.

4. Building Sustainability-Focused Business Structures

Gone are the days when one person in the office happened to care about sustainability and single-handedly led the efforts. Companies are hiring environmental consultants, creating teams to focus on their sustainability plans, and centralizing efforts for maximum efficiency across departments and branches.

With this growing demand for transparency and new generations of creative minds at the helm, retail and promo are certainly in for another revolutionary year.

Tips for crafting effective social media marketing posts.

The best social media marketing is strategic, targeted and starts a conversation. Noting that the goal is not to go viral and reach the most eyeballs, but to focus instead on reaching your target audience and sparking meaningful connections.

To achieve this goal, one needs to focus on the “TERA” method for creating compelling content.

First, focus on content that triggers emotion and credibility. One way to do this is by crafting short-form video testimonials where clients share stories about how they’ve used promotional products to create memorable experiences.

The second part of the TERA method is to trigger relatability and make connections.

One surefire method is to create posts highlighting mistakes you’ve made – whether it’s a misprint, a production delay, or a customer complaint – then showing how your team addressed and learned from those challenges. That kind of transparency is rare and valuable. It can be reassuring to prospects who value honesty and resilience.

The final piece of the TERA method is to spark action and conversion.

Provide a clear call to action that explains what you want your followers to do after engaging with your content. Make sure any links you share are active and up to date. One idea is to offer free samples or consultation as a way to encourage potential clients to experience first-hand that you have to offer.

Additionally, following the social media content marketing “rule of thirds.” One-third of your content promotes your business, converts prospects and generates profit. One-third of your content should share ideas and stories from thought leaders in your industry or like-minded businesses. And one-third of your content should be personal interactions with your audience.

There are many positives of working with family, but also potential trouble spots that can harm your company’s profitability.

Family-owned businesses are all around us. Nearly 62% of the U.S. workforce (approximately 82 million people) is employed by a family-owned business, which also generates 64% of the United States’ GDP, according to research by FamilyBusiness.org. Growing up in a three-generation family-owned business, I have been a huge supporter of them. Since this article series focuses on profitability, let’s examine some of the pros and potential issues with family-owned businesses that owners need to navigate to maximize profits.

Pros

Trust: To me, this is the most significant benefit. For the 25-plus years I ran my distributorship, my wife was 100% in charge of all the accounting and financial decisions. She watched every outgoing dollar like a hawk. Whom could I trust with money more than my life partner?

Quick decision-making: Since it was just the two of us who managed the business with no overlap of responsibilities, the decision-making process was swift, efficient and without conflict. There were no lengthy meetings, approval processes or red tape. This eliminated any delays or employee frustrations, thus making them more productive and positively affecting the company’s profitability.

Building your family legacy: In a family-owned business, you get to work with the people you love the most, and eventually have a succession plan in place to pass the business over to your heirs who can preserve and build your personal and financial legacy.

Potential Issues

Blurring the line of leadership hierarchy: Problems arise in family-owned businesses when every family member feels they are the boss. If there’s clarity among employees on leadership, it can result in satisfaction, non-duplication of work, effort and wasted resources. Another issue I see a lot is sibling rivalry. When siblings compete or, worse yet, sabotage each other’s actions, it can result in the demise of the entire enterprise.

Mixing business and personal lives: Sometimes it’s hard for family members to keep their disagreements and squabbles at home. When they have a yelling match in front of employees and, worse, in front of customers, it makes it difficult for staff to work in that unhealthy environment. Make sure professionalism is always maintained. I’ve also seen family members acting with a sense of entitlement. They expect to take advantage of all the privileges of joining their parent’s business without working or holding up their end of the bargain.

Not encouraging active participation from all: A parent who starts a business may view it as their own baby and be reluctant to listen to the ideas presented by younger family members. This can result in frustration and hostility, diminishing the motivation of others to work hard or work there at all. In addition, such a situation can lessen their push to bring innovative and value-added solutions.

Nepotism: This is a significant issue that causes discontent and loss of morale among employees. The owners’ family members enjoy many more perks and get undeserved promotions. If you’re looking to fill a position at your company and one of your family members is out of a job, that doesn’t mean, in your desire to help them, you hire that person if they don’t meet the necessary qualifications. Not only are you potentially hurting your company’s profitability, but you’re also doing a disservice to that family member. If you want to help, let them shadow one of your staff members. As they get trained and meet the job requirements, you could consider offering them a position. If not, their newly learned skills could also open doors at other organizations.

Roles not clearly defined: All family members must have a job description. They should be evaluated just like the rest of the team. Their compensation must be in line with others. Underperformers should be shown the door. That helps your company’s bottom line and conveys that the management is fair, and nobody is above the set rules.

One example: A husband and wife team, after running their business successfully for decades, handed over the company’s reins to their only son as they aged and moved away. The son inherited that multimillion-dollar business without having to work hard for it. The problem was he didn’t have the “need” to hustle all his adult life; he didn’t have any motivation to work hard. The business was profitable but slipped into the red within five years of his taking it over. This was the direct result of his wasteful spending habits. He used the business profits for his personal wants and those of his friends. This, unfortunately, happens more often than we imagine. Therefore, it’s incumbent on you to evaluate the proper heir to the business throne based on their skills, work ethic, commitment, sweat equity, financial investment, and long-term goals for the business.

Bacteria-dyed fabric and shoe takeback programs are among the recent innovations.

Researchers are exploring new ways to decorate clothing – whether it’s using bacteria to create a one-of-a-kind dye job, grinding up old textiles to create a pigment that can be used for screen printing new designs, or simply launching a takeback program to ensure that used products don’t end up in a landfill.

Giving Textiles New Life

Artists used pigments created from recycled textiles to design new tees.

Researchers at a university in Australia have figured out a way to recycle textiles into a pigment that can be used to print other garments. Deakin University recently demonstrated these “Perpetual Pigments” at an exhibition that featured screen-printed T-shirts, designed by indigenous artists and produced in collaboration with surf brand Rip Curl.

Rangam Rajkhowa, an associate professor at Deakin, said that about 800,000 tons of textile waste ends up in Australian landfills each year, but he hopes his pigment extraction process can provide new ways that discarded clothes and other textiles can be reused in the circular economy.

“We’ve found that particles produced from textile waste segregated by color could be used for a range of applications. This includes pigments for printing or coloring textiles, and which can also be used to create art,” Rajkhowa said. “Our simple but powerful approach could address the huge challenges of recycling textiles due to complexities of different colors, fibers and blends.”

The Deakin research team grinds down textile waste – sourced from industry partner Textile Recyclers Australia – turning the fabric into a fine powder. Artists were given the recycled pigments in various colors and asked to experiment and provide feedback on them.

“We wanted to explore what’s possible,” said Dr. Russell Kennedy, co-curator of the Perpetual Pigments exhibit. “We hope this is the first step in developing new ways that waste textiles can be given a beautiful second life.”

Crocs Get Circular

Crocs has launched a takeback pilot program.

Crocs wants your old shoes. The brand recently launched a new retail takeback pilot program, inviting consumers to bring their old Crocs to stores in select states. Crocs will then leverage partnerships and product innovation to give the donated shoes a next use.

Participating stores are equipped with a designated collection box, and participants will receive a free, limited-edition “Crocs Saver” charm as a thank you, while supplies last.

“We’re excited to take this next step on our path toward innovating for a circular economy and a better future for footwear,” said Deanna Bratter, vice president, global head of sustainability at Crocs. “This pilot program aims to address both environmental and social challenges faced by the fashion industry when it comes to product waste. Together with our fans, we can unlock innovation and partnerships to effectively reduce waste, reuse our materials, keep shoes out of landfills and help people in need.”

Eventually, the company says it wants to scale the program to all U.S. Crocs retail and online stores.

“Our responsibility extends beyond the sale of our product. We want to keep Crocs products in use for as long as possible,” Bratter said.

A Jacket With Culture

This jacket was dyed using a pigment-producing microbe. (Courtesy of Normal Phenomena of Life)

You might have heard of algae ink – a more-sustainable alternative to carbon black pigment – but what about using bacteria to create a one-of-a-kind dye? Normal Phenomena of Life (NPOL), which calls itself the world’s first biodesign-native lifestyle brand, did just that, with its silk Exploring Jacket, batch-dyed with wildtype Streptomyces Coelcolor, a pigment-producing microbe that creates “bespoke patterns ranging from blue to red in color,” according to the NPOL website. The jacket is made of 100% GOTS-certified organic silk, using the toxin-free, water-efficient microbial dye process.

Also available on the site is a face oil made of fungi and T-shirts screen printed with algae-based ink.

Natsai Audrey Chieza, of design research lab Faber Futures, explained the impetus for launching the NPOL brand in design magazine Wallpaper: “We need to change everything, including consumer expectations of what products should be.”

“NPOL offers a unique opportunity to merge cutting-edge biotechnology with standout product innovation and storytelling,” she added.

Limited-edition snow globes, boxy sweaters and cookie-scented lotions are among the many delights on offer this year.

'Tis the season when brands roll out all their extravagant holiday-themed merch, and we get to judge it. If you’ve been following along over the years, we’ve seen some truly ugly sweaters, settled the debate over whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie and discovered the utility of specialty beer-holding mittens.

This year, there’s truly something for everyone, whether it’s snack cake earrings, a fast food snow globe or lotion that makes you smell like fresh-out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookies. Journey with me through this veritable winter wonderland of kitschy merch.

1. Wrapped Up on a Hip Hop Milestone

Grand Marnier is celebrating 50 years of hip hop with limited-edition (w)rapping paper.

It’s hard to believe that hip hop is half a century old, but the calendar doesn’t lie. Liqueur brand Grand Marnier is celebrating the milestone with its (W)rapping Paper program. In collaboration with rock and rap artist Teezo Touchdown and luxury Black-owned gifting company UNWRP, Grand Marnier is releasing limited-edition wrapping paper and custom cocktail kits. The brand is also making a donation to the Hip Hop Museum and releasing social media content featuring Teezo Touchdown.

The cocktail kits include all the ingredients to make a “Grand Margarita,” along with garnishes and the custom gift wrap.

“Grand Marnier is once again honoring our storied history of blending unexpected elements to create something extraordinary,” said Andrea Sengara, vice president of marketing for Campari U.S. “Just like the unexpected encounter of orange liqueur and cognac coming together to create something grand, this collaboration with UNWRP and Teezo Touchdown to create an item that blends hip hop, the holidays and cocktails demonstrates the fun you can have when you bring together the unexpected.”

Verdict: I appreciate the commitment to a good pun – the rap/wrap combo is fun – but taking the idea one step further to work with a Black-owned wrapping paper business and include the donation to the Hip Hop Museum elevates this holiday promotion.

2. Dreaming of a White (Castle) Christmas

White Castle is offering this limited-edition snow globe for the holiday season.

Can I make a confession? I’ve never actually eaten at White Castle, though I have seen this 2004 cinematic classic. Still, I appreciate the fast-food brand’s stab at holiday branded merch, particularly the limited-edition snow globe, which features a miniature, vintage White Castle scene.

Also part of the “Ultimate Craver’s Gift Guide” are a set of four collectible mugs featuring a different seasonal image on each, a knit scarf and winter hat, a Cheese Slider tree ornament, and a royal blue stocking featuring the White Castle logo and images of snowflakes and fast food forming a background pattern. A decorated crewneck sweatshirt, trucker hat, and glass and bamboo water bottle are also part of the collection.

“As a family-owned business for 102 years, we cherish creating memorable moments year-round, and especially during the holiday season,” said Jamie Richardson, vice president at White Castle and fourth-generation family member.

Verdict: White Castle has put together a cohesive collection of holiday merch that showcases its signature items in a fun way.

3. Some Out-of-the-Box Merch

Boxed wine brand Franzia is offering a holiday sweater that includes battery-powered lights and an attached “wine swirl scarf.”

Franzia is a wine brand that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Remember a few years ago when the company released a wine-dispensing backpack shaped like one of its signature boxes of wine? So, it doesn’t surprise me that Franzia was able to put a fun twist on the now ubiquitous ugly holiday sweater.

The company recently released a limited-edition holiday-themed Cabernet Sauvignon box with a matching sweater, complete with battery-powered holiday lights and an attached “wine swirl scarf” for extra flair. Other items in its holiday merch collection include inflatable snow globe lawn ornaments and Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay tree ornaments.

“We’re thrilled to release our holiday merch collection that gets our Franz feeling festive and also allows them to showcase their holiday spirit in a uniquely Franzia way,” said Amy Navor, brand manager for Franzia.

Verdict: Ugly holiday sweaters seem to be part of every merch collection these days, so a brand has to do something special to stand out. The attached scarf on Franzia’s version gives the sweater just enough extra personality to stand out, without turning it into something utterly unwearable.

4. Let Them Wear Cake

Little Debbie is selling earrings based on its iconic Christmas tree snack cakes.

Snack food brand Little Debbie is going all out this holiday season, releasing an array of merch all based on its Christmas Tree snack cakes. There’s a red-and-white Hawaiian shirt featuring images flowers and Christmas trees, a fringed white scarf featuring red stripes and green sprinkles, a hat-and-scarf combo featuring the phrase “tree cake hugger,” a Christmas tree cake-scented candle, an inflatable Christmas tree cake-shaped decoration and a “Cakes for Santa” plate. There are also dainty Christmas tree cake earrings.

Plus, you can wrap up any of these tasty gifts with some custom Little Debbie wrapping paper.

Verdict: The cute tree-shaped earrings make my nice list.

5. Wash Your Hands With Cookies and Milk

Beekman 1802 and Nestlé Toll House collaborated on this chocolate chip cookie-scented body care collection.

There’s nothing better than milk and cookies. So, pairing goat milk soaps and lotions with a sweet, fresh-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookie aroma makes perfect sense.

Enter the limited-edition holiday collaboration between body care brand Beekman 1802 and Nestlé Toll House: The fresh-baked cookies and milk body care collection includes bar soap, hand cream, hand and body wash, whipped body cream and lip balm.

The two companies said they worked together to replicate the nostalgic childhood aroma of freshly baked cookies, and that it took seven iterations to nail the formulation that they wanted. The scent recipe includes the “warmth of real vanilla, richness of butterscotch, depth of cocoa, wrapped up in the perfect sweetness of toasted brown sugar,” according to the brands. It was also formulated with fragrance technology suitable for sensitive skin.

Verdict: All I can say is that this is a pretty sweet collaboration. Also, now I want some cookies.

The runway favorite is poised to trend at retail and in wholesale circles in the new year.

As economic and geopolitical uncertainty continue, a sunny, optimistic hue is making appearances on runways as a must-know trend for spring.

Butter Yellow is an attention-grabbing hue that’s easy to add to existing wardrobes. Designers such as Bottega Veneta, Loewe, Louis Vuitton and Proenza Schouler all presented flowy, feminine dresses in Butter Yellow – and distributors can leverage the trend for campaigns in the first half of 2024.

W Magazine calls the color “a perfectly mellow dose of sunshine.” Kaitlyn Clapinski at The Everygirl says it’s a bright color that has staying power. “Trendy tones, such as Barbie pink, will inevitably come and go, whereas a pale yellow shade is everlasting no matter the season,” she writes. “Simply put, yellow is a no-fuss way to incorporate color that still fits into a capsule wardrobe.”

Here are a few items in related hues from industry suppliers and ideas for using them in upcoming campaigns.

1. Dance & Cheer

Dance studios and cheer teams can distribute jogger sweatpants in bright pastel tones.

2. Wedding Parties

Brides with a pastel yellow theme on their special day can distribute commemorative bottles of matching nail polish.

3. Team-Building Events

Attendees at off-site retreats will appreciate this insulated tumbler in a bright eye-catching hue.

4. Spas & Salons

Suggest that personal-care businesses distribute writing instruments in pastel colors that will remind recipients to book their next hair, nail or facial appointment.

5. New-Hire Kits

Recommend to corporate clients that they welcome new employees with a bright cooler that’s perfect for lunch in the office or a picnic in the park.

There are many factors that can affect your ability to provide clients with consistent, high-quality decorated apparel – many of which are not related to your skills as a decorator or distributor, but rather about the apparel you’re printing on.

1. Combed Ring-Spun Cotton

As cotton is a natural fiber, unprocessed cotton can contain small impurities in the fibers, such as small bits of plant matter or seed fragments. This creates not only a rougher texture for garments, but also a less consistent surface to print on, as those impurities can show through your client’s graphics and affect color saturation.

To avoid these challenges, opt for apparel made from 100% combed ring-spun cotton instead. Softer, more durable, and most importantly lacking those impurities found in unprocessed cotton, ring-spun cotton will provide you with a smoother and more uniform printing surface.

2. 100% Cotton Facing

Not every apparel fabric is compatible with every decoration method. For example, polyester blends can create challenges for screen printing because of polyester’s tendency to cause ink migration when put in the dryer. Thankfully, all hope is not lost. Just look for styles that feature 100% cotton facing. This way, even if apparel fabric contains polyester, you’re decorating only on that 100% cotton outside layer, allowing you to use any decoration method compatible with versatile cotton fabric.

3. Current Color Trends

The color of the apparel you print on is important not only to ensure graphics are legible and look appealing, but also to help your clients convey they’re on top of the latest fashion trends. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be an expert on fashion or color forecasting to make this happen for your clients.

With a wide range of popular styles in an updated color palette that evokes the colors of natural landscapes, your client’s branding will stand out and look chic when added to these trendy muted neutrals.

The quit rate is high, but it doesn’t have to be. Check out these tips for setting manageable goals and sticking with them.

It’s natural to want to set goals ahead of the new year – we’re all looking for a fresh start, a reset for the next 12 months. These endeavors can take a slew of different forms, such as working out more, earning a promotion at work or learning a new language. The list is endless.

But by February, many people fail to stick with those resolutions. According to Insideout Mastery, a personal development resource, nearly a quarter of those who’ve set a goal give up by the end of the first week, and 43% expect to quit by the second month of the year, which means many throw in the towel as early as January.

However, setting goals and tracking progress are essential for moving forward in all areas of your life, both personal and professional. Here are seven ways to establish objectives and actually achieve them in 2024.

1. Ask what you want to achieve.

Before setting goals, brainstorm exactly what you’re looking to accomplish next year. Keep goals organized in different buckets – like personal, professional, financial, physical and mental health, etc. – and break them down into smaller goals. That will help you track progress and avoid becoming overwhelmed.

2. Make sure goals are SMART.

“Develop better sleep habits” is a worthy objective, but it’s vague and easy to forget. Instead, just like on your annual performance review, make sure each of your goals is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound. Therefore, a sleep goal may look like “get eight hours of sleep a night for the next month.” That gives you a target to work toward that you can then tweak as necessary.

3. Write them down.

It’s super easy to forget your goals if they aren’t recorded. Write or type them out, and keep them visible. Perhaps they’re in your day planner, or on sticky notes on your laptop, fridge or bathroom mirror, or you keep them in your phone for easy access. Decide what works for you, and develop a way to track progress, like using a journal with positive affirmations inside.

43%

The percentage of people who expect to give up on their new year’s resolutions by February.
(Insideout Mastery)

4. Re-evaluate as needed.

As you work toward your objectives, you may learn things about yourself and the process that you weren’t initially expecting. Give yourself permission to adjust your goals as you find necessary (they aren’t written in stone, after all). If you need more time to accomplish a smaller goal, allow yourself the flexibility to adjust the timeframe.

5. Tell family and friends.

Letting trusted people know what you’re working toward not only invites encouragement and feedback, but also keeps you accountable. They may also want to join you in the goal-setting process, which will add a bit of camaraderie and mutual support.

6. Celebrate progress.

Find ways to reward yourself for a job well done, for positive reinforcement. If you achieve a goal, large or small, consider scheduling some well-deserved PTO, head to the spa or golf course, or just read a book or take a leisurely walk in nature. Give yourself time to take a deep breath and pat yourself on the back.

7. Be patient with yourself.

If you don’t hit your targets or forget about a goal, don’t despair. Tomorrow is another day. Pick yourself up, speak positively to yourself, re-evaluate the goal if necessary and start again. The timeline is determined by you, so give yourself permission to reset in a low-key, low-drama way.

Start presenting ideas to clients for campaigns centered on January observances.

While January may mark the end of the holiday season, there are plenty of ways to keep the party going. Consumers are sure to be looking for fun activities and delicious eats during the long winter, and the many observances during the first month of the year, like National Science Fiction Day and National Pie Day, pose opportunities for your clients to undertake campaigns to promote their products and services.

Jan. 2/National Science Fiction Day

This day marks the 104th birthday of famed science fiction writer Isaac Asimov. It’s become an annual observance to celebrate all things sci-fi – in literature, film and gaming.

PITCH: Encourage local theaters to host special showings of classic science fiction movies. Staff can wear T-shirts to commemorate the day and distribute branded themed items to patrons.

Jan. 4/National Trivia Day

Celebrated for more than 30 years, this day of fun highlights the many forms of this popular game and its ability to bring people together in a friendly, collegial atmosphere.

PITCH: Bars hosting Quizzo tournaments can brand coasters and glasses as items that participants and guests can then take home to commemorate the event.

Jan. 9/Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

This observance encourages the public to remember the hard work that police officers undertake every day to keep neighborhoods safe.

PITCH: Approach municipalities to hold events this day and offer branded items for distribution to community members – think tents and table covers and smaller themed items that express appreciation.

Jan. 10/National Houseplant Appreciation Day

It’s critical to take consistent care of houseplants, especially during the colder winter months. These green babies bring a slew of benefits to homes and offices, including reducing anxiety, decreasing air pollutants and improving humidity.

PITCH: Garden centers can give out educational brochures and branded giveaways, like planters, aprons and spades.

Jan. 23/National Pie Day

For more than 35 years, the American Pie Council has hosted National Pie Day – a time set aside to celebrate the making and eating of one of the country’s favorite desserts.

PITCH: Suggest that local restaurants, diners and coffeehouses that serve pie offer specials and help them promote their offerings with signage and branded kitchen tools to distribute to guests.

Pricing is only one part of the puzzle when shopping for a screen printer or embroiderer.

Decorators are typically the last link on the chain before an apparel order makes its way to your clients. The quality of their work is a reflection of your own. After all, if there’s a misprint or a production delay, your client will blame you – as the distributor – whether or not you had anything to do with it. It’s imperative, then, to partner with high-quality decorators who understand your needs, meet your expectations and will be accountable if something goes awry.

Finding out an apparel decorator’s pricing structure is, of course, key, but that’s only the beginning of the conversation you should be having. Consider asking the following questions to determine whether the partnership will be a good fit.

1. What decoration techniques do you specialize in?
Embroidery and screen printing are the standards, but there are times when digital methods like dye sublimation make more sense for a project. It’s also worth finding out whether your chosen decorator can handle specialty techniques, like mixed-media designs, puff prints or 3-D embroidery, patches, laser etching or appliqué.

2. Do you decorate on a wide variety of items?
Even if you’re just looking to have left-chest logos embroidered on performance polos or a two-color screen print added to a few hundred tees, that doesn’t mean you won’t have need for other projects in the future. Find out whether the decorator can handle bags, caps and any other soft goods you might throw their way.

3. What size orders do you handle?
If the decorator has a limited staff and one or two pieces of equipment, larger order sizes will likely be a no-go. It’s worth getting a concrete answer on the order volume the shop typically handles to make sure their capabilities align with your needs.

4. What are your turn times?
Find out how long orders typically take and whether the decorator offers rush service when necessary. It’s important to have such expectations spelled out in advance to avoid headaches down the line.

5. Can I check up on an order while it’s in production?
Some decorators offer technology that lets distributors track their order status via an online portal, giving them peace of mind that everything is progressing as it should. Even if you’re working with an old-school shop, it’s worth knowing if you’ll get a prompt answer when you call or email asking for an update.

6. Will you provide samples of previous work?
Many decorators share examples of their work on their website and social media feeds. That’s a good start to scope out the quality of their production. But seeing – and touching – physical decorated samples is worth a thousand photos.

7. Can I get a tour of your shop?
If your prospective decorator is local, it might be a good idea to request a walk-through of their facility. You can get a sense of how busy they are, the state of their equipment and how efficient their processes are.

Reusable stainless-steel straws did not contain PFAS, according to the recent research.

Certain paper and bamboo drinking straws are more likely to contain “forever chemicals” than traditional plastic straws, according to recently released research.

Scientists in Belgium looked at dozens of straw brands – made from paper, bamboo, glass, stainless steel and plastic – available at grocery stores and tested them to see whether they contained per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a family of chemicals that’s often been used to create water-repellent and nonstick coatings on products. The chemicals, which don’t break down in the environment, can contaminate water sources, and research has linked exposure to certain PFAS with cancer, thyroid disease and other health problems. Many states have taken efforts to ban or restrict forever chemicals from products.

The results, recently published in the Food Additives and Contaminants journal, found that paper straws were the most likely to contain PFAS, with the chemicals detected in 18 out of 20 brands tested by scientists. Four out of five bamboo straw brands contained PFAS. Three out of four plastic and two out of five glass straw brands contained PFAS.

The good news, particularly for promotional products companies that offer reusable stainless-steel straws, was that scientists didn’t find PFAS in any of the metal straws analyzed.

The Belgian study built on a 2021 U.S. study that also discovered PFAS found in straws made from plant-based materials. Authors of the new study say it’s unclear whether manufacturers are intentionally adding PFAS as a waterproof coating to straws or if the chemicals end up there inadvertently during the manufacturing process.

The study concluded that plant-based straws “are not necessarily a more sustainable alternative to plastic straws, because they can be considered an additional source of PFAS exposure in humans and the environment” and that “the most sustainable alternative seems to be stainless-steel straws, which can be reused, do not contain PFAS and can be fully recycled.”

Experts say individual users don’t necessarily need to panic about the risk of using bamboo or paper straws, since it’s likely only a very small source of exposure; however, the findings should be of concern to manufacturers, Graham Peaslee, a professor at the University of Notre Dame who studies PFAS, told NBC News.

“All the straw manufacturers should take warning and say, ‘Hey, do we use this stuff?’ Because at the moment, they’re not even asking that question,” he said.

Plastic straw bans came into vogue a few years ago, because they can’t be recycled and end up in landfills or oceans and other waterways, risking the lives of sea creatures. California, Colorado and New York are among the states that have banned plastic straws from food establishments, and restaurants like Starbucks have phased the items out. The bans also brought opportunity to the industry, which could offer branded reusables as an alternative. In fact, ASI named reusable straws the Product of the Year in 2019.

Trucker trendy and camo couture are styles to stay on top of this year.

What do trucker hats, camo-printed tops and earth tones have in common? They all fit into the Americancore trend, which has been going strong for the last few years on TikTok and Instagram, where people around the world share their obsession with American culture and food or show off their farmer-chic ensembles.

Trucker hats – which typically have a foam front, mesh back and snapback closure, as opposed to the curved bill and top button of a traditional baseball cap – have been in fashion for a while, and the style doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. Searches for “trucker hat” in ESP were up by about 5% in May and again in June this year, compared to the same period in 2022, according to ASI Research.

Celebrities and big brands have gotten in on the trend. Supermodel Kendall Jenner recently sported a camo trucker hat at a football stadium in Paris, and the Waffle House restaurant chain sells camo trucker hats with its logo embroidered across the front.

Once mostly reserved for “rugged” industries like agriculture and manufacturing, camo trucker caps have crossed over into more fashion-forward markets like music festivals, the food and beverage industry, and travel and hospitality.

Alternative band boygenius offers this camo-printed tee on its merch site.

Country stars aren’t the only ones adopting the trend, however. Alternative band boygenius, which counts rocker Phoebe Bridgers as a member, sells a camo-printed T-shirt with the band name in rainbow gradient puff screen-printed across the front. Pop musician Justin Bieber has an orange-and-white trucker hat in his Peaches collection of merch, and rappers Post Malone and Bad Bunny also feature trucker hats as part of their merch.

Trucker hats are cost-effective to take on the road. “It’s a great way to pivot when you’re doing hats as merch,” he says. “If it’s a venue where they’re working in multiple cities, they can easily remake transfers and press the hats on the hat press. If they run out during the day or if it’s a multiday festival, they can create more on site.”

Camo print is a popular color scheme for trucker hats, especially paired with a flaming orange shade that’s used in deer hunting, Lever says. He notes that neutral tones like fatigue green and beige are also popular.

“This movement goes along with the sustainability push that we’ve all witnessed and is why we’re seeing so many earth tones throughout retail,” she adds. “Camo fits nicely here, so much so that a generic tonal camo pattern is almost considered a neutral – you can pair it with just about anything.”

Your clients can recognize and thank their team members with unique branded items.

Employee engagement continues to be a concern among companies as levels continue to drop. According to Gallup, the ratio of “engaged” to “actively disengaged” workers stands at about 1.8 to 1, down from 2.6 to 1 just three years ago. Branded employee gifts, combined with competitive compensation, generous benefits and career mobility opportunities can enhance morale and help engagement efforts.

This hand-poured luxury candle (candle-14b-box) contains soy-blend wax and an eco-friendly wooden wick that crackles as it burns. Choose from sandalwood, fig and oakmoss scents. Gift box included.

Virtual-meeting attendees can mute and unmute themselves quickly without fumbling to click small buttons. Also lets nearby coworkers or family members know when the user is in a meeting. Syncs with Zoom, Teams, WebEx and Google Meet and is compatible on MacOS and WindowsOS platforms.

Available in multiple sizes, this engraved wood cutting board is ideal for welcoming new employees and gifting to homebuyers at closings. Choose from three stains. A gift box with display stand and board oil is also available. Made in a Native American-owned workshop in North Dakota.

End-users can become top-level mixologists with this stainless-steel cocktail shaker. Hands won’t get cold, courtesy of the vacuum-insulated, double-walled construction. Perfect for new-employee happy hours.

This is copper vacuum-insulated, so it keeps food at the ideal temperature. The threaded lid offers an airtight seal and the rubber bottom prevents slips and spills. Available in seven colors. Makes a great gift for employees who like to “brown bag” their lunch.

Crafted from luxurious leatherette, this sling bag has an adjustable shoulder sling and zippered main organization compartment with multiple interior pockets.

As we reach the second half of the year, now’s the time to regroup and reinvigorate your sales strategies to keep the promo momentum going. Make that happen by targeting these top customers for Q3 and presenting popular products they want the most.

Concerts & Music Festivals
From local community concerts to massive sold-out tours and festivals, the end of summer is filled with promo opportunities for both venues and performers. Hit all the right notes with your product suggestions by presenting products allowed in event locations that can also be used by end-users during the show. For example, many stadiums require clear bags below a certain size, making these a savvy sell for music-related events.

From lace accents to tailored blazers, here’s what’s popular in fashion circles that will make ideal additions to fall and winter client promotions.

Thank the return of in-person gatherings – from the communal office to trade shows to celebrations – for fall’s notable fashion trends.

After three years of comfort-first looks, tailored pieces are making a comeback, as are items with whimsical feminine accents – thanks to the popularity of social media- and entertainment-fueled styles like mermaidcore, balletcore, rom-com core and quiet luxury.

It’s “back to business” this fall, writes Amanda Randone for Refinery29. “According to the fall 2023 collections, the best in fashion for the season ahead includes all things sleek and sophisticated,” she says, “though not without opportunity for a sparkly twist.”

Here are six fashion-forward trends that are sure to resonate with end-buyers for autumn and winter promotions.

1. Bridal Parties
After pandemic disruption, the wedding market is back in full gear. Bridal parties would be a good fit for lace-accented robes to wear ahead of the ceremony. Pitch personalization and pair them with hard goods like soft slippers and champagne flutes.

2. Company Get-Togethers
The preppy cable knit has made a return to the catwalk. Consider high-quality sweaters as part of uniform programs, or blankets for holiday parties that welcome a large number of attendees.

3. Recognition Programs
Rugged leather accessories – like tailored jackets, thick belts, chunky boots and durable bags – are all the rage. High-performing sales reps can bring retail or retail-inspired items with them on sales calls.

4. Corporate Wear
Say goodbye to oversized, work-from-home comfort wear: Classic tailored looks are back. Think suits, pants and pencil skirts, ideal for sales reps heading to meetings with prospects and clients. Garments with performance properties are essential for travel.

5. Fitness Studios
Off-the-shoulder tops offer a fun, relaxing style for casual settings, like fitness and yoga studios, dance teams and college bookstores. Also approach coffee shops and bookstores looking for a way to promote their businesses. For an eye-catching detail, add foil or sequins.

6. Brand Ambassadors
Clients with staff representing their brand at events and product launches can furnish them with striking outerwear, like diamond quilted jackets. They also make a great gift for loyal clients and employees celebrating milestone work anniversaries.

Dick’s Sporting Goods recently announced it would be getting rid of "forever chemicals" in its store-brand clothing. A variety of outdoor apparel brands have also been phasing out PFAS.

A growing number of outdoor apparel brands and sporting goods retailers are enacting plans to phase so-called “forever chemicals” out of their gear. The moves come as several states (with New York and California leading the way) ban per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances from clothing.

PFAS have often been used to create durable water-repellent (DWR) coating on various performance fabrics to give them water- and stain-resistant properties. PFAS have also historically been used in firefighting foam and to create other products with nonstick, water- and grease-resistant properties. However, the chemicals, which don’t break down in the environment, can contaminate water sources and build up in fish and wildlife. Research has linked exposure to certain PFAS with health problems that include kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, and high cholesterol, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Earlier this month, Dick’s Sporting Goods, which has more than 850 stores across the U.S., announced it will be getting rid of PFAS in its store-brand apparel, shoes and textiles, according to Environmental Health News. In February, REI announced that it will ban PFAS from all cookware and textile products from its suppliers starting in the fall of 2024.

Several brands have already removed, or are in the process of removing, PFAS from their products. Outdoor footwear brand KEEN, for example, spent four years removing forever chemicals from its supply chain and even published a guide for other companies that details alternative waterproofing methods to consider. Patagonia notes on its website that it is “working to convert all our water-repellent finishes to non-fluorinated versions by 2024.”

Canva announced a partnership with Warner Music Group and Merlin on Thursday, June 29, that will allow users to add music clips to content.

Canva will soon be the first design platform to let customers use commercially released songs from the world’s most popular artists in their content. The company announced a partnership with Warner Music Group and Merlin on Thursday, June 29, which will allow paid and educational Canva users unprecedented access to music clips beginning this fall.

A Warner Music Group (WMG) press releasehttps://www.wmg.com/news/canva-announces-partnerships-with-warner-music-group-and-merlin-to-bring-music-hits-to-canva said this opportunity will allow artists to get their music in front of over 100 million engaged creators – while earning royalties – when their songs are used in published designs.

“Music is such a fundamental expression of creativity and offers an inspirational starting point for many. We are thrilled to welcome Warner Music Group and Merlin to the Canva content ecosystem and can’t wait to see what millions of music fans, content creators, educators and beyond design using content from their favorite artists,” said Silvia Oviedo, head of content, discovery and print at Canva, in the WMG press release.

The number of videos created on Canva has grown by 70% in the last 12 months, and an increasing number of searches are for specific audio tracks, according to the release. This new update will allow customers to add clips of their favorite music to videos for social media, internal training, education and more.

Canva also recently announced BeatSync, which is a newly released AI-powered tool that helps users match their video footage to the beat of their selected soundtrack. The WMG press release said Canva will share more information later this year on additional efforts to expand design possibilities for music fans.

Jessica Goldenberg, WMG’s senior vice president for digital strategy and business development, told Variety that WMG is looking forward to shaping the future of visual communication by enabling creativity in ways that are uniquely achievable with music.

“This collaboration with Canva will provide new opportunities for our artists to increase their reach and engage their fans, while also empowering Canva’s creator community to elevate their designs with our robust catalog,” Goldenberg said.

Launched in 2013, Canva is an online design platform with simple user interface that allows people of varying skill levels to create graphics, video and other content for social media and other purposes. The company also has a custom print division that lets users have their designs printed on T-shirts, business cards and other promotional products.

They’re an enduringly popular item with consumers and industry end-buyers alike. Fortunately, this year’s trending styles at retail are also available from suppliers.

A classic accessory that’s been a favorite of style icons like Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Anna Wintour is now available in a variety of attention-grabbing shapes and sizes, perfect for promo campaigns.

While demand for sunglasses increases every year as the weather warms up – they were among the top 10 most-searched products in ESP in Q1 – the plethora of options in promo and their perennial popularity make them an ideal year-round branded item for virtually any industry.

“This year, we’re seeing the classic sunglasses shapes and colors reimagined,” writes Avery Matera for style site POPSUGAR. “That could be a retro shape upgraded with a new color frame or mirrored lens, an oversize take on a timeless style, or a silhouette that feels vintage and futuristic at the same time. With a seasonal color palette that ranges from bright pink to classic white, incorporating neutral blacks and tortoise tones, there’s something for everyone.”

Here are five ideas for selling statement sunglasses, along with trending styles available from suppliers.

1. Museums & Art Galleries
Promote cultural centers with modern angular sunglasses with minimalist imprints. Encourage clients to provide a variety of colorways in line with branding.

2. Product Launches & Grand Openings
End-buyers can celebrate new products, services, rebrands and locations with statement accessories, like mirrored sunglasses with a step-and-repeat imprint on the frame.

3. Corporate Get-Togethers
Take a cue from the hype around the upcoming Barbie movie with bright-pink shades – perfect for company picnics, team-building activities and happy hours.

4. Travel Agencies
Demand for vacations is back post-COVID, and travel agencies and tour organizations can promote their services with Jackie Kennedy Onassis-inspired oversized glasses.

5. Cruise Lines & Resorts
White sunglasses not only make a statement, they’re also ideal for setting off an imprint and message on the arms – particularly for the hospitality industry.

Fashion trends are ever-changing, and promo apparel is no exception. Gain access to free marketing tools you can start using today.

Futuristic Fashion

Modern styles inspired by space and technology.

Taking design cues from space, the metaverse, and our environment as a whole, futuristic pieces look toward what's ahead and speak to end-users’ desire to escape everyday monotony. Modern styling combines elevated comfort, sleek design details and innovative components that give each garment an edge, whether it's through textures, heathers, trim accents or tonal effects. As for colors, look for stable shades like blacks and grays which will carry over season to season.

Target Markets for This Trend

• Tech startups
• Banks and financial institutions
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Law firms

Help your clients embrace civic pride and support local communities with products that embody excellence and sustainability.

USA-made promotional products make a big impact. According to the most recent Ad Impressions Study from ASI Research, 54% of consumers feel more favorable about an advertiser that promotes their company on a domestically made item. Fortunately, the promo industry is chock-full of made-in-America options.

Custom-labeled bottled water is a great way to quench thirst while effectively advertising clients’ services. Choose from two sizes. Great for conferences, trade shows and events.

Your clients can join the movement toward a greener future with the 32 oz. Crafted with Tritan ReNew, this reusable, dishwasher-safe drinkware is constructed with 50% certified post-consumer recycled material and has a drink-through lid. Available in five colors.

With a sleek black cord, this custom 2D zipper pull adds a touch of personalization to bags, jackets, backpacks and hoodies. Let your client’s imagination run wild as you design a unique accessory in any shape and with any Pantone color they wish.

These Brite Spots jumbo fluorescent highlighters illuminate important notes and textbook passages in six eye-catching colors. Perfect for highlighting both thick and thin lines. Choose either a silkscreen or full-color decal imprint.

The Tamarac menu cover features a silky leather-like exterior, sturdy black interior and album-style corners to provide a professional showcase for entrée, drink and dessert menus. Removable and replaceable inserts make it simple to update menu items.

Users can keep their privacy intact with this thin wood sliding webcam cover. Compatible with various devices such as computers, monitors and phones, it offers versatile protection. Choose from a range of wood options.

Retail settings are ideal for this non-button two-pocket unisex vest. Crafted from 65/35 poly-cotton twill, it has two side pockets and matching color binding. Available in five colors and four sizes.

These custom brass coins are reminiscent of 14 karat gold. Meticulously crafted, they capture finer details than die-cast or spin-cast products. Perfect for milestone anniversaries, awards, commemoratives, safety incentives and VIP admissions.

Classics are always a good choice – that’s why this Zippo windproof lighter is sure to be appreciated. Features a satin chrome finish with a silky feel and comes packaged in a sleek gift box. Backed by Zippo’s Lifetime Guarantee.

The Eco-Wood magnet is crafted from 1/4” recycled wood and can be custom-cut into nearly any shape. The Ultra Vivid printing process ensures vibrant and high-definition results. The 25 mil magnetic backing securely adheres to any metal surface.

Students and business professionals can capture their thoughts in style with this wire-bound journal. Features a sleek, durable design and clear gloss cover mounted to heavy chipboard for added sturdiness. Includes 100 sheets of 60-pound white offset paper with light gray rules on both sides, pen and pen loop.

Make a lasting impression with molded hard-plastic bag tags featuring raised graphics. Ideal for tennis clubs, golf outings, pickleball and special events, they’re a stylish and practical way to garner brand impressions while identifying belongings.

In this new series of columns, decorated-apparel industry veterans share tips to help promo distributors ensure that logos look their very best.

Have you ever requested a logo be printed in a certain spot – perhaps across the back of a hoodie – only to receive finished garments with artwork inches off the target location? Graphic placement on shirts and other garments can sometimes be an arbitrary decision, or even just a personal preference, by your chosen decorator. But promotional products distributors can specify their own requirements when ordering contract printing. The important thing is to make sure you and your decorator are on the same page and speaking the same language.

Consider these suggestions for a variety of graphic sizes, locations and garments to help ensure artwork is sized and placed properly.

Graphic placement can vary from one decorator to another, so it’s best to specify your own preferences.

Large full-chest designs, in the range of 10” x 12”, will look best printed approximately 2” from the base of the collar. Shorter, wide graphics across the chest should be printed about 3” from the collar. Sweatshirts should be printed lower by about 1”, since they are not tucked into pants and therefore have a larger printable and visual area.

Left-chest designs should be centered between the vertical centerline of the shirt and the seam attaching the sleeve to the shirt body. Larger left-chest designs should be printed on an imaginary line from the bottom of the sleeve at the point it attaches to the shirt body. Smaller left-chest designs should be printed 1” above this imaginary line. This left-chest placement also applies to placket shirts, such as polos. Some printers attempt to line up graphics with the shirt placket, but visually, placement should be a function of the imaginary line from the bottom of the sleeve.

Pocket prints are generally printed in the center of the shirt pocket. For prints above the pocket, it should be approximately ¾” above the top of the pocket and centered with the physical pocket. Not all pockets are perfectly square with the shirt, but the image will look best squared with the actual pocket, rather than attempting to square with the physical shirt.

Sleeve graphics on short-sleeve garments are almost always printed on the left sleeve when given the choice. These graphics should be printed 1” from the hem at the bottom of the sleeve. For long-sleeve prints, the graphic is commonly centered on the sleeve between cuff and shoulder.

Back prints should be printed as if you are looking through the shirt at the front print. In other words, the print on the back of a shirt will be further from the collar than the same print on the front. Large, full-back designs should print approximately 4” from the collar base. Short, wide designs should be printed about 5” from the collar. Shoulder-blade prints, most often a wide graphic of single-line type, will be located about 2” from the collar base. Take special note of back-print location. Decorators will commonly print the same distance from the collar on both front and back prints, but this results in a finished product that appears out of balance, front to back.

Shorts should be printed 1” from the bottom hem and either 1” from the side seam or centered on the leg, depending on the look you’re trying to achieve.

Sweatpants should have a small graphic printed with the bottom of the graphic on an imaginary line 2” below the crotch of the garment and centered on the leg. Long prints can be printed either on the front of the leg or the side, and placement is commonly the preference of the customer.

Youth designs look best when printed 1” from the collar base for a full-chest graphic. Short, wide prints should be printed 2” from the collar base. As a rule of thumb, the graphic should have less distance from the collar to the graphic than from the graphic to the shirt bottom. Even if that requires decorating closer to the neck, having more open space at the bottom of the graphic than the top is more pleasing to the eye. This is only a concern when decorating very small garments.

Libbey Pint Glass
A standard 16 oz. pint glass is a must-have for restaurants, breweries, events and weddings. Available with a silkscreen or full-color digital print.

Buckle-Release Polyester Lanyard
Every conference and trade show could use a lanyard for attendees and exhibitors – this one is made of polyester with a metal lobster clip and buckle release and has a full-color sublimated imprint on the front and back. Also consider new-student orientations.

Cinch Drawstring Backpack
This backpack is ideal for any welcome kit, student tour or summer camp. It has adjustable soft nylon shoulder straps that double as a drawstring closure.

Glass Cup with Bamboo Lid and Straw
Take a restaurant or café’s promotion to the next level with classy glassware. This glass is perfect for any drink, from water, beer or cocktails to coffee, tea or juice.

Custom Branded Cutting Board
Cutting boards offer both function and decorative style. This one is made of wild cherry wood – consider it as an anniversary, birthday or closing gift.

Corrugated Signs
Corrugated signs are a perfect way to promote fundraisers, sports teams and recent grads. Available in any color and a variety of sizes.

Mesh Sun Hat
Made of quick-dry nylon fabric, this unisex sun hat has a mesh panel on top and offers UPF 50+ sun protection. Great for weekend warriors and hiking trips.

Loyal and hard-working, these altruists deserve recognition for their dedication.

According to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly a quarter of Americans volunteered their time with an organization during the pandemic from September 2020 to September 2021. Their commitment hit more than 4 billion hours of service with an approximate value of nearly $123 billion. Any of the people who give of their time – from cleaning waterways, to playing with shelter dogs, to caddying at charity golf outings – would appreciate the branded items here as appreciation gifts.

Eco organizations can show appreciation to volunteers with the Ocean Bottle made of stainless steel and recycled materials. It’s leak-proof, dishwasher-safe and double wall-insulated, and has a double lid for easy filling and drinking. Comes in six colors. Each bottle funds the collection of 25 pounds of ocean-bound plastic, the equivalent of 1,000 plastic bottles.

Whether used in the home, as a gift or in an Airbnb rental, this pillowcase offers optimal branding space for businesses, schools and charitable organizations. It measures 20 inches by 30 inches and features a one-sided, full-color, full-bleed imprint.

Professional service firms looking to self-promote can use this wine & cheese picnic cooler as a silent auction or raffle item for volunteer appreciation events. It’s insulated and includes two wine glasses, corkscrew, cheese knife and hardwood cutting board. The cooler area is divided into three separate sections – two for wine bottles, and one larger area for food.

Here’s a fun gift for shelter volunteers and fosters: a dog collar with bottle opener. It’s made from upcycled bicycle inner tubes and features a latch lock buckle. Users can easily open their favorite beverages without having to carry additional tools.

With golf season in full swing, more companies and organizations will soon be hosting their annual charity outings. Make sure you get in on the action with this double-sided golf flag. It measures 14 inches by 20 inches and has a digital print on knit polyester. Great for sponsor logos, advertising messages and as a souvenir for players and event volunteers.

Long-time loyal volunteers will enjoy a nice pour from the Panor whiskey glasses. Made of high-quality glass, the smooth cylindrical body affords a balanced grip. Available with six different bottom colors. Also ideal for distillery tours and as a gift with purchase.

Consumers across generations say they’re willing to spend more on sustainably made goods.

Consumers increasingly want to buy from companies that are serious about sustainability, but those efforts need to be sincere and clearly stated. Research shows that end-users are looking to brands to cut back on plastic packaging and clearly label the environmental claims they’re making. Those expectations are set against a stark backdrop where only a small percentage of products are recycled or reused, and the vast majority still ends up in landfills.

The circular economy, where products are reused or remade rather than trashed at the end of their original lifecycle, is still in its infancy, but these eye-opening statistics share a roadmap of some of the things that need to change to help businesses kickstart circularity.

The nostalgic style that evokes leading characters from early 2000s flicks is gaining in popularity this year.

This year, people want more looks from entertainment in the early aughts.

That’s according to fashion industry outlets like Harpers Bazaar, which calls “rom-com core” the year’s most romantic trend.

Taking its cue from romantic comedy and drama films from the early to mid-2000s, the styles pay homage to main characters with confident personalities – like Julia Stiles in Save the Last Dance, Rachel McAdams in Mean Girls and Jennifer Garner in 13 Going on 30. It incorporates a soft, feminine look (think a touch of balletcore) while adding strong character energy.

What’s behind the return of 2000s fashion? Nostalgia hearkens back to a simpler time and rom-coms also provide welcome predictability during a time of upheaval, which has certainly characterized the past several years.

“The genre, known for happy and predictable endings, for finding love, [as well as] its light-hearted nature and mood-lifting capabilities, found itself back in demand throughout the height of the Covid-19 pandemic as it offered escapism for an audience who (let’s be honest) needed somewhere to escape to,” wrote Shona Hendley for Harpers Bazaar.

Hendley added that digital analytics from Pinterest reveal that consumers’ searches for “2000s girl” are up 235% this year, along with “pink mini skirt outfit” (145%), “cool girl aesthetic outfits” (140%) and “rhinestone dress” (90%).

The popular “cool girl” look relies on simple basics related to rom-com core – think white tank top (regular or cropped), high-waisted mom jeans and claw hair clip – paired with bold accessories like large hoop earrings, chunky platform shoes, graphic T-shirts, fishnet stockings, butterfly clips, bandannas and grommet belts.

“It’s more than just an aesthetic,” Marta Topran, Pinterest’s fashion and beauty creator, told the Huffington Post. “Beneath their candy-colored clothes and impeccable hair, [these characters] were strong, self-assured ladies.”

Easing tension at home, in the workplace or at school can be aided by a variety of items.

After the physical and mental toll of the pandemic, meditation has grown in popularity. Research firm Marketdata states that the U.S. market – which includes meditation and health/wellness centers, yoga studios, apps and more – went from $1.86 billion in 2021 to just over $2 billion in 2022. It’s poised to grow by 7% each year from now to 2025.

Whether it’s watching a favorite pro or college game or sitting on the sidelines of a youth athletic competition, sports can be stressful for those in the stands. Choose from a basketball, baseball, football or soccer ball.

The classics will always have value, and that’s why this round stress reliever works for a variety of programs. It’s made of polyurethane foam that can be squeezed or thrown against a wall to release tension. Choose from seven colors.

This made-to-order squeezable foam can is perfect for soft drinks, beer, hard seltzer and wine.

The Pop N Play is a fun stress reliever and fidget toy. Recipients can create games to see who can pop the most bubbles in the shortest time. Includes a carabiner to easily clip onto backpacks, tote bags and keychains.

When anyone has “had enough” at work, this fun eye-popper stress reliever pen will do the trick to alleviate pressure. Users simply give the head a gentle squeeze and watch its eyes pop out.

Teens, tweens and others will get a kick out of this emoji LOL Squeezies stress reliever.

This Zen On the Go set has a portable USB essential oil diffuser with a reusable felt pad that holds a few drops of ZEN essential oil for hours of potent aromatherapy. Plugs into cars, laptops or any outlet with an adapter.

This fun stress reliever is part of the Goofy Group of MopToppers. Soft and squeezable, it relieves stress while the microfiber hair cleans device screens.

Serenity can be found with this desktop Zen Garden. Includes a vanilla-scented candle, sand, rake and Zen rocks. Brings a sense of tranquility, calmness and peace.

With more time spent at home during the pandemic, pet ownership rates increased significantly. According to a recent Forbes Advisor survey of new owners, nearly 80% adopted their furry friends during COVID. Now with life returning to relative normalcy, including more time spent in the communal office and an increase in vacation bookings, people need more services like dog walking, boarding and obedience training.

The heavy-duty mammoth-sized 42 oz. Frost Buddy Bowl is large enough to keep pets hydrated throughout the day. The double-wall, vacuum-insulated stainless steel keeps water cool for extended periods. Features a nonslip bottom.

A fun ’80s-themed pet would be totally rad when using a neon 4’ or 6’ lead.

Most cities and towns have pet-waste ordinances in place, making this plastic-bag dispenser with matching bags a useful and appreciated item.

Whether taking a favorite feline to the vet or a pooch to the airport, this pet carrier will make the trip easier. Features a zip side entry, breathable mesh, storage pocket, removable fleece interior and removable shoulder strap that doubles as a leash.

This training clicker allows dog owners to reinforce good behavior. Users click and then offer a treat after the pet follows a command. Includes a coil bracelet.

This sturdy and durable 32 oz. pet bowl is made of stainless steel with a nonslip grip on the bottom. Available in six colors.

These leatherette collars are laser-engraved and can be personalized. They feature light padding for comfort and a heavy-duty metal buckle and ring. Choose from seven colors.

This made-in-the-USA bandanna set fits both dogs and cats. Features a triangular polyester bandana and attached woven collar with side-release buckle, slide adjuster and D-ring hardware.

Trucker hats aren’t only for long-haulers and tractor enthusiasts. This foam front/mesh back trucker hat for dogs will have plenty of tails wagging. Designed by a veterinarian, it features the adjustable Furfect Fit system and a soft chinstrap. Available in six sizes to fit every dog.

This collar features an adjustable buckle release. Fits from 10”-14” necks and has a D-ring clip for a leash.

Fashion has always been cyclical, with designers drawing inspiration from decades past and teens shopping their parents’ and grandparents’ closets for looks that have regained cultural relevance. Previously, these retro trends seemed to focus on one decade at a time. But nowadays, thanks to the endless churn of micro-trends on TikTok and our insatiable cultural appetite for the comfort food of nostalgia, you can find influences from a range of eras all at once. There’s something for everyone, and everyone’s got their something. With that in mind, we’ve assembled outfits representing the last six decades of fashion to show off how these trends are still relevant today.

The 1960s

The “Summer of Love” is more than half a century behind us, but the flower child aesthetic lives on. Tie-dye has been a perennial favorite, thanks to the rise of DIY, and flared-leg pants are making a comeback after years of skinny jean dominance.

Did You Know? More than 20 million copies of The Doors’ self-titled debut album have sold since it was released in 1967.

The 1970s

A ringer tee, gym shorts and old-school basketball shoes are a classic look – bringing an effortlessly sporty chic that transcends the ’70s.

Did You Know? “The Rat,” short for Rathskeller, was an influential punk rock club in Boston that opened in 1973.

The 1980s

The era of acid wash and Aqua Net, cassettes and Cabbage Patch remains relevant today – thanks to the overwhelming popularity of hit shows like Stranger Things.

Did You Know? The iconic catchphrase “Where’s the beef?” first appeared in a 1984 Wendy’s commercial. Clara Peller, the woman who uttered the famous words, was 81 when she was discovered by the agency that filmed the spot.

The 1990s

For disaffected Gen X youth, a well-timed eyeroll was as much of an “it” accessory as a choker or mini backpack. With bands like Nirvana still cultural touchstones and skate culture firmly established, the era of slackers and Hackers is alive and well today.

Did You Know? Beanie Babies are often considered the world’s first internet sensation. By 1997, eBay had auctioned off $500 million worth of the plush toys, making up more than 6% of the site’s total sales.

The 2000s

It was the age of boy bands and Mean Girls, low-rise jeans and blinged-out tees. The velour tracksuits that became synonymous with the Y2K era have made a somewhat surprising comeback thanks to the growth of e-commerce and social media.

Did You Know? The Juicy Couture velour tracksuit was an icon of Y2K fashion, with celebs like Paris Hilton, Jennifer Lopez and Lindsay Lohan spotted in the look during the aughts. At its peak in 2008, Juicy was making $605 million in annual sales.

The 2010s

It’s sometimes hard to believe we’re done with the teens and well into the roaring ’20s – but it's worth remembering the decade that birthed the Instagram influencer, millennial pink and high-end drinkware as a lifestyle accessory.

Did You Know? Apple introduced the rose gold iPhone in 2015 – ushering in the era of millennial pink in fashion, accessories and Instagram filters.

Electronics and wearable tech continue to grow in popularity. According to Graphical Research, the consumer electronics market in North America is poised to grow by 10% each year from now through 2027.

The iStand+ charges Qi-enabled devices on a fully collapsible phone stand. The 15W Eco MagSecure wireless charger is removable so it can be taken on trips or to the office as needed.

Keeping devices charged while on the go is crucial, and the OtterBox mobile charge kit is up to the task. Compact with a slim design, it has a 3-in-1 cable for devices that require a micro-USB, Lightning or Type C connection.

This SATA external hard drive supports most Windows operating systems as well as Mac OS X and Linux OS. Its 1 terabyte capacity makes it ideal for storing files, photos, videos and music.

Travelers and music lovers will enjoy the quality of these JBL headphones. Adaptive noise cancelling and smart ambient technologies provide a premium listening experience. Charge lasts up to 50 hours.

Lightweight and rechargeable, this bladeless neck fan will keep the wearer cool and comfortable when working out, running or while out in the hot weather. Has three speeds.

This wireless transmitter pairs Bluetooth headphones or earbuds to equipment that doesn’t have Bluetooth technology. Users can listen to music and TV shows, play video games or connect to gym equipment without disrupting people nearby.

Walkers, hikers and bikers can listen to tunes while protecting their eyes with these Bluetooth sunglasses. Featuring UVA/UVB sunray and IPX7 waterproof protection, these shades deliver quality sound and allow the wearer to take calls while on the move.

Compatible with most cellphones, this UL-certified solar power bank draws energy from the sun and doesn’t require a traditional outlet to recharge. Includes two USB ports and a built-in lithium-ion battery pack.

People are once again looking for adventure and unique experiences. Data from active-travel company Backroads, which helps travelers book tours around the world, found that reservations in early 2023 had increased 60% from the same time last year.

Constructed of 100% cotton, this 5.5 oz. canvas drawstring backpack features adjustable, extra-soft cotton rope closures. Choose from 11 colors.

This customizable fanny pack is made to order with PMS color-matching. The sky’s the limit to create a bag that’s unique to your individual needs.

Rafters, kayakers and day hikers will love this waterproof drawstring backpack. It’s made of a diamond lattice Oxford cloth with internal glue-coating. Features a mesh pocket on each side.

Full-color, edge-to-edge printing is available on this sublimated cinch bag. Made from 420D polyester, it features adjustable drawstring straps and corner grommets for added strength.

This waterproof fanny pack is fully sublimated and has an earbud cutout for using a phone or listening to music while your device stays safely inside.

Featuring a main zippered compartment with interior and front zippered pockets, this Puma fanny pack will be a hit with athletes and travelers. It has an adjustable webbing waist strap with release clip.

Users will stay hydrated with this water bottle fanny pack. Featuring a zippered pocket on the back, bottle holder and two front zippered pockets, there’s plenty of room to stow essentials while out walking or running. A reflective sticker offers extra visibility during dusk and dawn activities.

With a zippered pocket, water resistance and durability, this fanny pack is sure to be a favorite. Easily carry a cell phone, money, keys and sunscreen while enjoying the day outdoors.

Support your school, sports club or pickle ball league with this lightweight cinchpack made from 100 GSM nonwoven polypropylene.

Workplace shifts, generational differences and the quest for comfort have all played a role. Plus, take a look at five other hot apparel trends for 2023.

Back in 2005, members of Northwestern University women’s lacrosse team wore flip-flops (albeit fancy rhinestone-bedecked ones) to meet the president for a White House ceremony honoring their NCAA championship. The resulting “flip-flop flap,” as many dubbed it, ruled the news for several days – with the nation debating whether it was a breach of etiquette or just a signal of changing generational tastes.

Fast forward to 2017: Two teens were barred from boarding a United Airlines flight because they were wearing leggings, which went against the airline’s dress code for travelers using an employee pass. The decision set off a firestorm on social media with many decrying what they saw as, at best, an out-of-touch company policy and, at worst, policing of women’s clothing choices.

Then came the pandemic, with its suspension of sartorial norms. Even Anna Wintour – the Vogue editor who once claimed never to wear sweatpants – posted an Instagram pic where she sported red trackpants in her home office. Clearly, the fashion police were off duty during quarantine.

But once the world reopened, it became obvious that COVID had just accelerated an already snowballing trend. Would the flip-flop flap have dominated discourse today the same way it did two decades ago? Has the question of whether leggings are pants been resolved once and for all? Barring a few curmudgeonly holdouts, the answers are no and yes, respectively. Everything is casual now – and that’s not likely to change anytime soon.

“It’s definitely comfort, hands down,” says Julie Crawley, director of product development for Top 40 company. “We became acquainted with our sweatpants and loungewear during COVID, and we don’t want to give them up. We still love style and want to look good in the latest trends, but we consistently look for comfort; any fabric that’s super soft is very appealing.”

And many offices have relaxed their dress codes as a welcoming gesture toward staff, says Catherine Tremblay, director of merchandising for apparel private brands. “Employees continue to see evolving workspace landscapes from different forms of hybrid structures, to varied remote settings,” she says. “Even if a workplace has gone back to completely in-person staffing, it seems that the days of having to ‘dress up’ for the office are all but extinct.”

‘TAILOR-MADE’ FOR THE OFFICE

Athleisure has been the norm outside of the office for years, but it’s only in the aftermath of the pandemic that it’s become completely accepted at work. “Where top management has generally not wanted to compromise on dress codes, that’s now shifted,” says Marcus Davis, product development manager for HanesBrands. “Employers and employees are working to find a middle ground.”

The North End sweater fleece quarter-zip shows how fleece can have a more tailored look.

That could mean trading in joggers for cinched-leg sweats; swapping out hoodies for quarter-zips; or donning a polo instead of a T-shirt, Davis adds. For women, leggings or double-knit stretch pants might be paired with a cardigan for a dressier look. “A button-front loose kind of cardigan concept for a woman is every bit as dressed up as you need to be,” says Vicki Ostrom, a futurist and trend analyst with Top 40 company. “That’s your blazer now.”

Even on notoriously buttoned-up Wall Street, the new work uniform consists of a nice shirt and pants (preferably with some degree of stretch to them), and ties come out only if client meetings are on the agenda, according to a recent New York Times piece on how “business bros” are dressing in their “native habitat.”

Ideal for “workleisure,” this new Comfort Wash garment-dyed quarter-zip is polished enough for the office and relaxed enough for everything else.

Comfort, Crawley notes, doesn’t have to translate to sloppy and disheveled. Instead, she adds, it’s all about the use of “soft, tactile, lightweight fabrics with Lycra that help promote range of movement.”

The term “tailored” itself has taken on a different meaning in this era of dressing. Whereas before it may have conjured up the image of three-piece suits and custom-fitted Oxford button-down shirts (items that were actually altered by a tailor), these days a tailored piece tends to refer simply to embellishments that give a garment a more dressed-up look. “There are these signifiers that bring you to the idea that something is tailored,” Ostrom says. “I’ve noticed this a lot with pants. It could be a jogger made of sweatshirt fleece, but it will have this stitched-down pin tuck all the way down the front, so it makes it look like it’s been pressed into a crease.”

This GapFit hoodie shows how small touches can give fleece an elevated, tailored look.

Metal tipping on drawcords, taping around the zipper and other modern touches can give even a hoodie that tailored touch, says Lauren Cocco, director of merchandising at apparel company. “I would say,” she adds, ‘tailored’ is referring to some sort of elevated detail in the design of the garment.”

REAL WORKWEAR & HUNDRED-DOLLAR HOODIES

One factor in the casualization of fashion is the sustained popularity of workwear – think Carhartt jackets, Dickies pants and old-school Levi’s denim – among the younger generations. They like the rugged aesthetic of these blue-collar brands, and the fact that garments are made of long-lasting fabrics doesn’t hurt.

There’s even an element of sustainability to workwear, Ostrom says. “Just by the fact that it’s such a durable fabric, it will last a long time and that means a lot to young people that you keep it in circularity,” she adds. “I think a lot of them are leaning heavily into workwear for that reason.”

This Mercer+Mettle open front cardigan is a great example of the new office uniform – relaxed, while still looking polished.

Cargo pants and jackets – with their deep, roomy pockets – are also trending. “Utility style,” as Cocco calls it, is hot precisely because of how useful and practical it is for the wearer.

Capitalizing on the trend, Carhartt and other workwear brands have developed more fashion-forward lines, Ostrom says. “It’s their regular workwear, but has a different fit and isn’t quite as oversized,” she adds. “That’s something you could wear more easily in an office situation.”

Another element at play is the economy. With inflation cutting into budgets, many people don’t want – and can’t afford – to maintain multiple wardrobes. So, their apparel purchases have to do double and even triple duty.

Camber makes sought-after hoodies and other basics, with consumers often signing on for a months-long wait after ordering one of its garments.

“I think people are choosing versatility,” Crawley says. “If I buy a garment, I want it to serve a few different purposes. Can I wear it to work? To the gym? To the grocery store? Does it pack well for traveling? And can I wear it year-round?”

With that mindset, a high-end hoodie or well-made, durable chore jacket can actually become an investment piece. Cary Heller, vice president of sales apparel company, has seen this phenomenon first-hand, thanks to All USA’s partnership with Camber, a Norristown, PA-based clothing manufacturer for making “the World’s Greatest Sweatshirt.”

Camber’s small stateside team of 25 cuts and sews sweatshirts, hoodies and other basics built to last. “When they shrink up a little, it feels like you’re wearing a tank, almost like a second or third layer of skin,” Heller says. “The only way to fully understand the depth and breadth of how different it is from other hoodies is to put one on. If you buy a product from Camber, even if you’re digging ditches or working as a lineman, you’re going to be wearing it for 50 years. They only get better with washes, not worse.”

That quality comes with a cost: nearly $100 and a months-long waiting list. As GQ writer Noah Johnson described it, “The company makes sweatshirts like Rolex makes watches, which is to say with a degree of care that borders on the mythic.”

The brand is popular in the tech industry, Heller notes. “Those kinds of guys are investing more in an outfit. They’re looking to pay special attention to find something different and something unique, since they know they’ll be wearing it every day,” he adds. “It’s not fast fashion. But this type of person is willing to search out that product and wait for it.”

Younger shoppers are also thinking of the booming secondhand-clothing market when they make a purchase. So, many are willing to drop hundreds of dollars on a designer hoodie, for example, because “they’re expecting that’s an investment they’re also then going to resell,” Ostrom says.

Buying well-made garments – even if they’d traditionally be considered casual – also helps elevate your wardrobe.

“By choosing items that have more quality construction and fabrications,” Tremblay says, “consumers can not only increase the shelf-life of their wardrobe, but it will give a more polished overall look, when paired with dressier items and accessories.”

5 HOT APPAREL TRENDS FOR 2023

1. PATCHWORK & DIY STYLING

Doodlage, a zero-waste brand out of India, upcycles post-consumer waste and post-cutting scraps into new garments, such as this quilted patchwork trench coat.

Handmade items and crafty looks are all the rage on TikTok. “Whether it’s deconstructing blanks and tapestries and making them into jackets/hoodies or creating patchwork and turning it into shirts and pants, having a one-of-a-kind garment is the style,” says Jeremy Picker, creative director and CEO of apparel design and branded merchandise firm AMB3R Creative.

2. PREPPY & COLLEGIATE LOOKS

Polo shirts, like this Mercer+Mettle stretch jersey piece, are classic and aspirational in uncertain times.

This style conjures up images of Ivy Leaguers with popped collars and perennial tans – an attractive prospect in these unsettled days. “It’s essentially just a simple, useful, functional look that just feels right,” says Vicki Ostrom. “We’re potentially heading into a recession and costs are high, but a polo is always accessible. Everyone can buy into that look.” The other factor, she says, is the growth of “court sports” like tennis and pickleball. Wearing a polo with a crisp tennis skirt helps you “be part of a club,” Ostrom says.

3. SUBTLE CROP TOPS

Cropped tops, where the hem of the shirt meets the top of the pant, are on trend – as evidenced by this TriDri cropped hoodie.

Cropped tops with a “meet-and-greet length – like 22 inches – where the bottom of the shirt just edges the top of the pant” will be big this year, as will cropped hoodies and fleece, according to Marcus Davis. A recent New York Times feature noted that young people have been wearing crop tops in the office, pairing them with high-waisted skirts or pants and adding a cardigan or blazer for extra coverage.

4. SUSTAINABILITY

This stretch polo is made of 44% REPREVE recycled polyester as well as regular polyester and spandex.

Eco-friendly materials and responsibly made garments will continue to grow throughout 2023. And more apparel will highlight the sustainability of their product lines. Julie Crawley of Charles River Apparel says the supplier is partnering with Nexgen Packaging to develop sustainable packaging and recycled hangtags. It’s also working with Unifi to add REPREVE, a brand of recycled polyester, to its collection.

5. RICH EARTH TONES

Earthy greens, like this quarter-zip from Champion, are the new neutral.

Though playful and uplifting pinks and reds will be popular this year, many color palettes will stick to browns, tans and other outdoorsy “shades from nature,” says Lauren Cocco of Vantage Apparel. “We’re seeing a continued trend toward earth tones and a spectrum of neutrals becoming more sought after.”

Today’s road warriors require a bag for hauling important information to and from the office and on and off planes. But their preferences are as unique and varying as the industries that employ them.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the U.S. economy added 223,000 jobs in December – more than analysts had expected. Meanwhile, unemployment fell to 3.5%, a historically low rate, BLS reports.

The Travis & Wells Transit Computer Portfolio has a multifunction organizer with RFID card pockets, mesh smartphone pocket, keychain clip and anti-slip silicone work surface. Also features individual compartments for a tablet and laptop, as well as an adjustable, removable padded shoulder strap.

Function and fashion combine in this engraved laptop brief bag. Features include an adjustable shoulder strap, two zip pockets, laptop pocket and multiple accessory pockets.

High-end backpacks are a great gift. This Oakley Enduro 20L backpack features a padded laptop sleeve, fleece-lined eyewear/media pocket, interior organizer panel and mesh water bottle pockets.

This genuine-leather computer portfolio has five large, zip compartments and a front half-moon zip-pocket with full organizer. In addition, there’s a small organizer, a padded laptop pocket and three file dividers. Choose from saddle, chocolate or black.

Users can pick between two functions with this affordable Sound Wave hybrid brief/backpack. Includes a zip main compartment with padded laptop sleeve and full-width zip pocket with a built-in slot for earphones.

The Duluth Pack executive briefcase combines 15-ounce canvas with a full-grain leather flap and bottom. Features two interior full-length pockets with ample storage, two large exterior pockets on the front, and a zip pocket on the back. Hand-stitched and made in the USA.

Laptop protection is job #1 for the Briggs & Riley Delve slim laptop sleeve. It’s lightweight and made with RapidWipe-coated outer fabric that protects devices from questionable surfaces in airports, hotels and coffee shops.

Thoughtful product design and circularity are some of the areas to focus on in the new year.

Countless industries are now facing the facts on the dire need for greater sustainability in their products’ lifecycles. The genie is out of the bottle, and the consequences of consumption have changed the conversation on what and why we buy.

As is typical when an industry is trying to hold itself to new standards, “There are varying levels of sustainability theatre going on,” says Dan Cardozo, president, and CEO of apparel company.

Steve Starr, senior vice president for global programs and brand at Top 40 company, expresses a similar sentiment, noting that many commercial and consumer users are “starting to think seriously about their carbon footprint.”

“Sustainable products alone largely go unchecked and unaudited,” he continues. “Many times, we see a product that sounds eco-friendly, but really needs another review to determine whether its impact on the environment can be properly accounted for.” With eyes on these issues from all angles, experts share several areas gaining traction regarding safe and sustainable production.

1. You’ll hear more about: Circularity

Circularity is a sustainability concept that takes the end of an item’s useful life into account when it’s being produced. Kriya Stevens, director of apparel company, says to consider the following questions: Can the product be recycled? If so, are there viable recycling programs readily accessible to consumers? Can traditional materials be replaced with materials that can be composted or recycled? “Products that can claim true circularity will set themselves apart from the pack,” she adds.

Textiles perhaps have the most work to do on circularity, says Ben Grossman, co-president of Grossman Marketing Group. “Companies want to do business with other companies who are responsible in these ways,” he says, “so we’ve seen an increase in interest in that in RFPs. Companies don’t want to just make the item; they have to consider the product lifecycle.”

Cardozo’s Ethix is looking at moving its clients to products that have their entire supply chain transparently disclosed, “all the way back to the ginning and spinning of the cotton, the sew/cut/dying, to the end of the life of the product.” That’s still a rarity, he adds, but he’s hoping circular and transparent production will become more prevalent.

2. You’ll hear more about: Pushing out PFAS

Last year, scientists made headway on a difficult problem: finding a cost-effective way to break up PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as “forever chemicals,” that can leach out and contaminate soil and water even years after first coming into contact with them. In August 2022, the journal Science published research that indicated the chemicals could be essentially boiled away with the addition of two low-cost and widely available compounds. Because these PFAS chemicals are also commonly found on fabrics – particularly as waterproofing on performance apparel – Stevens says the industry is expecting “new requirements for chemical screenings related to PFAS to become part of fashion’s standard operating procedures.” She notes that the Environmental Protection Agency is still researching these chemicals, “but the jury is in for many scientists; these harmful chemicals need to be eliminated.”

Indeed, states are already enacting forever chemical bans. Both California and New York have legislation prohibiting PFAS in apparel. And 3M announced late last year that it will stop manufacturing and using PFAS across its product portfolio by the end of 2025, in response to the accelerating regulatory trends and other factors. Expect momentum against PFAS chemicals to continue as 2023 unfolds.

3. You’ll hear more about: Thoughtful design

Grossman says that how a product looks factors heavily into whether it will have a long life. From T-shirts to totes, a nice graphic or illustration – with a logo used more subtly – will have broader appeal versus a basic tote blaring a giant company logo. “If you have the budget and time for planning, spend a little more on your design,” he says. For apparel, “Make the logo more subtle on the left sleeve or the back neck, and use the larger real estate for the beautiful illustration or message,” he explains. “Often, you don’t even need to spend more for production; you can do a beautiful design in one color. Simplicity can be elegant.”

Any company is going to want to be thoughtful about how to get its message across in a way that resonates. No matter the industry, Grossman says he’s noticed items that are message-driven sell much better than brand-driven ones.

4. You’ll hear more about: Packaging

Ecovative makes a packaging alternative to Styrofoam, composed of hemp and mycelium. Packaging is a hot topic for sustainability. Efforts continue to create packaging that’s easier to recycle than the plastic containers or laminated products more common in years past, says Grossman.

Cardozo says company stores and online web stores, which still rely on cellophane and Styrofoam, have the most work to do in this area: “People are getting fancier and fancier all the time with what they want to provide for clients, but we need to be conscious of the impact on the environment.”

Starr shares this view, saying that he’s seeing major companies frequently placing such requirements on those they partner with. “We’re seeing a point of cognition across the world, where both commercial and consumer users are starting to think seriously about their carbon footprint,” he says.

For her part, Stevens has seen a viable alternative to Styrofoam in Ecovative’s mushroom packaging, made of hemp and mycelium, which is scalable and compostable. She also notes startups like Olive, which offers premium reusable packaging and claims retailers can save 50% on return shipping costs using its service. “Like most of the environmental challenges we face,” Stevens adds, “we expect to see solutions come in a myriad of forms.”

Discover creative new products.

Leatherman Apron
Perfect for any grill master, this apron is made of full-grain premium leather and can be engraved. Includes adjustable straps and two towel loops.

Pet Flying Disc
This flying disk is made of high-quality cotton and polyester. The durable rope sides make it easier for pets to pick up and are gentle on their teeth and gums. Choose from six colors.

Mongolian Cashmere Throw
Crafted from 100% Grade-A Mongolian cashmere, this quality throw creates the feeling of class and comfort. Choose from five colors.

Crew Socks
Socks add a touch of whimsy to any outfit. Choose from regular, thick or extra thick constructions, and customized color combinations.

Bluetooth Stereo with Climbing Clasp
Take this waterproof speaker anywhere. Features a battery that lasts nearly four hours on a single charge.

48-Inch Golf Umbrella
This large umbrella has a sturdy metal shaft and comes in five colors.

Though some executives are skeptical of a former worker’s loyalty, there are a lot of benefits of rehiring familiar faces.

The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

A 2022 study from payroll firm UKG found that 43% of people who quit their jobs during the pandemic say they were better off at their original workplace. In fact, one in five who quit during the pandemic actually returned to the company they left, according to the UKG study. The Great Resignation is rapidly becoming the Great Rebound.

Boomerang employees, as they’re called, often get a bad rap, with some executives questioning a wayward worker’s loyalty and feeling reluctant to bring them back into the fold. However, experts say boomerang employees can enrich your workplace, since their time with other companies has likely made them more well-rounded and knowledgeable. Plus, they already know your culture and have connections with other staffers, so onboarding will be less costly than for a brand-new face.

Here are some strategies to help you attract former employees and make sure their reentry into your firm is a success.

1. Pay attention to exit interviews.
When employees share why they’re leaving your company, it’s important to listen. What factors led them to scroll the job boards? Was it pay? Culture? Their manager? If multiple high-quality employees are leaving for the same reasons, perhaps it’s time to address those issues – both to help with retention and to attract new and former talent to your company.

2. Keep in touch.
After an employee leaves, don’t cut ties. Connect with them on LinkedIn to follow their career path, and check in occasionally via phone or email to see how they’re faring and what their plans and aspirations are. You never know when their ambitions and your own hiring needs might converge.

3. Create an alumni network.
The easiest way to signal to staffers who’ve left that they’re still welcome is to, well, make them feel welcome. An alumni network, similar to groups for college and university grads, keeps your former workers connected to your company and instills a sense of pride – and perhaps even nostalgia for the way things were. (You could also invite ex-employees to company picnics and other events to help them maintain social ties with their peers.)

4. Don’t skip onboarding.
Once you’ve rehired a worker, take time to acclimate them. Sure, your boomerang employee knows exactly where the break room is and can put a name to just about every face in the office, but that doesn’t mean they’re experts on your current workplace culture and expectations. It’s important to go through the same onboarding checklist with a boomerang worker as you would with any new hire, in case procedures have changed during their absence. The process will likely be quicker for a boomerang than for someone brand-new, but it’s a bad idea to skip it altogether.

5. Welcome them back.
How you treat a boomerang employee speaks volumes about your leadership skills and company culture. If you’re skeptical of them or question their loyalty, everyone on the team will take notice – not just the rehire. Be sure to show your excitement for having them back. Send out a company-wide welcome notice to reintroduce them to staff and demonstrate your appreciation for their talents.

Fashion and retail lines now feature this elegant garment print.

Ink-dyed garments and accessories are making a comeback – but this isn’t your typical rainbow tie-dye.

A trend called “watercolor” has been hitting the fashion catwalks and retail stores. It combines the gradient look of ombre with the unique ink pattern of tie-dye for an elegant, “watery” appearance evocative of the art of Claude Monet.

The “watercolor” look features different hues combined on a variety of media, including apparel and hard goods.

Fashion houses such as Ferragamo, Courrèges, Marni and Paco Rabanne featured the color trend in their Spring/Summer 2023 lines. “Bob Ross, eat your heart out,” wrote the staff of W Magazine in its show report. “Bright hues this season took on a watery look, blending together like a sunset or lakeside scene in a painting.” Other designers such as Peter Do and Diesel featured “soft ombre” looks, with colors “elegantly blend[ing] into one another across a diverse array of fabrics,” reported Hypebeast.

Professional sports teams are getting in on the action, too; The Philadelphia Eagles features an ink-dyed beanie from its New Era Crucial Catch collection, with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society; other teams such as the Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Chargers have them available in franchise colors.

Fortunately, there are plenty of products featuring ombre and dyed patterns that can fit the bill

Ball caps featuring eye-catching dyed colors, especially with silkscreen or embroidery on the front. This style also allows for a high ponytail and comes in a variety of color combinations.

This insulated tote is ideal for bringing lunch from home, comes in four ombre tones.

For a unique item with a touch of whimsy, consider this corkscrew, which opens both wine and beer bottles and is available in three ombre tones and three solid colors.

Pick up accessories that feature an ombre pattern. These also make great gifts; choose from four color combinations, like Lavender Fields and Galactic Ocean.

A subdued take on the watercolor look with a wicking performance style; available in five color combinations.

They’re essential for travelers, fitness club members and athletes of all skill levels.

After nearly three years of staying put, people are ready to get going again. According to Travel Experts, an agency of independent advisors and agencies, 2022 sales among its network members is on track to exceed 2019’s numbers. They also estimate that Q4 2023 numbers will be between 20% and 30% above this year’s Q4.

This cylinder-shaped gym/locker bag includes a main compartment with pull-cord closure, zippered drop-bottom storage compartment and adjustable shoulder strap. Stow sweaty post-workout gear in the main compartment separate from essentials in the second.

Custom bags go a long way in giving your clients exactly what they want. This duffel is made of durable canvas and features accents and embroidery.

Travel warriors need a bag that’s both tough and functional. This duffel is made of high-density jacquard and includes two-tier zippered storage compartments with dual zippered side and front pockets and an adjustable shoulder strap. Choose from three color combinations.

Great for weekend getaways, this 18” heathered duffel bag has all the features necessary to tow personal gear. Features a zippered main compartment and open front pocket, plus an adjustable shoulder strap and dual carry handles.

Sporty and lightweight, the Swissgear 23” Getaway XL Everything Duffel Bag is a classic example of form meets function. It works as a garment bag and zips up to become a luxury duffel bag. Neatly carries blazers, suit jackets and all things needed for business travel.

Gym denizens and others will love the Terrex sport bag. Its large main compartment features a dual-zipper opening with easy access to workout gear. Also includes front webbing accents, elastic bands on the bottom for securing a yoga mat or towel, and a front pocket for additional storage.

The rugby gear bag measures 24” x 13” and will keep players’ gear contained and protected. Available in 25 colors.

Travel in style with the Capitan Executive Duffel. Features an adjustable strap, top carry handles, four front pockets, large back pocket and two oversized side pockets for shoes. Made of Colombian cowhide leather with a mocha brown nylon interior.

Cost-effective with lots of details, this is a classic weekend. Features a double-zippered spacious main compartment, front zippered pocket for accessories and mesh bottle pockets on the sides.

As digital tools continue to evolve, so do related branded products. The industry has a plethora of options, and that’s good news for distributors looking for the latest trends.

With the sheer ubiquity of mobile devices across the country, related products, particularly chargers and wireless earbuds, continue to gain popularity. According to Allied Market Research, the mobile accessories market is slated to grow more than 13% each year from now through 2026, to nearly $80 billion. End-buyers have a number of options for branded products to give to their target audiences, as everyone from ambitious students to hard-working businesspeople will appreciate the items.

The easy-to-use Chi-Charge Trio helps keep wirelessly charged devices powered up and regulates the temperature of liquids inside the included mug. Makes an awesome employee-appreciation gift.

How does someone charge multiple devices at once? With this multifuncttion charging cable. Includes USB to Type-C and Lightning, and Type-C to Type-C and Lightning charging connections. Made of nylon braided wire and aluminum alloy. Perfect for use at home, in the office or on the road. Essential for businesspeople in any industry.

The iHome AX-38 wireless earbuds allow the user to move effortlessly while dancing, listening to a podcast or mowing the lawn. Includes slide-open charger case, three ear-tip sizes, micro USB charging cable and lanyard.

Fun and practical, this portable mini chair wireless charger will likely garner advertisers that desired desktop real estate. It charges any phone and can also be used as a stand during Microsoft Teams or FaceTime calls, or to watch videos and movies.

This folding 3-in-1 wireless charger charges multiple devices like Phones, Apple Watches and AirPods at the same time. It’s also compatible with all Qi-enabled Android and iOS devices. Slim and foldable, it’s easy to take along on trips.

Users can capture all the important moments with this portable selfie-stick tripod. It comes with a wireless remote with a 33-foot range, extends to 27.5 inches and features a 270-degree-rotation head. Works with all mobile phones and folds to just 7 inches.

This type-C multiport USB hub allows users to charge older devices that don’t support type-C charging. Features four USB port extensions and is easy to use with no driver installation required. Great for students and professionals alike.

Great for holding phones and tablets, this expandable stand folds flat for easy storage. Users will appreciate it while in the kitchen trying out a new recipe or talking on speaker phone with the kids. A silicone anti-slip base keeps it secure on countertops, desks and coffee tables.

This magnetic car phone mount is mini-sized, but comes with an extremely strong magnet. It holds big phones steadily and allows users to be safe while driving and taking calls. Easy to adjust with full 360-degree rotation for the perfect viewing angle. Great as a gift for new car owners.

Recipients can charge several devices at a time with this three-port USB charger. Ideal for office and home use or when traveling on business or for pleasure.

The playful design has appeared in fashion lines and on celebrities in recent weeks, and it could make a fun addition to end-clients’ upcoming spring campaigns.

A classic pattern is making a comeback on catwalks and celebrities, which could point to increased demand among end-buyers of promo products.

The whimsical polka dot print, which has a long and storied history, recently made appearances in the Burberry, Marni and Saint Laurent Spring 2023 lines, as well as Sergio Hudson and Proenza Schuler, on flowy dresses, cardigans and scarves.

On Nov. 12, actress Kerry Washington wore a Sergio Hudson polka dot dress with long train to the Baby2Baby Gala for charity in Los Angeles. And just yesterday, the Princess of Wales wore a blue dress with gold polka dots from L.K. Bennett, in honor of Ukraine’s national colors, during a visit to the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre to meet with displaced families.

Meanwhile, for end-buyers who want to get in on the action, the promo industry has a plethora of polka-dotted options, from apparel and accessories to food gifts. Here we have five markets to target to add a touch of fun to upcoming campaigns.

1. High Schools & Colleges
Students will appreciate warm-weather accessories on their walks to school or between classes on campus. Items that feature polka dots add a touch of whimsy to their wardrobe. Think spirit wear and booster clubs.

2. Corporate Programs
Small polka dots can add a subtle touch of fun to business wear. Consider button-down shirts, ties, pocket hankies and socks featuring the pattern for company programs.

3. Professional Services
Branded items for finance, insurance and real estate agencies don’t have to be stuffy – encourage clients in these markets to think outside the box with lighthearted prints for writing instruments, totes and umbrellas. Polka dots certainly fit the bill.

4. Client Gifts
End-customers can thank their staff and clients with sweet and savory treats presented in packaging with a festive polka dot pattern.

5. Entertainment Companies
Think polka dots for entertainment equipment suppliers and venues – beach and pool parties could use inflatable balls to promote sponsors.

There are myriad opportunities for clients to use branded household products to connect with their customers and employees.

In a recent survey, Deloitte found that only 31% of Americans will travel for the holidays this year, down from 42% in 2021. That’s due to inflationary pressures and some lingering health concerns. Fortunately, the industry has a number of branded house and home items available, so advertisers can still make an impression while people stay put.

This indoor decorative pillow is ideally suited for family residences, as well as Airbnb and VRBO rentals. Made of 100% polyester microfiber, it’s sublimated on both sides, blown with stuffing and then sewn together. Available in 16” x 16” or 18” x 18”.

Everyone needs a place to toss keys, change, sunglasses and wallets. That’s why this engraved catchall tray makes a fantastic gift for virtually anyone. It’s laser-engraved and handmade from vegan leather. Users can place it on an end table, dresser or desk to keep important essentials together.

The Stargard cut crystal vase is made from beautiful leaded crystal and is perfect for showing appreciation to employees, vendors and customers. It stands 12” tall, with space on the front for engraving corporate and award information.

This sturdy rocking chair is the perfect high-end gift or award. Its size, seat height, back height, contours and balance point make it a pleasure to sit and rock in. Made of premium weatherproof kiln-dried Robinia wood, it features exterior-grade hardwood, non-water-soluble glue, slats cut to shape with mortise, and tenon construction.

The PureVis Advanced Filter Pitcher has a unique two-step filtration and purification process. Its plant-based filters are effective against pollutants like lead, chlorine, mercury, VOCs, cadmium and particulates. Includes sensors that tell the user when to replace the filter.

Art meets function with a surge protector. It’s an outlet adapter that’s ETL Certified with 900 Joules of surge protection, featuring A/C outlets and two universal USB ports. Charges phones, tablets, cameras and other mobile devices at the same time. Also includes a convenient holder at the top for a mobile phone.

The Money Tree is a tropical indoor plant made to brighten and freshen up any space. A popular Feng Shui plant, the Money Tree is said to bring good luck and fortune wherever it goes. It comes in a modern pot with a custom message card and branded plant stick.

This 9” lighter creates a tiny electric arc that’s hot enough to ignite anything a normal lighter can. Windproof and rechargeable, it has a long neck that’s great for lighting hard-to-reach candle wicks, BBQs and stoves. Comes in a gift box with a micro-USB cord for charging.

The gentle sound of wind chimes is both calming and cathartic. That’s why this Gregorian-style wood and aluminum wind chime makes a fantastic addition to health and wellness campaigns. Features eight chimes in a eye-catching, balanced design.

End-users can decorate any room with a custom full-color print of their favorite photo. Images are wrapped around the sides of a canvas stretched across a wooden frame. Measures 24” x 36” and can be displayed vertically or horizontally.

End-users looking to escape from cold weather will appreciate these useful travel items.

The short-term rental market in the U.S. has grown steadily over the past three years: AirDNA, a rental-analytics firm, estimates almost a 9% increase in the number of properties available for rent next year, compared to 2022. Major players like Airbnb and VRBO have revolutionized the rental market, making it easy for people to become gig proprietors while offering travelers unique experiences. And those taking winter trips will need essentials while they’re away. Here are some perfect leisure and business travel products for the coming months.

Hunters are loyal to their camouflage brand; some are Mossy Oak fans while others favor Realtree. For those in the Realtree camp, they’d certainly enjoy receiving this merino wool camo half-zip sweatshirt. It’s warm and comfortable and will fit any promotion geared to hunters or outdoor enthusiasts.

Users can protect their privacy from hackers’ prying eyes with the Eye Poppers webcam cover. This fun item has eyes that pop out with a little squeeze. Designed to fit most devices an available in four colors.

The Molten Lava Manly Herbal Soap is geared to those who prefer soap that’s not overly fragranced. It’s crafted from natural, pure ingredients including organic shea butter, plus olive, coconut, hemp, corn and soybean oils. Perfectly sized to fit in a dopp kit, it’s also infused with activated charcoal. A must-have for dude-focused promos.

Packing for the next vacation or business trip is easier with this Thule packing cube set. Users will enjoy having organized luggage with these cubes that expand and compress to maximize packing space. Spot-on for travel-related promotions.

Brrr, it’s getting cold outside…and inside cars and airplanes, too. That’s why this cozy cabin throw makes a great item for wintertime promotions and employee- or customer-appreciation gifts. Features a buffalo check and plaid design in six color combinations.

These functional accessories are a mainstay in the industry, and waist bags in particular have seen a resurgence in both promo and retail.

As COVID restrictions are lifted across the globe, leisure travel rates are once again approaching pre-pandemic levels. According to data from Research & Markets, vacationers around the world will help to grow the industry by nearly 20% every year from now through 2027. That’s great news for companies that serve travelers, and they’ll appreciate branded drawstring bags and fanny packs like the ones below to advertise their products and services.

A splash of color through a dye sublimation process makes this hip pack something that will get noticed as a promotional bag. Made of 100% polyester, it’s roomy and features a secure zip closure and adjustable 48” strap. A wonderful product for theme-park promotions and group outings.

Take a drawstring bag to another level with this heathered and jute backpack and bring an air of sophistication to a promotion. Made of 300 denier polyester and faux jute, it features an adjustable black drawstring closure. Ideal for students, sports tournament registration gifts and trade shows.

Runners, walkers and bikers need to be seen in low light, and this promotional waist pack with a reflective strip is perfect for promotions targeting these groups. Features two zip pockets and a waistband with a quick-release buckle.

This two-tone drawstring backpack with mesh top has metal grommets for strength and durability. Features PMS colors and front zip pocket for additional storage, plus large decoration capability.

And now for something a little different: This multipurpose tote can be carried as a purse or a drawstring bag. Features matching carry handles and a macrame drawcord for a cinch closure. Spot-on for spa giveaways and as a gift for new gym members.

This fanny pack is made from bamboo fiber, PLA and PBA, features no plastic, and is compostable. Eco-friendly, it features a full design on the front with the option for a second on the back. Personalization is possible, making it great for sports team promotions.

This sport cotton drawstring bag cinch pack is excellent for large giveaways. It provides huge exposure for a brand and allows the user to store everything from gym clothes to school supplies to snacks for weekend hikes.

The Osprey Daylite waist pack features a zip main compartment, zip front-panel exterior pocket, interior mesh organizer and key clip. Keeps the user’s phone, wallet and other important items safe when out and about. Consider this for travel-related promotions.

This fanny pack as a lot going on. It’s made of nylon ripstop and features three zip pockets, a front pocket, a side cellphone pocket and an inside mesh pocket. Also features a built-in slot for earbuds and adjustable 52” waist strap.

Drawstring bags needn’t just be nylon or polyester. Made from heavyweight canvas, this drawstring carry backpack features multiple exterior pockets and storage space for large and small items. The leather straps are thin and lightweight. Makes a nice gift for couples’ retreats and vacation getaways.

The SoundWave sport pack is stylish and functional with a cinch closure and adjustable web shoulder straps. Includes a built-in earphone outlet, interior deep pocket for a bottle, and a zip front pocket that can fit a 10” tablet with case. Suitable for businesses, schools and travel agencies.

Discover creative products from new ASI suppliers.

Recycled Plastic Cup
Keeping costs low doesn’t mean compromising sustainability. These food-grade and BPA-free cups are affordable and 100% recyclable.

Magnetic Towel
Golf towels just got better. This magnetic towel is easy to access while on the course. It can withstand up to 25 lbs. of pull force for a secure hold to carts, clubs and bags.

Silicone Folding Mug
Commuters will appreciate an 18-oz. travel coffee cup that folds up, making traveling and storage much easier. Choose from five colors.

Event Pouch
This unique gusseted stand-up pouch is digitally printed on all sides. It can hold various items like T-shirts, candy, business cards and chargers. Choose from a variety of colors.

Color-Changing Mug
Recipients of this drinkware can consume coffee, tea and hot chocolate with a dash of fun. It changes color when filled with hot liquids. Perfect as a welcome gift or kitted appreciation bundles.

Snake Laurentii in Planter
The Snake Laurentii is a succulent that’s easy to care for and offers air-purifying capabilities. Comes in an elegant planter. Ideal for new homeowners and to promote garden centers.

Cardboard VR Headset
Based on the Google Cardboard v2 specifications, this VR viewer for smartphones is great for playing games, viewing 360-degree videos and images, and browsing VR-ready websites.

Product Editor Joe Haley features items with unique imprinting space that’s sure to grab attention.

Having business cards on hand is a must for networking events – the antimicrobial one featured here doubles as a screen cleaner, so it won’t get lost in the shuffle. When brainstorming upcoming campaigns with clients, look to promo products with distinctive imprint areas that will earn impressions.

Unique Custom Products

The lead-up to Christmas is a time of wonder and excitement for kids who still believe. Increase the anticipation with this hand-printed advent calendar. Users can fill the drawers with candies or small gifts, or mini liquor bottles for adults.

Discount Marketing Products

This teardrop backpack flag is great for directing large crowds through a sporting event, trade exhibition or historic city tour. It’s ready to use and includes a full-color, digitally printed polyester flag, carbon-fiber poles and black backpack with storage space for components when not in use.

Here’s a corporate gift that’s cutting-edge … literally. This 18-piece stainless-steel knife set includes two chef’s knifes, slicing knife, bread knife, Santoku knife, serrated knife, eight steak knives, paring knife, bird’s beak knife and kitchen shears. Each piece has a high-carbon stainless-steel blade and stainless-steel hollow handle with satin finish.

Are your customers looking for something different for their business cards? If so, consider this antimicrobial card that doubles as a device cleaner (FYI). The washable card cleans phone screens while killing bacteria, mold, yeast and fungus. It’s infused with a Dow/Dupont Silvadur antimicrobial treatment that’s been independently verified to be 99% effective.

Since work-from-anywhere jobs are making it possible for people to move their desks to virtually any location, this heat and privacy shade will be a welcome accessory. It protects laptops from the sun, making it easy to see the screen in direct sunlight while preventing it from overheating. It also provides privacy when working in public spaces like coffee shops, airports and libraries.

How often do you stow packages or bags on the front passenger seat, only to watch them go flying during a hard stop or sharp turn? This passenger seat caddy puts an end to that. It’s convenient, versatile, expandable and flexible. Features an extra elastic cord and grommet to restrain taller items.

Google has been rolling out updates to its search function to keep low-quality and unoriginal content from appearing high in rankings.

Last month, Google announced that it would be rolling out updates to its search function to make it easier for people to find high-quality content. The new ranking improvements are meant to stop low-quality or unoriginal content from appearing high in rankings.

The update will target “SEO-first” content – articles created primarily to rank on search engines – putting an emphasis instead on what Google calls “human-first content.” In a blog post, Google explained: “If you search for information about a new movie, you might have previously encountered articles that aggregated reviews from other sites without adding perspectives beyond what’s available elsewhere on the web. This isn’t very helpful if you’re expecting to read something new. With this update, you’ll see more results with unique information, so you’re more likely to read something you haven’t seen before.”

So, what does that mean for small businesses in the promotional products industry that use content marketing and search engine optimization tactics to raise their online profile and establish themselves as authorities on branding and logoed goods? Experts say there’s no need to panic. “I think Google’s new changes will penalize the sites churning out robotic content designed only for crawls, and (hopefully) reward those of us who focus on creating quality content that appeals to real people,” says Heather Clarke, marketing and communications manager for aloSIM, a company that sells prepaid phone data packages.

Still, it’s worth taking a look at your content strategy to make sure you’re serving your intended audience well. Here are a few quick tips to ensure you’re producing high-quality, customer-centered content.

1. Focus on what you know.
It’s a well-worn trope to “write what you know,” but when it comes to content marketing, it’s important to take note. High-quality content will help establish you and your business as an expert in your field. “It should be informative in a way that only someone in that niche can provide, but still understandable to customers,” says Sarah Brodsky, a digital analyst for search marketing firm 9Sail. “Writing about areas of your business that you know well and have personally experienced also demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the topic at hand.”

2. Make it readable.
Your articles should be easy to digest and get your point across without too much fuss. Use headings, subheadings and small blocks of text. Visual elements, like photos and infographics, can also help break things up. “People don’t like reading large blocks of text,” says Jessica Kats, an e-commerce expert at online shopping platform Soxy. “They get distracted, and it doesn’t get a good response.”

3. Use keywords naturally.
Keywords are still an important part of SEO strategy, but they shouldn’t make your writing stilted and awkward.

Once you’ve done your keyword research, find ways to incorporate them into a piece without it seeming forced. “It’s a delicate dance, trying to find that balance between writing in a fun, personable way and writing with SEO in mind,” says Clarke. “Because, of course, even the very best content won’t work if no one can find it.”

Above all, your keywords and chosen topic should mesh well. Your content, says Aissa Djalo of full-service creative agency Tiny Giants Co., should “answer the keyword’s search intent” – in other words, the reader should feel more educated after finishing your post.

4. Keep content fresh.
It’s tempting to repost evergreen content, especially if you’re a harried small-business owner with too much on your plate, but that could be a mistake. “If small businesses have been repeating or reposting their content, they’ll find that it does more harm than good after this update,” Brodsky says. “They should strive to create only new content – even if they’re repeating topics, all text should be unique, and the perspective and insights should be new.”

Product Editor Joe Haley features his top branded swag choices for winter fun.

According to the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), ski slopes across the country reported approximately 61 million visitors last winter, a 3.5% year-to-year increase and the highest number of skiers since the NSAA started tracking numbers in 1978. Prepare for another busy season with these outstanding winter-themed promo products..

The “OG” gogglesoc is fully customizable and sustainable since it’s made from recycled plastic bottles. Skiers will keep their goggle lenses scratch-free, and advertisers can get quality sublimated branding with PMS color-matching. Think ski trips and winter getaways.

The versatile USA-made Lodge 10.25” cast iron skillet is sure to be a welcome kitchen item on winter camping trips. It arrives decorated, seasoned with 100% natural vegetable oil and ready to use right out of the box. Features sloped sides, two pour spouts and an easy-grip handle.

Winter is coming, and that’s why this waffle knit cuff beanie makes a great choice for end-of-year promotions. It’s made of 100% acrylic and measures 12” when unfolded. Works for ski resorts, schools and sports venues for wear by outdoor employees. Choose from 16 colors.

The Spyder half-zip sweater fleece combines technical features with an elevated aesthetic. Available in classic colors and multiple sizes with a modern fit. A women’s style is also available, making it great as a hospitality uniform piece or as part of a corporate store.

This rechargeable, dual-power aluminum headlamp is super-bright and peaks at 2075 lumens on turbo mode. Features a dust-resistant and storm-proof aluminum body that detaches to become a handheld flashlight. Spot-on for DIY enthusiasts, emergency personnel and for nighttime hikes.

A poll of American consumers by Vistaprint, the online print and promo provider that’s part of Top 40 distributor Cimpress, yielded sharp insights for the industry.

Turns out people do indeed dig promo products.

A new survey, polled about 2,000 American consumers and found that 53% “love receiving promotional products,” while 76% share that their perception of a brand has changed in a positive way because they received a logoed item from said brand.

Notably, half (51%) use promotional products in their daily lives.

Especially encouraging? The outlook for promo is bright, given generational predilections, the survey shows. Nearly nine in 10 millennials (87%) and exactly eight in 10 Gen Zers are more likely to perceive a brand in a positive way after receiving a promo product.

When asked about their ideal promotional products, consumers said they care most about how “useful” (49%) and “unique” (42%) the product is. When comparing among different age groups, Gen Zers care more about how “fashionable” (43%) and how “funny” (42%) the item and design are. Here are the top qualities that make for an ideal swag item, ranked in order of importance:

1. Useful (49%)
2. Unique (42%)
3. Colorful (40%)
4. Fashionable (39%)
5. Recyclable (36%)
6. A keepsake (36%)
7. Edible (35%)
8. Funny (34%)

When asked about the design of promotional products, the survey found that the majority of people prefer products with an unusual or unique design (45%) or brand name (38%). Here are the top qualities that Americans prefer when it comes to the design of promotional items:

1. Unique or unusual design (45%)
2. Eye-catching design (42%)
3. Unique or unusual brand name (38%)
4. Interesting use of materials (37%)
5. A quote or catchphrase (37%)
6. Logo positioning (35%)
7. Color scheme (35%)
8. Font (35%)

More findings from the survey include:

• 49% of consumers prefer to receive promotional products from small businesses or unknown brands.
• 40% are more likely to write a positive review online after receiving a promotional item from a brand.
• 48% agree that promotional products are a more memorable way of marketing than simply advertising.
• 44% of people are more likely to visit a business location (e.g., shop or restaurant) after receiving a promotional item from a brand.
• 83% have worn or used a promotional item from the company they work for.
• 34% consider sustainability to be an important factor – and 32% consider it important for a product to be locally made.

According to the survey, the top 10 promo products U.S. consumers want to receive are:

1. T-shirts
2. Pens
3. Mugs
4. Water bottles
5. Headphones
6. Tote bags
7. Sunglasses
8. Hoodies
9. Calendars
10. Umbrellas

Coffee is a significant part of Americans’ daily routine, so the drinkware featured here is sure to garner countless impressions.

According to E-Imports, a resource for the specialty coffee industry, the average coffee drinker in the U.S. consumes more than three cups daily, and 50% of all Americans drink it every day. That means there’s plenty of opportunity to distribute branded coffee mugs for use at home and on the go.

The 16 oz. reusable Cupanion Cup lets users ditch traditional paper and Styrofoam cups, as well as coffee sleeves. Made for hot or cold drinks, it features double-wall insulation and a clear lid, and it’s BPA-free and dishwasher-safe. Made in Canada using sustainable manufacturing processes. Ideal as a loyal-customer giveaway for coffee shops and cafés.

This 11 oz. stoneware mug with glossy finish and removable bamboo coaster bottom ensures that the user won’t leave rings on furniture. FDA-compliant and microwave-safe, it’s available in five colors. Works well for homebuyers and new employees.

Imagine how long that coffee aroma will be wafting in the air when inside this steel, double-wall, vacuum-insulated 12 oz. mug. Keeps hot beverages hot for hours and features a non-slip matte gator coating, rubber bottom and shatterproof lid that also works as a splash guard. Choose from black, blue or red.

When hot coffee gets cold the drinker eithers heads to the microwave to reheat it or to the sink to pour it out. Not anymore. The 12 oz. ceramic Ui Self-Heating Mug Set maintains the ideal drinking temperature for coffee and tea and also wirelessly charges mobile phones. A nice gift for both onsite and fully remote employees.

Go big with the 20 oz. Urban Peak Harbor Trail vacuum camp mug. Its copper-lined, vacuum-insulated, deep-draw liner keeps coffee hotter significantly longer than a standard paper or Styrofoam cup. Features a leak-resistant plastic flip lid with Tritan snap-locking closure.

This 17 oz. campfire mug is made of thick-gauge steel that’s double coated with high-gloss durable enamel. Handmade and available in eight colors. In addition to camping, it works well for tailgate promotions.

Each reusable 16 oz. Circular NOW Cup is created from six recycled single-use coffee cups. The travel tumbler is 100% leakproof, with a push-lid mechanism that minimizes spills and offers one-hand opening. Can be recycled after about 10 years of usage. Help clients add sustainability to their next promotion.

Stylish and practical, this ceramic mug features a cork base which serves as a built-in coaster. Featuring a slide-action lid, this mug is FDA-compliant and BPA-free.

The 17 oz. CORKCICLE Commuter Cup maintains hot beverage temperatures for up to five hours and cold ones up to 18 hours. Made from insulated stainless-steel with a ceramic-coated interior and a spill-proof lid. The included one-piece retail gift box is perfect for year-round rewards and incentives.

When tradition and trends collide, you get this campfire mug with bamboo base. The speckled 15 oz. mug will fit right in at campsites and inside RVs and campers.

The 12 oz. TRANSIT insulated stainless-steel mug features modern lines and sleek design with unmatched temperature retention. Whether it’s used for cozying up on a couch or tailgating at a local stadium, the TriMax Triple Insulation keeps coffee steaming hot for four hours or maintains cold beverages for 40. Comes in six colors.

Take back control of your days by intentionally incorporating new tasks.

Life gets busy and challenges continue, and that can make burnout a real possibility.

To combat tension and weariness, create a routine that combines professional tasks and self-care; it’s proven to have both physical and mental health benefits. According to Chicago-based healthcare system Northwestern Medicine, being consistent in weekly activities has been shown to improve stress levels, lead to better sleep and help boost overall health.

Here are seven ways to incorporate new tasks into your days, and gradually turn them into second-nature habits.

1. Make a list. Do a “brain dump” – a simple list – of what you want to incorporate into your week, both personally and professionally. You may not be able to think of everything in one sitting, so keep a notepad with you and add to the list as you think of things. Nothing is too small – if you want to start making your bed every morning, add it.

2. Split tasks into smaller goals. Bigger objectives might be hard to incorporate into your week, so start with one step at a time. If one of your objectives is to make healthier food choices, choose a new recipe or two to try each week and build from there. Starting with manageable tasks and building on them will allow you to create a new routine gradually and improve your success rate.

3. Determine when you work best. Are you a morning lark or a night owl? Structure your day based on your energy levels. If you’re a morning person, that might be a good time to incorporate a new workout regimen. If your thinking is clearer at night, that may be the time to address tasks that require critical thinking, like developing sales strategies for the coming months.

4. Put everything into the calendar. Once you have your complete list of the things you want to incorporate into your week, put them in your calendar and make them non-negotiable. Schedule time for them each day (or as frequently as they need to happen). Putting routine objectives into your calendar gives them weight and helps you to remember what’s been added.

5. Start with one week. Go through one week and see how things go. Follow your calendar and if something isn’t working for you, tweak it as needed. You may need to go through several iterations of your new plan before you find the one that works best. Give yourself permission to test-drive it and see how it goes.

6. Schedule in flexibility. Life is sure to throw curveballs. It’s OK to schedule things down to the minute, but make sure to account for the unexpected. Stick to your new plan as closely as possible, but extend grace to yourself when you can’t follow it exactly. Just recommit to it the next day.

7. Track your progress. At the end of each week, take a look back at your wins and where you need improvement, and then start again. If something isn’t working week after week, you may need to modify the plan. Continue to record tasks in your calendar until it becomes second nature – it’ll help you keep track of how things are going, and show you where you can add tasks.

Whether it’s sneakers made of apple leather or haute couture to promote vegan ice cream, brands are getting creative with sustainable materials.

My inbox has been inundated with notifications about the latest innovations in sustainable apparel – particularly brands that are experimenting with nontraditional textiles, like apple leather or cocoa beans. Sometimes, the creations are simply marketing stunts rather than a product that will eventually be available at retail. But even then, it’s fascinating to see what companies come up with and how they might influence fashion at large.

These are just a few of the more interesting tidbits I’ve come across recently. Let’s judge them!

Just Call These Apple Leather Sneakers ‘Foodwear’


Italian footwear brand is using Kickstarter to fund the production of its vegan sustainable sneakers.

A new Italian footwear brand founded by Luca Matteo Manuzzi and Willy Anne Wijnja, combines “ethical design with luxury quality to create new-era premium high-fashion sneakers.” The company took to Kickstarter to fund the production of the Waver, its vegan sustainable sneakers, and as of July 27 has already surpassed its goal.

The handmade unisex low-top sneakers are sourced and made in Italy at a family-owned manufacturer. They feature an outsole made from recycled rubber, an upper made from vegan apple leather and recycled polyester, an inner lining made from bamboo fibers and an insole made with apple leather on a soft cushion of recycled and biodegradable latex. A portion of future sales of every sneaker will go toward funding the Lady Ripple bee initiative, helping to build more beehives across Tuscany.

“Our mission is to design ethical luxury products for consumers who value aesthetics and craftsmanship as much as sustainability,” Manuzzi says.

The creators also say the Waver’s gender-neutral design and thick sole are comfortable and on-trend, and the “complex patchwork upper made from apple leather patches over recycled polyester creates a unique sporty look and allows for breathability and airflow.”

Verdict: I’m not in love with the chunky design aesthetic, but I love how every part of the sneaker is sourced from sustainable materials and will be assembled by artisans in Italy. It would definitely feel good to walk a mile in these shoes.

We All Scream for Cocoa Bean Couture


Magnum partnered with Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen for this 3-D printed dress using a polymer derived from cocoa bean husks.

Magnum – yes, the ice cream brand – made a splash at Paris Fashion Week earlier this month debuting a vegan haute couture dress made from cocoa bean husks. It was part of a marketing stunt to raise awareness for its line of nondairy vegan ice cream bars.

The brand partnered with Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen on the dress, which features intricate details including plant-like body embellishments that were copper-coated, draped and entwined with upcycled organza. Other elements were 3-D printed using selective laser sintering (SLS) technology. The cocoa bean husks were processed to create a fully organic biopolymer material for 3-D printing. Magnum says it wants to support van Herpen’s vision of “a fully sustainable production chain within the fashion industry and beyond.” The partnership was just its first step toward a wider ambition of circularity in the fashion world, according to Magnum.

Linking ingredients used in Magnum vegan ice cream with haute couture really allowed van Herpen to “push the boundaries of design” further than before, the designer said.

Verdict: I’m a sucker for chocolate, so a dress made from cocoa beans should be a no-brainer. Of course, calling this a dress is a bit of a stretch, since it lacks something I would consider a defining feature of said garment, namely a skirt. Still, this remarkably well-crafted, flourish-heavy bodysuit is an excellent example of how an unexpected brand collaboration can pay off.

Beach, Beer, Boardshorts & Branding!


Pacifico and Quiksilver included a number of sustainable elements in this merch collection.

Beer brand Pacifico partnered with Quiksilver, a maker of surf-inspired apparel and accessories, for a line of sustainably made branded merch. The Quiksilver x Pacifico collection features T-shirts and wovens, boardshorts, hats, flip-flops, a beach towel and a tote bag.

The collaboration made sense, according to the two brands, because both share a foundation in “sustainability, surf and adventure.” Pacifico beer was originally introduced to the U.S. by California surfers who visited Baja. The brand partners with The Conservation Alliance to preserve North America’s wild landscapes and waterways. Quiksilver has been around since 1969, and so far has repurposed more than 245 million plastic bottles and avoided more than 254 million tons of carbon emissions through the use of recycled materials, organic cotton and natural dyes in production, according to the company.

The Quiksilver x Pacifico capsule collection includes hats made of a material created by recycling South American fishing nets. Other sustainable elements include boardshorts made from recycled plastic bottles, hats embroidered with recycled yarns and tees made from 100% organic cotton.

As part of the collab, the two brands also organized beach cleanups at the beginning of July.

Verdict: The sustainability story of this branded merch collection really elevates it into something end-users would be excited to wear. I’ve never surfed a day in my life (and people who know about the time – just a few months ago – I fell off my bike after brushing against a stone wall will understand why) but I could see myself rocking one of these tees or wrapping myself in the beach towel after a day at the pool.

Clutter can increase stress levels and hinder productivity. Try these strategies to optimize your workspace.

The influx of unread emails and unorganized desk drawers filling up your office may be a bigger deal than you think.

Clutter can actually increase stress levels, take a toll on relationships and make it difficult to focus and be productive. On the other hand, when organization in the office is prioritized, it’s easier to complete tasks, be more efficient and excel in the workplace.

But let’s face it: When the environment is fast-paced and the emails are never-ending, or if you’ve fallen out of the in-office rhythm after working from home for so long, disorganization is likely.

To avoid getting overwhelmed, treat maintaining an organized office space like an ongoing project. Little by little and with these five tips, getting – and staying – organized can be accomplished.

1. Clean Your Office
Before any true organization can begin, a thorough purge of your office space is necessary. Throw away anything you haven’t touched in months. Shred or delete outdated documents that you don’t need any more. And lastly, toss out any duplicate files and items.

If you think you need the three staplers and the cup full of pens on your desk, you don’t. Instead of throwing these functional duplicates away, try giving them to coworkers or donating them.

2. Establish Work Zones
The best way to maintain organization in your newly decluttered office space is to establish zones. You likely have about three different areas in your workspace: a primary working area (desk and computer), a reference area (filling cabinets and binders) and a supply area (shelves, closets and drawers).

Once you identify these zones, redistribute everything in your office into their respective zones and label them. Use drawer organizers for the small items like paper clips, pens and tacks.

You could even designate a section of your desk as a “landing pad.” The landing pad is the one and only place that you’re allowed to put random items. Everything else has to have a home.

3. Sort Your Email
In Slack’s State of Work study, it found that the most highly engaged knowledge workers – people who holds an office position, work with data, analyze information or think creatively for their job – receive an average of 50 to 100 emails a day. It can feel overwhelming, but there are ways to get ahead of the inevitable cluttered inbox.

Consider scheduling 10 to 20 minutes during your day to go through emails and delete, reply to or archive messages.

As soon as you get an email, try to sort it. Place it in a created folder or category for projects, people or specific actions required. Folders are like drawers, and categories are like color-coding your emails.

Starring, flagging or putting priority labels on important emails allows you to visually distinguish them and helps you remember to review or reply later.

4. Time Block Your Day
Designating time for specific tasks and scheduling quiet time will help your day progress more effectively. If you notice you often end your workday with incomplete tasks, try timing how long it takes you to do assignments. Maybe you’re spending too long checking emails?

Using time blocks as a guide also allows you to see any flexibility you have for last-minute requests.

5. Keeps Lists, Calendars and Planners
Research on the psychology of goal-making and to-do lists reveals that unfulfilled goals can interfere with further achievement. However, simply planning how to reach a goal can help your mind focus on other projects.

Taking about 15 minutes each day to make a list of what you need to do, what’s a priority and what’s due will allow for a more productive workday. It’s best to organize these lists based on urgency so you’re prioritizing what needs to be done first.

An email calendar or physical planner promotes organization in the same regard, keeping you aware of the meetings, assignments and due dates you have coming up.

Staying fully organized in the office also means creating practices to facilitate mental organization. Remember, mess equals stress and stress can ultimately hinder productivity.

Discover creative products.

Golf Polo
Made of high-quality 100% cotton, this short-sleeve polo is perfect for the beach, golf course, office and beyond. It’s comfortable, casual and classic all at the same time. Choose from 11 colors.

Metal Windproof Cigar Lighter
With an ergonomic grip, universal refill valve and adjustable flame height, this lighter is bound to make a lasting impression. Suitable for hiking, camping and barbecues.

Rocks Glass Candle
Featuring a custom scent of your choice, this 11-oz. soy wax candle is presented in an elegant glass vessel that’ll look great in any kitchen, living room or bathroom.

The Everyday Backpack
Compact, lightweight and functional, the Everyday Backpack is perfect for work, travel and everything in between. It includes a main compartment, separate laptop pocket, passport pocket, luggage pass-through strap, hidden valuables pocket and side-access zipper.

Silicone Pint Cup
This 16 oz. silicone cup is a rugged yet lightweight alternative to glass. It’s colorful, versatile and unbreakable, and is as flexible in shape as it is in utility. Great for BBQs, football games, picnics and pools.

Custom 3’ x 5’ Flag
Made from 130 gsm polyester, this eye-catching flag features a full-color imprint of your artwork printed with high-quality ink to penetrate through and reveal a mirror image on the other side. Features 1.5” header and grommets.

Leather Journal
This Italian leather hardcover journal features 256 blank pages and can be embossed or foil-stamped. Ideal for students heading back to college and professionals at conferences.

Grocery stores play an essential role for virtually every household across the country, which is why many were allowed to stay open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. According to careers platform Zippia, food markets account for 15.6% of total retail sales in the U.S.

This two-tone ceramic shot glass features a black matte exterior with a choice of glossy interior color.

Bottled water is a staple item. This 12-oz. bottle contains 100% natural spring water and is made of 50% recycled plastic. Three cap options available.

Promote healthy eating by encouraging friends to pack their lunch and gifting them with this cutlery and container set in a quilted lunch bag. Includes an adjustable shoulder strap, nesting bowls with locking and vented lids, medium and large reusable food storage bags with zip closures, and utensils set.

Here’s a cute item: a 5-inch plush avocado. It complies with all CPSIA product safety requirements and works well as a gift for anyone.

Sustainability is something more people are looking for; utilize this set of three mesh produce bags. They’re reusable and eco-friendly, and feature a drawstring closure.

Fall school sports are about to swing into action with popcorn bags. This style is available in white or natural/kraft.

Users can ensure a cold drink to the drop when they use the Frost Buddy 2.0. This double-wall, vacuum-insulated, stainless-steel can cooler accommodates nearly all 12-oz. and 16-oz. cans and bottles. It will keep the contents cold for more than 12 hours. Fits in cup holders and features a non-slip silicone bottom and straw.

Thanks to the rise of TikTok (and its copycats), bite-size videos are hot. Here are strategies to improve yours.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video is worth about 10,000. Just make sure your script isn’t actually 10,000 words long. Thanks to the rapid growth of social media platforms like TikTok, short-form video is king. TikTok announced last year that it has more than 1 billion monthly users. Instagram has been prioritizing Reels, its answer to TikTok, and parent company Meta began adding Reels to Facebook globally earlier this year. And YouTube announced earlier in June that 1.5 billion users are watching its Shorts each month.

Try these tips to help take your videos to the next level.

1. Create a compelling hook. “You have roughly three seconds to capture the attention of users scrolling through their feeds, so the start of your video needs to grab their attention,” says Emily Petherick, marketing manager of SEO agency Repeat Digital. Share an interesting fact, a controversial opinion or address a consumer’s pain point – anything that will hook the viewer in, she advises.

2. Keep it short and simple. Take a page from The Bard and remember that brevity is the soul of wit. In other words, your short-form videos need to be, well, short. Try to keep them no longer than a minute.

3. Serialize your content. If you have too much to say in one short video, consider breaking the topic down into bite-sized, snackable chunks. “Series are one of the best ways to increase engagement and following on TikTok, as users will visit your profile to find the other parts of the series, helping with the TikTok algorithm,” Petherick says.

4. Focus on quality. Your smartphone and inexpensive (or even free) editing software are often all you need to create a social media-ready video, but that doesn’t mean you should skimp on quality. Before you shoot, make sure you have optimal lighting. If you’re speaking, make sure you’ll be easily heard without a lot of background noise to distract. “Another thing to consider is that most social media starts playing video with the sound off,” says Tim Donovan, director of motion at SalesAmp, a business unit of Figmints. “If you’re planning to create social-specific video content, you’ll want to add burned-in subtitles or closed-captioning to help grab the viewer’s attention.”
Adding transitions, using free software like Splice or CapCut, can also help up the quality and build engagement, Petherick says.

5. Be strategic. Take some time before you create a video to determine what you’re hoping to get out of it. What are you trying to say? What do you want your target audience to learn or do after watching? says Daniel Gibson, managing director of creative studio NiceDay.

6. Be authentic. Your videos – even when they’re only a minute long – should tell a story and share your true voice. “Your passion and professionalism are what your customers want,” Gibson says. “Forget about the haters – we call them white noise.”

7. Add a call to action to the end. This last step is crucial. Figure out what you want your viewers to do – whether it’s visiting your website, booking a meeting, or simply to get them to watch more of your videos – then ask them to do it.

The call to action can be as simple as asking the viewer to reach out with a phone call or email, or, says video platform VidYard, you can get more creative: Ask a question and have viewers join the conversation on your social, ask viewers to vote in a poll on your website or fill out a short form, or invite them to enter a contest with a promo giveaway as the prize.

Sweet and savory treats are ideal for special occasions and showing appreciation, support and care.

Thoughtful food gifts are a winner when it comes to fostering important connections.

According to retail and technology market research firm Coresight, a recent study of 300 people in charge of corporate gifting on behalf of their companies found that more than 80% believe gifts strengthen connections with recipients.

This espresso coffee blend is sure to be appreciated by java connoisseurs. The high-end specialty blend includes dark, rich and robust whole espresso beans. It’s packaged in a reusable zippered pouch to maintain freshness.

Make someone smile with this beautifully packaged coffee, candy and tumbler gift set. Made for those on the go, the included 20-oz. stainless-steel, spill-resistant tumbler fits perfectly in car cup holders. Along with the 12-oz. bag of gourmet coffee and 3.6-oz. cube of Sour Kiddos.

Whether users enjoy this 12-count biscotti gift box with a cup of hot coffee, tea or by itself, it’s sure to make a lasting, tasty impression. The hand-dipped, white chocolate biscotti are decorated with sprinkles.

This ice cream kit includes six cones, chocolate sauce, cookie crumbs, candle pearls and sprinkles. This sweet set ships safe through summer conditions and has a three-month shelf life.

A variety of premium gourmet treats, like Hammonds Caramel Popcorn, East Shore Dipping Pretzels, Lark Tuscan Pizzetta Biscuits, and others are packaged into this 38-can cooler.

Are you undecided about a gift to give? Pitch this mini feast with a little bit of everything. It includes chocolate, gourmet Wisconsin cheese and sausage, sweet and crunchy nuts and more. It also includes an eco-friendly, customizable bamboo cutting board.

Spread love and appreciation with this trendy insulated cooler filled with savory snacks. Once the snacks are gone, recipients have a lunch bag to continue using. It features a mesh water bottle pocket and sturdy handle for easy transport.

Whether it’s plant-based garment dye or a new twist on an age-old textile, many apparel brands are exploring fresh ways to boost the eco power of fashion.

Apparel, particularly when it comes to fast fashion, is notorious for being one of the most polluting industries, whether it’s the sheer volume of textiles that end up in landfills each year or the chemicals and water used in textile dyeing and processing. But people increasingly are demanding something different: According to McKinsey, 66% of consumers consider sustainability when they buy clothes. Here are a few recent innovations from clothing brands that will pique the interest of sustainably minded shoppers.

A Nutty Idea for Natural Tees

TS Designs used locally foraged black walnuts to dye a batch of USA-made tees.

A North Carolina-based apparel company that follows a “dirt to shirt” made-in-the-USA model, took its mission a step further, tinting a batch of its Solid State brand tees with dye made from locally foraged black walnuts.

The company said it collected hundreds of pounds of walnuts that fell from trees near the homes of CEO Eric Henry and North Carolina cotton famer Andrew Burleson. They partnered with a local brewery, Burlington Beer Works, which cooked the walnuts to create the soft brown dye. The company then dyed the garments at its facility. The dyeing process from “ground to garment” took about 48 hours.

A portion of the proceeds from sales of the tees, made of 100% ringspun Carolina cotton, goes to the Croatan Institute’s Canopy Community, to enhance its mission to create an equitable world and resilient economies.

This isn’t the first time they have experimented with plant-based dyes. The company says it’s used plant matter including pomegranate, fustic and madder to create a range of colors for garment-dyed tees.

A Performance Tee … Made of Wool?

T-shirt made of Nuyarn, a twist-free spinning technology that’s said to unlock the performance qualities of wool.

A Portland, OR-based apparel company that makes performance ski and snowboard wear, recently released a collection of tees made of Nuyarn, a patented twist-free spinning technology.

Wool, notes Nuyarn’s website, is a natural performance material – keeping sheep warm in the winter and cool in the summer. “It’s literally a lifesaver and a genuine performance fiber,” according to the site. However, those benefits haven’t really been fully recognized in human apparel. “Traditional spinning twists the life out of wool by compressing natural air pockets, introducing tension, creating loops and restricting the natural movement of the fibers,” according to Nuyarn. This rope-like structure can feel itchy against the skin.

In comparison, Nuyarn doesn’t twist the fibers, instead drafting them to create two-ply yarns with more aeration and volume than traditional production methods, the company notes. In addition, the wool is certified non-mulesed and comes from open-range sheep that are shorn annually. Nuyarn is spun using 30% fewer raw materials than traditional methods.

A Carbon-Negative Cardigan

These wool garments actually save more carbon than they emit over their lifetime.

A London, UK-based brand that makes long-lasting, biodegradable cardigans, hoodies and sweaters, says its operations save more carbon than they emit. “Our starting point was to understand how you could create beautiful products while still addressing the climate emergency,” Edzard van der Wyck, company co-founder, told Robb Report. “There are so many systemic issues with how things have traditionally been done within fashion.”

The brand says it sources Merino wool from regenerative New Zealand farms then adds a “performance-enhancing, zero-chlorine treatment using solar power.” Each garment they make includes something it calls “The Connected Dot,” which uses near-field communication (NFC) technology “to help people connect the dots on where our clothes really come from.”

The NFC tag on the garments is the same tech that the farmers use to keep track of their flock. Once it’s scanned, you’ll be able to see which sheep provided the wool for the garment, plus details of how, when and by whom the knit was created. The company also gives a full breakdown of the CO2 impact of a sweater’s creation, showing how its supply chain approach can “naturally sequester and save CO2 impact at every stage,” according to its website.

A detailed carbon lifecycle report on the company’s website explains that its products are made from wool produced by sheep in New Zealand, cleaned in China and sent to Italy to be spun into yarn. The yarn goes to Portugal where products are made, then is sent to the UK for packaging and distribution. The garments can be composted at the end of a presumed five-year life expectancy. “The majority of emissions are associated with the product distributions, but overall, all the products have a negative carbon footprint due to the wool,” according to the report.

Scientists in Singapore developed a stretchable, waterproof fabric that can harness energy created from bodily movement.

Forget the battery packs and electrical plug-ins. This new fabric technology relies solely on the human body to create energy that we can use.

Scientists at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have developed a stretchable, waterproof smart fabric that can harness mechanical energy created from bodily movement to power small electronic devices like LEDs, mobile devices, medical wearables and therapeutic items.

Throughout the day, as we walk, talk, live and breathe, we’re exerting energy. Now, that energy can be converted into a more usable form through piezoelectricity and the triboelectric effect. This means that energy can be derived anytime the fabric is pressed, squeezed, stretched or bent as a result of bodily activity. It also uses the energy caused by the material’s friction against the skin and other materials.

The fabric-based energy harvesting prototype (right) developed by scientists at NTU contains a stretchable electrode (left) that’s screen printed with an “ink” made of a rubber-like material found in general purpose items like handlebar grips. (photo courtesy of NTU)

The spandex base-layer of the material is made up of a polymer that’s responsible for the energy conversion, and this is then integrated with a rubbery material, making it strong, flexible and waterproof. There’s potential for the material to be woven into T-shirts or placed in the soles of shoes.

Since the material is suitable for athletic and outdoor endeavors due to its waterproof and stretchable properties, this fabric has the potential to be an effective power source. Developers found that tapping on a 3-centimeter-by-4-centimeter piece of fabric generated enough energy to light up 100 LEDs. Now imagine the kind of mechanical energy that could be produced when the fabric is worn by a pro-athlete.

The prototype fabric generated 2.34 watts per-square-meter of electricity, enough to potentially extend battery-life and build self-powered systems. In the past, the major downfall of this technology was its tendency to degrade in function after being washed. However, this material retains electrical output even when washed, folded or crumpled, so it can survive the laundry machine and still provide a stable energy supply for up to five months.

One of its major applications could be in the medical field. This source of energy has the potential to power medical wearables, allowing people to live their day-to-day lives under constant monitoring of health parameters.

The items here are perfect for enjoying a little R&R.

After these last few challenging years (and as stress continues), people are looking for ways to take a break and treat themselves. The data bears it out: According to market research firm Statista, revenues in the U.S. adult beverage market are on track to hit $284 billion by the end of this year, a number that’s projected to reach more than $350 billion by 2025.

Picnics in the park or a night on the beach are ideal settings for a nice glass of wine. Toting the bottle is easier with this Romance Wine Cooler. It features an insulated wine compartment, durable handle, secure closure and wooden-handled corkscrew.

This Stanley Adventure Pre-Party Shot Glass + Flask Set makes adventures like hikes, bike rides and outdoor festivals a lot more fun. The stainless-steel breakproof shot glasses stow inside the cylindrical carrying case and the 8-oz. flask holds enough liquid to fill all four shots.

Everyone has a bit of creativity inside that’s just itching for an outlet, and this DIY lip balm kit may be just the thing to unleash it. It includes everything needed to make five lip balm tins – natural beeswax pellets, sunflower oil, peppermint essential oil, vanilla flavoring, utensils, empty lip balm tins and instructions.

This ceramic ashtray features a solid color and classic marble print with titanium-plated edging in ceramic. The windproof design means ashes won’t blow away and cause a mess when used outdoors.

This versatile collapsible cutting board is a natural for food- and cooking-related tasks. It has three adjustable heights and can be used as a cutting board, a basket to hold food, a fruit/veggie washing tub and storage basket.

The traditional pen is a favorite among many users. And when a writing instrument is combined with another function – or even six – it’s sure to stand out from its peers.

Ideal for lovers of the outdoors, this twist-action Store ’N Go Lantern pen lights up with a push of a button. It functions as a flashlight, lantern or safety flasher. It also includes a container that can be used to store small items and a carabiner that easily attaches to backpacks, purses or belt loops.

Go for a MopTopper pen that’s fun and functional, with a cheery smiley face and microfiber “hair” that cleans screens. Slide the arms to switch from black ink to red. Choose from eight colors.

This 3-in-1 multifunctional pen has a stylus and can be turned into a mobile phone stand. It’s made of sustainable bamboo.

A nice gift for new homeowners, the Fusion is a 5-in-1, six-sided twist-action ballpoint. It features a textured grip, pocket clip, level, 3-inch (7 cm) ruler, small reversible Phillips and flathead screwdriver bit and a stylus that works with touchscreen devices.

Everything but the kitchen sink. This 6-in-1 Quest multi-tool pen has a Phillips and flathead screwdriver and bit, extra-bright white LED light, compass, twist-off cap, rubber grip and stylus. It also holds a variety of phone sizes.

No one wants to touch public screens anymore, but in today’s world that’s nearly impossible. That’s why this Lavon stylus chrome pen is a needed and welcomed product. Features a colored chrome barrel with matching color stylus, and slide-action retraction mechanism with chrome accents. Available with black or blue ink.

This Paper Mate Inkjoy Quatro pen features four vivid ink colors. The color-coded button allows the user to switch between the extra-smooth inks. It also has an easy-to-hold barrel with comfort grip and easy clicking buttons

Perfect as a standalone or for layering, crisp white tanks are surging in popularity.

What do Marlon Brando and Cindy Crawford have in common? The iconic white tank top, of course. Brando sported the innerwear as outerwear in the 1951 classic Streetcar Named Desire, and Crawford paired a white tank with cutoff shorts for a 1992 Pepsi commercial – a look she recreated in a photoshoot for charity last year.

The white tank top began life in the 1910s, a garment men could wear underneath dress shirts and while swimming. Within a few decades, men were eschewing their button-downs and opting to wear the tank top on its own – a fashion evolution similar to their sartorial second cousin, the storied T-shirt.

Nowadays, the tank top is a wardrobe essential that functions both as a layering piece and a stand-alone – popular with any gender. The style was all over fall 2022 runways: Prada sent models wearing tanks embellished with its logo, Bottega Veneta created leather versions of the ribbed white top and Acne paired white tanks with oversized pants.

Mark-Evan Blackman, assistant professor of fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology, calls the white tank top a timeless classic, explaining recently to Refinery 29 that “[Today’s] designers have used the item as a backdrop to bring forth their vision in a very contemporary time.”

There are several factors contributing to the current dominance of this old standby, including nostalgia for Y2K-era fashion, the pandemic-era insistence on comfort above all else and a burgeoning desire to strut your stuff in style. “The white tank is the hero of your outfit, the one item that makes everything else work,” says Marcus Davis, product development manager. “It’s a key item in the wardrobe, but it’s been hidden in the pandemic closet for a few years. It’s ready to make its grand entrance back into the market.”

And the color white is also emerging as an apparel trend. It “evokes a feeling of pureness and a fresh start,” Hopkins, director of merchandising, says, adding that “white is fitting as seasonal weather begins to shift and we approach the warmer months.”

White tank tops are the perfect way to achieve the relaxed, hybrid, return-to-the-office vibe that so many seek, says Christina Marcantelli, sales enablement coordinator. “It’s gender-neutral, basic and goes with anything from sweats to under a cuffed black blazer or paired with high-waisted wide-leg jeans,” she says. “It can be a day-to-night look within seconds as people are out and about again enjoying active lifestyles and entertainment beyond the home.”

Though the color is set, there can be a lot of variation in the silhouette, whether it’s cropped, flowy and festival-ready or a stretchy, skin-skimming baby rib. Styles with asymmetrical straps or necklines or cutouts “create a fun, unexpected twist” on the classic look, Davis says.

Traditionally a summer staple, the white tank has developed year-round appeal, Marcantelli notes, particularly in the bridal/bachelorette, e-commerce boutique and fitness industries.

Custom Slide Sandals
With comfortable polyurethane soles and neoprene/polyester straps, these slide sandals provide an optimum fit no matter the occasion.

Short-Sleeve T-Shirt
These T-shirts are a versatile and comfortable cotton. Available in black, white and gray and in sizes from S-3XL.

Kente Graduation Stoles
Crafted by a highly skilled weaver in Ghana, these Kente stoles are made from a blend of rayon and cotton, giving them a vibrant shine. Each measures approximately 4.5 inches in width by 72 inches in length with 1.5-inch fringe on both ends.

Picnic Lunch Bag
Made of high-quality Oxford cloth and EVA film, this lunch bag is durable and wear-resistant. It features reinforced zippers, wide handles and a detachable shoulder strap as well as thermal insulation for temperature control.

From cooling treats and lawn games to long afternoons on the fishing boat, warm-weather pursuits need merchandise.

Where was this when I was a kid? You just have to love an ice pop coolie that keeps your hands warm and ice pops frozen.

If you haven’t heard, pickle ball is all the rage. This set includes two wooden paddles, ball and mesh pouch.

This glass matchstick jar includes 20 matches with colorful tips, and the cork lid features a friction surface for lighting the matches.

This bamboo foldable outdoor wine table is made from 100% natural bamboo. It holds two stemmed wine glasses and one standard 750 ml bottle. The tabletop secures with locking pins and the unit spikes into the ground at a park, beach, backyard or camp site.

These tire keychains work great for nearly any business in the automotive industry, as well as RV dealerships and race-car promotions. Whether for a driver, track or event, this keychain is fun and functional.

This large-mouth in-line tackle fishing bag is ideal for fishing tournaments or for new bass-boat owners. Made from durable 600 denier polyester, it includes a huge top opening for quick access, gusseted exterior zip pockets and padded carry handle. Holds up to six trays and includes three.

Many brands have been called out for exaggerating or misleading consumers about the sustainability of their products. When you’re evaluating “green” claims, it’s important to dig deeper

It’s never been more difficult to know what products to buy. When companies use terms with no standard scientific definition – like natural, sustainable, clean, ethical, green or eco-friendly – it can be nearly impossible for consumers to know if what they’re buying really is better. Enter greenwashing, a term for companies exaggerating or misleading about their environment-conscious efforts. A 2021 report from the European Commission found that in a sweep of websites’ “green” claims in sectors such as apparel, cosmetics and household, 42% of claims were exaggerated, false or deceptive.

Here’s how to spot promotional product greenwashing – as well as common, unsubstantiated claims and buzzwords in other industries and products.

1. Using undefined marketing terms.
Across many industries, consumers swoon for language such as all-natural, clean, eco-friendly and organic. Unfortunately, there’s no oversight for the use of these words, according to Jess Taylor, a co-founder of Practically Green, a website focused on helping ordinary people make more sustainable decisions. “Any company can easily incorporate these into their marketing strategy,” Taylor says, “without making changes to their production or sourcing processes.”

2. Creating new brands to hide the parent company.
Consumers of both hard and soft goods are becoming more aware of how their purchases affect the environment, so conglomerates are launching smaller brands “and employing ambiguous keywords and dreamy images of nature,” Taylor says.

3. Using eye-popping natural elements.
Because of the way our brains work, people make connections between unrelated ideas when presented with visual or audio cues. “Corporations can fool your brain into thinking they are environmentally friendly simply by changing tags on clothing or staging a photoshoot in nature,” Taylor says. Earthy materials like twine and cardboard, and images of plants or other outdoor elements are all easily associated with earth-friendly aesthetics – even if there’s nothing to back it up.

4. Not disclosing the full product life cycle.
This is a common greenwashing tactic, Taylor says, wherein companies will cherry-pick to make their production efforts sound less wasteful. How to spot it, according to Taylor: “The product’s lifespan will only be revealed in part, such as that it’s made of recycled material.” What the company won’t talk about is production, where high-carbon emissions and conventional energy could still be used, both of which have the potential to harm the environment and human health.

5. Claiming items are recyclable.
Many critics of greenwashing point to high-profile cases – remember the uproar about Keurig K-cups? – of exaggerated claims meant to persuade buyers that packaging or products are recyclable. “It’s the wild, wild West of product claims and labeling with no sheriff in town,” Jan Dell, founder of The Last Beach Cleanup, told The New York Times in 2021. While it may technically be true that an item is recyclable, it also may be difficult or impossible in many areas of the U.S., depending on what recycling services are available.

6. Not presenting any certificate from a recognizable institution.
Many internationally recognized agencies focus on regulating sustainability practices and providing a credible way of knowing which companies are worth supporting. “Keeping yourself informed can help you better decide where to shop remorse-free,” Taylor says. While these agencies vary on their strictness and requirements, look for the OK from agencies such as Certified B Corp., Cradle to Cradle, and Green America’s Green Business Certification.

24 oz. Bottle With Storage
This lightweight and durable stainless-steel tumbler features a hidden waterproof compartment that lets you stash your ID, keys, cash and other small items. It was even featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things.

Classic Vegan Leather Personalized Makeup Bage
This eye-catching bag is made of vegan leather with thick canvas lining and a strong antique brass zipper. It has a divider on one side and three pockets on the other, making it perfect for everyday use.

Crystal Iris Award
These artisan crystal awards measure 8 inches by 6 inches by 3 inches. Choose from four colors.

Buttons
Perfect to show appreciation. 2 inch by 3 inch refrigerator magnets are also an option..

Wood Greenie String
This unique golfer’s tool easily hooks onto flagsticks to create a straight line for putting practice. It also works as a ball marker and features 1’, 2’ and 3’ “gimme” marks.

BottleKeeper 3.0
BottleKeeper is designed to fit virtually any long-neck beer bottle. It’s insulated to keep your beverage cold and protected from breakage. Features a Stern Quick Access Cap.

Everyone is sure to appreciate these functional items that will make any warm-weather event even sunnier.

After two years of lockdowns, the data is clear: People are ready to gather again. According to travel company Northstar Meetings Group, 96% of planners say they’re going to host an in-person event this year. The items here are a perfect fit for events and the travel required to get there.

Aprons fit many needs, from cafés, restaurants and culinary schools, to gifts for cooking class attendees and grill masters. This custom canvas apron has two pockets to hold utensils, recipes and thermometers. It’s antifouling, breathable, oil-proof and wear-resistant. Great for the next outdoor barbecue party.

Time to add some fun to spring and summer events, company picnics, music festivals, seaside bars/restaurants and parties. Create the right atmosphere for serving beer or signature drinks in one of these transparent LED yard glasses. These 17-oz. no-spill glasses include multicolor lights on the bottom, an attachable lid and plastic straw. Sure to be a treasured souvenir.

After two years of travel restrictions, wanderlust is at all-time highs. Whether for day trips, weekend treks or weeklong vacations, this outdoor foldable backpack will be an appreciated item. It’s made of high-quality water-resistant polyester that’s ultralight, durable and tear-resistant. Stuff the bag into its own pocket for storage or put it in a suitcase and use when needed. Just the thing for summer camps and back-to-school.

Hawaiian-themed parties and company luaus will do well with these flower sunglasses. They’re fun to wear and include ultraviolet tinted lenses for UV400, UVA and UVB protection. Also great for parties and beach weddings.

This dual compartment lunch cooler is excellent for summer camps. This bag that has two foil-lined compartments to keep snacks, lunches and drinks cold all day. The adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy to tote, and the top outside zipper pocket is perfect for storing utensils and dry items like napkins and paper drinking straws. Choose from three colors.

Here’s a hefty bag that’s built to last. This extra-large shopping bag is crafted from durable and easy-clean laminated nonwoven polypropylene and other recycled materials. It has a roomy main compartment, flat bottom for easy loading and an inner sleeve for a water bottle.

Making simple adjustments can result in big benefits to your health and energy levels during the workday.

Do you feel sluggish during the day? Is it hard to stay asleep all night? Changes in your diet could help. Unfortunately, Americans aren’t known for their healthy eating habits, choosing instead to reach for the quick and processed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), of the 209 million people in this country, 117 million have a preventable chronic illness related to eating habits, like heart disease, diabetes, anemia and high blood pressure.

Changes in your diet can ward off chronic conditions over time and also help you improve productivity levels during the day. In fact, the World Health Organization says that good nutrition alone can improve output by 20% on average.

Here are a few simple ways to improve your diet and eating habits to improve energy levels during the day and be more present for your team.

1. Eat a healthy breakfast.
In the typical morning chaos – getting ready for work, getting the kids ready for school – breakfast often becomes an afterthought. But in fact, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Since it breaks your overnight fast, it should replenish vital minerals and nutrients so you can start the day off right. Skip the sugary and carb-heavy pancakes, which can lead to drops in blood sugar later on, and opt for rolled oats with fresh fruit, whole grain cereal with natural yogurt, raw nuts, smoothies with leafy greens, eggs and sausage for protein.

2. Stay hydrated.
According to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, men should drink approximately 15.5 cups (or 3.7 liters) of water a day, and women approximately 11.5 cups (2.7 liters), with adjustments made for exercise levels and the environment. Water helps your body convert food to useful energy, keep joints lubricated, transport oxygen-rich blood and nutrients, balance electrolytes, improve skin and more. You can also go for zero-calorie flavored water or unsweetened tea, but avoid sugar-heavy coffee and juices.

3. Plan nourishing meals.
When you don’t have a meal plan for the day, it’s tempting to graze the fridge or pantry … and likely that you’ll pick something fast and not-so-healthy. Instead, do your grocery shopping over the weekend with a daily plan for your main meals and snacks. Decide what you’ll be eating each of the five days of the work week and stick to it. Instead of three large meals, plan on smaller, more frequent meals during the day to maintain energy levels, and stick to colorful fruits, leafy veggies, legumes and healthy proteins.

4. Eat at the table.
At lunchtime, shut off your screens and enjoy your lunch at the kitchen table or in the breakroom. You’ll not only clear your mind and prepare for the afternoon, but also avoid overeating since you’ll be able to pay more attention to the meal. Take your time, eat with intention and stick to healthy serving sizes.

5. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Coffee in the morning can wake you up, but don’t drink it in the afternoon or evening. Caffeine remains in your system for several hours and can make it difficult to fall asleep at the proper time (which leads to grogginess the next day). If you’re craving a warm drink in the afternoon, try caffeine-free green tea. Alcohol can have a similar disruptive effect: As its tranquilizing effects wear off in the middle of the night, it can wake you up.

6. Talk to a nutritionist.
You can optimize what you consume by speaking with a nutritionist or registered dietician. They can take into account your individual physical makeup, dietary restrictions and energy requirements, and help you create your ideal meal plan. They can also give you recipe ideas and show you how to make adjustments to be sure you’re getting all the minerals and nutrients you need to bring your best every day.

These products will help travelers to have better trips.

According to new research by vacation rental company Vacasa, almost 40% of Americans say they’re planning to travel during spring break this year, up from 29% last year. And home rental site VRBO says it’s seen nearly a 50% increase in demand compared to spring 2021. Get in on the high-flying action with these travel items, ideal for both leisure and business trips.

Need all the necessary travel supplies in a pinch? Look no further than this super-handy travel kit. A customizable pouch comes stocked with useful items including a toothbrush, tissues, bandages and soap.

Clothing will stay protected on the go with this USA-made customizable garment bag. Featuring a full-length zipper and webbing carry handles, it’s ideal for those traveling with uniforms, suits or any important garments. Choose from a variety of colors.

Travelers will always be prepared with this handy nail kit that comes with everything they need to keep hands looking their best. The laser-engraved leatherette case includes cuticle pushers, tweezers, clippers and other tools.

This foil-lined sleeve protects passports and credit cards from devices capable of electronic theft.

No matter the country end-users are visiting, they can stay charged up and ready with this universal travel charger. Includes interchangeable plugs for use in the U.S., UK, Europe and Australia.

Travel the world with this unique and durable luggage tag. It’s fully customizable and makes sure lost luggage gets back to its rightful owner. Made of sturdy metal with a stainless-steel screw-in loop and fully finished with an epoxy dome.

This travel kit includes a foldable pillow, eye mask and earplugs in a customizable carrying case. Perfect for long flights.

This three-piece packing cube set makes a great appreciation gift. Each is made of recycled fabric and includes a top-grab handle for easy carrying.

Student travelers are sure to appreciate this highly customizable, sleek and stylish bag tag.

This multi-purpose vinyl holder makes the perfect travel companion. It holds a passport, ID and any other cards, such as COVID vaccination record, that travelers may need. The durable vinyl protects the important items inside. Choose from a large variety of colors.

Popping a button or pulling a seam while traveling is frustrating. But prepared travelers can patch things back together with this mini sewing kit. The compact 21-piece set includes an array of tools including as needles, tweezers and buttons.

This elegant leatherette case with gold zipper closure protects jewelry and other precious items during travel. It has a canvas interior, and the dividers for rings, necklaces and bracelets help keep items organized and secure.

Discover creative products for Spring.

1-for-3 Mobile Phone Charging Cable
This useful tech accessory allows users to charge up to three devices at once.

The Game Changer
These high-quality, full-color bags are made in the USA on premium-grade paper stock with either a high gloss or matte lamination.

12-oz. Stainless-Steel Lowball
This unique tumbler is made from 100% stainless-steel.

Card Flip Custom Flash Drive
These personalized USB business cards have an extremely slim profile, making it easy for users to slide them into a wallet or purse like a business card.

Luggage SMART-TAG
Featuring award-winning technology, this luggage tracker/tag helps travelers reunite with missing luggage.

Algorithm USB Backpack
Users of this checkpoint-friendly 16” laptop backpack with tablet pocket will easily make their way through airport security.

Single Plastic Heavy Hex Gauge
Available with or without a vinyl sleeve, these heavy hex gauges are business-card sized for easy packaging and distributing.

These items are a win: They’ll liven up any event!

Americans love to grill. According to recent data from market research firm Technavio, the U.S. barbecue and grill market is projected to grow more than 5% each year from now through 2025. Jump on the bandwagon with related items that are perfect fits for game day tailgates, picnics and family camping trips.

This USA-made 28-quart cooler is great for keeping food and drinks cold before the game day tailgate. Features anti-slip feet, top-loader latches, drain plug with patented lid lock and built-in bottle opener. It’s also certified bear-resistant, making it ideal for campsites.

No one wants cold hands, even in the summertime. This insulated drink sleeve helps keep drinks cool and hands warm. Fantastic for any tailgate or outdoor event.

Keep stadium parking lots neat and tidy with this multifunctional bottle opener that opens bottles and catches the cap in one motion. It magnetically mounts to a fridge or vehicle, so it’s just the thing for tailgates.

This cooler has it all: a bottle opener, lower shelf and elevating lid, which transforms it into a bar-like setup. It’s sure to draw attention at any gathering.

Parties and sports tailgate events would benefit from this tailgater display package that includes a tent, sail sign, cooler and fitted table throw. It’s easy to find in crowded parking lots.

This BBQ set comes with the essential tools – knife, brush, tongs, fork and spatula with serrated blade – to cook up an outdoor feast, all conveniently packaged in a metal carrying case.

Open-flame cooking goes high-tech. Users can take their grilling game to the next level with this truly unique wireless smart thermometer. It connects to an app, helping the user cook perfect meat every time.

Can Jam provides endless fun at outdoor gatherings. This game challenges players to land flying discs into the opposing team’s can. The set is durable and lightweight, making it ideal for travel to the backyard, beach and campgrounds.

This s’mores kit offers a nostalgic taste of summer any time of year. It comes with everything needed to make delicious treats right at home BBQs or picnics.

Have grill, will travel. This versatile system features three interchangeable cook top inserts for endless cooking options. It’s practical for transporting to sports games.

According to market research firm Prescient & Strategic Intelligence, the beauty and personal care products industry in the U.S. is poised to grow nearly 5% from now through 2030.

Serenity now. This Zen Stress Less Gift Box includes 100 cards with stress-relieving messages and a bath bomb with lemongrass essential oil. Everything’s packaged in a magnetic-closure gift box.

Users can enjoy their favorite tunes during their next self-care session or while on the road with this multi-compartment travel bag. It doubles as a speaker, making it the perfect gift for travelers.

These BPA-free, compostable bamboo toothbrushes are perfect for eco-conscious healthcare clients. They come in a variety of colors and can be laser-engraved.

This large salad container has one 10-ounce section, two 5-ounce compartments and a reusable fork.

This clear PVC toiletry bag holds cosmetics and essentials and is available in from five trim colors.

Anyone who works with their hands will appreciate this handy nail brush. It features a plastic handle for easy grip and strong bristles.

The new year means new goals. Everyone can stay on track with their objectives with this handy productivity calendar. Users can write down their goals at the beginning of each month and the calendar provides suggestions to help with health, mindfulness and more.

Users will stay protected during fun days in the sun with this travel-size sun care kit.

This pill case helps users keep their medication, vitamins and supplements organized. The compact size makes it ideal for travel. Choose from a variety of colors.

The business-focused social media site is gearing its shows toward a professional audience.

LinkedIn is making a push into podcasts. The social media site for the suit-and-tie set has launched the LinkedIn Podcast Network, featuring in-house shows from its own news team as well as programs from various personalities in the business world.

The shows are geared toward business professionals, focusing on areas like career development, big tech, managing mental health and leadership strategies. Reid Hoffman, co-founder and executive chairman of LinkedIn, will cohost “The Start-Up of You,” a podcast set to premiere in the spring that will explore personal entrepreneurship.

The podcast network is a pilot program that builds on the success of “Hello Monday,” a LinkedIn News podcast about the evolving nature of work, according to LinkedIn. The shows will be ad-supported, with the initial sponsor being Verizon, Engadget reports.

LinkedIn hopes its podcast network will draw listeners back to the social network, allowing hosts and listeners to engage with each other. “By connecting with these hosts on LinkedIn, you’ll be able to extend the conversation beyond the passive listening experience,” according to Social Media Today.

Podcasts have been growing in popularity over the last few years, thanks to a variety of factors that include the growth of smart speakers and people’s insatiable appetite for new content during the pandemic. About 80 million Americans (28%) are weekly podcast listeners, and 116 million Americans (41%) say they’ve listened to at least one podcast in the last month, according to Edison Research.

Though the LinkedIn Podcast Network already features a range of podcasts, the social network has an open application for other podcasters to join its network. LinkedIn’s podcasts will be available on LinkedIn by following a podcast host in the app and subscribing to their newsletter. People will also be able to listen to the shows via Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other providers.

Dolphin Retro Record Player with Bluetooth
Perfect for any music lover, this retro record player comes with built-in speakers and Bluetooth capability. It can also connect to external speakers with an auxiliary output.

5-Pack Short-Sleeve Rib Bodysuits
These 100% cotton bodysuits feature an expandable neckline, and a snap closure that keeps dressing and diaper changes simple. Available in many sizes and colors.

Sea Salt Caramels
Share joy with fresh, creamy sea salt caramels. Handcrafted and packaged with care, these sweet treats are a perfect gift for any occasion.

Two Reusable Reed Drinking Straws with Pouch
Promote sustainable practices with this reusable straw/jute pouch travel combo. Reusable straws help minimize the use of single-use plastics.

Collapsible Silicone Water Bottle
Lightweight, foldable and leakproof, this collapsible silicone water bottle is perfect for hiking, camping, airline travel or everyday use. It’s 100% BPA-free and made of food-grade materials that are safe for both hot and cold beverages.

Thanks to a pandemic-age boost, more people are taking up the sport – and looking to outfit themselves in versatile, trendy performance wear.

Traditional golf apparel is no longer par for the course.

An influx of new golfers during the pandemic has helped to change the overall look of the sport, meaning the apparel must follow suit. Golfers now look for styles that transition from the course to happy hour and beyond.

Consider that in 2020, 36.9 million Americans golfed, according to the National Golf Foundation (NGF). That was the largest increase in 17 years. Golf courses, one of the few nonessential businesses that could stay open during lockdowns, allowed people to get outside, exercise and enjoy themselves while remaining socially distant. So, it’s perhaps not surprising that 3 million people tried out the sport for the first time in 2020.

Golfers today are looking for versatile apparel that works both on and off the course.

The question, of course, was whether they would stick with the sport once other options for their attention returned. Data for 2021 from the NGF shows that golf’s popularity is still on the upswing: 37.5 million people participated in the sport.

Another major shift in the golf world is the growing popularity of entertainment venues like Topgolf, which offers high-tech driving range games that appeal to millennials and other younger players. “Topgolf did something incredible for the world of golf – it found a way to bring non-golfers to a driving range by gamifying the experience and serving up a fun time for everyone, no matter what your skill level is,” says Brad Moxley., associate director of an apparel company.

Though many golf courses still have a dress code, venues like Topgolf are much more informal. “Fashion is a fun way of expressing yourself, and it wouldn’t be cool of us to hinder that,” Topgolf notes on its website.

Even on typical golf courses, players are looking for apparel that has versatility. “As we transition through our day, we want our apparel to shift easily from the greens to dinner or from the driving range back to work,” says Lisa Terry, marketing manager at an apparel company. “While bold, retro performance looks capture some golfers’ vibes, the majority are preferring styling like that of TravisMathew with subtle colors and a natural hand feel.”

SOLO Golf brings a modern, streetwear-inspired edge to golf apparel.

Some brands are even bringing a streetwear sensibility to the course. SOLO Golf, founded in 2017 by Dan and Tessa Sullivan, has made its mission bringing more fashion-forward looks to the game. The brand’s fleece-blocked hooded vest, for example, is a modern take on a traditional golf garment. The vest features a high neckline, built-in hood and Sherpa-based, three-layer fabric. That and other styles “speak to the SOLO mentality” of “bringing uniqueness and expression to the golf course,” Dan Sullivan noted on the company blog.

Innovation is also key when appealing to golfers, according to Andrea Routzahn, chief merchant at an apparel company. In particular, golfers are looking for performance apparel that has a cotton feel. “While polyester has great performance qualities – lightweight, quick-drying – it can also feel synthetic and a bit crisp against the skin,” Routzahn says. “New yarn technologies over the past few years have given rise to polyester fabrics with a soft feel of cotton.”

As golf continues to trend and evolve, expect performance apparel for the game to change as well. “Fabric blends are constantly improving, and we’re utilizing these new fabric blends to make even better golf performance apparel than ever before,” Moxley says.

The variety of styles and fits means you are sure to find the perfect headwear for your needs.

Made in the USA, this heavyweight, 100% acrylic knit hat features a rib cuff and personalized name woven directly into the material. Its vintage appeal and contrasting striped design make it a fashionable yet practical snow accessory.

This pop hat is foldable and offers plenty of protection from the sun. It’s one-size-fits-all with an adjustable drawstring for a custom fit, and features cooling breathable mesh and a Spandex sweatband. Choose from four colors and patterns.

Looking for a fun cap for a spring or summer festival? Consider a tie-dye dad hat. This unstructured, six-panel, low-profile hat is made of 100% cotton and features a pre-curved visor and tri-glide buckle closure.

This four-panel cap is made to order – it’s fully sublimated so it can feature virtually any design.

You needn’t feel out of touch when you use this slouchy cotton beanie. It’s one-size-fit-most and it comes in a variety of colors. Its lightweight fabric makes it ideal for year-round wear.

Howdy, partner! Have fun with this cowboy hat. It’s a great addition to country-themed events and settings such as hoedowns, square dances, music festivals and bars.

This baseball cap is made of washed cotton with an adjustable metal closure.

People still love the classic trucker hat and this five-panel style takes the design to the next level. This structured cap has chino twill front panels with mesh back panels, slight pre-curved visor and plastic snap closure.

As the omicron variant of COVID-19 threatens another winter of remote work and hunkering down inside, these houseware items will be in high demand.

The highly transmissible omicron variant of the virus is forcing millions of people to rethink travel plans and returning to the office in the new year. Apple has postponed the return indefinitely, while Lyft says employees won’t come back before 2023. That means housewares like the ones listed here will stay popular as gifts in kitted packages of branded items, delivered to doorsteps.

Go the extra mile with the Holmes Tabletop Air Purifier. This model captures allergens, such as dust mites, mold, dust and pet dander, to create a healthier and fresher environment in the house. Its small tabletop structure is designed to fit anywhere and still be effective.

Guaranteed to measure up is this set of measuring spoons. It includes a quarter teaspoon, half teaspoon and whole tablespoon, making it a great set to have on hand while baking, cooking or scooping coffee. Options are available to customize each spoon to a different color or get the entire American-made set in one color.

Roll right into 2022 with a rolling pin. These original award-winning French baking essentials are ergonomic and made with waxed hardwood barrels. The full-length steel axle runs through a self-lubricating nylon bearing, guaranteeing durability and years of use.

Available in a variety of colors, this ceramic cookie jar is USA-made and perfect for holding snacks, biscuits or kitchen supplies.

The lightweight fleece blanket is made from 100% recycled post-consumer waste transformed into premium polyester fibers for a soft brush finish. It comes in five color combinations.

This laser-engraved house-shaped metal keychain features a chrome finish and can be customized.

The easy-to-clean surface of this steel digital food scale also features high-precision sensors for accurate data and a user-friendly control panel. It also has a digital LCD display, auto shut-off, overload indicator and low battery alert.

This 18” x 18” indoor pillow is machine-washable and makes a great gift. It can be customized to add a personal touch to a home or office. Features a soft polyfil insert and zipper closure.

The 7-ounce drawstring laundry bag is made from 100% cotton canvas, and features a drawstring close and shoulder strap. It’s also foldable and lightweight, and can be used as a liner for a basket

Pandemic-era desires for a rugged outdoor look and nostalgic escapism to simpler times have pushed these sartorial staples into the spotlight once again.

Denim jackets, a quintessentially American fashion piece, are having yet another moment. First invented around 1880 by Levi Strauss, shortly after the blue jean businessman created denim pants as durable apparel for those working to develop the American West, the jacket has gone through countless iterations over the past 141 years.

Why the resurgence? Industry analysts point to a confluence of factors. After nearly two years of COVID, denim jackets evoke the great outdoors. That’s inspiring a rugged workwear and Western look for both men and women, helped along by the current popularity of the show Yellowstone, starring Kevin Costner.

Staying indoors during the pandemic has also been the impetus for a new aesthetic called “Cabincore,” inspired by camping and the comforts of home. “The combination of consumers reconnecting with nature and dropping temperatures is bringing a new sartorial trend to the forefront,” writes Liz Warren in Rivet. “Cabincore is the latest escapist aesthetic for consumers who prefer a rustic and hygge lifestyle over that of a bustling city. … [It] ties in nature and a reclusive attitude inspired by a period of global isolation.” Warren adds that loose-fitting denim pants and dark wash jackets are fundamental to the Cabincore style.

Fashion house Theophilio presented an oversized dark wash jacket paired with matching pants at New York Fashion Week in September. (photo courtesy of Hypebeast)

It also seems to align with an intentional push among designers to bring denim back after sales declined during the pandemic as people hunkered down at home in softer garments. In January 2021, the Office of Textiles and Apparel reported that denim imports coming into the U.S. fell almost 25% to $2.8 billion compared to $3.73 billion in January 2020, just before the COVID. This past year, after new fashion collaborations, commitments to sustainability efforts and retail store openings as lockdowns lifted, denim made a comeback as a reaction to the jogger pants of 2020. Market research firm Allied Market Research says the global denim market is poised to grow by 4.4% each year from now through 2030.

A denim jacket by Louis Vuitton for Spring-Summer 2022. (photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton/Wonderland)

At the same time, consumers have continued to seek out nostalgic styles for an escape to a simpler time during ongoing COVID angst. Denim offers a throwback look both to the ’80s (think rebel John Bender in The Breakfast Club) and the “Y2K” teenybopper look, à la former celebrity flames Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake who wore matching denim-on-denim outfits to the American Music Awards in 2001.

The look is gaining traction in many industries. For example, this Eagle Classic Washed Jean Jacket made of heavy 14-ounce 100% cotton. For a more retro athletic look, the letterman jacket-inspired Cascade is made of washed denim with khaki sleeves, a cotton lining and striped elastic collar, cuffs and waistband.

This washed denim jacket has khaki sleeves, front slash pockets and a snap front closure.

Unisex Denim Jacket and a Unisex Sherpa Lined Denim Jacket, both made of a 99% sustainably sourced cotton and 1% spandex blend (the Sherpa lining is also made of recycled polyester fiber) look great with patchwork and bedazzling for a Western look.

This Unisex Denim Jacket is made of 99% sustainably sourced cotton and 1% Spandex and comes in Classic, Light, Black and White Denim.

The Wrangler Unlined Western Denim Jacket is made of 98% cotton and 2% Spandex twill and has front pockets with “W” stitching.

Bags and fanny packs are affordable and useful, and with all the different styles available, they’re sure to grab attention.

The brand-name Champion Carry Sack is perfect for grab-and-go situations, like an impromptu walk in the park. Made of 420 denier polyester with a cinch closure at the top, it has a smaller zippered pocket inside that secures valuable items.

This Puma waist bag keeps everything in reach, eliminating the need to rummage through a large backpack. Adjustable for any waist size with a strap and release clip, it’s made of 600D polyester and includes pockets.

These drawstring backpacks are ideal for student field trips, booster clubs, new gym members and more. They’re lightweight and durable, feature metal grommets to prevent tearing, and come in a variety of colors.

The Willow Recycled Fanny Pack is an ideal fit for eco-conscious consumers. It’s perfect for holding personal essentials and has an adjustable strap for optional wear as a sling. It’s made with 54% post-consumer recycled material – the equivalent of four plastic water bottles.

This fanny pack is a fit for travel and fitness. It can be worn on the waist or as a crossbody bag, offering easy access to belongings when on the go. Popular webbing loop detail allows the user to attach a carabiner.

This lightweight drawstring backpack is ideal for running errands or spending a day on a hike or at the beach. Its sturdy construction is made to last and it’s available in eight colors. Makes a great gift for students and athletes.

This multifunctional non-woven drawstring bag is perfect for students, hikers, travelers and more, thanks to a pull-string cord that allows for a secure closure.

This non-woven bag can be used as either a drawstring backpack or shoulder tote. Made of coated water-resistant polypropylene, it comes in five colors. Perfect for 5K walk/run participants and trips to the farmers market.

Long walks and hikes are made better with this water bottle fanny pack. It features a zip-up pocket on the back, bottle holder and two front zippered pockets. It also has a phone compartment and a reflective sticker for safe evening walks and runs.

It’s a good idea whether you’re new to public speaking or a seasoned veteran.

Very few people are able to avoid public speaking entirely, whether it’s to a room of 250 people for a wedding speech or a small workplace panel. And yet, 77% of American adults feel at least some anxiety when public speaking or preparing to do so, according to the National Institutes of Health. But not speaking well can certainly have an impact on career mobility, not to mention sales performance.

Whether you’re preparing for a team presentation, sales pitch, panel discussion or award acceptance speech, it’s important to continue to polish your public speaking skills. As uncomfortable as it may be, make it a goal this new year to improve your performance, no matter if you’re new to selling or a seasoned professional. Here are five ways to make it less scary.

1. Practice alone first. If you think you can deliver remarks without practicing, think again. Don’t try to wing it – the pressure of people looking at you expectantly might cause you to lose your train of thought. Write everything down and then expand or cut material as necessary to fit the timeframe. Then deliver it to yourself, out loud, to get comfortable with the information and make sure you’re including everything you want to say. Delivering it to an audience of one will put less pressure on you at the beginning and help you to craft your presentation well.

2. Moderate your speech. When speaking in front of others, we all naturally tend to speed up. Practice speaking very slowly (more than you think is necessary) and time your presentation at the slower rate. Don’t be afraid of silence; pauses add interest to your remarks, and unnecessary filler words such as “ah,” “um” and “like” can be distracting. Also take a few deep breaths to slow your breathing and thoughts and, subsequently, your pace of speaking.

3. Request a test audience. Ask a coworker or two if they could take a few minutes to listen to your presentation, either in person or virtually, and offer honest feedback. Speaking before a few friendly faces will simulate delivering in front of the actual audience and will also let you work out any snags beforehand. Also consider tapping into the “offstage beat” – take a few minutes beforehand to generate a positive mindset that will inform your overall delivery when you’re in front of the group. Having notes is fine, but don’t look down and read them.

4. Look for opportunities to speak. Sharpen your speaking skills by finding podcasts or panels where you could speak and offer to be a guest. It’s a little more conversational than a speech in front of a full room, but it will help you to become increasingly comfortable with simply speaking in front of a group of people. Even just speaking up more during team meetings (ask if you can facilitate a few) or in a Twitter Space can help your comfort levels. Once you feel confident in front of different audiences, it’ll make formal presentations even easier.

5. Host workshops. If you’re in charge of a sales team, make public speaking a priority for them in the new year, too. Hold a series of training sessions and encourage the giving and receiving of constructive feedback. Some may be seasoned speakers but may have adopted bad habits, such as too many filler words or not enough eye contact. If some are resistant, ask them to present on a topic they love, even if it’s outside of work. Point out the positive aspects of each presentation in real time, while asking the team to submit critiques afterward to you for anonymity.

Cozy yet durable, hooded sweatshirts are making the transition from a pandemic staple to updated office casual.

In some parts of Canada, they call a hooded sweatshirt a “bunny hug,” and there’s no denying the cozy comfort of an oversized hoodie in a heavyweight fleece fabric.

It’s almost like “wearing a weighted blanked,” says Caius Olowu, Director of Merchandise at a top apparel company. “Heavier fabrics hold their structure in a relaxed cut, whilst also providing the wearer a sense of comfort and protection.”

The unisex Santa Cruz fleece hoodie features a heavy cotton face for ease of printability and breathability.

Thanks to the influence of streetwear in fashion and a sustained nostalgia for ’90s-era silhouettes, oversized unisex hoodies have been popular with younger consumers for a while now. But the pandemic broadened their appeal, with the desire for comfort turning sweats into the de facto work-from-home uniform. “Research shows that 60% of men feel that wearing a hoodie is appropriate when working from home,” says Michael Johnson, printwear director at a top apparel company.

The trend seems poised to outlast the pandemic. “As people return to work, some offices are adopting what Silicon Valley execs embraced years ago, the hoodie, specifically the Champion hoodie,” Johnson says. “In other words, grownups are catching up to what high school kids have known for years.”

Cary Heller, vice president of sales at a top apparel company, believes the trend has an element of sustainability to it as well. “People don’t want the tri-blends,” he says. “They want chunky T-shirts and stubbornly tough hoodies that are going to last a long, long time.”

Fabric weight is a measurement of the thickness of the threads that make up the material, and heavyweight hoodies are typically made from cotton that ranges from around 10 to 13 ounces. The Champion Reverse Weave, for example, a campus staple for more than 80 years, weighs in at 12 ounces.

This heavyweight hoodie comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, including a bold houndstooth print.

Garment-dye treatments that give the hoodie a vintage look and tie-dye continue to be in demand, according to Johnson. Basic colors like gray, navy and black are top performers, according to Christina Marcantelli, sales enablement coordinator at an activewear company. Still, she adds, there are so many colors and patterns to choose from. “Alternative neutrals” like cream or off-white, sandstone, khaki and army green are also growing in popularity, she adds.

For both the coffee-lovers and tea-drinkers among us, a sturdy mug can become a favorite go-to.

According to the National Coffee Association, 70% of Americans drink coffee every week and 62% drink it daily. Meanwhile, more than half of all Americans consume tea every day, says the Tea Association of the USA, with the highest concentrations in the Northeastern and Southern regions. The items here are ideal for coffee and tea (either hot or iced), as well as hot chocolate, hot toddies and more.

This 12-ounce, double-wall vacuum tumbler is made of high-grade stainless steel with a lid to keep debris out, ideal for the great outdoors. It keeps coffee hot for hours (or iced beverages cold) and makes a nice gift for campground visitors and new homeowners.

The holidays are here, and so is the perfect camp mug. Whether it’s hot coffee in the morning or a cold drink on the rocks in the evening, this 12-ounce camp mug is sure to meet your needs. Users can take their beverage on the go thanks to the no-spill slider lid. Choose from four neutral colors.

This Windsor 12-ounce mug is made of stoneware and has a matte white outside, a glossy colorful inside and glossy base.

Large enough for anyone’s favorite hot beverage, this 15-ounce stoneware mug brings the style with a colorful glossy interior that adds a pop of color against the matte black exterior finish. Choose from five color combinations.

Keep your drinks hot and your hands protected with this glass jar mug featuring a custom-branded leather sleeve with embossed logo. Cozy and sophisticated, it can be used at home, in the office or around the campfire.

Powder-coated and vacuum-insulated, this 14-ounce Urban Peak Trek is a new take on the standard camp mug. It has a copper-lined deep draw liner that maintains an optimal drinking temperature and its heat retention is seven times longer than the average coffeehouse cup. Comes with a clear push-on, sip-through lid.

This 16-ounce bistro mug is two-toned and made of a smooth molded ceramic composite. It features a matte black exterior with a colored interior and has a high curved handle for easy grip.

Keep stains and water marks off tables with this 15-ounce ceramic coffee mug. Made of ceramic, the bottom is crafted of natural cork which functions as a built-in coaster. Includes a slide lid. Choose from black, white or gray.

Ideal for hot or cold beverages, this award-winning, 12-ounce Soma ceramic mug has a leakproof bamboo lid and double-wall insulation. A percentage of all proceeds are donated to charity:water, a nonprofit organization.

You can give the gift of a cozy night in with a retro-styled ceramic campfire mug. This is the perfect for wilderness exploration, parks and recreation and coffeehouses. Choose from 15 colors.

Here’s yet another take on the popular campfire mug. This curvy 12-ounce ceramic style features a unique glazed speckle design with a black rim. Great for campgrounds.

Perfectly cozy options for the couch, bed and office chair this upcoming winter.

The Frosty Fleece is made of high-pile sherpa, comes presentation-ready tied with a ribbon and bow and is available in 10 colors. Soft and durable, it makes a thoughtful gift for remote workers.

Staying warm on the couch this winter will be easier than ever with the Lux Plaid Sherpa Blanket. Made of faux micro-mink and lambswool, recipients can cozy up in style. Comes in four plaid colors with optional embroidery. Makes for a nice piece of usable décor in mountain-home rentals.

This silky-soft blanket comes in a zippered bag for easy portability. It features anti-wind corner technology so it stays put in outdoor settings, and comes in a variety of color combinations.

This custom throw blanket is available in 30” x 40” and 50” x 60” sizes with a full-color imprint from end to end. Pair it with tech accessories for a perfect WFH bundle gift.

When you’re looking for something unique, check out this pocket picnic blanket. The 59” x 59” blanket features a custom full-color imprint and folds to less than 8” x 8” for super-easy carrying.

The plaid side of the large 3-pound Woodland blanket is made of extra-soft brushed velvet, while the solid black side provides lambswool-like softness. Ideal for campgrounds and RVs.

This dye-sublimated Sherpa blanket has an eye-catching geometric design on the front and a soft sherpa backing, ideal for movie nights. Perfect for gifting.

Creating the perfect gift just became easier with a plush throw. It measures 50” x 60” and has a photorealistic design that elevates any brand or special event. Friends and family are sure to enjoy it in their homes and offices.

Pair this Yorkshire wool blanket with hot cocoa mix and popcorn for a perfect gift. Made of 50% Australian fine wool/50% acrylic, it features a twisted fringe and leatherette patch for a high-end look.

According to the Census Bureau, an estimated 124 million people live in the Northeastern and Midwestern regions, which sees some of the coldest winters in the country. Here are some great options for warmer outerwear.

This fully custom warmup jacket is made of fleece-lined polyester trinda fabric. Perfect for high school and youth league sports.

Everyone will appreciate a stylish leather jacket. This men’s A-2 style bomber is made of cow skin leather and comes with multiple front pockets to warm hands or store daily essentials.

Soft to the touch, versatile and great for layering, the Dryflip windbreaker packs easily in its own drawstring backpack and is great for all weather conditions. It’s constructed of 100% lightweight and breathable polyester with a front zip closure, and has an interior water-wicking coating, scuba neck, mesh-lined three-panel hood, welt pockets and patented Quikflip conversion technology.

This super-lightweight puffer jacket keeps the wearer warm when cooler weather arrives. It’s insulated with Polyloft that’s made of recycled plastic bottles and comes with a matching bag for easy packing. Features a full-zip front and open single welt pockets, and comes in three colors.

Work crews need to be seen, even in colder weather. This bomber safety jacket is ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 Class 3-compliant, as well as reversible and water- and wind-resistant. Includes a concealed hood with drawstring, detachable sleeves, ribbed waist and wrists, pen holder, badge holder, mic tabs and a zipper pocket on the sleeve.

This stylish eco-insulated quilted Front-Runner jacket is water-resistant and windproof, affording the wearer comfort and warmth without the bulk. Perfect for running and biking clubs and as a uniform piece for those who work outside in the fall and winter.

Here’s a jacket with all the bells and whistles: This waterproof insulated jacket is fully seam-sealed, wind-resistant and waterproof. Features a jersey-lined body, hood with drawcord and toggles, polyfill insulation and taffeta sleeves for easy on/off. Available in five colors.

Hunters will love the Timberline Camo work jacket. It’s constructed with a cotton twill shell, and has a polyfill quilted body and sleeve lining, zippered front pockets, and ribbed knit cuffs and waistband. Choose from Oilfield Camo, Realtree AP, Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity patterns.

Whether for travel or as a gift for people who pack their lunch, these items are practical and appreciated.

As employees continue the gradual return to the office, refrigerators in breakrooms are poised to be off-limits for the foreseeable future. With these helpful food containers, your team can enjoy lunches and snacks at their desk without fear of contamination.

“Form and function” is a good way to describe this lunch box. The stainless steel will not absorb food tastes or odors. It includes a foldable handle and wooden cover that doubles as a cutting board. Ideal for campers and hikers.

This salad-to-go container is constructed of food-grade polypropylene and features a salad dressing container on the inside and a flip-down snap closure lid. It’s BPA-free, top rack dishwasher-safe and microwave-safe.

This collapsible lunch cube is useful for packing lunches or snacks for work or school. It fits easily into a backpack, messenger bag or lunch box. A fork/spoon utensil stows in the lid and it’s dishwasher- and microwave-safe.

When you’re looking for an item that’s built tough, consider the Thermos 12-ounce double-wall stainless-steel food jar. It features a removable microwavable liner to make food prep a breeze. This can be filled with soup, stew, pasta or chili. Great for construction and worksite crews.

Crafted of plastic, silicone and stainless steel, this lunch gift set is great as an employee appreciation gift. It’s eco-friendly and will lessen your carbon footprint. Includes a bowl and utensil set, and comes gift boxed.

Made of high-density white paper board, it’s disposable for easy clean up. Spot-on for restaurants, movie theaters, stadiums, ballparks, arenas, food festivals and youth sports snack shacks.

This 5-quart custom ice bucket fits six bottles of beer or cans of hard seltzers. Made from galvanized metal and printed with a full-wrap four-color process. A must-have for bar and beer promotions.

Eco-friendly beeswrap is made with certified organic cotton coated with sustainably sourced beeswax, organic jojoba oil and tree resin. This all-natural way to store food is reusable, washable and compostable. Useful for wrapping deli sandwiches and reusable by the consumers who receive them.

Environmentally friendly, this chicken bucket is made of food-grade paper that’s renewable. Also works as a popcorn bucket for movie theaters, company events or for any takeout meals that can feed a family of four.

From tailgates to distillery grand openings, you’ll find what you need among these offerings.

Did you know that the craft-spirits market is poised to grow almost 19% each year from now through 2025? If you’re a distillery, brewery, or winery, make sure you have unique branded accessories to promote grand openings and special events.

Pop the top and protect the coffee table with a coaster/bottle opener combo. Made of all-American hard maple, it features a galvanized steel bottle opener insert. Choose from a full-color or etched imprint, as well as other woods, shapes and sizes.

Used for bottles or cans, the Double Play drink insulator (DP-BC) keeps beverages ice-cold, thanks to its convertible construction. With a quick twist, users can add the top to most 12 oz. bottles or remove it to fit most 12 oz. cans. Can you say cheers to a great tailgate promo item?

Bachelor parties and liquor companies will love the Incognito flask. Featuring a flexible, low-profile design, it’s freezable, top-rack dishwasher-safe, and BPA-free.

This Speakeasy Gift Set is perfect for whiskey, bourbon and scotch lovers. Set includes two 8-oz. whiskey glasses and two sets of laser-engraved whiskey stones packaged in custom muslin bags.

The Cupkeeper makes it easy to tote up to six beverages (or 12 if carrying a Cupkeeper in each hand) at once without fear of spillage. Made of durable, recyclable plastic, this carrier is ideal at bars at large music and sport events.

Fun for bars, night clubs and late-evening events, the LitedIce light-up ice cube will definitely bring the party. These frosted plastic cubes are available with a single-color LED or a seven-color, three-LED combination.

Cap off a day of wine tasting with this eye-catching bottle stopper. Wineries and vineyards can brand it with a logo, location map or any graphic of your choosing. Made in the USA.

This Corkcicle Classic Arctican is practical and has a philanthropic element. In addition to keeping beverages cold for three hours, proceeds help bring clean water to people in need through Corkcicle’s partnership with Charity: water. Fits most 12 oz. aluminum cans and standard bottles.

Move over, paper and silicone cup sleeves – this cotton version is the new kid on the block. It’s reusable, biodegradable and protects hands from hot drinks. Includes a pocket for stowing cash or business cards.

Users can sip their favorite drink and then chow down on these flavored edible flag straws. Available in vanilla, chocolate strawberry, lemon and lime, these gluten-free straws are made of tapioca and become edible after 30 minutes.

If you’re looking to lessen the impact of plastic on the environment, straws crafted of alternative materials are perfect. This kit includes a collapsible stainless-steel straw with silicone tip, cleaning brush and carry case with a bottle opener and carabineer clip. Choose from seven colors.

Craft brew enthusiasts and beer festival attendees are picture-perfect recipients for this growler cover with strap. Made of high-quality neoprene, a business or festival logo will get noticed on this unique giveaway.

We all know that social media marketing is crucial to success these days, but are you using it effectively? We’ve compiled four quick tips to polish your social media strategy so you can get the most out of each platform.

Know your audience.
Posting generic content to try to engage with everyone on a platform is daunting and usually ineffective. Get specific and know your followers’ challenges, goals and preferences. Then test your content! See what types of posts get the most engagement and which ones fall flat. Then you can tailor your posts more specifically to your audience.

Stay in the conversation.
Don’t post and ghost! Being successful on social media means engaging and interacting with your followers. Reply to comments on your posts and keep the conversation going – especially if it’s about your products or services! If someone posts a positive testimonial on any of your pages, reach out to thank them and, when appropriate, ask if you can use the testimonial in your other marketing efforts.

Count your non-sales wins.
Winning isn’t always about landing sales and getting more orders. Be sure you’re celebrating wins like increased engagement, improving your interactions on your social platforms and building relationships online.

Create a path to purchase.
An online visitor doesn’t engage with your social media and then immediately become a paying customer. You need to pave their path to purchasing from you. Start by getting feedback and asking how your product or services could make their life easier. Create more marketing touchpoints from there and keep your eye on the prize – the end goal is the sale; the journey is your social media conversations.

It’s not too late to plan your promotions centered on December events.
*Dates and events subject to change due to COVID-19 Pandemic.

The last month of 2021 presents several fun observances that you can use as jumping-off points for promotions and marketing campaigns. Celebrate sweet treats and adult beverages, recognize hard workers, educate about American history and more.

Dec. 2/Special Education Day
This observance marks 46 years since President Gerald Ford signed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act into law, which requires public schools to provide appropriate instruction for children with disabilities. Today, it’s set aside to recognize the devoted teachers who serve students with disabilities and their families. Consider high-end apparel and packages of sweet and savory treats for hard-working teachers.

Dec. 4/National Cookie Day
Bakeries, coffee shops and restaurants — anywhere that serves up cookies — can offer specials and discounts on this day, which celebrates the many different types of cookies that exist and their fans. If you don’t normally offer sweet treats but would be interested in providing a surprise experience for customers that day, National Cookie Day is for you, too!

You may need signage for cookie specials and branded jars filled with baked goods for a fun raffle giveaway. Bonus: Have people guess how many cookies are in the jar for a chance to take it home.

Cookie jar with mini chocolate chip cookies.

Dec. 5/International Volunteer Day
Established by the United Nations, this day is set aside to recognize the many contributions that generous and dedicated volunteers make to organizations around the world. Organizations that count on volunteers could run a themed marketing campaign this day.

Give out branded apparel as a thank you for committed, loyal volunteers.

Quilted crewneck sweatshirt.

Dec. 13/National Day of the Horse
In 2004, Congress declared National Day of the Horse to recognize the contributions that equines have made to U.S. history and the development of the country. Today, more than 30,000 wild horses still roam in the Western region, according to the Bureau of Land Management.

Schools that host special sessions on the history of the horse could offer fun giveaways like writing instruments, stress relievers and plush.

Light-up horse pen.

Dec. 20/National Sangria Day
Restaurants, bars and home party hosts will want to celebrate sangria, a delicious drink made with either red or white wine, fresh fruit, juices and optional liquor, herbs and spices. It’s a versatile beverage — summer and winter recipes abound — and there are myriad ways of making it.

Send sangria kits to remote workers as a way of saying thank you for all their hard work this year.

Wine glass set with sangria mix.

The new tool from the social media app is a way to see what’s resonating with younger demographics.

Snapchat has unveiled a new marketing tool that brings valuable insights into what its 293 million daily active users are sharing. Snapchat Trends highlights the most popular keywords shared via the app’s public and shared Stories feature.

Using a concept not unlike Google Trends and Pinterest Trends, Snapchat Trends shares a list of topics that have been trending in the last week, along with an example of a Snap referring to that keyword. Clicking on one of the top trends will take you to a chart showing the popularity of the keyword over time. Among the biggest trends Snapchatters posted about during the previous week were the Saweetie Meal, McDonald’s latest celebrity collab; turmoil in Afghanistan; International Lefthanders Day; fantasy football drafts; and regional county fairs.

Snapchat Trends shares the topics that trended on the app over the last week.

The bottom of the main page also shares a handful of case studies, purporting to show how other businesses “reach an engaged audience that lives only on Snapchat.”

Users can also input their own search terms to see how popular they’ve been and to see examples of recent Snaps featuring the keywords. For instance, a quick search found that the term “logo” appeared in captions 21 times during the week of Aug. 8 to 14, whereas “pen” appeared 72 times.

Snap, Snapchat’s parent company, says the trends feature “is able to provide a new level of visibility into organic chatter on Snapchat, looking at what our community is talking about and showcasing popular Snaps that exemplify each trending topic.”

Early testing of trends, the company says, has helped marketers and creators in several ways, including product market research. “Within the last few months, we’ve seen a market increase in the volume of conversation around seasonal summer flavors like strawberry, watermelon and rhubarb,” Snap notes, adding that such insights could help brands explore new products or shift marking to focus on those flavor categories. Other ways to use the trends include researching language trends and new slang, researching key moments and behavior (mentions of “streaming” increase on Fridays, for example) or looking up mentions of your and your competitors’ brands and products.

There are limitations, though, since Snap isn’t sharing all its data, only insights from public stories. Plus, “Snap doesn’t provide specific data on where these mentions occur, nor does it provide all data on shared Snaps between friends,” Social Media Today points out.

Still, it’s a valuable tool, whether or not your company is active on Snapchat, providing users with a quick and easy way to get a glimpse into the topics and events that resonate most with younger demographics.

‘Workrooms’ allows the distributed workforce to come together in a virtual conference room, but will the high-tech collaboration solution find mass appeal?

If you hate Zoom, you’re sure to despise Facebook’s new solution for better remote collaboration. Horizon Workrooms allows users with an Oculus Quest 2 VR headset to “meet” at a virtual conference room, interacting via a cartoonish avatar. It’s sort of like embodying your own Bitmoji if it were cut in half, with the torso just hovering above a virtual desk chair.

Or as some on Twitter have dubbed it: “Animal Crossing for work meetings.”

The Workrooms app is free to use (though an Oculus headset will set you back a few hundred bucks). Up to 16 people on VR headsets can gather virtually around a sturdy pixel-board conference table. The app allows 50 people in the meeting, but the others would join as video callers who appear on a flat screen in the virtual meeting room. Participants wearing VR headsets can use their hands to gesture during meetings, and their avatars’ mouths also move while they speak. The space includes a virtual whiteboard that allows people to share pictures or make presentations.

“The pandemic in the last 18 months has only given us greater confidence in the importance of this as a technology,” Andrew Bosworth, vice president of Facebook Reality Labs, said during a presentation to announce the app, according to CNN Business.

Facebook says it’s been using the Workrooms technology internally for the last year. Calling it their “flagship collaboration experience,” the company says it’s a melding of several technologies, including mixed-reality desk and keyboard tracking, hand tracking, remote desktop streaming, videoconferencing integration, spatial audio and the aforementioned avatars. “We think it’s one of the best ways to work if you can’t be physically together,” Facebook wrote in its announcement of the new technology.

In addition to the high-tech hand tracking features, the app also offers more traditional meeting features, like file sharing, calendar integration, chat and meeting notes.

According to Kampgrounds of America, more than 10 million families went camping for the first time during the pandemic and more than 60% of them say they’ll go more often moving forward. These items are ideal for those who love getting out into the fresh air.

Camping mugs are wildly popular as are double-walled copper vacuum insulated drinkware. Combine the two and you have this Lou double wall mug. The powder-coated matte finish mug is BPA-free and suitable for both camping and office promos.

If you’re looking for a rough-and-tumble backpack, consider this Under Armour Hustle 4.0 water-resistant backpack. It features an abrasion-resistant bottom panel, a laptop sleeve, two water-repellent front valuables pockets, adjustable shoulder straps, laundry/shoe pocket and two side water bottle pockets.

Since many laptop owners like to decorate them with stickers, help your brand stand out with this custom woven sticker decal. It’s made of polyester, available in three sizes and completely customizable. Includes a pressure-sensitive nonpermanent adhesive backing. Ideal for college, craft brewers and national and state parks.

This tie-dyed bucket cap will surely be a class favorite regardless of the school. It’s made of 100% cotton, with an unstructured design and sewn eyelets.

This gift set is great for lovers of the outdoors. Includes a 16-ounce Thermos Stainless King stainless-steel food jar and a Mojave Key multi-tool. Perfect for enjoying hot soups and a cold beverage while on the trail. Comes in a cardboard gift box with a full-color label.

Consider using captions in videos and alt text on images to make your posts more inclusive of people who have hearing loss or vision impairment.

Social media marketing is all about knowing your target audience, crafting content to engage clients and attracting new prospects. And while it’s a good idea to have a laser focus on whom you’re trying to reach – rather than going for a scattershot “spaghetti on the wall” strategy – it’s also important not to inadvertently alienate and exclude people.

Here are six tips for improving the accessibility of your social media posts. pic.twitter.com/PvTfHikh9i

— Theresa Hegel (@TheresaHegel) August 4, 2021

That’s one reason why more and more brands are focusing on accessibility in their social media strategy. Accessibility is all about reaching people who use assistive technology to access social, whether they’re blind, visually impaired, deaf or have dyslexia or cognitive learning disabilities. In the US, there are more than 2.2 million people considered deaf and roughly 37 million people with some degree of hearing loss, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Around 32.2 million Americans report being blind or having trouble seeing even when wearing corrective lenses, according to a recent National Health Interview Survey.

Making social media posts more accessible is a way to signal respect for all potential audiences, but it can also be a smart business move. For example, adding closed captions to your video content can boost search engine optimization, and multiple studies have shown that captioning makes people more likely to pay attention and remember your video.

Here are six tips for making your social media posts more accessible.

1. Add closed captions to your video content. Not only does this help people who are deaf or hard of hearing, but it could also boost engagement on a video overall. Though several social media sites auto-caption videos now, the quality of the transcription varies, so it’s worth exploring third-party apps and services to add captions. Remember to add context to your captions beyond what’s being said. Describe sounds (like an audience laughing) or music cues if they change the tone or add meaning to the video.

2. Use alt text on images. Alternative text is a short but detailed description of a photo to help people using screen readers understand what’s happening in a picture. Most social media apps allow users to easily add alt text as they’re posting an image or to edit once it’s posted. Don’t forget to add alt text to GIFs as well.

A fab #accessibility thread from @BlondeHistorian on how to write meaningful & useful ALT text and other video & picture captions. Also, DYK that you can add ALT text to describe GIFs in Twitter, just as you can for images? Just select the ALT icon after you choose your GIF/image https://t.co/bqf4iiJeA5

— Lydia Hopper (@LydiaMHopper) August 3, 2021

3. Use “CamelCase” in hashtags. CamelCase, where you capitalize the first letter of each word in a hashtag phrase, can be very helpful. First, screen readers will often read uncapitalized hashtags as a string of letters, rather than individual words, which is cumbersome and obscures meaning. Also, people with dyslexia or cognitive disabilities could have trouble decoding hashtags without capital letters marking each word.

Happy hump day! Here's your weekly reminder to make your hashtags accessible.

Whether you know it as #CamelCase, #PascalCase, or #TitleCase, capitalizing the first letter of each word in compound hashtags helps make them more accessible for screen readers! #Accessibility 🐪

— Alexa Heinrich (she/her) (@HashtagHeyAlexa) July 28, 2021

4. Don’t overuse emojis. Screen readers describe each emoji in a post. Including too many in a row or peppering clapping hands emojis between each word to show emphasis can make it almost impossible to follow. That doesn’t mean you should avoid them entirely, but be thoughtful when you use them and add a space between each emoji, if your post includes more than one.

Just a reminder that tweeting like this is very exclusionary for anybody using screen readers for reasons such as them being blind or dyslexic etc, as the screen reader will read every emoji as it's own phrase, making the tweet incomprehensible. pic.twitter.com/gRJHHnw0SR

— 🖤🤍💜 CauseImEd 💜🤍🖤 (@CauseImEd) March 1, 2021

5. Avoid custom fonts. Adding bold, italic and other custom fonts to a tweet or post gives it a unique look, but can be a nightmare for people using a screen reader.

You 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 it's 𝒸𝓊𝓉ℯ to 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 your tweets and usernames 𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖘 𝖜𝖆𝖞. But have you 𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙙 to what it 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 with assistive technologies like 𝓥𝓸𝓲𝓬𝓮𝓞𝓿𝓮𝓻? pic.twitter.com/CywCf1b3Lm

— Kent C. Dodds (@kentcdodds) January 9, 2019

6. Maintain color contrast. When you’re creating a graphic for social media, take color contrast into consideration. If there’s not enough contrast, it can be difficult for people with colorblindness to read text or decipher an image.

A new ruling finally allows NCAA athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness. The promotional opportunities are vast – but so are the questions.

Three days before Independence Day, college athletes were finally granted a different sort of freedom: the ability to profit off their name, image and likeness (NIL).

After a Supreme Court decision that the NCAA can’t limit education-related benefits (such as computers and paid internships) that colleges can offer their athletes, the NCAA’s Division I Board of Directors reversed its longstanding, controversial policy on student athletes being prohibited from receiving compensation.

What pressed the NCAA’s hand – after decades of resistance – is the fact that eight states had laws or executive orders going into effect July 1 that allowed college athletes to earn money. (More than a dozen other states have passed similar measures with later effective dates.) In the absence of a uniform federal law, the smorgasbord of different laws threatened to create advantages for some schools over others. After all, schools in states with legal guarantees that students could potentially earn money would be better positioned to recruit prospective players.

As such, the NCAA enacted the interim policy until a federal law arrives. Overnight, more than 480,000 student athletes in the United States had the ability to become entrepreneurs.

“It’s impossible to overstate the importance of this development,” says J. Michael Keyes, partner at the international law firm Dorsey & Whitney. “By some estimates, the sports merchandising market over the last few years hovered around $15 billion. It’s about to get a lot bigger very soon.”

The opportunities are plentiful, as college athletes can now license their name to promote brands, sponsor events and campaigns and launch their own merchandising companies. “This will exponentially grow the promotional products industry,” says Ivan Parron, founder of PARRON Law Sports & Entertainment.

ESPN

Parron, who recently represented NCAA players at the NBA Draft Combine, immediately sees a couple major benefits in which branded merchandise would play pivotal roles. “NIL will do miracles for women’s sports and is a huge opportunity for brands to get involved with female athletes,” he says, arguing that women often develop loyal followings as college athletes, but typically make much less money than men if they turn pro.

“I also think non-traditional sports, the ones you see at the Olympics, will get more exposure and potentially build strong fan bases,” Parron says.

With football and basketball as the top revenue-producing college sports, those athletes are sure to be highly sought after by major brands. Some industry experts expect the most prominent players to charge $1,000 or more an hour for endorsement work or appearances, The New York Times reported.

However, today’s marketplace is so fragmented that there are opportunities for athletes involved in other college sports, such as tennis, soccer and lacrosse, to still make a fair amount of money from their NIL, especially from local businesses like restaurants, car dealerships and sporting goods stores.

“This ruling will generally increase the visibility of college sports,” says Allen Adamson, co-founder and managing partner at the marketing strategy and activation firm Metaforce. “More buzz means more merchandise. Social media will play a huge factor, as popular athletes will influence followers into wanting a school’s mug or hat or T-shirt.”

NCAA

Similar to how cities and states rely upon professional athletes and celebrities for location-branding activities, now there’s a whole new segment of spokespeople at their disposal. Consider Trevor Lawrence, the superstar quarterback for Clemson who was taken number one overall in this year’s NFL draft. If this was 18 months ago, Lawrence could have been South Carolina’s biggest ambassador, says John Boyd, principal of the management consulting firm The Boyd Company.

“If you’re high-profile, it’s your responsibility to tell your story and products are a part of that,” Boyd says. “Sneakers, jerseys, nutritional products, licensing for video games and apps. You’ll be bombarded with opportunities now.”

And you can bet promotional products will be part of the mix.

Slam Dunk for Promo

Even before the policy and laws went into effect, some college athletes had already prepared to cash in.

Georgia running back Kendall Milton launched his KM2 clothing line brand, partnering with Seven Six Apparel Co., which designs apparel for sports markets around the Southeast U.S. Jordan Bohannon, a basketball player at the University of Iowa, also launched his own clothing line called J3O Apparel. University of Wisconsin’s starting quarterback Graham Mertz unveiled a trademarked personal logo on his social media accounts, and then launched his own official store and licensed apparel collection.

Even the players’ furry friends are getting in the action – Arkansas wide receiver Trey Knox and his Siberian Husky Blue inked a deal with PetSmart.

“This is no different than anyone selling merchandise, whether it’s a YouTuber, someone on Twitch, a band, a school or a retailer such as Target,” says Jeff Becker, president of Top 40 distributor Kotis Design, which is a collegiately licensed vendor. At the end of the day, Becker says, “it’s just someone selling something.”

Distributors and merchandising brands have already reached out to college athletes from all three divisions, offering a plethora of products and strategies to exercise their NIL rights. “I see nothing but a positive for the promo industry,” says Lucas Guariglia, owner of Rowboat Creative, which is extremely active in the burgeoning influencer space and has also worked with numerous sports clients. “The opportunity for more brands popping up and more need for promotional products and merchandising is a good thing for us all.”

“Just as our industry became the initial go-to for PPE, we will be the front line for change in what ultimately will be new collegiate licensing opportunities,” says Jon Saferstein, owner and COO of Top 40 supplier Sportsman Cap and Bag in Lenexa, KS. “We always look for various opportunities in the college market, but this generation embraces social responsibility and will be looking for products like our new sustainable cap styles to help them build better brands.”

Natalie Welch, a sports business professor at Linfield University, has already seen a couple athletes donating a percentage of their branded merchandise to charity. She expects that to become a hot trend over the next few months, as college students tend to be very passionate about social causes.

“This ruling will force athletes to be more collaborative and creative while finding partners doing cool stuff,” Welch says. “We’ll see more athletes creating a product line or apparel line within an established brand. Right now, it’s just about getting your name out there, but long term, it will have to be more strategic to be sustainable.”

In addition to their presence on social media and in their community, student athletes offer another benefit for advertisers: youth. “Most brands are always trying to reach the younger demographic,” says Amobi Okugo, professional soccer player with Austin Bold FC and founder of financial consultancy A Frugal Athlete. “These student athletes have their finger on the pulse of what’s hip. From a marketing perspective, they provide a lot of value.”

Sports Illustrated

Steve Flaughers, owner of Proforma 3rd Degree Marketing in Canton, OH, has targeted the college sports market for years. Although he sees the potential in college athletes selling their own branded T-shirts and bobbleheads, he’s concerned about licensing issues that can arise.

“Students don’t seem interested in wanting to learn the licensing aspect of the products,” Flaughers says. “I assume if allowed, they will sell anything and everything that they can. This could pose a serious problem for the universities. Would they fine their own student athletes the same as they would us licensed suppliers? If the university feels they’re losing a great deal of revenue, will this mean licensing fees skyrocket to make up for that loss of money they have made off the student athletes?”

On June 30, the Collegiate Licensing Company – which governs the use of college sports trademarks, such as university names and logos – sent notices to licensees, such as Flaughers, with updated guidelines for pursuing NIL programs co-branded with university trademarks. Unlike the original policy proposed by the NCAA, many state laws and university policies allow the student-athlete to use logos and brands only with approval from the institution.

“Merchandise that does not contain university IP marks, brand elements, names, etc. but contains student-athlete NIL, must be licensed/approved directly with student-athlete, as CLC does not represent student-athlete brands,” the CLC stated.

The Wild West

Until Congress steps in or the NCAA is forced to issue a permanent decree, many questions regarding NIL have been left unanswered.

How will revenue-sharing agreements work? Will student athletes be allowed to wear their school’s name or logo in their own promotional activities? Will these athletes have to go through vendors pre-approved by their athletic department? What happens when an athlete promotes, say, Nike, but the school’s athletic department has a partnership with Adidas?

“Many politicians seem to think this should be a 50/50 split between the schools and the student athletes, but that probably doesn’t accurately reflect what it costs to maintain a major scholastic athletic program,” says David Jacoby, intellectual property law attorney with Culhane Meadows. “However, there’s no way you could make all this money without the players.”

It’ll resemble the Wild West for a while, says Marc Kidd, CEO of marketing agency Captivate. Kidd helped create the NCAA corporate partner program while serving as president of Host Communications during the 1980s and ’90s. “Clearly, each school has protected trademarks, but if I was a player at the University of Texas, can the school keep me from wearing burnt orange in advertisements?” Kidd says. “It’ll be interesting to see how this is policed and administered throughout the country.”

Attorneys Andrew Dana and Alonzo Llorens, leaders of Parker Poe’s sports and entertainment industry team, say the NCAA decision is long overdue. But there needs to be uniformity with a federal law because each state has different laws, and in those that don’t, schools have been left to make up their own rules.

“If you’re deciding which school to go to and one has limitations, that leads to unequal decision-making and hinders that school’s ability to be competitive,” Dana says. “That disparity needs to be evened out.”

With so much uncertainty regarding the rules and regulations, some promo firms are reluctant to plunge headfirst into the neoteric market. “We want to avoid the chaos,” says Bruce Jolesch, president and CEO at Garland, TX-based PXP Solutions, which already works with distributors who service the NCAA. “There are all types of unknowns that frankly haven’t been addressed yet. And no matter what happens this year, everything will change again in 12 to 24 months.”

San Francisco-area distributor Harry Ein, owner of Perfection Promo an affiliate of iPROMOTEu, works with professional sports teams, but doesn’t perceive the NCAA ruling as an opportunity to expand his business. “It’s bigger news for digital printing companies, like one-off shops,” Ein says. “I could see college athletes using social media to promote branded merch that could be printed-on-demand, but I don’t see them needing to hold inventory or anything like that. There’s only a handful of athletes around the country who could demand that type of interest and justify the cost of setting something like that up.”

Fresno State was among the first athletics departments to partner with Opendorse – a sports technology company that maximizes endorsement value for athletes – providing all of its student-athletes with the education and tools to maximize NIL rights. Fresno State twins Haley and Hanna Cavinder, star guards on the Bulldogs’ women’s basketball team, have already signed deals with Boost Mobile and Six Star Pro Nutrition. They’re considered among the top five most marketable players in women’s college basketball, according to Opendorse.

The twins’ earnings potential continues to explode on social media with a shared TikTok account that currently has 3.3 million followers, up from 2.9 million in April. They also have individual Instagram accounts with more than 250,000 followers, up from around 185,000 in April. A valuation prepared by the marketing platform estimated the Cavinders’ shared TikTok at more than $520,000 annually and their individual social media accounts at around $45,000 annually, The Fresno Bee reported. A single branded post on TikTok would be worth around $35,000.

By comparison, Saul Jimenez-Sandoval, the newly hired Fresno State president, is paid $348,423 (excluding benefits and other perks). Jaime White, the Bulldogs’ women’s basketball coach, makes $262,563 in base salary.

“Female athletes are more likely to have a significant following on social media,” Dana says. “By focusing on their brand identity and social media engagement, they created these followings before the ability to monetize, so they’re in a prime position to capitalize.”

Of course, with great power comes great responsibility. While student athletes have already been splitting their time between academics and sports, now they add entrepreneurship to the equation. Dana and Llorens suggest they build a support team before embarking on this endeavor, hiring legal counsel, a financial consultant and other experienced business professionals who they can trust.

“This is their first time making significant income, so they need advice on how to spend, invest and store,” Llorens says. “There’s eagerness to monetize themselves, but they need to temper that with a prudence to enter into these agreements with eyes wide open. They need people around them to make sure they don’t get taken advantage of.”

“If you thought the NCAA was bad, wait until you get before the IRS,” Dana adds.

Although it’s already too late for some eager college athletes, every marketing expert shares the sentiment that less is more. Instead of taking every deal that comes in, it’s important to be selective so you don’t dilute the value of your brand.

“You don’t want to have look back in a few years and see your social media posts plugging a bad restaurant chain,” says Larry Mann, partner at rEvolution, a sports marketing and media agency. “You would never eat there, but you promoted it for $300. Be authentic and work with companies you believe in.”

The U.S. Postal Service is moving forward with the planned price increases even though some federal legislators asked that they be postponed.

The U.S. Postal Service plans to move forward with price increases in August, despite the objections of some federal lawmakers.

On Monday, July 19 the Postal Regulatory Commission formally approved the proposed price increases, ruling that the hikes are consistent with commission orders, directives and regulations.

That greenlights the Postal Service to implement the rises as planned on Aug. 29. Overall, the Postal Service plans to raise prices by an average of about 6.9% on its “market dominant” offerings, which are First Class Mail letters, postcards and mail services. The cost to send catalogs, newspapers and magazines in particular is scheduled to rise 8.8%.

Notably, the Postal Service is not, at this point, increasing prices for First Class Package Service or Priority Mail.

Under the pending charge changes, the rate for a first-class mail letter (1 ounce) purchased at a post office will rise three cents to $0.58. If you buy the postage online, the metered rate for a first-class mail letter (1 ounce) will be $0.53, up from $0.51. With first-class mail, it will cost another $0.20 for each additional ounce – a charge that’s already in place.

Certified mail is poised to increase to $3.75 from $3.60, a $0.15 increase, while registered mail is rising to $13.75 from $12.90, an $0.85 increase. Media mail rates will increase by an average of 10.865%. For more on pricing, see here.

The expected August increase is the Postal Service’s second price hike of 2021. In January, the Postal Service hiked the rates on market-dominant products by 1.8% to keep pace with inflation. In January 2019, the Postal Service increased the price for first class stamps from $0.50 to $0.55 – the biggest ever price lift by the organization.

As Federal News Network reported earlier this month, both Democratic and Republican members of Congress asked Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and the Postal Service to postpone the planned August 2021 price hikes until January 2022.

“We have heard clearly from employers in our districts and across the nation that a second increase in a single year will be highly disruptive and result in significant job losses and significant reduction in their use of Postal Service mail services,” the lawmakers said in a statement. “Many of these companies, especially small businesses, cannot afford a second increase, saying such action will reduce revenues and lead to job losses.”

Postal Service officials have been adamant that the rate increases are necessary to help return the agency, which receives no tax dollar support, to solvency. The Postal Service experienced a $9.2 billion loss in 2020 that continued a decade’s run of annual losses.

The Postal Service says the August price changes will generate an additional $1.7 billion for the organization annually, though mail volume will decrease by 2.3%.

Current single piece letter-mail postage rates in the U.S. vs International. Source: US Postal Service.

“As part of our 10-year plan to achieve financial sustainability and service excellence, the Postal Service and the Board of Governors are committed to judiciously implementing a rational pricing approach that helps enable us to remain viable and competitive and offer reliable postal services that are among the most affordable in the world,” DeJoy said in a recent statement.

If fully implemented as envisioned, the Postal Service’s 10-year plan is designed to reverse a projected $160 billion in operating losses over the next 10 years.

The features could benefit marketers keen to leverage the social media platform.

TikTok is launching features that could help marketers engage audiences and grow followers on the video-sharing social media platform.

The upgrades center on live-streaming and a new advertising option.

For upcoming livestreams, TikTok creators can now make an event card to share on TikTok and other social networks. The cards include a call-to-action prompt that people can tap to get an in-app reminder about the event.

The next enhancement allows livestream viewers to post questions via a “Q&A” overlay on the screen – an option that debuted in January but that was only available on select creator profiles. Now, all livestreamers can use the Q&A overlay option, in addition to letting viewers post questions via the comments. The overlay puts a greater spotlight on questions – and thus potentially better engagement.

The third livestream upgrade allows the host and a guest to be featured split-screen style to viewers. This feature isn’t new, but had previously only been available to TikTokers with more than 5,000 followers. Now, all who are allowed to livestream on the platform – you need to be above 16 and have at least 1,000 followers – can use split-screen mode.

Meanwhile, TikTok has also just debuted Spark Ads. As Social Media Today explained, Spark Ads enable brands to “sponsor already trending organic content that aligns with their offerings, in order to get an association boost without having to create anything themselves, or even commission a creator to do so.”

Social Media Today continued: “Through Spark, brands can boost both their own organic posts and/or relevant content posted by creators, converting them into In-Feed Ads or TopView ads. … It could be a great way to maximize brand reach and resonance, which could come in particularly handy for marketers that are less familiar with the platform and may not have the budget or skills for original material.”

To see how brands have leveraged Spark Ads, check out TikTok’s case studies from users like Vessi, a Vancouver-based direct-to-consumer waterproof sneaker brand and Isle of Paradise, a beauty brand that created the world’s first 100% vegan, cruelty-free, color-correcting, self-tan. Other brands that have adopted Spark Ads include French online gaming app Lanslot and Australian sports streaming service Kayo Sports.

Dye-sublimation and sustainability dominated the trade show floor.

Yajaira Beltran didn’t know what to expect at ASI Show Chicago – her first promotional products trade show.

Only three months into her customer service role at Katy, TX-based BAW Athletic Wear, she entered the industry at such a unique time. As sales of personal protective equipment (PPE) have tapered off while the market emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, distributors are eager to present their clients with the latest products. “I definitely didn’t expect such a huge turnout,” Beltran said.

Charlotte, NC-based Paragon showcased shirts with UPF50+ for protection from the sun.

Suppliers returned to the show floor for the first time in nearly 16 months, unveiling their new collections in front of 2,400 distributors. Apparel companies had some of the busiest booths, which is no surprise considering T-shirts are the top product category, accounting for 12.8% of the industry’s total sales in 2020, according to ASI data. Hats and caps ranked fourth, followed by polos and sport shirts.

“Everybody has been asking about inventory,” said Lake Tankersley, sales manager at Garland, TX-based T-Shirt Tycoon Solutions. Aside from rejoicing over finally seeing familiar faces in person, the ongoing supply chain issues plaguing the industry dominated the conversation on the show floor. “We have an advantage because our full-custom solution allows you to make garments to order,” Tankersley said. “You have a longer lead time, but you’re guaranteed to get your product exactly as you want.”

Sustainability was the hottest trend at the ASI Show Chicago, influencing products in seemingly every category. SanMar, the largest supplier in the industry by revenue, showcased many new products made with 100% recycled materials, such as the Port Authority Recycled Performance Polo, Sport-Tek Re-Compete Tee and District Re-Blanket.

SanMar has added new products made with 100% recycled materials.

Meanwhile, Top 40 supplier Charles River Apparel has added another design to its recycled water bottle jacket and an animal print to the New Englander, its signature raincoat.

The leopard print New Englander is quite popular for Charles River Apparel.

Dye-sublimation was another trend with apparel companies boasting about their equipment, processes and product selection. Augusta Sportswear Brands displayed its cotton-touch tees and hoodies, designed with a polyester/spandex wicking knit that has a soft feel. Plus, with tie-dye all the rage again, the Augusta, GA-based supplier allows you to choose whichever colors you want splashed together onto a stock design.

Retro or timeless? Augusta Sportswear Brands has gone all in on tie-dye.

Charlotte, NC-based Paragon has also incorporated dye-sublimation, providing shirts with UPF50+ for protection from the sun. “It’s a hot trend in the outdoor lifestyle market right now,” said associate Stan Blair.

Socks were ubiquitous at ASI Show Chicago. Every aisle had a supplier presenting differing lengths, colors, designs and textures. For example, Dunbridge, OH-based Principle Business Enterprises, Inc. specializes in custom printed slipper socks.

“All of our products are printed with non-slip puff ink on the bottom, so they’re really good for trampoline parks, hospitals and schools,” said Sara Mellott, account executive at PromoTreds. “We recommend pitching them to party planners for weddings, mitzvahs, school dances, anywhere you’re taking your shoes off. Soon, we’ll be coming out with socks for yoga mats.”

Atlanta-based Sock Fancy celebrated ASI Show Chicago with these custom socks.

The danger to your promo products business is real, increasing and potentially devastating. Don’t fall prey.

It’s never been easier for crooks to rip off you and your promo company.

One wrong click and you can launch malware that cripples your network, rendering it inoperable, until you pay the hackers a ransom to have the system restored.

One fake buyer can convince an unwitting sales rep that an order is legit and get them to ship product the scammer never pays for. The next thing you know, your company is on the hook for a five-figure bill.

It’s the downside of the digital age – the fact that hackers and con artists have a high-speed, direct conduit to us through the tech tools that are foundational to how we now do business.

The sad part is these hackings and swindle attempts are increasing, and they’re likely to continue to do so, including at promotional products firms.

Consider this: In 2020, the FBI received almost 2,500 reports of ransomware attacks – up 66% from the prior year. The actual number of cases is likely far higher.

Meanwhile, ransomware victims paid cyber crooks four times more in cryptocurrency ransom payments in 2020 than they did in 2019 – some $350 million, according to Chainalysis, a firm that specializes in blockchain analysis. The estimated total cost to the U.S. economy of ransomware hackings reportedly tallies in the billions each year.

Another major bummer: Cybersecurity firm Sophos estimates that the average total cost of recovery from a ransomware attack has more than doubled in the last year, increasing from just over $760,000 in 2020 to $1.85 million in 2021.

Next consider the cons. Earlier this month, I reported how a distributor was left liable for paying for 10,000 flash drives after a schemer posed as a buyer for a major university and got the promo firm to fulfill the order, then never paid. Following the publishing of that report, I received an avalanche of feedback from distributors saying they’ve been hit with such scam attempts weekly – if not daily. No, these efforts to swindle aren’t new, but the word from the industry is that they’re rampant, increasing and, at least in cases, growing more sophisticated.

What’s a promo company to do? Be prepared as possible to the thwart the threats. Of course, part of that is ensuring your tech systems are as up-to-date and bulwarked as possible against cyber threats. But even if they are, that doesn’t remove the human element, which can bring things crashing down. How to handle the human variable? Invest in routine, ongoing cyber/scammer security education for company leaders and employees.

While some may dismiss the cons and ransomware attempts, saying they’re easy to spot with common sense, that kind of cockiness is dangerous. You’re only as strong as your weakest link, and what may be obvious to one employee or sales rep may not be so to others. Therefore, it's incumbent on leadership to do everything within reason to ensure each employee is as informed as possible so they don’t fall prey.

As far as cyber security goes, there’s an abundance of programs available that offer both web-based and/or in-person training. These programs can range in scope from awareness-raising to more comprehensive offerings that cover cyber security for every type of employee, from IT executives to general workers.

At the least, a cyber security education course should teach about spotting phishing scams, which are often the means through which ransomware attacks are launched. In a phishing scheme, hackers trick unsuspecting victims – like a business’ employees – into downloading or clicking a link or file that’s infected with malware. The malware then spreads rapidly through an entire system, encrypting it. The criminals then demand that victims pay them a ransom in exchange for a decryption key, which is used to free computers.

Depressing stat: Sophos found in its State of Ransomware report that only 8% of companies managed to get back all their data after paying a ransom, with 29% getting back no more than half.

Though it’s important to train workers in the technical details of a phishing attempt, it’s even more crucial to drill down to the psychology behind why such emails work. “People are rarely fooled by the detail and authenticity of phishing attacks, and much more so by the emotional hooks that they use to bypass rational consideration,” James Bore, director of Bores Security Consultancy, told ASI Media recently.

Promo firms also should, on an ongoing consistent basis, educate employees about cons aimed specifically at our industry. Take the flash drive scheme that hoodwinked the distributor, who was new to the industry.

It involved a crook emailing the company and pretending to be a procurement manager from Ohio University, Michael Pidcock, who wanted to buy 5,000 branded flash drives. Pidcock is an actual individual who works in procurement at the university – something the distributor looked into by checking on LinkedIn and on the educational institution’s website. You can read the full account here, but what it boils down to is that the distributor believed the order was legit and shipped flash drives and then another batch of 5,000 before realizing the ruse.

After the story published, some in the industry disparaged the distributor in social media comments and emails to ASI Media for being woefully naive. Still, there were others – more experienced folks included – who contacted ASI Media directly to say they’d fallen victim to such scams too, as some crooks do a remarkably good job of creating the appearance of authenticity.

That said, there were tells in the recent scam. The request for flash drives – decorated or blank – is a common request from the would-be con artists. So, incidentally, are blank T-shirts. Furthermore, the email address was doctored to closely resemble a genuine Ohio University email address, ending in a “@ohio-edu.org”. Even so, the “.org” should have raised a red flag; the legit address was “@ohio.edu”. Another clue that this was crookery was broader: It’s generally not easy to become a vendor for a major university. Why would one be reaching out to you out of the blue with a big order? That bears investigating.

Educating salespeople, customer service reps and other employees about such tipoffs to scams should be part and parcel of what promo firms do. No doubt, these types of swindles will evolve, so companies must stay alert and educate their workforces to emerging threats.

In the interconnected digital marketplace we all operate in, there are – very excitingly – more opportunities than ever to quickly grow your company. Unfortunately, there are more threats, too. Be wise to them and make prevention from being victimized a top priority. It could just save your business.

After 15 long months of heavy virus restrictions, the Great White North is finally seeing promising signs of recovery as provinces cautiously reopen.

No one knew just how bad it was going to get.

As COVID-19 spread across Canada’s provinces, emails stopped coming in and phones went silent at the country’s promo firms. While there was hope that the situation wouldn’t deteriorate as badly as it already was in the U.S., that hope was quickly dashed. The heady days of 2019 were officially over, and the North American promo market was headed for a generation-defining downturn, the likes of which it had never experienced before.

Streets were eerily empty as the government mandated that residents stay home, aside from trips to the grocery store and dog walks. That reality has improved for much of the country only in recent weeks, meaning that for many Canadians, their world for the past 15 months was limited to the four walls of their homes.

“We thought it would be over quickly,” says Nikki Sgro, a Toronto-based business development representative for HPG Brands. “As summer 2020 went by, we realized how serious this was. It was scary and unnerving. There was so much differing information, and no one really knew about COVID or the long-term implications.”

As of this writing, Canada has had more than 1.4 million positive cases and lost over 26,000 people. And while the actual number remains to be seen, early estimates indicate that more than 200,000 businesses will shutter due to long-term closures.

While each province managed its lockdown measures slightly differently, all eyes have been fixed on Ontario, the most populous. People there have been under nearly continuous lockdown and stay-at-home orders since October. At about eight months, it’s among the longest shutdowns in the world.

Finally, the government there is beginning a cautious three-phase reopening plan, but the economic and psychological damage has been done. “The prevailing feeling right now is exhaustion,” says Paul Wieleba, owner of multi-line firm {WE} Promotional Advertising in London, ON. “The market has changed so much, and there’s still incredible unpredictability. We don’t know from one day to another what’s going to happen. It’s hard not to be cynical, but the reopening plan is an iota of certainty when early on we didn’t have that.”

Now, the resourceful and determined promo firms of Canada are picking up the pieces and charting the path ahead, one they expect to look quite different from years past.

Where Things Stand
To the west of the country, Albertans are seeing some bright spots as the province reopens. In recent weeks, they expected a nearly identical strategy to neighboring British Columbia, which announced a four-step plan in May; they’re currently in Step 2 and awaiting the beginning of Step 3, which won’t be before July 1 and requires at least 70% of adults to have one dose of the vaccine. Sam Singh, president and CEO of Full Line Specialties in Surrey, BC, told ASI Media recently that, while he’s happy to be eating in restaurants again, promo there is still awaiting the return of more events for full recovery.

Meanwhile, the Albertan Open for Summer Plan will begin on July 1, said Premier Jason Kenney on June 19. It’s going to be much quicker than British Columbia’s.

“We’re excited,” says Russell Bird, owner of The Promo Addict in Sherwood Park, AB, and a competitive barbecuer who opened a retail shop during the pandemic. “We immediately sent an e-blast to all of our customers telling them to get their orders in. We wanted them to know that, because of demand, it was going to be difficult to get what they want if they waited until the last minute.”

Unfortunately, the smaller clients – those that ordered maybe a couple of times a year – have yet to come back. “Top customers are making the gears turn right now,” says Bird. “Our biggest clients are oil and gas, education and healthcare. We’re still seeing staff engagement items, some direct mail to homes and business from sports teams. Uniforming and team wear are coming back, but not a lot of giveaways and swag yet.”

Events this year are still an unknown, says Bird. While the Calgary Stampede is happening, the annual K Days festival won’t be because of a lack of adequate preparation time. Bird found out directly from organizers since they were in talks to provide promo for it.

“They might be allowed to have the event, but is it logistically feasible?” says Bird. “It’s still very confusing.”

To the east of Alberta, in Saskatchewan, spirits are high too as the province confidently moves to full reopening. Mike Yager, president of Spotlight Sport & Corporate Wear in Humboldt, says they anticipate that will happen by next month. Private get-togethers like weddings are beginning again, but large-scale public events that normally take place during the summer aren’t there yet.

“Cities across Canada weren’t open enough, and these organizers won’t just do an event in Saskatchewan and leave, so other provinces are holding us back,” says Yager. “People are especially excited to get back into stadiums, but we’re not sure yet how many they’ll allow. The Canadian Football League has a schedule for the fall, so that’s promising.”

In Quebec, promo demand is steadily returning as vaccination rates remain steady and cases drop to a nine-month low. Premier François Legault announced this week that the entire province will move into the green phase of its plan on June 28, which allows for larger gatherings. That’s great news for Stéphane Maurais, president of Alco Prevention Canada in Laval, QC, who says demand is steadily returning, particularly for their breathalyzers.

“People are celebrating the reopenings,” he says. “I can see a lot of blue sky for our single-use breathalyzers moving forward, so we’re optimistic.”

But the future is still very uncertain in neighboring Ontario, the country’s most populous province and a virus hotspot. On June 11, it finally entered the first of a three-phase plan, which, among other restriction lifts, finally allowed nonessential retail to open its doors at 15% capacity and reopened restaurant patios (with a cap of four people to a table) after eight months of nearly consecutive lockdown orders. While the province has reached high enough vaccination rates to move into the third phase weeks ahead of schedule, officials have yet to commit to a timeline.

Distributors are beginning to quote again, anticipating growing demand in the coming months, but still, “people are confused and stressed,” says Wieleba. “There are still so many restrictions. It’s mentally taxing. We’ve had more time in lockdown than any other province. But we’re hopeful. We were able to pivot to PPE and now more traditional promo is coming back.”

Even with those bright spots, there are concerns about the future of many small firms across Canada and, subsequently, the suppliers and distributors that normally serve them. “This has been devastating for small businesses,” says Sgro. “So many are going under. There are ‘closed’ signs everywhere.”

Jamie McCabe, president of London, ON-based McCabe Promotional Advertising says his team was able to “make up ground” over the past four months, and there’s a renewed push to really get to know their best clients to better serve them moving forward. But it’s going to take some time to get back to a semblance of normalcy.

“The industry is certainly hurting right now,” he says. “May and June have been busy, but I’ve been telling my team to try to capitalize on the good part of the year that’s coming up in the fall. Programs and ship-to-home are booming right now, though we did just have someone ask about shipping 900 boxes to one location. We can definitely do that.”

It’s especially hard for the sales and marketing professionals that populate promo, says Shaun Lichtenberger, president of Brand Blvd in St Catharines, ON, and a past Counselor Best Place to Work. “There are so many personalities in this industry that just aren’t meant to be caged,” he says. “They couldn’t do anything for so long, and it wears on people.”

Fortunately, the recent reopening measures in Ontario have allowed Brand Blvd to start welcoming people back to the office, and they’re eager to return. In fact, the company was about to open a brand-new building just as COVID hit last year, so returning employees are finally able to enjoy their new digs. “They want to see people and hear voices, and we’re excited to get back,” says Lichtenberger. “We’re very close as a team and we want to see each other.”

Lingering Challenges to Recovery
As the Canadian and U.S. promo markets try to get back to business, supply chain disruption – marked by sky-high raw material and container costs, disappearing inventory, lengthy delivery delays and staff shortages – continues to put a damper on recovery.

Fortunately, domestic manufacturer Redwood Classics Apparel in Toronto maintains deep inventory of raw materials and components, says Kathy Cheng, founder and president. With promo demand drying up quickly last spring, she and her team were able to create premium face masks when supplies were critically low across the country. That led to the #MadeForGood campaign, which distributed coverings to needy populations through a giveback component.

“We were able to donate to our country and the people who needed protection the most,” says Cheng.

A year later, Cheng says they’re still contending with arrival delays of raw materials that her team needs to produce apparel. If the component comes from the U.S., it’s staffing shortages that are slowing things. Overseas orders come with more logistics issues. “Other people’s backlog is aggregated to us,” she says. “The risk is lower for us, but we still need to replenish the ingredients and we’re working through that now.”

Meanwhile, Sgro and her team are meeting returning demand for more traditional promo as best they can, in particular cooler bags for employees returning to the office as well as outdoor event attendees, who also want yoga mats, blankets, camping chairs and drinkware. Demand for personalization is high right now as a way to avoid accidental sharing. She says she also expects sanitizer to remain popular, especially for events (which make up 80% of her company’s business). But the supply chain has put a damper on full recovery.

“It’s difficult to fill the larger orders,” she says. “It’s like going back in time, especially with programs. We used to tell them to order only what they needed and hold no stock. Now, they better order extra and hold onto it because we’re not sure what inventory will be available.”

The return of the usual promo items is encouraging, but the psychological effects of long-term shutdowns remain. “We’ve been excited to open up and then there’s another lockdown, so we’re skittish and trigger-shy,” says Sgro. “Distributors are constantly quoting right now, and there’s more competition than ever.”

Although Saskatchewan is making strides in its reopening process and many clients are ready to start purchasing again, Yager says it’s been challenging to expand their customer pool. While they were looking forward to recovery in the second or third quarter, it’s been moved back to the third or fourth, he says.

“We’re going to customers who normally buy from us, not brand-new prospects, and they didn’t buy last summer so they still have stuff in boxes that they haven’t used yet,” he says. “So, they’re not ready to buy. Those that are purchasing have much smaller order sizes than normal.”

Yager says he did receive a few small orders recently for regional teams’ sports jerseys, an improvement on 2020 when he had exactly zero. But supply chain delays are a lingering concern.

“It’s important to keep the dialogue going with suppliers and customers and always offer them alternatives,” says Yager. “One of our clients waited six months for sweatpants last year. Situations like the Suez Canal blockage help us explain to customers what’s going on.”

Meanwhile, the ongoing Canada-U.S. border closure to nonessential travel (now until July 21) has been a source of tension for those who rely on cross-border travel and commerce. Although the Canadian government says it will ease some quarantine requirements in the coming weeks, long-term lack of business in tourist-heavy areas like St. Catharines – about 20 minutes west of Niagara Falls – has been challenging to recovery.

“U.S. tourism here is nonexistent,” says Lichtenberger. “Officials are going to delay the border reopening as long as they can, so we’re thinking by the end of July-ish. Families that live across the border haven’t seen each other since they closed it last March. But we’re very aggressive on vaccinations here, so we’re looking forward to a strong end of summer into Q4.”

Looking Ahead
In the short term, Yager says he hopes supply chain issues will start to resolve themselves as the world strikes its post-COVID balance, barring any new strains or spikes in cases. “It’s still a dire situation in promo,” he says. “Everyone’s just trying to grab as many clients and orders as they can. We’re not at 2019 numbers yet, and government subsidies are still keeping a lot of companies alive. But normalcy feels more real here now.”

Meanwhile, in Ontario, movement toward Step 2 (based on vaccination rates) continues, but the next phase won’t begin before July 2. Sgro fears there’s a chance they could see case counts increase and shutdowns begin again.

This is the “hang tight” year, says Lichtenberger, as the province moves slowly and cautiously toward reopening. “I’m worried about smaller companies in general,” he says. “How long can they hold on? Government subsidies are beginning to wane. We’re seeing who survived and who didn’t. But being able to sell to U.S. customers does help our mental state and reminds us we’re not far behind.”

Also to be considered is the long-term impact on the industry. Cheng is confident that current supply chain upheaval will lead to more demand for domestically made items, which aligns with her company’s brand and mission.

“Younger consumers now want to know where a product came from, its quality and the impact of a brand,” she says. “What we represent – supporting local and diversity – is so relevant now after the year we’ve had. It’s sustainability, which is people, planet and profit. Companies will have to look at more sustainable business models. We’ll have to bring value, not sell on price. We’re elevating the industry and there are real positives to that.”

Firms will be forced to add value if they weren’t already, says Wieleba. “We’ll see more strategic partnerships between suppliers and more M&A as distributors consolidate with other distributors and marketing agencies,” he adds. “This past year really showed that we’re more than ‘swag slingers.’ We brought so much value. There’s more awareness now of our capabilities, like sourcing PPE. Competition will grow.”

If it wasn’t clear before that just selling product based on price would soon go away, COVID, and the competitiveness it spawned, made that more obvious than ever.

“The days of the order-taker are gone,” says McCabe. “The days of the transactional sales rep are gone. We need to be proactive partners. Those that take the time to build deep relationships with clients will get through this more quickly.”

It’s a new era in promo that’s been a long time in coming, but that COVID accelerated forward, says Cheng. “Embrace the reset,” she says. “It’s debilitating to those who are resistant or don’t have the appetite to evolve. But the world is evolving whether we like it or not.”

Both global retailers have a presence in the promo products industry.

In the never-ending race to be the United States’ largest retailer, Amazon is on Walmart’s heels and about to overtake its competitor.

That, at least, is what analysts from JPMorgan Chase predicted in a recent research note. Researchers from the multinational bank/financial services firm said Amazon could outpace Walmart and become the largest U.S. retailer as soon as 2022.

Jeff Bezos, founder, Amazon

“The dramatic growth of e-commerce over the past 18 months has accelerated Amazon’s rise to dominance, and even the largest traditional retailer may soon fall behind,” the JPMorgan analysts told FX Empire in a statement.

Amazon captured 39% of U.S. e-commerce sales in 2020, an increase over the prior year. JPMorgan analysts shared that the COVID-19 pandemic “pulled forward three years of e-commerce growth” and Amazon capitalized.

A Seattle-headquartered multinational technology company that specializes in everything from e-commerce and cloud computing to artificial intelligence, Amazon increased its total first quarter 2021 revenue by 44% year over year to $108.5 billion.

Net income increased to $8.1 billion in Q1 2021, or $15.79 per diluted share. That compared with net income of $2.5 billion, or $5.01 per diluted share, in the first quarter 2020.

Promotional products firms sell on Amazon’s e-commerce marketplace. Amazon also offers promo-related services like Merch by Amazon, which lets independent designers sell personalized T-shirts and other items, with Amazon handling production, shipping and collection. In 2020, Amazon expanded its print-on-demand offerings.

Walmart sells promotional products directly through a partnership with promo distributor Harland Clarke. The Texas-based company operates Walmart PromoShop, where a wide array of promotional products are for sale.

At a food truck and music festival in northern New Jersey recently, there were almost no promo products to be had.

With the pandemic finally showing signs of receding, events both big and small are popping up all over the country. People are looking for reasons to get outside, and they have money to spend. The promo industry should be working hand-in-hand with clients to ensure they’re getting their brand message out with clever and useful swag and merchandise.

This past weekend, I attended the Mine Hill Food Truck & Music Festival in northern New Jersey – my first event in a long time. It was strange seeing a few hundred people roaming around maskless. It felt normal, if you remember that feeling. However, there were very few promo products to be had. It was a missed opportunity for both local and major brands. I was there for just over an hour, enjoyed a cheesesteak and toured the area. There were only three vendors with promotional items on display. The one nationally known brand was Cutco Knives, which had a tent set up with some products – including kitchen utensils of all kinds, as well as pots, pans and other smaller branded items, like bags.

Cutco Knives had their wares spread on a branded tablecloth.

Two local businesses set up shop at the festival. One of the food trucks, Taxi Cab Burger, pitched branded tents with tables underneath, offering shade from the 90-degree heat. It was the only food truck out of about 15 that offered a place to sit with a shade option. Naturally, it was packed with business as customers looked to enjoy their meal out of the sun-kissed field.

Taxi Cab Burger offered relief from the heat at tables under logoed tents.

Finally, the most impressive display of branding was from Butch’s Hot Sauce, which had a tent set up along with a display of eight different sauces available for sample and purchase. My family and I sampled several flavors before buying a mild BBQ garlic sauce. Along with the purchase, we received a labeled bag, along with stickers and a business card. Custom stickers and sticker sheets are a low-cost promo, ideal for helping small businesses boost brand awareness.

Butch’s Hot Sauce gave out branded stickers with purchase of its sauce.

These were the only companies with branded items on display. No one else was selling merch or giving away promo items. This could be partially because of COVID, as there was still social distancing being enforced and cashless payments encouraged. Regardless of the reasons, however, it was a huge missed opportunity.

An even bigger missed opportunity was at the event’s beer garden. Locally brewed drinks were available for tasting and purchased, but the samples were all in clear shot glasses. Why not pour drink samples in glasses branded either with the event logo or the logo of the beer being sold? The logoed glasses could be given away or sold as a way to commemorate the event. A sticker or other small item with the brewery logo could help drinkers keep track of their favorite samples.

Even the food trucks themselves could have made a more lasting impression by giving out small items, such as stickers, magnets or cups, with a food purchase. COVID precautions may prevent some businesses from handing out swag, but with the country rapidly reopening and people returning to festivals like this one, there’s a lot of opportunity for distributors to help clients promote themselves after a year of being stuck inside.

The holiday season is promo’s busiest time. Want to fully capitalize? Encourage clients to order in advance or risk the worst.

The distributor executive was emphatic.

Go, he implored his sales team, to your clients now and start proactively planning for the holiday gifting season. Stress to them, he said, the wisdom of ordering their year-end branded merchandise in as far advance as possible. That, he explained, will give those customers the best chance of securing the products they desire when they want them.

It may seem an odd exhortation given that summer hasn’t even officially started, but in fact the executive’s directive should be followed by every distributor in the North American promotional products industry – starting immediately.

Why? Because the supply chain issues that have triggered rising prices, inventory shortfalls, longer production times and related fiascos within promo appear here to stay for 2021 – and potentially into 2022.

The supply chain challenges, which are affecting virtually every industry and which in general are beyond the control of promo suppliers, have potential to worsen amid the Q4 sales crush, possibly exacerbating stock scarcity and delays in order fulfillment.

Indeed, the autumn run up to year’s end is traditionally promo’s busiest time as clients order items to gift to employees and their own customers, which means demand on already stressed industry stock levels could intensify, making it harder to find first-choice products and alternatives when those are depleted.

If you want answers about why there are inventory shortfalls, rising product prices, service issues etc. in the #promoproducts industry, plus info on where things are headed, give this a look. https://t.co/xkpA21H12a @asicentral @Melissa_ASI @Tim_Andrews_ASI @ASI_MBell

— Chris Ruvo (@ChrisR_ASI) June 4, 2021

Because many suppliers, like companies across industries, are struggling to establish adequate staffing levels given the economy’s current jobs glut, delays in getting orders decorated and shipped could possibly lengthen. Add to that the fact that domestic transport carriers are stretched and could be further so given all the late-year shopping activity…and in promo the reality is that last-minute orders just might not make it on time as they have in the past during the fourth quarter.

Of course, no one has a crystal ball. Things may turn out far better. More shipping containers may suddenly become available, more space on cargo ships/planes may magically open up, and port congestion and domestic transport problems that hold up deliveries may alleviate, all of which would make it more feasible for suppliers to import necessary inventory and restock quickly to satisfaction. Job market dynamics could switch too: Employers could again be in the driver’s seat with a wealth of eager workers to choose from, helping them to hire in full and fulfill orders faster.

But those sunny-day scenarios don’t seem likely to happen – at least not all of them at once. Do you really want to rely on things “just working out”?

Better to hope for the best and plan for the worst. And in this case, that means proactively planning now with clients for Q4 and getting orders in early wherever possible. Listen, I live in the real world too. I know some clients just aren’t going to want to hear it and are going to put off ordering until the last minute. There’ll also be unforeseen opportunities and complications that arise in the fourth quarter and you’ll just have to react and adapt. Still, every order you can get in early – especially those bigger ones with key clients – is one less you have to handle when the Q4 frenzy is in full swing.

Do yourselves and your clients a favor: Act now.

Emissions abatement. Climate positivity. Circularity. Net-zero. Carbon offsets. Blockchain. Ethical sourcing. Bio-based materials.

The word “sustainability” encompasses so much that -as a simple definition- it’s at risk of losing its impact.

Though it’s hard for us to get our arms around this topic, there is one thing that is no longer in question: today’s buyer is more conscientious about their spending, more attuned to the impact of their buying habits on the planet, and more passionate about social responsibility than ever before.

Over the past few weeks, I have been having discussions with industry leaders in sustainability, in preparation for our Product Summit. In one conversation, Kathy Cheng with Redwood Classics Apparel said to me that we should simplify this big topic and keep in mind that we’re talking about conscious consumption, or simply, being a more conscientious buyer/seller.

Further, she said that the sustainability topic falls under a bigger conversation around being intentional with how our businesses impact both our world-at-large and our communities at home. Diversity. Gender equality. Race. Climate change. Fairtrade. Labor. These topics are no longer fringe topics relegated to a small segment of our society and therefore easy for businesses to brush aside in the name of profit, these issues are now mainstream.

You can see this rise peak through one very important window of our world: how we search. Search results are a window into the mind of our culture. Search indicates what people are thinking about and how they are thinking about it.

According to Google’s search trends report in 2020, “how to change the world” was searched twice as much as “how to go back to normal.”

If approved, the statewide legislation could help promo distributors sell alternatives like totes.

While Pennsylvania is currently being sued over a law that prevents cities from enacting bans on single-use plastic, one legislator has gone a step further, proposing a statewide prohibition on plastic bags.

If such legislation goes into effect, it can potentially create opportunities to sell more branded reusable alternatives like tote bags. That could be a boon to promotional products distributors. Depending on the exact nature of the bans, however, costs may go up for retailers, which could result in them having less money for marketing purposes.

Rep. Brian Sims of Philadelphia has introduced House Bill 1382 to create a 15-cent paper bag fee that’s split between businesses and environmental programs, The Times Observer reported. If a business has annual revenue of less than $1 million, all paper bag fees would be refunded. If a business’ revenues are between $1 million and $10 million, 50% of the fees would be refunded. Any business with revenues more than $10 million would receive no refund.

Also, any Pennsylvania business that gives out plastic bags would face a $50 fine for the first violation, a $100 fine for the second violation and a $200 fine for a third or subsequent violation. Pennsylvanians use an estimated 4.6 billion plastic bags each year, according to the Independent Fiscal Office.

“To protect our environment for generations to come, it is time we find a way to move on from using plastic and paper bags,” Sims wrote. “They are one piece of the puzzle of daily conveniences that are damaging our environment and contributing to climate change, which is one of the greatest threats to not only the Commonwealth, but our world.”

Thank you for this, @BrianSimsPA! I know this is a hard fight for PA and other states. This should be a thing, for sure. @PennFuture
Legislation would ban use of plastic bags, impose fee for paper bag use https://t.co/kIzkeF9qQN via @fox43

— An Atypical Chick ⭐☀️🌕🌍 (@WomynRD) May 20, 2021

Enacted in 2019, Philadelphia’s bag ban was set to begin in January 2021, but Mayor Jim Kenney announced it would be delayed for the second time due to the pandemic’s impact on local businesses. Philadelphians use an estimated 1 billion plastic bags a year, according to Clean Air Council attorney Logan Welde. Many of them end up as litter on city streets and in trees and waterways. It can cost millions of dollars each year to clean up, WHYY reported.

The war on plastic has been raging for years now. Since 2016, 10 states – California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Washington – have banned single-use plastic bags. Major cities with such bans include Boston, Chicago and Seattle. In 2019, state lawmakers introduced at least 95 bills related to plastic bags, either outright banning them or placing a fee on them. Ban proponents say the pollution spoils natural habitat and poses a danger to wildlife, which can choke on or become caught in the disposables.

In case you missed it - here's an updated timeline of Philadelphia's plastic bag ban, after the lawsuit against the state of PA earlier this month. More: https://t.co/ZRz5UKEZbo pic.twitter.com/tEL6YxOfUO

— Green Philly (@greenphillyblog) March 25, 2021

After several plastic bag bans were temporarily lifted at the beginning of the pandemic due to safety concerns, now the “green wave” has risen again in 2021, as Colorado and Rhode Island have considered anti-plastic legislation. In February, George Washington University announced that it will be eliminating single-use plastics from campus. Other schools such as Georgetown University and the University of Montana are also pushing for a similar ban on single-use plastics.

In 1950, the world’s population of 2.5 billion produced 1.5 million tons of plastic, according to Surfers Against Sewage, a marine conservation charity based in the United Kingdom. In 2016, a global population of more than 7 billion people produced more than 320 million tons of plastic. The 2016 tally is set to double by 2034. Every day, approximately 8 million pieces of plastic pollution find their way into oceans, according to Surfers Against Sewage.

Though few companies plan to give up their office space completely, many are exploring the possibility of a hybrid model that gives employees the flexibility they crave.

The CDC relaxed masking guidelines for the fully vaccinated – a change that has paved the way for workers across the country to return to the office, if they hadn’t already done so. In many ways, however, the coronavirus pandemic has permanently altered the landscape of work – with more employers making remote and hybrid opportunities a fixture of company culture.

And for many employees, remote work opportunities are becoming less of a perk and more of a requirement. A survey by professional network Blind reported that 64% of workers at the biggest companies preferred permanent work-from-home over a $30,000 raise. (In ASI Media’s admittedly unscientific recreation of the poll, the results were decidedly different, with the vast majority of Twitter poll respondents opting for cold, hard cash over the comforts of a home office.)

A recent survey found that many employees at some of the largest companies would forego a big pay raise in favor of permanent remote work. Which would you choose?

— Theresa Hegel (@TheresaHegel) May 18, 2021

When ASI Research surveyed promo products salespeople in 2019, 26% of respondents chose an enjoyable workplace environment and culture as their number-one job attribute, followed closely by high compensation (25%) and strong work/life balance (23%).

The bottom line? In a post-pandemic world, flexible work arrangements have a lot of appeal for a wide range of workers.

“I never want to go back to a five-day weekly commute, even though I only work about 15 minutes away,” says Jason Storms, account manager at Printcbf in Cedar Knolls, NJ. “I don’t mind commuting whenever it’s needed, but I just think it’s a bit unnecessary to have to come in every day. The companies that refuse to change will have a hard time adjusting to the new standard.

“I wouldn’t take a new job unless they stated I could work remotely,” Storms says.

Brayden Jessen, owner of Zome Design in Spokane, WA, has also noticed that job seekers crave flexibility. The decoration shop had several ads out for full-time employees, but didn’t get responses until it mentioned that part-time work was also available.

“Right now, I see employees having a lot of leverage on companies,” Jessen says. “Companies are having to be more adaptable to how employees want to work. People have gotten used to being at home, having a more flexible schedule with kids, dogs, running errands, working out, etc., and they want to continue that lifestyle without being tied to a desk 8-5. If companies can adapt to that, maybe we’ll have a much happier, productive workforce.”

The tech world in particular has welcomed the idea of fully remote work. Last year, Dropbox announced that it would become a “virtual first” company and embrace “nonlinear workdays” that allow employees to design their own schedules. Facebook and Twitter continue to embrace remote work. Spotify has a work-from-anywhere policy that lets its 6,550 employees choose whether they want to be in an office, remote or at a coworking space that the company will pay a subscription for. Employees will also have more choice over the city, state or even country where they want to work.

“This is an opportunity to scrap the idea that big cities were the only places where meaningful work can happen because we know firsthand that isn’t true,” Travis Robinson, head of diversity, inclusion and belonging at Spotify, told Insider.

At the opposite end of the spectrum are sectors like finance, which have largely rejected the notion that work-from-home is the new normal. David Solomon, CEO of Goldman Sachs, called remote work an “aberration” that needs to be fixed “as quickly as possible.” Jamie Dimon, CEO of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co, said remote work makes building “culture and character” nearly impossible and limits the kinds of impromptu collaboration and innovation that often happens before or after formal meetings.

Embracing Hybrid

In the promo products industry, about 48% of companies have returned to the office at their pre-pandemic capacity, with another 38% back in the office at a reduced capacity, according to ASI research. Only about 14% of promo firms have not yet returned and have no plans to do so in the next year.

(ASI Research)

In both the survey results and email responses to ASI Media, it’s clear that promo companies are embracing a variety of approaches, including full returns to the office. And though fully remote staffs are rare for promo companies, many industry leaders say they are more open to hybrid setups – where some employees are remote at least some of the time and others stay in the office.

Many suppliers and decorators with production facilities and warehouses have been back to the office for many months, especially if they were initially designated essential. Richardson Seating, a Chicago-based supplier of high-end bar stools, brought employees back slowly, one to two at a time shortly after the start of the pandemic, according to owner Ira Lichtenstein. The company separated workers, changed the entrance location, ditched the breakroom and limited the bathroom to one person at a time. Masks and safety glasses are mandatory as well. Once the vaccine was available, Richardson offered employees a $500 incentive to get the jab – $250 per shot.

“People were excited to be able to go back to some normalcy,” Lichtenstein says. “We didn’t have a single person refuse to come back. Everyone wanted to work.”

The staff of Citadel Brands has been back in the office for a while too. “Employees were literally begging to return,” says Greg Brown, chief operating officer and president of the Charlotte, NC-based supplier.

“Right now, I see employees having a lot of leverage on companies. Companies are having to be more adaptable to how employees want to work.” Brayden Jessen, Zome Design

Employees who aren’t needed in the warehouse have the flexibility to work from home if they want, Brown says. His controller, for example, is remote about 60% of the time. Citadel Brands also ramped up its basic apparel offerings during the pandemic, figuring there would be a need once things calmed down. By September, Brown says, “Orders were flowing in, and I was hiring people again. I could not keep up.” The small supplier went from a dozen employees prior to the pandemic to 19 staffers now.

Top 40 distributor Zorch has been working in a 100% virtual environment since the pandemic began, thanks to streamlined processes and digital systems, according to Mike Wolfe, president. However, he adds, “We really love our office culture and have planned to get back into the office after the Fourth of July holiday.”

Zorch does plan to implement a permanent hybrid schedule once the office reopens, so that employees can split their work time between the office and home for more flexibility and better work/life balance. Custom printing company Plastic Card City in Irvington, NY, was also able to shift its operations online seamlessly, and once they did, employees discovered they liked it better than being in the office, according to Daniel Rush, managing partner. “Everyone liked working remotely, travel time was eliminated and people have become more productive,” Rush says. “Now 95% of our business operations are online, and our clients have no problems with our format.”

Thanks to technology and hybrid office setups, several promo companies are expanding their ideas of whether an employee needs to live locally. Yvette Hymel, owner of Proforma Key Solutions in New Orleans, had an employee whose husband is in the Coast Guard. They were relocated to Guam – more than half a day ahead of the Gulf Coast. Though the employee initially thought she’d have to leave the company, Hymel was able to switch the administrative coordinator position to be fully remote – with the employee starting her days at 3:30 a.m. Chamorro Standard Time and finishing in the late morning. “She still has her whole day to spend with her husband and puppy to do whatever it is she wants to do, and we get to have her back and know that she’s helping us to stay on track,” Hymel says.

Buzztag in Bend, OR, has an office space with an industrial-chic vibe. Though owner Brenda Speirs is open to the idea of remote work, she has no plans to get rid of her office space – which has also functioned as a community space pre-pandemic.

Brenda Speirs, head of Bend, OR-based Buzztag, recently hired a woman who lives across the country – in Connecticut – to work on account management, bookkeeping and, eventually, sales. “This is an experiment,” Speirs admits. “I’m a little nervous that we can coach her the way she needs to be, but I know her, and I know her capability. I think it’s actually going to work great.”

Speirs says she’s always been open to the idea of remote work for her staff, but at the same time, she has no plans to get rid of her office space because it’s a “really nice place to be in and work every day.” Decorated with an industrial chic vibe that includes wide, open spaces and a faux kitchen counter, the office was designed to be a community space, and Speirs hopes to reopen it to the public so nonprofits can set up meetings or marketers can swing by to “poach” the internet. “I still want that,” she says, “and once COVID is in check, I want to keep this office as part of being the center of the community.”

Karl Racine says the e-commerce leader illegally controls online prices.

Karl Racine, attorney general for the District of Columbia, has sued Amazon on antitrust grounds, alleging that the e-commerce corporation manipulates online prices to eliminate competition.

Racine asserts that Amazon’s tactics have led to price hikes that are unfair for consumers and that thwart innovation.

BREAKING: Today my office filed an antitrust lawsuit against Amazon for illegally abusing and maintaining its monopoly power by controlling prices across the online retail market and violating DC law.

— AG Karl A. Racine (@AGKarlRacine) May 25, 2021

Filed in Washington, D.C. Superior Court, the lawsuit asserts that Amazon has used contract terms to prohibit third-party sellers on its online marketplace from selling their products for lower prices on other platforms, thereby leveraging a monopoly power.

The practice manipulates pricing in the online commerce arena, making prices higher than they would be if fair market conditions were able to prevail, according to the attorney general’s office. At the end of the day, Amazon’s imposed agreement on third-party sellers hurts consumers and the sellers themselves by stifling choice, innovation and competition, Racine maintains.

Following some scrutiny, Amazon in 2019 removed a clause in its business solutions agreement, which third-party sellers must agree to in order to sell on the platform, that barred sellers from offering their wares on competitors’ web marketplaces for lower prices than what they sell for on Amazon.

Still, Racine says Amazon just replaced that clause with another that has essentially the same effect. Referred to as the “fair pricing policy,” the clause empowers Amazon to “impose sanctions” on sellers that retail their products at a lower price elsewhere online.

Racine’s aim with the lawsuit is to get Amazon to stop enacting what he describes as its illegal price manipulation practices. He’s also seeking damages and penalties.

Beyond being an e-commerce marketplace, Seattle-headquartered Amazon functions as a multinational technology whose business activities touch everything from cloud computing and artificial intelligence, to entertainment. In the first quarter of 2021, Amazon increased revenue by 44% year over year to $108.5 billion.

Over roughly the last decade, Amazon has grown into a source of concern and opportunity for the $20.7 billion North American promotional products industry. Certain promo companies actively sell on the platform, generating what some have described as good returns. Still, developments that include Merch by Amazon, a service that enables users to online-order custom-fit T-shirts with personalized labels, and an on-demand apparel manufacturing system have caused some branded merchandise pros to view Amazon as a major competitive threat to the promotional products industry.

Mental health experts deliver strategies for managing stress associated with returning to a ‘post-pandemic’ world.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Eric Johnson was a road warrior.

Now, the prospect of returning to frequent travel fills the vice president of sales and development at Minnesota-based promotional products supplier with something not far from dread.

“I’ve become comfortable with my new lifestyle – with being at home with my wife and doing things with her,” Johnson admits. “Plus, the technology we’ve come to rely on during the pandemic enables us to do our jobs very effectively. Having to cover the high cost of travel is a concern too.”

Johnson is among the people in the promo industry and beyond experiencing what some mental health experts have come to call “back-to-normal” anxiety or “post-pandemic” anxiety. Put basically, this is a sense of discomfort, worry and/or distress associated with the reopening of society and return to something like what life was like prior to the outbreak of COVID-19.

The phenomenon has been increasingly experienced as vaccination rollouts accelerate, restrictions on businesses and events loosen or lift, and as more companies look to return workers to some level of in-office work. The sense of anxiety can vary from mild to severe, ranging from some who feel occasional nagging worry to those experiencing near crippling fear for everything from their health to social phobia related to interacting in person with people again.

Mental health experts say that it’s normal to experience such emotions, especially given the stressors and outright trauma of the past year of pandemic and the uncertainty that comes with how things will go in the months ahead as routines established during the hunkering down of COVID are subject to change. But while the worry is normal, it doesn’t mean you’re powerless against it.

“Anxiety thrives in the unknowns and ‘back-to-normal’ anxiety is just that, an unknown,” says Dr. Geri-Lynn Utter (pictured). “However, there are ways to manage this anxiety.”

“The expectation is that we’re to ‘go back to normal’ and readapt and readjust to a whole new world, post-COVID,” says Dr. Geri-Lynn Utter, a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with individuals diagnosed with both substance use disorders and severe mental illness.

Utter continued: “This adaptation can be scary, anxiety-provoking. But what’s fascinating about human beings is our ability to adapt. We may feel anxious and fearful, but the vast majority of us will adapt to whatever the ‘new normal’ may be. Anxiety thrives in the unknowns and ‘back-to-normal’ anxiety is just that, an unknown. However, there are ways to manage this anxiety.”

Indeed, here are 12 strategies from mental health professionals to help you do just that.

1. Develop a post-pandemic life plan. This can bring a sense of focus and clarity that helps dispel or lessen the uncertainty where anxiety breeds. It can include planning to retain, where feasible, elements of pandemic life that you’ve come to enjoy, from simple things like continuing to have groceries delivered, to more complicated ones like keeping your commitments and to-do list lighter.

Amanda Stemen recommends that you develop this plan in line with your personal values. “If that includes maintaining a slower pace of life and/or spending more quality time with a close circle of loved ones, make choices that continue to support that,” advises Stemen, a licensed therapist and owner of FUNdaMENTAL Growth, a therapy, coaching and consulting business in Los Angeles. “The choices might be difficult, such as quitting a job or not reconnecting with certain friends, but ultimately the more we live in line with our values the less anxiety we’ll experience overall.”

2. Engage in journaling. This involves writing down anything and everything that’s on your mind, especially matters that are troubling you, says Pareen Sehat, a registered clinical counselor and certified mental health professional with Canada-based Well Beings Counselling. “I believe there’s nothing more effective than journaling to overcome the fear and anxiety of going back to normal in the current circumstances,” proclaims Sehat. “This will clear your mind of all the fears and will direct your thoughts to a path that leads to a brighter destination.”

“There’s nothing more effective than journaling to overcome the fear and anxiety of going back to normal,” says Pareen Sehat (pictured), a registered clinical counselor.

3. Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing your awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting your feelings, thoughts and bodily sensations. It can be highly therapeutic. Utter notes that the mindfulness app Headspace can help.

“Mindfulness allows us to recognize what we have control over (ourselves and our responses) and what we don’t have control over (pretty much everything else),” says Stemen, “so that we can make the best decisions to move ourselves forward. Mindfulness also gets us out of our heads where we’re telling ourselves stories that may or may not be true. Those stories can negatively impact our lives.”

4. Give meditation a go. Meditation can help reduce stress, control anxiety, promote emotional health and lead to enhanced self-awareness and a broader perspective that, among other things, will help you achieve mindfulness. This article has 12 good tips for meditation beginners. Few things to keep in mind: As you start trying to meditate, take a few minutes to wind down first and begin with slow deep breaths to calm the body. Find a quiet space to meditate in, try not to fidget, and, as you go forward, simply breathe.

5. Take it slow. Decide what tasks you’re most interested in returning to in the “post-pandemic” world and start integrating them back into your routines one at a time, says Dr. Jeremy Enzor, a faculty member at Walden University and certified counselor with 14 years of clinical experience in community mental health and private practice.

“If the thought of going full-force back into your pre-COVID life is overwhelming, take small steps to where you want to be,” adds Kellie Brown, licensed mental health counselor and owner of Quiet Water Counseling in Florida. “Maybe you miss hanging with all your friends on a Friday night, but the thought of seeing everyone at one time is too much. If so, think about scheduling a smaller event with just one or two people at a time. You don’t have to jump right back into your previous social life right away.”

6. Prep for the new workday routine. One thing eating at a lot of folks is the prospect of returning to in-office work after a year of working from home. If an in-office return is something you’re not keen on but can’t avoid, Dr. Andrew Mendonsa, a California-based clinical and forensic psychologist, suggests that you practice your former morning and work routine every day. “If you know you’re due to return to the workplace in a month, start soon by waking up as if you need to in order to grab a train or commute to work,” Mendonsa advises. “Re-form these habits as much as possible to avoid shell shock when ‘the day’ comes. Be sure to build in mental health breaks throughout the day when you do return to work.”

7. Reduce news watching and social media time. “Take your news in small chunks – get what you need regarding updates and weather and tap-out,” says Utter. “The same applies with social media platforms. If you notice your heart racing and your brow sweating while scrolling through feeds, then shut them down.”

Try progressive muscle relaxation, advises Dr. Tasha Holland-Kornegay (pictured). This method consists of intentionally putting tension on the muscles and then intentionally releasing the tension.

8. Perform tasks that require simple repetition. Certain tasks that require repetitive activity can soothe the nerves and thus be worth engaging in when anxiety mounts, says Dr. Tasha Holland-Kornegay, a licensed clinical mental health clinician and founder of Wellness In Real Life. “You could try to shred some papers, vacuum your car or even repetitively recite a certain phrase that gives you some hope or positivity,” Holland-Kornegay notes. Relatedly, studies show that “when repeating spiritual phrases, individuals were able to cope more effectively with stress, anxiety and tension,” she says.

9. Express an attitude of gratitude. “As we continue to face the consequences of COVID-19, we can practice exercising control over what we focus on in our lives,” says Manny D. Castro, a licensed psychotherapist currently in clinical practice within a large New York City hospital. “An attitude of gratitude can help protect us from the negative effects of adversity. In practice, this can, for example, involve expressing gratitude to your loved ones for what they add to your life.”

10. Try progressive muscle relaxation. “This method consists of intentionally putting tension on the muscles and then intentionally releasing the tension,” says Holland-Kornegay. “It helps reduce anxiety and relieves tension. Sit in a comfortable position, breathe a couple of times, tense the muscles on one of your feet by squeezing as tight as possible, hold on at this position for up to 10 seconds and then release it. Take 30 seconds to breathe and relax; then, shift to the second foot, and so forth.”

11. Take care of yourself physically. Exercise regularly. Get sufficient sleep. Eat a healthy diet. Don’t overdo caffeine and alcohol. All this can make you feel better. These things may seem self-evident, but actually enacting them is easier said than done. Remind yourself of their importance and have a plan for living these strategies. Relatedly, notes Holland-Kornegay, ensure you’re getting enough magnesium, which helps with energy and stress levels. She says women need 300mg per day and men need 350mg. Supplements are available.

12. Seek professional help. If worrying thoughts and feelings become overwhelming and you’re struggling to cope, it could be time to get help from a mental health professional. In some ways, this is easier than ever, as telehealth options have proliferated, meaning you can engage in therapy sessions without leaving home. Talkspace, for instance, is one of your online therapy options.  

They’re the latest in a string of social media and tech firms looking to jump on the Clubhouse bandwagon.

The race to be the next Clubhouse continues. The buzzy audio-only app that’s proven popular among early adopters in the promotional products industry has the rest of the social media landscape scrambling to catch up. Both Twitter and Facebook have versions, either in the works or rolling out. Now LinkedIn is testing its own social audio feature, which the social media company believes will be different than its rivals because it’s a networking feature for professionals, rather than just a social outlet.

“We’re seeing a nearly 50% growth in conversations on LinkedIn reflected in stories, video shares and posts on the platform,” Suzi Owens, a spokesperson for LinkedIn, told TechCrunch. “We’re doing some early tests to create a unique audio experience connected to your professional identity. And, we’re looking at how we can bring audio to other parts of LinkedIn such as events and groups, to give our members even more ways to connect to their community.”

The LinkedIn audio feature will include a stage showcasing the room’s speakers and a set of listeners below, as well as tools to join and leave a room, react to comments and request to speak, according to screenshots of the interface discovered in the app by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, as reported by TechCrunch.

LinkedIn says it will be able to use its current moderation tools built for features like its live videos to help prevent inappropriate, harassing or otherwise harmful discussions. “Our priority is to build a trusted community where people feel safe and can be productive,” Owens told TechCrunch. “Our members come to LinkedIn to have respectful and constructive conversations with real people and we’re focused on ensuring they have a safe environment to do just that.”

LinkedIn hadn’t announced an exact launch date yet, but told TechCrunch that it will begin beta testing soon. Spotify, the popular music and podcast streaming app, is also looking to get in the live audio game. The company recently announced it was acquiring Betty Labs, a company that makes an app called Locker Room, which is similar to Clubhouse but with a focus on sports fans.

Adding live audio when most of Spotify’s content is consumed on-demand will be a challenge, according to Protocol, an online news site focused on tech. Though so much of the app is organized into playlists, audio chat will give users another reason to stay connected. “We think audio is going to just start evolving like crazy again,” Gustav Soderstrom, Spotify’s chief research and development officer, told Protocol.

The counterfeits were uncovered as part of Operation Stolen Promise, which combats COVID-19 related crime.

More than 21.2 million.

That’s how many counterfeit respirator masks U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) says it’s seized since launching Operation Stolen Promise a year ago to combat fraud and other crimes related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

HSI noted that fighting scammers bent on committing personal protective equipment swindles has been a key focus, with one of the organization’s “most significant and wide-ranging ongoing investigations” centering on disrupting a criminal organization selling and distributing counterfeit 3M N-95 respirator masks.

3M, parent company of Top 40 promotional products supplier 3M/Promotional Markets, produces the N-95s, which have been in high demand during the pandemic because of their ability to protect against viral spread. “HSI has initiated 98 criminal investigations into counterfeit 3M respirators and seized more than $5 million in criminal proceeds derived from the sale of counterfeit 3M masks, in addition to preventing these masks from entering hospital and consumer supply chains,” authorities said in a news release.

3M has been working with law enforcement to combat mask fraud. In February, for instance, authorities announced that 3M provided important information that helped lead to the seizure of some 11 million counterfeit N95 masks. 3M recently sued a Florida company, alleging mask fraud.

While sales of PPE have retreated in the promotional products industry, industry companies that continue to move product in the category should take note of HSI’s activities and source only from well-vetted, proven vendors.

Operation Stolen Promise, which began in April 2020, is broader than just mask fraud, though. It’s also cracked down on mislabeled, fraudulent or prohibited COVID-19 vaccines/alleged treatments and test kits, while also fighting major fraud schemes tied to the Paycheck Protection Program. Overall, the operation has led to 267 arrests and the seizure of $48 million in illicit proceeds.

Of late, HSI is “seeing a rise in criminals attempting to profit off vulnerable Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic by targeting people searching for online products and information on cures, vaccines and other treatments.”

In February, three Baltimore-area men were charged for an alleged scam that replicated the website of a biotech company in order to attempt to sell COVID-19 vaccines. In March, HSI warned the public about a scam targeting consumers with promises of gifts and cash for taking a fraudulent post-vaccination survey.

Many professional networking activities have moved online in the last year. Are you taking full advantage of the opportunities out there?

The shift to remote work and virtual events has also changed the way people are approaching professional networking.

A new study from market research firm Savanta found that 46% of Americans have taken their networking to social media platforms, and 35% are attending virtual meetups. In fact, people who are currently working from home were much more likely (44%) than those working outside the home (26%) to attend virtual meetups. “When COVID-19 forced most Americans to work from home, traditional professional networking methods came to a halt,” says Sadia Corey, vice president of client development at Savanta. “As a result, online platforms became essential in forging new professional relationships. … Americans have become creative in how they use social media to interact with their networks.”

Among the virtual networking activities growing in popularity during the pandemic are joining professional groups online, connecting with industry experts on LinkedIn, following up with speakers from virtual conferences held on social media, and writing blog posts and articles to share on social media networks, according to Savanta.

If you’ve been trying to expand your professional network during the pandemic and beyond, try these tips for making a good impression online.

1. Rethink the idea of networking. It’s not just about attending every Zoom gathering out there, according to networking expert J. Kelly Hoey, author of Build Your Dream Network. “Instead of imagining the digital version of the in-person schmoozy event as being your networking choices, rethink what networking is: Networking is every single human interaction, as every interaction is a chance to start or further a relationship,” she says. Other online activities that “count” as networking include commenting on a friend’s LinkedIn post, recommending a podcast to a colleague, forwarding an article to a client or volunteering for an industry board, she says.

2. Make sure your online profiles are up to date. This should have been a given even before COVID, but it’s absolutely essential now that so many of our interactions are in the digital world. Expect that people you reach out to online will be checking up on your LinkedIn and other social profiles before they respond. Make sure all your information is accurate, and your headshot is recent. Give your personal branding a boost by using the same photo across networks and crafting professional bios that link back to your website or blog.

3. Be prepared and look professional. This goes for both tech tools and talking points, says Robert Kienzle, senior consultant with Knowmium. That means dressing professionally, having clear lighting, an eye-level webcam and a headset, if you’re going on Zoom or another video platform. “No one wants to talk to people they can’t see, especially if one person has their camera on but the other doesn’t,” he says. “Echoes and background static don’t make for pleasant conversations, either.” Take some time beforehand to prepare your thoughts and consider personal stories and relevant ideas you might want to bring up during the call, he adds.

4. Offer help freely, without expecting an immediate return. Brand strategist Blaire Brown says Facebook Groups are her favorite way to connect online. “Find a community of professionals that makes sense to your field,” she says. “It’s a great springboard to make connections. As members contribute tips and ask for advice, it opens a door for everyone in the group to provide a response.” Brown recommends offering a free consult call or advice whenever you can, without expecting anything in return. As with in-person networking, don’t be “salesy,” but go in with a “giving mindset.” Many of these types of groups have strict “no self-promotion” policies anyway, so “people who go in with the sole intention of just selling their product/service end up just annoying people and getting kicked out,” says Steve Morgan, author of Anti-Sell.

5. Leverage technology to your advantage. There are plenty of free tools out there that you can use in creative ways to help with online networking. For example, Hoey says, “Google Alerts are a smart networking tool.” Set up Alerts for prospective clients, so you can be among the first to congratulate them when they have a business success. Another simple but powerful idea: Turn your out-of-office auto-responder into a networking tool. “When you’re in meetings or attending a training, put it on not to simply signal that you’re not available, but to tell your network what you’re up to,” Hoey suggests.

6. Don’t spread yourself too thin. Just as you wouldn’t attend every in-person trade show, conference or training session offered in your field, you have to be selective when it comes to virtual networking. Choose events, groups and social networks that have the most relevance to your professional ambitions and go in with a mission. If most of your field and clients interact on LinkedIn, for example, focus the bulk of your efforts there, rather than trying to build a presence on Snapchat, TikTok, Clubhouse, Dispo or whatever new social network is currently trending.

Blankets were the sleeper hit of 2020.

Although face masks, hand sanitizer and personal protective equipment (PPE) have dominated the promotional products industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for comfy apparel and accessories picked up in the second half of the year. During Q4, “blanket” was the most sought after product.

With more companies offering a work-from-home option as a semi-permanent or even permanent choice, high-quality comfort products will continue to be in high demand

These apps are changing the way people interact online.

Social media is moving beyond the endless scroll, it seems. Instead, tech companies are pushing toward better virtual and augmented reality, bringing back delayed gratification and enabling audio-only experiences.

Meetings in the Metaverse

SURREAL is a 3-D web-based virtual environment for online trade shows and events.

Could the next round of virtual events happen in virtual reality? Companies like Facebook and Roblox are banking on it. Facebook has devoted nearly 20% of its workforce, about 10,000 employees, to developing augmented and virtual reality devices, according to a report in The Information. CEO Mark Zuckerberg says the social media juggernaut wants to create “realistic avatars” that allow people in the virtual world to “make real authentic eye contact with someone and have real expressions that get reflected on your avatar,” according to The Verge.

Roblox, the video gaming company popular with kids and teens, is banking on making the “metaverse” a reality, according to CNBC. In geek terms, the metaverse is a digital world where people can get together virtually to play, work, meet and socialize – think of it like the book and movie Ready Player One.

These lofty ambitions are still more science fiction than reality, but another company just launched its own entry into enhanced virtual events. SURREAL is a 3-D, web-based virtual environment built with the same technology behind games like Fortnite and Disney’s CGI-heavy show The Mandalorian. The tech allows for realistic, real-time rendering and is customizable depending on clients’ needs. SURREAL is already working with big brands to host events like car shows and kitchen/home expos.

The tech was conceived in 2020 in direct response to the coronavirus pandemic, but SURREAL creators are hoping it will have relevance beyond that.

“SURREAL complements physical events without the transitional limitations of IRL, such as cost, carbon footprint or physical location,” says Josh Rush, co-founder and CEO of SURREAL. “While face-to-face communication is lasting and impactful, virtual connections are equally as powerful and important – and can seamlessly extend experiences by removing the limitations of time or location in the form of a preview, post-part or exclusive VIP offering.”

Bottom line: With improvements in VR hardware, Zoom meetings could one day become a quaint relic for salespeople.

Rediscovering the Joys of Waiting

Dispo is an iPhone app that mimics old-school disposable cameras.

Smartphones and streaming services have made instant gratification and binge-watching nearly universal concepts. But perhaps these trends are beginning to wear thin. Consider the discourse around buzzy Disney+ shows WandaVision and the aforementioned Mandalorian. Episodes were dropped once a week, rather than a whole season being dumped at once, a release structure designed to maximize the amount of fan theorizing and meme-making that occurred.

Dispo, a previously invite-only app available for iPhones, mimics the old-school disposable camera. Users can take as many photos as they want on the app. The only catch? They need to “develop” overnight and aren’t available until the next morning at 9 a.m. The photos can then be shared in solo or shared rolls or kept private.

Created by YouTuber David Dobrik, the deliberately nostalgic Dispo is perhaps an antidote to the highly curated, idealized world of Instagram. It was also the fourth-most-downloaded app within a week of being released, according to Entrepreneur. Though the app makes people wait, its motto is “Live in the Moment,” a phrase emblazoned all over a merch line recently dropped by Dispo.

We've got merch! Get yours! 🔥https://t.co/Ats48mOBOY pic.twitter.com/dYcM1JE7BR

— Dispo (@DispoHQ) March 10, 2021

Bottom line: Audio-only experiences let users make a human connection without worrying about doing their hair or changing out of their pandemic jammies.

Audio Is Worth 1,000 Pictures

Twitter expects to release its audio-only Spaces to everyone on the platform by April.

The biggest trend in social media is sound. After Clubhouse took the tech world by storm, all the major social media services are scrambling to release their own versions. Clubhouse lets you drop in on live conversations with everyone from celebrities to random strangers. You can also create your own rooms to build a following and establish yourself as an expert in your field.

Twitter plans to release its own version of audio rooms, called Spaces, to everyone on the platform by April, according to The Verge. And Instagram recently released Live Rooms, which allow up to four people to broadcast live at the same time. Though Live Rooms include video, there are indications that Instagram is working on an audio-only option as well, according to Pocket-Lint.

Bottom line: Audio-only experiences let users make a human connection without worrying about doing their hair or changing out of their pandemic jammies.

It just makes sense to meet people where they are – on their phones. SMS marketing can be incredibly powerful; just be careful not to abuse the medium.

Last month, email automation service Mailchimp acquired Chatitive, a marketing platform that helps businesses communicate with clients via text messaging.

“It’s more important than ever for small businesses to reach their customers where they are, and mobile messaging is an incredibly effective way to do just that,” Mailchimp wrote in a statement. The company added that texts are a great solution for businesses that need to “share time-sensitive information, like transactional and promotional messaging, and build lasting relationships with their customers.”

Indeed, marketing via text message can be incredibly effective. Consider these stats from Hafta Have, a company that provides online tools for retailers: 98% of adults age 30 to 49 use texts, and 66% of millennials say they prefer text messaging over email. Text messages also have a remarkably robust open rate – 99%, compared to email marketing’s lackluster 19% average. “It’s just where everybody is communicating,” says Amanda Latifi, co-founder of Hafta Have. “It’s a very intimate communication channel.”

Hafta Have has partnered with retailers including Starbucks, Chilli Beans and Kittenish to use custom text message campaigns to increase engagement and sales in brick-and-mortar and online stores. With Starbucks, for example, Hafta Have tested a promotion in a Las Vegas location to drive upselling of select store merch. Signage depicting a barcode was placed next to one of the store’s travel mugs. Shoppers who took a picture of the barcode and texted it to a specific number would then unlock an offer for a free tall coffee with a purchase of the mug. A quarter of the shoppers who texted the barcode ended up buying the mug, and the store was able to increase its average check size by two times during the four-week test period, according to Latifi.

Hafta Have has also used text messages to help retailers solve the “abandoned cart” syndrome in online shopping. The technology can monitor products being added to a cart, and if the purchase isn’t completed, send out a product-specific text message giving customers added incentive to buy, perhaps with an offer of free shipping on the purchase.

Brands using text messages in their marketing strategy have seen some impressive returns, but the personalized nature of texting that makes it such a powerful tool also means marketers must tread carefully to avoid raising the ire of the very consumers they’re trying to reach.

Consider these tips for ensuring your text message marketing is effective, inoffensive and even welcomed by the recipient.

1. Have recipients opt in. “A lot of people say that SMS is the wild, wild West,” Latifi says. But there are rules governing when you can send a marketing text. In particular, marketers need to have a “timestamp of consent” before sending out a message. By skipping this step, you’re more likely to irritate the recipient, but you also open yourself up to potential legal trouble. Have customers opt in to receiving texts when they sign up for your email list, make a purchase or by having them text a keyword to a short code, says Shaun Price, head of customer acquisition at MitoQ, a dietary supplement company.

2. Be intentional when you craft your message. Marketers run the risk of making the same mistakes with SMS that they did with email, Latifi says. Text messages should not be used as a megaphone or for what Latifi calls “spaghetti-wall messaging.” Share information about a great, time-sensitive discount (but don’t spam them with “sale” messages) or relay timely information that the recipient cares about.

3. Keep it real – and respond promptly. As previously mentioned, texting is an intimate communication method. Make sure your marketing message sounds real, not robotic, even if you’re using automation tools for convenience. Personalize the message whenever possible. “Use colloquial language that aligns with your brand,” Price says. “You want your SMS marketing to feel as much like talking to a friend as possible.” Consider using an auto-responder so you can answer customers in real-time and spark a conversation, he adds.

4. Use graphics to make your message stand out. A picture is worth a thousand words. Given the brevity inherent to the medium, why not add some pertinent visuals to your text to ensure your message carries extra weight?

5. Choose the right time to send. With COVID disrupting many people’s typical schedules, advice about when to send marketing messages has gone out the window (though it’s always a good idea to ensure your time zones are accurate and you’re not sending messages in the middle of the night). “You have to figure out what works best for you as a brand,” Latifi says. “It’s a crapshoot right now.” She recommends using a/b testing – just as you would with an email campaign – to narrow down optimal timing.

6. Include a call to action. “Make sure you give customers something to do with the text,” Latifi says. “Don’t just tell them something. Give them the next step.” That means ensuring there’s an active link in the message and a crystal-clear path to what you want the recipient to do or see next.

With the lingering fears about COVID, these creative new PPE items can protect users from surface contact with bacteria and viruses.

Available with nine stock ribbon colors, this safe key has a high-quality acrylic tip for keypads and a curved hook for opening doors. Made in the USA.

Meet the germ-free way to open doors, push buttons, carry bags and lift latches. Made in the USA and available in a variety of colors, this no-touch tool is a great new hire or new tenant gift.

Choose a simple USA-made tool that’s also a discreet keychain for operating ATMs, elevators and touchscreens at self-checkouts. Add your full-color logo and design.

Consider a keychain that’s made of antimicrobial zinc alloy. It protects the end-user from viruses and germs found on everyday objects like drawers, doors and keypads, and it can also be used as a bottle opener. This would be a great promo item for outdoor festivals, or restaurants and bars.

Great for retail, corporate, hospitality, e-commerce and B2C customers, this lightweight door opener and stylus is ideal for use on high-touch surfaces, and attaches to purses, belt loops and more.

Choose from two designs and say good-bye to touching doors, keypads, signature pads and buttons. Customize this item with your logo imprinted with either a spot or full-color imprint.

A solid social media presence and reputation starts with understanding the medium and how critical it’s become for a brand’s image. “You have to understand the intersection of technology, sociology and business,” says Taylor Gaines, the CEO of social media strategy firm Social Gaines. “You have to ask yourself, ‘Where are we going as a business?’ ‘What content is driving conversion and how are we monetizing that?’ Social media is so integrated with everything.”

That’s where a social media manager comes in. They should understand your company’s objectives and bring that to bear on engagement and managing the conversation with prospects and clients. But to do that, they have to engage with company leadership as well.

“There’s often no dialogue with the higher-ups,” says Gaines. “That means higher-level conversations about strategy aren’t intersecting with lower-level tactics. Leadership says, ‘just tweet about it,’ while the social media manager doesn’t see all opportunities. They should communicate about the most effective ways to use the tools and the actual execution of it.”

A manager is also the first line of defense if criticism on social starts to swell up. Work with them on a proactive plan for addressing the issue in a calm, collected tone. Put together variant responses without sounding canned. “There aren’t a million ways to say sorry,” says Gaines, “but have a few different ones and establish a central place for them if something occurs. So companies need to pick their battles. If a customer has a terrible experience, figure out exactly what happened, and tell them, ‘We’re so sorry. Let us make it up to you.’ Own up to it.”

Put these strategies into play to rank higher search engine results relative to your business in 2021.

Want to give your company a competitive edge in the digital marketplace and rank higher in search engine results relative to your business? Then start implementing these search engine optimization strategies now.

1. Dig Into Google Analytics
This Google service tracks and reports pivotal information about your website, providing data that helps create a clear picture of your site’s performance and your audience. With Analytics, you can learn things like what browsers visitors most commonly use to access your site, get insights about referral traffic, and gain an understanding of what devices people use to visit your pages. Draw on all that and more to optimize your site to better attract target prospects.

2. Focus on Keywords
Consistently craft new site content that’s based off, and peppered with, keywords which ideal prospects would search to discover the products and services you provide. Incorporate the keywords into content copy in a natural conversational way; Google’s algorithms can sniff out spammy tactics like keyword stuffing and lower you in rankings.

To get keyword-fueled content right, do keyword research. This could begin as simply as making a list of topics relevant to your business. Then, within each topic category, write down words customers would likely use in searches on those topics. There are also tech tools, such as Keyword Magic from SEMrush, that can help with the research.

3. Make Your Site Mobile-Friendly
If you haven’t done this yet, now’s definitely the time. Consider: Two-thirds (63%) of Google’s U.S. organic search traffic originates from mobile (according to Merkle), and Google captures about 90% of search engine market share in the United States. Plus, Google gives preference to mobile-optimized sites in rankings, whether a searcher is looking on a desktop or smartphone.

In addition to having the necessary site architecture created so pages display properly on various mobile devices, you should populate your site with mobile-optimized content. To help with this, perform research on what mobile-friendly keywords are relevant to prospects and include them, and put the most compelling/helpful items toward the top of your pages so they load before anything else.

4. Optimize Content for Voice Search
Spoken searches are already a factor in SEO, and that influence is only going to increase. Ensure your site’s ready to rank high in voice searches by creating plain-language content that answers questions prospects would commonly put into search engines in relation to services/products you provide. Additionally, improve your page load speed, include keywords and phrases of local significance on your site, and leverage microdata that won’t be seen but that gets built into your site’s source code to give search engines more relevant information about your site’s content.

5. Weave an Intricate Web of Backlinks
Developing a diverse backlink web that features links from authoritative sources indicates to Google algorithms that your site is a valid repository of information, which can help bump you up in rankings.

Some low-tech ways to build links include: Provide testimonials to businesses you’ve partnered with and patronized and ask them to link back to your website; write a guest post for a blog or news source that relates to the industry or other topics and have the entity for which you’re crafting the content link back to your site; be interviewed/quoted as an expert business source in industry-related or local news podcasts and articles, asking that a backlink be provided when you’re mentioned.

Also, start your own blog and create high-quality content that others will want to share, cite and link to in their content. Try asking people in your network who have sites or blogs to link back to your site through in-content links, though be tactful about this. Additionally, list your site in valid niche directories and ones that are part of quality websites for a specific industry (like a trade association).

Three Quick SEO Tips

1. Optimize Images. This consists of decreasing the file size of images, using either a plugin or script, so that pages featuring them load faster. Slow load times increase bounce rate and hurt your search rankings.

2. Use Jump Links. At the top of pages, create a list of topics covered in the page content. Base these on keywords and have each list entry “jump” link, when clicked, to the part of the page where the topic is discussed. This isn’t a good fit for every page but works great for certain blogs and articles.

3. Set Up Your Google My Business Account. It’s free and helps prospects find you more easily in searches and on Google Maps. This is especially important for promo firms that serve particular geographical areas.

Whether it’s a beanie, tie, scrunchy or scarf, a branded accessory can complete a look.

From head to toe, the right accessory can complete any outfit. Why not pair an outerwear order with a custom beanie or a graphic T-shirt with a matching scrunchy?

This custom tie and scarf set is 100% silk decorated with a wet-dye process.

Tip: Coordinated ties and scarves are the perfect way to complete a uniform look, and a step-and-repeat can transform a logo into something unique. Or, consider going even more abstract and extract the colors from the logo to create a new pattern – like stripes, polka dots or chevrons. It gives a subtle branding reminder without being garish.

The Columbia Cascade Peak beanie is made of 100% soft acrylic knit and features the Columbia logo as a patch along the edge.

Tip: Cozy cold-weather gear is a welcome item, when so much socializing is done outdoors these days. This hat would be perfect for a local restaurant with outdoor seating to help you keep diners warm and cozy with branded hats, scarves or gloves.

This high-end Tumi tote is designed to carry all your essentials, including a 15” laptop and other devices.

Tip: Luxury purses, bags and totes that combine style with functionality are a winning idea for corporate gifting.

This ’90s throwback is now available in velvet (VS100) from Pop! Promos. The product comes in 12 stock colors and an optional bow add-on. A customizable tag comes standard. Pop! Promos also offers two full-color packaging options to give the scrunchies a retail-ready look with extra branding opportunity.

Tip: Consider adding scrunchies as part of a fun custom kit – anything from a “girls’ night in” spa box to a retro movie marathon starter kit.

6 tips for moving your goods and services online.

1. Find Your Niche
E-commerce refers to the buying and selling of goods or services using the internet. Offering an assortment of products at your digital store is a no-brainer, but you’ll also need to differentiate yourself from the pack. Consider which services you’ll use to market your offerings, like virtual demonstrations, Zoom consultations and webinars.

Do market research to ensure you’re on the platform that will bring in the most customers.

2. Select Your Marketplace
The internet offers plenty of e-commerce options: your company website, social media channels, e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Etsy or a combination of the above. Do market research (even just a short survey of prospects and clients) to ensure you’re on the platform that will bring in the most customers and maximize your sales.

3. Consider Pricing Strategy
During these difficult economic times, consumers have less discretionary spending and are trying to pinch their pennies. In order to earn their business, you should have clear pricing and consider incorporating deals into your offers, such as free shipping, first-time order discounts, referral incentives and bulk-buying specials.

4. Create Engaging Content
Don’t just sell to your customers – give them a reason to care about your online presence. Transform window shopping into a digital experience by producing high-quality content like captivating product images, video tutorials and blogs rich with information that can help their business.

5. Outsource Shipping
Dealing with logistics to get products to customers can be time-consuming and costly, especially if you have a small staff or you’re a one-person shop. Allow a third-party fulfillment center to store inventory, distribute customer orders and help scale your business. You may also be able to avoid paying retail rates for shipping carrier services.

6. Promote Yourself
Don’t wait for customers to find you. Market your platform on social media by joining groups and engaging with brands and influencers so your target audience notices you. You should also send email blasts to your current customer base informing them of your transition to e-commerce.

Researchers from Virginia Tech recommend well-fitted three-layer masks to help prevent the spread of COVID.

For 2021, the color institute chose Ultimate Gray and the vibrant yellow Illuminating, a combination that evokes both steadiness and hope.

After the tumultuousness and uncertainty that have defined much of 2020, people are looking both for rock-solid dependability and a bit of sunny optimism. Those two desires come together in Pantone’s 2021 Colors of the Year: Ultimate Gray and the vibrant yellow Illuminating.

“The union of an enduring Ultimate Gray with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a color combination that gives us resilience and hope. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted; this is essential to the human spirit.”

Both color choices work well in the realm of promotional products.

The Newport jacket comes in yellow, with contrasting gray thread in the zippers and drawcord.

There are multiple ways to wear the combo as well. For example, the Newport jacket in yellow, with gray thread in the zippers and drawcords. Another option is to layer the colors – pairing a yellow T-shirt under a hoodie in gray/white.

The snag-proof polo is ideal for the office or the golf course.

We expect to see Ultimate Gray and Illuminating in a variety of demographics and markets next year, including healthcare, senior living, hospitality, service industries, transit and any market that wants their employees to feel and look their best.

This is the first time Pantone has given the Color of the Year crown to multiple hues since it chose Rose Quartz and Serenity for 2016. Last year, the institute chose Classic Blue, and the 2018 Color of the Year choice went to Living Coral.

Choose well-established names like those listed here so your brand will benefit from increased prestige in turn.

Star students and sales reps will appreciate this Moleskine laptop backpack with room for a 17” laptop and 10” tablet. It’s made of durable 600D polyester and has several organizational pockets and compartments.

This midweight 50/50 Hanes sweatshirt has double-needle, cover-seamed neck and arm holes for added durability and up to 5% recycled polyester from plastic bottles. The patented low-pill, high-stitch density fabric allows for easy embellishment. Choose from a variety of colors.

A ladies’ Perry Ellis full-zip fleece is perfect for the colder months. It has a mock collar and waffle knit that keeps the wearer warm. There’s also a subtle two-tone appearance to provide contrast. It’s machine-washable and available in an assortment of colors.

Go for an Adidas brushed terry heathered polyester pullover that’s lightweight and comes in five color combinations. Tonal stitching and three reflective gradient stripes on the right forearm add a touch of safety and style.

With a lightweight design and temperature regulation properties, this ladies’ Nike jacket makes the perfect layering piece. It has a chevron design across the chest and a brushed interior that will secure it in the wearers’ rotation.

Add your company name or logo to this Greg Norman polo and your brand will travel from the golf course to the office (or video call). Moisture management and sun protection will win over wearers too.

Brands could eventually be able to leverage it to offer fast automated responses to common queries.

Marketers could soon have a new Instagram feature that will help with responsive customer service on the social media platform.

Under the feature that Instagram is reportedly testing, brands would be able to provide clickable question-and-answer options within their direct feeds on their business Instagram accounts to deliver quick responses to common queries.

Instagram has rolled out FAQs feature to more users

h/t @thenezvm pic.twitter.com/eCbsjMCDEb

— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) November 23, 2020

As the screenshots of the under-work feature in the above tweet from social media commenter/consultant @MattNavarra illustrate, brands could spotlight frequent questions in the message window. Users could then click for speedy answers.

“At this stage, it seems that businesses can set up four questions that will be displayed in your initial message interaction, giving brands a simple, automated way to address the most common queries,” reported Andrew Hutchinson of SocialMediaToday.

It’s unclear when the Q&A feature will be rolled out to all users.

However, social media analysts said it makes sense that Instagram is taking this step to enhance customer service functionality through the platform. Parent company Facebook already provides a similar feature on its Messenger in which Facebook Page managers can deliver automated responses to oft-asked questions.

Plus, with both Facebook and Instagram delving deeper into ecommerce, the feature could prove a “handy function to address common queries around shipping, returns, etc.,” wrote Hutchinson, who continued: “It could provide another helpful option to consider for connecting with your Instagram audience, while also lessening the response load at your end.”

Brands could eventually be able to leverage it to offer fast automated responses to common queries.

Marketers could soon have a new Instagram feature that will help with responsive customer service on the social media platform.

Under the feature that Instagram is reportedly testing, brands would be able to provide clickable question-and-answer options within their direct feeds on their business Instagram accounts to deliver quick responses to common queries.

Instagram has rolled out FAQs feature to more users

h/t @thenezvm pic.twitter.com/eCbsjMCDEb

— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) November 23, 2020

As the screenshots of the under-work feature in the above tweet from social media commenter/consultant @MattNavarra illustrate, brands could spotlight frequent questions in the message window. Users could then click for speedy answers.

“At this stage, it seems that businesses can set up four questions that will be displayed in your initial message interaction, giving brands a simple, automated way to address the most common queries,” reported Andrew Hutchinson of SocialMediaToday.

It’s unclear when the Q&A feature will be rolled out to all users.

However, social media analysts said it makes sense that Instagram is taking this step to enhance customer service functionality through the platform. Parent company Facebook already provides a similar feature on its Messenger in which Facebook Page managers can deliver automated responses to oft-asked questions.

Plus, with both Facebook and Instagram delving deeper into ecommerce, the feature could prove a “handy function to address common queries around shipping, returns, etc.,” wrote Hutchinson, who continued: “It could provide another helpful option to consider for connecting with your Instagram audience, while also lessening the response load at your end.”

Researchers from Virginia Tech recommend well-fitted three-layer masks to help prevent the spread of COVID.

A recent study out of Virginia Tech found that cloth face coverings help to protect both the wearer and others who are nearby from spreading the coronavirus.

The research, led by airborne disease transmission expert Linsey Marr, found that a well-fitted three-layer mask with outer layers made of a flexible, tightly woven fabric and an inner layer designed to filter small particles provides at least 75% filtration efficiency from respiratory droplets produced during breathing and speaking.

Linsey Marr, a civil and environmental engineering professor at Virginia Tech, and students Charbel Harb (left) and Jin Pan (right) worked on a recent study on the effectiveness of cloth masks.

“Some people say, ‘Well, an N95 respirator can block 95% of that most penetrating particle size, and anything else is worthless,’ ” says Marr, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering. “It’s true that some of the cloth masks that we looked at only block 10 or 20% at that size. But once you get up to the sizes that we think are more important for transmission, like 1 to 2 microns or even 5 microns, those cloth masks are able to block half or more.”

SAR-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is about 0.1 microns large, but, Marr notes, “it doesn’t come out of us naked.” Instead, it’s carried in larger respiratory droplets, or aerosols, that contain salts, proteins and organic compounds, leading to aerosols up to 100,000 times larger in mass than the virus itself. For their study, Marr’s team focused on a size range of 1 to 2 microns for testing homemade and commercially available face coverings.

“It’s not something I would ask a healthcare worker to wear in high-risk situations,” she says. “They would need the best protection we can get. But given that it’s impractical to have everyone in the general public walking around wearing an N95, I think homemade masks are definitely helpful.”

In the study, Marr and her team of researchers set up conditions as close to day-to-day life as possible to best match how people go about a typical day wearing face coverings. They looked at nine homemade masks, as well as a surgical mask and a face shield, evaluating their ability to trap particles in size from 0.04 microns to more than 100 microns. Each mask was tested for outward efficiency – how well it traps particles exhaled by the wearer – and inward efficiency, for mask wearers as they inhale. At the low end of particle sizes, homemade masks performed poorly, but at the larger end, several of the masks could trap 50% to 80% of particles in tests of both inward and outward efficiency. Given what scientists have learned in the last year about how the coronavirus is spread, that performance is significant, Marr says.

Virginia Tech shared electron microscope scans of the material tested in the study. Click here for a larger image.

In the testing, researchers mounted two manikins on opposite sides of a chamber to mimic a pair of inhaling and exhaling people talking closely. They connected the exhaling manikin to a medical nebulizer that generated droplets from the mouth. The other manikin had a vacuum line in the mouth to mimic inhaling. Measurements were taken of particles in the chamber from both sides.

The team found that masks tended to perform better as sources of outward protection than inward, but the differences in most cases weren’t statistically significant.

Because of the controlled setup and lack of human subjects, the research has some limitations, according to Marr. Chiefly, the experiments didn’t factor in things like mask adjusting or variability in airflow that occurs when people breathe in and out. Still, Marr believes her team’s work is a good complement to other studies being done on reducing transmission of the coronavirus.

“No one study by itself is going to tell you the whole story,” Marr says. “And no one intervention will stop the spread of COVID-19 alone. The mask is one of the many interventions that we need to combine together.”

The Virginia Tech study, published in November on medRxiv, has not yet been peer reviewed.

The acquisition continues the social media juggernaut’s push to help companies use its platforms for business.

In another major acquisition for the social media juggernaut, Facebook has purchased Kustomer, a startup specializing in customer relationships. Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, but people familiar with the matter said it would value New York-based Kustomer at a little over $1 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Kustomer’s technology gathers conversations from different channels, such as customer-service platforms and chatbots, and displays them on a single screen. It’s a helpful tool to examine the history between a company and its customer and will fit quite nicely in Facebook’s ever-growing offering of platforms for companies to do business online, especially during the pandemic. In May, the company launched Facebook Shops, which lets businesses create online stores through Facebook and Instagram.

Prior to the acquisition, the companies already had a relationship. Kustomer allows businesses to aggregate and respond to customer inquiries that come in through Facebook Messenger. In October, Kustomer said it also began integrating with Facebook’s Instagram messaging. Messaging companies on social media rather than picking up the phone is becoming the preferred method of interaction for customers. For example, Facebook said more than 175 million people reach out every day to businesses using its WhatsApp messaging service.

Kustomer was founded in 2015 by Brad Birnbaum and Jeremy Suriel, two entrepreneurs who sold a previous company to Salesforce.com Inc. Kustomer was valued at $710 million in a private funding round roughly a year ago, according to PitchBook.

Five practical tips for protecting your brand on networking sites.

1. Acknowledge Errors
If you make a small mistake in a post or tweet, such as a spelling error, and you catch it quickly, delete the post and repost with the corrected spelling. However, if the post has some engagement on it, or if you tag the wrong company, delete it and repost while owning up to the mistake in a pithy, lighthearted tone. Audiences like to see brands that have an authentic, self-deprecating side. Acknowledging the error shows you’re not too proud to admit there are imperfect humans managing the brand’s presence. Also, consider enlisting a few more people at your company to look at posts and tweets before they’re published to mitigate the chance of errors.

2. Tread Lightly
Recent discourse surrounding diversity practices presents an opportune time for brands to express their support for minority communities. But be careful – posting your own support for the cause over social media can look like tokenism or jumping on the bandwagon. Before publishing anything that alludes to current events, especially if they’re controversial and elicit strong emotions, consider running the post by a few people whose opinion you trust. Ask them for an honest assessment of how it sounds. If there’s any chance it could sound like opportunism, edit it accordingly or don’t post it at all. Just one tone-deaf post can severely harm a brand’s image and result in fallout that then needs to be managed.

Only 54% of companies have a plan in place to deal with a social media emergency.
(Reputation Management)

3. Respond to Complaints
If you receive negative feedback about recent posts or customer service over social media, determine if it’s worth responding. Some people head to social just to voice their opinions, but if someone has a legitimate complaint, respond in a measured way that’s not accusatory or critical. You can be sure that others are watching to see how you handle yourself. Try to defuse the situation by affirming the complaint and asking if they’d be willing to continue the conversation in a direct message, email or phone call. Delete complaints only if they contain offensive language, and post explanations about why you had to take action. Otherwise, let the post stand, whether you’ve decided to respond or not. Taking posts down looks like you have something to hide.

4. Enlist a Social Media Manager
Social media moves fast, and it’s become a key aspect of marketing strategy. Consider hiring a full-time social media manager who knows best practices across multiple platforms, posts consistently in the brand’s voice, and quickly addresses complaints. It’s a mistake to think it can just be put in the hands of a Gen Zer who needs a job; it should be more than a part-time internship. They need to know the ins and outs of a company to keep the tone consistent and be empowered to respond to queries. Keep social managers in the loop as to what’s going on at the company and ask them to report regularly on their ongoing strategy.

5. Create a Crisis Plan
If something negative happens – a tone-deaf post goes viral or people pile on a complaint – have a plan in place for addressing it. Deleting comments isn’t a strategy. As a precaution, develop a template for a statement so you can act quickly in the event of a crisis. This is a time to be upstanding and professional while acknowledging the gravity of the situation; avoid any attempts at humor. Make sure it’s approved by leadership and proofed by trusted colleagues. Then, determine the chain of command for putting out subsequent fires. Also, consider consulting with a crisis communications expert for developing a plan.

Also, three areas you should maintain investment in.

Even though traditional promotional products categories are slowly returning to prominence, the industry is still in the midst of its greatest challenge.

COVID-19 has disrupted everything: the workplace, travel, recreation, communication, you name it. As companies try to adapt to the new normal, changes need to be made to survive. Counselor has reached out to business leaders and experts on which costs to cut and which areas to maintain investment in as the pandemic continues.

Cut: Travel
With events and trade shows going virtual, there’s no need to fly anyone across the country. As for face-to-face meetings, although they’re still important, maybe you should limit them to once or twice per year. “We’ve all learned there’s so much business we can conduct remotely that we don’t need to incur as many hotel and travel expenses,” says Alan G. Lefkowitz, managing director at CFO Strategies, LLC.

Cut: Office Space
One of the best ways you can save money right now is to continue working from home. “Financially, you are going to be better off not using that space to work in, as it requires a lot of maintenance and support for the people working there,” says Ethan Taub, CEO of online marketplace Loanry. “With everyone working from home now, you don’t need to worry like you did pre-COVID.”

Keep: Outsourcing
If you’ve implemented a hiring freeze, you can outsource tasks to freelancers. You’re not expected to provide them with employee benefits, and they pay their own taxes, which means savings for your business. “Virtual designers, web-based accountants or remote marketing services are just a few of the professions to consider when outsourcing to save money or time,” says Jim Pendergast, senior vice president of specialty lender altLINE.

Cut: Non-Earning Assets
When business is booming, companies tend to spend on equipment, vehicles and office amenities. But when you’re not busy, those asset sits idle. “You have a non-earning asset you either paid for and are not earning from or you have a loan against it and you’re paying principal and interest payments,” Lefkowitz says. “Selling those assets frees up cash flow when you need it most.”

Keep: Customer Service
Focusing on your existing clients means being there for their questions, concerns and complaints. Customer service – actual human beings available by phone, email, video or social media – will be more important than ever. “Finding new clients is more expensive than retaining existing ones,” says Ian Wright, CEO of Bequests. “Build strong relationships with them, and as you provide them with excellent customer service, they will stick with you and even tell others about your business.”

Cut: Staff
This should be your last resort. Don’t just take an ax to your staff, though. Joseph Meuse, founder and president of consulting firm Business GPS, recommends looking for areas where you can strategically reduce your workforce. “Eliminate any redundancies or nonessential positions,” Meuse says. “If that’s too painful, you can also change full-time positions to part time or make salary reductions across the board.”

Keep: CFO/Controller
One position you absolutely shouldn’t cut is your chief financial officer or controller. “You always need somebody to manage your operations and have financial oversight,” Lefkowitz says. “Most entrepreneurs are great at their core business and selling but tend to not have that strong financial background. They need a trusted advisor, especially to navigate a challenging time like we’re currently going through.”

ASTM International, which sets standards for a range of products, is working with scientists and manufacturers to develop guidelines for filtration efficiency of cloth masks and other face coverings.

Masks may soon be getting a set of standards to help consumers determine how efficient each type of face covering is at filtration. ASTM International, the organization that sets technical standards for products ranging from amusement park rides to drones, is working with industry and government partners to create the guidelines. Once those standards are agreed upon, masks that meet them would bear a label certifying that.

The standards are needed, experts say, because there’s a lot of variation in how well face coverings block particles from passing through. N95 respirators are required to filter out 95% of all airborne particles larger than 0.3 microns. But cloth masks that are available to the general public don’t have to meet any particular filtration standards. Back in June, the World Health Organization published recommendations for a multi-fabric, three-layer mask, but that design doesn’t necessarily match what is available for sale online and at retail.

“We want everyone to be wearing masks … [but] there’s a huge variability how effective cloth masks are,” Linsey Marr, a civil and environmental engineer and aerosols expert at Virginia Tech told Quartz. “Things are ad hoc right now, and the public has no guidance.”

The task group writing the face mask standards has not yet reached a consensus on how effective the masks should be at trapping particles, according to Jennifer Marshall, program manager for public safety standards coordination at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). “One of the concerns is how much is leaked through and around the barrier and the best way to measure it,” she told Quartz. Usability is also key. “There’s a balance to blocking particulates and breathability, and ultimately masks need to be comfortable and wearable.”

Those are all factors suppliers in the promotional products industry considered as they developed face masks early on in the pandemic, but different fabrics and fits have yielded a wide variety of styles with no universal guidelines.

The face covering standards will identify which labs are certified to run tests and set requirements for design and labeling, according to Marshall. They may also include type and durability of material and what portion of the face the masks should cover. ASTM began working on mask guidelines back in July, and the new standards could be published before the end of 2020, Marshall said.

The mask standards are being discussed by a group of about 50 scientists, industrial hygienists, government officials, special interest groups and manufacturers, according to the Washington Post. Employees from 3M, maker of N95 respirators, have been involved in the discussions.

Americans have been scrambling for assurances of how effective various face coverings are at blocking particles and slowing the spread of the coronavirus, as evidenced by how a viral study out of Duke University this summer put a damper on neck gaiter sales before later studies showed that face covering efficiency had more to do with the type and number of layers of fabric, rather than the form factor. An agreed-upon set of standards with associated labeling requirements could help cut down on confusion and panic.

“Whether it’s a standard or whether it’s something equivalent to the Consumer Reports rating [of] good, better or best, it is probably useful because otherwise people are lost,” Philip Harber, a professor of public health at the University of Arizona told the Washington Post. He added that the standards should be “very, very, very simple,” given some Americans’ hostility toward masks.

Consider these items for health-conscious end-buyers. This year, that’s virtually everyone.

Berlekamp Plastics

This handy no-touch grip tool is 100% USA-made and perfect for opening doors, pushing buttons, carrying bags and keeping hands safe from germs.

Evans Manufacturing

Ideal for healthcare facilities, grocery and retail stores, schools and the hospitality industry, these PPE kits include a reusable mask, pair of nitrile gloves, hand sanitizer packets, alcohol wipes and a reusable pouch.

Gemline

A nice gift for new employees or returning students, this container set is eco-conscious and will keep food and snacks fresh and cool for hours. The lunch box is BPA-free and the cooler has a PEVA heat-sealed lining.

Nu Promo International

Hands stay clean all the time with this mini case of disposable soap sheets. Featuring a light lemon scent, they’re great for hotels, gyms and outdoor activities.

Pinch Provisions

This vegan leather case and 1-oz. bottle of sanitizer is a perfect partner for purses, backpacks and bags using the attached carabiner or lanyard. Available in four colors.

Snugz USA

Earth-friendly organizations will appreciate this USA-made tinted lip moisturizer. It has a beeswax base and comes in six different natural flavors. Think trade shows and gifts with purchase at beauty stores and salons.

Starline USA

It’s easy for runners, hikers and cyclists to quench their thirst with this hydration pack. Target end-buyers with active clients; think athletic clubs, sporting goods stores and even health food stores.

Email marketing provides a direct conduit for communicating tailored messages and important information to clients and prospects -- something that's become even more critical during the disruption from COVID-19. As such, growing those lists can be especially pivotal for promotional products distributors and suppliers. Here's a few tips how to do just that:

1. Sign-up all new clients. Each time you onboard new clients, their contact information should be shared with the marketing pros that handle email outreach. The new clients should then be segmented into an email list that’s most appropriate for them. (Tip: segmented lists lead to better engagement.)

2. Make it easy for site visitors to opt-in. Prominently feature email opt-in forms on your website pages that get the most traffic. You can use Google Analytics to determine which pages are most visited. Also: place a “sign up” option on your website’s header.

3. Leverage blogs & whitepapers. Your blog should feature a call-to-action encouraging people to subscribe to receive more useful content in their inboxes. This can be a pop-up form or a subscribe CTA that’s static, but clearly displayed, on blog pages. Access to whitepapers, which should feature insights of high value to sought-after audiences, can be situated on special landing pages. Have the landing pages provide a few teaser insights. Then, have it so that enticed readers must give their email address/name to download the full whitepaper.

4. Attract subscribers through social. Run contests on your social platforms that offer, to those who provide contact information, the chance to win rewards, such as a certain number of free branded travel mugs. The social posts should link to a page where people enter the contest by inputting their name and email address. Also, share links to blog posts, whitepaper landing pages and other content that contains email subscriber opt-ins. Posting videos on YouTube? Feature a link in the text description below the video that sends clickers to a page where they can get access to on-topic gated content if they provide an email address. Also, include a clickable link to the page in the video itself. And, take advantage of the “sign up” feature you can put at the top of your business Facebook page. Link it to a landing page that asks for an email address in exchange for an element of good content, such as a webinar.

5. Create email content that’s valuable. If the content is useful or entertaining, recipients will be more willing to share the email with others who have similar business interests. If you’re a distributor, for instance, a buyer at one large technology firm might be inclined to send your email to colleagues in similar positions at other tech companies. When those people get your message from the forwarding colleague, make it simple for them to get onto your email lists by providing a “subscribe” CTA link in all your marketing emails.

6. Feature a subscribe link in every employee’s email signature. All email interactions employees have with people outside your organization then become potential channels for streaming in new subscribers. Make the “subscribe” option a text hyperlink that’s wrapped in a compelling CTA, such as “Get Free Insights That Will Power Your Marketing and Grow Your Sales.” The link should take clickers to a web page where they can sign up for your e-marketing communications.

7. Provide commentary for blogs, articles, podcasts, videos and social media forums. Designated team members can deliver information on topics upon which they and your company are experts, providing insights and solutions for audiences of desired prospects. This can help drive website visits from prospects warmed to your company. Once on the website, they should find more great content and sign-up options that nudge them toward entering your email subscriber base.

8. Source from the real world. From trade shows to networking events, company team members are always meeting new people who could be prospects and getting their contact information. See to it that those email addresses make it onto your email marketing lists.

Stay on track by avoiding these blunders.

1. Unsustainable Workspace
With a little forward planning and common sense, anyone can create a comfortable workspace, says Joe Wilson, senior career adviser at MintResume. “Your kitchen table may be well lit and close to electrical outlets and refreshments, but how many other people in your household constantly walk in and out? Your bedroom may be comfortable and quiet, but when videoconferencing, does a headboard or wardrobe in the background give the most professional impression? Don’t prioritize comfort over efficiency.”

2. Pedal to the Metal
In a typical day at the office, you work from about 9 a.m. until noon, take lunch and then finish the day around 5 p.m. That schedule should be less rigid at home. In addition to lunch, you need a break in the morning and another in the afternoon, according to telecommuting expert David Bakke. “There’s no way you can be totally productive sitting in front of a computer screen for four hours straight,” Bakke says. “Take 20 minutes to walk around the block, do some sit-ups or pushups, clean a bathroom or even do some laundry. Anything to keep the blood pumping.”

3. Lack of Communication
Don’t let your colleagues become out of sight, out of mind. Keep in touch on a regular basis to make sure all tasks are being performed and everyone is on the same page. But don’t make these talks just about work, says Tami Parker, owner of UNIcycle Business Consulting. “Ask how they’re doing or what hurdles they’re facing,” she says. “Ask about things like family, pets, neighbors or WiFi connections. Being aware and showing interest is important.”

4. Frequent Interruptions
Even though being social is healthy, you still need to focus on the task at hand. Too many interruptions from your family and friends and even pets can throw off your whole day. “Write out a rough work schedule so you can let people know when you’re not to be disturbed,” Bakke says. “If you don’t, you can expect phone calls and texts throughout the day, which will, in fact, sidetrack you. The schedule can always be adjusted if something pops up last minute.”

5. Maintain Work/Life Balance
Even though the line between work and home has been completely blurred, you must do your best to keep them separate. Share parental responsibilities with your spouse – don’t prioritize your job over theirs. “Families fall into habits where one parent shoulders the burden alone, but if you have help, take it,” Parker says. “If both parents are working from home, can they alternate days? Or mornings versus afternoons? This also lets you plan for meetings, projects or hitting deadlines.”

Eager to attract new customers when the pandemic economy has made them a premium? Strategic use of Facebook ads can help.

1. Develop a Facebook Ad Funnel: Charlie Lawrance, founder and CEO of digital marketing agency Gecko Squared, says a successful Facebook ad funnel consists of several stages: awareness, engagement and website remarketing.

The awareness stage is about introducing audiences to your brand – something best achieved through educational or entertaining content-based ads, Lawrance says. The engagement remarketing stage centers on getting audiences to consider your products and services; ads that offer a special promotion can be especially effective here. Target these ads at people who engaged with your awareness content.

With website remarketing, the objective is to engage with people who have already clicked through to your landing page, Lawrance says. Ads at this stage should restate the offer you issued in the engagement phase, but should additionally include elements like testimonials or a sense of urgency and even fear-of-missing-out. Reminder-style ad content that reiterates the limited-time nature of the offer from the engagement stage can do well in this phase.

2. Create a Custom Schedule: Spraying ads all over at various times isn’t wise. It can wear out target audiences (campaign fatigue) and significantly drive up your cost-of-customer-acquisition. Prevent this by honing your approach. Define the audiences you want to reach and target ads to them at specific times when they’re most likely to engage.

3. Ensure Your Landing Page Delivers on Its Promise: Your ad must have a hook – an enticement that appeals directly to the prospects with whom you want to connect. However, this will only help you achieve your goal of getting the prospect into your pipeline if the landing page to which your ad directs traffic is in sync with the promise made in the ad. Otherwise, you might earn clicks but no new customers.

4. Try Shorter Video Ads: Given the quick-hit, scroll-on nature of social media, some evidence suggests that shorter, video-driven ads could be especially effective. Consider this case study: “Champs Sports tested 30-second and six-second video ads to see which was more effective,” Facebook reports. “In this instance, the six-second ads delivered an 11% increase in estimated ad recall, 12% increase in return on ad spend and 271% increase in video completion rate — proving to be most effective in driving results for the brand. The six-second ads also resulted in incremental lift across several other key metrics including conversion rate, average purchase value and click-through rate.”

Facebook accounts for 80.4% of U.S. social referral share to e-commerce sites.

5. Experiment With Your Audience: On Facebook, a “Lookalike” audience is a way to reach new people who are likely to be interested in your business because they’re similar to your best existing customers. To get your Lookalike effort going, choose a source audience based on information pulled from elements like fans of your Facebook page and the pixel or code that’s on your website. The pixel collects data that helps you track conversions from Facebook ads. Once done, Facebook identifies common qualities of the audience, such as demographic information and interests, and then delivers your ads to other people who are like the source audience.

6. Build Automated Rules: These rules automatically check your campaigns, ad sets and ads, and then notify you of any changes. Done correctly, the rules provide valuable insights that enable the optimization/alteration of ads so they can have the most success. They also can help reduce the time needed to manage your ads, as they can take the necessary actions for you. Automated rules can, for instance, entail things like automatically pausing a low-performing ad when it hits a specific metric or increasing your budget if a certain number of people click on your ad. When you create an automated rule, you choose things like the criteria that triggers the rule; the action your rule takes on the ad; and the active campaign you want the rule to impact.

Spotty connectivity holding you back? These quick tips should have you back up and running in no time.

1. Use Your Smartphone as a Hotspot.
If your connectivity issues are only occasional, this can be a temporary get-over-the-hump trick. Cellular networks are constructed to carry a greater number of users, meaning your smartphone’s data connection could be faster than your broadband when the latter is acting up. So swipe on your phone’s hotspot to connect your laptop/desktop to the Internet for a while.

2. Use a Mesh Wi-Fi System.
This can be a lasting solution for remote workers who have strong connectivity in one area of their home and weak connectivity in others. These systems enable you to web together various wireless access points to cover your house with a balanced and robust Internet connection. Amazon Eero, Google Nest Wifi, Asus ZenWifi AX (XT8), and TP-Link Deco M9 Plus Mesh Wi-Fi System are some of your best options.

3. Invest in Speed.
If you experience consistently slow internet and the mesh system doesn’t appreciably improve spotty coverage, then check with your internet provider about options for faster broadband speeds, which will likely be more expensive. If the investment becomes necessary, see if your employer might help offset the cost increase.

Use these strategies from networking experts to gain valuable connections in the age of COVID-19.

The coronavirus pandemic has canceled countless conferences and trade shows and put the kibosh on traditional in-person networking events. Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t successfully grow and leverage your network both by forming deeper connections with current contacts and by making valuable, new connections. Use these tips to network virtually with success.

First, clean up your online brand. Ensure your social media accounts and, if applicable, website(s) are current and that they showcase the image you want to present to the world. Like it or not, you’re a personal brand, and potential new contacts are going to check you out online. An audit and subsequent edit of your web identity will help you make the desired impression once you dig into virtual networking.

Make the most of LinkedIn. “If you're serious about digital networking, you need a LinkedIn premium account,” says Casey Halloran, CEO and co-founder of Costa Rican Vacations, a travel agency that sells high-end vacations to Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua. “I block out time on my calendar each week to share content, make comments, solicit new connections and tune up my profile. This is an essential tool in the age of digital networking.”

Scott Swedberg, CEO and founder of career services company The Job Sauce, says effective networking on LinkedIn includes focusing on so-called “second-degree” connections. “Search through the connections of your top first-degree connections to see who they know,” Swedberg advises. “It's as easy as asking the mutual connection to be introduced and providing a reason you want to speak with one of their connections.”

Other social media platforms, from Twitter to Facebook to Instagram, can, of course, be useful for expanding your network, too. Determine which platforms your ideal new connections/prospects are most active on and focus on building bridges there in a genuine way.

Participate in virtual “morning coffee” and “happy hour” events: Identify such events that might have people with whom you’d like to connect – and then participate. “These events typically allow users to participate for free and meet other professionals virtually via video conferencing software, such as Zoom and Join.me,” says Amanda E. Moore, senior manager of integrated marketing and partnerships at Juno Beach, FL-based Loggerhead Marinelife Center, one of Florida's most visited nonprofit scientific destinations focused on ocean and sea turtle conservation.

Moore notes that the face-to-face experience offers a more intimate networking opportunity and helps mimic similar in-person events. Participants can maximize the experience by connecting with other participants after the end of the event or by mentioning in the event that they are open to collaborations. “When attending these events, it's helpful to read the event details beforehand and have a few topics or points of discussion in mind,” Moore notes.

Attend industry-specific virtual conferences and events: Moore says such events can provide a platform for professionals to share their thoughts, meet other professionals and learn from others in a truly meaningful way. Some such events provide virtual options to participate in breakout sessions, happy hours and online discussions. “Professionals can make the most out of these events by also participating in social media discussions, such as Twitter chats and Slack forums,” Moore explains.

Get active in relevant online forums and groups. Most industries have active forums, Facebook/LinkedIn groups, and other online communities that are full of people worth knowing, says Adam Sanders, founder and director of Successful Release, an organization dedicated to helping disadvantaged populations find financial and professional success. As such, join groups and forums where prospects, clients, colleagues and industry peers are interacting and become an active member.

“Remember you have to give value to get value,” says Sanders. “Taking some time to answer and ask questions and help other members of the group can be a great way to make a lot of new connections and drum up new business. It can take some time to build credibility, but the scale of many online groups is hard to beat.”

You can also join online communities based around your personal interests. The common ground you’ll have with others could help form relationships that bear fruit in the professional realm.

Share expertise through new media. Identify podcasts, vlogs, blogs, niche news sites and other new media communication channels that have relevance to your industry and/or your clients/prospects. Then, offer to contribute your expertise. “Getting your face or voice out there is easier than ever in this digital age, which adds to your authority, which makes it easier to network,” says Halloran. “Most times after I appear on a podcast, I get new LinkedIn requests out of nowhere, often from very interesting people.”

Reignite your existing network. Block out time on your calendar to reach out to friends, colleagues, family, clients and others within your network. Don’t make the reach “salesy.”

Be human. “When I do this, I ask how they’re doing and share a bit of my own personal status,” says Halloran, noting that you never know what opportunities that can lead to.

Email, of course, is a viable outreach vehicle. But, urges Sanders, don’t overlook the phone and/or chats on Zoom or a similar platform. Given all the social distancing and working from home, people are more apt these days to jump on a call for a chat than they were just a few months ago.

“Call them up and check in with them about their business and see if there are any opportunities for you to help them out,” advises Sanders. “This can be a great way to strengthen your existing relationships and find new business opportunities. Don't forget to also mention a few of the challenges that you're having and solicit their advice. Everyone is helpful when business is booming, but great partners are around when things are bad. This can lead to a lot of new referrals.”

They generate 3,000 impressions throughout their lifetime.

Zipline

Ideal for the office, kitchen or workshop, this 5-in-1 pen tool stylus (ZIP1703) features a twist-action ballpoint pen, textured metal grip, level, ruler, Phillips and flathead screwdriver bit.

Calico

Upgrade a presentation with this twist-action pen made of maple and rosewood (CLP206MR). Used as an employee award or seminar giveaway, this item will be appreciated.

Lungsal

This ballpoint (Inca-303) has an aluminum barrel and color rubber grip with matching accents. Can be used as part of a new employee welcome package or for school promotions.

Pilot Corporation of America

The fun and funky design of this gel roller pen (IB2C B2P) mimics the recycled water bottles it’s made from. The vibrant G2 gel makes this a great fit for eco-friendly promotions.

Goldstar

You get dual end functions with this Vivano Softy pen (LNH). It has a stylus on one end and a flashlight on the other with a slightly wider barrel and rubberized soft touch-finish cap. Ideal for trade show giveaways.

Liqui-Mark

Spot-on for K-12 and art schools, this 12-pack set of hand lettering brush markers (480172-FCD) are housed in a hard plastic case.

These applications will enable you to work from home with greater organization, focus and mental health.

1. SPARK
This app is a virtual personal assistant that helps you prioritize your emails – a welcomed aid given that remote work tends to trigger a rise in messages bombarding your inbox. Spark will only notify you about emails from people you know, even allowing you to customize mail sounds and vibrations for each account. You can also pin priority emails and batch archive messages, creating email folders that, with an easy swipe, can be accessed to be read, deleted or moved. Also, snooze email when desired and make pre-written templates for emails you send frequently, including placeholders for names or numbers. Spark’s compatibility includes macOS, iOS and Android. It works with email systems such as Gmail, AOL, Hotmail, MSN, Yahoo, Exchange, iCloud, Microsoft Outlook, mail.ru and IMAP.

2. TODOIST
Todoist is a task management app that helps keep you and your projects organized and on track. Essentially, it empowers you to create to-do lists that include due dates and reminders. Todoist enables you to prioritize tasks and track your progress with personalized productivity trends. You can establish recurring deadlines for each type of task and these will automatically activate based on how long you took to complete the same/similar assignments previously. Also, many appreciate that Todoist empowers users to convert emails from colleagues, superiors and others into tasks or comments related to an existing project when the messages are received. Recently called the best to-do list app by techies at The Verge, Todoist is available for Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Outlook, Gmail, Apple Watch and Apple Wear.

3. FOREST
This app uses gamification to help you maintain your focus on work. It associates your ability to keep from playing around on your smartphone with the growth of a virtual tree. In the app, you plant a virtual seed and it keeps growing into a tree for as long as you don’t mess around on your phone. If you exit the app for some social media scrolling or the like, the tree withers and dies. Compatible with iOS, Android, Windows Phone and others, Forest motivates you to stay away from smartphone distractions in a fun way.

4. ALOE BUD
When you’re working from home, the dividing line between your job and your personal life can blur, making it harder to disconnect and even more difficult to remember to take breaks and pay attention to self-care. Aloe Bud helps with all that. It’s a self-care pocket companion that lets you create scheduled reminders for doing things like drinking a glass of water, enjoying a lunch break, taking a walk, meditating or just chilling – anything that gives you a healthy pause so you can be your best when you dive back into work. You can add activity cards to your personal dashboard based on what you believe needs attention on a given day or in the near future. Also fun: Use the app’s reflection prompts to write mini journal entries about your self-care successes and ways you can improve.

From golf courses, to beaches, to outdoor cafés, rainy day promos will never go away.

AAA Innovations

Make and answer phone calls from your umbrella. Users connect with Bluetooth to the Inverted Phonebrella (BT46inv) and never have to fumble with their cellphone in the rain. A perfect employee recognition gift.

Vitronic/IMAGEN Brands

Windy conditions can wreak havoc with an ordinary umbrella, but the Windjammer compact umbrella (2258A) has vents that let the air escape the canopy without inverting it. It’s compact but features a 54” arc when open.

Finger Lakes Promotions

To protect skin, shelter from the sun is paramount. Keep dangerous rays away under this portable canopy shelter umbrella (FLJX011). More tent than umbrella, it offers 99.5% protection from UVA and UVB rays.

StrombergBrand

Products like the ViceVersa inverted umbrella (SB-4620) are growing in popularity. Featuring a colorful outer canopy and contrasting gray undercanopy, it makes it easy to get in and out of cars and through doors.

Haas-Jordan

For your client’s next golf outing, suggest this 62” umbrella (7905). The fun canopy resembles a golf ball and has an epoxy dome medallion in the handle.

Unique functionality will surely impress buyers.

CFS Promotional Products (asi/42989)

Keep in the heat and the tunes with this Bluetooth speaker hat (BTS-HAT). An appealing giveaway for commuters or fans at a cold weather sports game; cfspromo.com

BIC Graphic (asi/40480)

Forget the earbuds and try something cooler: sunglasses with Bluetooth speakers (32247). Great for running, hiking, doing yard work or driving cross country. Wearers can answer calls too; bicgraphic.com

Trimark (asi/92121)

This heat panel vest (TM19548) is a perfect item for fall and winter. It features interior chest and back heat panels that can be set to a specific temperature with a touch button control; pcna.com/trimark

AAA Innovations (asi/30023)

Holding a cellphone and umbrella in the rain is an exercise in frustration. With the Bluetooth-enabled Phonebrella (BT46), users can keep their phone in their pocket while answering calls through the handle; aaainnovations.com

San Francisco is lifting local prohibitions too as authorities say growing evidence suggests the bags aren’t conveyors of the coronavirus.

The reusable bag could soon be back in business.

In moves welcomed by purveyors of branded reusable bags in the promotional products industry, California this week reinstated a ban on single-use plastic bags and San Francisco said on Friday, June 26 that it was within days of lifting a temporary ban on reusable bags in grocery stores.

“San Franciscans frustrated by plastic bags piling up in their cupboards and trash bins can rest easier: The city says its ban on reusable bags in grocery stores will be rescinded within days.”

Via ?@dustingardiner? https://t.co/0V8MDlZxaE

— Demian Bulwa (@demianbulwa) June 26, 2020

“This is good news on many fronts for us as a company and our industry,” said Andy Keller, founder and CEO of California-based ChicoBag Company (asi/44811).

Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, prohibitions on reusable bags like grocery totes have proliferated in California and other states throughout the U.S. as authorities reacted to what some said was evidence that the bags could spread COVID-19. Those restrictions have dented sales of reusable bags in the promo industry.

Critics of the clampdown on reusable bags, however, have asserted that the purported evidence linking the products to disease spread is derived largely from studies commissioned by pro plastic industry groups that are eager to counteract what had been a growing trend of bans on single-use plastic bags.

Still, there now appears to be a mounting body of science that calls such claims into question. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), touching a surface that may have the virus on it is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. Potential exposure to COVID-19 from handling reusable grocery bags is considered low, but consumers should wash the bags after each use, authorities say.

“The plastic industry has for years tried to advance the notion that reusable bags are a vector for sickness, but it’s not backed up by science,” said Keller.

Meanwhile, Consumer Reports issued a rebuke to one study that painted reusable bags as carriers of dangerous bacteria. The study, which was sponsored by a plastics industry group, analyzed just 84 bags and only found bacteria that doesn’t usually cause disease. “A person eating an average bag of salad greens gets more exposure to these bacteria than if they had licked the insides of the dirtiest bag from this study,” Michael Hansen, senior staff scientist at Consumers Union, told Consumer Reports. “These bacteria can be found lots of places, so no need to go overboard.”

Andy Keller, ChicoBag Company.

Hansen noted that it’s easy to spread bacteria from meat, fish or poultry to other foods, so it’s smart to carry such items in disposable bags. “Reusable bags are fine for most everything else, but it’s a good idea to wash them,” Consumer Reports says.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to allow reusable bags again was based significantly on findings from the CDC that indicated that, although the virus can live on surfaces, there are no documented cases in which it has been transmitted to a person from a surface.

San Francisco was the first major U.S. city to ban plastic bags, having done so in 2007. The city-specific ordinance was suspended during the early days of the pandemic, but that’s soon to reverse. Authorities in San Francisco said that “changing” science around how the virus is spread is driving the impetus to again allow reusable bags.

“Early on in this, when science was changing, we didn’t know the virus as well as we do today,” Charles Sheehan, a spokesman for San Francisco’s Department of the Environment, told the Chronicle.

More cities and states in the U.S., as well as governments internationally, have sought to ban single-use plastic bags in recent years. The motivation is to better protect the environment. Disposable plastic bags create litter, pollute habitats and threaten wildlife, especially marine life when they enter the ocean and other waterways, plastic bag ban advocates say.

It remains to be seen if California’s renewed embrace of reusable bags will influence other states and municipalities to take similar action. Regardless, from a public relations perspective, the reusable bag might have to contend with negative perception for a time after bans on them are lifted, given the widespread media coverage of the products as potential disease bearers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s a constant battle against misinformation,” said Keller. “It can get frustrating.”

Digital attendees of the “Build” event are getting everything from socks to a bamboo lunchbox.

Top techies will have to attend Microsoft’s annual “Build” conference virtually this year, but that doesn’t mean that they’ll miss out on sweet event swag.

Have you registered for #Msbuild? It’s free and next week! Here is a live unboxing of what the first few thousand registrations received as a surprise! Can’t have a virtual conference without swag! https://t.co/eebosMLltX pic.twitter.com/Aysh95Y5D5

— Scott Hanselman (@shanselman) May 13, 2020

Microsoft is mailing early registrants a branded merchandise package that features a welcome card, a bamboo lunch box, socks, sticker sheets, a lanyard and a badge.

“Microsoft is doing their bit to make virtual attendees feel a greater sense of the occasion,” reported mspoweruser.com. “The gift is especially awesome since registration is free this year, with likely many more people signing up.”

Photo from mspoweruser.com.

This year’s “Build” is scheduled for May 19-21. The conference is for software engineers and web developers using various Microsoft technologies. The in-person event typically draws thousands of attendees.

Microsoft’s decision to direct-mail conference swag is another high-profile example of event organizers continuing to utilize promotional products for their occasions, even though their events have gone digital because of the COVID-19 pandemic. From virtual beer festivals and graduations to many more happenings, end-buyers are increasingly incorporating branded merch initiatives into their now digital events.

Faced with event cancelations? Consider the smart, strategic responses outlined in the latest #coronavirus report from @ChrisR_ASI https://t.co/V80GWpOvBL #promotionalproducts

— Timothy M. Andrews (@Tim_Andrews_ASI) March 12, 2020

Reusable bags are under fire due to concerns over spreading the coronavirus.

After years of increasing legislation banning single-use plastic bags, the “green wave” has crashed due to the COVID-19 crisis, creating a ripple effect throughout the promotional products industry.

States, cities and stores have changed their tune over the past few months, encouraging plastic bags rather than reusable bags because of fears over spreading the coronavirus. Even California, the pacesetter of the anti-plastic movement, has suspended its 4-year-old ban after certain studies have suggested that reusable bags, when not cleaned properly, can become veritable petri dishes for bacteria and the like. In order to better protect their workers and customers, retail, grocery and plastic industry advocates have rallied for plastics to be reinstated at least for the time being.

COVID-19 Crisis Disrupts Bag Market

It’s been a reversal of fortune for promo firms who’ve benefitted from selling branded totes and other reusable bags in recent years. “Our sales have dropped since the pandemic due to the shutdown, and we’ve been hit extra hard because of stores removing reusable bags,” says Andy Keller, founder and CEO of California-based ChicoBag Company (asi/44811). “Raley’s Supermarkets, for example, will not sell new reusable bags as part of this, which has no basis in science or logic.”

Keller points to environmentalists and other ban advocates who’ve called studies linking reusable bags to increased disease spread dubious. They note that reusable bags are not necessarily any more or less contaminated than other surfaces at stores. Keller also argues that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have all given guidance supporting the notion that reusable bags don’t pose a health threat. Although those organizations don’t specify whether the coronavirus is spread through reusable bags, the CDC does state “it may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.”

Despite trepidation from some clients, Top 40 supplier Bag Makers (asi/37940) is still seeing a demand for reusable nonwoven polypropylene bag styles. “While bag sales have slowed in general due to the economic impact of coronavirus, our customers continue to show interest in reusable bags for promotions and program business,” says Jennifer McFadden, communications director at Bag Makers.

#COVIDLife #SafeandSustainable adventures of take out Tip : If you’re stocking up on your favorite cheesy fries to-go, ask if the servers will bring the containers & place them in your handy Nomad Shoulder Tote to transport home! Click to read more: https://t.co/jl0xVBEMy9 pic.twitter.com/cc82s9CG5O

— ChicoBag (@ChicoBag) May 12, 2020

The most popular bags during the pandemic, according to suppliers, have been paper, plastic and insulated bags that support restaurant takeout and delivery orders, as well as home grocery delivery.

“The nonwoven cooler sales spiked exponentially,” says Gary Semrow, owner and vice president of marketing at Illinois-based American Ad Bag (asi/35290). “We also had a large spike in demand for the wider gusseted paper shopping bags for the restaurants to do take-out, causing a tight supply chain. Now that most of the country is opening up, the stress on the supply of wide gusset paper shoppers has lessened.”

Deliveries of all kinds have experienced a surge during the pandemic, as consumers have turned to e-commerce for their goods. “Our poly mailer business is very strong now, as well as any other kind of packaging sold to online marketers,” says Ken Trottere, vice president of New York-based Poly-Pak Industries, Inc. (asi/81350).

Although the pandemic has prevented revenue from reusable bags, ChicoBag has seen a rise in other product categories. “We’ve seen a spike in sales for our bottle sling and travel pack because people are spending a lot more time walking, hiking and getting outdoors,” Keller says.

No time like the present to start preparing your wardrobe for reentry.

After spending your extra time at home cleaning out closets and planning your triumphant return to the office, now’s the time to consider sprucing up your wardrobe for reentry. There’s no need to go all-out Queer Eye on your closet (most of us have everything we need right at home), but perhaps it’s time to part with a few items and habits that no longer work at work.

Lisa Bennett is a multi-line representative and freelance writer based in Chicago.

I started in the promotional products business with a high-end gift company – my first job out of college. It was a great job and I learned a lot. But it was the late ’80s, and along with a healthy travel allowance and fabulous benefits, that job came with a fairly strict dress code: skirted suits with nylons for women and suits and ties for men. While uncomfortable, it didn’t seem out of the ordinary for the time.

Enter the ’90s. “Casual Fridays” came along, a gift from the HR department as a company perk used to help manage the exodus of valuable employees fueled by a booming economy. It was then that I went out on my own as a commissioned sales rep, and with that came the freedom to choose my own workwear. The suits and nylons were put away and only saw the light of day for funerals and the one time I got called for jury duty and didn’t get picked.

When business casual became acceptable everywhere in the ’90s, even the most conservative companies hung up the jacket and tie for a more casual environment. Men adopted the unofficial uniform of Dockers and polo shirts while women who gave up wearing nylons turned to comfortable pants and blouses.

Today’s workplace dress code in the promotional products industry is simple: Dress appropriately for work. However, “appropriately” leaves a lot of room for interpretation. We don’t need to return to the days of suits and nylons, but the industry can do a little better sprucing itself up. Here are my suggestions:

Jeans and T-shirts are no longer a no-no at work. Many of us are making a nice living selling T-shirts, so if you like ’em, wear ’em. However, if your favorite tee is that Bruce Springsteen shirt from the “Born in the USA” tour in 1984, maybe just wear it at home after work. And jeans are great; I for one am cheering the absence of women’s super-skinny spandex jeans on the mannequins this year. But if you have jeans with holes, even the holes that are factory-installed, don’t wear them to work.

Ben Turry, vice president of business development at Tangerine Promotions, proves that a T-shirt and jeans can certainly qualify as work-appropriate attire.

Gentlemen, it’s time to break up with your pleated cuffed pants. You need to start seeing new pants. If you still own pleated cuffed pants, please donate them to the Salvation Army. The newer styles of pleated pants are OK, but flat-front pants have a more flattering fit and will give you a contemporary look.

Ladies, please stop wearing capris. They’ve seen their day, and no one needs to have their legs looking short or stumpy. Please replace them with your fabulous looking ankle-length pants. They’re far more flattering and truly more professional.

Where would this industry be without the ever-popular polo shirt? It’s casual, wears well and offers comfort for anyone from the executive team to the warehouse. The key to looking great in a polo shirt is the decoration: heat-seal continues to grow in popularity and embroidery is still an option for the right logo. But please, for the love of all swag, do not put a giant left-chest logo on an otherwise stylish garment. Speaking for women everywhere, we don’t want a polo shirt with a left chest logo, let alone one that is oversized. And guys just look more professional in a polo with a left sleeve or back neck decoration.

Shorts at work used to be practically illegal, but not anymore. If you live in the southern half of the U.S. where temperatures reach 100 degrees regularly, shorts are necessary workwear for survival. Having said that, make sure you check the full-length mirror before you walk out the door to verify your choice – unless, like me, you have a 13-year-old daughter who’s always willing to critique your style.

Footwear has really evolved in the last decade. The greatest thing is that almost anything goes. Do you have a favorite pair of sneakers? Go ahead, wear them with a suit. As long are you’re comfortable, wear any shoes you like. And if flip-flops work in your office, go for it. (Note of caution on the flip-flops: Before you take a single step into the office, you must get a pedicure. This is non-negotiable.)

Tattoos, facial hair and man buns? Yes, yes and yes. What would have kept you out of the boardroom in the ’90s is now a statement of creativity and individuality in 2020. Just be careful how far you take that creativity – women with unicorn-colored hair, for example, won’t even warrant a second look.

In a perfect world, you’ll be judged by your ideas, creativity and services you offer your clients. But it never hurts to make a great first impression.

Your company can have the most advanced technology out there, but it’s no good if the employees who are supposed to be taking advantage of it aren’t willing or able to learn the new system. Here are some tips to ensure buy-in from everyone.

1. Roll out new technology in waves.
   Geiger’s IT team always tests upgrades on itself before going company-wide. “If we can’t make it work or it’s frustrating for us, then it’s going to be frustrating for everyone else,” says Dale Denham, Geiger's CIO. Denham will seat techs with each department that tests the new software, supporting them as they drive adoption. “When it works there, we spread it by saying, ‘It works for them, you should try it.’ Once it crosses the 50% threshold, it becomes a corporate mandate.”
2. Empower an employee or team to choose.
   When Campus Ink is looking for a new app or technology solution, co-owner Steven Farag will sometimes ask the employee who will be using it most to research options and present his choice. “I let him onboard and demo. He’s going to train me,” Farag says. “If he doesn’t love it, what’s the point?”
3. Listen to employees who have concerns.
   When Geiger decided to stop using Dropbox in favor of Microsoft’s OneDrive, some employees were very upset with the change, Denham says. “We could have sent an email or mandate, but instead we spoke to the individuals personally. We don’t hide behind email. We meet with the users to make sure we really understand why it’s an issue, and they’re usually less resistant when you’ve done it.”
4. Keep it positive.
   As the Magnet Group has been rolling out its new ERP system, the supplier’s management team has been vocally upbeat, talking it up to employees. “We don’t make it seem like it will do something it can’t, but we explain how it will make us more efficient and give us the ability to respond to business,” CIO Jonas Temple says. SanMar CIO Mike Knapick will emphasize that the business side is driving technological change rather than vice versa. “The key,” he says, “is getting the business to say, ‘We need this change. It’s good for us long-term.’”
5. Provide ample testing and training.
   Says Denham: “We always make users test and accept a rollout before we roll it out.”

Professional sports teams in the nation’s capital are teaming up on a merch-driven fundraiser that benefits people on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19.

The Washington Capitals (NHL), Washington Wizards (NBA) and Washington Mystics (WNBA) have a released a new line of branded T-shirts that will raise money for Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s “Feeding the Frontlines” charitable fund.

To help raise money for our #FeedingtheFrontlines fund to provide meals to heroes in the medical community, the @Capitals, @WashMystics and @WashWizards are offering limited-edition T-shirts.

Show your support! Order now: https://t.co/cVprwaPLSz pic.twitter.com/hmTci7q1vm

— Monumental Sports & Entertainment (@MSE) May 13, 2020

Proceeds from sales of the T-shirts will go to feeding first responders, healthcare workers and essential workers in the Washington D.C. area.

In replacing “Washington” with “Wash Your Hands” in the Capitals logo and adding a second, sudsy hand in the Wizards logo, the T-shirts’ messaging promotes frequent hand washing, a CDC recommendation to limit the spread of COVID-19. The Mystics “We’ll Always Be Together” shirt promotes unity and togetherness during a time of quarantining and social distancing.

The Washington Capitals replaced the “Washington” in their logo with the phrase “Wash Your Hands.”

The Washington Capitals replaced the “Washington” in their logo with the phrase “Wash Your Hands.”

To date, the “Feeding the Frontlines” fund has underwritten more than 7,500 meals to first responders, healthcare personnel and essential workers – and raised more than $175,000.

The limited edition T-shirts cost $25 each and can be purchased on the MSE Foundation site at https://www.monumentalfoundation.org/tees.

COVID-caused social distancing is canceling running races, but organizers are holding virtual events, which still require swag.

Because of COVID-19, the Pacific Crest Endurance Sports Festival had to go virtual this year.

Instead of having the marathon, half marathon, triathlons and various other endurance events between June 19 and 21 at courses in Sunriver, OR as planned, organizers have invited participating athletes to complete their race distances anytime from June 19 to July 4 on a course of their choosing, then submit their time online.

Pacific Crest Endurance Sports Festival T-Shirt.

Even though the athletes won’t be competing together, they’ll still get branded merchandise to create a sense of camaraderie and to remember the unique “event.” Pacific Crest will be shipping race-branded T-shirts, medals and more. So far, 1,000 or so participants are said to be signed up.

“A big piece of virtual (races) is the swag,” Max King, who reformatted the April 19 Bend Marathon into a virtual event, told The Bulletin. “People are looking for that, since they can’t have the physical event.”

The Bend Marathon and Half hoodie eco-fleece contains organic and recycled materials.

King’s insight should come as welcome news to promotional products distributors. Virtual race events are proliferating across the country amid social distancing practices that are occurring due to the coronavirus pandemic. And, race organizers still want to help attract and reward potential participants with swag.

Take the “Social Distancing Run 2020.” Organized by the Marathon Training Academy, more than 14,000 participants around the world are reportedly so far signed up to participate in the rolling date event, which invites athletes to run any distance from 5K and up between now and the end of the year. “Join our virtual race, stay motivated and earn some cool bling in honor of your un-run races,” race organizers say on the event website.

Folks who sign up for the basic $30 registration get a finisher’s medal and virtual race bib. Those who sign up for the “deluxe” package get the bib, medal and a technical running trucker’s hat.

Finisher’s medal for the Social Distancing Run 2020.

Elsewhere, Virtual Strides organizes virtual races that typically have a charitable aim. For instance, the Coronavirus Relief virtual race benefits Direct Relief’s efforts to aid in the fight against COVID-19. Participants in the race receive unique virus-themed swag. There’s a 3-D coronavirus molecule medal that features a toilet paper-patterned ribbon, an attached silicone keychain containing a 1-fluid-ounce bottle of hand sanitizer, a “Wash your hands, ya filthy animal” button and a forehead thermometer.

Such examples show that the demand for creative swag remains even though races are virtual.

To capitalize, promo distributors should contact race organizers with whom they’ve previously worked to see if they’re in need of solutions for a virtual race. If a distributor doesn’t have experience with races, he or she should reach out to people in their personal and professional networks who participate in races to see if they can point them in the right direction or help make an introduction to folks involved with organizing such events. Also, distributors can check out sites like https://www.active.com/running and https://race-find.com/us for help identifying virtual races.

It’s among the more light-hearted, clever and quirkier pieces of branded personal protective equipment to hit the market amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Devo wants to whip COVID-19 – whip it good.

The classic New Wave band has released a line of branded personal protective equipment that includes face masks and face shields. The shields are created in the style of the unique “Energy Dome” hats the act sported during its early 1980s heyday.

Newly launched Official DEVO Online Store OPEN NOW! Personal Protection Equipment & more! https://t.co/UEx2olS2wq pic.twitter.com/it6aK3fmLg

— DEVO (@DEVO) May 15, 2020

Devo fans will remember the Energy Domes, which band members perhaps most famously wore in the video for their 1980 hit “Whip It.”

Devo performing “Whip It” while wearing “Energy Dome” hats.

“Devo introduced the Energy Dome in tandem with our 1980 LP. Graphically bold design in aggressive primary red, it became the most iconic symbol of the band’s multi-media mission to spread the idea of Devolution,” writes Devo member Gerald Casale in a characteristically quirky description on the band’s website.

The “spiffy, clear plastic Devo … shield is designed to attach easily to the Devo Energy Dome to protect you from invisible microbes and unwanted bodily fluids,” Casale continues. “Stay safe in devolved style!”

Devo’s Energy Dome with face shield is available here.

Devo enthusiasts can also purchase various quantities of Devo-branded masks, which come in two styles. The band’s focus on PPE appears to be another indication that the market for branded personal protective equipment is poised to grow amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Devo face masks are available here.

With more and more Americans working from home and practicing social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, the need for simple stress-relievers and indoor activities is also on the rise. Enter the humble coloring book.

Coloring Book Solutions has seen an uptick in interest for its adult coloring books and puzzle books.

Adult coloring books – with their intricate patterns and tiny shapes requiring extra hand-eye coordination to fill in – were a big trend in the industry a few years ago. And the classic children’s versions have never really gone out of style. But coloring book suppliers in the industry say they’re seeing an uptick in interest for their products at a time when demand for many other types of products is dropping.

“I’ve been in the business since before the internet,” says Wayne Bell, CEO of St. Louis, MO-based Really Big Coloring Books (asi/82277). “During bad economic times, coloring books always rise in sales. … All the expensive electronic toys go out the window as families try to save money, and a lot of people turn to that family table time with kiddos and grandkids and coloring books.”

Chicago-based Lion Circle (asi/67620) has had a “couple of decent orders” for adult coloring books lately, says Rich Carollo, president. Scott Ward, national sales manager of Coloring Book Solutions (asi/45815) in Ashland, OH, says his company has been “slammed with orders,” because after all, what else are you going to do when you’re stuck at home?

A spin through the Amazon Top 100 list confirms a not-too-surprising trend: the resurgence of adult coloring books.

— Maris Kreizman (@mariskreizman) March 22, 2020

One of Ward’s distributor partners, for example, is preparing care packages for a client’s employees who are working from home in California, and adult coloring books are just one of several gifts being put in each box, Ward explains.

Another idea for distributors would be to suggest pairing coloring books with delivery and curbside services that are proliferating as local businesses shut their brick-and-mortar locations. “If you were to hand one out as a point-of-purchase gift, people would really enjoy that,” Carollo says.

One of the biggest reasons coloring books are hot – besides people having a lot of free time on their hands right now – is their efficacy in relieving anxiety. Studies have shown a link between coloring and mindfulness. “Coloring allows us to switch off our brains from other thoughts and focus on the moment,” Ward says. “Concentrating on coloring an image may facilitate the replacement of negative thoughts and images with pleasant ones.”

Bell says there’s “something magical that happens when you begin to color. ... Your body chemistry changes and you begin to relax.”

Hey. I’m seeing some ppl saying they can’t find YOU ARE HERE in stock bc there’s a run on adult coloring books. Call your local indie shop...they often have them and need support. And I have 5 copies to give out randomly so just reply here if you want one. :) pic.twitter.com/fvo9IDdqPB

— Jenny Lawson (@TheBloggess) March 23, 2020

It’s not just adult coloring books that are selling well as more states issue stay-at-home orders. Coloring Book Solutions has also seen an increased demand for its large-print puzzle books, especially to the senior market. “These are primarily elderly folks living in retirement communities or facilities where no outside visitors are currently allowed,” Ward says. “The puzzle books allow them the opportunity to engage in an activity that will help stimulate their brain in addition to passing the time.”

Bell’s company has made several educational coloring books geared toward children to teach them about coronavirus and proper handwashing techniques, which Bell says have been getting a good response as well.

Tips for staying focused while working from home.

It’s beginning to feel like Groundhog Day.

As the United States tries to flatten the curve and stem the tide of new COVID-19 cases, many of us have been working from home for over a week now. Wake up in the same outfit as yesterday, plop in your recliner, scan through the same “we’re all in this together” emails all these brands are flooding our inboxes with and spend the rest of your day wondering when things will go back to normal.

Before the ennui sets in, I got you (babe). Here are some innovative ways to keep clients and coworkers engaged while social distancing.

Social Media Campaigns
As Apple’s weekly screen time report can attest, people are scrolling social media more than ever before. Take advantage by launching a social media campaign. Encourage your staff and followers to share photos of their work-from-home station, home-cooked meals and, of course, their pets. Tweet or post a status asking folks to share their recommendations for binge watching and playlist compiling. Showing your personality can lead to stronger relationships with clients and even pique interest in potential ones. Plus, the online camaraderie can compensate for the lack of water cooler talk.

Newark, NJ-based Peerless Umbrella (asi/76730) has stepped it up a notch by creating a blanket fort challenge. The company’s Facebook followers can participate by building a fort with blankets, pillows, cardboard boxes or any other materials. Simply snap a photo of the design and post it in the comments by March 29 to be entered to win outdoor checkers or a giant yard domino set. Extra points for uploading the photo to Instagram, tagging @PeerlessUmbrella and using #PeerlessBlanketFortChallenge. It’s a fun, creative and safe strategy to build rapport with clients and grow your social media following.

Online Education
Despite your kids insisting this is an endless spring break, class is still in session. For you, too. ASIUniversity.com (free for ASI members) offers over 75 courses specifically designed to help you continue your professional development and grow your business. The team is also creating a calendar of education sessions and webinars geared toward helping you manage through the economic recovery. Now is a good time to invest in yourself, improving your knowledge and skills on a broad range of topics, such as how to increase sales, amplify your social media presence, learn decorating techniques and more.

Direct Mail
While digital media takes center stage during social distancing, stand out from the pack by sending promotional products directly to your client. If you’re not sure what to drop at their doorstep, perhaps something useful, yet informative during this time of need.

Buffalo, NY-based Le Tour de Spice (asi/67035) is using the coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity to market its healthy products. The supplier produces spice tubes of beet root powder and turmeric, as well as a tube of soap for when you’re using a public bathroom and want to avoid the soap dispenser. Each of the tubes come with packaging that gives tips on how to wash your hands effectively and avoid the spread of illnesses. It’s easy for distributors to sell – clients simply add their logo to one of the stock themes.

Creative packaging can turn the simplest products into tokens of value. For example, Leanne Schillinger, account executive at Top 40 distributor American Solutions for Business (asi/120075), sent her clients the most cherished item at the moment: toilet paper. But she focused on presentation, printing a label with messaging and wrapping it around the roll. Brian Ensign, owner of Aurora, CO-based Be Branded, went one step further and sent branded toilet paper to his top clients.

Direct mail isn’t just for clients. Mary Dobsch, owner of Washington, MO-based The Chest (asi/44830), has transitioned new hire kits into working-from-home kits to keep employees engaged. Inside a custom-printed box can be a letter expressing gratitude to your team for how they’re adjusting, along with useful branded items like a water bottle, pen and power charger, all placed in a custom tray.

Smile, You're On Camera
While email, conference calls and messaging apps are effective tools for keeping in touch, don’t be afraid to experiment with video. You don’t have to be tech savvy, just sincere. Bjorn Rheborg, regional manager at Top 40 supplier Gemline (asi/56070), has launched a YouTube series to inspire new ideas, showcase hot products and update viewers on what Gemline is doing internally to push through during this difficult time.

You can also build engagement by hosting Facebook Live videos, which is a great way to gauge your audience’s hunger for different topics that you can turn into a video series. Several suppliers and distributors have been giving brief video presentations about their company, products and services on various Facebook groups. Lindsey Davis, director of promotional sales at Cedar Rapids, IA-based Raining Rose (asi/80489), went outside the box by hosting a watch party of a virtual tour of the supplier’s facility.

Also, consider engaging webinars with relevant content that your audience can sign up for. Send out the information to your contact list and gather the email addresses during registration as warm leads for future marketing campaigns. Follow up with them after, particularly those who sent in questions during the webinar.

Suppliers are developing innovative, useful and delicious kits and care packages.

The words have come calling to me a lot over the years.

My dad often spoke them back when I was a kid. He’d say them when I’d worked up a head of steam and was bemoaning some unfortunate turn of events. “OK, that might be true, but you still have a lot to be thankful for. You have to remember those good things. Hold on to them and build on them.”

Not going to lie: When I was a teenager, the advice got on my nerves. I felt, back then, like the issue I was blowing up about was being minimized. But with time, I’ve come to see the simple, but deep, wisdom in dad’s directive. Certainly, I’m seeing it more now than ever amid the unprecedented societal, economic and health disruption we’re all experiencing as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

For sure, all of us have legitimate reasons to be anxious, aggravated, afraid and downright angry. You, like me, probably know people who’ve lost their livelihoods as a result of the coronavirus fallout. Maybe, sadly, you’re even among them. You, like me, may have people in your personal circles who’ve been infected with COVID-19 and are bravely battling it. Perhaps you, like me, are watching with a sense of injustice that the industry you’ve found a professional home in gets battered by operational disruption, temporary closures and diminished sales.

Sorry: Not trying to bum you out further. I’m just trying to say I get it. I’m not speaking from an Ivory Tower. I’m a guy with a wife and kids whose health is everything to me – a guy with bills, a mortgage and a destroyed 401(k) who’s concerned about what lies ahead for our health and for an economy that’s already in recession and heading, potentially, for worse.

Still, I’m trying to keep those winds of worry from whipping up into full-blown tornadoes by following dad’s advice, which in modern parlance would be this: I’m practicing gratitude every chance I get.

When I wake up in the morning, I’m expressing thanks for that profound fact of continued existence, something we all often take for granted. When I exercise, I’m expressing gratitude for the miracle of body movement. As stressful and overwhelming as work can be, I’m digging into a sense of thankfulness that I still have work. Of course, it goes without saying that I’m pouring thanks into the continued health of my wife and children.

The examples could go on, but don’t need to. The point is merely this: As tough as the coronavirus situation is, you probably have so many things in your life that you can still be thankful for. “Hold on to them and build on them,” as my dad would say. I’m no psychology Ph.D., but I know from experience that when you fill your heart and head with thanks, you feel better. When you feel better, you’re stronger and able to think clearer. That best prepares you to not just weather the adversity of your particular situation, but to develop smart strategies to actively navigate it. If it helps, pray, mediate and/or journal on things for which you’re grateful.

No, times aren’t good. It’s OK to look that reality in the face and acknowledge it – to talk about it, complain about it. But only up to a point. Eventually, the temporary catharsis that can come from kvetching turns toxic. Wallowing helps no one, most of all yourself. It only weakens your ability to deal with the situation at hand. Don’t succumb to it. Instead, straighten your back, give thanks as often possible, and push forward with a strategy and a sense of hope.

Speaking of hope: It snowed a little, iced a little, and then rained buckets in my neck of the woods on Monday (March 23). Come evening, however, the clouds rolled back, and a rainbow appeared. Some might call me sentimental, a sucker for easy symbolism, but I was thankful for that rainbow and the reminder it conveyed – that things can and do get better, and that hope is always worth holding onto.

The rainbow had faded a bit by the time I spotted it, but its colors and what it offered were still appreciated.

Business for supplier MediaTree has taken off by delivering emailed rewards for the homebound.

The promotional products that supplier MediaTree Rewards (asi/70303) offers the industry aren’t tangible, but they are lucrative. The Parsippany, NJ-based firm has been in the digital rewards business since the mid-2000s – back when downloading custom ringtones for your flip phone was totally hip.

MediaTree offers various digital rewards from a variety of brands and retailers for the promotional products industry

There isn’t much demand for premium ringtones anymore, but the company has carved out a niche with its gift card programs and digital rewards. Business has always been steady, says Bill Grassmyer, owner/founder of MediaTree. But in the last few weeks, due to stay-at-home orders and self-quarantining going on across the nation in response to the coronavirus pandemic, MediaTree’s business has “just exploded because now everyone is at home.”

“Distributors are looking at items they can offer while at home,” Grassmyer says. “Our product fits the bill because it can be emailed.”

The company does print physical gift cards, but most people have been opting to go fully digital with rewards sent directly via email. The other benefit is how quickly these digital gifts can be delivered. Turn time is within 24 hours, since there’s no physical product that needs to be created and shipped.

MediaTree also can deliver on two of the big things people want when they’re stuck at home: food and entertainment. The supplier has a gift card product that allows people to pick from all the national retailers that deliver food, including GrubHub and Uber Eats, Grassmyer says. The supplier also offers digital movie rental vouchers.

One quick glance at social media over the last few weeks demonstrates the obvious: many people have extra time for catching up on movies and TV. In fact, half of Gen Z and millennials and 49% of Gen Xers said they would be watching more online movies due to self-quarantining during the coronavirus pandemic, according to research conducted by tech company Morning Consult with The Hollywood Reporter. About a third of Gen Z and millennials were likely to rent movies via streaming services during the COVID-19 outbreak, according to the same Morning Consult report. And with restaurants’ dining rooms mostly closed, takeout service has become the only way to get a break from cooking at home all the time.

In recent weeks, a lot of companies have been incorporating MediaTree’s digital rewards as part of employee-related gifts, to motivate and reward workers who may be working remotely for the first times in their careers. “To be able to provide a meal for a family, if a company can do that, it’s a nice thing to do,” Grassmyer says.

A lot of distributors have been sending out digital gifts as self-promos. “They’re looking for a way to reach out and connect with their customer base in some way and just provide a little bit of joy,” Grassmyer says. “A lot of them are doing it because they want to be helpful.”

Suppliers are developing innovative, useful and delicious kits and care packages.

Although many markets have dried up during the coronavirus pandemic, distributors, along with the rest of America, can rely upon frontline workers.

Industries such as healthcare, emergency services, food processing/services, delivery drivers, law enforcement, postal workers, sanitation and more have been classified as essential workers, unable to stay home while the rest of the country practices social distancing. These people on the frontline deserve our gratitude for their selfless contributions, and many suppliers have updated their product lines accordingly.

Here are some creative “thank you” gifts that distributors can capitalize on.

Sweet Treats
Everybody has to eat. Of course, frontline workers don’t always have time to cook or run out for a bite. Sending food as a token of appreciation is a major trend right now, according to suppliers.

Alyssa Andrews, jack of all trades at Phoenix-based Fairytale Brownies (asi/53518), has gotten quite a few requests for “thank you” and “thinking of you” brownies since the coronavirus pandemic began. “Customers are sending gifts to hospitals, first responders, nursing homes and any place that a caregiver might be going the extra mile,” Andrews says. “Now that offices are closed, companies are conducting virtual meetings with brownie treats for their breaks. Others are sending gifts of encouragement just to let their team know they’re thinking of them. Birthday programs are still going strong – people are sending them as gifts to friends and family they can’t celebrate with in person.”

Fairytale Brownies has gotten several requests for “Thank you” and “thinking of you” brownies.

Being proactive is crucial for generating sales. Top 40 supplier Chocolate Inn/Lanco (asi/44900) has developed “hero recharge” kits, which include Jolly Ranchers, mini wafers, chocolate bars, roasted and salted almond bags, cinnamon fig bars, raisin nut trail mix and Starbursts. Meanwhile, Bethpage, NY-based Midnite Snax (asi/71685) has produced “healthcare heroes appreciation gifts.” Choices include a gift box or tin of candy and snacks, an assortment of fresh baked cookies, heart-shaped lollipops and a recovery kit filled with an Emergen-C packet, Nature’s Valley Granola Bar, Synder’s Mini Pretzels, Peppermint Lifesavers and a lollipop.

Midnite Snax has developed a snack-filled recovery kit to recharge the batteries of frontline workers.

Mosinee, WI-based Maple Ridge Farms (asi/68680) has dedicated a section of its website to work-from-home products, offering gift boxes of candy, chocolate, nuts, gourmet cheese and other snacks. The company is offering discounted pricing, free setup and free drop ships on most of the items. “Work-from-home gifts have been really popular,” says Traci Simonis, national sales executive at Maple Ridge Farms. “It’s a great way to be able to show frontline workers that we’re all thinking about them.”

Self-Care Items
With the hectic schedules, increased workload and ever-changing demands during the pandemic, frontline workers could use some time to unwind and take care of themselves for a change. Distributors should seek self-care packages that focus on comfort, relaxation and stress relief. Lotions, lip balms, hot and cold packs, stress balls and other personal care products are sure to be valued.

HHPLIFT’s hottest product is personal soap in a travel tin.

Chicago-based HHPLIFT (asi/60465) has been promoting its luxe spa line, which features bath salts, candles and the company’s biggest seller, personal soap in a travel tin. Top 40 supplier SnugZ/USA (asi/88060) has a zen category that is apropos during this anxiety-ridden time. The West Jordan, UT-based supplier provides candles, essential oil, room spray, diffusers and other bath products to soothe the body and mind.

Sally Anderson, owner of Newnan, GA-based Key Promotions, received an order for “thank you” gifts for frontline workers in the medical field. Anderson curated a package with a Made-in-the-USA travel mug, hand lotion, hygiene kit and sticky notes. “Hand lotion is very popular right now because so many people have dry hands from the extreme hand washing,” Anderson says. “The scent was lavender so hopefully it has a calming effect.”

Family-Friendly Activities
Don’t just target frontline workers – consider their families, too. Even though they’re on the job, their children are home from school, and boredom is surely setting in. Journals, puzzles and coloring books are some fun options to keep kids occupied. Adult coloring books are useful, too, as studies have shown a link between coloring and mindfulness.

“During bad economic times, coloring books always rise in sales,” says Wayne Bell, CEO of St. Louis, MO-based Really Big Coloring Books (asi/82277). “All the expensive electronic toys go out the window as families try to save money, and a lot of people turn to that family table time with kiddos and grandkids and coloring books.”

Really Big Coloring Books has seen an increase in orders – for both adults and kids – during the coronavirus.

Trusty Equipment
While several suppliers have shifted their production operations to making personal protective equipment (PPE), others are capitalizing on the equipment needs of frontline workers to continue their daily tasks. Tools, safety gear, power banks, backpacks and travel mugs remain popular items.

“People want made-in-USA and name brands right now,” says Michael Levy, president of New York-based Compass Promos (asi/46170). “They want to reward everyone doing hard work, from hospital workers to truck drivers. My cellphone number has been going out on every email because I want people to know I’m here to help.”

Leatherman tools, like this multipurpose pocketknife, remain popular items.

The company has been sending out email blasts to distributors showcasing creative decks – products curated for specific industries. For example, the first responders deck includes an assortment of Maglite flashlights and Leatherman multipurpose pocketknives. Each deck email comes with a random special, such as free setup or “better than EQP.” Having access to each brand’s entire product line, Compass Promos also offers customized decks and can request special orders for products not listed on its website.

Fellow New York-based supplier Aakron Line (asi/30270) has shifted production to a facility in Tennessee. As a result, some products are temporarily unavailable, as is 24-hour rush service. However, Tami Wainscott, Midwest regional sales manager, says that the Otaria Ultimate backpack has been a hit for frontline workers. “My daughter is a nurse, and she loves the backpack,” Wainscott says. “It has a bottle pocket on each side, so many distributors sell it as a combo with a custom bottle.”

Otaria Ultimate backpacks are a hit in the medical field.

As of April 3, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States’ leading national public health institute, has recommended that Americans wear cloth or fabric face coverings when entering public spaces. Sugar Land, TX-based PMGOA (asi/79982) is one of the suppliers producing these masks. PMGOA’s 100% cotton face mask has a one-size-fits-all design available in black, navy, red, white, charcoal and chocolate.

Inkwell Designers has gotten innovative, making a brandable product that pulls medical masks tighter.

As the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus intensified, Desiree Colonna wanted to do something to contribute to the fight against the pandemic and keep some business moving at her Woodstock, GA-based Inkwell Designers (asi/553001).

Her solution? Leverage her promotional products company’s in-house design and production capabilities to start creating medical mask hooks that can be sold branded or unbranded.

Inkwell Designer’s flexible, soft acrylic mask hook in action.

Made of flexible soft acrylic, the hooks situate at the back of a wearers’ head, where the mask side loops fit into them. This helps eliminate slack in the mask, holding them tighter against the face, Colonna says. Additionally, the mask loops no longer have to go around the wearer’s ears. That, says Colonna, helps prevent the abrasion and soreness members of the medical community have reported from wearing the masks.

“I am selling about 200 units per day, donating 2,000 per week and taking in donations to help pay for the materials to make more for our local and in-state medical community and beyond,” Colonna told Counselor. She continued: “We have donated hooks to Georgia medical workers and workers around the country. We’ve sent them as far as California.”

Colonna noted that people have been purchasing the hooks for family members working in essential jobs – like grocery store worker. Meanwhile, Inkwell Designers’ donations have included giving 1,000 hooks each to Northside Hospital, one of Georgia’s largest healthcare providers, and to the commander general of Georgia’s National Guard.

“The coolest story involved getting the call from the commander general’s wife and working with her to get these in the hands of nurses and doctors in Albany, GA, our state hot spot,” Colonna told Counselor.

Customers have also included the general public and some other promotional products distributors.

Colonna notes that she got the idea for the hooks from online engraving forums. Still, she says Inkwell Designers’ touch of ingenuity involved using the soft, flexible acrylic, which lends a pliability to the product that will keep it from cracking/snapping apart under pressure.

The hooks are pliable.

“We want to help during this unprecedented period in our history,” Colonna told Counselor. “We found this was the best way – to create a product people could really use, especially our first responders.”

Inkwell Designers is part of a much broader phenomenon in the promotional products industry in which companies are pivoting to sell and/or manufacture personal protective equipment to meet unprecedented demand amid the coronavirus pandemic. More on that can be found here and here.

Nothing screams spring quite like a floral print. Whether it’s a blouse bursting with big, bold blooms or a skirt sprouting sprigs of pastel petals, these lush prints have a timeless appeal. And lucky for you, they’re completely in season.

There are as many ways to wear florals as there are varieties in your grandmother’s garden. Psychedelic flower-power prints inspired by ’70s-era fashion are huge for spring, according to fashion site Who What Wear. Though often considered feminine, floral prints are also trending in menswear, and not just for loud Hawaiian shirts either. In fact, there’s a particular floral hoodie by designer Louis Vuitton that famous athletes can’t get enough of, according to GQ. Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and retired Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia wore the sweatshirt to the same Super Bowl afterparty.

In the promotional and corporate apparel realm, florals are cropping up in headwear and outerwear, in particular. “Floral prints can create a fresh and appealing look for any outfit, especially when done on outerwear,” says Tracy Lehnen, vice president of marketing at Top 40 supplier Charles River Apparel (asi/44620). “They inspire creativity and give a youthful look and feel to your wardrobe.”

Charles River Apparel offers a floral print New Englander rain jacket (5194) and a version with flower-printed lining (5197).

Traditionally, specialty and boutique markets have gravitated toward florals, Lehnen says, but the prints are also becoming more mainstream, and a floral print “can be a great gift or showstopper for brands who want to make a statement.”

Mega Cap offers many hat styles with floral prints, including this cap (7655H) with a floral brim and this wide-brimmed ladies’ bucket hat (6535).

Michael Nakajima, a sales executive for Mega Cap (asi/70434), recommends targeting the beverage market, since floral designs pair well with their recent emphasis on lighter alcoholic beverages. But florals also work for themed events, corporate markets, travel and hospitality, he adds. Consider adding straw hats to the mix in these types of pitches, he says. “Straw hats sell to the same market as florals,” he adds.

When it comes to logos on florals, stick to one color that complements the palette used in the print, advises Kaitlyn Montagna, decoration operations specialist at Charles River. For example, the supplier’s floral print New Englander jacket uses muted tones, so a great choice for logo color would be olive green. “It’s in the same family, but doesn’t draw too much attention,” she says.

You should also pay close attention to the proportions in the print. “If you have a small print, a small logo will have a hard time standing out,” Montagna says. “On a larger print, a small logo has space to be seen clearly.”

It’s no secret that pastels have been trending, perhaps kicking off with the craze for millennial pink that started a few years ago. Pistachio, peach and other pale shades have all had their moments in the sun. Now for this spring and summer, it’s time to focus on lavenders, lilacs and other soft purples.

Some trend watchers have gone so far as to dub the hue “millennial purple.” The Pantone Color Institute calls it Grape Compote, predicting that it will be huge this year. Online magazine PopSugar says it “feels decidedly fresh and feminine in clothing and accessory form.”

Model Cara Delevingne rocked a three-piece lavender power suit during Milan Fashion Week, and Glamour gushed: “The model nailed the monochromatic look while ushering in the pastel hue as this season’s it color.”

There are plenty of lavender options in the promotional apparel world. Fruit of the Loom (asi/84257) recently launched a new collection of T-shirts called the Iconic line that comes in 27 colors, including “Candy Hearts Heather” – its own version of lavender. Kristen Vincent, manager of merchandising at Fruit of the Loom, calls it a “tinted neutral” and notes that the shade is “appealing as a trans-seasonal, genderless palette that’s an easy, yet fresh option for decorators.”

Fruit of the Loom (asi/84257) offers a version of lavender in its new Iconic T-shirt (IZC47WR) line.

Lavender is in particularly high demand with 20- and 30-somethings (hence the millennial purple designation), and it’s “especially popular within the youth street market,” Vincent says.

Logos in classic black and white, or even creams, yellows, hot pinks and light blues would pair well with lavender apparel. Don’t limit yourself to clothing, however; lavender tints could also give a fresh look to water bottles, tumblers, tote bags and more.

This faux crocodile zippered case (BLLA-R1493) is available from Bella Line (asi/39586).

This 22-ounce stainless steel bottle (4760) is available from Evans Manufacturing (asi/52840).

The Garden State would be the first in the U.S. with bans on both types of bags.

New Jersey is poised to become the first state to ban both single-use plastic and paper bags – a move that could help stimulate interest in branded reusable bags, such as totes.

Just days after neighboring New York’s single-use plastic bag ban took effect, New Jersey’s state Senate voted in favor of a bill that would place prohibitions on single-use plastic and paper bags, as well as disposable plastic straws and Styrofoam/polystyrene foam takeout containers.

The Garden State’s General Assembly still needs to approve the measure. And, Gov. Phil Murphy must sign it into law. A timeline wasn’t certain as it remained unclear if the Assembly would support the measure.

New Jersey will be the FIRST state in the country to ban BOTH plastic and paper bags, along with styrofoam takeout food containers if bill JUST approved in the NJ State Senate by 22-14 vote becomes law. NJ State Assembly still has to approve& @GovMurphy sign @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/gBXXOZy7df

— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) March 5, 2020

Should the bill become law as written, retailers and food service businesses will be prohibited from providing or selling single-use plastic and paper bags. They also won’t be able to sell or give out polystyrene containers. There are limited exceptions to the rules, which can be reviewed here. Food service businesses would be able to give out disposable straws, but only if customers specifically request them.

As an alternative to disposables, legislators, environmentalists and bill proponents are encouraging consumers to take advantage of reusable products. Totes, drawstring backs, and reusable straws are options. That presents opportunity for businesses of all stripes to provide and/or sell such products with their branding on it – something promo products pros can capitalize on.

Distributors in nearby New York are poised make the most of such opportunities as they begin to arise in their state.

“The (NY plastic bag) ban is absolutely an opportunity to sell more reusable bags, and it helps our positioning as a brand partner,” Joseph Sommer, owner of New York City-based distributorship Whitestone Branding (asi/359741), recently told Counselor. “The ban allows us the opportunity to educate our clients on how to use product to bring more attention to their brands.”

NYC-based Axis Promotions powered by HALO (asi/128263) is excited about the prospects, too. “I definitely see the ban on single-use bags as a big opportunity for all of us to sell more branded reusable bags to our clients,” Axis EVP Joan Bluestone Landorf told Counselor recently. “Most of our clients are already avoiding plastic bags and some of our beauty clients absolutely forbid using any plastic packaging.”

A growing number of cities, municipalities, states and even countries are enacting prohibitions on single-use plastic bags. It’s part of an effort to reduce plastic bag litter and pollution. Ban proponents say the pollution spoils natural habitat and poses a danger to wildlife, which can choke on or become caught in the disposables. States like California, Maine and Vermont have voted statewide prohibitions on plastic bags into place.

In 1950, the world’s population of 2.5 billion produced 1.5 million tons of plastic, according to Surfers Against Sewage, a marine conservation charity based in the United Kingdom. In 2016, a global population of more than 7 billion people produced more than 320 million tons of plastic. The 2016 tally is set to double by 2034. Every day, approximately 8 million pieces of plastic pollution find their way into oceans, according to Surfers Against Sewage.ly loaded USB on them – a USB that features their creative work, ready for sharing. Certainly, Anthony had that in mind when he developed the USB cap.

I’ve already gone on record with my love of all things Baby Yoda – or if you want to get all technical and boring, “The Child.”

OK, who else is planning to buy ALL the #BabyYoda merch in the universe? #Mandalorian #StarWars #merch @asicentral @ChrisR_ASI https://t.co/mwKYCVoENF

— Theresa Hegel (@TheresaHegel) November 22, 2019

The cuddly alien was the breakout star of The Mandalorian, the Disney+ Star Wars drama that released to massive hype last fall. Disney successfully surprised fans by keeping the diminutive character under wraps, but after the shocking reveal, the big-eared baby broke the internet, becoming the star of countless memes and subject of tons of unlicensed Etsy merch.

But official Baby Yoda merch was few and far between – the price Disney paid for honoring Mandalorian director Jon Favreau’s request to keep the character spoiler-free. During that crucial holiday-shopping season after the show premiered, there was little that Star Wars fans could put under the tree – other than an IOU for TBD toys. Not exactly satisfying.

The first round of hastily rolled out merch was also a let down (for me, at least).

More #babyyoda merch has been announced. Cuter than the first round, but still not loving it, tbh. https://t.co/zXSVHbftvN #TheMandolorian #promotionalproducts

— Theresa Hegel (@TheresaHegel) December 12, 2019

But I did enjoy seeing how the promo industry embraced the trend at recent ASI trade shows.

Baby Yoda is at #ASIOrlando, over at the @PepcoPromo booth. #BabyYoda #promotionalproducts pic.twitter.com/bBJbdAmMM6

— Theresa Hegel (@TheresaHegel) January 5, 2020

Fast-forward to February, and a ton of adorable Baby Yoda baubles are in the works – from Lego sets and board games to plushies and pajamas. There are Baby Yoda backpacks and speakers – the sound emanating from holes poked in his little, bald head. The full lineup was revealed at Toy Fair 2020 in New York, and it’s a lot. Maybe almost too much?

The Child merchandise is now available on Shop Disney, though some of the preorder items have already sold out.

It left me wondering whether the novelty of the new character has worn off. Then, I spent 15 minutes watching videos of the animatronic Baby Yoda made by Hasbro, so what do I know?

Hasbro’s first look at animatronic Baby Yoda will steal your heart https://t.co/BEg7P92p9W pic.twitter.com/q0mW0hTcvt

— The Verge (@verge) February 21, 2020

The 10-inch doll, which will feature over 25 sound and motion combinations, was already sold out less than a day after becoming available on Disney’s e-commerce site. Even if it does become available to preorder, the doll isn’t expected to ship until December of this year. Other Baby Yoda items are still just as sought over. Funko announced recently that its upcoming Baby Yoda figure broke pre-order sales records at the company.

Clearly, the Force is still strong with The Child.

ESP search data appears to indicate a significant increase in end-buyer demand as coronavirus spreads around the world.

According to new data from ASI, searches for face masks and hand sanitizer increased dramatically this month, signaling a growing concern about preventing transmission of the coronavirus.

This month, the terms “hand sanitizer” were searched 5,577 times, up from 2,900 in January and 2,173 in February 2019 (a 92% increase and 157% increase, respectively).

Meanwhile, “face mask” was searched 711 times this month, up from 373 last month (a 91% increase) and just 25 at the same time last year (a 2,744% increase).

The first coronavirus deaths in the U.S. occurred on Feb. 27, when two residents of a nursing home in Kirkland, WA, succumbed to the disease. As of March 4, there are 126 cases across 13 states and 11 people have died, 10 in Washington state and one in California. A Department of Homeland Security location in King County has closed after an employee visited the Kirkland care facility.

Homeland Security facility in Washington state closes due to coronavirus outbreak - CNNPolitics https://t.co/mxdCSaeAX4

— David P Gelles (@gelles) March 3, 2020

Chocolate Inn/Lanco (asi/44900) offers hand sanitizer to the industry, and marketing manager Nick Caputi says that while they usually see an increase in demand each year during flu season, this year is different.

“We saw a direct jump in sanitizer interest once the coronavirus became headline news,” he says. “It’s been a 40% increase year over year.”

Fortunately, the company manufactures its own sanitizer, so they’ve been able to replenish supply to keep up with demand. They’ve seen orders from a variety of industries, mainly for their own employees’ use, and they don’t expect it will diminish anytime soon. “With all of the reports coming in, we anticipate the demand to continue well into the spring and very likely even further,” says Caputi.

SnugZ/USA (asi/88060) also offers sanitizer, and demand increased significantly since January and has been “off the charts” since the end of February, says CEO Brandon Mackay, about the time that California announced it had its first case of unknown origin; the patient had not traveled to any countries with confirmed cases and hadn’t been exposed to anyone infected.

Sanitizer sales at Snugz are up 25% from February 2019, mostly for health campaigns, hospitals, schools and travel-related companies. “We’ve also seen a spike in requests that confirm the product is manufactured in the USA,” says Mackay, who added that much of its products (not just personal care) are in higher-than-normal demand because of the ripple effect of the virus.

“I think the fact that we’re a domestic manufacturer has pushed business our way as the workforce has yet to return to China after Chinese New Year,” he says. “People had hoped that China factories would be open and then ran out of time, and now the orders for us are coming in like a wave.”

Personal care supplier and manufacturer Raining Rose (asi/80489) says they’re seeing a 400% year-over-year increase in sales for hand sanitizer, and volume of inquiries is even higher.

“At this point in the year, we usually see our business move toward sunscreen,” says Lindsey Davis, director of promotional sales. “Instead, we’re seeing an uptick in sanitizer that’s outpacing sunscreen. Our call and email volume and our rush orders for sanitizer have all increased. We’re continuing to produce our best-selling items more quickly and in larger batches to keep up with demand, since most requests aren’t item-specific.”

Many of the requests are coming from the travel industry and public event organizers. “We’re forecasting that demand on our inventory will continue to build,” she says, “so our staff is prepared to handle the increase in general communication.”

Meanwhile, ASI suppliers that manufacture or source disposable face masks are also seeing increases in demand. This comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has asked the public not to panic-buy masks in bulk, since they’re not effective for protecting non-infected people from catching the virus, but are needed for infected patients to help stop the spread. Shortages have led to unprotected health workers, who are at the highest risk for transmission, and price-gouging.

Panic over the novel coronavirus is hitting a fever pitch in the US. And despite repeated pleas from health officials not to purchase them, Americans can't stop snatching up masks and respirators.​ https://t.co/QKMYqpL49c

— FOX 5 San Diego (@fox5sandiego) March 3, 2020

“This is a psychological thing,” Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, told CNN this week. “The coronavirus is coming, and we feel rather helpless. By getting masks and wearing them, we move the locus of control somewhat to ourselves.”

Suppliers in the promo industry say the increase in demand is absolutely related to these fears. “Inventory is really tight nowadays,” says Cecilia Shi, marketing manager at Wonderland Promo Inc. (asi/98102). “But we have several factories that produce them, so we’re not anticipating that inventory will be affected. I’m not sure of the exact end-buyers asking for them, but we’re expecting demand to continue building over the next month.”

Nancy Wang, a manager at AC Services Co. (asi/55220), says the demand is rising so fast that accurate numbers are hard to calculate, but they also work with factories that are churning them out quickly. “We’re also seeing more demand for infrared ear and forehead thermometers,” she says. “This will definitely continue over the next month.”

To encourage continued mask production over the coming weeks, the U.S. government has made plans to buy up all surplus supply of face masks. The plan is to obtain 500 million N95 respirators and face masks over the next 18 months for the Strategic National Stockpile, comprised of pharmaceuticals, vaccines and emergency supplies.

In a fast-paced industry with educated clients, creative ideas will set distributors apart.

1. Listen to TED Talks and podcasts.
The sheer breadth of topics you can learn about listening to TED Talks and podcasts will take you out of your daily routine and get you to think in new ways about subjects you might not have been aware of before.

2. Learn something new.
Maybe you’ve always wanted to take art lessons, or play the piano, or learn a new language. Make time once a week to pursue a creative activity that requires you to use a different part of your brain.

3. Create a vision board.
A vision board is a visual representation of the goals you want to achieve. Think loftily and set high objectives. If being more creative with clients is there, include visual representations – such as magazine photos – of how you want them to feel after experiencing your customer service.

4. Go somewhere different.
Take a well-earned vacation – or just a day – and go somewhere that’s been on your list. Leaving your comfort zone and daily routine behind will give you a new perspective and get those creative juices flowing.

5. Prioritize daily brainstorming.
Find the time of day where you’re most productive and do some brainstorming. It could be about your business, clients’ upcoming promotions or prospecting activities. Write down everything that comes to mind, then clean it up and create actionable steps to address each area.

6. Start a sketchbook.
Buy a lightweight sketchbook you can carry with you everywhere you go, and just start drawing. Taking a few minutes away from the daily grind and focusing on something creative and low-pressure will get you thinking in a different way.

Watch This
Copywriter Ashlyn Carter gives her five tips for boosting and maintaining high levels of creativity in virtually any industry, whether it’s sales, writing or another role. Watch it below:

The new product allows your smartphone to charge even with a cell phone grip on the back.

At CES, the massive tech trade show in Las Vegas this week, PopSockets announced the latest product to join its lineup of smartphone accessories.

The PopPower Home Wireless Charger allows your Apple or Android smartphone to wirelessly charge even with a PopSocket – the popular collapsible phone grip and stand – on the back, TechCrunch reported. Previously, PopSockets users would either have to remove their phone case to wirelessly charge or opt to charge their phone with a power cord.

With this new accessory, you’ll simply plug it in and place your phone or other device on top, making sure any attached PopSocket slides into the hole in the middle. An LED indicator on the side will alert you that the case is charging.

Introducing PopPower Home, the world's best wireless charger that allows you to charge your device without removing your PopGrip Apple and Samsung compatible! https://t.co/vG0ZSPVi9Z pic.twitter.com/Oj0omRcCom

— PopSockets (@PopSockets) January 7, 2020

Powered by Nucurrent, the new charger features Qi certification with Extended Power Profile (EPP) to deliver up to 15 watts of wireless power, up from the standard 5 to 10 watts. The accessory will also work through phone cases up to 5 mm thick and can charge devices that don’t have a PopSocket on the back. The case will come in an array of designs, including Night Bloom, Mountainscape, Matte White, Cosmic Cloud and Carbonate Gray. The phone’s model, case thickness and battery depletion will affect the charge times, PopSockets says.

PopPower Home Wireless Charger is currently available for $60 exclusively on Popsockets.com.

“PopSockets is a highly successful retail brand focused on innovation and the new PopPower product is a great example of this,” Jeff Hall, president and CEO of iClick, told Counselor. “iClick is committed to launching all relevant PopSockets products for our distributor partners and we look forward to making PopPower available in the very near future.”

Bans on single-use plastic bags are a factor driving brands’ interest in reusable bags.

Demand for branded totes is forecast to rise among retailers, according to a just-released report from Adweek. Though the increase in single-use plastic bag bans has often been the impetus for the growth, certain high-profile brands are also making the most of what they see as an excellent marketing opportunity, Adweek reports. 

How retailers are turning plastic bag bans into a branding opportunity: https://t.co/Ht7e8NQGKk pic.twitter.com/wkGmBvWDFe

— Adweek (@Adweek) January 21, 2020

“Smart retailers have turned plastic bag bans from potential pain point to branded billboards that travel into every shopper’s home and stay out of the trash,” Bob Phibbs, CEO of consultancy The Retail Doctor, told Adweek Senior Editor Robert Klara. “It’s a great way to remind the consumer of that store before they leave the house again, and it’s so much better than generic, flimsy and polluting plastic bags.”

As Phibbs’ analysis suggests, prohibitions on single-use plastic bags helps drive demanded for branded alternatives, like logoed tote bags. That could be good for the promotional products industry, with savvy promo distributors capitalizing and increasing sales of branded reusable bags.

Calling grocery totes “movable marketing tools,” Klara highlights examples of top retailers that have turned to totes. For instance, there’s a reusable bag from Rochester, NY-based upscale grocery chain Wegmans. Selling for only 99 cents, the bag’s veggie-rich graphics are a nod to Wegmans’ “open-air European-style produce market,” Klara writes. Spotlighting other examples from Macy’s, Target and more, Klara notes that southeastern grocery chain Publix, with its 1,100 stores, has a collection of 14 reusable bag styles. Late last year, a branded tote from The Fresh Market went viral as a result of an attorney using it to carry documents to a hearing related to the potential impeachment of President Donald Trump.

Wegmans “Box Veggies” tote

A growing number of municipalities, cities and states, as well as countries, are considering or actively trying to ban single-use plastic bags. For example: Providence, RI, recently enacted prohibitions on the bags. The motivation is environmental. Ban proponents say the bags present a threat to wildlife and natural habitat, while also generating litter and pollution.

The world produces more than 300 million tons of plastic each year, according to Statista, and scientists estimate that up to 91% of plastic is never recycled. The average American family reportedly uses 1,500 plastic bags annually.

Statewide prohibitions on single-use plastic bags have been approved or are in place in Vermont, Maine, California and New York. Hawaii has a de facto statewide ban. Both Washington and Kentucky are among the states considering statewide bans. The Kentucky proposal would also place restrictions on single-use plastic straws and balloon launches.

Promo products branded with powerful messages can serve as a tangible force for good during difficult times.

Recently, we’ve spotted news reports referring to promotional products as “trinkets and trash.”

The tired slag ignores the cost-effective, ROI-rich impact that promo products can have when the solutions are tailored intelligently to a client’s audience. Read more about that here. As importantly, the long-running insult also ignores the fact that the products can serve as the foundation for powerful messages that do everything from contribute to collective catharsis when tragedy strikes, to help raise money to support important causes during difficult times.

Two examples from recent weeks illustrate the latter points. The first centers on the tragic story of Carley Ann McCord. She was a popular sports reporter in Louisiana. On Dec. 28, the 30-year-old died in a plane crash en route to see the Louisiana State University Tigers football team play in the college football semifinal. Her father-in-law, Steve Ensminger, is LSU’s offensive coordinator.

On Jan. 12, the day before LSU was to play in college football’s national championship game, the LSU fans group Cajun Tiger Tailgating held a crawfish boil at which they gave out bracelets branded with the message, “Do it for Carley” – an inspirational rallying cry calling on the team to win the big game for McCord and her grieving family.

The group was also providing McCord-inspired T-shirts, which were screen-printed with a quote the late reporter posted on social media before she passed away. The quote is: “Only rainbows after rain. The sun will always come again.” Beyond the quote, the shirts featured an LSU logo and McCord’s name and the years her life spanned.

Additionally, Cajun Tiger Tailgating told news outlets that it plans to sell merchandise as part of the tribute to McCord. A portion of the money will benefit a memorial scholarship established in McCord’s honor at one of her alma maters – Northwestern State University. Funds from the scholarship will support female students at the school who are pursuing a career in sports journalism.

In another example from the sports world, 23-year-old professional hockey player Oskar Lindblom was diagnosed in December with Ewing’s sarcoma. Following the cancer diagnosis, his teammates on the Philadelphia Flyers started wearing special “Oskar Strong” T-shirts under their uniforms, in solidarity with Lindblom. Fans and players on other teams began sporting the shirts, too. Made by Biscuit Tees, the shirts are available for consumers to purchase. All proceeds benefit the “Hockey Fights Cancer” initiative.

The boys look great in our tees!! Let’s keep raising money and fighting with Oskar!! We have hit $50,000 to donate to #hockeyfightscancer @NHLFlyers #OskarStrong https://t.co/4IftTyFnWw pic.twitter.com/QAJLhNF2Yr

— Biscuit Tees (@BiscuitTees) December 19, 2019

Meanwhile, Flyers Charities also released an “Oskar Strong” shirt. All proceeds were to benefit Ewing’s sarcoma research at the Sarcoma Foundation of America.

https://t.co/UTTvVvpcjT pic.twitter.com/2geQ80oT7V

— Travis Hughes (@_travishughes) December 17, 2019

While heart-wrenching, the McCord and Lindblom stories serve as examples of how branded merchandise can be a tangible force for good when trials strike. That impact amounts to much more than trinkets and trash.

Thousands of products – from the useful to the bizarre – were unveiled at the massive tech trade show.

CES, the massive consumer electronic expo that takes over Las Vegas at the beginning of each year, launched over 20,000 products from more than 4,400 exhibiting companies in 2020. With more than 2.9 million net square feet of exhibit space, that’s a lot of new technology to sift through.

“This week at CES illustrated that every company is truly a tech company,” said Karen Chupka, executive vice president of CES. “Global technology brands blended with nontraditional tech companies to showcase how innovation is furthering business across all markets – setting the stage for the decade ahead.”

Tech companies showed off wall-sized TVs, laptops with foldable screens, driverless cars, meatless “Impossible Pork,” and much more. Here are a few of the gadgets that stood out, whether because they’re quirky, useful or a combination of both:

1. Samsung Ballie: Though it resembles a tennis ball, this gadget is actually a combination smart home device and robotic companion. Thanks to cameras and sensors, this “all-around life companion” can follow behind you – like a diminutive BB-8. The device can take photos, control smart home features and send you updates on your home when you’re away.

2. Prinker S temporary tattoo printer: A fabulous idea for brand activations and event marketing, this tattoo printer creates realistic-looking temporary tattoos in seconds. Users scroll through a companion app to choose a tattoo (or design their own) then pass the handheld printer over their skin to painlessly apply the ink, which lasts one to three days.

This smart temporary tattoo machine called “Prinker” is currently giving out tattoos that say “no ragrets” pic.twitter.com/b6C8ZHhBWR

— Ed Zitron (@edzitron) January 9, 2020

3. NURVV Run: These smart insoles are designed to help fix flawed running style. Each insole has 32 embedded sensors capable of capturing a wide range of running data, such as stride length, pronation, cadence and foot strike. After a run, that data is transferred to a companion smartphone app for analysis. The app then suggests ways to help runners avoid injuries and become stronger and faster during their runs.

4. Charmin RollBot: Charmin’s conceptual product – don’t expect to be able to purchase it anytime soon – is a rather cheeky marketing ploy. The RollBot can deliver a fresh roll of toilet paper to someone in distress, via smartphone control.

They really gonna call this "RollBot" and not "PooBear?" https://t.co/jkljS8kJM2

— One Ring (doorbell) to surveil them all... (@hypervisible) January 6, 2020

5. Inupathy harness: Japanese company Langualess brought the Dr. Doolittle factor to CES. It Inupathy harness measures and analyzes your dog’s heartrate, using it to determine the canine’s mood. The harness changes color based on the animal’s mood, and owners can use the associated app to track their pet’s mood over time.

6. Y-Brush: If you though two minutes was just too long to devote to oral hygiene, rejoice. This smart brush is designed to clean all of your teeth in just 10 seconds – five seconds for the top and five for the bottom.

Tooth care is huge at #CES2020. This is Y-Brush, a vibrating full-mouth tooth brush that brushes all your teeth in 10 seconds. Apparently you spend 4x more time on each tooth. It uses regular toothpaste and is rechargeable. $129. Shipping now. #cesunveiled pic.twitter.com/zOUjdryIwt

— Lance Ulanoff (@LanceUlanoff) January 6, 2020

They’re stylish, varied and extremely lightweight.

Bella + Canvas (asi/39590)

Greek letters will look excellent on this unisex sponge fleece pullover hoodie (3729). It features thick, dyed-to-match draw cords and ribbed cuffs and waistband; bella.com

Dyenomite (asi/51185)

Tie-dye apparel is surging again in fashion circles, and this warm and comfortable spiral hoodie (854MS) is ideal for a younger demographic; dyenomite.com

Dri Duck Traders (asi/50835)

The quarter-length design, four-snap placket and pocket of this jacket (7352) add a stylish and functional element to a great work piece. It’s anti-pill and offers UPF 50+ sun protection; driduck.com

Storm Creek (asi/89879)

This fleece pullover (2640 Mark) features a quilted diamond pattern on the top and brushed fleece on the bottom for a classy look. Stock in gift shops and employee stores; distributor.stormcreek.com

Cutter & Buck (asi/47965)

Calling all corporations: This versatile ½-zip pullover (MRK00040) can be layered over a T-shirt, polo or dress shirt, with or without tie; cbcorporate.com

Vantage Apparel (asi/93390)

Dig the bold colorblocking on this fleece pullover hoodie (3283). It’s made from a soft 80/20 cotton/poly blend, with striping that offers a natural spot for decoration; vantageapparel.com

Whether they’re stainless steel or silicone, the year’s hottest product trend on land has its roots deep in the sea.

While many zeitgeist-y movements are kick-started by fashion, pop culture or people with the last name Kardashian, the driver of this year’s biggest product trend has a less auspicious – and way more interesting – origin: a sea turtle’s nostril.

Back in 2015, a young marine biologist studying in Costa Rica shot a video of her team removing a plastic straw impacted up a sea turtle’s nasal cavity. The 8-minute video, which went viral and currently has over 38 million views on YouTube, moved viewers because the straw had to be gingerly taken out with pliers as the turtle was clearly in distress. Predictably, outrage ensued. This, coupled with the influence of the millennial and Gen Z demographics’ embrace of sustainability and visceral aversion to single-use plastics, generated a wave of plastic straw-shunning. Soon, brands like Starbucks and American Airlines, as well as restaurants across America and in Europe, started foregoing the ubiquitous red- and blue-striped plastic tubes, encouraging consumers to find alternate methods that reduce plastic usage and lessen the impact on the environment.

Counselor Top 40 distributor Boundless did a direct mail piece to clients and prospects with the tagline “Sip Sustainably,” which garnered interest among recipients looking to promote the use of reusable – in this case, silicon – straws.

Distributors in the industry aren’t terribly surprised. “Clients who order these items are using them as a marketing tool for being a ‘renewable’ company more than practicality,” says Amy Wolf, founder and CEO of the distributor evo3 marketing (asi/190628) based just outside Seattle. “But yes, they’re shown and requested more for smaller-budget items.”

Nicole McNamee, managing director of global accounts for Top 40 distributor Boundless (asi/143717), points out that geography is playing a big role in the demand for reusable metal and silicon straws. “I’m in the middle part of the U.S. in Memphis, TN,” she says. “In my local market, we’re not seeing much of an increase in requests for reusable straws. I think it will come, but the trends start on the coasts and work inward. For example, my largest client is Carnival Corporation with headquarters in Seattle, Santa Clarita and Miami. With these three locations there’s an absolute uptick for requests (and in some cases, required by law) to ditch the one-time use straws.”

And just because this story started with a sea creature, don’t discount couture as an impetus behind the trend. “The retail/fashion industry is probably the biggest buyer of these products from us,” says Michael Scott Cohen, CEO of the NYC-based distributor Harper + Scott (asi/220052). “It’s not just about the product though; we’re helping construct the story behind why they’re giving away a reusable/sustainable product.”

For that, the turtles of the world can breathe a sigh of relief.

Popular web destinations for disgruntled employees to post reviews include career sites like Glassdoor.com, Indeed.com, Vault.com and Careerbliss.com. Some even turn to Yelp. To stay abreast, establish accounts on these sites and, where possible, set up alerts for when comments related to your company appear. Of course, ex-workers may take to social channels like Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook, too. They also might comment in news articles and blogs that touch on your brand. Catch the activity by setting up Google Alerts for your company, and consider using social media monitoring software, such as Critical Mention.

Here are more tips to deal with negative online reviews.

1. Establish a Response Strategy.
Include procedures like who’ll respond to the negative reviews. This can vary. Some companies might want an HR professional to reply under the company name. Others might desire current employee advocates to respond under their personal names. The bottom line is to have a strategy, which increases the chances of replying consistently and successfully.

2. Get the Tone Right.
Rise above the bile and deliver a personalized, empathetic response that shows your company cares about creating a positive workplace. This can include an apology using the more sincere “we” such as: “We’re sorry that you had a negative experience.” This can be complemented by a mention of something that the ex-worker did well while still employed. If the person is making statements that are patently false, keep your tone polite and still apologize, but correct the inaccurate information with facts. Thank the reviewers for their feedback.

94% of workers believe negative comments about a company on employer review sites damage the company’s brand.

Source: CareerArc and Randstad USA

3. Respond to Positive Reviews.
It shows you’re engaged and that you appreciate the feedback, implying you value creating a workplace culture in which employees are happy. Also, sunshine drives out the dark, so a swell of positive reviews with responses from your company can overwhelm the negative ones. However, don’t have current employees flood a negative review with too many positive comments in response; it looks disingenuous.

4. Consider the Criticism Objectively.
Does the critic have a point? Maybe. And, if so, negative reviews are opportunities. If valid, they point out areas in your operations and culture where improvement could potentially be beneficial. Use negative reviews that air legitimate gripes as a springboard for growth.

5. Nip It in the Bud.
Of course, the best way to handle negative ex-employee reviews is to see that you don’t receive any in the first place. Sure, it’s easier said than done. But there are things you can do.

Suggestions include:

• Be truthful during the hiring process. Set honest expectations regarding what the job entails, what the perks/benefits are, and what potential paths for advancement exist.
• Foster good management. Sometimes, when employees say they “hated” a company, what they really mean is they disliked their boss. Therefore, developing good managers who care about their teams and lead by inspiration, example and positivity can be an invaluable investment. Obviously, it will help with retention, too.
• Set clear goals for employees and provide them with the tools and support to achieve those objectives.
• Recognize employees when goals are achieved, and reward workers who go above and beyond.
• Say thank you often. It never hurts.
• Share in the success. Consider introducing a profit-sharing plan. Pay a fair market wage.
• Invite feedback. Provide mechanisms through which employees can feel safe giving sincere feedback about what they feel is effective and what’s broken within the company, their department and managers. Solicit the same type of input from managers. Review the feedback with an open mind and adjust as necessary.

The trendy short-form mobile video sharing app is wildly popular with Gen Z and has helped launch everything from hit songs to viral tees.

If you’re over the age of 22, you’ve probably never used – let alone heard of – TikTok, but the short-form mobile video sharing app is a massive platform that just hit 1.5 billion downloads and has 1 billion active users. More importantly for the promo world, it’s a breeding ground for youth culture, where viral memes and fresh slang are born with every 15-second lip sync clip posted. And for print-on-demand e-commerce vendors, it can be a great way to find fodder for the latest moment merch.

Jonathan Garriss, CEO of novelty merch maker Gotham City Online, recently told CNBC that his staff frequents places like TikTok and Reddit for trending memes, since social media sites that skew older, like Facebook, tend to be outdated. “We try to find memes that have a little more staying power,” he said. “There are things that are popular this week and not popular the next. We try to avoid those.”

Print-on-demand vendors are finding inspiration from 15-second videos on TikTok. Photo via Amazon.

Gotham City Online sells T-shirts on Amazon through its subsidiary Pop Threads. Amazon’s print-on-demand services make it easy for Gotham City Online to experiment with designs and memes to see what sticks. “If we create a design that doesn’t work, it’s not like we’ve got a thousand shirts sitting on the shelves. We produce them as they start to sell,” Garriss told CNBC.

Here’s a sampling of the internet slang that’s been memorialized in thread and ink: “Respect the drip, Karen,” which references a TikTok video of a teen telling his stepmom to respect his outfit; “Yeet,” an expression of excitement, approval or surprise; and “OK boomer,” Gen Z’s dismissive, sarcastic response to criticism from older generations.

Celebrity Kylie Jenner capitalized on a TikTok meme she inspired by selling hoodies in her official shop. Photo via The Kylie Shop.

TikTok also has star-making power. The biggest success story is rapper Lil Nas X, who uploaded his award-winning, genre-defying country rap hit “Old Town Road” to TikTok late last year, turning it into a meme and propelling the song to a record 19 weeks at number one on the Billboard charts.

Another example occurred in October. Kylie Jenner posted an office-tour video on YouTube, at the end of which she sang the words “rise and shine” to her sleeping daughter, Stormi. In less than two weeks, the impromptu serenade had become a massive meme on TikTok. In grand Kardashian tradition, Jenner wasted no time merchandising the clip, posting hoodies based on the meme onto her online shop. She also applied for a trademark on the three-word phrase.

The runaway success of TikTok has certainly caught the attention of other social media sites – including Facebook, which has been testing Reels, a copycat video-editing tool for Instagram, to try and steal some of TikTok’s thunder. While the typical TikTok user doesn’t match the typical demographic of a corporate buyer (according to GlobalWebIndex, 41% of users are between 16 and 24 years old), it mirrors the trend of past successful social media sites that started young before capturing older demographics. In addition, it heralds a movement toward bite-sized video that could prompt promo professionals to keep their marketing messages short, sweet and set to a catchy beat.

Quilted outerwear serves as both a functional piece and streetwear statement.

The puffer jacket has become a ubiquitous sign of slipping temperatures, with everyone from snow bunnies to streetwear fashionistas sporting the cozy style – and that’s not even getting into runway iterations of the trend, like those outrageous outerwear ball gowns Moncler is dreaming up. North Face product director Michael Horsch has even given our puffer predilection a name: “outleisure.”

The idea for the modern-day puffer was born way back in the 1930s, after adventurer Eddie Bauer nearly died from hypothermia when his wool jacket became waterlogged and froze. He filed for a patent for his quilted, down-filled jacket in 1940. For decades, puffer jackets were all about utilitarian needs, keeping outdoorsy types protected from the elements. In the 1990s, however, they gained a cool factor in hip-hop culture and as streetwear. Now, of course, the puffer is everywhere. “It’s become a cultural piece that offers functionality and fashion, much like the rise of the Timberland boot,” says Christina Marcantelli, inside sales representative for Top 40 supplier S&S Activewear (asi/84358).

Puffer jackets, like this array offered by Storm Creek, come in a variety of styles and colors.

These days, there are way more options for puffer jackets than ever before, from long and belted to cropped and collared, in every color of the rainbow. “The versions are endless and go beyond the look of a ‘marshmallow puff,’ ” Marcantelli says.

Advancements in quilting machine technology have also enabled outerwear designers to offer new stitch-line patterns to change up the look of a jacket without compromising its strength and integrity, according to Doug Jackson, founder and president of apparel supplier Storm Creek (asi/89879).

This men’s hybrid down jacket (1555) from Fossa Apparel features heat seal finishing, rather than stitching to ensure the down fill stays intact.

Smaller and narrower bands of quilting are currently more in vogue “than the bigger, blocky patterns,” says Eric Chen of supplier Fossa Apparel (asi/55141). Some companies have even eschewed traditional quilting all together, in favor of heat seals, he adds, which has the advantage of keeping down feathers from escaping through tiny stitch holes.

As far as the guts of a puffer, down is considered the premium insulation option, Chen says: “The natural properties of goose feathers provide some terrific insulation that polyfills just can’t quite match.”

Plus, Marcantelli says, down has a better fill power and makes for a lighter, but warmer jacket. “If you’re looking for a lightweight, packable option, buying a puffer with feather down is the best choice,” she says.

This Columbia Powder Lite jacket (169800) is available from S&S Activewear.

Still, down tends to be more expensive than synthetic polyfills. The material also raises allergy and animal-rights concerns, says Andrea Routzahn, senior vice president of portfolio and supplier management at alphabroder (asi/34063). And, Jackson notes, down doesn’t perform well if it gets wet, an issue that doesn’t affect synthetics. Storm Creek uses the branded insulation, Thermolite, in its jackets, which Jackson says provides better warmth than generic insulation.

This North End puffer jacket (NE708) from alphabroder (asi/34063) is insulated with synthetic down.

The other aspect of functionality that’s critical for puffer jackets is the shell itself. “A good puffer must be water-resistant and wind-proof,” Jackson says. “Wind is the biggest ‘chilling’ factor for people outdoors.”

Thanks to the versatility and variety of puffers, the pieces needn’t be relegated merely to winter weather. Lighter jackets and vests can sometimes be worn all year long. “Our Colorado customers will wear a puffer vest and a T-shirt in the summer, and our northern customers can get through a cold winter with our 120-gram insulated jacket,” Jackson says. “To illustrate this point at our annual retail outdoor show one year, a very high-end outerwear vendor showed a mannequin in a bikini and puffer vest.”

Actor Will Smith’s limited-edition line, Bel-Air Athletics, is filled with retro-inspired 1990s styles that promo pros should keep an eye on.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is back with some retro 1990s-styled branded merchandise that heralds a few fashion-forward trends promotional products pros could do well to check out.

Called Bel-Air Athletics, the limited-edition line from Will Smith is inspired by gear the mega star wore while playing the title character of the 1990s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Earlier this year, Smith released a different ’90s-retro collection of Fresh Prince gear. It’s all part of a broader trend in retail and branded merchandising – namely, a fond reimagining of 1990s apparel that younger audiences are embracing. Everything from the reemergence of scrunchies to *NSYNC capsule collections are part of the style movement.

Anyhow, here are some particular looks from the collection to take note of – and how they might apply to your promo products sales.

The Unstructured Flat Bill

The “Dribble Drive Will” six-panel cap has style elements that will appeal to end-client audiences in markets that range from music and extreme sports, to craft breweries, colleges and startup/technology firms with younger and/or urban workforces. For sure, the unstructured, flat bill look checks the still-hot laid-back “dad hat” box. Furthermore, the small, cartoon-style embroidery is a feature brands courting Gen Z and younger millennial audiences might want to incorporate into merch.

Reactive Tie-Dye Throwback Tee

Tie-dye just keeps getting hotter – as Counselor has previously detailed. High schools, colleges, fraternities, sororities, summer camps, vacation destinations, outdoor recreational businesses, musical acts, ice cream parlors, preschools – these are just some of the end-clients increasingly investing in the style. Will Smith taps into – and gives further credence to – the trend with this tie-dye tee that features a back-in-the-day photo of himself as a basketball star. What’s additionally notable is the heat-reactive tie-dye, which changes color with body heat. Talk to vendors about their ability to provide heat-reactive tie-dye. Being able to deliver the color-shifting shirts to clients could give you a leg up on the competition.

Reversible Jacket

This track jacket can be worn with either the navy side or paisley pattern as the exterior. The jacket has proven so popular that Smith’s website notes that orders will ship in six to eight weeks, as opposed to the initially anticipated three to four. That tells you something: The look is sizzling hot.

Admittedly, it won’t be for every client, but for brands that want to communicate a truly in-the-now, on-style vibe, this type of reversible vintage-sparked track jacket could be just the thing. To name a few, end-clients could include: Adult beverage brands, legal cannabis-related firms, musical artists, gamers and streamers, gaming companies, nightclubs, skate/surf brands, higher-end tattoo artists/shops, custom vehicle businesses, new-school barbershops, mobile app development firms and other tech companies. Indeed, be sure to suggest the reversible outerwear to technology clients. After all, a reversible jacket was one of the choicest pieces of swag at Apple’s World Wide Developer Conference earlier this year.

The interesting case study occurs at the crossroads of music, technology and promotional products

Bring Me the Horizon, a Grammy-nominated rock band from the United Kingdom, is putting a tech-fueled spin on its branded merchandise through an offering that enables fans to buy personalized band swag based on their Spotify listening preferences.

aмo ιn coloυr
cυѕтoм @Spotify ιnғlυenced мercнhttps://t.co/j7bqxt4Ei7 pic.twitter.com/WIyaIVuXC1

— Bring Me The Horizon (@bmthofficial) October 15, 2019

To get the band-branded T-shirt, fans go to a site called http://amoincolour.com – a nod to Bring Me the Horizon’s 2019 album amo. Visitors then follow prompts to connect with their Spotify credentials and to select their six favorite songs from amo. The Echo Nest, a music data intelligence platform, then performs a bit of digital age wizardry, analyzing the users’ amo track preferences along with previous Spotify listening habits that involve Bring Me the Horizon. Factors like the loudness and energy of music tastes are weighed.

Oli Sykes from Bring Me the Horizon performs at a concert in Germany.

From there, fans receive a virtual sample of a T-shirt that features a unicursal hexagram symbol, which the band often uses in its iconography. The symbol is suffused in color that’s based on the fan’s musical predilections. Ultimately, would-be buyers can receive 10 possible color outcomes.

A Bring Me the Horizon T-shirt option from the band’s “amo in colour” website.

Interestingly, you can participate even if you don’t have Spotify. You just have to tap in via email and put in your Bring Me the Horizon song choices for the design magic to occur. Don’t have Bring Me the Horizon on your Spotify? No worries, you can still take part, as the T-shirt color design will be based on the six songs you select from the group’s most recent album.

As The Verge suggested here, some users might have privacy concerns. “In order to create your custom shirt, you’ll have to grant the album’s label — Sony Music Entertainment — a lot of access to your Spotify data. Spotify’s API — an online protocol that allows companies to share data — was questioned earlier this year by Billboard for giving overreaching permissions to labels. In particular, Billboard said Sony Music Entertainment often asks for the most access, and the company is still asking for the same set of permissions here, including the ability to stream and control Spotify on your other devices. One thing has changed: at the time, these permissions were hidden in drop-down menus. Now, they’re not.”

Nonetheless, the concept of using personal music streaming data to create a music-to-mood-specific color on a T-shirt design is novel and interesting. For promotional products distributors, it can serve as a potential source of inspiration for creative customized merch initiatives with end-clients in the music market. Potential in that market is soaring.

As traditional sales of compact discs and the like plummet and listeners only download/stream select songs, musical artists have increasingly turned to branded merchandise as a primary source of revenue. The Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association reports that sales of music merchandise tallied $3.1 billion in 2016 – a 10% increase over the prior year. Furthermore, in the previous two years, the volume of branded music merchandise available for consumer purchase has tripled, according to Edited, a company that specializes in retail analytics.

Savvy companies in the print and promo space are keen to capitalize on music merch’s potential. Virginia-based Custom Ink, which specializes in ecommerce sales of custom-printed apparel and other items, recently acquired Sidestep – a website and mobile app devoted to selling concert merchandise. Custom Ink made the acquisition through its subsidiary Represent, a Los Angeles-based company that specializes in partnering with celebrity influencers and others on branded merchandise initiatives. With Sidestep, musical artists can sell swag to fans before, during and after live events.

Recent significant acquisitions in the music merch world include The Thread Shop, Sony Music’s merchandising division, buying the music merch division of New York City-based The Araca Group over the summer.

Sony’s acquisition occurred only about a half-year after its competitor Universal Music Group bought Los Angeles-based merchandiser Epic Rights. Last year, Warner Music Group spent about $180 million to purchase EMP, a Germany-based retailer of music and entertainment swag.

It’s part of a growing trend among publishing brands that promo products professionals could capitalize on.

Billboard, the popular print and online media source for music news, has launched its first-ever online store for branded merchandise.

Check out the new Billboard Merch Store below! https://t.co/LpBkJfhP8w

— billboard (@billboard) October 9, 2019

The move is notable as it marks another pillar of the traditional publishing world turning to merch as a revenue stream. In that, there’s potential opportunity for the promotional products industry.

Billboard vintage Hot 100 logo hat.

The Billboard Merch Store features T-shirts, drinkware and caps, including on-trend dad hats (see above). The new collection is classified into categories like “comic,” “classic,” “retro” and “Hot 100” – the latter a nod to one of Billboard’s music sales charts, which is among the publication’s most recognizable and enduring creations. Despite the categories, retro/vintage-style graphics dominate much of the line, with T-shirts displaying cassettes, “boomboxes,” references to the 1980s and bold, geometric coloring endemic of that decade.

Retro boomboxes T-shirt from Billboard.

Retro pop art tee from Billboard.

For the store, Billboard partnered with TWG Konnect, the ecommerce division of The Wildflower Group, a Hoboken, NJ-based licensing and consulting agency that aims to deliver best-in-class product extensions and collaborations for brands and manufacturers. TWG Konnect also runs web stores for Discovery, Piper Lou and Mathew Berry’s Fantasy Life.

Billboard is among the growing list of notable so-called “old media” brands trying to capitalize on strong brand cachet through online merch. The New York Times, for instance, is a leader in this regard, having a collection of retail promotional products that include everything from wool caps and onesies, to T-shirts, crewneck sweatshirts, drinkware, tote bags, aprons and more.

Super “T” wool baseball cap from The New York Times.

The Washington Post is also in on the ecommerce swag act, selling shirts that bear the tagline “Democracy Dies in Darkness.” The Post’s webstore proclaims that each purchase “supports journalism that matters.”

Democracy Dies in Darkness’ shirt from The Washington Post.

For promotional products distributors, such developments signal that there’s opportunity to create similar web stores for media clients increasingly interested in monetizing their brands as they carve out new revenue niches amid a digital age transformation that has seen traditional print revenue decline. One potential route might be to connect with a media company that owns local publications throughout the nation, and then create merch-stocked web stores for each of its media brands to retail to their local audiences. Independent and niche publications with a devoted audience are other avenues to purse.

The phrase is Gen Z’s dismissive riposte to Baby Boomers and other older folks.

“Moment merch” has been used to do everything from champion social justice issues and convey political messaging to capitalize on hot topics in sports and entertainment.

Now, the moment merch phenomenon, which involves translating topics trending in the public discourse into imprinted merchandise, is at the center of the generational divide between Gen Z and its older counterparts, particularly Baby Boomers.

‘OK boomer': how the Gen Z retort of 2019 has been monetised https://t.co/nE7By2guCl

— The Guardian (@guardian) October 30, 2019

The phrase “OK Boomer” is being blazoned across everything from T-shirts, hooded sweatshirts and socks to stickers, mugs, phone cases, buttons, throw pillows and more.

OK Boomer T-shirt available on Amazon from Grizzly Designs.

Gen Z, the generation that’s just younger than Millennials, is using the phrase as a dismissive riposte to older age groups. “OK Boomer” is a way for so-called “Zoomers” to express their frustration at what they see as the negative state of the world they’re coming of age in – a world they blame Boomers and other older folks for creating. Furthermore, it’s a sarcastic, eye-rolling response to what Gen Zers feel is the constant unfair criticism that Boomers and others over 30 hurl at them.

OK Boomer sticker available on Redbubble.

Interestingly, young entrepreneurs are cashing in on the popularity of the generational retort by printing it all over merchandise that they’re then retailing to like-minded peers. The New York Times, for instance, reported that one 19-year-old woman, Shannon O’Connor, has captured more than $10,000 in orders from her online store, which sells apparel bearing the “OK Boomer” line. Similarly, 18-year-old Nina Kasman told the Times that she intends to use the money she’s earning from selling “OK Boomer” merch to help pay her college tuition.

OK Boomer mug from Amazon store Indica Plateau.

In an ironic twist, Gen Z biting its thumb at Baby Boomers is very much mirroring what the Baby Boomers themselves did when they were young. Many of that generation grew up rebelling against the status quo and the Vietnam War, while espousing things like “never trust anyone over 30.”

From a purely merch perspective, it’s interesting to see how brandable products have become a platform for voicing intergenerational strife. Promotional product distributors might look for opportunities to tap into the trend in end-client and self-promotional merch initiatives aimed at younger audiences.

OK Boomer phone case available on Redbubble.

The shelf appears just below videos and, with one click, lets fans purchase branded gear from official artists.

YouTube has a new offering that allows musical artists with an official artist channel to sell their branded merchandise from a “merch shelf” that appears below videos.

Launched this week, the novel swag-focused ecommerce service is the result of a collaboration between YouTube and Merchbar, which carries more than 1 million branded items from 35,000 artists, making the site one of the largest global music merchandise aggregators.

“Merchandise drops have become an integral part of artists’ album campaigns,” YouTube said in a statement. “With this partnership, YouTube is giving fans direct access to their most favorite merch. Fans watching videos from their favorite artists on their YouTube Official Artist Channels can now see a shelf with the artist’s own branded merchandise and, with a simple click, access the artist’s merchandise on Merchbar’s website.”

Music producer/DJ Marshmello debuted a soccer jersey on his Merchbar/YouTube merch shelf.

As part of the launch, popular electronic music DJ and producer Marshmello debuted an all-new soccer jersey that’s exclusive to Merchbar and his YouTube channel, which has nearly 40 million subscribers.

Marshmello soccer jersey.

If the YouTube merch shelf sounds a bit familiar, that’s because the video-sharing platform previously established a merch shelf offering for non-music creators who have more than 10,000 followers. That was done in partnership with Teespring.

From a promotional products perspective, merch shelf offerings like this could represent a potential source of competition. On the other hand, the move also speaks to the important emphasis musical artists are placing on merchandise sales, which translates into opportunity for savvy promo pros. Other recent creative music merchandise initiatives include U.K.-based rockers Bring Me the Horizon selling fans a personalized T-shirt based on their Spotify streaming preferences.

The product penchants of these Gen Z fashionistas could influence preferences in the promotional products space.

The “Valley Girls” of a new generation are here, and they’re called “VSCO girls.”

That just might be a good thing for promo. Consider: This Gen Z demographic is already – and will soon be an even greater – target audience for a bevy of brands’ promotional initiatives. Plus, VSCO girls’ tastes could prove increasingly influential on their peers. And just check out what some of their top product preferences are: name brand reusable water bottles, scrunchies, and oversized T-shirts and sweatshirts – all good news for promotional products companies.

Promo distributors would be wise to start positioning such products in pitches to end-clients targeting youthful audiences. Initiatives aimed at high school and college-age crowds in particular would do well to feature industry-equivalent products and corresponding styles. Counselor has previously written about the re-emergence of scrunchies and the Croc/sandal look. With more suppliers offering oversized T-shirts with vintage appeal and pastel colors, not to mention an array of water bottles with on-trend styling and high-performance insulation features, savvy promo distributors will be poised to capitalize on the VSCO girl phenomenon.

h2go force (91671) from ETS Express (asi/51197)

Garment-dyed crew neck T-shirt (1801GD) from Los Angeles Apparel (asi/67971)

If the term “VSCO girl” has you all …

Don’t worry. Urban Dictionary is here to help with a bit of a salty definition: A “VSCO GIRL wears oversized T-shirts or sweatshirts with Nike shorts. Has Vans, Crocs, Birkenstocks, and wears a shell necklace. She also wears tube tops and Jean shorts. She always has a Hydro Flask (the brand name reusable water bottle). She can't leave home without a scrunchie and her favorite car is a Jeep.”

We can help with some additional details. The term “VSCO” is a reference to the photography app, with flattering filters, these young women often used to snap images of themselves for social media posts.

The whole look is meant to give a laid-back beachy vibe, though ironically it takes quite a bit of effort – and cash – to pull it off.

Still, the VSCO trend is gaining a crazy amount of momentum – a Gen Z retro-inspired-yet-all-new creation that’s increasingly popular, as the savvier-than-us folks at Buzzfeed have previously reported. Sure, older folks may lower an eyebrow of disdain, as previous generations are wont to do with the style choices of younger generations, but such condescension, from a business perspective, is a waste of time. Rather, promo pros – and brands/marketers in general – should be cooking up clever ways to capitalize on a trend that, for the moment, is on the rise.

Long Island, NY, is now tapping into community pride and increasing regional tourism with its own line of swag.

Residents and visitors of Long Island can now advertise their appreciation of the area with branded merchandise, including T-shirts, tanks, slide sandals and headwear, thanks to Discover Long Island, the area’s official tourism agency.

The organization says demand for locally branded apparel and accessories grew after the agency launched its “BeLONG on Long Island” marketing campaign in the spring; the new e-commerce shop opened this week.

Triblend unisex T-shirt with 1-color screen print.

Unisex muscle tank with a screen print in rainbow colors.

“We were inundated with requests for Long Island-branded attire and merchandise,” Kristen Jarnagin, president and CEO of Discover Long Island, said in a company statement. “We immediately recognized the need to align with other Long Island retailers to offer visitors and residents the opportunity to proudly wear their love for Long Island and to enjoy unique and locally sourced Long Island products, ultimately building local pride in the beautiful place we call home.”

Unisex slide sandals.

Rainbow-colored sunglasses celebrate World Pride.

PopSocket with Discover Long Island's signature wave graphic.

To that end, Discover Long Island has simultaneously partnered with locaLI bred, a subscription box company on Long Island that sends out locally made products. The first co-branded box from Discover Long Island and locaLI bred, slated to ship next month, will have eight fall-themed items from local artisans; a few randomly chosen recipients will also receive a piece of Discover Long Island merchandise.

The subscription box will include items from Long Island artisans and swag from the new line.

“Discover Long Island’s mission is very similar [to ours],” said locaLI bred co-owner Haile Geller. “They want to get people thinking about Long Island as a destination where things are always happening, as a cool and awesome place to be. Being able to do our part to support that, for us, [is] very special.”

Shop local campaign offering uniquely Long Island products.https://t.co/0StCrULfmi

— Long Island Business News (@LIBN) September 23, 2019

Discover Long Island is a nonprofit that receives most of its funding from a hotel and motel “bed tax” in Long Island’s Nassau and Suffolk counties, as well as from dues from 800 members. The merchandise proceeds pose an additional “potential revenue stream,” according to the organization. The State of New York reports that tourists spent $5.8 billion there in 2017, a number that’s steadily increasing.

Distressed ball cap made of 100% cotton.

Beanie with faux leather imprinted patch.

Leveraging people’s pride in their communities is a prime opportunity for distributors to launch product collections that complement tourism efforts. Last month, the Nebraska Tourism Commission released a line of branded items with the tagline “Nebraska. Honestly, it’s not for everyone.” And last spring, Travel Michigan released Pure Michigan swag to promote tourism.

The fitness lifestyle apparel brand has partnered with the GRACEDBYGRIT Foundation.

Solana Beach, CA-based apparel supplier HYLETE (asi/62076) has launched a new charitable initiative that’s focused on supporting and empowering young female athletes.

HYLETE says it will be contributing 1% of its women’s product line sales to benefit the GRACEDBYGRIT Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission includes providing scholarship opportunities to female student-athletes pursuing participation in sports in college.

GRACEDBYGRIT Foundation Tri-Blend Crew Tee

“We have an opportunity to highlight the recipients of the scholarships and exemplify the importance of athletics for young women,” says Kate Nowlan, president of the GRACEDBYGRIT Foundation and a VP at HYLETE. “With all the obstacles young women face, this is one tangible contribution and statement we can make as an inclusive, passionate and innovative brand. For the HYLETE community, they not only can purchase incredible product, but they can support a relevant cause."

GRACEDBYGRIT was formerly a women's athletic apparel brand. HYLETE acquired the company in June 2018. Nowlan, GRACEDBYGRIT’s co-founder, and some team members joined HYLETE. Leaders at HYLETE and the GRACEDBYGRIT Foundation say they value the “power women find within themselves to overcome obstacles life throws at them.”

HYLETE added in a statement: “By sponsoring scholarships that honor female student-athletes who've overcome adversity, HYLETE hopes to alleviate one of the obstacles. HYLETE acknowledges that sports and athletics can positively affect the personal development of a young woman, encouraging goal-setting, leadership, and teamwork.”

In addition to GRACEDBYGRIT, HYLETE supports a number of other charities, as detailed here. Founded in 2012, HYLETE provides a range of performance-enhanced apparel and accessories.

It’s an eco innovation the promotional products industry should keep its eyes on.

A London, U.K.-based apparel company has pulled off a fashion first that takes the concept of eco-friendly clothing to the next level.

Vollebak’s biodegradable, compostable tee. Photo from Vollebak.

Vollebak has created a T-shirt that’s made from pulped eucalyptus and beech that’s sourced from sustainably-managed forests, as well as algae that’s grown in bioreactors. The end product is a soft, durable earthily hip tee that’s biodegradable. Bury it in the earth, and it’s gone in approximately three months. But don’t worry, Vollebak says, the shirt won’t biodegrade while you’re wearing it; the tee needs the fungus, bacteria and heat from the Earth to do that.

The ingenious tee is the work of Vollebak founders Nick and Steve Tidball – twin brothers who’ve been at the forefront of wild apparel innovations since launching their company four years ago. The innovations include a solar charged jacket that won a list of awards, including Time’s Best Invention of 2018, Fast Company’s Innovation by Design award and Wired’s Gear of the Year. The T-shirt made with ceramic technology for high-level abrasion resistance, a jacket that mimics the adaptive camouflage of squid, and fire-and-water battling pants designed to last 100 years are other notables.

The Black Squid Jacket mimics the adaptive camouflage of the squid. Photo from Vollebak.

Still, it’s the recently released Plant and Algae Shirt that’s been gaining the most attention of late because it addresses one of the biggest negatives of the textile industry – and that’s the heavy toll clothing waste and industrial apparel manufacturing take on the planet. Consider: People sent about 11.2 million tons of textiles to landfills in 2015, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Meanwhile, it takes anywhere from 25 to 40 gallons of water to dye two pounds of fabric, and the textile industry gulps down almost 25 trillion gallons of water annually, research shows.

But through an innovative process and use of organic materials left in their natural state, Vollebak is presenting an innovative solution to the waste and resource depletion with its Plant and Algae Shirt. The ingenuity includes using a closed loop production process to turn the wood from sustainably-managed forests into fabric. “In practice this means that over 99% of the water and solvent used to turn pulp into fibre is recycled and reused,” Vollebak says on its website. “And on the Higg MSI scoring system, which measures the impact of producing a kilogram of fibre – taking into account fossil resource depletion, water scarcity, eutrophication and global warming – this fabric scores 10 against cotton’s score of 60. Our eventual aim is to score 0.”

Photo from Vollebak.

The green engineering extends to the T-shirt print, which is made from algae. “To turn algae into a printable ink, we use the same technique used in Kenya to create algae cake,” Vollebak says. “Instead of passing lake water through a cotton net, we pass water from the bioreactor through a filter. This process separates the algae, leaving a soupy algae paste. This paste is then dried in the sun to create a fine powder, and this powder is mixed with a water-based binder to make algae ink.”

Over time, the algae print organically changes color. No chemicals or dyes are used in the making of the shirt. So, when wearers do bury it to biodegrade, only organic material enters the soil. "Our idea with all our clothing is to cut down on the amount of clothing that ends up in landfills and [..] make people think differently about how long they could or should own a piece of clothing for," Vollebak CEO Steve Tidball told Forbes.

Currently, the shirt retails for $110. Here at Counselor magazine, we don’t expect the tees to start popping up in the promo products industry tomorrow – but one day they, and future models like them, just might. After all, the shirts are representative of a growing movement centered on creating apparel that’s truly sustainable in material, production process and post-life. As younger Millennials and Gen Zers begin to dominate the consumer and corporate buying marketplaces, promotional products professionals should look for demand for verifiably green wearables to take deeper root and sprout.

Vollebak founders Steve and Nick Tidball.

Looking to improve your social outreach and brand messaging? Sidestepping these pitfalls will boost your success rate and help you better connect with buyers.

1. Focusing on Quantity
   Instead of Quality Instead of rushing to create as many content pieces as possible to blast out via social platforms and newsletters, step back and take the time to develop thoughtful, well-rounded content that’ll be truly useful and entertaining to your desired audiences. The quantity of content you produce will decline, but it’s likely that overall engagement will increase, as more are drawn to view the better pieces.


2. Creating Content Just Because It Interests You
   Sometimes, marketers produce content that they might find compelling, but that doesn’t ultimately carry great significance for their prospects. The remedy is to always create blogs, videos, social posts and white papers that appeal to the particular audience you’re targeting. One way to get a feel for what audiences want is to simply ask them. Also, utilize data and research, which can include tracking the types of content topics and forms that perform best.


3. Branding Too Broadly
   This issue can arise for businesses that serve a variety of markets and end-buyers. One solution is to segment recipients of your emailed content into different lists, with the lists being composed of clients/prospects that have mutual interests. For instance, you could group all your manufacturing clients onto one list. By segmenting, you can develop and share content that’s crafted to the specific interests of the list audience. You’ll likely get more clicks. A similar tactic can work with your content mediums: Consider creating differently branded blogs and social accounts that focus on the verticals you target.

Look who stopped by to visit the dinosaurs! We had a great time hosting David Harbour, who plays Sheriff Jim Hopper on Stranger Things on @netflix. He even paused for a photo with the purple hoodie that turned our world upside down! #ThunderLizard #StrangerThings3 pic.twitter.com/PGj8xkLiYn

— Science Museum of Minnesota (@sciencemuseummn) June 24, 2019

Turn this summer up to Flamin’ Hot with the new @Forever21 x Cheetos collection. Get them at https://t.co/h3kJNM3Ckm #Forever21xCheetos pic.twitter.com/Jj34o0KJqY

— Chester Cheetah (@ChesterCheetah) June 6, 2019

forever21’s hot cheetos collection!!!????? Lemme get my purse

— s a l (@sal131520) June 6, 2019

Can’t say I’m proud of the fact I just spent $100 on the new Hot Cheetos x Forever21 collab but here we are

— Kate Riddle (@Karidddle) June 6, 2019

I continue to amaze me. @TheWebbyAwards #5WordSpeech pic.twitter.com/URV9MrfznE

— Gritty (@GrittyNHL) May 14, 2019

#IfSocialMediaDidntExist
No one would ever know. pic.twitter.com/1ZaWjTZJNg

— Gritty (@GrittyNHL) May 22, 2019

Canadians throw away 3 million tonnes of plastic waste every year. 15 billion plastic bags a year. 57 million straws a day. They end up in our oceans, beaches, parks and streets. And this has to stop. We owe it to our planet, and to our kids. https://t.co/QmniQdrz0U

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 10, 2019

1. Be Original
   Using sounds that are generic or, even worse, another brand’s sonic logo, will do little to distinguish you – and could also run afoul of copyright/trademark law.


2. Undertake a Brand Inventory
   What’s your brand all about? What do you want people to associate most closely with your business? What type of audience do you target? Flush out thorough answers to these questions. After all, you can’t create a sonic logo that represents your brand unless you understand its essential qualities.


3. Look for Auditory Clues
   It’s possible you’re already using music or other auditory elements in podcasts, videos, presentations, web pages, at trade show booths or in your advertising. Maybe there’s a common sound theme or other elements that help paint a picture of how your sonic logo should sound. Reviewing your brand’s auditory profile can be a potential source of inspiration.


4. Partner With Professionals
   Maybe you’re extremely fortunate to have talented musicians/audio engineers on your marketing team who can spearhead creating your sonic logo, but if you’re like most firms, that’s not the case. You’re going to need to work with professionals, be they marketing/advertising agencies that include sonic/audio branding among their services or providers like Sixième Son, Audiobrain and amp whose primary business is devoted to audio/sonic branding.


5. Make Sure They ‘Get’ You
   It’s pivotal the partners you enlist to craft your sonic logo truly understand your brand. Share things like your mission statement, short and long term goals, information on your current and planned marketing and branding initiatives, and how/where you plan to use the sonic logo with them. Provide a portrait or portraits of your typical clients, and convey how you’d like ideal customers and prospects to view your brand. It could also be worthwhile to create a list of three to seven words that best characterize your brand for sonic pros to consider.


6. Don’t Settle
   Provide your audio partner with feedback through the sonic logo development process to make certain things are on the right track. When you hear the proposed final logo, it should hit you instantly as representative of your brand. If it doesn’t, you probably need to go back to the drawing board.

Stopping at the San Juan Cruise Port? Visit the new #Bacardi store to discover and enjoy the heritage of Bacardi rum, brought to life through #cocktail sampling and an enhanced retail experience. https://t.co/SoQQinxnT8

— Bacardi Limited (@BacardiLimited) April 18, 2019

You wanted it? You got it!

Your hole-some response to our April Fools prank has paved the way to "Omaha Potholes Night" becoming a reality on April 24!

INFO: https://t.co/3YE9huB2e8
GEAR: https://t.co/ETIJL8vMns pic.twitter.com/Vrmqbcj4eP

— Omaha Storm Chasers (@OMAStormChasers) April 3, 2019

BREAKING: this season on June 31st, we will be playing as the Omaha Potholes! pic.twitter.com/KxIrVeJYuY

— Omaha Storm Chasers (@OMAStormChasers) April 1, 2019

More companies should really make their fake product when it gets a lot of attention on April Fools. The @OMAStormChasers got me. Credit for them for turning it into a reality. Might go to Omaha now. pic.twitter.com/f0joObnPFV

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) April 3, 2019

BREAKING: this season on June 31st, we will be playing as the Omaha Potholes! pic.twitter.com/KxIrVeJYuY

— Omaha Storm Chasers (@OMAStormChasers) April 1, 2019

Limited 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Merch

The tees retail for $30, the hats for $25, and the keychain for $10. Perhaps our favorite of the bunch is the Classics box, which includes four T-shirts from the collection. Shop the Fresh Prince collection on Will Smith’s web store. pic.twitter.com/0CRXPcnoy0

— Fashion Podcast (@Freshfordummies) May 6, 2019

1. Streamline to the Essential
   According to Oli Gardner, a digital marketing expert who co-founded Unbounce, landing pages should ideally have an “attention ratio” of 1:1. Attention ratio is the ratio of the number of things a visitor can do on a given page to the number of things the visitor should do. The more things visitors can potentially do on a page that distract them from the one thing a marketer wants them to do, the more confusing it gets for the prospect and the less likely they are to take the desired action, the reasoning goes. With that in mind, shear each landing page to its essentials – a paring down that many marketing experts say should include removing links, social share buttons and navigation menus. Yuppiechef, a South African company selling premium kitchen tools, doubled the conversion rate on a landing page by removing a navigation bar – an action that helped take the attention ratio from 15:1 to 3:1.





2. Get Creative With Your Offer
   In a study of high-conversion landing pages, the online advertising/marketing experts at WordStream found an impressive range of creative and differentiated offers. In its own case, WordStream discovered that offering a free trial of its software – a common carrot, so to speak – wasn’t generating desired conversion. WordStream mixed things up and devised an offer of a free AdWords Grader, which provided prospects with recommendations to improve their Google AdWords strategy. “Prospects loved it and conversions went through the roof,” founder Larry Kim wrote in a blog.


3. Feature Interactive Content
   While this may seem to contradict the attention ratio advice, it doesn’t if done right. The interactive content should be interesting – even entertaining – and get people to stay on the page and help move them toward taking a call to action (CTA). Commvault, a data protection and information software management company, has used a landing page featuring a calculator that swiftly helps prospects understand how much they could reduce their data footprint. Page text invites prospects to use the calculator and undertake the CTA – namely, downloading a white paper that provides deeper insights.


4. Make Your CTA Button Stand Out
   Feature a CTA button in a color that contrasts with the primary color on your landing page. For instance, if a cool aqua tone permeates your page, make the CTA button a warm yellow, orange or red.


5. Have the CTA Text Convey Value
   A blasé “Click here to get started” doesn’t say much. Instead, go with something like “Click Here to Supercharge Your Marketing” to communicate that there’s a reward for engaging with your business.


6. Test & Refine
   Identify impediments on your landing page that are discouraging conversion. Test different solutions until you’ve paved the smoothest road possible for the particular prospects you’re courting.


7. Show Pictures of Real People
   Page visitors are more apt to convert on landing pages that feature someone who’s actually from your company as opposed to pages with stock art imagery of random models. A study from Marketing Experiments found that visitors to a landing page highlighting a debt relief company’s founder were 35% more likely to fill out a CTA form compared to visitors who landed on an alternative page for the company using stock art of a smiling woman. The more successful page included brief text that identified the man as the founder.


8. Consider Using Illustrations
   Artistically crafted illustrations can grab attention and keep prospects on your page. Be sure the visuals emphasize your brand value and aesthetic.


9. Optimize for Mobile
   Various studies indicate that more than half of web traffic comes through smartphones and other mobile devices, which is why it’s essential to have your landing page properly formatted for mobile. You simply won’t convert nearly as many visitors if it’s not.


10. Copy Edit Carefully
    Not every landing page visitor will spot errors, but folks who do will be disinclined to work with you. Some might even think you’re a scammer, as such errors are often a “tell” in web-based phishing schemes.

Thanks to everyone who came out and partied at the Last Blockbuster on Friday! We had a blast! Remember: Be Kind and Keep Renting Movies #bend #oregon pic.twitter.com/9UDbKzai4f

— 10 Barrel Brewing (@10BarrelBrewing) September 24, 2018

Renting Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) is a nice way to punish your children.

— The Last Blockbuster (@loneblockbuster) February 26, 2019

We just caught Colleen making a serious financial decision for the store based on a magic 8 ball so that's not good.

— The Last Blockbuster (@loneblockbuster) March 4, 2019

You're gonna need something to keep your kids occupied tonight while you and your friends get violently intoxicated. Hotel Transylvania should do the trick.

— The Last Blockbuster (@loneblockbuster) February 3, 2019