All of us at Promotional Items Buzz are very sorry to hear the news, and would like to offer our condolences to Kramer’s family and friends and everyone at Bullet Line.

You can read Kramer’s full obituary here.

Most Unique

• Spotz Media:  Brandcharger
• Wellness Interactive:  Something Healthy Rejuvenation Eco Basket

Most Staying Power

• Prime Line:  Cool Gear Gel Sipper

Best Bang for Your Buck

• Kook Pak:  The Real $0.99 Bag
• WOWLine:  Sports Cowbells

Most Likely to Build a Buzz

• Fields Manufacturing:  Lanyard

Most Popular Wearable

• SanMar:  Port Authority Shrug

Do you agree with the winners? Sound off below!

According to the Advertising Specialty Institute’s Counselor magazine, the law will be formally adopted later this year, and will allow a six to 12 month period for stores to comply.  “After one year, Los Angeles stores would be permitted to charge customers 10 cents each for paper bags,” Counselor reports.

The new legislation is groundbreaking because Los Angeles is now the largest American city to denounce the use of plastic bags. “Los Angeles is leading the state and the nation,” said the city’s mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa. “With this new measure, one in four Californians will be living plastic bag-free. We hope our actions will encourage other big cities, counties and states to take action.”

How will the decision affect the promotional items industry? It only applies to single-use plastic bags, meaning reusable bags and other items are allowed.  Counselor explains: “That means totes as well as reusable imprinted plastic bags are not only permitted in these areas, but endorsed as alternatives to potentially environmentally hazardous single-use bags.”  As more and more retailers begin to search for eco-friendly solutions, companies that distribute promo bags are sure to profit.

According to “Stitchwork,” an Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) blog, “…the dot com boom ushered in an age of executive informality, perhaps most iconically exemplified by Mark Zuckerberg, the gozillionaire founder of Facebook, whose trademark look is t-shirt, jeans, and, of course, a hooded sweatshirt.”  Clothing company Betabrand is hoping to cash in on this new trend.

“Stitchwork” reports that the apparel company now offers “the Executive Hoodie, a hooded sweatshirt made of suit-quality merino wool.”  It’s reportedly available in three varieties:  grey pinstripe, navy pinstripe, and glen plaid.

Could the dressed-up hoodie be the next big thing for the promotional items industry?

The new look and layout, according to an Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) press release, is meant to capture the attention of business leaders who work in a fast-paced environment.  ASI asserts that the new layout “is more actionable and easier to read and contains four new sections packed with strategies and analysis along with award-winning products, fastest-growing companies, best promotions and top ad campaigns.” Wow!

Let’s take a look at some of the new features:

• Bigger physical size
• Table of contents for easy browsing
• Four brand new sections — News, Apparel, Case Studies, and Social
• Social media integration
• Focus on the promo products industry’s top places of work
• An updated logo and new, easy-to-read text

In addition to the print magazine’s redesign, the web version has also received a facelift. “The new CounselorMag.com features online exclusives, news, regular videos and an interactive experience unlike any other in the ad specialty industry,” reports ASI. “With social media integration on every page, CounselorMag.com invites readers to provide immediate feedback on articles and share best business practices with each other.”

Have you checked out Counselor magazine’s new look yet?

According to the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), Gildan paid a total of $88 million for the purchase. Anvil’s president and CEO, Anthony Corsano, will transition into his new position as part of Gildan’s senior management team. “Corsano will join Gildan’s Branded Apparel division and focus on the continuing development of Anvil’s strategy to grow its business of providing high-volume quality products for non-retailer brands,” reported ASI.

Glenn Chamandy, president and CEO of Gildan, told ASI that Anvil possesses a culture and strengths that will help Gildan to become a leader in printwear. “In addition, the projected economic returns from the acquisition are highly attractive and are expected to create further value for our shareholders,” Chamandy said.

Let’s discuss some of the highlights.  According to PPAI, promo calendars provide:

• Strong recall
• Low cost per impression
• Favorable reactions

PPAI calls this combination the “advertising trifecta.”  And that’s what makes advertising calendars so effective; they successfully combine all three.  According to PPAI, “Despite the increasing reliance on technology, the printed calendar is still a mainstay in the home and office.”  Eighty percent of homes and offices throughout America have at least one promo calendar.

Therefore, advertisers can really benefit from utilizing this type of promotional item. Their brand is likely to be remembered, and most recipients even plan to work with the advertiser.  If you’re not handing out calendars printed with your company name/logo, it’s time to reconsider!

While there is no law in place for adopting the PPAI Code of Conduct, it could be a great option for your copmany. PPAI asserts that “there is remarkable similarity among those that have been adopted. Many of them draw from working conditions standards that have been put forth by various international entities, government as well as non-governmental.”  Why wouldn’t your company want to commit to ethical and responsible conduct?

Touted as “The Industry’s Premier East Coast Event,” the trade fair is sure to be bigger than ever. It will take place at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, NJ.  The show will feature new marketing concepts, stand-out products, the industry’s top suppliers, and informative educational seminars.

Check out the bumper sticker Promotions East sent out to advertise the event and its associated contests:

According to the direct marketing piece’s instructions, if you stick the ad on your car and post a photo on Facebook, you’re eligible to win a free hotel stay during Promotions East! But that’s not all; if your vehicle is spotted at the trade show with the sticker attached, you could win a $15 gas card!

Will you be attending Promotions East?

One promotional items company, ePromos, has signed an agreement with SNIFTY scented pens to introduce its product to the industry and to be an exclusive promotional scented pens distributor.  According to a press release, “Businesses can now incorporate scents into their promotions to create more memorable and engaging experiences.”  ePromos is pitching the new product as a fun twist on the classic pen.

To roll out its new line of promotional scented pens, ePromos will initially offer 10 varieties: Honeysuckle, strawberry, chocolate, watermelon, bubblegum, fruit punch, vanilla, cherry, caramel and coffee.

Do you think the scented writing utensils will be a hit for the promotional products distributor?