News From the Bullpen » PPAI

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.”

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 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.”

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 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.”