Year in and year out, smartphones are among the most popular holiday gifts. At an average cost of over $550 USD (Statista), they’re also some of the most expensive – which makes accessories to protect them a great idea for gift season. That’s why we’re so excited about our newest retail brand partner, PHOOZY™. As seen on “Shark Tank,” PHOOZY™ premium products provide thermal, drop and float protection for smartphones and other electronics. Spending times outdoors & being active means a brand offering adventure without limitations! ClimateProof. DropProof. SinkProof. PHOOZY™ was invented to keep smartphones safe, no matter where you take them. CEO and co-founder Kevin Conway said it best, “Having your phone overheat and shut down or sink to the bottom of a lake or river is a sure way to ruin a great adventure." Adapted from spacesuit technology designed to protect astronauts from the extreme temperatures of space, the Thermal Capsule in PHOOZY™ accessories keeps phones from getting too hot in the sun while prolonging battery life in extreme heat and cold. That means on the beach, in a boat or on top of a mountain, you have protection and peace of mind with integrated drop protection and buoyancy. Yep, buoyancy, it floats! Keeping your phone at the surface in case it ends up in the lake or pool. Three Brand New Styles PHOOZY™ XP3 | 7194-03 Packed full of features, like an internal stash pocket for your cards and cash. The material reflects more than 90% of the sun's heat to prevent overheating and permanent damage to your device while also insulating it in cold conditions to extend battery life up to 4X (compared to not using a PHOOZY™). PHOOZY™ Apollo II with Antimicrobial | 7194-02 A durable case that protects your phone against extreme cold and heat, extends battery life and provides eight feet of drop protection – and yes, it floats! The split ring/keyring easily attaches your PHOOZY™ to keys, fobs or lanyards. PHOOZY™ Apollo II | 7194-01 A modern silhouette and durable materials, plus its award-winning technology is integrated into adventure-ready form for the ultimate “city-to-mountain” crossover gear. We hope you've enjoyed this exclusive sneak-peek before we add this brand to our website. Perhaps this should be added to your holiday list or be used to motivate your sales team at this year's kick off meeting - after all, it's a product that delivers more.

This season is associated with magic & wonder, but the consistency & drive infused behind the scenes to make "magic" for others - that's the real magic. How can you capture the secrets in your workshop? An IGTV feature on Instagram enables you to share long-form, vertical videos that can be up to an hour long. Instagram Reels are short-form videos (no longer than 15 seconds) that you can edit with audio and visual effects as well as other creative tools. Here are some ways you can use these features: Show how products are made Share products in the works, new launches, ideas to gather audience feedback Office employees interacting with each other or fun office/culture events Live Q&A sessions between you and your audience Add stickers for polls, questions and sliding bars to make it easy to interact with your users and get feedback Let's put your questions centerstage. What would you like us to share about the magic happening behind the scenes at Promotional Partners? Let us know in the comments!

Did your parents ever tell you that ethics were your actions when you thought nobody was watching? Apparently, your parents were visionaries to the future. Why? Because the modern consumer is interested in a brand's value and beliefs. Maybe making ethical choices is not a new concept, but a digital world makes our decisions harder to hide - someone is always watching. A new global study release by Accenture, a company who works with 75% of global Fortune 500 companies, uncovered data that indicates that nearly two-thirds (63%) of consumers prefer to buy goods and services from companies that stand for a shared purpose that reflects the consumer’s personal values and beliefs. So, let's break down this report. What matters to the modern consumer? Why do their preferences matter? What is the effect on your brand power? Research from 30,000 consumers from 35 countries, including the US, – ‘From Me to We: The Rise of the Purpose-led Brand' revealed: 62% of consumers want companies to take a stand on social, cultural, environmental, and political issues close to their hearts. Which is interesting, considering many of our parents taught us not to talk politics or religion at work. Another 62% say their purchasing consideration is driven by a company’s ethical values and authenticity. Consumers prefer companies that use high quality ingredients and materials (76%) Consumers want to know that companies are treating their employees well (65%) 62% of consumers believe in reducing plastics and improving the environment, and so want to buy from companies that do the same. Approximately 60% of Gen Zers and millennials believe it’s important for companies to speak up on issues like human rights, race relations or LGBT equality. Our team wants to know what matters to you, so we can align your values with products that meet your quality standards and tap into your company's core values. We have an entire section of our blog dedicated to cause marketing. Frequent requests from our clients are for products that tie into sustainability, positive environmental impacts, giving back to the military or veteran initiatives and are USA Made. Sharing your core values does not have to be an objective of global companies. Every company can easily share what charities or causes touch their heart. What touches your heart? If you need some inspiration, we also have posts around giving.

Thomas Moore said, "For things will never be perfect until human beings are perfect - which I don't expect them to be for a number of years." Considering that Thomas Moore wrote Utopia in 1516 & we are turning the page to 2022, still evolving and definitely not perfect - it sounds like we will have to wait for perfect. Style trends are constantly changing, recycling previous trends and adding a modern twist of the current time. In 2022 it will be a new world of fashion. Our partner at Sanmar has named this new fashion world, “Newtopia,” and introduced a field guide to the styles that comprise smart wardrobes with fresh choices. Smart Wardrobes Easily identifiable by its versatility and adaptability, the smart wardrobe has a few key elements you should keep an eye out for, such as: Fresh Choices When you see new elements brought into basic apparel collections, you’re looking at fresh choices. These add both function for today and proactive solutions for tomorrow. We might never achieve the "perfect" needed to find utopia, so maybe settling for Newtopia is the next best option in apparel. Which style do you like most? Let us know in the comments!

Today is National Wear Your Pearls Day and for those that prefer collecting pearls of wisdom more than wearing pearls, you are in luck. We have some behind the scenes wisdom to share with you! Planning keeps your goals in focus and frees up time because you know the next steps to take, as well as it making you more creative because you aren't living life pulled from one activity to another. While organization might not be the key to happiness, it does help make your day more pleasant! Understanding your limitations, purpose, resources & tools will help you be more productive when approaching tasks. For example, our industry appears straightforward. Companies & individuals need promotional items, gifts, awards, wearables & signage to promote their company or organization. We are their trusted partner. Yet what we do behind the scenes to craft each campaign, research options, create presentations, generate graphics, communicate with supplier partners, start and manage the order process is a treadmill of activity. This company brought pearls of wisdom to fruition with the creation of their MagClick™ Fast Wireless Charging Desk Organizer, which includes a clipboard, three magnetic docks, a foldable accessory holder, a card holder, a pen clip, a cable clip and a foldable phone stand, making it easy to organize your desk. This board has a wireless charging area that magnetically attaches to lots of smartphone devices - ask us for a complete list of compatibility. A few pearls of wisdom for controlling the chaos that we've learned over the years: Make lists, check task off - it feels good! Plan! Have a projected list of activities to complete each day. Put tasks in "buckets" of must accomplish, hope to accomplish, can wait to accomplish but require X action to move to another day. Create a list for daily, short term and long-term projects with target dates. Prioritize workflow several times a day against critical, must accomplish tasks. Assign tasks to the best person within your team to complete the task. Communicate frequently with your teammates - ask who needs help. Communicate changes to individuals outside your organization with expectations from you, such as a response, report or action from your team by X date/time. Make time to laugh - it releases some tension. How do you control the chaos? Let us know in the comments! And tell us what you think of this desk organizer!! Interested in another pearl of wisdom? Apply this quote from Eleanor Roosevelt who once said, "It takes as much energy to wish as to plan".

Folks love a good magic trick and don't seem to mind that the deck has been manipulated. Perhaps stacking the deck in your favor is not always cheating. Capturing attention for your business requires some suspense - applying the right level of intrigue to engage before the moment disappears. A deck of cards might seem like an unusual way to connect but it's the playfulness that makes it quirky enough to work as a promotion. Perhaps a winning hand is just what you need to focus addition on your business or organization. Cards games are enjoyed by travelers, seniors, families and serious card players. Whether you like 52 Pick Up or something requiring more skill, there is no doubt that this is a compact advertising medium. It easily fits the in hand or the pocket. No sizes required and there's a huge bonus: 52 ways to unfold a story; after all it's just paper! Over the years we have designed decks and playing cards for a number of clients, including our own office. The cool thing about using cards are the countless possibilities: Offer your recipient trivia - a fun way to onboard employees Celebrate a long history with key donors with benchmark dates, locations and images Explain your new product or program features Introduce your team Outline the reasons you're the best fit as a partner Design a unique fundraiser Don't believe us? Scroll through this catalog and see for yourself! Ready to put your story in our hands? We can apply our graphic and marketing expertise to stack your deck for a winning hand!

More than 60 percent of Gen Z and Millennials say they’d rather be without their wallet than their phone*. It’s an eye-opening statistic, one that speaks to how much people 40 and younger rely on their phones – everything from e-tickets for concerts to paying the rent with Venmo. Generally speaking, technology is integrated with virtually everything they do, every single day: work, working out, watching the game or booking weekend getaways, not to mention connecting with friends and family. All of which brings us to Solekick, a new tech brand for the digital generation. A mix of audio, power and other accessories, Solekick products are unified by a single principle: minimalist design for maximum mobility. Because ultimately, the products are about more than streaming music or charging a phone. They’re about ease and convenience. Besides, these products come with retail-style packaging, and Solekick provides a memorable gift experience at a lower price point than other brands. Click here for a closer look at the entire collection. Look for this brand to be added to our website in 2022. How long can you go without accessing your phone? Let us know in the comments! *LivePerson research

A sticker! Today is National Sticker Day. An extremely durable, colorful, low-cost marketing tool is a sticker. Stickers are also easy to mail, hand distribute, sell at point of purchase for retail or to quickly brand an item with your message. Stickers are perfect for the brand enthusiast - to apply to their laptop & show support for their favorite coffee shop. Our favorite shop is Common Grounds of course, and it's conveniently located right below us! Single sheet stickers like these ones for their fans are also useful for handing out at events or using as mailers. In fact, have us print the back of the sticker paper with a coupon to return to your business or a QR code to highlight new products or services. Soft Touch stickers add a little zing! Stickers can also be custom shapes and have different adhesives. The type of adhesive varies by the use. We can do repositionable options, as well as extreme heat & oil for dirty job workspaces. Rolls are one of the most affordable ways to receive stickers - simply peel and stick or tear off a perforated sheet. Common applications for stickers: Adding to gift bags Sealing envelopes Identifying attendees & employees Adding to hard hats & helmets Spirit wear sheets Asset tags Labels Sunburn protection Safety Instructions or Warnings Business contact information for repair & service Conventions - to drive foot traffic to your booth with removeable floor stickers COVID messaging for walls, windows, doors, floors, desks, counters and sidewalks Special events - ribbon cuttings and festivals Sales & specials Which generations are the most obsessed with stickers? Find out here. Are you obsessed with stickers? Let us know by commenting!

Klean Kanteen uses its business as a force for good — from the products to the nonprofit partnerships to the way it shows up in its communities to the positive impact it has on the world. Family And Employee-Owned B-Corp This unique structure pairs complete operational freedom and autonomy with a commitment to a stringent set of internationally recognized standards for social and environmental transparency, accountability and performance. This progressive way of doing business is uniquely Klean and allows the company to be uncompromising in using its business as a force for good. What exactly is a B Corp? Click the link for the full impact, but the short answer is "Companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency." What began in 2006 was the idea that a different kind of economy was not only possible, but necessary — and that businesses could lead the way towards a new, stakeholder-driven model. B Lab became known for certifying B Corporations. Did you know we have featured other partners that are B-Corp on our blog?

According to Entrepreneur, business cards are still a vital way to distinguish brands from their competitors. A unique business card design, shape, or feel that reflects your personality will stand out in the stack. In a face-to-face meeting or inserted into a mailer, business cards are often the first exposer to your brand. Business cards should make a powerful first impression. We offer a wide range of solutions that can be customized to reflect any company’s distinctive brand, plus many cards are USA Made! Let's explore some options: Corporate customers with high-end services or products- Consider elegant cards with a thick paper stock and raised printing. The shimmering effect from foil imprints can serve either as a stylish accent or the centerpiece of the design. Fashionable, trendy businesses: Offer business cards with a distinguishing-colored core that grabs attention. Some papers have a sparkly finish, or super lush thickness. Customers in creative fields: Propose an eye-catching shape – such as a circle or oval – to differentiate your customer’s company. There’s no rule that says you have to stick to rectangles! Ask about unique shapes that reflect your business message. Edgy companies promoting innovation: Recommend raised spot gloss. This specialized printing process really packs a punch whether it’s used to emphasize important elements or used as a design element on its own. Add QR Codes to a video, blog or website to enhance your story after you connect. A professional and creative business card leaves a lasting impression. To quote the author of the Entrepreneur article, “The physical exchange and engagement creates a connection that can’t be recreated by LinkedIn or your website.” Ready to put our design team to work? We can develop your logo or use your existing logo to create the perfect card for your needs. Compare paper options, review some of our past work and discuss programs options for higher quantity needs with our certified team. Besides, business cards are just one of the many places we add our creative touch!

Do you host a Superbowl Party every year or participate in a bracket for March Madness? Sure, there are themes that are universal such as Volunteer & Employee Appreciation Days, Customer Loyalty Day and monthly themes around health, stress, and wellness- but what's unique to you? Show some personality with fun campaigns around what you love. Afterall, is love only implied with a box of chocolates? Maybe this year's Valentine could be a build your own pizza kit. We post frequently about brand identity & authenticity - what's more authentic than having us collaborate, then craft your own unique program? Besides creating programs that showcase how your company is giving back, there are programs that are fun- showing your personality! Each year, we craft campaigns that will be remembered because of the fun & joy. From signature footballs & snack helmets to basketball for the office door or desk. The SuperBowl is coming up in February, how about you arrange to drop ship a kit to your employees or key accounts? Or you could send some spices and include a custom pizza cutter for meals all during the year! Who's ready to create some fun before kick-off?

Always! We love creative pursuits! Creativity opportunities are both serendipitous, (yep, look up a new word) and planned. How can you plan for creativity? By inviting play. When our mind is engaged with a new activity, such as solving a puzzle, we have to challenge ourselves to consider new possibilities. The more we invite play into our lives, the more likely you'll become a creative problem solver. One of our partners, Jornik, also a woman-owned company like Promotional Partners, believes that creativity is fundamental. We love that phrase. Creativity is one of our cornerstone values. Innovative ideas, images and discussion drive engagement and engagement drives collaboration; another cornerstone of our company, because collaborative discussions create solutions that drive results. Ready to play? Take a look at these 5 options: Ball of Whacks Shake a Word Robo Cube Fidget Toy Traveler Geo Puzzle Zen Stones January is National Creativity Month and January 29th is National Puzzle Day- so we challenge you to get out of your routine and create a new pursuit! Whether it's artistic or playful-have some fun. You never know when your creative burst of energy might lead you to an innovative idea!