Data Protection Laws

Branded USBs are a big seller in the promotional products world, I’d be prepared to bet you have one yourself in your home.  In the cut through, hard nosed, corporate world, USBS have in some cases become a victim of their own success. How many USBs or even computers has organisation lost in the last year? It should probably be more of a concern then you think.

Sanctions for non-compliance with data protection laws, will be clamping down on lax organisations this month. The Information Commissioner’s Office can levy fines of up to £500k for series data security breaches e.g. failing to encrypt data on portable devices. Watch out, they can also conduct audits on whether data processing complies with best practise and issue enforcement notices. Employers must have appropriate security systems in place, with consistent processes for sharing sensitive information!

As well as supply promotional USB sticks, Gift Selection can supply a range of extra secure USBs, designed to be used with particular sensitive date. If you need a branded USB with a number lock on, or even one with finger print recognition technology – you know who to call.

New Antibacterial Pens

Pens2order have just added a brand new antibacterial pen to there range of promotional writing instruments, which is sure to become a talking point within the promotions industry.

Their antibacterial pen is a combination of the best Anglo-German technical and manufacturing expertise and has taken two years to develop, undergoing rigorous research and testing. The active agent is UV proof and water-insoluble, scratch and water resistant. Plus the active agent in this promotional pen will not adversely affect the skin when in direct contact.

The active agent has been tested against the most virulent bacteria and viruses to the following standards; BS EN20645, FDA, BPD, HSE, FDAS, EN71/3 & EN71/9. As soon as the pen comes into contact with bacteria it begins the process of destroying them through starving the nutrients. On the majority of surfaces, bacteria will flourish and be easily transferred, not so with the Antibac pen.

The pen is great for promotional means, as the antibac pen can be screen printed in multi-colour. The active agent is also present in the printing inks used for branding to ensure the antibacterial effect is not compromised!

New Branded Hand Sanitisers

The latest branded product from Gift Selection is our new alcohol-free waterless Antibacterial Hand Sanitisers! Not the most glamorous of promotional products I admit, but a very sensible one!

The use of hand sanitisers has always been encouraged in the health care sector as they are better than washing with soap and water. The reasons being is they KILL rather than remove micro-organisms. These new promotional alcohol free ones are kinder to the hands (aww), but are not very kind to nasty germs and bugs. These useful promotional hygiene items are great for large organisations in general, but especially useful for schools and prisons, as well as for people who are unable to use alcohol-based products (I don’t mean alcoholics).

Don’t worry; we don’t just supply any old promotional tat you know. These promotional hand sanitisers have been approved to British Standard EN1500, and kills 99.98% of all known bugs and germs. Branded hand gel is available in standard 50ml, 150ml and 250ml bottles and in a variety of colour ways. These attractive branded bottles look a lot nicer then carrying a bottle of Dettol in your hand bag.

Minimum order quantities apply, but let our friendly team know if you require a sample, quote or visual on our branded hygiene products.

Promotional Piggy Banks

Despite swine flu unexpectedly sweeping the world and record unemployment levels, promotional piggy banks are still selling well. The loveable promotional piggy bank from Gift Selection has actually sold out, but it will be back in time for Christmas.

If you can’t wait to get your hands on the Gift Selection branded piggy bank – then fear not – there are alternatives from www.promostore.co.uk. Ceramic branded piggy banks are available in smart silver finish, or as an attractive painted finish too.

A promotional piggy bank makes for a fun promotional product for children especially, and gives out a great responsible message. Available in both blue and pink and from a low minimum order quantity of 100 units, branded piggy banks aren’t a typical promotional product – but defiantly something quirky, affordable and attractive that can be used in both the home and the office.

This country needs the younger generation to have a goof sense of fiscal responsibility! With confidence in the global banking system at an all time low, a branded piggy bank may be a better alternative then your regular current account. If you have any questions about branded piggy banks, then contact the friendly team over at Gift Selection who will be happy to help.

Pacquiao V. Hatton

Ricky Hatton’s light welterweight fight with Filipino Manny Pacquiao is almost upon us. Boxing fans have only until the 2nd May of to wait until the show down in Vegas’ MGM Grand casino. Pacquiao (30) is widely considered to be the world’s best pound for pound boxer, especially after conquering is idol Oscar de la Hoya back in December.

Things are just as tense out of the ring as they will be in it. There will be love lost between the colourful character of Hatton’s trainer Floyd Mayweather Senior, and Freddie Roach trainer of Pacquiao. The typically confident Mayweather said;”They’ve got Roach in the Hall of Fame.” He should be in the Hall of Shame” and “Freddie Roach is a joke. And that’s why I say his name is Freddie ‘the Joke Coach’ Roach as far as I’m concerned.”

If you’re in need of letting out some frustration but don’t have a boxing ring handy, you could always use some promotional stress items. Giftselection and Promostore are to quality promotional products suppliers who can source any kind of stress ball you like. Even if your business needs something really quirky, completely bespoke promotional stressballs are no problem.

If climate change is getting you down, then a globe stress ball is for you. Similararly if you’ve lost thousands in the property market- how about a house stress ball to take the edge of it?

Introducing the Cyber Clean

The ‘Cyber Clean’ is the latest little promotional wonder from gadgets2order. The Cyber Clean is a high tech super absorbent material, designed to clean your favourite gadgets like cameras, phones and keyboards.

The handy promotional Cyber Clean, cleans cavities where conventional products would get stuck. A computer keyboard can be the dirtiest place in your home, and many of us spend most of the day touching it. As well as absorbing dust and finding dirt, the Cyber Clean will: “improve the performance of your keyboard.”

With the promotional Cyber Clean no hard scrubbing is required, simply press it onto the surface and the Cyber Clean will do the rest. It’s always nice to have a fresh keyboard, where as the opposite can be very unpleasant and off putting.

Admittedly the Cyber Clean is a little of the wall for a promotional item, but I would have thought it was something every office worker would appreciate having on their desktop.

Promotional Calculators

Promotional Stress Balls

Promotional stress toys are available in a wide range of fun shapes and eye catching designs. Practically any business could find a promotional stress ball that would be perfect for them. Medical stress toys have always been popular, and are perfect for a wide selection of business.

As a nation we more stressed as ever, so there has never been a better time to invest in some promotional stress balls. A study last year reported in the European Heart Journal studied more that 10,000 British civil servants. It was found that those under 50 who reported their work as being stressful were nearly 70% more likely to suffer from heart disease.

A heart shaped promotional stress ball makes for a really effective marketing tool during a health awareness campaign. The heart shape is great for any business linked with an active life style such as gyms and spas but also for health food shops as well. Likewise a tablet promotional stress ball is great for pharmaceutical companies. This makes for an especially effective marketing tool as stress can often lead to illness.

Eye catching promotional stress balls are great for the medical industry as they interact with people in a fun way, but can highlight serious issues at the same time. If a council or charity was running a campaign to do with mental health, a promotional stress ball in the shape of a brain would be absolutely perfect. Also difficult topics like STD’s could be tackled by giving out sperm shaped promotional stress balls.

Of course promotional stress balls could be suitable for any industry, I have just highlighted one in particular here. If you’re looking for a particular promotional stress ball, Giftselection can find it for you. We can even create a specially designed promotional stress ball – specially commissioned to your exact specifications. For a fun, bespoke and cost effective marketing idea, promotional stress balls make a great choice.

Under Pressure?

 Promotional stress toys are available in a wide range of fun shapes and eye catching designs. Practically any business could find a promotional stress ball that would be perfect for them. Medical stress toys for example have always been popular, and are perfect for a wide selection of business.

A heart shaped promotional stress ball makes for a really effective marketing tool during a health awareness campaign. The heart shape is great for any business linked with an active life style such as gyms and spas but also for health food shops as well. Likewise a tablet promotional stress ball is great for pharmaceutical companies. This makes for an especially effective marketing tool as stress can often lead to illness.

Eye catching promotional stress balls are great for the medical industry as they interact with people in a fun way, but can highlight serious issues at the same time. If a council or charity was running a campaign to do with mental health, a promotional stress ball in the shape of a brain would be absolutely perfect. Also difficult topics like STD’s could be tackled by giving out sperm shaped promotional stress balls.

Of course promotional stress balls could be suitable for any industry I have just highlighted one in particular here. If you’re looking for a particular promotional stress ball, Giftselection can find it for you. We can even create a specially designed promotional stress ball – specially commissioned to your exact specifications. For a fun, bespoke and cost effective marketing idea, promotional stress balls make a great choice.

Coasting Along

Promotional coasters are available in all shapes, sizes and styles, any business should take a moment to work out which promotional coaster would be perfect for them. Promotional coasters can be roughly separated into two groups; ‘hard’ and ‘soft’. Hard coasters tend to give off a professional air, creating a feeling of quality towards your business. While soft coasters, have the advantage of being able to be transported. Printed coasters can be made out of; cork, glass, plastic, wood and metal, the best one will depend on the nature of your business and the individual style your looking for.

If your business is looking to market themselves down the eco friendly route, then promotional coasters provide an ideal opportunity for this. One could have a promotional coaster that is made from recycled CD cases, recycled glass or one that started life as your old car tyre.

Remember the idea of a promotional coaster is that it will actually be used – so it should be hard wearing enough to cope with the stresses and strains of having your cup of tea on it all day. Also printed coasters shouldn’t be boring – Giftselection can even create a completely custom promotional coaster unique for your business.