In a world of Ben and Jerry’s, Coldstone Creamery, and more frozen yogurt shops than I could possibly count on one hand, what does it take to successfully sell frozen treats? Well, just take a look at Steven Carse, who is better known as Atlanta’s own “King of Pops.” Using fresh, local ingredients to create unique flavors such as Grapefruit Mint, Green Apple Lemonade, Mexican Chocolate and my personal favorite, Valencia Orange Basil, Carse has become a local legend. Other startups can take note from the King, who has an avid presence on Twitter, where he shares daily flavors with more than 2500 followers. He also promotes his handcrafted pops with custom t shirts that local readers can purchase when they visit his promotional cooler (see pictures below) at the corner of North Ave. and N. Highland.
American Independence Day came and went with a bang, and now it’s time to gear up for Bastille Day, the celebration of the French Fete de la Federation (or Federation Holiday). Bastille Day commemorates the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris on July 14, 1789- otherwise known as the beginning of the French Revolution and the fall of the old government. Since the actual day of the storming is considered too bloody to celebrate, the French observe the one-year anniversary with an annual military parade, fireworks, and custom giveaways.
Retail chain American Eagle Outfitters Inc. has high hopes for back-to-school sales this year because of a creative promotion running from July 21 to August 3. Any patron who tries on a pair of the teen retailer’s jeans will receive a free smart phone, as well as a $25 gift card for redemption at American Eagle stores*.
To learn more about AE’s special offer and to see just how easy it is to run your own marketing campaign using promotional gift cards, keep reading…
Weaving my way through the Chicago airport last night, I couldn’t help but notice the many promotional products around me. Airport employees dressed in TSA branded logo apparel shepherded passengers through security lines. Travelers wheeled rolling bags imprinted with company logos while carrying custom plastic bags filled to the brim with local goodies and souvenirs. I could end this blog post right here and leave you with a lesson about the omnipresence of promotional products but I want to highlight the branded item that made my day, as a nervous traveler returning home after a long weekend. Keep reading to find out which refreshing product I appreciated most…
Once again, the influence of the promotional products world has extended into the retail market and even beyond. While shopping at Heliotrope, a kitschy home goods store beloved by Pinnacle’s marketing department, I discovered logo mugs imprinted with Pantone colors and corresponding numbers. What are Pantone colors and where can I find more of them?
I was lucky to attend a Braves game last night with a friend who got tickets from her job. We “watched” the game from an air-conditioned suite, gorging on free food and drink, as well as sorting through the advertising giveaways we received from the rep who was hosting us.
Yesterday co-blogger Sarah and I participated in the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) “Take Steps Walk,” at Centennial Olympic Park joining thousands of others at over 100 Walk sites that will gather across the country this spring and summer in the fight against Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
The walk was not short of supporters – and of course promotional products. (See Sarah and I sporting our promotional gear at the walk below.)
When I heard Toro y Moi at a free show at Vacation Gallery & Boutique in January, I had never heard of the guy and was really only going to have something to do. The space was tight — I was squeezed up next to a rack of vintage dresses — and some technical problems cut the show short after only a couple of sets, but… it. was. awesome.
It’s not often that I like an artist after the first listen, but Toro y Moi is one of those exceptions. As one commenter on the YouTube page for the video above pointed out with surprising clarity, “Theres some music that human beings cant resist” [sic].
Tomorrow night Toro y Moi will open for Caribou at The Earl, whose schedule declares emphatically that tickets are SOLD OUT!
(Learn more below about Toro y Moi and how indie bands should use promotional products to support word-of-mouth marketing.) Keep reading.
Today is a bittersweet day for me as it marks the two-year anniversary since the day I graduated from college at Emory University. A few vivid memories stand out in my mind from that day – one of which involves a promotional product:
This weekend I ventured to Highland Cigar Company in Atlanta’s Inman Park Village and must say that I thoroughly enjoyed my first experience at a so-called “cigar bar.” Though not a cigar aficionado by any means, I almost felt like one as I lounged against the warm leather sofas lining the room, while sipping a glass of twenty-year old port, and puffing my bourbon-vanilla flavored cigar.
Upon doing so I joined the statistic that about 11% of Americans aged 18 to 25 had smoked a cigar within the last month (compared to the average of 5% from all ages) – data that may allow one to infer that cigar accessories as corporate gifts or other means of branded merchandise can be well received by young professionals, as well as the old.
