What are our priorities in a pinch? Our legislators react by spending more and taxing less. This decision then filters down to the local level where municipal governments and local school boards are cutting, cutting, cutting. Why? Because their taxing ability is very limited. So the only real opinion is to spend less.

Here’s two examples of the what I mean about priorities:

Example #1: A total of $3 million has been granted to researchers at the University of California at Irvine so that they can play video games such as World of Warcraft.  The goal of this “video game research” is reportedly to study how “emerging forms of communication, including multiplayer computer games and online virtual worlds such as World of Warcraft and Second Life can help organizations collaborate and compete more effectively in the global marketplace.”

Example #2: Money woes may force a Delaware County (Ohio) school district to cut a position that many parents say makes the schools safer. The Buckeye Valley Local School district is looking to cut $1 million from its budget. That means the high school might have to cut its school resource officer,. “Our officers are here in the school, on site, so should the school have a critical incident, we’re here, we’re prepared,” said Delaware County Sheriff Walter Davis.

The district and the sheriff split the cost of having a deputy patrolling school grounds. The sheriff’s office has five school resource officers throughout the county, but four of them, including Strawser, could be gone next year. Parents said the school resource officer program gives them peace of mind. “I think it’s good for the kids and teachers to know that there’s somebody on hand in case they need something,” said parent Judi Hunt.

The scenario in Delaware County is playing itself out all over the country. There is no doubt about it. Is it any surprise that our roads are falling apart and our schools and local governments are underfunded and understaffed? I know there will always be waste to point a finger at. But protecting kids versus paying people to play video games?  The choice is obvious, isn’t it? Why can’t we make that choice?

Jerry Brown, the governor of California recently ordered that state agencies stop using “doodads and plastic gewgaws.” Really, Jerry? I’d be willing to trade-in all my Jerry Brown for Governor t-shirts, bumper stickers, yard signs and campaign buttons if he’d reconsider. Really, I would!

This move will save the state in the neighborhood of 7 to 8 million dollars over the next 3 years. California is facing a $25 billion budget deficit and Brown has to do something about it. He’s proposing just under $13 billion in state spending cuts along with substantial tax hikes.

“We don’t need that stuff,” Brown said. “Not a cent of taxpayer money should be spent on flashlights, ashtrays or other unnecessary items, most of which likely end up in landfills.”

Really, Jerry? Why do you think state agencies would buy promotional products in the first place? These agencies operate many programs that benefit (and are paid for by) California taxpayers. One of the challenges these agencies face is making people aware that these programs even exist. That’s where promotional products make a ton of sense.

They’re cost effective because the state agency using them controls their distribution. As long as they’re distributed properly, there’s very little waste. And if they choose the right items, there will be a very low cost per ad impression compared to other marketing options.

Brown’s ban on promotional products actually COSTS taxpayers money because awareness of the programs they promote will decrease and that will lead to fewer people being served. Yet the bill that the taxpayers foot for the programs themselves remains the same. Really, Jerry?

This bold move will save the State of California .01% of the $25 billion needed to balance the budget (Assuming my math is correct!). So, all he needs to do now is find 10,000 other areas like this and he’ll have the $25 billion! I wonder if he will call a press conference for each of those other 10,000 as well?  

I’ll give him credit for one thing: There is such a word; he didn’t make it up. Here’s the definition of gewgaw:

• gew·gaw Noun   /ˈg(y)o͞oˌgô/ 

Synonyms:

• adjective: gaudy
• noun: bauble, trinket, knick-knack, gimcrack, toy
• gewgaws plural

1. A showy thing, esp. one that is useless or worthless

By the way, the Promotional Products business has annual revenues of about $15 billion a year. We must be great salespeople if we can get people (like the Jerry Brown for Governor Campaign) to buy that much worthless stuff!

Next time you visit the Governor’s office, please steal me an ashtray……….

I thought it was funny; really cute and clever. I still wonder how somebody put this video together (Or how they had the time to do it!). Anyway, I guess a few folks took offense. Some thought it was unprofessional; some thought it was a total waste of time. Too bad.

I like the fact that management in our company has a sense of humor. It means they don’t take themselves too seriously. We all should try and have a sense of humor like this once in while. Did it cross the line? I don’t think so, but some obviously did. I thought it was very creative and gave me a nice humor “bump” on a Monday. I just think the airline should have been called “BranspirationAir” instead. Maybe that’s too long?

I guess the lesson here is that people in authority need to be careful. Been there, done that. I can relate. However, I still feel its better than being the opposite.

So now what? Well, I plan to make good use of this video (Other than in this blog). Each time I get a new customer from now on I’m going to send them this video and say “Welcome Aboard.”

I’ll just leave out the part about flying only to Cuba.

Want to see the video that caused the stir? Okay, here it is. Just don’t tell anybody where you got it………….Enjoy!

The New World Of QR Codes

Connecting the tangible to the virtual anytime and anywhere

What Is A QR Code?

A QR code is a 2 dimensional barcode readable by smartphones.  The code can link to a website, contact information, an event, a location, coupons, pictures, videos, and virtually anything else that can be displayed on a screen.  The user scans the code and is automatically directed to that information.

Who Are Using Them?

Developed in Japan, QR codes are quickly becoming widespread in the US due to the growing use of smartphones – virtually all of which are capable of scanning the codes.  Major companies like Calvin Klein, Best Buy, Louis Vitton (code above) among others are adopting QR because they allow access to virtually limitless – and changeable — information beyond the physical ad.   

What Is The Advantage?

This technology bridges the divide between the physical and the online world via a simple square blocks.  The process is called a hardlink (similar to a hyperlink found on webpages), but it printable on almost any physical object.  The codes are easily and quickly scannable, even in the least optimal circumstances. 

The information one can access this way is limitless and can change as frequently as one wants, even though the QR code itself does not.  Plus, this technology allows the advertiser to measure response rates (ROI) with a high degree of precision. 

They are easy to create and anyone with a smartphone can scan for free. 

How To Create And Use?

Implementing QR codes on promotional products is quick and easy.  Simply visit any website that allows you to create a free code (like http://qrstuff.com) and export the end result to an image file.  As long as the image is larger than 1″x1″, it’s scannable.   The code then can be printed on any promotional product. 

Of course you have to decide where you are sending the scanners and what information you want to share.  One big advantage is that information can change as frequently as you wish, such as weekly changes in a given offer. 

Examples

T-shirts.  Being used in an elementary school system as a pilot program to get kids to eat healthier.  The codes will take the user to nutrition facts, healthy recipes, and other informational websites.  Water bottles with QR codes are also being used to remind kids about proper hydration.

Even after repeated washings, the QR code is easily scannable.  In this example, the code uses the black of the t-shirt as part of the coloring, so no black ink is needed.

Tumbler.  A QR code is easily scannable even on slightly curved surfaces.  Hold your phone’s camera up to the cup or hold the cup up to your webcam to direct your audience to your content.  It’s simple, quick, and right next to your devices.

Welcome to “Brandspiration” where brand meets inspiration! This new slogan belongs to the company I’m associated with. Their name is Geiger in case you haven’t guessed that already. I’ve been with them since 2006, after spending 19 years on my own as Treadway Graphics. So in 2012 it I will have been in this business 25 years! Holy cow!

Your Brand + Our Creativity = Branspiration

So, is it just hype? No. Is it just another way to package what we already do? Probably. We are, in fact, the same people we were the day before this Brandspiration thing kicked off. We still have the same services and products that we had B.B. (Before Brandspiration).

We still help our customers market to their customers. We still tell our customers that 83% of respondents remember the advertiser who gave them a promotional product. We still tell them that Promotional Products have a lower CPI (Cost Per Impression) than most media, including TV, magazines and radio. 

I still go to the same office every day. I still interact with my customers and potential customers much the same as I did B.B. I do have cool new business cards, however. It’s still the best business in the world to be a part of and I still enjoy it just as much as I did B.B.

So what’s different about the Brandspiration message? Two things come to mind. First is that these new graphics are way cooler than the old graphics. The smokestack is gone, replaced by something much more fun and alive. It shows what we can do graphically. It’s “festive” as a friend of mine used to call everything he liked.

I feel proud to be a “Brandspirater!” (I made that up).

More importantly, though, it’s a very effective way to deliver our message to you every day about what we do. It says that we are not just selling trinkets and trash, swag, giveaways, novelties or “stuff.” It says that we are more, much more than that. It says that we want to be your branding partner, helping you to be successful in executing your marketing programs.

Now, does anyone want to buy some pencils? I also have a great deal on back scratchers………

My industry, the promotional products industry, has seen a lot of changes the past couple of years. Some good, some bad, but “It is what it is” as they say. Here’s what has happened:

1. Product Safety: All of the sudden this is a hot, hot issue for us. We are now obligated to make sure the products we sell don’t violate any laws or contain too much of a bad thing. We also have to worry about whether a product is “designed for kids.” Is a pencil? A lunch bag? Maybe. This liability has put some companies out of business when a product they’ve sold was recalled. It can be scary stuff.  

2. King Cotton:  Cotton prices have soared in the past year. Since most of the wearables we sell have some cotton in them, this is a big deal. T-shirts prices that were steady for years have gone up about 30% the past 12 months. Ouch! It’s all because of increased demand by countries like China and a drop in production that is weather-related worldwide.

3. The Walmart Syndrome: It has hit our industry as well. We have mega-companies selling promotional products directly to end users at low, low, low margins everyday. Those companies don’t provide the service, consultation, follow-up and overall value that we do. However, they are selling a lot of product. Can’t ignore them.

4. Social Networking: This is a big one for many of us, even on a personal level. It’s exciting stuff, but companies like ours are struggling to determine how much we participate and where. And by the time we do decide, the rules have changed!

5. Customer Service: There is a general lack of personal service everywhere today, including our industry. But that’s a good thing for me because that’s where I shine! I love competitors that fall down in this area. 

So, I don’t control numbers 1 through 4. I can only react the best I can and try to keep current and knowledgeable. However, number 5 is right in my wheelhouse! I’m comfortable with that one……….

The cost of raw cotton is now having a significant effect on the wearables market. Shirt manufacturers can’t avoid it any longer. They have started to raise prices by up to 10%. So, switch to polyester you say? Well, polyester is an oil-based product and oil prices have also doubled in the past year!

So why am I so bummed? Do you know what the biggest selling item is  in the promotional products industry? Wearables. After at least 5 years of no price increases we’re now in for a rough ride. You can expect the price of that imprinted t-shirt to go up, if it already hasn’t.

The good news is that we have not raised prices to our customers……..yet. We still have been able to get favorable pricing from our suppliers for the moment. But that will change by January for sure. Let’s hope the weather improves for the cotton growers around the world very soon. Let’s also hope that China finds something else to buy rather than cotton shirts.

What are the chances of that? Slim and none. And slim just left town.

Pizza vendors offer a lot of choices to match your desires. You can order pizza to match your craving, day or night. You choose the toppings, the size and how you want it prepared. If you order from Domino’s Pizza you can even track your pizza being made, being put into the oven and know when it’s being delivered! Great technology.

Many Promotional Products distributors today are doing the same things as Domino’s. Here at Treadway Graphics/Geiger we “serve” your products exactly the way you want them, when you want them.  We’re flexible, we’re available pretty much day and night, we’re e-commerce friendly, we’re fast and we offer the “toppings” you want.

Does everyone in our business do this? Fortunately for us, no is the answer. Many companies still are not “user friendly.” That’s good for you if you’re dealing with companies like Treadway Graphics/Geiger. 

One more thing: We don’t compromise on quality. As a buyer of promotional products you need to be beware of the QUALITY COMPROMISE. Is your vendor sacrificing quality to save a buck? We don’t so that. We guarantee everything we sell. Companies who are offering inferior quality are saving money that they either pass along to you in lower prices or keep for  themselves  as increased profit. Or both. Beware of the QUALITY COMPROMISE.

How do you like your pizza?

It struck me the other day why I like living in a small town. It’s kind of like the theme song from “Cheers,” the TV show. You know, “everybody knows your name.” We all like the comfort level that familiarity brings. Whether it’s the corner gas station, the dry cleaners, the local hardware store, or whatever, we all like to feel comfortable when we go there. And, that’s a lot of the reason we go there.

Often these places are not the cheapest place in town. But that doesn’t matter if we feel comfortable going there. I like to go to my local Ace Hardware store for a several reasons. First, they have just about anything. Second they know just about everything. Third, they won’t leave your side until you find everything on your list.

The industry I’m in also has its Wal-Marts and Home Depots. Anybody in our business can sell for less. Anybody. There are a lot of people who have come and gone through the years doing that. However, what sets some businesses apart are the “comfort” things like: knowing the people, reliability, accuracy, done right/on time and so on. Oh, and one last big one……the ability to return something without a hassle.

I prefer shopping at the local hardware store. I prefer being the local hardware store rather than Wal-Mart. I think that’s why a lot of our customers have been with us for many years. We have just about everything, we know just about everything and we won’t leave your side until you find what you need.

Does your promotional products source do that?  If they do, keep supporting them!

Anyway, we just conpleted an RFP (Request For Proposal) for them. They are seeking a vendor to handle their SADD Store. This is a website store that offers products with the SADD logo for local chapters. I hope we get the call soon to at least be a finalist. It would fit well into what we are currently doing for police departments and schools across the country.

SADD has been around for nearly 30 years. It has become the nation’s leading peer-to-peer youth education, prevention and activism organization. There are thousands of chapters in middle schools, high schools and colleges. SADD now highlights prevention of destructive behaviors and atitudes that are harmful to young people.

The SADD network includes about 10,000 adult advisors working with 350,000 active youth participants in local chapters. If you want to know more about SADD, go to their website at sadd.org.

Here’s hoping that Treadway Graphics/Geiger is soon affiliated with SADD. If that happens I’m be SADDLY happy!