The Redbows Promotional Gifts Blog

Some clients are surprised to learn that we can get most of our paper products in recycled form. Sticky Notes are just one of these popular items. We have clients that can prove just how ’sticky’ these types of gifts are. Not only do sticky notes get valuable desk space for your brand but they become almost addictive because they are so very useful. We see clients repeat order these products because they are such an effective marketing tool. Sure there is sometimes a premium for recycled products but in this case we think the extra effect of ‘green’ credentials is worth the price.

In our bid to deliver the best possible customer service within the promotional gifts industry we publish articles and guides. This latest one on Solving Artwork Problems is probably one of the simplest we have ever produced. We basically went back to the drawing board with our Promotional Gifts Consultants team and brainstormed the major problems that client have with artwork. The resulting list covers 8 different areas. If you get a chance to review it please feel free to send me an email and let me know if you were left in any doubt as to how to produce the best possible artwork from which to create your branded gifts.

The promotional gifts industry is pushing hard to improve its impact on the environment. We have ECO product ranges using recycled materials and suppliers who have actively engaged in environmental management systems. I myself have come up with two simple ways that could affect the whole planet. Firstly, I think all car manufacturers should ask if you want a spare tyre when you purchase a car. I would just to love to know what percentage of vehicles actually suffer a tyre failure during their lifetime. I bet that more than 95% of spare tyres never get used and eventually are simply scrapped because the rubber has aged or the vehicle is kaput. At Redbows we actually supply promotional coasters made from recycled tyres.

My second idea concerns electronic gadgets supplied with chargers. How often do you end up with a box of redundant power supplies because you already have one – mobile phones, digital cameras and camcorders are typical examples. There is a real opportunity here for manufacturers to capture some brand loyalty and make a real impact on the environment. Why not promote a generic supply (or supplies for different ratings) and offer discounts if you have a charger already ?

Congratulations to anyone taking part in Sports Relief this weekend. I take my hat off to them for finding the time not only for keep-fit but also to raise funds for this worthy cause. I introduced medical health insurance at Redbows recently and could not help feeling that it was very much a corrective rather than preventative action – as the ISO9001:2000 mantra goes. Now, what we really need is a private keep-fit instructor (that guy from the Aero adverts would do). For the moment our company mascot Coco, has this privileged role and perhaps that is just as well. Good luck anyone raising Sports Relief funds this weekend - go buy the socks.

We were expanding our IT network this week and had a very late night at the office. Around 11:00pm one of the sales lines rang with a call from an Australian-baed advertising agency. They had come across the kites in our Fun Collection (or to be precise our selection of ‘The Smallest Kites In The World’ and yes they actually do fly).

The call really brought home to me something you just don’t get from studying webstats and Google Analytics – we are dealing with real people, solving real needs, on a 24/7 global basis. Two colour print Logo Kites in Sydney within 3 weeks – no problem.

I was reviewing our Executive Gifts the other day and realised that we have over 300 weather stations and clocks on the Promotional Gifts Store. This got me thinking about a subject we have been reviewing here at Redbows - our digital dashboard and what we need to monitor on a daily basis. I can draw a simple analogy here to explain my personal point of view. The stats driven IT guys want us to run our business based on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). In contrast I like to talk to my team, suppliers and clients and collect more qualitative data. Yes, I can put a weather station on my desk but occasionally it is nice to open the window, feel the wind on my face and see what is actually happening. So, my conclusion is that we need both. The digital dashboard for a quick snap-shot review and the more informal approach when we have more time - something we need more of as well.

The Institute of Sales Promotions recently published a newsletter article on how the government is planning to restrict the use of the word ‘free’ in promotional activities as part of the Unfair Commercial Activities Directive which is due for implementation around May 26th. The directive brings the UK into line with the rest of Europe and means that promotional companies can no longer describe a product or gift as free if it requires the enquirer to part with money for them. The word can be used where samples are free and which do not require any more investment other than the cost of a postage stamp or telephone call. All good stuff and designed to protect the less sophisticated in the market place perhaps. One of my husband’s favourite marketing books discusses advertising in the US from the 1930s onwards and I just wonder what the likes of the some of the early pioneers of direct marketing would make of this.