We’re looking for guest bloggers to post here on PromotionalMagazine.com on topics related to marketing & advertising. Share an inspirational story, a successful campaign, or an editorial on your favorite topic! The first five people to post win a High Sierra Drench Hydration pack sponsored by Promopeddler.com.

Quench your thirst and spread your good words! If you are interested, please register here.

Cheers ~ Kat

As we begin a new year with added branding focus on earth friendly products, I’d like to take a few blogs and talk about what does all this mean and how can we make informed choices. I have watched folks in our industry, both vendors and buyers; jump on the bandwagon of the hottest fads. For instance, three years ago there were very few products available in pink. A few manufacturers, early adopters I would call them, actually showed their true commitment to breast cancer research and donated 10% of their net proceeds to a breast cancer charity. I love that! They created a product in response to the needs of the market and helped with the cause as well.

This article was originally featured in the Janury 2008 issue of PPB, Promotional Products Business. PPB is the Official Business Monthly Promotional Products Association International.

It’s time to raise our glasses and toast to being allowed into the esteemed marketing club.

Let’s discuss our evolving industry and forge a name for us and what we do. By “us,” I mean the entire promotional products industry. Ever since I started in this business nearly 20 years ago, I have felt a stigma when explaining what I did for a living. My secret passion has been to help establish our industry in consumers’ and buyers’ minds, and show them we are in the business of marketing and advertising—and we’re not the industry’s ugly stepchild.

I have enjoyed many careers, and I love marketing and branding. Even while serving as brand manager for recording artist Jewel, I actively sold promotional products as a rep for a major industry company.

Brand-name Motivation

 

By Dale Kirby 

 

Two years ago Bill Prickett picked up one of thousands of incentive products offered for his inspection and was puzzled. "I don't get it," he asked. "Where do you put the logo?" 

 

It's a question Prickett, the public relations manager for Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), would be expected to ask. If there's one thing that defines the promotional products industry, it's the ability to put a logo or message on just about anything. 

 

At the time, he was in Chicago attending his first Motivation Show, touted as the world's largest tradeshow for motivational products and services, featuring nearly 2,000 incentive and recognition program exhibitors.

In the past, a clear line of demarcation stood between the promotional and incentive markets. "Promotional products is a 'please and thank-you' industry," explains Prickett. "The incentive market is a motivational and appreciation industry." 

 

But today that line is blurring. This year, the non-profit PPAI is a major sponsor of the Motivation Show. Why? "To educate," remarks Prickett. "That is what we do."

 

Understanding the similarities and sometimes subtle differences between promotions and incentives, as well as being able to make informed choices, is a skill any professional in the meeting industry can use.