People usually have a favorite pizza place—whether it’s a local joint down the street or a big-name chain. Now people who have Pizza Hut on speed dial can show their appreciation for the restaurant with Pizza Hut-branded items, like hats, T-shirts and skateboards. Pizza Hut…
Read MoreAuthor: Brendan Menapace
PM Video Battle: Next Products Versus Discount Mugs
Promo Marketing’s Video Battle pits two industry videos against each other for the chance at the ultimate bragging right: Being declared our readership’s absolute favorite. (Next up: We’re thinking about our New Year’s resolutions for 2016. We’re thinking, “Make better jokes in the video battle.”) Last week, Webb Company won for the fourth time, earning a…
Read MoreTervis Tumbler Company Opens Ohio State University Location
Tervis Tumbler Company, North Venice, Fla., has opened a new retail location on the campus of Ohio State University. According to the Columbus Business First, this is the company’s first Ohio location and its first shop located on a college campus. “This location will not only…
Read MoreFTC Blocks Staples-Office Depot Merger
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) last week filed a complaint, charging that Staples Inc.’s proposed acquisition of Office Depot Inc. would violate antitrust laws by reducing competition nationwide in the industry for “consumable” office supplies, including writing instruments, notepads, folders and paper products, sold to large-business customers. “The commission has reason to believe that the…
Read MoreChina Wants to Boost Its Ballpoint Pen Game
This month, at a seminar in Beijing, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said that Chinese pens felt “rough” compared to those made in Japan, Germany and Switzerland, and added that China’s manufacturers should focus on innovating their technologies. According to Marketplace, this wasn’t the first time…
Read More6 Off-kilter ‘Star Wars’ Promotions
After much anticipation, “Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens” opens in theaters this week. In all of the hype around the blockbuster, promotional items from T-shirts to fruits have hit shelves. Here are six “Star Wars” promotional items that stood out to us. 1. BB-8 Oranges One of the new droids that we’ve seen…
Read MoreCargo Ship Loses 12 Containers in San Francisco
The U.S. Coast Guard warned mariners in the San Francisco Bay area to navigate with caution after a cargo ship lost 12 large containers in heavy seas last week. According to the SFGate, the Manoa, an 810-foot cargo…
Read MoreNewell Rubbermaid Acquires Rival Jarden for $13B
Newell Rubbermaid, Atlanta, announced on Monday that it will acquire Rye, New York-based Jarden, a rival company with multiple brands related to the promotional products industry, including Sunbeam, Rawlings and Coleman, for $15.4 billion. USA Today reported that Newell Rubbermaid, which also makes Sharpie, Paper Mate and Irwin products, is purchasing Jarden for a combination of…
Read MoreLeBron James Signs Lifetime Deal with Nike
NBA star LeBron James has signed a lifetime endorsement deal with Nike, which has endorsed the Cleveland Cavaliers forward since 2003, when he signed a $90 million contract. Now, according to BBC, his lifetime deal is the first lifetime contract from Nike, and USA Today speculated that the deal may be worth more than $500 million.…
Read MoreFIFA Officials Donate Gifted Watches to Charity
Last year, the Brazilian Football Association gifted World Cup officials Parmigiani watches worth more than $24,000 each. Now, after ordering officials to return the watches, the FIFA ethics committee will donate them to charity. According to The Guardian, the Brazilian Football Association gave FIFA officials 65 watches during a FIFA Congress in Sao Paulo. The…
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