24 oz. Tervis Water Bottle - Great Fundraising opportunities for school!

It's that time of year folks - back to school!  For Parents, well it's a beautiful thing, the kids - not so much...

But, for the schools, it is the start of fundraising time, especially the Private schools.  We have found that a great vehicle for making some extra cash for our schools has been the Tervis brand of products, particularly the 24 oz. Custom Tervis Water bottle.  A lot of schools are allowing kids to bring water bottles to school, but they have to have lids and straws, so as not to make those lovely messes in the hallways.

The Tervis brand of products is great for home and school, as it's pretty much bulletproof, and has a guarantee from the factory.  Plus, the tumblers and water bottles are Made in the ole USA, which is also a nice upgrade.  As a fundraising project, look to sell these at your school for between 20-25.00, with a profit to the school of 4-8.00 per bottle.

Great for showing your school spirit - and raising some extra cash, look at the Tervis Tumbler section on whiteboardpromotions.com

The Umbrella - a timeless brand opportunity

Yesterday was the first day in quite a while here in Atlanta where that big yellow thing in the sky was visible all day.  We had soggy fireworks and the ducks were quite happy for a good long time.

Which brings me to the Umbrella - yes it was a valuable commodity for us in the past week, but I do think it doesn't get the proper branding respect it so deserves.

Originally, umbrellas were made to ward off the sun - not rain.  The Chinese started to apply wax for waterproofing purposes, and the trend migrated over to Europe, where it evolved in to a fashion item for the elite.  Nowadays, you can get one on any NY corner for $5-10.00, but utilizing it to market your brand has now gained a better following.

Yes, it's old school, but at an outdoor event, on the city streets, or in your car, the reliable umbrella is a fantastic brand vehicle.

Keeping your Rep: Your game plan for Brand reputation management

We all had a reputation to protect when we were younger - either being the baddest, coolest, or smartest kid on the block was a big thing back in the day. 

Well, in the brand world, keeping your rep is equally important, especially with the ever-changing social landscape of today.  It's easy to see the downfalls of letting down your Brand Guard - ask anyone at ExxonMobil after the Valdez incident, or recently the disaster at the radio station 790 the Zone here in Atlanta and you'll see what improper Brand reputation management creates.

So, here's a 7 point game plan to keep you on track of managing your Brand Rep!

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They're BACK! The Twinkies Comeback Story

Several months ago, I lamented about the downfall of an icon - Twinkies.  And yes, Hostess Cupcakes, Ding Dongs, etc. some of the best memories of my youth.

Well... they're BACK!  Yes, the Twinkie lives on and will be back on shelves in July.  Look, I know it's not healthy, I know those things will live as long as Keith Richards and cockroaches, but who cares!

You know you went out and bought a Hostess product when you heard they were going out of business, don't deny it!  I did - and loved every bit of those Ding Dongs...

All I can say, welcome back you processed yellow hunk of sugar lovin!

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Brand Building - key tenets from Steve Jobs

I am a big fan of Apple, and have been for years.  We have 7 Apple devices in our house, all of which have now become staples in our everyday lives.  And I remember my first computer - the Apple II.  Yes, a total dinosaur by today's standards, but at that time another innovation by Apple and it's co-founder Steve Jobs.

I will say I was upset when he passed away, as I saw in him some similarities to my life, specifically on the transplant front.  So, when he passed away, I read his biography, and came to realize how influential he truly was as an entrepreneur and brand builder.

His brand building philosophy boils down to a simple tenet - laser-like focus on your brand's identity in the marketplace.  Yes, product innovation, expansion, marketing, creative, design - they are all part of the process of building a great company.  However, in Jobs' mind, branding is not a peripheral - building and maintaining your brand's integrity is central to everything about a company.

Here are some quotes related to Steve Jobs' branding philosophy that you may find interesting:

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Wherefore art thou o' J. Peterman?

What's happened to the J. Peterman company, and no I'm not talking about the Seinfeld character.  (for those of the millenial generation, google Seinfeld TV show, and Peterman - or go here)

The J. Peterman company is a catalog retailer that had a cult following and a brand personality that was completely unique.  Their catalog was a work of art in and of itself, but somewhere between the dawn of the Internet and web 2.0, they went by the wayside. 

So how could that personality and flair fail to resonate with Internet browsers?  Its all in one, little, distinct word - engagement.  The company didn't engage with its consumers online, a place where it's uniqueness and creativity could actively create dialog with its prospective users.  In other words, J. Peterman didn't embrace the social aspect of the Internet to truly create one on one relationships with its buyers.

Read More of how engaging your audience can help boost sales and create new relationships with your customers.

Custom Beach Towels - Branding the Summer!

Face it folks - it's HOT outside!  School is long out, and we're all headed to places that can relieve the heat - be it the pool, lake, beach or sprinkler!

So why not get your brand out where the peeps are?  Custom Beach towels provide that solution, with a large imprint area, your brand is front and center!  Package it with a Striped Tote, and you are ready for the water!

Custom Beach Towel

Wear your Brand out poolside with Custom Beach Towels!