As we head into an extended election season we also head into Spring.  What this means is some of the fundraisers and other gatherings will begin to take place outside as the weather warms.  With all the time and energy being spent on the campaigns it is clear we have reached a saturation point with the normal fare of giveaways.  To spice it up try something different and give something that will have some staying power.

 

We've recommended the colorful Leeds Enzo Duffel because it offers two of the most popular colors used in political type promotions.  It is also in the price range most campaigns can afford.  Stepping it up a little the Gemline Vertex Large Sport Duffel costs a few bucks more but is huge and again comes in red and blue which accurately reflect party colors.  With so much money spent on these promotions it really does make sense to try and give something that actually may get used beyond a week or two.  How many bumper stickers can somone have and they really have lost there marketing punch.

 

Of course recycled items continue to be hugely popular.  The Aladdin Ecycle Tumbler rapidly became one our top sellers but we have yet to sell it to a campaign.  To be honest we are not sure why with recycling and green issues being so prominent you would think that it would become an instant hit.  Turning the page the Chill and Grill Outdoor Kit costs quite a bit more but makes a perfect giveaway for larger donors.

 

One of the things that surprises us this season is with every record smashed for political fundraising how little is being given back to the communities.  Sure they are still doing their political shirts and bumperstickers but we would have expected to see some promotions that were given to schools whether it be simple bottles, jotters or even pens.  As far as we can tell and have heard none of that has occured to this point in the election.   We have a few months left and one entire party is sitting on the proverbial sidelines so maybe things will change as we approach November.

 

Well it is probably getting close to decided that Senators McCain and Obama will be going head to head this fall.   Between now and then it is a long summer in which we will be deluged with promotional messages for one candidate or the other.  Instead of giving your constituents the same old ugly bumper sticker why not give out a nice Gemline Piccolo Cooler Tote with your candidates name on the side.   These are great little items for those on a budget and with vivid colors they carry a message well.   Throw in the Gemline Notable Flip Jotter  and you are giving your voters both a pen and a jotter.   Slip in a business card or volunteer call sheet and you have the perfect canvassing tool for those going door to door. 

 

 

Stories or non-payment are all over the media the past week or two from one of the top political candidates.  Campaign officials deny that there are vendors going without payment and state that all vendors are being paid.   But for many of those vendors getting paid five or six months after the fact puts their financial affairs in tough shape.   Whether you are selling promotional items, books, or even food make sure you get paid in advance.

This probably goes for just about any business as the economy tanks.  Things are bad and are getting worse.  They should get much worse in 2008 making it imperative you prepare now for an extended downturn.

NAFTA comes up in almost every political debate but does anyone realize how many other trade agreements have been signed that are more important?  The USA- China WTO is among one of the more important.  With all the lead toy incidents the world should now know the real problem agreement separates the USA by an ocean not a river.

 

I am a salesman dealing in wholesale distrubution of logo items for companies that sell direct to businesses.   These companies are called distributors and there are almost thirty thousand of them in the USA.  Unforunate for many of them is their diehard devotion to keeping things they way they have been for decades with a supplier distributor relationship.   The suppliers no longer make anything it is all imported from source factories in the Far East.  Each hop along the way adds to the cost when in reality the relationship could now cut out the middlemen.   Some of the larger distributors like the old Nelson Marketing are going direct and putting the profit in their pockets.  Some other firms have announced plans to offer products direct soon.  One of my customers has grown by focusing on a brand or two like Leeds totes. But there is a cost as this firm is giving away shipping and stamp charges to make up for the pricing structures achieved by those going direct.   They would be better served by cutting out the middlemen entirely and doing their own importing exporting.   The problem these companies have is maintaining quality because as we found from the lead paint contamination quality standards are not fantastic.   Many of these same firms report that green items are flying off the shelves which has irony as most of these green items are made overseas and shipped at great carbon costs across vast oceans. 

 

The short story is NAFTA is the wrong focus point we need to nail down future trade agreements with the Far East and put in place agreements and standards.   With the technology now advancing a whole new wave of smaller firms will go overseas and that will introduce another whole set of potential issues.