Goin Green Promos Eco Friendly Promotional Products

Household and personal-care companies that cut spending on marketing in a recession could suffer immediate and long-term business losses, according to a new study. Analysis by a University of North Carolina professor shows home and beauty companies that reduced marketing in previous economic slowdowns lost share to private labels and failed to regain it.

The results of the study are especially timely, as a significant number of these companies slashed marketing at the end of last year. Using data provided by TNS Media Intelligence, which tracks advertising media, multiple researchers have found household and personal-care companies lowered marketing spending by 14% on average in the fourth quarter of 2008. For the year in total, the companies reduced marketing by 8.8%, ahead of the 5% cut by advertisers across all industries.

According to data from Goldman Sachs, a handful of personal-care companies did choose to increase marketing spending late in 2008, contrary to trends. For example, Procter & Gamble Co. devoted more money to advertise its laundry detergent brands, hoping to at least maintain sales and protect against gains from rivals. Further data provided by Information Resources Inc., a marketing services firm, showed foreign-based multinational companies tended to outspend U.S. companies in the home and beauty industry. L’Oréal, for instance, boosted its fourth quarter advertising spending and could stand to benefit in expanded market share.

Conversely, according to the UNC study, about half the share lost to private labels in past recessions has never been recovered by household and personal-care companies. However, research shows leading premium brands that maintain advertising budgets in a recession do not lose business to smaller non-premium labels.

Bamboo fiber… a renewable natural resource. Bamboo is known to be the fastest growing plant on the planet. It’s a naturally renewable, eco-friendly product that is easy on our environment, thriving naturally without the use of harmful pesticides. A bamboo forest releases 35% more oxygen than an equivalent size forest. Every strand of bamboo fiber boasts a luxurious, soft hand, elegant sheen and durability while keeping you cooler than cotton.

• Bamboo takes in nearly 5 times the amount of greenhouse gases as other tree forests
• Bamboo can be harvested in 3-5 years compared to 10-20 years for most soft woods
• Bamboo absorbs water 3-4 times better than cotton

Awesome stuff! Let me know if I can help with your corporate apparel needs. (877) 250-4354

How’s this for recycling? We can actually take your used billboard vinyl, and turn it into stylish, promotional bags. Each billboard bag is different, tough and durable. Environmentally sensitive, as we’re giving your billboard material a new life, saving them from the landfill, and you get a one-of-a-kind bag at the same time. Several bag styles are available: messenger, tote, backpack, etc.

How cool is that?!?!?   Call for information:  (877) 250-4354

With today’s heavy use of PCs, PDAs, Smartphones and the like, some people assume that paper calendars — wall, desk, pocket — are pretty much obsolete.

On December 24, 2008, the NBC Today Show asked viewers, “Do you still use a paper calendar?” It was their feature, “Today’s Question”. And while it’s not a scientific poll, they tallied 3059 responses. A resounding 91% confirmed, “Yes.  I still write my commitments on a physical calendar.”

Calendar advertising is a primary product category in the promotional product industry with cost per impression that is microscopic. Daily usage, gift value, customization options and longevity heavily impact CPI and ROI.

Still one of, if not the BEST value in promotional marketing, calendars can inform, advertise, incent or remind the user. Or all of the above. Completely customizable, including personalization, they can be adapted for many uses. Calendars also make for a fantastic fund raiser.

Comments welcome. Check us out at www.goingreenpromos.com, or call 877-250-4354

Schools and organizations are always looking for a way to recognize students for their accomplishment. Here are a series of classy items that do exactly that. Great way for business to target outgoing students as well as fund raiser the graduating class. NIce quality - let me know if I can help.  877-250-4354  www.goingreenpromos.com

We’re always looking for value in promotionals, aren’t we? Get the most bang for the buck? It’s what I do for my clients. Below is, in my opinion, one of the best values in the entire industry (provided it’s properly targeted), only made better by a special promotion through March 31, 2009.

The reason this is such a great value is apparent. There’s not only a pen, a cute pen that few will throw away, but it comes with a card that tells your story, in full color. We can perf the card and make it a reply, or a tear-off business card, or other. It’s extremely flexible. We can also pre-address the cards if you’re doing a mailing! With your indicia (or ours), it can be ready to drop off at the Post Office. Heck, we can actually mail them for you too.

Great for B2B and B2C situations, even as a regular hand-out, this “power pack” can be left at doors, handed out at events, trade shows, etc. It’s participatory in that they have to tear it open to take it apart, the cello keeps your product and message clean and dry, etc. To me, this is one of the best items around.

As for the pen, there are thousands of different shapes, some with billboards captured in the shape of the pen itself. Completely custom, or using stock art, they’re fun, they attract attention, and people like them and hang on to them.

With this special offer, the Power Pack is FREE. Normally priced at $0.60 plus setup, it’s a great way to turn a fun yet effective giveaway into a more powerful promotion for your business or organization.

Fund raising for schools? Can anything be better? Who doesn’t use pens? I mean, really. 

Please call or send me a note if you’d like a sample and information. (877) 250-4354

Note: Pens are available made from various recycled materials, including tires, denim, U.S. currency and plastics.

Power Pack information

Have you ever lost your prized sunglasses during an outing or other outdoor activity?

Ever had your favorite cap fly off your head never to be seen…or worn again? Do you find the use of eyewear holders worn around your neck cumbersome and, depending on the activity, potentially hazardous?

Xcap was created for you!

Xcap was invented and designed with true outdoor performance and activity in mind. The original headwear/eyewear accessory system, Xcap technology has evolved into the “VISIONARY HEADWEAR” available today.

Xcap provides performance and peace of mind for active outdoor enthusiasts in both work and play environments. Xcap by KOMBI is stocked in seven distinct models. There is an Xcap model for virtually every outdoor activity.

I think I mentioned this one in a previous post, but found some more info, and thought I’d put it up. I’ll have more new products posted soon. Here’s a graphic to show you how this cap does what it does…

How the X-cap works

Let me know if I can get you pricing, info or a sample.

Hi!

If you’ve ever exhibited, or wanted to exhibit at a trade show, this one’s for you. I’ll be giving a talk at the Sacramento Metro Chamber on Tuesday, February 10. The subject title is as you see above, Maximizing Trade Show Opportunities. There are about a half-dozen seats available, so if you’re interested, please contact me and I can get you registered. Open to Chamber members, I think you’ll find it very informative and helpful.

Let me know if I can get you registered.

Ted
www.goingreenpromos.com

For the first time, the Super Bowl Champions wore organic-cotton T-shirts in the locker room, Impressions magazine reports. Canton, Mass.-based Reebok Intl. Ltd. announced that the Super Bowl XLIII Championship locker room T-shirts were made from 100 percent organic cotton. The hang tags on the shirts were also made of recycled materials. Fans can buy the organic Super Bowl XLIII tees at Reebok.com or NFLshop.com.

Of course, if you’d like organic cotton tees for your business or organization, or any other eco-friendly promotional item, just call or email yours truly… :)  Or visit www.goingreenpromos.com

Oh, where to start… so many new goodies this year. I’ll try and stick with just the “green” items. Mostly, anyway. So here goes…

FROSTY TOWEL… eco friendly, all natural towel is formulated with pure essential oils and extracts to cool and refresh you in moments, reduces mosquito bites, softens the skin, and more, and features a great citrus tropical scent. Great for anything from spas to a nice refresher after 18 holes in the hot sun.

TOTE BAGS… There are scads of totes available now, especially useful as a reusable shopping bag. Most are made of what we call non-woven poly. Some recycled, some not, but all recyclable. Other materials are also available, including recycled soda bottles (PET) and others. Some are also insulated for carrying hot or cold food, and even pizza bags can even be purchased.

FSC CERTIFIED… We’re getting papers from FSC certified suppliers in the form of folders and portfolios, binders, Post-it and other sticky notes. Regular notepads as well.

RECYCLED STAINLESS STEEL… First we had stainless steel, then aluminum, then recycled aluminum, and now recycled stainless steel. Mostly made into water bottles, the idea was to get away from the polycarb bottles with the controversial BPA. We now also have lots of plastic water bottles that are also BPA free. Many styles of all of these materials are available. AND POPULAR. Great promotional item.

PLAQUES AND AWARDS… All sorts of eco-friendly materials. Lots of Bamboo (sustainable) and recycled materials such as U.S. cash, sunflower seed hulls, automotive tires, etc. It’s great to see these awards being made of these materials that would normally have ended up in a landfill in most cases.

BALL CAPS… Caps are now available in combinations of bamboo and cotton, recycled PET, recycled polyester, and other fabrics. There’s also a new one that I really liked… Not necessarily eco-friendly, but has strings on the sides, hidden away, that retract. The temples of your sunglasses get attached, and your glasses are attached to your hat via retractors. When you’re not using them, they’re nicely held on the cap, above the visor. Nicely done! (not a $5 cap)

RECYCLED PASSWORD PAD… Seems to me a bit of a way to defeat the whole idea of using passwords, to use a book to record them, but I guess if you do so in some sort of code… So this one’s a recycled pad, or wire-bound book, with color-coded sections throughout, and alphabetized for easy use.

HOODIES… Alternative Apparel, a well known brand for youthful styles, has what they’re calling their Eco-Heather Zip Hoodie. Unisex fit, long sleeves, and a hood free of any ties, it’s made of 38% cotton (6.25% organic), 50% polyester (6.25% recycled poly), and 12% naturally occurring rayon. Low-impact yarn dyed, fabric washed. 3 available colors.

PRO SLEEVE… Okay, this one’s not green… but I thought it was worth mentioning. It’s pretty cool. Think bike races, marathons, concerts, corporate outings, etc. Anywhere a bunch of folks are out in the sun. It’s a dye-sublimated arm sleeve band. UV PROTECTION OF 50+ Takes great 4 color process graphics, and gets you noticed! I think it’s great.

FLASH DRIVES… HUGELY POPULAR today. Great way to disseminate information, and have an up-to-date, usable, tech item that your recipient can and will use for quite a while to come. I found some at the show that are made from CORN PLASTIC, EVEN LAYERED PAPERBOARD. Once you’re done with them, they can be buried, or end up in a landfill, and will decompose without causing problems. Great stuff!

RECYCLED POLYESTER APPAREL… There’s a nice 7 in 1 ladies jacket, as well as men’s and women’s windshirts made from the material. Additionally, there are several t-shirt manufacturers using the material to make their stuff. Really nice to see this industry coming around.

That’s about a quarter of it. Yeah, there’s a lot to tell you about this year. I’ll get some more posted in the next few days. If you’d like any info on any of the above, just shoot me an email - I’ll take care of it right away.

Need any help with your own trade show exhibit? Let me help. I’ve got lots of ideas and experience with trade shows. Have a great day!

Ted Pendlebury
www.goingreenpromos.com