Pinnacle Promotions Marketing Company Blog

On November 5, 2007, the Writers Guild of America went on strike. The Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) and the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) are labor unions which serve to protect the rights of film, television, and radio writers. The 100 day strike, which ended on February 10, 2008, was aimed at the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), and striking writers protested against inadequate compensation for their work when compared to the massive revenue earned by the production studios. Both parties reached a mutually agreeable settlement, and after months of subjecting the American public to re-runs, the writers returned to work.

The Late Show with David Letterman was one of the few shows to reach an “interim agreement” with the Writers Guild of America in December of 2007 prior to the end of the strike. This meant that despite otherwise limited television options, Dave’s jokes and banter were able to keep viewers laughing.

Just in case Dave’s writers should ever happen to go on strike, however, the Marketing Department here at Pinnacle is ready to come to his rescue with fresh comedic material! We have taken the liberty of coming up with a Top 5 List to take the place of his usual Top 10 List segment if he is ever in dire need of a script:

Top 5 Ways to Tell If You’ve Bought the Wrong Promotional Products

5) South Florida trade show attendees stare blankly at the promotional ice scrapers that you have given them, but have no idea what the items are or how they should be used.

4) Outraged hockey players throw the pink fashion tote bags that you have given them in the garbage.

3) Sneezing, sniffling, and allergic reactions ensue when you deliver scented hand lotion imprinted with your company logo to an allergy clinic.

2) Promotional picnic kits, complete with wine bottle openers and wine glasses, offend the audience at a meeting for recovering alcoholics.

1) A custom t-shirt in the wrong size and for the wrong gender may not be appreciated by all recipients…
ie for a Marketing Department comprised mostly of petite ladies, a 5XL Men’s t-shirt (that is actually large enough to accommodate 3 of us at once, as pictured above) is not a wise gift for one of the employees. (NOTE: this item was not given to us as an actual gift, and was merely found in our company showroom.)

In closing, I would just like to reiterate that while these examples are given because of their comedic value, there is an important lesson to be learned by recognizing the needs of your target audience. It is highly unlikely that a marketing manager would purchase such inappropriate gifts as women’s tote bags for a group of males, but there are plenty of minor oversights that can cause a brand to accidentally alienate, or even offend, its audience.

The experienced sales representatives at Pinnacle Promotions can provide a wealth of information if you are willing to reach out to them with your questions via phone, e-mail, or LiveChat. Also, Promotional Products – A Survival Guide is now available for purchase. This handy book is a compilation of background information, trends and advice related to the promotional products industry, and covers the ins and outs of the ordering process in great detail. There are numerous reliable sources to consult regarding promotional products, so make sure to take advantage of them to learn how to use these items in the most effective way possible!

Dana
Team Lead – Social Media
view my bio!

Last week I gave my list of fun fall activities to enjoy before the weather turns too cold. I realized, however, that I forgot to include my favorite follow-up to an evening of pumpkin carving. After sculpting, scraping and proudly displaying my carved masterpiece, I break out my cutlery, turn on my culinary prowess and turn the gooey leftover mess of pumpkin into delicious roasted pumpkin seeds!

So if you are wondering what to do now with the remnants of your pumpkins this Halloween and want to turn your pumpkin’s remains into a tasty treat, here is one of my all-time favorites!

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds:
Ingredients:
The Seeds of One Pumpkin
Butter Flavored Cooking Spray
Salt
Seasonings to Taste

Instructions:
1. Separate the seeds from the fibers and pieces of the pumpkin. You can do this one of two ways. The first is to rinse the seeds in water. This is an easy and effective way to remove the excess pumpkin fibers and juice. However, I prefer to separate my seeds by hand, simply removing the fibers and large pumpkin chunks while leaving the seeds unrinsed and retaining more natural pumpkin flavor.

2. Spread the seeds onto waxed paper lining a large cookie sheet and allow to dry overnight. (If you are in a rush, you can skip the drying process, or even use a hair dryer. But in my opinion, seeds that have been allowed to dry overnight will roast better the next day.)

3. After allowing to dry overnight, preheat your oven to 300 degrees.

4. Remove the waxed paper holding the seeds from the tray and coat the cookie sheet with cooking spray.

5. Return seeds to pan and toss with cooking spray and salt to taste. (Add any optional seasonings now if you prefer.)

6. Spread lightly-coated seeds into a thin layer for even toasting.

7. Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown, stirring approximately every ten minutes to ensure even toasting.

Options:
For a bolder, more customized taste experience, add one of more of the following to your seeds before toasting:

*Seasoned salt
*Cajun seasoning blend
*Black pepper
*Fresh herbs
*Garlic
*Cayenne pepper
*Italian seasonings
*Cinnamon
*Just about any other blend of spices and seasonings of your choosing…

7. Enjoy this healthy, fun and inexpensive treat!

Handy in the kitchen and ready to experiment with festive food & drink ideas? Experiment with the different flavors of fall. Take it a step further and try to bake a pumpkin pie from scratch next! You’ll have fun reaping the tasty rewards!

Have a Happy Halloween!

Kim
Marketing Coordinator
view my bio!

Although I am far from what you might consider “outdoorsy,” last weekend I ventured into the wilderness and went camping. As I was sitting around the campfire- surrounded by trees, water, and insects rather than cubicles, advertisements and televisions- I realized that in spite of the natural surroundings I was accompanied by many brands.

From my flashlight to the collapsible can cooler and of course the Swiss Army knife, many of the items I brought had been given to me by a corporation. I started thinking about how these promotional products successfully traveled all that way with us, and came to the conclusion that functional promotional items are key to building any brand.

Functional products, including drinkware, blankets, chairs and other outdoors products, can be imprinted with a company name and logo for increased brand exposure. Giving a product that is not only practical, but also small and easily compactable for easy travel, ensures that your company goes everywhere recipients go. Here are some camping tips to help you incorporate useful items into your next marketing campaign and some activities to inspire a trip to the outdoors.

-Hiking: This is not only a fun activity, but also a way to get to know the area where you will be staying and to tire yourself out before a night of sleeping on the ground. For kids or less active individuals, a leisurely nature walk is also a good afternoon pursuit. Stay hydrated and healthy with promotional sports bottles.

-Grilling: Plan ahead and make sure to pack food that can be cooked outdoors on a grill or open campfire. It’s also a good idea to bring items that won’t leave a mess, to ensure that pesky animals don’t bother you. And don’t forget to keep items fresh in a personalized cooler until you are ready to cook

-S’more making: Making S’mores is delicious and a good way to stay warm around the campfire. Carry a promotional flashlight with you if you venture into the woods to look for the perfect sticks. And always take a buddy, too.

-Camp songs and ghost stories: Singing songs and telling stories are great pre-bedtime activities. Don’t forget to write down your favorite tunes and spooky narratives in promotional jotters so you can remember them for next year’s trip to the wilderness.

Sarah
Creative Writing Intern
view my bio!

I adore October. Yes, I like that the leaves begin to change and the temperature drops, but mostly I love October because it is National Dessert Month. And while I have never become a cooking aficionado, I have loved desserts since I was two and lived across the street from a TCBY. Although I couldn’t even pronounce the word “yogurt,” my noises and hand gestures were enough to communicate my nightly need for the tasty treat, and the unsightly yogurt stains on all my clothes proved my dedication. I still love yogurt and devote a lot (perhaps too much) of my spare time to trying the latest soft-serve stores, but I have also grown to love baking and all other forms of dessert.

Aside from being delicious, dessert is great because it brings people together. How many memories involve sharing pumpkin pie with family on Thanksgiving or indulging in giant ice cream sundaes at childhood slumber parties? And, dessert plays a major role in popular culture from its presence in songs and movies to the old maxim “life’s uncertain, eat dessert first!”

That’s why promotional kitchen utensils, including ice cream scoopers and measuring cups, are ideal ways to incorporate your brand into everyday use. Because one thing is for certain: in today’s media-cluttered world, becoming a valued part of any home provides great exposure for your company.

And, in case this blog posting has made you hungry for more than just tips on how to effectively utilize promotional products, here’s a recipe for my fall favorite- zucchini bread:

3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups white sugar
2 cups grated zucchini
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour two 8×4 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, beat eggs until light and frothy. Mix in oil and sugar. Stir in zucchini and vanilla. Combine flour, cinnamon, soda, baking powder, salt and nuts; stir into the egg mixture. Divide batter into prepared pans.
3. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until done.

Enjoy!

Sarah
Creative Writing Intern
view my bio!

As the weather gets drearier and the stores rearrange their aisles to accommodate candy and costumes, I can only think about one thing: the Halloween party my roommate and I are throwing at the end of the month. I love playing hostess, and anyone who’s ever thrown a party with me can testify that I can be a bit of a control freak when it comes to the music, the invitations… even the cocktail napkins. For my 22nd birthday party, a friend who was born on the same day and I threw a “Wine and Cheese Liberals” theme party. We crafted boxes of Franzia to look like ballot boxes, hung up posters of the Kennedys, and offered a delectable spread of organic cheeses. I even recruited a baker friend to slave over a batch of bleeding-heart cupcakes, upon which she frosted anatomically correct hearts, and which bled red icing when you bit into them. Additionally, I am such a voracious mp3-jay that I have transformed other people’s quiet gatherings into all-out dance parties, to the bewilderment of the hosts and the delight of their guests.

So, after sending out save-the-dates via Facebook and ensuring that no one I knew would be hosting a competing party, I have begun to see everything through the lens of this Halloween Party. What’s the best way to turn the upstairs bedrooms into a haunted house? Will Nosferatu be checked out already from the video store? How will we keep the cat from taking off her costume?

This obsession has of course followed me to the workplace, where I’ve been browsing Pinnacle products for anything party-themed: coasters, because even though my furniture is ring-resistant, nothing says class like a coaster beneath the glass; glassware for serving the pumpkin punch; and candles to cultivate a spooky ambiance.

I inherit my love for entertaining from my mother, who used to fill journals with accounts of all the parties she threw, meticulously recording the theme, guest list, and menu from each party, and taping relics like cocktail napkins or invitations to the pages.

As we enter the months of holiday primetime, chances are I’m not the only one with entertaining on the brain. Now would be a great time to break up the monotony of office doldrums and offer your customers some products for the buffet table.

To get you in the mood, here’s a clip from F.W. Murnau’s 1922 film, Nosferatu.

Acree
Creative Writing Intern
View my bio.

Since September is nationally designated as “shameless promotion month” and last week was my first week here at Pinnacle Promotions, I figured doing my first blog post about promotional items and strategies would be more than fitting. After all, who doesn’t love talking about themselves?

Before joining the Pinnacle team, I did a little research about the promotional products industry and learned a few fun facts. For example, the education industry spends the most money on promotional products, while restaurants and bars round out the top ten. But then I started thinking more about promotional material, and realized it truly is everywhere you look.

Using celebrities to promote corporate interests is nothing new and I’m sure you can think of a million celebrity endorsements just off the top of your head. Tiger Woods and Nike. Michael Jordan and Gatorade. Even Oprah’s Book Club promotes certain authors over others. Get your book on her list, and you are as good as gold!

But for companies who can’t afford the sky-high prices of celebrity spokespeople, just turn to the people you have access too. After all, your employees are the face of your company and their hard work is your best asset. Promotional products are a great way to thank them for everything they do while also increasing your marketing efforts.

To create a look like Tiger’s, choose from our wide range of customizable caps, polo shirts or even golf accessories to help employees record their golf scores. And, with our great selection of promotional sports bottles, you can emphasize the importance of hydration and promote internal teamwork without spending a fortune to hire Michael Jordan. Even though shameless promotion month is almost over, it’s never too late to get your name out there and strengthen your brand!

All this talk of Jordan makes me think of Chicago, my hometown. And, since it is the end of the month and therefore my last chance to talk a little about myself, I leave you with a video of my favorite moment in Chicago Bulls history:

Sarah
Creative Writing Intern
view my bio!

Since its creation in 1994,
Pinnacle Promotions has been a promotional company that offers more.
Providing customized solutions for any marketing or branding need,
With all exclusive services designed around one overriding goal – speed.
From processing orders with our service of 24-Hour Rocketship Express,
To saving you time with custom IdeaKits that are sure to impress.
Let our dedicated Account Teams help you find unique products of quality,
And know that your order will arrive on time, and as approved, with our Platinum Guarantee!

From apparel, to drinkware, to stress balls galore,
Check out everything we have to offer in our online store!
We have journals, pens, backpacks, candles, candy jars and toys,
We have magnets, spa kits, golf balls, lanyards, and shirts for girls and boys!
We have accessories for travel and fitness, for your computer, your cell phone, and your car,
We have gifts that tell time, display photos, play games, and even stock your bar!
Whether for man or woman, young or old, business or pleasure, or all,
We have thousands of products for everyone in our virtual product mall!

Too many products to choose one on your own?
Just e-mail us, live chat or pick up the phone.
With account managers who know the industry like the back of their hand,
Their insight and knowledge can help find the perfect item for your brand.
What about custom artwork and logo designs?
Our graphics team can produce amazing samples that go beyond basic lines.
Let us help you along each step of your promotional products decision,
And help us enhance your overall marketing vision!

Jaime
Team Lead – Multimedia
view my bio!

For the first time since its inception in the 18th century, the US Army has introduced an advertising campaign to recruit officers. Overcome with young recruits – due in part to the economic downturn and the damaged job market – they have found themselves short on officers to lead them. The force has expanded by more than 50,000 troops since 2005, only 83 percent of which in 2008 held a high school diploma, coming up just short of the Army’s goal of 90 percent for the third consecutive year. So while it is meeting, and exceeding, its goal for total number of recruits, it is not finding enough men and women qualified to lead them.

The new ads do not stray far from the style of their typical recruitment efforts depicting soldiers in fatigues marching to patriotic music. But they have been altered to appeal to more ambitious and higher-educated young Americans, those who may not normally consider the Army as a positive step toward their career objectives. They have created four television commercials as the nucleus of the campaign, featuring stories of high-ranking corporate executives who began their careers as Army officers or showing pictures of notorious generals from George Washington to Colin Powell. The goal is not only to find officers for the Army now, but also to do an overall better job of marketing that position within the force. As Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, head of the Army Accessions Command, which oversees recruiting told NY Times reporter Douglas Quenqua, “If you think about it as brand or product management, we have this product within our brand that gets no notoriety. For those who just graduated college, now is the time to become aware they can come to officer candidate school. We think the timing is right to get the notion out.”

Is your company looking to recruit new hires? While you may not have the budget to permit a national television ad campaign, there are many other less costly ways by which to find the right candidates to help build your business. The job market is beginning to heat up again, and especially the demand for entry-level employees. One way to acquire new recruits is by offering promotional products, especially if the candidate is not actively pursuing a position with your company. Promotional products can help lure people to your booth at job fairs and career shows, and help them remember your company after the event too. You could choose something of use to them at the time of the event like promotional jotters to take notes about the companies they meet or even offer bottles of water with labels customized with your company name and logo. Another idea to support your recruiting process is to offer promotional gifts as incentives for employees who bring in prospects. Browse our online selections of gifts and giveaways for some more promotional marketing ideas.

Here is one of the new Army Officership Recruiting Commercials:

Jaime
Creative Writing Intern
view my bio!

Thank you, Swanson, for selling the first TV dinner this month (September 10th, to be exact) in 1953. It wasn’t technically the first ready-made meal on a tray, but Swanson was the manufacturer of TV dinners that most successfully captured the market for convenience foods.

My lack of culinary prowess leads me to rely on microwave meals more often than is probably healthy. In college, poor eating habits are justified (well, somewhat) by busy schedules and inadequate kitchen space, but I no longer have a good excuse for indulging in frozen entrees. Am I lazy? Maybe a little bit. But I like to think I am eating a dish that is far tastier than anything I would have been able to whip up otherwise. I occasionally opt for a more upscale “TV dinner” dining experience by transferring my food from an unappetizing container to an attractive plate or bowl. I noticed many of my coworkers partaking in this seemingly odd ritual in our company’s break room, and upon trying it myself, I truly did notice a difference in the way my food tasted and the satisfaction I felt after consuming it!

To create the illusion of a fine dining atmosphere in your office’s otherwise mundane break room or cafeteria, why not invest in slightly more substantial custom imprinted paper napkins than the solid colored ones found in a grocery store? The logo and message featured on the napkins can subtly remind your employees, customers, and/or guests of the professionalism with which your brand approaches even the most minuscule of details. Linen Like ® napkins are inexpensive, come in a wide array of sizes and thicknesses, and are sure to impress their end users.

Another promotional item that may surprise frequenters of your company’s dining area is a pepper mill. No restaurant dining experience would be complete without fresh ground pepper to season a gourmet meal, so why not spoil lunch room diners with the same courtesy? Microwave dinners can benefit from flavor enhancing seasonings, just like restaurant or home-cooked meals!

Lastly, to remedy one of the worst problems associated with lunch or snack breaks, what office dining area would be complete without promotional mints? Most restaurants leave a container filled with logo imprinted mints at the host stand, and in that same fashion, Pinnacle Promotions, keeps a stash of custom imprinted miniature boxes of mints handy at all times to eliminate the risk of bad breath. Everyone should be able to enjoy their meal without worrying about the leftover scent of their food staying on their breath throughout the duration of the workday. By keeping a bowl filled with promotional mints or gum in or near the cafeteria, workers and guests can take the breath freshening items with them on the go, effectively keeping your brand in the forefront of their minds whenever they crave minty fresh breath!

Whether your employees and clients are food connoisseurs or convenience food aficionados like myself, allow them the opportunity to savor their meals in the workplace by offering them Food & Drink promotional products from Pinnacle Promotions.

Dana
Marketing Coordinator
view my bio!

Today featuring: No Rain by Blind Melon – the band’s breakthrough single of their debut album, Blind Melon, released in 1992.

All I can say is that my life is pretty plain
I like watchin’ the puddles gather rain
And all I can do is just pour some tea for two (1)
and speak my point of view
But it’s not sane, It’s not sane

I just want some one to say to me
I’ll always be there when you wake
Ya know I’d like to keep my cheeks dry today (2)
So stay with me and I’ll have it made

And I don’t understand why I sleep all day
And I start to complain that there’s no rain
And all I can do is read a book to stay awake (3)
And it rips my life away, but it’s a great escape
escape……escape……escape……

All I can say is that my life is pretty plain
ya don’t like my point of view
ya think I’m insane
Its not sane……it’s not sane

Lyrical References:

1 -  Promotional Tea Lovers Gift Set, which includes 30 various tea selections from Mighty Leaf Tea Company.

2 -  Promotional  facial tissue box, to wipe away your tears.

3 – Promotional booklight with white LED light, to read your favorite stories in bed.

Find these promotional products and more online at Pinnacle Promotions.

Jaime
Creative Writing Intern
view my bio!