If you’re one of those people who remembers capitals of countries like others spout out sports statistics, you’ll love the name of this new tumbler.

It’s called the Malmo Travel Mug.

This 4imprint exclusive is made of stainless steel and comes with a threaded lid and a rubber grip.  The modern design is an updated classic – meaning stylish without being mega-trendy.

It’s a cool new promotional product – much like the Swedish capital that inspired the mug’s name. 
-Suzanne

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2010
For more information, contact:
Greg Ebel, 4imprint
920-236-7272, Ext. 8396

4imprint Presents Marketing Budget Development and Benchmarks
The latest addition to the promotional retailer’s Blue Papers and Podcasts

(OSHKOSH, Wis.) – Recent reports estimate that in the next five years marketers will devote upwards of 20 percent of their entire budget to social media tactics. Marketing Budgets Demystified, the latest Blue Paper™ and Podcast from promotional products retailer 4imprint, explores the changing landscape of marketing budgets and illustrates where marketing dollars are being allocated across different industries.

“The marketing landscape is changing,” says Greg Ebel, vice president of sales and marketing for 4imprint. “It’s important that marketers continue to shift budgets to embrace these changes in order to execute the most effective marketing plans.”

One report conducted by the American Marketing Association verified that as marketers increase spending on social media and other online marketing tactics, spending in more traditional areas subsequently decreases. In the next year 34 percent of marketers are devoting fewer resources to newspaper advertising while 30 percent are devoting fewer resources to consumer magazines and 25 percent are slashing radio advertisement buys, but online efforts are significantly increasing.

Marketing Budgets Demystified discusses numerous topics regarding the budgeting process for marketers, including:
• the importance of executing a budget with an objective-oriented strategy;
• different approaches to setting a budget;
• benchmarks for current and projected spending;
• types of layouts and presentations for sharing budgets;
• the measurement of budgets, including calculating ROI of social media efforts; and
• tips for developing budgets that stick.

To read this Blue Paper, or to download the podcast, visit www.4imprint.com/bluepapers.

About 4imprint Blue Papers™
4imprint Blue Papers™ are in-depth, how-to articles, distributed to 4imprint customers to help their organizations succeed. Accessible at www.4imprint.com/bluepapers, Blue Papers™ have covered popular, cutting-edge topics such as podcasting, online social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and experiential marketing.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, serving more than 100,000 businesses with promotional items throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland. 4imprint offers corporate gifts, personalized gifts, custom t-shirts, promotional pens, travel mugs, tote bags, water bottles, Post-it® Notes, custom calendars, custom shirts and much more. For additional information, visit www.4imprint.com.

I was reading recently that in July the House passed a bill guaranteeing that eligible federal employees could work remotely at least 20% of the time.  I know that this is a very popular topic across many industries, and there are pros and cons.

4imprint published a newsletter regarding this very topic.  If you are looking for ways to promote this option to existing and potential staff, take a look.

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION: Direct Marketing Copywriter Intern

REPORTS TO: Catalog Manager

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

DATE PREPARED: 8/24/10

PURPOSE:

To gain educational knowledge in facets of catalog creation by assisting the full-time copywriter and catalog manager in various deadline-sensitive, detail-oriented copywriting projects for flyers and catalogs

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other miscellaneous duties may be assigned.

• Write product copy and headlines for U.S. and Canada flyer and catalog projects based on company styles and formats
• Assist full-time copywriter in researching, organizing, and preparing customer testimonials for catalogs
• Compose miscellaneous marketing letters
• Assist full-time copywriter in brainstorming and writing Great Ideas for catalogs
• Proofread print and email marketing as needed

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Oral and written communication skills, including an excellent grasp of the English language and grammar
• Ability to conceptualize
• Self-confidence and initiative
• Ability to work independently with minimal direction
• Strong planning and organizing skills
• Ability to multi-task and function productively under stressful and time-sensitive situations
• Excellent attention to detail

EDUCATION/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:

• Student currently pursuing a degree in English, Marketing Communications, or related degree
• Previous college-level copywriting and/or English courses required
• Ability to write position-oriented, hard-hitting headlines
• Ability to build partnerships with others
• Willingness to receive guidance and direction from internal and external resources
• Proven effective interpersonal skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (primarily Word and Excel) and Windows

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25, 2010
For more information, contact:
Greg Ebel, 4imprint
920-236-7272, Ext. 8396

Latest Blue Paper and Podcast from 4imprint Explores What Businesses and Marketers Need to Know About Intellectual Property Laws

(OSHKOSH, Wis.) – Businesses based on intellectual property drive more economic growth in the United States than any other single sector. Yet, many are not protecting the very assets that are responsible for their success either because they do not understand the need or the legalese. Promotional products retailer 4imprint’s new Blue Paper, called Copyrights, trademarks and patents breaks down the basics of intellectual property law and aims to explain the importance of each to both the business and the consumer.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) estimates that the cost of piracy, counterfeit and all-out theft of intellectual property equates to roughly $250 billion or 750,000 jobs per year – indicating a need for more businesses and entrepreneurs to become more knowledgeable and vigilant where copyrights, trademarks and patents are concerned.

“Businesses and entrepreneurs have significant professional and personal investment in the content, products and services they create,” says Greg Ebel, vice president of sales and marketing for 4imprint. “It’s a good idea to take the necessary steps to protect these investments, which often means seeking intellectual property rights protection.”

Copyrights, trademarks and patents covers the following topics and more:

• The definition of intellectual property
• A brief overview of the rich history behind intellectual property law
• A detail breakdown of copyrights, trademarks and patents that includes definitions, why rights are important, how to obtain protection, what to do if someone infringes upon your rights

Read the paper or listen to the podcast in-full at http://info.4imprint.com/bluepapers/.

About 4imprint Blue Papers
4imprint Blue Papers are in-depth, how-to articles, distributed to 4imprint customers to help their organizations succeed. Accessible at www.4imprint.com/bluepapers, Blue Papers have covered popular, cutting-edge topics such as podcasting, online social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and experiential marketing.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, serving more than 100,000 businesses with promotional items throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland. 4imprint offers corporate gifts, personalized gifts, custom t-shirts, promotional pens, travel mugs, tote bags, water bottles, Post-it® Notes, custom calendars, custom shirts and much more. For additional information, visit www.4imprint.com.

I saw this on the Levenger website and just had to share.  It’s one of those products that made me say, “why didn’t I think of this?”  It’s called the Grid-It Organizer. 

It features a handy criss-cross of elastic bands, arranged in a grid system.  The bands provide almost endless ways to arrange and carry electronic devices.

We’ll be offering some new products that help you manage electronics later this fall. 

The products will be part of a new series called elleven.  The portfolio shown above is just one of the products.  It includes a section stitched into the front that includes elastic bands in a latticework pattern – perfect for holding receipts, paper, USBs and even a hand-held tablet.  The range extends into technology storage and bags with similar features.

Give these to your team or your customers and they’ll start to feel really organized! 

-Suzanne