News From the Bullpen » Promotional Products

Lauri Laufman featured in Industry Publication

admin — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 04:49:20 +0000

Bullpen vice president interviewed in Promotional Products Business Magazine

HOUSTON (July 24, 2009) – The Promotional Products Business Magazine recognized Lauri Laufman, MAS, and her work in the promotional products industry.

The vice president of Houston-based company Bullpen Marketing, launched her career in the promotional products industry 25 years ago as owner of National Jewelry Company, helping clients such as Exxon and Schlumberger with their service and retirement awards. As NJC grew, it added promotional products and, in 2006, was acquired by Bullpen Marketing.

A lifelong volunteer, Lauri has generously given time to her diverse interests, from staffing a teen abuse hotline for the Houston Area Women’s Center and helping with animal therapy at Caring Critters to serving as a board member and president for Houston Promotional Products Association (HPPA) and as an active PPAI committee volunteer for more than 20 years.

From her volunteer work, Lauri has honed her natural gift for relationship building, which has become the cornerstone to her success in sales. She believes in establishing good relationships with customers and helping them meet their needs with a variety of ideas, excellent customer service and a little bit of humor.

Read the entire magazine interview here.

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.

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 Top Marketing Award for Keeping It Real

admin — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:37:47 +0000

HOUSTON, TX (June 9, 2008) – Bullpen Marketing, a Houston-area marketing company specializing in promotional products strategy and a wide range of marketing services, won the American Marketing Association’s Crystal Award for the best Promotional Product Marketing Campaign.

Crystal Awards recognize various categories of marketing projects that have used creativity to achieve exceptional results in a best of class manner. The award presented at the 22nd Annual AMA Crystal Award banquet highlighted the low budget viral marketing campaign that Bullpen orchestrated for Bohemeo’s.

“We wanted to do something that would drive business to this eclectic art and music café located in the East End of downtown Houston,” said Robert Melvin, vice president, general manager of Bullpen Marketing. “We decided to create a buzz about what makes the people from the East End special and why people love this area. So, we made Bohemeo’s the catalyst for that spirit with a viral marketing campaign ‘East End People Keep It Real’.”

It is unusual for a t-shirt design to take top honor in an award category that typically favors extraordinary promotional product concepts. Surprisingly, the walking and talking advertisements of the t-shirts won surpassed the competition.

“Bohemeo’s is elated over our Crystal Award, and it is a real recognition of our efforts to become a social hub in the East End for artists, musicians, writers, and admirers of such crafts,” said Lupe Olivarez, principal owner of Bohemeo’s. “We truly appreciate the creativity of Bullpen Marketing to craft such a catchy and infectious slogan, ‘East End People Keep It Real’. Someone stopped me every time I wore the t-shirt in public, and the staff of Bohemeos, friends, and family wore these t-shirts practically everywhere.”

Bullpen Marketing also won the Crystal Award in the Logo Design category with St. Agnes Academy’s Tiger. This is the second year in a row that Bullpen topped the extremely competitive Logo Design category. The company won it in 2007 with St. Pius X High School’s Panther.

Bullpen Marketing First to Go Green with Promo Green™ Products

admin — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 05:00:51 +0000

HOUSTON, TX (April 9, 2008) – Bullpen Marketing, a marketing firm specializing in promotional products strategy and a wide range of marketing services, announced the addition of environmentally friendly Promo Green™ promotional products to its inventory. Green items include recycled and organic bags, totes, pens, clothing, journals, postcards, USB drives, solar- and water-powered calculators, battery-less flashlights, organic teas and food gifts, and many other items.

“This is the first extensive green promotional collection being offered out of Houston. By offering affordable green choices, more companies will embrace earth-friendly alternatives in their promotional marketing campaigns,” said Colin Hageney, president of Bullpen Marketing. “As more companies move towards green office supplies and recycling, it’s important for them to have other green options.”

Bullpen Marketing offers many varieties of Promo Green™ products, including pens with 1.2 miles of writing ink, postcards that can be planted to grow wildflowers, and USB drives made from recycled materials. These eco-friendly products are made from materials such as recycled yogurt containers, plastic PVC pipes and water bottles. They provide equal or higher levels of style and durability as old-fashioned, not-so-green products.

“We are the first company in Houston offering these products,” said Hageney. “Organizations can now demonstrate their commitment to a cleaner, safer environment while putting their name or logo in front of their clients, partners and employees.”

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.”

Bullpen Marketing Wins Two Crystal Awards for Design Projects

admin — Fri, 18 May 2007 05:00:32 +0000

American Marketing Association recognizes firm for logo design and promotional item

HOUSTON, TX (May 18, 2007) – Bullpen Marketing, a marketing firm specializing in promotional products strategy and a wide range of marketing services, received two Crystal Awards this week at an event hosted by the Houston Chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA). Bullpen accepted awards for outstanding Logo Design and Individual Promotional Item.

“The Crystal Awards allows us to illustrate our year’s best work,” said Colin Hageney, president of Bullpen Marketing. “We’ve had a successful year thanks to our partners and clients, who make these projects triumphant.”

From promotional products to Internet marketing campaigns, the 21st annual Crystal Awards consists of 50 different categories. Bullpen’s pen-turned-USB-drive, initially designed for the AMA’s Mplanet™ conference, won the Individual Promotional Item category. The bright orange pen doubled as a USB flash drive, which was preloaded with all conference materials, and packaged in a silver and black alloy case.

Bullpen also competed in the Logo Design category with its makeover of St. Pius X High School’s logo. The St. Pius project was a complete overhaul of the school’s dated logo featuring the panther mascot. The new design has a custom font, and the text can be customized for each extracurricular activity.

“The school had stadium cushions created with the new logo design,” said Hageney. “The manufacturer of the cushions liked the mascot so much they included it as an example in their new catalog.”

The winners were recognized at a reception hosted by the AMA, Thursday, May 17, 2007 at 6 p.m. in the Crystal Ballroom of Post Rice Lofts.

Bullpen Marketing Celebrates Ten Years in Promotional Products Industry

admin — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 05:00:18 +0000

Growing firm expands offerings to include marketing services

HOUSTON, TX (April 15, 2007) – Bullpen Marketing, a marketing firm specializing in promotional products strategy and a wide range of marketing services celebrated its tenth anniversary this month. Since 1997, Bullpen has serviced the needs of marketers and promoters in their quest for the perfect logo-printed promotional tools. Its success has allowed the firm to broaden its offerings to include turnkey marketing services.

“What began as my frustrating search for logo-printed coasters turned into a full-time business,” said Colin Hageney, president of Bullpen Marketing. “The original intent was to sell promotional products, from stress toys shaped like rubber ducks to thousand-dollar cufflinks. However, clients demanded more comprehensive services, and Bullpen evolved into a trusted advisor.”

Bullpen continues to design and distribute the latest in promotional products. Its expanded marketing services include promotional products strategy, branding, online marketing, Web site design, search engine optimization, and more.

More than 1300 local and national companies have partnered with Bullpen for their promotional product strategy, including many in the Fortune 500. In addition, the American Marketing Association awarded Bullpen nine Crystal Awards in the last five years for excellence in marketing.

Bullpen believes in giving back to its community. It donates a percentage of its services to charities and non-profit organizations in the Houston area. It also aids educational organizations with its Tools 4 Schools project, which helps schools increase student enrollment and achieve their marketing goals.

“We look forward to the next ten years as we continue to broaden our services,” said Hageney. “In fact, we are introducing Promo Green™ products this year for those companies seeking to incorporate environmentally friendly promotional products into their marketing campaigns.”

Bullpen Marketing Aquires NJC Advertising Promotions

admin — Tue, 30 May 2006 05:00:01 +0000

HOUSTON, TX (May 30, 2006) — Bullpen Marketing, a leading Houston-based marketing and promotional products and services firm, and NJC Advertising Promotions, a provider of promotional products for over 20 years, announced today the merger of the two firms under the Bullpen Marketing name.

Colin Hageney, the president of Bullpen Marketing, described the synergies and excitement of the merger. “We’ve been an admirer of NJC for many years and are thrilled they are now part of the Bullpen family,” Hageney explained. “Having Lauri and her team’s wealth of experience, impeccable reputation, diversified client base and knowledge in the promotions arena are major complements to our marketing services.”

Lauri Laufman, NJC’s president, added her perspective on the combined firms’ potential. “When Colin and I met for the first time, I just knew that we would make a great team,” Laufman said. “This merger is a growth opportunity for both of our firms. I am excited about joining forces, and believe that it will benefit our clientele, especially given Bullpen’s marketing creativity and industry leadership.” Hageney will continue to serve as the company’s president, and Laufman will become Vice President of Bullpen Marketing.

About NJC – NJC Advertising Promotions, established by Lauri Laufman in 1984, has served the specialty advertising, apparel, corporate award and gift needs of many, including Fortune 100, financial and healthcare companies and non-profit clients in Houston for over 20 years. NJC focuses on the client’s objectives, providing creative solutions with personalized service and building long-term relationships. Laufman is certified as a Master Advertising Specialist and serves on the Promotional Products Association International’s MAS/CAS Certification Board and on the board of the Houston Promotional Products Association.

Contact: Colin Hageney 713.652.2030, colin.hageney@bullpenmarketing.com

Bullpen Marketing Wins Three Prestigious Marketing Awards

admin — Tue, 25 May 2004 05:00:34 +0000

HOUSTON, TX (May 25, 2004) — Bullpen Marketing, a leading provider of promotional products and marketing services, today announced it received three awards at the Houston American Marketing Association (AMA) Crystal Awards for Technology-based marketing, Advertising, and Promotional Items.

Crystal Awards recognize various categories of marketing projects that have used creativity to achieve exceptional results in a best of class manner. The awards presented at the 18th Annual AMA Crystal Award banquet included projects that Bullpen performed for three of its clients – Bridgeway Software, St. Thomas High School, and the National Association of Stock Plan Professionals (NASPP).

“Winning three Crystals is a big honor for us,” says Colin Hageney, president of Bullpen Marketing. The panel of judges comprised of former AMA chapter presidents without doubt represents some of the best marketing minds in country. On top of this, there is no better satisfaction than knowing that our clients continue to be happy with the outstanding results we bring their companies.”