We’re not sure why everyone says this is the spookiest time of year. All of our coworkers are in hilarious costumes and we got free candy, so as far as we’re concerned it’s the happiest, sweetest time of the year. Reese’s is not only hopping on that vending machine trend that’s huge right now, it’s…
Read MoreAuthor: Brendan Menapace
Go Ahead, Try to Put These Pokemon Hats on a Cat
Have any of you cat owners ever tried to put something on the cat? By that, I mean anything—a costume, mittens, a cone after surgery, an action figure to ride it. It doesn’t work, right? That’s because cats are the proudest, most independent creatures in the known universe. Everything they do is on their terms.…
Read MoreElon Musk Wants to Patent ‘Teslaquila’ Because Life Is a Game for Him
Elon Musk. What else can we say about Elon Musk at this point even? The guy is a real-life Tony Stark, minus the weapons sales. (Although he did dabble in flamethrowers.) He’s a guy who has the means to pursue every single flight of fancy he chooses. Nothing is off the table. He embodies the…
Read MoreEuropean Parliament Votes In Favor of Extensive Single-Use Plastic Ban
The European Parliament has voted in favor of a complete ban of single-use plastics, including cutlery, plates, straws, drink stirrers and more across the E.U. to prevent ocean pollution. The proposal also included a reduction in other single-use plastic items for food, like drinkware and cups. The European Commission proposed this ban back in May,…
Read MorePromo History Lesson: How Promotional Products Took Wrigley From Small Soap Company to Chewing Gum Empire
This is the story about how Wrigley—yes, the candy company that has a baseball stadium named after it—grew to what it is today because of promotional products. It was one particular promotional product, actually: chewing gum…
Read MoreCafePress Acquisition Focus of Class Action Lawsuit
Everything seemed to be relatively wrapped up for CafePress. After setting itself up to be acquired by Snapfish, it seemed like it was pretty much the point where the credits start rolling and we assume CafePress lives happily ever after in its new life. That’s not the case just yet, though. The law firm Levi…
Read MoreNational Awards Inc.’s Lisa Greer Discusses a Client’s Anniversary Promos
Celebrating a business’ anniversary is certainly a time for celebration. Especially when a business has been around for four decades. Lisa Greer, director of sales for National Awards Inc., Jackson, Miss., remembers one particular instance where her company helped a customer kick its birthday…
Read MoreStop What You’re Doing and Watch Sylvester Stallone’s Pen Commercial
A lot of people like to debate the merits of film. Everyone has a favorite. Some people like “Gone With the Wind.” Others like “The Godfather.” Me? My favorite movie of all time is the promo ad for the Montegrappa Chaos Watch and Pens, which were designed by Sylvester Stallone. Before I go any further…
Read MoreWilco’s $448 Axe, Korn Coffee, and the Changing Landscape of Band Merch
Axes are having a weird moment right now. Yes, of course it’s Halloween time, but I’m not talking about spooky axes. I’m talking about your run-of-the-mill, lumberjacky axes. They’re design elements in boutique stores selling things I can’t afford, gentrifying neighborhoods are suddenly full of axe-throwing venues, and it seems like every groomsman is getting…
Read MoreWhat’s Trending in the Bars and Restaurants Promotional Market
Think about the last restaurant you went to. Picture the room, if you can. You likely saw plenty of advertisements for brands other than the restaurant you were in. If it’s a popular chain or hometown favorite, you might have spotted some branded merchandise for that particular establishment, but chances are you saw plenty of…
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