A lot of times, in my interviews, suppliers recommend “thinking outside the box.” This is good advice, sort of, except that it’s sort of like telling someone to “do a good job.” Obviously, they should do a good job, but really it would be more helpful to tell them how.
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I thought this week I would share something I learned recently that might be of use to you all as well. (as opposed to what I normally do when I write these posts, which is close my eyes and mash my palms into my keyboard until I’m at 500 words or so.)
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Greetings, loyal browsers of the Promo Marketing blogs. I’m Mike, the new associate editor on the magazine, and as of today I’ll be joining Chrissie and Charles with their weekly blog updates.
Read MoreMARY POPPINS HERSELF would happily confess the number of times her umbrella was a lifesaver—helping her blow town right before being asked troubling questions like, “Why is the banister so well-dusted?” or “Why are my children spending time with vagrant chimney sweeps?”
Read MoreNEWS OF THE country’s crumbling economy is nothing unexpected at this point. Few even blink at word that the Dow has bottomed out at zero, or that fallen autumn leaves are actually worth more than the dollar now. Instead, many have moved on to making practical, fully reasonable plans for survival, like hunkering down in fallout shelters or starting Mad Max-style motorcycle gangs. Before getting carried away hoarding food, bullets and Parker Brothers products (the only thing worse than an apocalypse is a boring apocalypse), some distributors will be pleased to know there is still economic life in the pre-apocalyptic world. Specifically, many financial
Read MoreWHEN TRYING TO break new ground with kitchen and household promotions, distributors may be well-served to recall the classic children’s fable about the country mouse and the city mouse. To briefly summarize, the story features two mice each unable to tolerate the other’s habitat. The city mouse cannot bear the simplicity of the country mouse’s diet, and the country mouse is horrified by the constant dangers of the city. So, to apply the lessons of the fable, it’s important to consider end-users’ comfort zones and give them products they’ll actually like. Choose garden tools for the country mouse, a martini set for
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