Earth Day is April 22, 2011

Yes the official Earth Day is almost here, but every day should be celebrated as earth day. As a society that is the world’s largest producer and consumer we have a responsibility to help sustain out natural resources and our planet.

Sustainability is more than just a word in our corporate culture but a way of doing things right. People don’t stop consuming and promotional marketing is still one of the most cost-effective ways to tell your story and get your brand out there. Not only that but promotional campaigns yield some of the highest ROI in marketing. Since the promotional media has the ability to touch on every emotional and price level we too are striving to do this with our planet in mind.

Special biodegradable papers with seeds embedded not only provide long-term branding appeal but it is good for our environment. Call us for ideas and choices to fit any direct mailing or event budget.

Also ask about our complete line of products made from 100% USA Grown Corn. These products look great, are useful, do not use traditional petroleum-based plastics and are biodegradable naturally. From mugs, letter openers, health-care items and more the choice is easy. New this year we also have products made from natural wheat and potato.

Think of us for all your promotions that are good for you, your client and our home.



Contact Bruce Felber 330-963-3664 x 2 for all the details.

Make People Ask For Your Card

You walk into a meeting of five people, and the instinct is to immediately hand them your business card. Don't do it! Why? Because they didn't ask for it. Promotional Consultant Today shares these strategies for making people ask for your business card

Let me explain why that's important. What happens when we give out our business card before someone asks? We announce: This is what I am doing. And maybe even: I want you to buy from me.

By giving out our business card when people don't ask for it, we put ourselves and our businesses in the spotlight-- this might be gratifying for our egos, but it's not good for our positioning.

"Get in touch with me when you need me" is a weak attempt to get someone interested in our product or service. Although most people will politely accept the card, they will seldom, if ever, call.

But that doesn't mean that you should leave everything to chance. Think in terms of earning the right to be in people's contact lists. This way you will be asked for your business card, which is an entirely different situation. As a result of your extra efforts, people will also keep your card, and maybe even refer to it instead of trashing it with the others they receive unsolicited.

First of all, strive to become a person that attracts others. That's very simple. It begins putting other people in the spotlight instead of ourselves.

Another necessary skill is active listening. Like it or not, people are much more interested in their own lives than in ours. And they love others who are genuinely interested in their plans, desires, headaches and values. If you encourage them to talk, you will be amazed at how quickly they will reciprocate and ask: "And what do you do?"

Isn't this a nice prompt for handing them your business card?

My favorite is asking for their card first. You simply say "Gee, this really sounds very interesting-- let's make sure we stay in touch. May I have your business card?" Usually this prompts them to say "Sure, and may I have one of yours?" It is that simple. And what if they don't ask? I do not offer mine.

Now, when I have their business cards, I also have permission to contact them. And that allows me to take the initiative, so most of the time I immediately follow up with a personal note and this time my card will be enclosed in the same envelope. Of course, that doesn't mean that person is going to call me. It doesn't mean that she will want to do business with me right away--quite the contrary. Most of the time it will take a lot more follow-up than that one note. But it is a pretty good way to begin a relationship, don't you agree?



Source: Wanda Loskot is professional speaker and business coach for small business owners and self-employed professionals who love what they do, but hate selling. She offers free business strategies, marketing tips, teleclasses and other valuable resources.

Reprinted with permission from Promotional Consultant Today and PPAI.

Commercial Bowl XLV - Dissappointing

Every year the Super Bowl commercials get a lot of hype. So much so that there was a 1 hour special on CBS Friday night about the best Super Bowl commercials. I of course watched it. After getting a sneak peak at some of this year’s commercials, I was mildly disappointed. They showed a handful so I thought, there must more – perhaps they didn’t show the best of the best?

With that in mind, I watched the commercials with an open mind. All in all, I was very disappointed. While I’m going to give a recap of my top 10, only the top 4 deserve a round of applause. Here is the recap compared to USA TODAY’s Ad Meter (UTAM) rankings:


1. Pepsi Max – Love Hurts (#5 on the UTAM): Not only did this commercial have enough humor to keep me laughing but it stayed on target with Pepsi’s message – Zero calories.



2. Doritos – Pug Goes for Chips (tied for #1 on the UTAM): In typical Doritos fashion, this ad is full of humor and has you wanting Doritos.

3. Pepsi Max – Torpedo Cooler (#24): During the few seconds of this commercial, my living room full people all sighed with “aw,” and then a huge burst of laughter. Pepsi did it again with laughter and a targeted message.

4. Volkswagen – Young Darth Vader (#3): I tweeted (@MichelleSeeber) this ad on Friday and still loved to watch it again. It was sentimental, had humor and who doesn’t love parents playing tricks on their kids? While this is my FAVORITE commercial, as a marketer I had to bump this down on my list since the only thing we’ll remember is the tiny Darth Vader and not the name of the car company.



5. Budweiser – Wild West (#16): I thought this was a great commercial – what better way to remind you of Budweiser than the Clydesdales, a bar and the song “Tiny Dancer.”

6. Bridgestone – Reply All (#11): Funny and clever however the message tying it to Bridgestone didn’t really do it for me.

7. Bud Light – Dog sitter (tied for #1): This was cute but I don’t think it deserved to be tied for #1.

8. Coca-Cola – Border Guard (#10): I feel like this spot was an old standby with a new situation and people. It was still well done and left you with that share-a-Coke-feeling.

9. E-trade – Baby Gets a Suit (#15): This was another solid commercial by E-trade. It weaved in the fact that they have helpful customer service, its easy to use and how well someone can do when using E-trade.

10. Verizon – iPhone Coming (#46): I thought this commercial deserved a better ranking by UTAM. It was simple and hit the target with identifying a pain from prospects.


Honorable mentions: Snickers (#17) , CarMax (#23) , Telflora (#30), Careerbuilder (#6), Pepsi Max’s first date (#7) and Chevy Cruze (#51).


A few commercials that just didn’t sit right:

1. Doritos: Grandpa (#4) and licking the finger (#14) were a little too strange for me. The gross factor just didn’t do it.

2. NFL (#8): It was so exciting to see all the old shows but what a let down at the end when we saw it was an NFL commercial.

3. Eminem does a commercial for Lipton (#50) about how he doesn’t like to do commercials. While this is done well, Eminem is also in another commercial for Chrylser/Detroit (#44). If I was Chrysler, I’d be pretty upset that its star person just ranted about not doing commercials.

4. Chevy: all your commercials before and probably after the Super Bowl with Tim Allen as the voiceover have got to go. While I like him as “Santa Claus,” his voice is too distracting for a car commercial. His voice reminds me of “Home Improvement” and all the movies where he is a humorous guy. It’s just not working...


That’s it for this year’s recap of Super Bowl XLV… let’s hope the commercials in Super Bowl XLVI are better!


Feel free to comment and let us know your favorites and who missed the mark.

A Sweet Deal to Show Your Love

Wow! What a start to 2011. This should be a year of renewed energy in marketing by evidence of the current activity in the marketplace. I said I would report from our national convention held in early January, but so many new campaigns have prevented me from writing until today.

As promised here is a brief run down of what we can expect this year.

1. This will be the year of complete interactive marketing. Marketing that will transcend current methods without giving up on the techniques of the past. Look for more information about QR Codes, Search Engine Management and my favorite “Dimensional Direct Mail”.

2. Increased awareness for the environment as evidence by the growing number of “GREEN” products and services.

3. More online offers and specials with as little as 24 hour service

4. Increased public relations strategy for the recovering business to business environment.

I will get into more detail in the future posts. For now here is a great offer - Want to show your clients how much you love their business? How much you care? Then why not “Share the Love” with a custom branded food gift that will excite their senses and keep you top of mind. Here are a few examples.

Custom Hershey’s Kisses


We will print your logo or copy and affix to each kiss. Perfect to handout at meetings, trade shows, client visits and as a leave behind.


Custom S’mores Kisses Kit


Kits contain graham crackers, Hershey’s Kisses, Marshmallows, Toasting Sticks and a custom, printed insert with your logo and copy.

Want to know how successful food promotions can be? Take photo with your smart phone to activate the QR Code with your smart phone code reader.



Or visit here

For detailed information call Bruce Felber 330-963-3664 x 2 or email: brucefelber@felberandfelber.com

2011 may have some challenges, but we are ready to meet them and help our clients achieve their marketing expectations

2011 Starts off with new and exciting ideas

Now that you have all recovered from the holidays, crazy weather patterns and the year-end push it is time to renew your creativity.

Let us all go into the new year with a positive attitude with conviction. Ask yourself the following:

Can I do more to help my clients?
Can I be more creative?
Can I look for new ways to market my products and services?
If you don't answer YES to these questions, then ask yourself what are you really doing?

2011 should be the hope of new markets and new trends. Jump on now as it may be a fast moving train.

I will be traveling to our industry's annual convention in a few days and the pre-show vibe is high. This year look to re-gain marketing programs that are sure to turn some heads. I will report on new services, products and trends during the week-long convention, so check back next week.

Here is something to get you stared. NEW promotional products have just been added. Click here and go to the NEW tab.

For more information visit all the pages here.

Look forward to a bigger, brighter year.

Bruce Felber, MAS.

Are you much cooler online?

Are you more like Jason Alexander in Brad Paisley’s hit country song and video “Online” or do you let your true self appear online? In the song/video, Alexander sings about changing his appearance, occupation and wealth via his online alter-ego. With the explosion of any medium such as social media, also comes the inevitable claim of “experts” that pledge to increase your reputation and presence online. While there is much truth to search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM), the later being a pay-per-click option, I would caution you to monitor and control how much of your company brand you allow to be created by outside consultants.

Let’s face it, LinkedIn, Twitter and FaceBook are just not that hard to use. The danger is not as much in identity theft and spam message (simply do not click on anything you do not recognize, just like that old communication method called email) as in the impact these services have on your brand. Who are you entrusting with your image?

Think of your brand as a person. Your brand and identity is much more than your logo, web appearance or the design your company brochure. What would your brand do or say in a particular situation? How would Southwest Airlines react to controversy vs. General Electric? Whether you are a startup or a well-established company, your brand is your identity. So, why would you let someone pretend to be you or a representative from your company? You just might end up with “Peggy” the bearded, clueless and very male credit-card customer-service representative. Thickly accented Peggy works for "USA Prime Credit" in a snowbound shack in the middle of nowhere. While the commercial for Discover highlights the outsourcing of customer service, you could end up with your own Peggy.

Your clients and prospects know you, your sales and customer service staff. They experience your brand at every interaction. They will also know if your social media is not inline with that brand. By all means, seek help in creating your online presence. It is a key component (not the end all) of your marketing plan. But, in the end, it should be you and your staff posting and responding to web interactions. If you trust outsiders like a certain player’s “decision” it will stink to high heaven. The result could be a brand crash harder than any pro golfer or would-be champ could resurrect. Find your own champions in your organization and give them a voice. You will be amazed at how much it sounds like you.

Rob Felber

Happy New Year Reminder

2010 is almost behind us and we are all looking forward to a new year filled with new and exciting challenges.

Before it is loo late don't forget to place your order Happy New Year cards. Still time for last minute orders. Click here for selection.

I will be reporting (as time allows) from the annual PPAI Convention and Trade Show the week of January 10th. I will try to give you a sneak peak of new marketing ideas and products. Keep challenging us and yourself and 2011 will be a great year.

Happy Holidays to all.

Bruce Felber, MAS*


* The Master Advertising Specialist (MAS) certification is awarded to promotional marketing professionals who have completed education requirements demonstrating exemplary commitment to their profession. MAS recipients are recognized for providing the highest standard of conduct, integrity and professionalism to clients. Only 1% of all industry practitioners have attained this prestigious designation.

Promotional Gifts of the Season (9) - Last minute gifts

Waiting for the lines at the mall to thin out? Too busy to think about the holidays? Well we have an answer for you. We have last minute capability to handle those classic food gifts in branded wooden containers, carving boards and baskets filled with a variety of nuts, candies, cheeses and meats.



We still have One Day and Two Day service available, but hurry time is running out.



Just give me a call to see what can be done.

Bruce Felber, MAS
330-963-3664 x 2

Promotional Gifts of the Season (8) – Branded Personal Assistance

Looking for a unique gift experience? Do you want something that will be talked about for a long time? Look no more because we have the answer.

Branded Personal Assistance will make your recipients feel very special. These cards offer a team of live branded personal assistants who provide callers with anything at anytime from anywhere for an experience of a lifetime.

Since the holiday season is all about helping others then why not offer the gift of help. Personal assistants can offer everything from driving directions; weather and road conditions, restaurant and movie help and even make those hotel reservations for your client. Imagine a service that can offer help for just about anything anytime and carry your personal message greeting and brand image. We can even dress this up with a holiday theme. And you can change your personal greetings after the holidays.



For more details read this post.

If you have already purchase your gifts then this is also a perfect add-on that will last all year. We can give you a 5 day turnaround just in time to say Happy Holidays.

For more details or price contact me at 330-963-3664 x 2

Bruce Felber, MAS

Promotional Gifts of the Season (7) – Soft & Warm

This season surprise your clients, family and friends with special personal gifts. Gifts they can wear, wrap around, carry and use for years.

Our special "Season of Giving Holiday Gift Guide" has the finest wearing apparel, bags, blankets and accessories from quality trusted brands. Brands like OGIO, Red House, District Threads, Port & Company and Columbia. These items can be purchased blank or with your own brand/logo.




For a free catalog email me at brucefelber@felberandfelber.com or view here online.

Give gifts that celebrate and appreciate.

Questions call 330-963-3664 x2

Bruce Felber, MAS

Promotional Gifts of the Season (3) - Greeting Cards UPDATE

In my post from October 31st I wrote about the value of sending "Thank You" greeting cards to your clients. I spoke about our wide line of Business to Business greeting cards for all occasions.

Here is a true real-life story. On November 17th I was asked if there was still time to place an order for customized Thanksgiving cards and could they arrive in time to be mailed. I checked with production and two minutes later the reply came back, "Is this afternoon soon enough?". The order was placed around 10:30 am and was shipped over night. The next morning I checked with UPS and they had been delivered by 9:00 am. I called my client who told me they arrived and she was already addressing the envelopes.

Now we turn our focus to the main Holiday Season, We have a large selection of Holiday and New Year Greetings Card ready for personalization. You can add your logo to any of our cards and even print the envelopes. See our selection of cards and calendar cards here. Place the order now so you have time to address and mail to your clients and friends.



For other ideas visit or blog and promotional sites.

Contact me for any questions or for more information at 330-963-3664 x 2.

Bruce Felber, MAS

Promotional Gifts of the Season (6) – Crystal & Glass

One of the most popular gifts for the holiday includes glass and crystal items. This category always carries a high perception of recognition and thanks for their beauty.

Whether an artistic show piece or useful items such as a serving piece, beverage ware, and paperweight these gifts bring warmth to every setting and event.

We carry a wide variety of glass, crystal and specialty gifts and feature many combination and custom sets. See some of the many items here or visit for other ideas.


Looking for that special touch? Ask about our Waterford® Lead Crystal products including holiday gifts and ornaments.



Call 330-963-3664 x 2 to help you choose the right item to meet your holiday gift budget and don’t forget these make great ‘thank you’ gifts for your employees.

Bruce Felber, MAS

Promotional Gifts of the Season (5) – Books

Are you looking for a gift that will be cherished, shared and handed down? Then consider one of the oldest inventions of the ages. I am talking about books. Books that inspire; books that educate; books that give us pleasure and books that take us to the outer reaches of your imagination.

Books are personal and help us connect with the past, present and the future. A crafted book is not just something that will sit on a shelf, but can be a centerpiece in any room. That is why coffee table books are so popular. After all Kramer on Seinfeld did develop a coffee table book with legs. Seriously consider this a unique gift for clients, employees and family. We take it one step further with custom covers, inserts promo pages and cover imprints. Books may contain your logo, inspiration or thank you letter or theme related copy to remember any event or anniversary.

We have books in almost any category, price range and size. We can search out a title or you may choose from the hundreds of stock titles from the best selling authors, educators, motivators and photographers.

A gift of knowledge and communication is timeless and your recipient will remember who and when they received this wonderful gift.




All good books are alike in that they are truer than if they really happened and after you are finished reading one you feel that it all happened to you and after which it all belongs to you.
- Ernest Hemingway


Call me at 330-963-3664 x 2 for any additional questions or to help create your custom gifts for those special clients.

Bruce Felber, Mas

Promotional Gifts of the Season (4) - Wood Beauty

Nothing has the long-lasting beauty of fine wood. Perfect for any gift and promotion, crafted wood products are well received and appreciated. Wood gifts can be conversation pieces and functional items or just great decorations and wood lasts forever. When you add a laser engraved logo and use in combination with glass, leather or brass you create a timeless piece that will carry your good wishes to all those who are lucky to receive such a fine gift.

We use a USA manufacturer of environmentally friendly wood products exclusively for the Promotional Products industry. The line contains over 150 standard catalog items and custom products are their specialty. The hardwoods used are harvested from professionally managed forests and receive only eco-friendly stains, HAPS compliant finishes and other environmentally responsible materials.



Call me at 330-963-3664 x 2 for any additional questions or to help create your custom gifts for those special clients.

Bruce Felber, Mas

Promotional Gifts of the Season (3) - Greeting Cards

Want to catch your clients when they least expect it. Send them a beautiful personalized Thanksgiving greeting card. Our full line of Business to Business Greeting cards are the prefect way to share any special occasion, holiday or thank you.

By sending a card for Thanksgiving you can express your thanks for all the business you have received during the year. Get the holiday started right and view all of our greeting cards here.

Cards carry your message with an artistic front cover will be cherished and create good will now and all year long.

Call me at 330-963-3664 x 2 for any additional questions or to help create your card.

Bruce Felber, Mas

Promotional Gifts of the Season (2.2) - Food Gifts 2

I thought I would add to last week's installment number two of Promotional Gifts of the Season. I said, “A way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” well it is also the best way to thank someone special.

Take a look at one of the most popular items. THE WOODEN BOX. These custom wood branded items carry a message for the end of time. Boxes can be filled with a variety of chocolates, nuts and special treats. Many combinations can include crystal and glass dispensers to fit every budget.

For the latest in chocolates, nuts cookies and more just call me at 330-963-3664 x 2 and I will select the prefect gift designed to fit your budget and taste.

Look for our next installment on custom business to business greeting cards.

Bruce Felber, MAS

Promotional Gifts of the Season (2) - Food Gifts

Welcome to installment number two of Promotional Gifts of the Season. It has been said “A way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” and it is also a way to your customers heart. This issue contains a recipe for your success.

FOOD GIFTS. So why are food gifts so popular? Why at the holidays are they so appreciated?

In advertising and marketing the best way to be remembered and create a “wow factor” is to employ all the senses in your promotion or gift. Nothing works better than a food item. The reason? A food gift touches the sense of taste, smell, touch, and sight. People always remember from whom they received that special gift and nothing is more shareable than food gifts. Food gifts make you smile and spread to more than just the recipient. Because many food gifts are shareable it is the prefect way to say thank you and show appreciation to your customers and employees. Talk about ROI - you touch more people and garner more positive and longer lasting goodwill with the correct food gifts.

But that is not all. Food gifts can be used as a unique way to transmit your message and reinforce your brand. A clever design or unusual package will create more attention and spread to multiple people allowing the best use of the gift. That perfect tin, wooden box, cutting board, Lucite or glass bowl will also serve as a keepsake reminder long after the impact and splash from the first opening, scent, taste and smile.

For the latest in chocolates, nuts cookies and more just call me at 330-963-3664 x 2 and I will select the prefect gift designed to fit your budget and taste.

Look for our next installment of Promotional Gifts of the Season.
Bruce Felber, MAS

NAPA Know How

I don't usually pick on too many commercials, well at least publicly that is. But this certain commercial just makes me embarrassed for the company!

NAPA has been running a series of commercials featuring people singing about NAPA's Know How. Granted me being in Cleveland and not the demographic for these commercials, I haven't seen any of their singing commercials all year - even the ones with celebs. Regardless, if you're going to running a spot like this during the Phillies playoff games, then it better be able to stand on its own.

The only video I was able to find has the sound cut off for the beginning... don't worry, you'll get the idea by the end.



Its so corny that it makes me cringe. Even my husband turned to me and said something about how its strange. What do you think? Did you see the other commercials from earlier this year?

~Michelle

Promotional Gifts of the Season (1) - Calendars

This is the first of many articles on the merits of promotions, gifts and advertising this time of the year. Many companies look to reward customers and employees and say thank you and what better way than a personalized gift that will evoke memories for a longer time. My series will focus on products and services that offer choice, variety of price points and different delivery avenues sure to be fit every need.

Calendars. Why are they so popular even in this electronic age? First a brief history lesson*

Calendar advertising has a rich history dating back to the 1850's when The Ketterlinus Lithographic Manufacturing Co. of Philadelphia began printing calendars that contained advertising. Promotional wall calendars became even more popular as printing technology improved. In 1878, Andrew and Jacob Geiger opened a printing shop in Newark, NJ and began printing advertising calendars, fans, posters and other paper ephemera.

Calendar advertising became increasingly popular in the late 1880's, thanks to the efforts of two enterprising Ohio newspapermen, Jasper Freemont Meek and his competitor, Henry Beach. They were fierce competitors, and between them, they figured out how to put ads on a myriad of items from aprons, hats and a wide variety of household items. They even invented the classic metal trays advertising colas, which are now prized by antique collectors.

Two more newspapermen, Thomas Murphy and Edward Burke Osborne, both of Red Oak, IA, are credited with inventing art calendars that became immensely popular in the late 1880's. Like Jasper Meek and Henry Beach, they needed new business to keep their presses busy and bring in additional sales. Osborne printed a watercolor of the new Red Oak courthouse on cardboard, printed advertising around the painting and added a calendar pad. It was a huge success.

Until then, nobody had thought to place attractive art on calendars. The two men purchased fine photographs and paintings from a variety of artists and improved their printing capabilities to include 3-color printing. By 1894, Murphy and Osborne employed a total of 94 people, including 14 traveling salesmen and printed an estimated three million calendars.

At the end of 1894, Murphy sold his interest in the business to Osborne, who moved the company to Newark, NJ to be closer to art and business centers in the New York metropolitan areas. Osborne then seized upon a new printing technology - letterpress printing - to produce calendars of the highest quality. The resulting success of those calendars allowed him to set up printing plants in Toronto, London and Sydney, Australia.

*Special thanks to John J. Robinson - marketing consultant with specialties in print advertising and promotional products.

The benefits of calendars even in our electronic communication society are the same as when they were first introduced -- Advertise to a larger audience 365 days a year. When you consider the fact that a good wall calendar is viewed at least once a day the cost per contact is just a few cents. That figure can be even less when you look at the “sphere of influence” factor. How many people come into your office, store, warehouse and home that are also subjected to the ads? Artwork on paper is still a higher perception than a monitor and many people save these photographs.
For the latest in 2011 calendar selection visit our site. Looking for a custom calendar? Just ask as we can design and produce something unique. Call me at 330-963-3664 x 2 for more information.

Look for our next installment of Promotional Gifts of the Season.
Bruce Felber, MAS

Want Higher Recall with High Reach?

If you want your clients and prospects to remember your firm or organization longer and get higher ROI, then you must see this video.

We specialize in higher returns and recall with our signature "Dimensional Direct Mail Programs". Call for details. 330-963-3664 x2.

Bruce Felber, MAS