Bankers Advertising

NEW this year we have designed our own Exclusive line of holiday cards! We have seven new designs to choose from.

Studies show that 80% of businesses send holiday cards. The audience is almost everyone from corporate, to healthcare and education, to hospitality and real estate.

The greetings a business sends are generally used for two purposes:

• A thank you to individuals, companies and clients with who they have an ongoing relationship.
• As a means of staying on the radar of an existing, former or prospective client.

Customers want to know that their business is valued and greeting cards are one of the best ways to demonstrate that they do indeed care and wish their customers the best. Despite being highly effective, greeting cards are often overlooked when it comes to developing marketing plans. A greeting card has the potential to do more than nearly any other marketing material in establishing and securing long-term business relationships with clients who not only appreciate your work, but appreciate you as well.

Check out our new holiday cards here.

What comes to life once a year, lives for 11 days and has over 2 million eyes?  The Iowa State Fair!

The Iowa State Fair is an 11-day celebration where over 1 million people visit each summer to eat, see livestock, take in shows of all kinds, eat something on a stick, see the famous butter cow, ride the midway rides, eat something fried, enter contests, buy campers and hot tubs, eat something else fried and absorb a small piece of what Iowa has to offer.

The internationally-acclaimed Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. The Iowa State Fair, the inspiration for the original novel State Fair by Iowan Phil Stong, three motion pictures and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Broadway musical, is without a doubt the country’s most famous state fair.

National media frequently ranks the Iowa State Fair as one of the top events in the country. USA Weekend named the event the #2 choice for summer fun in America, topping New York City’s Times Square, Cedar Point Amusement Park Resort in Ohio and Disneyland in California. Midwest Living magazine named the Fair one of the “Top 30 Things Every Midwesterner Should Experience.” The Fair is also the only fair listed in The New York Times best-selling travel book, 1000 Places to See Before You Die, and the subsequent travel book, 1,000 Places to See in the U.S.A. and Canada Before you Die.

Who knew something that most of us Iowans go to annually is so famous? I know several people that have not missed a fair in over 20+ years. I know when I was a kid, we would go almost every year. As soon as we got to the fair my parents would head toward the first place we could get a free bag to hold our potential fortune of free stuff.  There seemed like there wasn’t enough hours in the day when at the fair to do all our favorite things from the Giant Slide, Ye Old Mill, Sky Glider, Butter Cow and of course the Varied Industries building where all the goodies were.

We would leave that day with a patch handle bag FULL of pencils, flyswatters, magnets, coloring books, posters, hats, necklaces, buttons and all kinds of stuff from businesses we had never heard of.  My parents would go through the bags and take out any item they thought they could use around the house.

Today, as I take my boys to the state fair, the same holds true. They can’t wait to bring home all the free products. I, of course, now have a different perspective being in the industry but what I find fun is to watch their excitement and those around me receiving our beloved promotional products. I like to sit on the bench and watch people’s reactions – it rejuvenates me to see the kids and adults alike excited about the free handouts.

What does the Iowa State Fair, or any state fair, do for the promotional products industry?  Just take a day and walk around to see the crowds looking for their own freebies.  The fair is a chance for cities, entertainment, destinations, organizations, businesses, colleges, non-profit groups, churches, schools and clubs to advertise, show off their programs, try to attain a larger customer base, and be seen by literally thousands of consumers.

Promotional products are to be had by the thousands at any state fair.  It’s a place to see a huge variety of products and endless ideas of branded promotions whether it be T-shirts, hand-fans, yardsticks, cups, backpacks, temporary tattoos, pencils, water bottles, silicone bracelets, bandannas, totes and hats.

Have you attended the Iowa State Fair? What was one of your favorite products or food? As this year’s theme states – Nothing Compares to my STATE FAIR!

Search here for fair ideas! 

Soon October and Breast Cancer Awareness month will be upon us. Many of you will be planning a promotion to support and promote breast cancer awareness month with pink products. We know what pink symbolizes, but do you know what all the other awareness colors are? Did you know there are lot of opportunities all year long for you to promote awareness/cause events?

With 1.5 million nonprofit organizations registered in the United States, according to the National

Center for Charitable Statistics, corporations can choose from a big list of causes to support.

Teaming up with a good cause can benefit any business. It enables co-workers to unite for a greater good, and it provides valuable funding and resources to a cause in need.

Cause-related marketing is on the rise with charitable corporate giving amounting to $18.6 billion in 2015, a 3.9 percent increase, according to NP Trust. High profile corporate sponsorships are in the spotlight. For example, the Macy’s “Go Red” Campaign in partnership with the American Heart Association has raised more than $55 million.

If you are feeling inspired to support a good cause, we can help you promote internally and externally with the right promotional products. Events like walk-a-thons, 5Ks, Color-Runs, pledge drives and fundraiser dinners need promotional products to thank participants, garner attention and make the memory last. Plus, your employees will be excited to don promotional items like T-shirts and ribbons for a good cause.

We carry a large assortment of products to promote any cause. With Breast Cancer Awareness Month sneaking up on us, now is the time to plan your marketing efforts for the causes/events you plan to support. We can help them with ideas and products. We have a calendar of events that can provide you with assistance, just ask your Bankers Advertising Consultant or search here.

What can we learn from RAGBRAI? A lot about marketing and branding… that’s for sure!

shot 07/29/10 along RAGBRAI, IA. Christopher Gannon/The Register — RAGBRAI Thursday — Riders make their way out of Charles City Thursday morning on RAGBRAI. (Christopher Gannon/The Des Moines Register)

The Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa has begun. First held in 1973, the ride starts in Western Iowa by dipping the bike back tires in the Missouri River, crossing Iowa to the East side and dipping their front tires in the Mississippi River. It draws in recreational riders from across the U.S. and beyond.

The event is a seven-day bicycle ride across Iowa, and it is the oldest, largest and longest week-long bicycle touring event in the world. More than 10,000 riders are expected this year.

RAGRBRAI has their own shop of promotional merchandise that is promoted online prior to the event as well a tent at each host city. Registration gifts include a t-shirt, water bottle and DVD. Riders will also receive a jersey, shorts or bibs and armbands.

In addition, there are hundreds of teams that ride together, most have their own fanfare of merchandise including logoed apparel, drinkware, lanyards, stickers, etc. You see team buses with signs and people going crazy supporting their favorite team along with a variety of imprinted items to promote their group.

Another thing that makes RAGBRAI unique is that each host city has their own theme which means each town has its own promotional merchandise to foster interest in their towns, creating souvenirs and memorabilia including t-shirts, coffee mugs, can coolies, caps, etc. There are vendors set up at each city selling an assortment of products – many of which include even more promotional products.

The exciting part of this event – it engages so many people and products throughout the state and country. I was on vacation a couple of years ago on a cruise in the Caribbean and at one of the ports I saw a gentleman wearing a RAGBRAI t-shirt. I asked if he was from Iowa. He said he was from Oregon, but went to Iowa to ride in the big ride. He told me he had a t-shirt from every town he stopped in, and every time he wears them he remembers something specific about the ride and the events in the host cities.

Not only is RAGBRAI great for the state of Iowa, it’s also a testimonial of how promotional products can travel around the world telling stories, creating memories and showcasing events. Promotional products are the “Advertising that lives on.”

The Olympics provide marketing lessons that we can use when you plan your next event.

Tap into Emotions

Few sporting events can boast the emotional diversity created by the Olympics. In every Olympic Games, there are emotional stories of athletes that have conquered huge challenges to have a shot

at the gold medal. Emotional connections are also the strongest and most important that your client can create. Giving a promotional product that ties into the emotions and messaging of the event will create memories for years to come.

Sponsorships

Big retail brand names pay a lot of money to be an Olympic sponsor. Your event may not be able to attract the big Fortune 100 companies, but by putting together a sponsorship program, possibly with levels, you will offset some of your upfront costs in exchange for marketing packages. In addition, landing local big sponsors can boost the perception of the event through brand association. The premise being that if Big Important Business Brand thinks this is worthwhile; it must be worthwhile.

Think About Apparel

Each country that will enter the Olympic stadium during the opening ceremonies will wear a specific outfit that clearly identifies what country they are from. If you are having an event, staff or volunteers should be clearly identifiable. First, it makes them easy to find and second, it’s an additional branding mechanism. Also, t-shirts make great keepsakes to sell to attendees and have plenty of room for sponsor logos.

Make it a Memorable Event

The opening ceremonies of this year’s Olympics will be one watched by billions and usually have some type of big hoopla event within the ceremony. If you want your event to be a big deal, plan pre-event, at-event and post-event brand builders to generate excitement and exposure for the main event. Promotional products build memory value by giving attendees something more to reminisce and talk about long after the event.

Use Promotional Products to make your next event or promotion one of Olympic proportions!

With peak vacation season upon us, we thought it would be fun to share some more statistics and ideas for your next road trip.

Did you know?

• 870,526,000 – Estimated Road Trips Americans took in 2015
• There are 58 National Parks in the U.S.
  • The 5 most popular National Parks are:
    • Great Smoky Mountains – North Carolina & Tennessee
    • Grand Canyon – Arizona
    • Yosemite – California
    • Yellowstone – Idaho, Montana and Wyoming
    • Rocky Mountains- Colorado
  • 5 hours is the average amount of time travelers can go without needing a pit stop
  • Winding from Chicago to California, Route 66 features almost every landscape America has to offer.
  • Interstate Numbers
    • Two-digit interstates (I-90) are often the most direct routes through cities
    • Three-digit interstates (I-787) circle urban areas
    • Odd-numbered highways run north-south
    • Even-numbered roads run east-west
  • S. Route 20 is America’s longest road, stretching from Boston, MA to Newport, OR – that’s 3,365 miles of transcontinental exploration!

Before your clients set off on their next adventure, it’s recommended that they stock their trunk with these on-the-road essentials. These are awesome promotional ideas to give your clients and keep your brand traveling the country.

Blanket – Stay safe and cozy if you unexpectedly have to face the elements.

First Aid Kit – peace of mind that you’re prepared for anything

Sunscreen – even if it’s a cloudy day, the sun’s rays can still damage your skin.

Flashlight– always handy in an emergency and can be used to signal for help. Good bright light flashlight is recommended.

Rest Stop Fun – pack a Frisbee to break out at rest stops, hotel courtyards or parks. A great leg-stretcher for people and pets alike!

Wet Wipes – spills happen. So do sticky fingers. Keep clean and combat both with ease.

Smart Snacks – keep your gang going strong with water and snacks. Remember to include pets.

Breakdown Supplies – be prepared in an emergency with the needed tools. Auto safety kit is a must for the trunk.

Umbrella and Rain Coat – nothing like getting caught in the rain when alongside of the road or when site seeing.

Our expert consultants can help you put together a great road trip kit for your customers! For more ideas, browse here.

More and more, Retail Brands are popping up around the promotional product industry – going beyond the luggage and watch brands from the incentives segment. Why? Several reasons…but mostly it’s the perception of…

The perception of superior quality. If it’s been sold to the mass consumer market, it’s been more thoroughly vetted right? Consumer product safety testing and the manufacturer’s reputation ensure that the item is safe and end-users need have no fear of recalls, product failure, etc. Tech accessories such as powerbanks are a good example of an item that end users want safety testing assurance for and the idea that the product is backed by a well-known brand provides that certainty.

The perception of being “in”. Because it is found in retail, people assume that the product is in style, with the latest color, design, functionality. Bags, luggage and totes are often considered a fashion accessory. Certain brands also have a cool factor. You just feel cool being associated with them. Nike is the perfect example – whether you’re an athlete or not, Nike is an aspirational brand with a broad appeal.

The perception of higher value. Branded products have a higher perceived value, are more expensive and therefore often a more impressive gift. Recognizable brands, particularly high profile ones with major media investments and endorsements, are especially highly prized items. The branded golf category is a perfect example of this phenomenon.

Consider incorporating retail brands in your next promotional marketing campaign. For certain audiences and industries, it can be the ideal way to set your message apart. Brand recognition can be a valuable tool in building loyalty through promotional products.

Blog compliments of BIC Graphic USA.

The National Safety Council works across the country to raise awareness of what it takes to stay safe.  Observed annually in June, National Safety Month focuses on reducing leading causes of injury at work, on the road and in our homes.

Promoting workplace safety is a year-round event, but an extra emphasis is shown in June. An effective workplace safety program is proven to reduce work accidents, absenteeism and costs. During June companies will have giveaways, awareness events, lunches, picnics, meetings, incentives and safety awards to promote safety on the job.

Promotional products are the ideal way to communicate your safety message as a program kick-off gift, to create awareness, and to motivate or reward employees. Safety products are valuable, useful and appreciated, ensuring they will be kept and used by the recipients.

Popular products for safety programs include flashlights, tumblers, first aid kits, auto safety kits, coolers, duffel bags, backpacks, apparel, Bluetooth^® Speakers, umbrellas, multi tools, folding chairs, car chargers and power banks.

In addition to workplace safety, it’s also beneficial for advertisers to add a caring touch by promoting safety in the home, school, office, auto, boat, bicycle, sun, and emergency preparedness. These advertisers commonly hand out key tags/lights, hand sanitizers, bandage dispensers, first aid kits, sunscreen, flashlights, calendars, auto safety kits, power banks and reflective products.

Contact us or browse more safety ideas here!

It’s the time of year that we are all feeling very patriotic. We proudly celebrate Memorial Day, Flag Day and Independence Day, showing our pride to be an American. We are excited to attend parades, barbecue with family and friends, honoring our veterans and to show our spirit. We will Celebrate, Honor and Remember.

Choosing to purchase American made promotional products is a choice driven by value. Imported products are generally less expensive than USA Made items; however, 61% of Americans say they are more likely to purchase something when it’s made in the USA. They are beginning to see the value in spending a little extra for American made products.

The spotlight on American made isn’t just for the patriotic holidays. Election years always bring the attention to the importance of products Made in the USA.  Now and always, it should remain important.

Show your support this year and choose to buy USA made promotional products.

Quality

When you see products labeled Made in the USA, you know that those products are regulated by our government under strict standards. This is one of the biggest advantages, American suppliers have a good reputation for safe promotional items. Buying American made means customers support good working conditions, care about a better environment and want to distribute safe products.

Availability

American manufacturers will most likely have inventory on hand and, if not, they will be able to turn it around quicker. The value is found in knowing that what you want is available and will be there when you need it.

Loyalty

Buying USA made means supporting American workers, including friends and family. It can keep and create jobs plus it shows their support for the local and national economy. Using American made promotional products recycles dollars. In other words, when we use American dollars to buy American promotional products, those dollars stay in the American economy. They benefit the U.S. workers who made the items and also allow our tax dollars to support local businesses so they can thrive.

Pride

It feels good to buy something made in America. It builds American pride and supports democracy. Using American made promotional products aligns your organization with changing attitudes and shows support for the home team. It displays to your recipients that you care about our country and creates a positive image for the customer’s brand.

More value doesn’t equal cheaper. Value is understanding why it’s worth the price. American made promotional products may still cost more but, as the saying goes, you are getting what you pay for.

Now is the time to showcase and promote your brand with USA Made promotional product. Search here. 

Double Decker Cooler Tote

The sun is shining and the outside offers a plethora of activities.  From sporting events to road trips, make sure you have the perfect products to reinforce your brand this summer!

Check out these staggering Great Outdoors numbers…

• 141 million people will participate in an outdoor event this year
• 50 million people will tailgate this year
• 490 million rounds of golf are played every year
• The beach is rated the top destination for vacationers
• Over 42.5 million people will camp or hike this year
• 13.9 million people will participate in a road race
• An average of 365,000 house are sold each month
• Most drivers will break down at least 20 times

Popular outdoor product ideas are coolers, picnic and BBQ items, chairs, blankets, seat cushions, golf items, towels, summer fun (Frisbees, beach balls), sunglasses and skin care items (sunscreen, bug repellent), beach gear, sport related, binoculars, compasses, umbrellas and rain gear, fishing, hunting and camping, fans, garden accessories, lanterns and flashlights, outdoor kits. Don’t forget signage and apparel!

Take advantage of the many opportunities to promote your brand this summer. Get ideas here, or call your Bankers Advertising Consultant today.