Rocket Fuel

Drink More Water Initiative

One of my goals this year is to drink more water every day. I instantly thought of drinking at least 8 glasses of 8 oz. water a day. It turns out that the 8 glasses of water a day rule isn’t completely accurate. According to the Mayo Clinic, “the “8 by 8” rule isn’t supported by hard evidence, it remains popular because it’s easy to remember.” I agree, it’s definitely easy to remember so I decided to stick to drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day.

Initially, I searched the Commotion Promotions sample room for a regular 8oz. bottle I could use every day. But then one day, everyone at our office received a lovely drawstring backpack with headphones, a sports towel and a bottle all with our logo from one of our top suppliers to promote their products!  This tall, clear bottle had a screw on lid and it was BPA free. It turns out that the bottle has the capacity to hold 32oz. of liquid and all I needed to reach the “8 by 8” rule was drink 64 oz. a day. That’s only 2 full bottles of water a day! What an easy peasy way to track my water intake.

It’s now been at least 3 months since I’ve started using our 32oz. Sport Bottle and I can honestly say I’ve been meeting my goal for drinking more water. Sometimes I even drink more than 64oz. of water! I use this bottle at home, the office, the gym and even take it to restaurants so I make sure I’m on track. This bottle is basically a part of me now. What’s even more awesome is that I get compliments on this bottle all the time and even get asked where one can be purchased. I’ve even started to get a few of my coworkers to use this bottle to track their water intake. So now I challenge you to also start a healthy initiative in your office and maybe encourage your employees or coworkers drink more water.

If you want to learn more about how much water you should be drinking and the health benefits of water, click here to read this great article by the Mayo Clinic.

Click here for more information about this bottle.

-A guest blog post by our Marketing Coordinator, Preja Tamang

Time for Spring Cleaning

Springtime is just around the corner and we all know what that means…It’s time for Spring cleaning!  And I’m not just talking about a little dusting at home.  I’m talking about cleaning out the office.

 

But as much as this job is dreaded, did you know, out of more than 1,000 office workers surveyed, nearly 82% feel that organization improves their performance?  Also, for the same 1,000 workers, clutter such as bestrewn papers, food containers, and even spare shoes has lead to many unprofessional situations in which 47% of respondents said time was lost, 16% said they experienced tardiness, and 14% said deadlines were missed.

 

So, with that said, the months of paperwork build up, knotted computer cords, dust bunnies hiding in corners of the file room…it all must go.  Lucky for you, we’ve got just the things to help your office out. 

 

Check out these great electronics organizers.  Whether we’re talking power cords, phones, or tablets, these two items are sure to help you organize both yourself and your desk space. 

 

IDAPT Power Station

Gumbite ® Stoppi Desktop Cable Manager

 

Looking for a little more incentive? Customize these great wristlets and hand them out to your employees with the cleanest desk areas! 

 

Wristlet Wallet

 

Either way you cut it, neither you nor your office can put off the cleaning any longer.  Make way for the trash bags, springtime’s coming through!

 

          

 

Trade Show Tips

Ever get the feeling that every person walking the trade show floor has become a wandering, mindless zombie? You know the ones….seemingly brain-dead, stimuli overloaded, shuffling down aisle after aisle.

Well here are a few tips to stop them dead in their tracks and bring them back ALIVE and DYING to stop in your booth.

1. Develop a theme for your next booth.  It doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive. It just has to be related to your company or to your sales pitch. You can base your theme on where your company is headquartered, say for example, Texas, think western theme.   Or you could tie your theme into your sales pitch.  Like it takes less time to sign up to be an organ donor than it does to get a latte made to order…Then have your trade show staff dressed as baristas and start brewing those conversations
2. The 5 Senses – Visual, Sound, Smell, Taste and Touch – Each one of these can be incorporated into your booth in order to stimulate attendees.  Surprisingly, much of a trade show floor is decorated with the ‘safe’ corporate colors – black, grey, beige.  Sure, they might have a touch of red here and there but if you want create a distinction for your brand, take advantage of the eye’s strong attraction for color when you design your booth. Along with visual, think audio.  Motion can come in the form of a demonstration, bold videos playing in the background or a sound related concept.  For example, if your product is made from ingredients found in the rain forest, have a rain forest sound CD playing in the booth. The same holds true for smell.  If you’re are launching a new product that has an orange scent, consider using promotional items that can incorporate that scent, like note paper, sniffy pencils and scratch and sniff stickers.Attendees are attracted not only to visual and audio stimuli, but to tactile sensory ideas as well. Make the product that you are offering available to touch whenever possible.  People like to feel the weight and texture of a product. Last but never least is taste.  If you feed them, they will come.  Yes, many times attendees will just stop by to ‘grab’ whatever food treat you might be offering.  But with a well trained and engaging booth staff a conversation can be started to share more information about your product of services, especially if you think outside the box and do more than a bowl of candy.  Consider custom shaped chocolate lollipops or an imprinted coffee mug that you can fill right there on the spot.
3. Never let them leave empty handed.  Halt an otherwise passing trade show zombie by appealing even louder to their never-forgotten self-interest.  Give them a fun, colorful, well intentioned, cool, useful and appropriate imprinted promotional item that will appeal to their particular needs. This is your chance to get them talking about what they are looking for before they stash their swag into a bag and stagger on. 
4. Don’t be a ZOMBIE – Genuine interest along with a positive attitude by your booth staff will stop even the most hardened zombie heart.  SMILE and be engaging with those attendees walking the dreaded zombie aisle death march. We’ve all been on the other side of the booth and walked a show ourselves.  It’s hard work.  So it’s up to you and your staff to make it fun and fresh.

WANT MORE TRADE SHOW IDEAS?  Need creative, budget friendly and trendsetting promos for your next booth?  Call or email us. 

 

The Foam Finger

Have you ever been sitting at a sporting event when you’ve suddenly wondered, “Where did the foam finger comes from?”  Well if so, you’re in luck!  Today, we take you on a journey of one finger’s rise to fame and the No. 1 spot of sports devotion.

 

The foam finger, a symbol, not an object of obsession as so many other items are, is the only product of its kind.  An amplifier of devotion, it speaks of deep connections between fan and team, as well as a little pompousness (if our team is No. 1, then we’re better than yours).  The finger was born at a high school football pep rally in Texas back in 1977.  An art teacher, Geral Frauss, frustrated by the rambunctious crowd, decided to create a less rowdy form of cheering by cutting out a large hand with fingers raised and knuckles showing from a piece of cardboard.  In games and pep rallys to follow, students followed suit, until the team lost its season and the era of the finger seemed to be over.

Not for long said the foam finger! A year later, when the University of Texas played Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl, the very same art teacher decided to test his entrepreneurial skills by cutting 400 hands from Masonite with raised fingers, and another 200 hands to mimic UT’s famous Hook ‘em Horns gesture.  Half and hour after the doors opened, all the hands had been sold. 

As time moved forward, Fauss began to experiment with more materials, realizing Masonite might not be the best in the case of a brawl.  After all, no foam finger was going to keep the rowdy football fans from being, well rowdy.  Finally, Fauss settled on polyurethane: it was light, didn’t break, and could be compressed if needed.  And with this decision, Spirit Industries was born in 1979, just in time for the New Orleans Sugar Bowl game between the Tide and the Lions.

The rest, as they say folks, is history.  But one thing’s held true.  The foam finger remains all that it symbolizes, still No. 1 after all these years. 

Join us in celebrating this famous promotional product’s great history by showing off all the ways that your team, company, or organization claims that coveted spot at the top with this selection of No. 1’s.

          

2013 Trends to Watch Out For

With 2013 getting started,  the dice have been cast and these two trends are in!

While last week we told you all about the hottest colors, it’s only fair that this week we give you some great product ideas to go alongside!

Check out these two trends topping this year’s hit list promotional product must haves. 

1. Vintage inspired products: out with the new in with the old? Vintage is back and you can be ready with this vintage inspired backpack.

Rucksack Back Pack

2. Felt: warm, cozy, and sustainable, felt is totally in.  This felt and vinyl journal will make you the envy of every meeting.  

Felted Vinyl Journal

We’re off to Las Vegas to our annual trade show to look for the newest and most creative ways to brand your company.  Call us for an appointment to see the latest ideas to help you set your logo apart.  

          

Adding that Pop of Color

The scores are in! Pantone has officially launched its list of top colors for the coming season and the “new black” is as far from its namesake as possible! A mixture of bright pastels with a springy vibe, any of these new colors is sure to be a great, eye-catching addition to any of your favorite promo items as that [Pop!] you’ve been looking for!

But of course, picking out that perfect color is not always easy.  Choosing the right color for your brand is more than just an artistic selection; it’s a way to say something important about what your company does! Sound like a challenge? We’ve got your back as usual.  Check out these helpful tips for choosing the best for your brand: 

1. Color says something about emotions: When choosing what colors to incorporate in your product, think about the feelings/thoughts/emotions that the color you choose invokes.  Aiming for cheery—go for the “Lemon Zest”.  Aiming for something more serene—maybe the “Grayed Jade” or “Dusk Blue” is a better fit.  Get the idea?
2. The perfect color walks a line falling somewhere in between unique and typical.  In other words, standing out is important, but standing out too much can be a detriment.  When choosing a color, look at the colors used in like products and then select a color that’s just a little different from the norm.  If your product usually comes in blue, maybe try purple on for size.
3. Keeping it “real” is important: When choosing a color, pick one that feels authentic.  While many companies often make the assumption that picking a popular color will resonate with sales, rarely is this the case.  Instead, pick a color for that works with your brand.  After all, if a color doesn’t connect with your customers, it’ll likely turn them off.

In short, whether a cool t-shirt, a smart phone case, or a reusable hot/cold cup, a “Pop of Color, is just one of the ways you can elevate your promo items to the next level.  So throw out the black and bring on some color!  Let US help YOU make the impact you’ve been aiming for with these great product ideas that all come in a variety of colors.

Nano Speaker

Revolution IPad Case

Phone and Tablet Stand

 

          

DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU'RE DUCK HAS BEEN?

It's scary out there.  It seems easy to order a large quantity of a promotional item by yourself directly with some overseas manufacturer that you find on Google.  Simply tell them what you need, how many, what color, maybe send a little picture, and get a cheap price back.  Sounds great in theory.  Even worse might be when you work with what you think is a promo company that has experience in producing overseas orders and offers up a low price but has never visited China, never met the suppliers, inspected the factories and in the end provides an item that is STOPPED BY CUSTOMS at the border because of a harmful chemical.

Per an article in the LA Times  on December 11th, more than 35,000 holiday-themed rubber ducks from China were detained by U.S. Customs officials at the Port of Los Angeles.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized the ducks -- dressed as snowmen, gingerbread men, penguins and reindeer -- which were valued at $18,522, after determining they contained the chemical phthalate in excess of the limit which may be harmful to children.  

Phthalates are used to make vinyl and other plastics soft and flexible, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in a statement. Consumer officials prohibit the sale, distribution and import of any child's toy or child care item that contains concentrations of more than 0.1% of phthalate. 

We know where your DUCKS have been.  We know that they're safe and when we produce an item whether it's made right here in the United States or overseas in one of our partner factories, you can be assured that your safe promotional item will not only make it over the border but that it won't be hazard to your customer or employees when you hand them out. We've been to China, seen the factories, and know our partners.  We also know that you can be guaranteed a fair price for a quality product that is not produced using child labor or made in unsafe conditions.  

At Commotion Promotions all of our promotional items are safety checked so we've got you covered.  Don't go out there alone or with a distributor whose never done this before.  Trust your next overseas promotional item project to us.  Read more here. 

 

Incentivize your Promo Products

Over the years, we’ve attended countless numbers of trade shows all over the nation. We’ve attended them both as an exhibitor and of course as attendees of the show. One thing we’ve noticed is that the better the “swag”, the better the traffic at the booth. Two things we always tell our clients about trade show giveaways – the first, items should either be a targeted promotional item to help ‘tell your story’ or a truly unique item and the second is that how you give the item out is equally as important as the item itself.  In other words, ask yourself this, “how many people who take your giveaway are actually interested in your business?” Sure, they’re now aware of your brand but what are some actions you can take to move these potential customers down the marketing funnel.

At a recent tradeshow we exhibited at, we met a great company called GER- Global Electronic Recycling who used the power of their Social Media and their promotional products to interact with their followers. They let tradeshow attendees know that they would receive a special gift set of promotional items if they mentioned their “word of the day” which was posted on their Facebook! Not only did this company gain more traffic to their Facebook, but they’ve managed to meet with people who are interested enough to take the time to look their business up.  This eliminates most of the people at your booth just for looking for “swag” which brings in people who want to potentially learn and receive more information about your company.

So what are some great promotional items you can include as a special gift or prize at your next tradeshow? Here are a few of our favorite items that will make everyone like your page, retweet your posts or endorse your LinkedIn profile: 

 

 

Swirly Straw Tumbler

 

Classic Nylon Drawstring Backpack

Flatsy Pen Eco Journal

Tropical Flavor Lip Balm

 

Get Your GADGET Dot On

We've got the BEST NEW WAY TO INDENTIFY your GADGET.

Iconic, patented and just plain cute. The Gadget DOT™ makes using your smartphone home button easy. When you pull your smartphone out of your pocket or bag, the tactile grip instantly makes you aware of the direction your phone needs to be in. When you use your smartphone as an alarm, the home button is quick and easy to find when you are startled awake!  Or use it on your tablet - IPad or the new IPad mini.  This small round glossy domed promotional item simply sticks onto your gadget and only comes off when you want it to without leaving any sticky residue.

While the GADGET DOT doesn't have a big imprint area, it's perfect for those brands who have very recognizable logos and like techy items.  We think it's perfect for flashing in at a retailer for a discount or to let people know that you are an alumni of a university.  Even better, how about a way to show your support of your favorite charity or NFL football team.  A very cool new tech promo item indeed and under a buck!

Quench Your Thirst

Forget juice bars or coffee houses.  We just read that at Molecule, a “water cafe” in New York City’s East Village, patrons pay $2.50 for a glass full of New York City tap water that has been passed through a seven-stage filtration system. Patrons can complete  their order with an option to add vitamin supplements to their H2O cocktails. MSN.com
 

While New Yorkers might think of themselves as a 'trendy bunch" (I can say that as a previous New Yorker, once removed (to Phoenix), water's healing properties have long been touted by the medical field for everyone.  Why not make sure you're drinking the very best ...

There's no need to travel to NY when you can drink up filtered water with our CLEAN and PURE BOTTLE. Omega H2O To GO Filtration Bottle

Give them to your employees and clients alike. Our water filtration bottle is the bomb! Using the newest filtration technology our Clean N Pure Bottle Omega H2O Go Water Filtration Bottle removes 99% percent of harmful contaminants. This 16 oz double wall Tritan copolyester water bottle with a coconut filter is made right here in the USA. Choose your colors: Blue, Apple Green, Red, Orange, Hot Pink, Kelly Green, Turquoise, Purple or Grey insert filters and attached drink straw. BPA free. Pricing includes a one color imprint on the bottle.

Want to add Vitamins?  We can help you with those too with our Vitamin Gum.  These vitamin gumvelopes are the perfect item for everyone on the go.  This patented idea is filled with 12 pieces of individual vitamin enhanced gum and available in two great tasting flavors - grape pomegranate or cinnamon.  Pricing includes a full color design all over the packet. 

 

Get Hydrated with new ideas by ringing us up or emailing us.