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.

Polyprop Eco Bags

You may come across eco friendly bags, being proudly described as non woven. That’s all very well, but what the deuce does non-woven PP actually mean. For those without a chemistry degree, non woven polypropylene is a fabric that is manufactured from polypropylene gas which is a by product of oil refining.

These promotional bags are lightweight yet strong, these bags are made to last and used again and again. Like my Mother in law, they’ll be an old bag for life so to speak. Unlike my Mother in law, if you decide you no longer want it, they can easily be recycled.

The beauty of promotional eco shoppers, is that they’re available in vivid colour options, which is something that many eco friendly promotional products lack. I personally like the natural shades that eco products generally arrive in, but with ecoproducts2order and Gift Selection, they like to give their clients as much choice as possible.

Eco friendly promotional shoppers are ideal for corporate trade shows for two main reasons. Firstly the bags have a great branding area, with the potential for it to be seen by thousands of people. Secondly the polyprop bags are very strong, which is just as well for when your picking up all those brochures, and other bits and pieces.

So if you want to market your organisation along eco friendly lines, at your next corporate trade show, speak to the friendly teams over at Gift Selection and Ecoproducts2order.

Printed Porcelain Mugs

The Mecca of printed mugs has revamped its website today – take a look at their lovely new site here.

So what’s new in the world of printed mugs? The Mugstore is now pushing their printed corporate gift sets more then they done in the past. These up-market sets are great for organisations large and small, and will give a really smart corporate feel to one’s business.

These printed business sets are made from porcelain, which is a material there really keen on over there. They have a new range of printed porcelain items, which they’re hoping will sell well to the hotel industry.

Printed porcelain items are especially ideal for chains of hotels, since they’re more hard wearing then regular earthenware. Their printed porcelain mugs, saucers and bowls in this range even carry a ‘five year side chip’ guarantee!

If you fancy buying some smart cappuccino printed mugs, made from some lovely porcelain to have in your own office rather then low cost giveaways, give the friendly team a shout over at The Mugstore.

Gambling Sector Promotions

The biggest industry that buys promotional products outside of the public sector, is the gambling sector. Poker, bingo, sports betting you name it, there are promotional products out there representing them.

Promotional poker chips, branded snooker balls there are all sorts of unusual promotional products out there that Gift Selection can supply. We recently quoted on a very large order for some promotional travel mugs of all things, not the first thing I would recommend for a book keepers, but then again – why not?

It wasn’t a great day for the bookies on Sunday, as a massive £2 million was staked with online giant Betfair on Italian clubs Chievo and Catania finishing level. In the end, seven firms suspended betting by last Thursday, but they had to pay out on bets beforehand.

David Williams of Ladbrokes, said: “We saw a lot of money for the draw and decided to pull the plug”. One gambler made the good point of “the amount of money was unbelievably high for two teams in their position. Neither is exactly a household name here and the game wasn’t even televised.

Sales Promo News

You want to know what’s going down in the world of sales promotions this month? Well I’ll let you know!

Hovis is running a £5 million marketing campaign, including money-off coupons to support the news that its loaves are now made from 100% British wheat. Advertisements run for six weeks from the beginning of February, with each ad ending with sandwich cut into eight pieces to create a Union Jack shape. Clever. In addition to TV advertising, there will be heavyweight consumer press advertising with money off next purchase coupons – you know, if you need the dough? (Sorry).

What else can I tell you?

Menswear magazine GQ is running an exclusive promotion with Kurt Geiger gift card, ready loaded to spend in any Kurt Geiger boutique around the country; In addition ten randomly selected cards have been pre-loaded with £1,000.

While…

Disaronno, the Italian liqueur, is launching as on pack promotion with the chance to win one of five weekend breaks to Verona. If you fancy looking round Romeo & Juliet’s old stomping ground, with £500 spending money, the competition will run across 80,000 bottles until the end of March.

Finally…

Milkshake makers FRijjj is using augmented reality technology (still not sure what that means), as part of its latest integrated campaign, which also includes a competition offering customers £40,000 worth of instant prizes. Presumably this isn’t £40,000 worth of milk shake based prizes!

Branded Ear Plugs

Here at Gift Selection we can supply many everyday promotional household items, that aren’t necessarily big sellers, but they’re always there for a niche client. One item which may unexpectedly started flying of the shelves are branded ear plugs. Why would such a random product like branded ear plus suddenly become popular?

X Factor finalists John and Edward Grimes e.g. ‘Jedward’, have switched record labels and signed to Universal. Their music mogul manager Louis Walsh said; “I know they still have a great career ahead of them. The boys have a sell-out tour in Ireland that they start straight after The X Factor Tour in April.” he added.

The twins divided X Factor fans and the British public in general, when they made it through to the final twelve, despite a complete inability to sing in tune - or even in time with each another. Their antics haven’t gone unnoticed even in Westminster, when David Cameron opted to buy their t-shirt and has said they were his favourite in the competition. This story was espiecally noteworthy, as it is particularly unlike David Cameron to try and cash in on any media opportunity, and is famous for shying away as much as possible from PR stunts.

St Patricks Day!

Today is St Patricks Day, so let’s all celebrate our Irish neighbours, by going into our city centres, getting blind drunk and ending the night one of two ways; getting arrested for assault or getting arrest for criminal damage. Hooray!

Everyone associates green with the Ireland, and Ireland with green. Originally however, the colour associated with Saint Patrick was blue. Green ribbons and shamrocks were worn in celebration of St Patrick’s Day as early as the 17th century.

He is said to have used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pre-Christian Irish, and the wearing and display of shamrocks and shamrock-inspired designs have become a ubiquitous feature of the day. All was not well, as in the 1798 rebellion in the hope of making a political statement, Irish soldiers wore full green uniforms on the 17^th of March in hopes of catching attention with their unusual fashion!

In the past Gift Selection has provided many promotional items, spreading businesses messages far and wide on St Patrick’s day. There are plenty of clover shaped items available as family giveaways, such as branded clover stress balls, branded clover T shirts, even branded clover shaped pencils!

While for adults, there is a great selection of bar themed promotional items available. Branded bottle openers, branded pint glasses, branded coasters – even branded cocktail shakers can be bought from Gift Selection.

Promotional Easter Products

If you get your skates on, you can still have some promotional Easter items in time, for well Easter.

Promotional confectionery items lend themselves to the Easter season, as we all celebrate Jesus Christ rising from the dead, by gorging ourselves on cheap chocolate eggs, decorated with rabbits.

It’s a bit weird when you think about it isn’t it. Although we have it much easier then in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, where rather then treating themselves to a bit of chocolate, and if it’s a nice day, roll some eggs down a hill for a laugh with their family, they have a tradition of spanking or whipping each other on Easter Monday. In the morning, men spank women with a special handmade whip called a pomlázka (in Czech) or korbáč (in Slovak), or, in eastern Moravia and Slovakia, throw cold water on them.

Anyway, quality promotional confectionery supplier Sweets2order, can offer a wide range of eye catching Easter promotions to show off the softer side of your corporate identity. One my favourite Easter promotional items, is the loveable promotional Lindt bunny branded with your very own full colour message!

Branded Clothing

Promotional clothing can be a bit of a mixed bag, with some less then chic designs on the market. However there are some well known brands available, which you’ll recognize from the High Street too.

Some quality distributers like Gift Selection, can even supply promotional clothing from American Apparel. American Apparel is the largest clothing manufacturer in the United States, and has found its way into the better of the UK High street.

It is best-known for making basic cotton knitwear such as t-shirts and underwear, but in recent years it has expanded - to include leggings, leotards, tank tops, vintage clothing, dresses, pants, denim, bedding and accessories for men, women, children, babies and dogs!

There are not many businesses that can offer American Apparel clothing, branded with your own corporate message. Gift Selection can take all the hassle out of organizing quality corporate clothing, which will guarantee your staff will be looking smart. If you want to market your organization with promotional clothing, using American Apparel branded clothing will ensure your corporate identity remains clean and contemporary.