Seeing the World Through Disney

Anyone who has spent time in Orlando, Florida at a Disney Theme Park knows the marketing "Kings" work overtime there! After just a few days, it amazed me how EVERY SINGLE piece of merchandising, carries the Disney logo somewhere on the piece. In the pouring rain, I could still make out those Mickey ears silk screened on the hooded ponchos crowding the park!

On to Universal! After a ride on SHREK, the exit doors dump you right into a theme store filled with donkeys, ogres and princesses! It would have been genius had half of the kids not been screaming and crying as their exhausted parents pulled them out of the store - many empty handed!

Even on the roads, the kids squealed with anticipation as we noticed a Mickey Water Tower, Mickey Ear - Shaped Electrical Poles and unbelievable topiaries in the shapes of our favorite characters!

As much as these are over-the-top ways to market your business, it was fun to go to Disney and walk away with a new sense of "creative energy" ... and some very tired kiddies!

Spring Cleaning

While getting ready for a big holiday party, my husband and I decided to tackle our garage. We surely would have a lost a child or two in the cluttered maze of "stuff" that had accumulated over the winter. Being in the promotional business, I am more observant of the many logos, messages and company names that appear on so many of our tools, toys and equipment. A lot of these items we have had for years which just reinforces the "staying power" of a great product that is used over and over again! Here's just a sampling of the many "finds" we came across ... Outer Banks' Frisbees, Phillies' baseballs, Eagles' helmets, Henderson Plumbing plunger, Terrain gardening tools, Seaview Marina beach chairs, Guinness cooler ...

Who knew our clean-out would be a non-stop commercial?

A "Magnetic" Business Friendship is Created!

Do you know those magnets that you see on everyone's car these days? I never thought much about them until one day I was at pick-up in car line at my son's school on a rainy day. I had gotten there early and with nothing to do, I gazed sleepily at the car in front of me.

A  janicebuck.com magnet stared back at me. Janice Buck? Who is that? What does she do? Why does she have her own magnet? I pulled up her website on my phone and was introduced to her fabulous world of shabby chic and antique finds and her very own version of Craig's List. Now two years later, I have made countless trips to see Janice and have filled my home with beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces (without breaking the bank)! Better yet, each time I head out to her house to see her new inventory, I get to catch up with a new friend and a wonderful  design consultant!

The point to this story? I do see a value in those car magnets. With so many people commuting and with Internet access on our phones, we certainly have created a new opportunity to merge marketing and technology. And the other point ... to my husband's dismay, I have found yet another way to "window shop" on-line!

Random Acts of Kindness Week - February 13-19, 2012

How great is it when someone does something nice for you? Even better, when you do something nice for others?

Holding the door open, returning your cart at the supermarket, leaving fresh flowers on your neighbor's doorstep are all little ways you can spread some kindness! We found a great website, http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/, where you can get inspirational ideas on how to be kind to our fellow man. What's so great about kindness is it doesn't have to cost you anything!

Take this week to do something nice for someone! It may just become addicting!

Keep Smiling,
Kelly

New Year's Resolutions in the Promotional Product's World!

It’s that time of year again when so many of us create a new set of goals! In doing so, I was trying to think of ways I could creatively integrate promotional products with the ever so popular “New Year Resolutions”!

Here are the top resolutions and some suggested marketing products:

1.       Drink Less Alcohol – Journals & Diaries,  Pens, Water Bottles, Jump Ropes, Exercise Bands, Pedometers

2.       Get a Better Education – Backpacks, Notebooks, Pens, Highlighters, Markers, Calculators, Padfolios, USB Flash Drive, Rulers

3.       Get a Better Job – (We certainly don’t want to “market” that!)

4.       Get Fit – Fitness Mat, Fitness Journal, Gym Bags, Stability Ball, Heart Rate Watch, Bike Odometer

5.       Lose Weight – Lunch Bags, Food Containers,  Nutritional Cards, Apron, Healthy Eating Cookbooks

6.       Manage Debt – Calculators, Piggy Banks, Wallets, Money Clips, Dollar Sign Pens, Key Chains & Magnets

7.       Manage Stress – Stress Relievers, Gratitude Journals, Golf Balls, “Slinkys”, Juggling Sets, Rubik’s Cubes

8.       Quit Smoking – Information Guides, Bookmarks, Medical Record Keepers, Reminder Magnets, Gum/Candy/Mints

9.       Reduce, Reuse and Recycle – Recycled Totes, Eco Notebooks, Enviro-Jotters, Re-Usable Shopping Bags, Plants

10.   Save Money – Piggy Banks, Money Filled Pens, Money Plant, Money Paperweight

11.   Take a Trip – Travel Pouches, Rain Slickers in-a-Bag, Manicure Sets, Travel Sewing Kits, Mini Fan, Umbrella, Travel Alarm Clock

12.   Volunteer to Help Others – Volunteer Appreciation Gifts such as Glass Awards, Photo Frames, Lunch Bags, Tumblers, Messenger Bag

Have fun and wishing you a successful 2012! Kelly