Have you been longing to shed those winter boots and put your toes in warm sand? The sun is shining, and warmer weather is here; we hope it will stay. Bright sunny days often inspire a quick decision to take a road trip. When time is limited, every second counts. Carrying heavy equipment down to the beach or to a scenic lake view isn't fun. Promotional products are meant to solve everyday challenges, while generating brand engagement. Let's take a look at some summer products quirky enough to work for your brand. The Day Tripper Pop Up Tent Collapses into a round, flat carrying pouch with handles Light and portable, just 2 lbs Instructions, with tent rope and stakes, included Perfect for the park, beach, backyard, company picnic and more We have several styles When you're outside, don't forget the sunscreen, including the Sun Bum Day Tripper Kit and keep your car smelling fresh on your next road trip! What's your favorite place for a quick trip?

It's National Coffee Day and one of our favorite promotional products is drinkware! Statistically speaking your return on investment is strong when you select mugs and tumblers for brand campaigns! Why? Results! Drinkware items have some pretty impressive stats However, my favorite reason to suggest drinkware it's practical and universal appeal; which makes it the perfect branded medium for contests and loyalty programs. Besides, every brander knows the IT Factor is the decoration! Unique Decoration - YES! Wrap Imprints - many tumblers and mugs can be rolled through the machine used for decoration offering more content in the imprint area. Take care not to crowd the imprint area with too much information; a quick read is important. Wrap imprints allow content to be different on each side- perfect for dual branding, listing locations or sharing message to attendees at a premier event. Wrap imprints are also for education, such as providing consumer safety tips or reminding employees of internal goals. Increase the reach and engagement of your brand message with this popular item- it will add some pep to your next promotional campaign.

Our partner at PCNA has introduced a completely new line of products to address the growing desire of our consumers for products that care about the environment. Let's start with the 101- a basic crash course in what you need to know: From wheat straw to recycled PET, here's the scoop on the amazing stuff that makes up our EcoSmart® products. The feedback has been loud and clear – interest in eco-friendly products has never been greater. This demand is coming from a changing culture where plastic waste reduction is celebrated and laws banning single-use plastics are popping up all over the U.S. and Canada. Through EcoSmart®, PCNA has introduced the industry's best selection of products made from recycled materials, as well as products that are reusable alternatives to items normally thrown away after one use. Not all recycled materials are the same. Each one has an interesting story about how it became part of an umbrella shaft or a backpack exterior. Here's a quick primer on the amazing materials used to create EcoSmart products: 1. Recycled PET Polyethylene terephthalate, better known by the abbreviation PET, is the most common type of plastic used for water and soft drink bottles, food containers such as peanut butter jars and household cleaners. It's a favorite of the food and beverage industry thanks to its strength, durability and transparency. Unfortunately, these characteristics also mean that it takes about 450 years for a plastic water bottle to decompose (Popular Science). It's not all bad news, though. PET happens to be the most recycled plastic in the world. Used PET containers are sorted, cleaned and ground down into pellets that are reintroduced into the manufacturing process that make the line of EcoSmart backpacks, umbrellas and even journals. If you're looking for a retail brand in the Eco-friendly game, partnering with Parkland offers their on-trend collection of backpacks, totes, duffel bags and pouches - all made with 100% recycled water bottles. 2. Bamboo Bamboo is another key EcoSmart material.  Our partner has used bamboo for everything from lunch boxes to cutlery to photo frames. Besides being 100% biodegradable, bamboo is highly renewable. Incredibly, it grows several feet in 24 hours and requires 30% less water to grow. 3. Wheat Straw After wheat grains are harvested to make all your favorite baked goods, what becomes of the rigid stalk that's left over? Believe it or not, it ends up in some of our EcoSmart products. Wheat straw is durable enough to become the barrel of a pen or even a lunch box. There is no need to worry about allergies since there is no wheat grain in these products, they are totally gluten-free. 4. Recycled Cotton According to the Council for Textile Recycling, annual textile waste is estimated to equal 25 billion pounds. Once in landfills, all that material can take hundreds of years to decompose. Fortunately, the leftover cuttings from apparel and textile factories can be recycled and used to make products like tote bags and notebooks. Producing a cotton tote using existing materials that would otherwise be thrown away; is a big step toward reducing CO2 and fossil fuel emissions. Ready to layer these types of products into your brand message?

Give your gift that little something extra- after-all, gifting is all about THE EXTRA. Our friends at PCNA shared some popular new product ideas and insights on the appeal of brands. In a recent article discussing the power of retail brands, Rob Wengel, senior vice president of global data analytics firm Nielsen, explained, "Brands can signify quality and inspire confidence." As we head into prime gift season, everyone's searching for products that represent their companies in the best way possible. Going with a gift from a well-known, well-respected retail brand is an easy way to add a little something extra and associate your organization with all the positive attributes that come with that brand. What are the factors that make retail brands successful in the promotional products market? Here are our top three reasons: 1. Perceived Value When you choose a Carhartt® duffel as an annual appreciation gift for your team, you're getting more than just a well-built bag. Since the brand has a legendary reputation for quality and toughness, you're getting a bag that employees will value more because of the brand's stellar reputation. It's the best of both worlds - they'll love the gift and you'll deliver the message of appreciation. 2. Save Time If you're looking at water bottles to give customers as an annual thank you gift, you know the options are going to be overwhelming. Going with one from an established brand like CamelBak, immediately narrows down your search, saves you time and reduces the risk that you'll end up with a sub-par bottle. 3. Peace of Mind Giving a holiday gift to the financial backers who support your non-profit or university? The last thing you want is a phone call that the sweatshirts or jackets you gave top donors are falling apart. Eliminate the worry and headaches and give away superior apparel from an established retail brand like Roots73 with a legacy of quality construction and premium materials. The Bottom Line Going with a retail brand saves you time and helps you avoid some potential pitfalls, makes a big impression and shows appreciation. Shop Brands

Have you caught yourself humming or singing a jingle to a company? Is a jingle the first thing that comes to mind when you hear a company mentioned? Well you’re not alone, 60% of consumers say that music used in marketing is more memorable than visuals. Sonic logos are generally audio cues that accompany the brand’s logo. These cues can be a jingle or even just a simple sound – think Metro-Goldwyn Mayer’s lion roar at the beginning of a movie or Intel’s “bong.” It’s no surprise that sonic logos are growing in popularity. With an ever-growing marketplace that is already crowded, a well-developed sonic logo is a great way to set you apart from competitors. Especially considering that over 100 million devices with Alexa have been sold (not to mention all the Google Home devices) which cutout the ability to capture the attention using visuals and audio sounds are the next logical step to cut through the clutter. Sound acts as that connector between the physical space and digital space created by your brand. It contributes to your identity and helps develop favorable preference, building of trust, and ultimately increases sales – if done correctly. So just how do you develop this unique sonic logo? Check out these ideas: Be Original Develop something catchy and unique, don’t blend in with the crowd or create a sound similar to another brand’s. Dealing with audio can be tricky, there are copyright/trademark laws to be aware of, if it sounds familiar keep making edits. You will spend more time but potentially save money in the long run. Take a Brand Inventory Chances are you’ve thought about how you want to position your brand in the world. When you are thinking of what you want your sonic logo to be, consider what you want people to think of when they think of your brand. Who are you trying to target? What is your brand about? These are important questions to answer to successfully create a sonic logo that resonates and represents. Look for Auditory Clues Do you already use audio clips in podcasts, videos, presentations, etc.? Maybe there is an existing commonality in sound to use as a jumping off point. You never know what content already created can serve as new inspiration! Partner with Professionals When in doubt, turn to the professionals. Whether they’re a marketing firm that offers sonic/audio branding services or a company that solely focuses on sonic/audio they know what they’re doing. Whichever direction you turn, make sure that you click as a group and that they ‘get’ you as a brand and understand your vision. Things to share with the professional of your choice are your mission statement, customer persona, short- and long-term goals, and current marketing/branding initiatives. Finally, don’t settle for something that is 100% representative of your brand. Fun Fact- Did you know the first year we were in business we had a big sound button made with a signature sound as part of our marketing plan? At Promotional Partners we are always interested in ways to make your brand stand out from your competitors. We have several partners that offer unique ways to capture audio into your marketing efforts- check out this link.  What other advertising medium offers you so many sensory engagements at once? Complied by Promotional Partners Team Member- Arien Harris Source- ASI- Advertising Specialty Institute Counselor Magazine - May 2019 author- Christoper Ruvo

The EYES have it; yes; bad pun...but you know I like my word play. Fun and practical webcam covers are that inexpensive promotion you've been seeking to connect with your target markets. How? A PTA might give them out to new families and remind them to WATCH the website for upcoming events. A municipality might give them out with an open house to introduce residents to new town programs. A savvy marketer might use them for a social media contest as a reminder to participate. Is your privacy safe? Know who's watching- we are looking out for you! Tech companies and law enforcement can use this type of product for brand messaging. Smile and the world smiles with you- there are plenty of professional industries that rely on brilliant smiles. Decorators, graphic artists and web designers have an eye for pulling together the right amount of color, pattern and imagery to create a cohesive project.  If your business has a positive impact on another, like business coach that re focuses your assets, a hair stylist that uplifts your spirits with a new look or an insurance agent that is happy you continue to renew your policy each year - a smile goes a long way. Each of these strategies were lifted from archived case studies in our brand resource center. Creating an eye for brand engagement can benefit from a twist of fun!

Have you noticed I've been featuring partnering lines that offer to tie your brand to a greater good? According to Harvard Business Review’s The Business Case for Purpose, 89% of executives surveyed said a strong sense of collective purpose drives employee satisfaction. Why not reinforce this purpose during the holidays with a gift to employees that sends the message of caring and giving? As a tribute to the company's founder, Bill Schmidt, 5% of the proceeds of AWS products by Giving Back to his favorite charities. What types of products can you find in this line? Value basics to luxury products in the categories of bag, drinkware, technology and outdoor leisure. A top quality bag is always a plus for high impressions and long lasting brand value. Integration of technology and RFID protection for your data is hard to resist. What exactly does RFID mean? RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification Devices. Today they are found in passports and credit cards as wafer-thin chips to help speed up transactions. Identity theft via RFID readers is a growing concern. You can protect your personal data with the use of RFID blocking wallets and RFID blocking passport covers.

We are greater than one. Not one person or one brand can move the needle on change. Increasingly we are seeing our partners incorporate brand options within their line that address issues on a national or global level. Teaming up the power of brands with consumer education and demand for products that effect change, social issues can be addressed. Today we had an opportunity for our team to preview some new products. Learning about trends for various industries marketing efforts or gifts is a broad job; lots of lines, lots of products. However, the task is always fun! This brand stood out today for both quality and function. The socially responsible component was a bonus! What is XACTLY doing with % of sales? XACTLY has partnered with The Planet Water Foundation to provide the world's poorest communities with clean, safe water sources. Take a look at the features of this bag: Ultimate Back pack- Oxygen 25 Lycra™ Back Panel 900D Matte Post-Consumer Recycled Body Material – XACTknit™ Jacquard Woven Mesh Accents Metal Logo Plate With Integrated USB A/C External Charging Port Modular Design Includes Integrated Wireless Charging Pocket (When Used With Wireless Power Bank), Fleece Lined, Structured, Tech Epicenter With Cord Pass-Through To All Pockets Integrated Cord Channel In Straps For Wired Earbuds Built In Magnetic Landing Pads Snap Earbuds To Shoulders When Not In Use Theft Deterrent Woojin™ Magnetic Snap Closure System Main Pocket Opens Completely For Easy Access To Bottom 15.6” Extra Protected Laptop Pocket Tablet Pocket Side Drinkware Pockets With Lycra™ Flex Material Research more options from this line- including drinkware, bags Continue to follow the blog for more ways to partner with charitable causes and team together to solve issues.

Today is National Dog Day! Dogs Rule! ( at our house anyway) We have plaque at our house, saying "If you want the best seat in the house, you'll have to remove the dog." Our dogs sleep in the bed, lie on the sofa; life's tough! We've had a lot of dogs over the years and more than one at at time. Both of our boys have dogs they inherited from our pack or added as new. Since 2010 our pack has moved from pure breeds to rescues, each loved for their own unique personalities. According to The American Pet Products Association, almost 85 million households have a pet and over the last 30 years pet ownership has gone from 56% to 68% of all households. In fact, the American Veterinary Medical Association suggests that 36.5% of American household own a dog- that's 43,346,000 households- Yikes! What types of businesses would want to connect with dog lovers? Besides the obvious- pet related businesses offering grooming, boarding, outdoor adventures, day care and training consider these types of reasons: Rental properties that are dog friendly Parks or properties that want to remind you to pick up your dog waste Realtors helping with the family move Banks or retail that see dogs stopping by for a visit with their owner Senior Centers that allow pets to be part of the family College Graduates- looking for a companion in their new home Breweries that have a place for dogs to play Restaurants with outdoor seating Dry Cleaners or Carpet Cleaners that specialize in removing dog hair or stains Are you getting the idea? By offering branded toys, packaged treats or pet calendars featuring rescue stories from your community your making a brand connection that will be something to wag tails! You might even consider sponsoring fundraising efforts for a local organization!

Where do you spend your leisure hours and professional hours? Spending time repeating the same experiences whether at work, leisure or as a volunteer tends creates expertise; insights only you understand from being in that world. Our clients generally know that my background is a former WCPSS parent, art teacher and PTA leader. What did almost 20 years of investment in schools provide me? Insights into how to stretch a dollar while providing an engaging activity, raising awareness and accomplishing goals without breaking the bank. Recently a school asked me for a strategy to engage and welcome new families to the school. The goal was to provide families with a welcome gift pack at orientation that would be relevant to both the student and the parent. What did we suggest? A pencil or pen- offering some school spirit in an affordable, but practical way for new students. A webcam cover with personality- keep your eyes on what's new at school by following the school website, PTA news and electronic updates from your teacher's classroom page. A microfiber cleaning cloth-  offering a full color surface for spirit, photos, maps or even a QR code to a video link outlining the key locations within the footprint of the school. This type of product will work for elementary through higher education. Take a look at a cleaning cloth showing just how close access to higher education can be in Wake County via the Wake Tech Community College system; a large footprint! Full color dual sided lanyards offer spirit and function with ID for staff or students. Double sided bookmark rulers, zipper pulls for a jacket, bike tags for identifying bikes at school, pedometers to record steps and coin pouches for treats at lunch or the school store were all part of a Walk To School program at Olive Chapel Elementary; designed to encourage students to walk to school. Low cost ideas for schools is second nature to us!

You have management buy-in, you’ve created your strategy and you’ve built your program. Now it’s time for your big recognition event! Where should you start? Click here to download a sample event planning checklist. A recognition event needs to be memorable. How do you elevate the event? Creating a theme for the event has a natural memory hook but there are also some key tips for the individuals involved such as: The right person needs to make the presentation. This doesn’t need to be the highest-level executive. The presenter should be the highest-ranking person who can personally attest to the accomplishments of the employee. The presenter needs to be able to tell stories that evoke emotion in the recipient as well as all employees. Managers must be trained to make a great presentation. They need to know who is being recognized and why they are being recognized. They need to be able to talk about the accomplishments and focus on the positives of the employee. Consider a video story to include remote team members or to focus on specific accomplishments. Tie in the corporate symbolism. If an award is symbolic to the organization, the manager must be able to explain the symbolism and how it relates to the organization. Ask others to make comments. Colleagues who know the award recipient can add comments to make the presentation even more memorable. Inviting colleagues to the event also lets them see behaviors of the winner that they can emulate. Ask the recipient to make comments. If your recipient is willing, let them say something! This allows them to thank people who have helped them as well as the people involved in the event. Close with a sincere thank you. Thank the recipient and all who attended. Looking for a wow factor? Ask us about adding color!

Did you know that viruses spread through contaminated water? Rotarian's around the globe have committed to ending polio for over 30 years! Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a paralyzing and potentially deadly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5. The virus spreads from person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can then attack the nervous system. Clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education are basic necessities for a healthy environment and a productive life. When people have access to clean water and sanitation, waterborne diseases decrease, children stay healthier and attend school more regularly, and mothers can spend less time carrying water and more time helping their families. How Rotary makes help happen Through water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs, Rotary’s people of action mobilize resources, form partnerships, and invest in infrastructure and training that yield long-term change. As a Rotarian, part of the Apex Rotary Club since 2008, it's exciting to see our industry bringing a product to market that ties into efforts to support clean water solutions to communities worldwide. Big news! Leed's and drinkware company Welly recently established an exclusive partnership to bring environmentally-friendly, insulated bamboo drinkware to the promotional products industry. Leed's began carrying Welly bottles in August 2019. "I created Welly to help the environment and give clean water to people in need," said Ben Kander, Welly Founder and CEO.  "I'm thrilled to partner with a company like Leed's, who understands the critical role of environmentally-friendly products in the promotional products channel." Welly's mission is to reduce reliance on single-use plastic by providing a reusable alternative, as well as bring reliable access to clean water to communities in need. Welly donates 3 percent of sales to charity: water, a nonprofit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing countries. With its first contribution, Welly helped bring clean water to Mai Welay, a rural village in northern Ethiopia. "Welly has such unique, compelling products, plus their work with charity: water is inspiring," said Heather Smartt, Global Category Director at PCNA. "There's a strong demand for earth-friendly, sustainable products in this industry and this partnership allows us to continue providing our distributors with the innovative and socially responsible brands their customers are looking for." At Promotional Partners we are excited to share this product with you as a way to shape the future of our global community. 3 percent of sales of Welly support efforts to bring clean water solutions to communities world-wide.