News at JP’s

The new 2011/2012 Promotional Directory was been released with great response from our clients. With hundreds of promotional product ideas for up-coming events, it is a must have Marketers guide to promotional products and corporate gifts. With Christmas not too far away this is a great guide to help with finding that unique gift for client’s and staff. Contact your Account Manager for your free copy.

Tips from JP’s – Indent Orders

Indent orders are orders made directly with an offshore manufacturer (JP’s regularly completes indent orders for clients). They are a fantastic option for clients with high quantity and long lead times that are seeking to lower the unit rate.

Standard lead times (on most promotional items) are 10-12 weeks via sea freight from artwork approval or 8-10 weeks via Airfreight. Non-bulky items, such as USB’s, can be completed in a shorter time frame.

Minimum order quantities do apply and this varies depending on the product. As a general guide, polo shirts via an indent order can be as low as 150 units, caps - 144 units and bags - 500 units. Generally, promotional items via indent order start at around 5000 units however, this is dependent on the product.

Quality – In most cases, the product that is available off-the-shelf here in Australia is made by the same manufacturer when ordering via indent, this helps with maintaining quality control. In some instances, an alternative manufacturer may need to be sourced to meet specific product requirements or deadline requirements. If this is the case, JP’s will only use trusted manufacturers with solid relationships.

Pre-production samples of customized products can be made so that clients can observe the quality themselves or make any final amendments prior to the full production run. Please note: If pre-production samples are required this will extend the delivery time.

What is – Product Placement (embedded Marketing)

Product placement is a form of advertising where branded goods or services are placed in a context usually devoid of ads. This can include movies, news programs, tv shows, music videos and sporting events.

Product Placement dates back to the nineteenth century when Jules Verne published the adventure novel ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’ (1873). It is said that the shipping and transport giants lobbied to be mentioned in the story when it was published in serial form.

Movies are the most recognizable medium for product placement and there is a long list of brands associated with movie and television series such as the 1995 James Bond movie GoldenEye, where BMW’s Z3 sales surged after the movie claimed top spot at the box office.

An interesting twist on product placement is the “reverse product placement” where a company takes a fictional setting and creates it in real life. In 2007, 7-Eleven re-branded 11 of its American stores and 1 Canadian store as “Kwik-E-Marts” (from the TV Show The Simpsons) and sold real-life versions of products such as Buzz Cola and Krusty-O’s Cereal to create public attention.

Product placement can be an effective medium for large, recognizable brands that are trying to convey a message and affiliation with a particular event, person or situation. As Marketers continue to find new and innovative ways to embed the message of their products into our minds, product placement is certainly a space that is growing as new channels continue to emerge……think….the Internet! (Source: Wikipedia)

Industry News

Australia’s largest showcase of new products from suppliers at the Australian Promotional Products Association (APPA) Convex was held in Sydney on 18-19 August. All 207 Supplier/ Manufacturers booths sold out earlier in the year in less than 48 hours! Hundreds of new and funky promotional products are now available along with dozens of new corporate clothing lines.