Bankers Advertising

Today is America Recycles Day, and we want to share this article with you. It does a great job of explaining what PET products are, why brands need to incorporate them and how important it is to buy from these companies that are producing the products. People are becoming more environmentally conscious every day, and the promotional products industry needs to continue adapting to this change.

Embrace Your Inner Green – Recycled PET Products

The concept of recycling has been around for thousands of years, but our modern-day understanding of the term emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, spurred on by the environmental movement. The pandemic has heightened awareness of sustainability issues. In a recent survey, 87% of people said that companies should integrate environmental concerns into their products, services, and operations. One step we can all take to embrace our inner green is to buy products made of recycled materials. That’s where recycled PET (RPET) comes in.

PET – or polyethylene terephthalate – is the most common type of resin. It is used to make plastic containers that hold anything from water to shampoo to peanut butter to cleaning solution. Because very  few PET containers can re-enter the production cycle as food-grade containers, manufacturers have developed a process for recycling PET into a polyester fabric – or RPET.

Why Choose RPET Products?

• Recycled PET polyester is equivalent in quality to newly produced polyester.
• Recycling PET helps decrease the amount of plastic waste entering landfills.
• Using RPET polyester reduces the need for new material and saves natural resources such as oil and natural gas. 
• Creating RPET uses 59% less energy than creating virgin PET products.

As you can see, there are many reasons to use recycled PET products and little to no drawbacks. The quality is the same and it serves a greater purpose to help the planet and future generations. This is a small change that can make a huge difference for many years to come. We challenge you to purchase ecofriendly products. Keep your audience in mind: Millennials and Gen Z are very eco conscious groups of people and are more likely to want these products. We currently offer many RPET products. A few are shown below. And you can find even more on our website here.

• Koozie – #AP6810ECO Recycled PET Center Court Duffel
  • Recycled equivalent content: 19 (16 oz) water bottles
• Hit – #11166 RPET Oasis Pen
  • Made from post-consumer plastic bottles
• Gemline – #100986-117 Slowtide Fleece Blanket
  • Made from 100% recycled post-consumer waste
• PCNA/Leads – #1631-66 Recycled PET Eco Cooling Fitness Towel
  • 100% recycled PET
• Garyline – #FLY9R 9” Flyer Frisbee
  • Molded with 40% post-industrial recycled polypropylene
• SanMar – #NF0A5IRN The North Face Ladies’ ThermoBall Eco Long Jacket
  • Made from 100% post-consumer recycled content

Be sure to contact your sales representative for other resources or if you have questions about how to find more RPET and recycled products.

Associating your brand with retail name items creates a powerful combination and gifts that make a big impression. We’ve noticed many new brands being introduced in our industry lately and want to share them with you.

Retail companies already have established reputations for quality standards. A study found that 60 percent of end users prefer a recognized brand.

It’s no secret that retail brands come at a higher price point than other options. But through minimizing risk, creating recognition, and standing out from the competition, you are bound to make back your investment. After all, sometimes choices made to save money can end up costing money in the long run. Your brand will easily be differentiated as a knowledgeable seeker of value.

When you work with retail brands, you can be confident that certain things are taken care of. If the products are for sale on shelves across the country, you know they’ve been thoroughly vetted and meet all relevant safety standards.

Decision-making is easier when you are dealing with a known quantity rather than taking a risk on something sight-unseen. Know what to expect and trust that it will be the same each time you get it. There are no surprises here; the quality is consistent.

Retail brands also offer more than just recognition. They often have the latest and greatest in their own industry.

The industry has recently added several new brands. Some include: Morphie, Skullcandy, Bose, Popl, Stojo, Hidrate Spark, Bottle Keeper, Sprigbox and Ekobo and Cuisinart. Check out a couple our new favorites below. You can see all the exciting new brands on our website.

Check out Hidrate Spark. This water bottle line links via Bluetooth to an app on your phone. You put in personal information including age, height, weight, sex, altitude and more. This all helps the app calculate the amount of water intake you need each day. The LED Smart Sensor glows a color of your choice when you need to hydrate. What better way to let the recipient know that you care about their health?

Bottle Keepers continue to trend. You’ve seen similar products that keep for cans and bottles cold, well here is an adjustable version that can fit more sizes. The Can Keeper 3-IN-1 holds three different sizes. (12oz, 16 oz and slim cans) Internal spring-loaded base allows for easy removal and secure for almost all can types. The lid is designed to keep the cold inside the can and the bugs and dirt out.

Cuisinart makes a portable gas grill that looks like and is the size of a picnic basket! The perfect outdoor companion for any excursion. Never go hungry on long boat rides again when you can make anything you want on this portable grill while staying on the water. The wooden lid doubles as a cutting board to prepare your food or use it as a crackers and cheese board to enjoy with some wine. Putting an imprint on this grill is sure to bring your brand name up in conversation over the heat of this smoking product!

Popl’s Popl Flat is one of the industry’s latest tech gadgets. It is a portable “business card” that attaches to the back of your phone like a pop socket. Tap your Popl to the top of a phone and it instantly shares your contact information. The receiving phone does not need to have a Popl or the app downloaded. This item is the perfect contactless business card! We are excited to welcome these new brands to the promotional products industry alongside our tried-and-true brands like Igloo, Coleman, Pelican, Nike, Adidas, Origio and many more. Contact your Bankers Promotional Consultant for more details and brands available.

We are excited to share our Fall Gift Guide favorites. We encourage everyone to place orders soon. Use our team’s top picks to suggest ideas for the special groups of people you want to celebrate this year!

Director, Sales Development Kevin Peska

Kevin:

#T309TS Portable 24-Piece Tool Set (pg.8) – How many times have you found yourself needing to make a small repair, but you don’t have any tools handy? If you’re like me, it happens more than you’d like. This kit is perfect because you can store it in a vehicle, your kitchen catch-all drawer, basement or garage. You won’t build a house with it, but it will fit the bill when it comes to minor repairs!

#HW96UK Chun Utensil Gift Set (pg. 12) – My wife is a realtor, so I always keep an eye out for items I think would make great gifts for her clients. In my mind there is nothing better than a kitchen item that will be kept and used for years to come (think of the advertising exposure). More and more people are gravitating to sustainable products, so you might want this bamboo set. Heck, you might want two, to use in your own kitchen!

#COA-Slate-XX 4-Pack Slate Coasters (pg. 12) – This is another item I’m recommending to my wife as a gift to present to new home buyers. Whether you’re entertaining, sitting around the table for dinner or working in your home office, most people have a drink. If they’re like me, they grab a napkin or paper towel to set it on. Step it up notch and protect your furniture with these awesome slate coasters.

Business Development Coordinator  Kristin Nalan

Kristin:

#JK-3830SL Silver Glitter Desktop Photo Frame (pg. 7) – This frame caught my eye because it has fun silver glitter. This desktop frame is acrylic plastic, so I would be comfortable having it on my desk at work or sitting on a shelf at home. My cat can bat at the glitter, my son can shake it – and my photo is safe. Giving the photo a shake at work could also be a nice stress reliever. You can also add a custom insert image. Great keepsake for their work desks or shelves at home. What a great way to make your clients feel special!

#8999 – Adult Coloring Book with Colored Pencils (pg. 7) – As we move from summer into fall, I think of rainy days sitting under a blanket, quietly coloring as I watch my favorite show on Netflix. This is a nice size book to carry with me or leave on an end table by the television. There is also something fun about opening a fresh coloring book. Both the pencils and the book come imprinted. It includes a sharpener and an eraser. Coloring is a great stress reducer. This would be a great gift to give your employees and show them that you care about them. One color imprint is available on the coloring book, and one color or full color is available on the pencil box.

#JK-9055 Swed-ish Dishcloth (pg. 12) – This new product intrigues me. Reusable, biodegradable and sustainable are all words I like to incorporate into my lifestyle without breaking the bank. This product is reputed to replace up to 15 rolls of paper towels. The price includes full color imprint. Just add your brand to a stock design. You can utilize the entire space with a custom full color imprint. Household and kitchen items offer daily brand exposure and repeated use.

#JK-1505 Air Plant (pg. 12) – Low-maintenance plant? Do I need to say any more than that? I love my garden, but my plants go into open revolt if I bring them inside. Melanie, Brenda and Joyce can grow a jungle on their side of the office, but not me. These words speak to my green thumb: “They require very little up-keep and are a nice green addition to brighten any setting regardless of the season.” This plant has my name written all over it and I would suspect there are others out there too that need a low-maintenance plant too. Perfect for any home office, school or desk with your brand on it.

Erica:

VP Sales Erica Gogel

#100714-XX Modern Sprout Tree Kit (pg.4) – This is my top pick from the Fall Gift Guide. I got one of my own and planted it. I have great news! I have two sprouts. Your brand on the bag for these Modern Sprout kits will signify you care about the earth. Modern Sprout is on a mission to help reforest the future—for every kit purchased, a donation is made to plant a tree. Tree Kits feature carefully selected seed types that will thrive in most parts of the country. The whole kit is environmentally friendly. Planting a tree, especially here in Iowa, is top priority after the Derecho from last August.

#OR2C Custom Pewter Ornaments (pg. 4) – I’ve always really liked the ornaments because of the continuity possibility. With all the manufacturing and printing capabilities available, the possibilities are limitless. You could do your building, logo, a new product or a holiday themed ornament. There is space on the back of most of the ornaments for a personal message. When you need to impress your clients with something substantial this ornament is the way to go. Create your own collector or annual series.

#HCB1 Hot Chocolate Bomb (pg. 5),  #17300E Duo-Tone Bistro Mug (pg. 22) – These two items from the Guide pair so nicely! Who doesn’t like hot chocolate? Especially as the weather turns cold for the coming winter. This Hot Chocolate bomb is not only delicious but an amazing food experience. Filled with delicious marshmallows, simply place the chocolate bomb in a mug, pour 10 oz. of hot milk over it and watch the bomb unravel before your clients’ eyes. Fast and easy, this hot cocoa recipe is sure to make you customer’s cold winter’s day much better. The Duo-Tone Bistro Mug’s copy is deep etched, giving it a more upscale look. This handy piece of drinkware is a perfect addition to any coffeehouse, restaurant, or home kitchen. It has a vibrant exterior with white interior with easy grip handle. Excellent for the holidays!

Our team loves recommending products for your company and is always happy to help! Click here to find the perfect holiday gift from our Fall Gift Guide!

Utilizing the Power of Promo

People around the world love promotional products and have been connecting with them for a very long time. In fact, the first known promo products were commemorative buttons from 1789 when George Washington was president. In 1886, Jasper Meek, deemed “The Father of Promotional Products,” started using burlap bags to promote small businesses.

With such widespread and enduring appeal, it’s no wonder that promotional products are so effective when it comes to creating exposure, engagement, and a lasting impact. No matter the size of your business, there’s nothing more powerful and effective than putting your brand in the hands of consumers or employees. Promotional campaigns are a personal, cost-effective way to help you not only reach your target audience but do so in a meaningful way that keeps consumers coming back for more.

October 20th is Promotional Products Work! Day, and we can’t think of a better time to celebrate the many ways promo products can help you to connect with your audience.

Let Us Count the Ways

So, how exactly do promotional products help brands get noticed and connect with customers?

You’re invited: Promotional products are the only advertising welcome in spaces and places that no other advertising medium can touch.

• Fun Fact: Promotional products are ranked the most effective form of advertising across all generations.

Surprise & delight: Customized, personalized, tech-savvy, and highly targeted promotional products are the No. 1 most effective form of advertising to inspire action.

• Fun Fact: Promotional products draw up to 500% more referrals than just a review.

Staying power: With more recall than all other advertising media, 90% of promo product recipients recall the brand and 80% keep items for over a year.

• Fun Fact: Consumers are 2.5 times more likely to have a positive opinion of promotional products over internet advertising.

Inspire purpose: Impact a highly targeted audience through a social, intellectual, educational, and entertaining form of experience and engagement.

• Fun Fact: Nearly 100% of consumers say they are willing to go out of their way to get a promotional product.

Get in touch: Promotional products are the only advertising medium that touches all five senses, and the only medium people can touch!

• Fun Fact: A single promotional item averages 344 impressions per month.

Let us help you make promotional products an integral part of your marketing today!

Our Fall Guide came out recently, and we hope you’re as excited as we are to peruse the new items and classic product trends of the year! We asked our team what their favorites are and here’s what they said!

#HAPPYWAX Outlet Plug-in Wax Warmer Kit (pg. 6) – This plug-in warmer comes in a nice box that includes one wax warmer and two scents. The silicone wax dish makes it easy to pop out the old wax and put a new one in. I think this item would be suitable for almost anyone. Who doesn’t like a soft scent in their home or office? With the low minimum of only 12 pieces, you can’t go wrong.

Sales Manager Melanie Lamb

#100927-100 R & R Sound Machine (pg. 6) – Looking for “something new”? Well, look no further, this is the perfect new gadget. Relax and unwind with 24 soothing sounds to bring calming energy to any environment. This sound machine includes 6 various white noise options, 6 fan sound options, 12 soothing nature and calm-inducing sounds such as crashing beach waves, the ocean, crickets, rain, thunder, birds and so many more. My grandson has something very similar to this that he has used since he was born. I make sure that when he comes to stay with me, the sound machine is the first thing they pack. It is awesome!

#BX910-XX Glidewrite Pens (pg. 18) of the Guide is by far one of my favorites. Not only does this smooth writing pen have a Techni Flo super-low viscosity ink for easy writing but it comes in 14 fantastic ink colors. The ink color matches the trim and latex-free grip. Match your logo color with the ink color for a little pizzaz.

#IT175 Light Up Your Logo Cable (pg. 13) – My charger that I loved finally bit the dust. I loved it because I knew when it was lit up, I had everything plugged incorrectly. The #IT175 Light Up Your Logo Cable caught my attention because the logo lights up when charging. It includes the USB-to-USB Type C, Duo 5-Pin Lightning and Micro USB Cables. It features a 10’ cord which is wonderful. I can plug the cord into the end of my couch and easily use my phone. The cable reaches to furniture nearby to set the phone on when charging overnight. Very nice piece!

Sales Manager Brenda Thurness

Great gift for those employees working from home.

#FB8103 Day Trip Lunch Bag (pg.21) – I chose this item because I was interested in seeing what it was like. This lunch bag is a bigger size with a top zip main compartment, two front pockets and a side mesh pocket. The size is very nice, and I love all the pockets. The #SM-2225 Wheat Straw Utensils to Go Set fits nicely in the zipper pocket. This would make a great employee appreciation or Christmas gift.

Since Holiday Season is just around the corner the two gift boxed items from Evans caught my eye.

#4970 Whistler Stainless Steel Tumbler with Gift Box. (pg. 23) – includes an 18 oz. Stainless Steel tumbler that is double wall vacuum insulated. It has a splashproof flip lid and is sweat-resistant. The tumbler is available in seafoam, black and blue. It keeps your drinks hot or cold for hours. The price includes a 1 color imprint on the top of the box which can be left-center, center, or on the flap and the tumbler comes with a one-color imprint on one side, two sides or a full wrap.

#2312 Bamboo Slide Lid Container Gift Box Set (pg. 12) – This Gift Box Set features two round salt boxes which have magnetic closure slide lids to ensure a tight seal. These would be perfect for storing spices in the kitchen, office supplies such as push pins, paper clips and rubber bands on your desk, or keeping bath salts near the tub. These come in a printed recycled gift box. The price again includes a 1 color imprint on the top of the box which can be left-center, center, or on the flap and laser engraved on top of the containers.

This set can be drop shipped. Contact us for more information!

Both sets would be ideal customer appreciation, employee recognition, years of service, or anniversary gift. The tumbler would also make a nice meeting gift.

Check out our Fall Guide here and contact us for more information!

Happy Promotional Products Work! Week, everyone! This week, the Promotional Products Industry is celebrating our advertising medium. Our goal is to inform the decisions of buyers to integrate with confidence promotional products into advertising, marketing & branding strategies.

Promotional products advertising is the one go to branding tool that delivers exposure, engagement and touches consumers like no other. There’s nothing more powerful and effective than having your brand in the literal hands  of clients and consumers.

Check out this sweet infographic. Can you believe these stats? Promotional products… the only medium invited into spaces & places other media can’t touch!

There are two observances in April that dovetail with one of my personal passions and a subject we’re dedicated to here at Bankers: copyright and intellectual property!

April 23 is the day designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as World Book and Copyright Day. It was chosen because the date is near the birth or death of a multitude of significant authors, including the deaths of both William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes in 1616 and the birth of Vladimir Nabokov in 1899. World Book and Copyright Day was established in 1995 to champion not just books but the copyright protections that guard writers and assure their fair compensation.

April 26 is World Intellectual Property Day, established in 2000 by the World Intellectual Property Organization to raise awareness of all manner of intellectual property (IP)—patents, copyright, trademarks, and designs—and to celebrate creativity and innovation. In 2019, World IP Day is focused on sports! Their Reach for Gold campaign explores everything from the way merchandising and licensing help offset the cost of massive world-wide sporting undertakings, such as the Olympics and the World Cup, to broadcasting rights and the ways in which fans engage.

Here at Bankers, we take intellectual property, including copyright, very seriously. Director of Business Development Joe Sheeley has an extensive background in licensing, and works closely with college and university clients, as well as working to develop new collegiate contacts, to make certain customers know how much we value their trademarks and how hard we will work to protect their IP.

Our order entry team is vigilant about questioning orders that may inadvertently violate copyright, including logos and taglines from smaller businesses that might veer a little too near established brands. And our larger corporate partners, from RE/MAX to Collins Aerospace, trust our attention to detail in ensuring that their brand standards are met.

Last, but not least… Our company program (online stores) team makes it their their job to ensure fool proof brand compliance through custom programmed Online StoreFronts that host company approved marketing tools for their brand ambassadors to easily order.

Copyright and IP are an integral part of the promotional products business. The ways that a company expresses itself, from slogans to fonts to Pantone colors, are key to its marketing strategy, and it’s our privilege to stand on the front lines of guarding that expression against theft and error. Bankers is proud to be a trusted partner to so many organizations that foreground their trademarks and brand standards. But we also pride ourselves on our dedication to protecting smaller businesses that are still ironing out the kinks or don’t know their options. It’s crucial for every business to be committed to protecting their own IP and respecting the IP of others—Bankers is glad to help!

Every marketer knows that consistent brand compliance is key to leveraging the equity of the brand. But when your company’s structure includes multiple layers such as departments, sister companies, franchisees, distributors, or dealers… all using, and possibly producing… marketing materials… things can get messy! How do you ensure your brand stewards are following your guidelines? Better yet… how do you achieve headache free brand compliance?

Here are some tips:

• Activate brand guidelines and circulate it company-wide. Provide your company representatives with marketing templates that address appropriate brand usage and common mistakes.* An FAQ is a great way to answer questions for the masses, and prevent an influx of calls or emails.
• Prevent the use of non-standard typefaces and colors by providing a brand-define pallet of colors and brand-approved (and properly licensed) set of brand fonts.*
• Require the use of brand-approved legal disclaimers and disclosure.
• Require the use of pre-approved (grammatically correct) content.

In short, a well-thought brand management program can help you to make true brand compliance the fastest, easiest way for your company representatives and brand stewards to get their promotions out the door. It makes marketing safe, reliable, and even fun—and could save you hundreds, even thousands, of hours per year.

We have been helping build brands through the use of promotional products for over 125 years. Our experts can strengthen, yet simplify your licensing and compliance programs in the following ways:

Protect

Our in-house brand manager is an expert in brand guidelines and trademark policies.

Partner

Your brand reflects your values, mission, products, services, team members and culture. Our goal is to work alongside you to become brand stewards so that the products we supply accurately represent your company. We strive to get to know you, your brand, and what you stand for.

Promote

We understand the time and effort it takes to fully evolve your brand. We provide promotional consulting, products and value-added services. When you make promotional products an integral part of your marketing, you can watch people grab onto your message.

We take your brand seriously and look forward to collaborating with you!

*source: Brand Compliance for Local Marketers | Pageflex | 4.5.19

Courtesy Promotional Consultant Today (pctodaymail.com) & Genevieve Trainor

When Promotional Consultant Today released their list of the biggest marketing trends to watch in 2019, the first thing that we noticed was that a good chunk of them weren’t even applicable to us here at Bankers! Tech buy-ins and advances like chatbots, voice and visual searches, and AI monitoring may be taking the marketing world by storm, but what the drive toward greater automation reminds us of is that, once again, our personalized, person-to-person service will soon be a rare treat in the marketplace.

As for the rest of the trends—read on! Here, we highlight their top five, and share how, working Bankers and with your sales partner, you can leverage them to help propel your business into 2019 and beyond.

A shifting marketing funnel. Instead of creating a marketing funnel that accepts anyone, move toward niche audiences. Contacting people and businesses who are interested in your products and services saves you money and time.

Bankers has a wide array of support available to help you make decisions about how (and what!) to sell to your target audience. Your sales partner can help you dig into the best promo for various demographics.

Content rises in importance. People crave phenomenal content. In the year ahead, think about how you can create articles or videos that inspire your audience, provoke their thoughts, appeal to their emotions, or excite them. Don’t just write a post to write it; craft a piece with a goal of getting readers to share and engage with it. When you do, you open the door for two-way communication, which ultimately helps you build trust.

Bankers can’t create content for you. But we can help you with creative content delivery! With great promotional items, the medium IS the message—but more than that, your sales partner can connect you with flash drives that we can have pre-loaded with information for you, notebooks and planners that you can add your own content to, VR devices that can send your customers on a virtual tour, and more.

Consumers pay more attention to security. People want to know how businesses handle their information, so ensure that your company’s security is thorough. In an era of hacks, leaks and theft, make sure to discuss your security with customers. What are you doing to ensure the safest business experience?

Well isn’t that a coincidence? Customers are concerned with security, and you can offer them promotional products to ease their fears. From webcam covers to RFID-blocking wallets and passport holders, promo is a wonderful fit with this trend, offering a great way for you to support your security initiatives.

A greater focus on Gen Z. Members of the second-youngest generation crave authenticity and prefer socially responsible businesses. As they get older, their buying power increases. Make sure your marketing reflects what matters to this group to best connect with them in 2019.

Not to worry: The kids are alright. Rising purchasers Gen Z (the oldest have been in the job market a few years or are just getting out of grad school) are socially aware, politically active, and ready to do business with someone they trust—and that someone could be you! At Bankers, we can find the best promotional products to support you in outreach efforts with items that are all recycled, all Made in the USA, or otherwise fit your corporate values that you’d like to express to your Gen Z customers.

Influencers become more personal. While celebrities used to dominate influencer marketing, consumers now lean toward their peers to decide what to buy. Instead of celebrity marketing, many brands are turning to real people (micro-influencers) because people trust individuals like them. To win at marketing in the year ahead, don’t keep doing what you have always done. Keep an eye on emerging technologies, methods and patterns to maximize your marketing efforts.

This is the best news yet! What marketing calls “micro-influencers” we call your current customers. All it takes is more active use of what’s always been your best marketing tool: word of mouth. Promotional products are a perfect way to support that—your branded products are the perfect opening for the customers who love you to sing your praises to friends and colleagues.

Source: Deep Patel (A Paperboy’s Fable: The 11 Principles of Success); Compiled by Audrey Sellers