Seize the Moment Blog – Promotional Products and the Swine Flu

Porky Pig? OK, he’s the least offensive image that relates to the swine flu. Yesterday I walked a promotional products trade show with the boss. I watched her stop at a both that sold healthcare products. She took a number of hand sanitizer samples and put them in my tote bag. What do we need these for?

Me, well I am not the brightest bulb in the chandelier. On the drive home she explained that with the recent outbreak of the swine flu people were going to be much more aware of flu prevention health habits. Obviously this was a perfect time to help our clients promote their brand and affix the message that they care by sending a very useful product that is impeccably timed to this global event.

This is guerrilla marketing at its best. When you can speedily seize a moment and at the same time do something that is genuinely smart and helpful, you have a winning combination.

Chris and the team have a bunch of sanitizer type products to show you. They are not even on the web site yet. Call us at 888-344-6060 and we can help you react quickly to this opportunity.

Earth Day 4-22-2009

I wake up and remember it’s Earth Day.

Shorten shower time by 20% - Check.
Add coffee grinds to compost pile - Check.
Put newspaper in recycling container - Check.
Order organic lawn fertilizer on-line – Check

Got it. Lot’s of behavior to modify to modify at home but what about the office? The other day we came across a really interesting product called the Eco Button. It’s a USB device that is connected to your PC that very visually reminds you that your system is drawing current. Any time you leave your PC you tap the Eco-Button and it puts the system in a hibernate mode.

When you return you tap the Eco-Button and your system powers up instantly. The added benefit is that the software computes your savings in carbon units, dollars saved and power saved. The super bonus is that you reduce your energy consumption immediately.

This product is an interesting blend technology, measurable energy savings and it sends a powerful message. We are enabling several of our PC’s at MCM to test the Eco – Button. How will it work with data back up, what are the savings and is it reliable?

Interested? Give us a call at 888-344-6060 and we will let you know how the test is going

Put On a Happy Face

“Gray skies are gonna clear up, put on a happy face.” You may remember these lyrics from a Broadway Show in the 60’s. The tune’s message is as relevant now as it was 49 years ago. Whether you are running a local HR program or a global marketing campaign, we are convinced that putting a smile on someone’s face is critical.

We just did a broadcast announcement introducing our Blog. The first 50 people to sign up and become a follower were promised a gift. I just dropped a box off at the post office stuffed with this outrageously funny looking fellow seated atop of a pen. Push on his head and he blurts out an adorable thank you message.

Associating one’s brand with a smile is basically priceless and we have a bunch of ways to help you accomplish this. Just give us a call at 888-344-6060 and tell us what your project is all about and we will do our best to affix a smile to your message.

I have a few more of these guys on my desk. Drop me an e-mail at ken@mcmproduction.com and let me know why you need a smile. I’ll pop one in the mail next day.

Cheese Burger in Paradise

As innovative as we try to be, it amazes us year on year how much of our business is still in basic apparel, mugs, pens and water bottles. When a client is happy and successful in this comfort zone we work with them and offer some new and exciting variations on the theme.

Not too long ago we had one such client. They were very comfortable and successful in sending their message with Tee Shirts. Their core business was workman’s compensation insurance. Corporate marketing made a decision for them to enter the food and restaurant market and had selected a major trade show to kick off the new strategy.

Our client needed to stand out in this large show yet wanted to stay with their comfort of Tee Shirts. We contacted one of our favorite suppliers who helped us design a custom packaged Compressed Tee in the shape and dimensions of a deluxe cheeseburger.

The packaging stole the show and our client had prospects lined up waiting at the booth. Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce, special orders don’t upset us at MCM. If you want to take your Tee Shirt promo to the next level we can show you how. Give us a call at 888-344-6060. I keep one of these on my desk and I still can’t figure out how they fit the shirt inside the burger.

Where's My Wind Turbine?

On 3-22-09 I blogged about MCM and how we have been doing the “green thing” for a while. Some of our raised consciousness is the direct result of being raised by parents and grandparents who lived simple lives and were all affected by the Great Depression.

Even if you exclude the controversial topic of global warming it does not take long to realize that our planet’s resources are limited and they need to be conserved. Last week we wrote on our large idea board, “Green is a way of life and not a program”. This made us commit to looking more intensely at our business and personal practice. We give ourselves pretty good grades but we believe there is more than we can do outside of building a geodesic dome and moving off the grid.

This week we converted all of the KW Hours that MCM uses and purchased wind power credits. The added cost is nominal and it is a step in a major shift in our nations need to transition to sustainable energy. However, I just really want to know where my wind turbine is so I can look at it. They really look cool.

We have been adding more content to our Green Page and we would like to have you visit it to see what is new and exciting in green promotional items. I feel like I am stealing Chris’ show. Give her a call to hear about a great way to recycle PVC banners and turn them into tote bags and other useful products. She’s really stoked: 888-344-6060