Corporate promotions closely follow retail trends in all categories. When it comes to electronics, a great way for corporations to be consistent with hot trends and still maintain their budget, is to tie into accessories for the devices. This year at the CES, it seems the major trends are refinements of ones we have seen for the past year. For example here are 5 trends from the show as reported by our partner Lapine, Inc.
CES #1 Tablet PCs
Over 17 million sold in 2010 and with new entries from Dell, Motorola, Samsung and Blackberry to compete with the iPad, there are many new options and price points. Newly introduced tablets: Blackberry Playbook, Samsung Sliding PC7 and Samsung Galaxy Tab

These will be great offerings for trade show prizes and gifts. Accessories for tablets and iPads are a great way to capitalize on the trend and still keep within your budget. For example, skins from Skinit®, cases and easel/stands from a variety of sources, as well as other products to protect and personalize the tablets.

Trend #2: Full HD 3D TVs
There are more options in HD TVs. There will be greater availability of 3D content and therefore more television options will follow. These can make great corporate prizes for events or incentives for sales or performance. A high ticket gift is always a great way to drive booth traffic at trade shows.

Trend #3: Eco-Friendly Technology
Electronics that use less energy, offer alternative power sources and yet offer more features.
For example: Eton American Red Cross TurboDyne series of AM/FM radios with hand cranks, optional battery/AC power sources, USB ports, phone chargers and LED lights.

Eton Soulra XL, the only solar powered sound system for iPhones and iPods that charges devices as the play.
IDAPT’s Eco charger charges two mobile devices, but have an auto-shutoff feature.

Trend #4: Wireless Connectivity
For example: plasma tvs that can use wi-fi to access programs like Twitter, Skype, YouTube, Pandora, Netflix and more.

Trend #5: Multi-Device Charging
These were introduced late last year…charging “mats” or “pads” to charge multiple devices simultaneously. Some charge via the flat surface and simply place the devices on it; some come with charging ports. These are already available in the promotional market. One example shown here: http://www.leedsworld.com/products/item/?item=1691-34

While many of these items are at price points higher than corporate budgets may allow, look for lower cost alternatives to emerge in the promotional market. And, definitely use the accessories category now to help protect, maintain, personalize and enhance enjoyment of the various devices.

ASI, the Advertising Specialty Institute recently released its 2010 product survey which indicated the more popular promotions of 2010.
See the top 10 here:
1. Writing instruments (owned by 46 percent of U.S. respondents)
2. Shirts (owned by 38 percent of U.S. respondents)
3. Calendars (owned by 24 percent of U.S. respondents)
4. Bags (owned by 23 percent of U.S. respondents)
5. Caps/headwear (owned by 16 percent of U.S. respondents)
6. Desk/office/business accessories (owned by 16 percent of U.S. respondents)
7. Food items (owned by 12 percent of U.S. respondents)
8. Glassware/ceramics, including mugs (owned by 11 percent of U.S. respondents)
9. Health and safety products (owned by 9 percent of U.S. respondents)
10. Jackets/hoodies/sweatshirts/fleece (owned by 4 percent of U.S. respondents)

Also noted in the study, the cost value of promotional products as an advertising tool:
According to ASI promotional products “are more affordable than most other types of media; they have a cost per impression of $0.005, which is lower than prime-time TV ($0.018), national magazines ($0.045), spot radio ($0.058) and newspapers ($0.029). Only billboard and Internet advertising are cheaper, with a cost per impression of $0.002 and $0.003, respectively.”

For a downloadable PDF of the study: visit www.asicentral.com/asp/open/Research/impressionsstudy/2010.aspx

Continuing from last year, be sure that inventory is available when you are placing corporate apparel orders. The factories cut back on inventory production, which sometimes makes event availability an issue (depending on the garment). The takeaway: waiting until the last minute to order for an event could be problematic; plan ahead!

Color trends emerging: military (olive, tan and khaki) are popular, along with accents of bold jewel tone colors, such as purple, deep red and teal.

Expect to see a growing number of men’s and women’s companion styles for corporate wear, for a better fit and overall look.

Lifestyle gifts are a great tie-in with the festive holiday mood. From wine openers and toppers, to bamboo coaster sets, to leather ID tags, golf kits, drinkware of all types, you can find something to meet your budget and your clientele. The key is to know what is the “latest” version of these gifts, so it becomes your clients’ “new favorite.” Bamboo is popular in every category from frames to USB to pens and even apparel. As a very renewable resource, it’s a great complement to a “green” marketing campaign. A few lifestyle examples:

[caption id="attachment_88" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Ceramic Tumbler with Colored Silicone Top & Wrap"][/caption][caption id="attachment_83" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Engraved wine topper"][/caption]

Technology gifts are always hot; this year all things iPad top the list. Accessories and cases in all sizes and price points abound. [Silicone, leather, microfiber and more.] Most cases have a large available branding area. Also popular: charging pads for electronic devices, Skinit promotional skins for any electronic device. The graphics are gorgeous and the skins do not leave a residue if removed. Bluetooth head sets and other accessories are good choices. Here are just a few images:

[caption id="attachment_73" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Skinit Promotional skins custom for any device"][/caption]

Myth #3: No on will remember the gift anyway…Maybe once you ordered cookies and they arrived stale; or once you found a “bargain” on mugs online, only to discover there was a reason for that bargain…

FACT: Choosing the wrong gift is very common and very avoidable. You must make choices that reflect the caliber of your company and your clientele. If at all possible make sure it is a useful, functional gift that the client will use (not toss to their kids). Remember this gift can help keep you top of mind and top of the list when those first deals and projects of the new year are awarded by your clients.

Check back in the coming days for hot trends in gifts this year.

Myth #2: There is plenty of time. (it’s not even mid-November, after all)

FACT: Not true! Selection, in-house approvals, availability, production and delivery can take longer this time year. It is much better to begin the process now, put your orders in by the first week of December for the best results.

Inventory is not as plentiful, orders take longer to produce because of volume, and delivery takes longer the last 2-3 weeks of December. The time is now!

Myth #1: It’s too costly. Companies think it is too costly, especially in this economy.

FACT: Client appreciation is a vital business practice, now more than ever! And it does not have to cost much.
Do you know the cost of gaining a new client vs. retaining a good one? The difference varies by industry, but is estimated at 6-10 times more costly to secure a new client. When you thank a client for doing business with you, YOU get noticed. For the same reason you may think it is too costly to thank them, clients can just as easily shop around for service or vendors. It IS worth the investment to show appreciation to clients.

See Myth #2 tomorrow

If you missed my latest webinar yesterday about the dual benefit of client holiday gift giving, you may view it on the following gotowebinar link. http://insurancewebinars.com/graziano/webinar.html
Showing appreciation for your valued and valuable client relationships is a vital business practice, now more than ever. When you choose your client holiday gifts be sure to choose wisely so you are top of mind when the first business of the new year is conducted.

In the webinar I addressed 3 misconceptions about holiday gift giving and 5 in-depth tips for making the best and most productive choices for your company’s gifts, including over 50 suggestions in a variety of price points, even at the cost of a card!

Denise Graziano’s comments and insights are part of Alex Palmer’s “15 Sales Myths Busted” article, linked here:

http://www.asicentral.com/asp/open/content/content.aspx?id=4976

15 Sales Myths Busted
Advertising Specialty Institute
Denise Graziano, president of Graziano Associates, has found that pursuing clients and referrals within the industries she is already serving …