New Study Says Promo Products Beat Prime-Time TV

Logoed ad specialties cheaper per impression than prime-time TV, radio and print.

The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) today released a landmark study that proves the undeniable power of promotional products, which beat out prime-time TV, radio and print advertising as the most cost-effective advertising medium available.

The most significant findings of the Global Advertising Specialties Impressions Study show marketers get a more favorable return on investment from logoed products than almost any other popular media, with a very low cost per impression (CPI), high recall among those who receive ad specialty items, and increased intent among recipients to buy from the advertiser.

Promotional products, or advertising specialties, are items like pens, T-shirts, caps, coffee mugs and high-tech electronics imprinted with a logo or slogan to promote everything from a new store opening or hot new product to a Super Bowl win or even the U.S. census.

“Promo products are used by virtually every business in America, for good reason – they work. Just check your own office. How many do you have?” said Timothy M. Andrews, president and chief executive officer of ASI. “Using logoed items, which cost just a half a penny per impression, even smaller companies can deliver the kind of high-impact punch enjoyed by multi-million-dollar companies.”

Among key findings, study results show:

* Cost per Impression. In the U.S., the CPI of a promotional product stayed virtually the same from 2008 to 2010, at $0.005.
* Promo Product Capital. Among seven major metro markets, more people in Los Angeles own promotion products, at an average of 12.7 items.
* Gender Preferences. Males are more likely than females to own promotional shirts and caps, while females are more likely to have bags, writing instruments, calendars and health and safety products.
* Ethnic Preferences. African Americans have more promo products on average (11.3) than any other group.
* Positive Reinforcement. Seventy-five percent of independent voters prefer consumer-branded products; nearly 1.5 times more than Democrats or Republicans.
* Identifying the Advertiser. Eighty-three percent in the U.S. say they can identify the advertiser on a promotional item they own.
* Global Reach. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of respondents from Great Britain have received and kept a promotional pen in the last 12 months. In the U.S., writing instruments are used the most often, an average of 18.2 times per month.
* Popular Products. The most commonly owned promo products among U.S. respondents are writing instruments (46%), followed by shirts (38%) and calendars (24%).

It's important to note that the pass-along rate has actually increased 11 points from just two years ago – which speaks directly to the global recycling trend. Not only do ad specialties make impressions on everyone who sees them, but messaging is reinforced every time the item is used. No other form of media can allow the advertiser to so closely tie a benefit to the recipient.

The 2.0 study, a follow-up to the definitive 2008 survey, includes new demographic information on politics, ethnicity, gender and age, since knowing the likely recipient of products is paramount for an advertiser. This year, the comprehensive report also adds global markets and includes more products, such as automotive accessories and food.

ASI's research studies are the most influential in the industry's history, continuously cited throughout the B-to-B industry and across the advertising and marketing spectrum. To complete its research, ASI conducted a total of 3,332 online and in-person surveys, including interviews with businesspeople in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, London, Toronto and Montreal metro areas.

At $0.005, the average CPI of an advertising specialty item is less than nearly any other media. According to data obtained by ASI*, the CPI for a national magazine ad is $0.045; for a newspaper ad, $0.029; for a prime-time TV ad, $0.018; for a cable prime-time TV ad, $0.005; for a syndicated daytime TV ad, $0.005; and for a spot radio ad, $0.058.

About ASI

The Advertising Specialty Institute is the largest education, media and marketing organization serving the advertising specialty industry, with a membership of over 26,000 distributor firms (sellers) and supplier firms (manufacturers) of advertising specialties. Supplier firms use ASI print and electronic resources to market products to over 23,000 ASI distributor firms. Distributor firms use ASI print and electronic resources, which contain nearly every product in the industry from more than 3,200 reputable suppliers, to locate supplier firms and to market services to buyers. ASI provides catalogs, information directories, newsletters, magazines, websites and databases, and offers e-commerce, marketing and selling tools. Visit ASI at http://www.asicentral.com and on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and the CEO's blog.

* Numbers derived by ASI from data provided by The Nielsen Company, Outdoor Advertising Association of America, Columbus Dispatch and AdAgeOnline.com.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2011/4/prweb8273083.htm

Harry & David gourmet gifts filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

Industry supplier and food and gift retailer Harry & David (asi/59710) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this morning in the U.S District Court of Delaware. The company said that it already has filed a plan to reorganize its finances and has reached new restructuring agreements with the owners of the majority of its senior notes. The moves allow Harry & David to eliminate much of its debt and continue its operations moving forward without interruption. 

In its filing, Harry & David announced it had reached an agreement with UBS AG, Staford Branch and other financial institutions to receive a $100 million credit line, which will help to run its business and fund the company through its bankruptcy proceeding. The company’s bankruptcy filing follows a difficult holiday season for Harry & David. The retailer and catalog company reported that its net income for the second quarter, which concluded on December 25, had dropped by 57% compared to the same time period last year.
 
Also, in February, Harry & David's parent company, New York-based investment firm Wasserstein & Co., said it was temporarily replacing CEO Steven J. Heyer, who had been on the job a year, with restructuring specialist Kay Hong. "We believe that entering into this agreement provides the best opportunity for Harry & David to restructure its balance sheet on an expedited basis, strengthen its operations and create long-term value, while continuing to provide customers with the highest quality products and service," said Hong, chief restructuring officer and interim CEO, about the bankruptcy filing and subsequent financing agreements.

International Mailing for Libya

On March 1, the U.S. Postal Service temporarily suspended acceptance of international mail service to Libya due to the lack of transportation service to Libya.

Additional information and updates regarding acceptance and movement of international mail to Libya are posted online at usps.com/communications/news/serviceupdates.

Fun Promo Items fοr Summer Events

Summer іѕ a time whеn уου еnјοу іn thе open. Green grass, blue sky аnd beaming sunshine, аll set up a wonderful mood tο relish wіth thе meaningful excuse οf summer events. Picnics, golf matches, beach, parties, summer concerts, pool gatherings, cultural festivals, street fairs аrе ѕοmе οf thе very common occasions held іn summers. Brands thаt wish tο churn out promotional benefits frοm summer events сhοοѕе thеіr promo products very kееnlу. Aѕ thеѕе summer events аrе filled wіth fun аnd frolic, ѕο аlѕο thе promo items needs tο match up tο thаt occasion.

Take a look аt ѕοmе significant promotional items which аrе great fοr summer events -

3 Proven Promotion Tactics Using Promotional Wine and Beer Items

By: Amelie Levou

Are you planning to utilize promotional wine and beer items to your next campaigns? You may want to check out these marvelous business promotion methods that have made many companies successful for years now:

Engage your target buyers to your promo items.

This strategy can be understood and applied in a myriad of ways. You can make your clients excited by thinking of a terrific campaign in which people can participate such as a contest. Photography is great nowadays so you can conduct a photography contest and make the subject something connected to your company. You can use personalized wine and beer freebies as the prizes of the competition winners. These stuffs are actually pricey so various people will be happy for it. But of course, it would be normally better if you will just make these products as add-on a much bigger prize.

Hand out customizable wine and beer merchandise in parties.

Marketing is mainly about being relevant to your target shoppers. To make your gift of alcoholic drink relevant, you might want to send them to your customers during a corporate party, either as a price or as a souvenir. But since it is a little expensive than your usual logo product, you might want to make it something that people will work hard for, such as an award. But of course, you can also choose to raffle or most promising employee of the year accolade or something.

You can also turn these freebies as promo prizes in your stores.

You can make these giveaways within the reach of your buyers by placing them in your local outlets and then letting people have them after a minimum of purchase. In the way, you will not only sell your products and services, but also compelling a number of people to buy your products and services just to get the gift. Moreover, you are implicitly telling your customers that they will be able to get a greater deal if they choose you over others because of the free stuffs.

In applying these methods however, you have to take in consideration what your recipients style are because that would be your guide in the style of your gift. It is very essential that you do research first before you actually get the promotional wine and beer items that you will give away as you do not want to waste your money in any way. Also, you want to make sure that you are giving a wine opener to people that like to drink wine by the simple reason that if they are beer drinkers, they will be disappointed and you will definitely not get the promotion you want in the first place.


Article Courtesy of Informative-Articles.com

Service Resumes for International Mail to Egypt

The U.S. Postal Service has resumed international mail service to Egypt effective Feb. 22. All international mail services are now being provided to Egypt, including Global Express Guaranteed, Express Mail International, Priority Mail International and First-Class Mail International.

On Feb. 3, the Postal Service temporarily suspended acceptance of Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) service to Egypt. All other international mail services to Egypt were temporarily suspended on Feb. 7.
Service updates for international mail are posted online at usps.com/international/serviceupdates.

Postal Service Price Adjustments Set for April 17

The Postal Regulatory Commission has notified the U.S. Postal Service that price changes announced Jan. 13 satisfy the requirements of the law and will take effect April 17. The first U.S. Postal Service mailing services price change in two years will have minimal impact on retail customers who will continue to pay only 44 cents for a stamp. Price changes of note for retail customers include the following:

• First-Class Mail letters (1 oz.) remain unchanged at 44 cents,
• First-Class Mail additional ounces increase to 20 cents,
• Postcards will cost 29 cents,
• Letters to Canada or Mexico (1 oz.) increase to 80 cents, and
• Letters to other international destinations will remain unchanged at 98 cents.

"Postal Service products and services offer a great value to the American public,” said Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe. “For a very affordable price, you can send letters, bill payments, packages, and other mail across town or across the nation.”
The 1.7 percent average increase is at or below the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index — although actual percentage price increases for various products and services vary.
Prices will also change for other mailing services, including Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services and Extra Services. Larger volume business mailers will see price increases in a variety of categories. Detailed pricing information is available online at www.usps.com/prices.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

See also: Postmaster Announces Price Increases (Thursday, January 20, 2011)