Promotional Products More Effective Than Ads

A great article from www.Brandweek.com

Promotional Swag More Effective Than Ads
Nov 10, 2008
-By Elaine Wong

As marketers continue their debate over the next great advertising medium, a new study released today by the Advertising Specialty Institute found it's not TV, print or radio that gets consumers' attention, but good old promotional swag.

This includes coffee mugs, pencils, retractable solar-powered flashlights or any other product bearing a company logo. Promotional products made up a $19.6 billion industry in 2007, per the ASI. Through surveys conducted both online and in-person in major cities, such as New York and Los Angeles, the institute also found that promotional products generate a cost-per-impression average of $0.004, compared to $.033 for national magazine ads or $0.019 for prime time TV ads.

The surveys asked 600 participants (who were mostly businesspeople over the age of 21) to recall promotional swag received over the last 12 months. Key findings include:

• 84 percent of consumers remembered an advertiser based on a product they received.
• 42 percent had a more favorable impression of an advertiser after receiving a promotional product.
• Nearly one quarter (24 percent) indicated they are more likely to do business with an advertiser based on items they receive.
• The majority of respondents (62 percent) have done business with an advertiser after receiving a product.
• Writing instruments are the most commonly owned tchotchkes, with 54 percent of respondents owning them, followed by shirts, caps and bags.
• Most (81 percent) promotional products were kept because they were considered useful.
• More than three-quarters of respondents have kept their items for about seven months.
• Among wearables, bags were reported to be used most frequently, with respondents indicating that they use their bags on average nine times per month. • Bags deliver the most impressions, with 1,038 impressions per month on average.

ASI president and CEO Timothy Andrews said the findings indicate that promotional products yield a higher ROI, along with very low cost-per-impression, compared to other advertising media. Moreover, items received this year still generated a high recall rate among recipients, leading to greater purchase intent.

"During a time when we're facing turbulent economic conditions, this research advises marketers and business owners to invest in advertising specialties (promotional products) now more than ever," Andrews said. "Advertising specialties provide measurable results for a very reasonable investment."

http://www.brandweek.com/bw/content_display/news-and-features/promotion/e3if0819d6addd2a0fe6c44a118900920fc

Holiday Gift Idea

The holidays will be upon us before we know it so let's talk about client gifts. Throughout late December your clients receive gifts nearly everyday. With that being said, without proper planning, your well thoughtout promotional item may be lost in the shuffle.



Here's a couple of suggestions:

• Be early! There's is nothing wrong with having your gift arrive the first week of December. You can even tie your early delivery into your gift e.g. delivering an embossed leather day planner with a note saying "Here's to getting things done early in 2009!"


• Find a promotional gift that can be of use throughout the holiday season. One new item out this year is our Leatherette Travel Mug Gift Set. (see below) If delivered to your clients with hot chocolate or coffee, these can go into use immediately and last throughout the season.

Our popular stainless steel Alta Tumbler paired with a matching leatherette coaster packaged in a beautiful black leatherette gift bag. All three items are debossed with your logo or message while the tumbler can be screen printed as well.

Available colors:
Dark Brown, Forest Green, Goldenrod, Harvest Green, Light Brown, Naval Blue, Plum, Rustic Brick, Slate, Tangerine.



~$16-$22 dependent on quantity ordered.

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The Scottsdale Active 20-30 Club was founded with the named objective to support children's charities. By hosting special events, this non-profit Club draws the community together to raise funds for and to educate our citizens about the financial, medical, and emotional needs of Arizona's children. The Club provides young adults with an opportunity to impact the community by improving the quality of life for special needs children while fostering personal growth, friendships, networking skills and leadership development. The Club's marquee event is Nite Flite which takes place on October 5th in Old Town Scottsdale. Come join us for an amazing night for an important cause. A great venue, open bar, live music, and delicious local restaurants make for an amazing night. What's more, every event ticket includes a raffle ticket into the Grand Prize Raffle. This years prize...a Smart Car!!

For more info vist http://www.scottsdaleniteflite.com or contact us at GuideLight Marketing.

See you there!

Great Summer Golf Shirts

Looking for a cool summer golf shirt? Antigua's Excellence sport shirt is a light weight and great looking option. Its micropolyester Desert Dry material allows you to stay cool even in the sweltering Southwest.


Available in black, navy, white, gold, sahara, NC blue, mango, Texas orange, dark red, cabernet, maroon, dark pine, royal blue, and silver.


~$30 per including a 1 location embroidery.

It's Hot, Stay Cool

With the environmental issues surrounding plastic bottles of water, more and more people are making the move to reusable water bottles. Keep your clients and prospects hydrated while showcasing your company brand with these stylish polycarbonate water bottles. Both the bottle and the neoprene sleeve can be imprinted.

Bottle color options:

smoke, clear, blue, or red

Neoprene sleeve color options:

Black, Royal, Navy, Red, Maroon, Forest Green, Lime Green, Camo, Pink, Purple, Orange, Yellow, and Teal.

From $5.99 per