In June and July of 2008, a team of interviewers surveyed 465 businesspeople in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Philadelphia on behalf of ASI regarding promotional products they had received. The purpose of the interviews was to understand how advertising specialties influence end-users’ purchasing decisions; determine the number of impressions of popular advertising specialties; and analyze the Cost Per Impression (CPI) of advertising specialties compared with other popular advertising media.

Further, during October 2008, an online panel survey was conducted among recipients of advertising specialties to augment the non-wearables sample from the in-person interviews. Results have been combined in the report where appropriate. There were 213 completed Web based interviews, for a total of 618 completed surveys for this study.

Respondents were asked if they had received any promotional products in the last 12 months. Most respondents were business/professional people (84%) and all were age 21 or older.

• Instant recall:
  More than 8 out of 10 (84%) respondents remembered the advertisers of the promotional products they’re received.
• Very impressionable:
  42% of respondents had a MORE favorable impression of an advertiser after receiving the item. And nearly a quarter (24%) said they are MORE likely to do business with the advertiser on the items they receive.
• It’s all business:
  Most respondents (62%) have done business with the advertiser on a promotional product after receiving the item.
• Pens are in:
  Writing instruments are the most-recalled advertising specialty items (54% of respondents recall owning them), followed by shirts, caps and bags.
• User-friendly:
  The majority (81%) of promotional products were kept because they were considered useful.
• Staying power:
  More than three-quarters of respondents have had their items for more than 6 months.
• Bag it!:
  Among wearables, bags were reported to be used most frequently with respondents indicating that they used their bags an average of 9 times per month. They also deliver the most impressions: Each bag averages 1,038 impressions per month.
• Most impressive:
  The average CPI of an advertising specialty item is $0.004; as a result, marketers get a more favorable return on investment from advertising specialties than nearly any other popular advertising media.

For an organization to reach its ‘09 goals, the promotional marketing team needs to be even smarter than last year. So here are a few questions to ask yourself:

1. Have you considered whether last year’s successes will work this year or if you need a fresh approach?
2. Is it time to target audiences you haven’t approached in the past?
3. Do you need to more frequently show your appreciation of those who have supported you in the past?

The Printable Promotions team is accustomed to helping companies of all types and sizes with a wide range of budgets.

As soon as you are ready, call us or send us an e-mail to talk about 2009. If you’re ready to start shopping, use our Promo Wizard or Request Personal Assistance for one-on-one help with your next project.

We wish you a healthy new year – personally and professionally – and look forward to being a part of it!

Articles and features in our January Newsletter:

Read back issues or subscribe to our newsletter

Get a jump start on your May promotions! Below are a list of dates - some common knowledge, some more obscure, all perfect marketing opportunities - with links to promotional product ideas to get you started.

May is

• Mental Health Awareness Month
• Physical Fitness & Sports Month
• Teacher Appreciation Month

May Holidays and Promotional Opportunities

• Cinco De Mayo (May 5)
• Mothers’ Day (May 10)
• Armed Forces Day (May 16)
• Memorial Day (May 25)

Hey all you bargain shoppers, here are the deals you’ve been asking for!

These links will take you straight into our manufacturer’s websites for the most current lists of discontinued promotional products that can be had at rock bottom prices.

To order anything that you find on these pages, call us at 1-800-PRINTABLE or contact us on our website.

• Apparel
• Business Gifts
• Business Cases
• Travel Gifts
• 3M Post It Notes, Pens and Desk Accessories
• Desk Accessories
• Drinkware
• More Drinkware
• Health, Safety & Auto
• Lighting (flash lights, key lights, etc.)
• Flash Lights
• Umbrellas and Outdoor Accessories
• Towels
• Bic Pens and Bags
• Plastic, Paper and Recycled Bags
• Promotional Giveaways
• Promotional Giveaways 2
• Promotional Giveaways 3
• Promotional Giveaways 4
• Electronics & Computer Accessories
• Technology
• Computer Accessories

Get a jump start on your April promotions! Below are a list of dates - some common knowledge, some more obscure, all perfect marketing opportunities - with links to promotional product ideas to get you started.

April is

• Animal Cruelty Prevention Month
• Child Abuse Prevention Month

April Holidays and Promotional Opportunities

• April Fools Day (April 1)
• Easter (April 12)
• Earth Day (April 22)
• Administrative Professional’s Day (April 22)
• National Arbor Day (April 24)

Today we celebrate National Science Fiction Day in honor of Isaac Asimov’s birthday.

Some will be content to spend the rest of the morning reading Wikipedia entries about Nikola Tesla, his fabulous coil, and how Dr. Frankenstein put it to good use. For the rest of you who need a more tangible celebratory experience, we present you with the Promotional USB Plasma Ball.

Anyone within eyesight of this electrifying globe won’t be able to take their eyes (or hands) off it. Plug it into a computer and watch the mesmerizing array of dancing lightning inside.

To all of our loyal clients and blog readers:

THANK YOU for a great 2008! May the new year turn all of your promotions to gold and reward your marketing with success.

Here’s to an even better 2009!

Airline baggage regulations are a drag.

This handy scale lets you weigh luggage (up to 50 pounds) so there are no surprises at the baggage check counter. It also has a built-in tape measure so you can double-check that your carry-on items will be allowed on board.

You can also use it to measure and weigh small children and pets, although we recommend exercising extreme caution when picking them up with the stainless steel hook. Unless Sally and Fido are imaginary, in which case my guess is they weigh 0 lbs. Did I just win a prize with that guess?

This handy gadget turns a car’s power outlet into three 12-volt power outlets—perfect for keeping mobile phones, laptops, and portable GPS units and DVD players charged when traveling.

When printed with your company logo, it makes a great business gift for anyone on the go…like employees with long commutes, salespeople who spend their days on the road…or anyone who carries a lot of electonic gadgets with them.

Champagne is the ideal gift for all of the clients, employees and executive booze-hounds on your list.

Create completely custom full color labels with company photos, logos, and personalized text. Be corporate, be creative, go wild - you’re sure to make a statement!

The bottles can be further customized with wax-dipped tops, engraved wooden presentation boxes and hang tags.

What better way to ring in the new year!