Clean Water Solves Global Issues- be part of change

Did you know that viruses spread through contaminated water? Rotarian's around the globe have are committed to ending polio  for over 30 years!

Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a paralyzing and potentially deadly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5. The virus spreads from person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can then attack the nervous system.

Clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education are basic necessities for a healthy environment and a productive life. When people have access to clean water and sanitation, waterborne diseases decrease, children stay healthier and attend school more regularly, and mothers can spend less time carrying water and more time helping their families.

How Rotary makes help happen

Through water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs, Rotary’s people of action mobilize resources, form partnerships, and invest in infrastructure and training that yield long-term change.
As a Rotarian, part of the Apex Rotary Club since 2008, it's exciting to see our industry bringing a product to market that ties into efforts to support clean water solutions to communities worldwide.

Big news! Leed's and drinkware company Welly recently established an exclusive partnership to bring environmentally-friendly, insulated bamboo drinkware to the promotional products industry. Leed's began carrying Welly bottles in August 2019.

"I created Welly to help the environment and give clean water to people in need," said Ben Kander, Welly Founder and CEO.  "I'm thrilled to partner with a company like Leed's, who understands the critical role of environmentally-friendly products in the promotional products channel."

Welly's mission is to reduce reliance on single-use plastic by providing a reusable alternative, as well as bring reliable access to clean water to communities in need. Welly donates 3 percent of sales to charity: water, a nonprofit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing countries. With its first contribution, Welly helped bring clean water to Mai Welay, a rural village in northern Ethiopia.    

"Welly has such unique, compelling products, plus their work with charity: water is inspiring," said Heather Smartt, Global Category Director at PCNA. "There's a strong demand for earth-friendly, sustainable products in this industry and this partnership allows us to continue providing our distributors with the innovative and socially responsible brands their customers are looking for."

At Promotional Partners we are excited to share this product with you as a way to shape the future of our global community. 3 percent of sales of Welly support efforts to bring clean water solutions to communities world-wide. Would you like to do more now? Support our district's Global Water Run on November 10. Sign up now!

Creating A Hole In One

FORE- a long ball, headed straight for the tee is headed down the fairway. Who doesn't love a hole in one; ultimate satisfaction for less work! It's National Golf Month and we've got some ideas that will make you see green!

What's new? What's hot? Those are the two questions we get asked everyday. From charity tournament giveaways to executive gifts, golf-related products are really effective for marketing brands.

These great new products will make your brand look great on or off the course:
1. Give your golf outing guests the most exciting new golf umbrella on the market.
58" Inversion Auto Close Golf Umbrella

This amazing golf umbrella closes so the outside of the canopy is pulled inward, trapping rain inside. Designed to keep you dry as you get in and out of your car. Auto close makes it a breeze to use.

2. Load up this new cooler with beverages and snacks for your outing guests before they hit the links. Check out this video link about the product. 
Slazenger™ Competition 24-Can Golf Event Cooler 
 

 

The Slazenger Golf Event cooler is perfect for an afternoon outing. Made with graphite material and including a neoprene side pocket this cooler can hold up to 24 cans or enough snacks for a day on the links. Side pocket with Slazenger logo gives this cooler a great look and feel.
3. Outfit your staff with new apparel to make the best impression at your golf event.
 
Antero Short Sleeve Polo

This shirt, winner of the Wearables 2018 Apparel Design Award for polos, has standout style and impressive performance - a true double threat. Moisture-wicking properties channel away sweat and keep you comfortable. It's constructed with body cooling fabric and offers UPF 40 sun protection.
The stylish women's version has a mandarin collar, no-button placket, shirttail hem and tapered waist.

Ready for more inspiration? Visit our branded golf store located on our company's website.

 
Check out the Slazenger Golf Idea Guide - it's a great resource that you can easily share.

How To Make A Smart Start!

Increasingly we have clients asking us about Eco-conscious solutions for products and inquiring about which of our partner give back to causes that benefit us all.

We enjoy partnering with suppliers that want to be part of change. Our partners at PCNA have introduced their  EcoSmart® program. What is this program all about, how did it start and how has it evolved? 

The seeds for the EcoSmart® program were planted over 10 years ago, when Leed's became the first promotional products supplier to offer Eco-friendly products. Today, it's about more than products; it's about building on our legacy as an Eco-friendly leader, identifying new opportunities and creating products that are both good for the planet and good for business.

Eco-Friendly Products

Interest in Eco-friendly products has never been greater. This demand comes from a changing culture where plastic waste reduction is celebrated and laws banning single-use plastics are popping up all over the U.S. and Canada. As a result, PCNA is fully committed to providing the industry's best selection of products made from recycled materials, as well as products that are reusable alternatives to items normally thrown away after one use.

To make that happen, they have partnered will some amazing retail brands that are out there making a real difference. Our Parkland bags are all made from recycled water bottles, while FinalStraw makes super-cool reusable straws. Beyond a large product assortment, they are dedicated to being your go-to source for browsing and buying Eco-friendly products.

Taking Action: 1% For The Planet and More
EcoSmart® is about more than products. It's about taking a hard look at their business practices and finding small ways to reduce our environmental impact. They have taken some positive steps and have a list of initiatives taking shape in the near future.

Currently, PCNA donates 1 percent of sales from all EcoSmart® products to 1% For The Planet, an organization that enables businesses to directly support environmental nonprofits through financial contributions.  They are honored to join visionary companies like Patagonia and New Belgium Brewing in supporting environmental organizations that are on the ground making a real difference.
They are also making small changes to our normal business operations. What types of changes? Their catalogs and other marketing materials are now printed on FSC-certified paper from responsibly managed forests. It's a small step towards a bigger movement.

The Bottom Line

We're fortunate to be in a position to make a difference. Through the EcoSmart® line we hope to inspire our customers, colleagues and friends to join us in making better choices for the planet.

Shop EcoSmart®

They Say It's Your Birthday.....

Can't you hear the Beetle's now.......it's my birthday to yeah! Regardless of your preferences in brands or styles, gifts are always appreciated; even if it's not your birthday. As we move into August our suppliers roll out the best new products to layer into your gift programs. There is never a wrong time to gift. After-all, who does not appreciate a quality item that makes their day easier or more fun?












What are some of our favorite new employee perks? 

This insulated food storage container means when they are ready for a meal- the temp is right! 

Gift packaging? But of course.....

As a teacher, there were specific times of the year when I'd start putting a number in the corner of the black board; showing my age- it was not a white board. What was the number? A countdown days to holiday break or the end of school. Savvy students picked up on the fact that the number changed daily and joined the fun to countdown the days. It's a popular trend for companies to celebrate milestones, fun quirky dates, birthdays and major holidays. Make the experience fun for your team with this product.

The festive count down blocks are perfect to display the days, weeks, or months until the next holiday, vacation and birthdays.Use this for brand or product launch, a re-brand party or upcoming conference reminder. What holiday are included? Halloween, Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Passover, Mother's Day, Father's Day, New Year, Valentine's Day, Birthday, Earth Day, St. Patrick's Day, Vacation, Anniversary and Thanksgiving.

One of the most requested items- a tumbler that keeps things both hot and cold as well as allowing a can to slide as a can cooler.  Name brands are appreciated by recipients. 

The Walton Wireless Charging Refillable JournalBook ( NC product- #shoplocal) allows you to charge your smartphone without the cables. Front wireless charging pad must be connected to a power source via micro to usb cable. How cool is technology integrated into our daily routine? 

What's else is new? Keep checking the blog posts. Can't wait?
Here is a link to an e-catalog  featuring new trends for your brand.

Trend Watch: Gift Season 2019 What Hot?

Ah gifts, what item will you receive that you;ll want to use daily? 

Behind the scenes, our partner at PCNA has been researching and planning with their dedicated product development teams to bring you the best product mix possible. This month, we will start introducing  new products and apparel pieces inspired by the latest trends and designs you are seeing in retail. Let's start with an overview of the hottest trends to capture for your branding this season.

Trend: Cool Colors   Colors, especially colors that may be unexpected, make a statement without saying a word. There are plenty of opportunities to experiment with new colors this season– whether it's a pastel tote or an umbrella in a soft heathered gray. Even legendary workwear brand Carhartt has broken away from traditional brown with new color.

 

Trend: EcoSmart® Thanks, in big part, to a changing culture where plastic waste reduction is celebrated and laws banning single-use plastics are popping up all over the U.S. and Canada, gifts made from recycled materials and products that are reusable alternatives to items normally thrown away after one use are in high demand.

Trend: Lighten Up Gift season is a special time. Why not have a little fun with products that shimmer, glimmer and shine? From bags and bottles, to even umbrellas, iridescent and holographic products are everywhere right now.

Trend: Buffalo Plaid Prints and patterns are big right now. Our favorite is buffalo plaid – the classic pattern with cross-generational appeal that's being used in all kinds of new ways. (Yep, even umbrellas.)

Trend: Multi-Function Innovative design that allows products to be used in new ways – and the more they're used, the better for a brand. From umbrellas with Bluetooth speakers, to lanterns with built-in wireless power banks, these products a guaranteed to get a "wow."

Trend: Handwriting So much of the workday is spent typing and texting that people are rediscovering the simple joy of handwriting. Recent research even suggests that pen and paper is the better choice for information processing and retention. There's a pen and journal for every budget. We can even create a custom bundle with your favorite pen and notebook. Geeze, I may need to become re-certified for cursive!

The Bottom Line

From killer client gifts, to stellar employee anniversary awards, it's our job to help you find something that recipients will love. Did you images here that inspired you? Open the e-book here for inspiration. Keep following the blog for more new ideas.

Which Images Get Shared?

 

A good promotion travels- literally. In fact, it's the emotional response to products that makes our industry a hit! 

Successful marketing campaigns connect your brand to others. Crafting a story that actually shares your products, services, message or core values is key to your campaign's success. Unlike any other advertising and marketing medium, a tangible product has the potential to touch all 5 senses. What else can potentially offer you sight, smell, taste, sound and touch? 

Social media has changed the speed and easy of sharing our experiences with others, access to information is immediate. Unlike traditional print media, our footprint is now as broad as our extended group of friends and their connections. 

Creating a narrative that is worth sharing is easy when it starts with a product resonates with recipients. Take a look at some popular shares on social media from projects we have done. All of these images were captured on social media, as recipients shared product images in their posts with others!

We love this industry and it's endless possibility for ways to connect.

Why and how are smart marketers using a tangible in their campaigns?

It's pretty easy to see from these images how all 4 of those uses are being applied to building brands.

How's your brand looking?

Donald Pliner Shoes and Branding

It happened, my Donald Pliner shoes died. Literally. After wearing them for about 15 plus years, they started to dissolve yesterday with each step. The heel caved into the base and the platform started collapsing.

What does my shoe issue have to do with branding?

A little more than you'd think.

If you've ever dreamed of creating your own shoe designs- stop dreaming a do it. 

Don't need to outfit an group of people in custom shoes? No worries, we have single solutions for Van's, Converse, NVR and more.....all you need is some imagination and fun!

Maybe you long for the summer months and live in flip flops or you still like to jump in rain puddles.

You, be you- in branding and in life!

On August 20th, I will be a speaker for the Apex Chamber of Commerce on the topic of building brand success. ( It's billed as a women's lunch, but men are always welcome to network with the ladies, besides the venue has an awesome pie!)


 Register here if you'd like the rest of the story.