PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS N
o prizes for guessing the top three most popular items in the recent bpma survey: pens, pads and shopping bags. With this yearʼs ʻJubilympicsʼ summer, there has been a very retro flavour to many merchandise sales, although if I see another variation on the ʻKeep Calm and Carry Onʼ theme, I shall find it difficult to do either. As somebody who is old enough to remember the Queenʼs Silver Jubilee in 1977, I can only marvel at what is now available. All of us school kids received a rather badly printed mug. At least it was spelled correctly, which is more than can be said for the poor kids of Pluckley in Kent. Their commemorative medals were misspelled as ʻPuckleyʼ, which is only one more misprint from real disaster. Obviously anybody can make a typo (runs quick spell check on copy), but the main question must be, why opt for medals anyway. Arenʼt they simply a bit passé? After all, there are so many other options.
For instance, Listawood is currently
offering Zip It Buddies, a cool alternative to badges that attach to zips and come in multiple colours and designs, such as ribbons and rosettes. They are colourful attachments for clothing or bags and can even replace a broken zip pull – ideal for schoolchildren.
Another option for those of us who have waited for the Olympic torch relay to wend its way around the highways and byways of the UK is the arrestingly named Bum Box. This patented, portable cardboard chair weighs just 500g yet offers an affordable and practical seating solution at outdoor events. The branded, corrugated board construction is 100 per cent recyclable and biodegradable. UK and European Licence holder Atlas Packaging is so convinced of the productʼs robustness that it tested the seat with some heavyweights from the Barnstable Rugby Club. They gave it the thumbs up, before no doubt composing a rude song about it. While weʼre on the subject to single entendres, news reaches me of a new product that really is putting the fun back into urinals.
KEEP CALM AND
MERCHANDISING
Our promotional products expert STUART DERRICK gets all nostalgic this month as he ponders jubilee merchandise, past and present.
into the bowl beneath it. Players can post high scores on to an online leader board, with embedded links to Facebook and Twitter. They can even create their own colourful work-of-art and download it on the ArtSplash game. An early advertiser was the alcohol awareness charity Drinkaware, and drinks brands Corona Beer, Tiger Beer, Heineken and Pepsi have carried out campaigns.
aptive Media claims to be the creator of the world's first ʻpee- controlledʼ video games, which it rather grandly claims as part of the experiential marketing and gamification sector. Are they taking the… proverbial? Rather than simply allowing chaps to visit the loo and get on with it, Captive Media is extolling them to play with themselves (I donʼt think there is a multi- player option yet). Visitors can control whatʼs displayed on a video screen in front of them just by aiming left and right
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ABOVE: Crosskase backpack with integrated solar technology that allows you to recharge devices.
LEFT: Atlas Packaging’s Bum Box can even cope with the beefy boys from Barnstaple Rugby Club.
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
hether we are playing in loos or elsewhere, all this gaming, rapidly drains the batteries of our laptops, iPads and smart phones. Luckily a UK company has come up with a solution for those with on-the-go power issues. Crosskase (pictured left) is a premium level backpack with integrated solar technology that allows you to recharge devices including phones, cameras, GPS, pocket gaming consoles, e-readers, and music devices on the move. The 25 litre bags are intelligently designed to be waterproof, tough, long lasting, streamlined, protective, adaptable and breathable. Nothing complements a designer backpack like a designer water bottle. Thankfully Premier Impressions has launched the supply and print of Camelbakʼs range. The bottles have a large print area and come in a wide range of colours, designs and capacities. The bottles are all BPA free and constructed to endure the toughest of environments with a lifetime guarantee. The longevity of a Camelbak, guarantees an enduring advertisement and value for money, claims Premier. Other new products this month include the Can OʼClock from Snap Products. This eye- catching, battery powered canned clock can be branded with a full colour digitally printed face.
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Meanwhile, anybody who feels they need an extra dose of sophistication will be delighted to hear that the latest flurry of TOWIE related merchandise will be set to hit the shops soon. New licensees include Senoble for cupcakes and celebration cakes, The Beauty Works for an electrical goods line, Somerbond for nightwear, underwear and leisurewear and Fashion UK for T shirts and tops. Well jel!
August 2012 | 33 | CARRY ON
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