News From the Bullpen » Awards

Bullpen Wins BBB Customer Service Award

suzi.senna — Thu, 05 May 2011 14:31:51 +0000

Houston (May 5, 2011) – Bullpen Marketing was recognized once again at the annual Better Business Bureau Awards (BBB) showcase on May 4, 2011. The company was honored for the forth year in a row with the Award for Excellence: Winner of Distinction award for their dedication to customer service, team-involvement and charitable work. The BBB enlists a strict set of criteria when judging which includes evaluating the company’s willingness to give back to the community, ability to resolve problematic customer service issues and drive to inspire employees to better themselves in the course of their work.

Bullpen Marketing has always been dedicated to customer service and community involvement. In 2010 alone, Bullpen donated design services, time and effort into various non-profits such as Unite For Life-Houston, Red Collar Rescue, Glam Girls and Steps For Students. “Putting our time into causes we believe in just makes us a stronger team. It’s always a win-win,” says Colin Hageney, President of Bullpen Marketing.

About Bullpen Marketing: Bullpen Marketing is a Houston-based marketing firm that offers many services ranging from print and web design to promotional products. As a fully integrated marketing agency, it specializes in helping companies and schools improve the way they promote the value of their products and services. Core areas of expertise include strategic planning, branding, academic and web marketing. Its clients range from elementary schools to Fortune 500 corporations. Founded in 1997, Bullpen is one of Houston’s fastest growing marketing and promotional products companies with both local and national accounts. Bullpen is the preferred supplier for the American Marketing Association. Other clients include the National Association of Stock Plan Professionals, NACE International, and the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Bullpen is a member of the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), American Marketing Association (AMA), Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), and the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA). Learn more at www.bullpenmarketing.com.

Bullpen Marketing named AMA Marketer of the Year Best in Category winner

admin — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 17:43:55 +0000

HOUSTON (February 1, 2011) Bullpen Marketing has been recognized as the top Houston marketing and communications services firm during 2010 by the American Marketing Association’s Houston Chapter. The Marketer of the Year 2010 Best of Category winners were determined by a vote of AMA Houston members combined with votes from a distinguished panel of local marketing practitioners and educators. Over 200 companies, organizations and institutions were nominated.

The Best of Category winners will be honored at the Marketer of the Year event on March 7, 2011 at the Alley Theatre during which the 2010 Marketer of the Year will be revealed.

“The Bullpen team is thrilled to be recognized as the best-in-class marketing and communications services firm in Houston,” adds Colin Hageney, Bullpen Marketing President. “Our customers have come to expect exceptional results from us and we deliver on that promise. This award is further proof that Bullpen delivers the ROI our clients are looking for.”

This year’s Marketer of the Year keynote speaker is Matt Biespiel, senior director, Global Brand Development, McDonald’s Corporation, who will speak on How McDonald’s Builds and Leverages its Brand.The 2009 Marketer of the Year,Blinds.com, will be on hand to announce this year’s winner. Prior winners include Kelsey-Seybold Clinic (2008), the Houston Zoo (2007), Weatherford International (2006) and the Houston Symphony (2005).

For more information about AMA Houston’s Marketer of the Year, visit . For more information about Bullpen Marketing, visit bullpenmarketing.com.

About AMA
AMA Houston is the area’s premier professional marketing organization and the nation’s second largest chapter. AMA Houston provides marketers the ability to remain competitive in today’s business environment through networking events, special interest groups and real-world educational programs. Named Chapter of the Year five times in the last seven years by AMA’s international headquarters, AMA Houston serves 1,100 members with diverse marketing expertise from a variety of industries.

About Bullpen Marketing:
Bullpen Marketing is a Houston-based marketing firm that offers many services ranging from print and web design to promotional products. As a fully integrated marketing agency, it specializes in helping companies and schools improve the way they promote the value of their products and services. Core areas of expertise include strategic planning, branding, academic and web marketing. Its clients range from elementary schools to Fortune 500 corporations. Founded in 1997, Bullpen is one of Houston’s fastest growing marketing and promotional products companies with both local and national accounts. Bullpen is the preferred supplier for the American Marketing Association. Other clients include the National Association of Stock Plan Professionals, NACE International, and the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Bullpen is a member of the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), American Marketing Association (AMA), Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), and the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA). Learn more at www.bullpenmarketing.com.

Bullpen Marketing Receives 2010 BBB Pinnacle Award

admin — Wed, 05 May 2010 18:00:04 +0000

Houston (May 5, 2010) – Bullpen Marketing was honored with the prestigious 2010 Pinnacle Award at the annual Better Business Bureau Awards (BBB) showcase today. The award is the BBB’s highest honor. The company was recognized for the third consecutive year for their dedication to customer service, team involvement, and charitable work. The BBB uses a strict set of criteria when judging award entries, which includes evaluating the company’s willingness to give back to the community, its ability to resolve problematic customer service issues, and its drive to inspire employees to better themselves in the course of their work.

Bullpen Marketing has been dedicated to customer service and community involvement since its inception in 1997. Within the past year, the company has sponsored numerous events for non-profit organizations such as the American Cancer Society and the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Bullpen has also donated marketing and design work as well as time and funds to many different causes including Catholic Charities’ Young Professionals Group, the Spirit of Charity Gala, Glam Girls and Steps For Students just to name a few.

“This is a great honor for our team who strives constantly to find more ways to offer value to our clients”, says Colin Hageney, President of Bullpen Marketing. Hageney adds, “The road to exceptional customer service is a never ending journey at Bullpen Marketing.”

Bullpen Marketing Client Named Marketer of the Year in Education

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:22:24 +0000

Houston (February 18, 2010) – St. Pius X High School, a long time client of Bullpen Marketing, has been recognized as the top Houston education (elementary/secondary) marketer by the American Marketing Association’s Houston Chapter. The 40 Best of Category winners were determined by a vote of AMA Houston members combined with votes from a panel of local marketing and business leaders and educators.

“We’re very proud of our ‘Start Here. Go Anywhere.’ Campaign,” said Donna Pollard, O.P., and head of school at St. Pius X. “Not only has it had a favorable impact on our admissions, but it has also positively raised awareness about St. Pius X High School and its place among Houston’s secondary schools. We’re honored to have been recognized by the Houston chapter of the American Marketing Association.”

“Partnering with St. Pius X on their marketing has been an exciting and rewarding journey,” said Colin Hageney, president of Bullpen Marketing. “From the development of their award-winning brand to receiving the top marketing honor in education, we are truly proud of these recognitions.”

Bullpen also received a Crystal Award in 2007 for the redesign of St. Pius X panther mascot.

A panel of marketing leaders from outside the Houston area will review information submitted by category winners to select the 2009 Marketer of the Year for Houston, which will be announced at the March 15, 2010, event at the Alley Theatre.

About AMA Houston: AMA Houston is the second largest American Marketing Association chapter in North America, with more than 1,000 professional members. The organization is dedicated to providing educational and career-building resources along with superior networking opportunities for marketing professionals.

Bullpen Honored for Excellence in Promotional Campaign

admin — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 15:24:58 +0000

Las Vegas (January 13, 2009) – Bullpen Marketing, a Houston-based marketing firm, received a 2010 Pyramid Nominee Award from the 52nd annual PPAI Pyramid Awards Show in Las Vegas. This was the company’s fourth Pyramid Award received in three consecutive years. The ceremony, hosted by the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), recognizes the best promotional product marketing campaigns around the world.

“Creativity and effectiveness are key to winning this much coveted award,” said Steve Slagle, CAE, PPAI president. “As these winning programs illustrate, there is no limit to the application of a promotional products program.”

As a winner in the “Not-for-Profit” category, Bullpen Marketing was recognized for a project it developed for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston’s Cathedral Centre — called “Co-Cathedral Crosses.” The Co-Cathedral Crosses project converted a problem of having excess building materials into much needed renovation funds. Leftover limestone from the construction of the Co-Cathedral was carved into 1,000 limited edition crosses. They were offered for sale to the Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral parish and the public as a special reminder of the church. In addition, a small, unnumbered paperweight was sold at a lesser cost. Of the campaign, Gwenne Buck, Facilities and Project Coordinator of Cathedral Centre said, “The result of the project has been wonderful. People have purchased the crosses as keepsakes (not just for themselves but also to give as gifts for occasions such as graduations, baptisms and weddings). Interest has spread beyond the Houston area. We have shipped crosses to other cities and states.”

Bullpen Marketing has won in several categories over the past three years including “Goodwill” and “Tradeshows & Exhibitions.”

Bullpen Marketing Named Finalist for International Award

admin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:00:13 +0000

Houston (November 11, 2009) – Bullpen Marketing, a Houston-based marketing firm, was named a finalist for the 2010 Pyramid Awards, hosted by the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) and to be presented on January 13 during The PPAI Expo 2010 in Las Vegas. The PPAI created the Pyramid Awards to honor the best promotions around the world. Bullpen was named a finalist for the Pyramid Awards in the category of “Not-for-Profit Programs” for a special project with the Cathedral Centre.

The Pyramid Awards recognize companies that demonstrate creativity and effectiveness in the use of promotional products. Bullpen Marketing is the only company from Texas to win a Pyramid Award three years in a row. Colin Hageney, the president of Bullpen, said, “Getting international recognition for the work we do for our clients is awesome. The Cathedral Centre project was one of those feel-good projects our team rallies around and we’re proud of the results.” Gwenne Buck with Cathedral Centre agreed, stating, “We thank Bullpen for their creativity and support of this project.”

Bullpen Wins BBB Customer Service Award

admin — Tue, 12 May 2009 04:47:59 +0000

Houston (May 11, 2009) – Bullpen Marketing was recognized once again at the annual Better Business Bureau Awards (BBB) showcase last Wednesday. The company was honored for the second year in a row with the Award for Excellence: Winner of Distinction award for their dedication to customer service, team-involvement and charitable work. The BBB enlists a strict set of criteria when judging which includes evaluating the company’s willingness to give back to the community, ability to resolve problematic customer service issues and drive to inspire employees to better themselves in the course of their work.

Bullpen Marketing has always been dedicated to customer service and community involvement. In 2009, the company has not only participated in a drive that brought hundreds of stuffed toys to children, but also dedicated marketing and design work to various charities and dedicated time and funds to many different causes. “Putting our time into causes we believe in just makes us a stronger team. It’s always a win-win,” says Colin Hageney, President of Bullpen Marketing.

The BBB award comes on the tail of an already good start for Bullpen Marketing, which includes the win of two Pyramid Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada earlier this year.

Laufman Appointed to International Board on Professional Development

admin — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:20:03 +0000

HOUSTON, TX (January 5, 2009) – The Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) recently announced that it has chosen to appoint Bullpen Marketing’s Lauri Laufman to its Professional Development Committee. An industry veteran and native Houstonian, Ms. Laufman serves as a Vice President of Bullpen Marketing and will celebrate 25 years as a promotional advertising consultant this year.

Ms. Laufman’s three-year term will begin in January following the major PPAI industry exposition in Las Vegas. As part of the Professional Development Committee, Ms. Laufman will provide experienced intelligence that will assist PPAI with creating and offering educational materials for members and buyers alike.

When asked how such an appointment felt, Ms. Laufman said, “I was honored that the incoming chair appointed me to this committee. I came into this industry ‘green’ – and I don’t mean that in recycling terms – and looked toward PPAI for professional development. It was because of PPAI that I was able to successfully assist my own clients. I never dreamed that, years later, I would be appointed to the same committee that helped me so much back then.” Colin Hageney, the president of Bullpen Marketing, added: “Lauri is an invaluable asset to any marketing team. It’s rare to run across one individual who is so knowledgeable about the promotional products industry. Our company is stronger because of her contributions and expertise, and PPAI will be as well.”

The Professional Development Committee was a natural progressive move for such an established member of the marketing community. Ms. Laufman is currently an advisory council member of both the MAS/CAS Certification Board and Membership Services Committee and heavily active in the regional arm of PPAI in Houston – the Houston Promotional Products Association (HPPA). She also donates time as a volunteer with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Special Children’s Committee.

The Promotional Products Association International’s recognition of Lauri Laufman only further distinguishes the Bullpen Marketing team’s devotion to excellence. Last year PPAI awarded Bullpen Marketing the Silver Pyramid Award for Trade Shows and Exhibitions. The company also took home two additional Pyramid Awards early last week.

Bullpen Marketing wins BBB Award of Excellence

admin — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:25:02 +0000

Houston firm recognized for top-notch customer experience and community service.

HOUSTON, TX (April 9, 2008) – The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recognized Bullpen Marketing, a Houston-area marketing company specializing in promotional products strategy and a wide range of marketing services, for excellence in customer satisfaction and community service at a luncheon on May 7th, 2008. Bullpen Marketing was honored as a “Winner of Distinction,” one of 83 elite companies out of thousands in the greater Houston metropolis.

“Since we founded Bullpen over 10 years ago, the customer has always been first,” says Bullpen president, Colin Hageney. “Our team works tirelessly to improve the customer experience and it’s awesome to be recognized by the BBB.”

The BBB chose Bullpen Marketing for the select group after critical examination that considered customer service policies, community involvement, and charitable donations. Throughout the course of the business competition, the BBB looks for a strong history of giving back to the community (including cash and in-kind donations), of resolving problematic customer service issues, and of inspiring employees to better themselves in the course of their work.

Bullpen Marketing was the only company recognized at the luncheon that specializes in marketing services and promotional products.

Bullpen Marketing Receives Top Honors for Promotional Product Campaign

admin — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 05:00:42 +0000

Classic pen-turned-USB-drive generates buzz amongst marketers

HOUSTON, TX (March 10, 2008) – Bullpen Marketing, a marketing firm specializing in promotional products strategy and a wide range of marketing services, achieved high honors at the 50th annual Pyramid Awards℠ sponsored by Promotional Products Association International (PPAI). The competition was based on the effective use of promotional products, packaging and copy to create integrated marketing programs delivering quantifiable results. Bullpen participated in the Trade Shows and Exhibitions category with its pen-with-a-twist campaign.

“This distinguished award is a great achievement,” said Colin Hageney, president of Bullpen Marketing. “Our modern twist on a classic promotional item was an immediate hit at the Mplanet™ conference hosted by the American Marketing Association (AMA). We are excited to also be recognized by our peers at the Pyramid Awards.”

Pyramid Award participants were required to outline the goal of each promotional product campaign, its execution and results generated. Bullpen’s pen-with-a-twist campaign was a vivid orange pen doubling as a USB flash drive. The drive came preloaded with all conference materials, including PowerPoint presentations, articles, literature, and seminar materials. The large capacity of the drives allowed plenty of personal storage space. The end of the pen can also be used as a stylus for personal digital assistants (PDAs). The pen was delivered in a dramatic, black and sliver alloy case.

Winners were recognized at the annual awards presentation at the PPAI Expo 2008 in Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Winning campaigns were selected by the PPAI Awards Committee and outside industry judges.

“Creativity and effectiveness are keys to winning this much coveted award,” said Steve Slagle, president of PPAI. “As these winning programs illustrate, there is no limit to the applications of a promotional products program. A simple program can win a Pyramid Award if it is successful at meeting the client’s objectives.”