Marketing and Sales

Video: Promo Marketing Releases 2016 Buyer's Guide
December 16, 2015 at 6:00 pm

The 2016 Buyer's Guide is here! Complete with the most up-to-date supplier contact info and more, it can help you learn about new product solutions, find growth opportunities for your business and make 2016 the most successful year in your business'…

6 Off-kilter 'Star Wars' Promotions
December 16, 2015 at 4:41 pm

After much anticipation, "Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens" opens in theaters this week. In all of the hype around the blockbuster, promotional items from T-shirts to fruits have hit shelves. Here are six "Star Wars" promotional items that stood out to us. 1. BB-8 Oranges One of the new droids that we've seen…

PPAI Selects Saxum as Its Agency of Record
December 15, 2015 at 6:08 pm

Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), Irving, Texas, has selected Saxum, Oklahoma City, as its agency of record. The agency will develop an integrated communications plan, including strategic brand positioning, media relations, integrated creative content, and a paid media campaign launching the promotional products industry’s first cohesive awareness and branding initiative. PPAI developed the branding initiative aided by…

Newell Rubbermaid Acquires Rival Jarden for $13B
December 15, 2015 at 5:11 pm

Newell Rubbermaid, Atlanta, announced on Monday that it will acquire Rye, New York-based Jarden, a rival company with multiple brands related to the promotional products industry, including Sunbeam, Rawlings and Coleman, for $15.4 billion. USA Today reported that Newell Rubbermaid, which also makes Sharpie, Paper Mate and Irwin products, is purchasing Jarden for a combination of…

Smart Source LLC Announces Role as Preferred Vendor for YMCA
December 15, 2015 at 4:15 pm

Smart Source LLC, New York, is now a premier supplier for the YMCAs of Greater New York City, creating branded materials, including uniforms, swim caps and camp backpacks. The launch of the uniform program is a significant branding initiative for YMCA, and the agreement with Smart Source LLC begins with the YMCAs of Greater New…

Last Call to Sign Up for SuccessFit4Life! at the PPAI Expo
December 15, 2015 at 4:01 pm

Registration closes Dec. 18 for FreePromoTips.com's SuccessFit4Life! Fun Run/Walk, benefitting the Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF), at the 2016 PPAI Expo in Las Vegas. With a $25 donation to PPEF, participants will receive a collection of SuccessFit4Life! products. Participating suppliers include: SnugZ USA, Pro Towels, Halls & Company, Prime Line, Ad-A-Day Company Inc., Southern Plus,…

LeBron James Signs Lifetime Deal with Nike
December 15, 2015 at 3:41 pm

NBA star LeBron James has signed a lifetime endorsement deal with Nike, which has endorsed the Cleveland Cavaliers forward since 2003, when he signed a $90 million contract. Now, according to BBC, his lifetime deal is the first lifetime contract from Nike, and USA Today speculated that the deal may be worth more than $500 million.…

The Image Group Announces Name Change for LightHouse Brands
December 14, 2015 at 5:11 pm

The Image Group, Holland, Ohio, is retiring the name of its acquired subsidiary, Toledo, Ohio-based LightHouse Brands, on Jan. 1, 2016. The Image Group acquired LightHouse Brands in 2013 and, following the merger’s completion, operated the companies as separate divisions. Going forward, the two will operate as a single entity under The Image Group name.…

Brooklyn Nets Print Mistake on T-shirt
December 14, 2015 at 4:31 pm

The Brooklyn Nets celebrated Hanukkah with Jewish Heritage night when they played the Philadelphia 76ers last week, and planned to have T-shirts that said "Represent Brooklyn" in Hebrew. Unfortunately, the Nets made a mistake with the Hebrew spelling. According to the New York Post, "Brooklyn" was misspelled in Hebrew, and the Nets had to fix…

Starline Inc. Celebrates Top Representatives of 2015
December 14, 2015 at 3:54 pm

Last week, the team from  Grand Island, New York-based Starline Inc. came together for its annual sales meeting, where it previewed its collection of 2016 products and honored its top sales representatives. Jim Bull, Starline Inc.'s vice president of sales, presented two awards of distinction and outstanding achievement to his U.S. sales team. He presented the…