After the Haiti earthquakes, people around the nation rallied behind a unified cause. The goal to raise enough funds for medical and relief efforts continues—one cell phone at a time.

Have you ever had a moment of realization where suddenly it hits you: “I’m living in the future!” This moment happened to me after I watched an episode of the Colbert Report where he had US Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, on to discuss what viewers can do to help. Her answer— text ‘Haiti’ to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross. I found myself reaching for my cell phone thinking (a) I can afford $10 (b) this donation process seems relatively quick and painless and (c) I’m doing my part to help.

Thought (d) only occurred to me after I had received my confirmation text back a few seconds later.

(d) THIS IS BRILLIANT!

Banner stands are a quick, clean and simple marketing tool to use at trade shows, conferences or even in a retail environment.  Inexpensive stands combine functionality with attractive design, creating high visibility displays that can be deployed in seconds. They offer an outstanding solution for distribution of display graphics to multiple locations. Banner stands are lightweight (most weighing under ten pounds) and are delivered in a practical nylon carry bag for easy transport and storage.  They come in a variety of flavors (1-sided, 2-sided, scrolling, with lights, without lights), costs, sizes  and materials.  For a unique display experience, use multiple banners showing a common theme.  Bullpen can not only help you find the banner that’s right for you, we can create a design that freezes your audience in their tracks.  Contact Bullpen today for all of your trade show needs.

I’m embarrassed to say that when I first bought my Snuggie at Costco, I thought it was a robe-blanket… and wore it like that for a few days.  Then I saw a lively conversation on a friend’s Facebook page about them and figured out that I was supposed to wear it like a hospital robe. With the weather in the teens this past week in Houston, I’m seldom without my snuggie close by and proudly looking like Dumbledore sans wand. After seeing the commercial on television, I saw additional usages of the snuggie although you’ll never see me wearing mine outside of the home.  Regardless of how they look (silly), they’re amazingly functional for keeping you warm without limiting your range of motion like a normal blanket.

While there are many parodies on the snuggie, it’s getting more and more popular.  Because my older son likes to sleep with mine, I’m considering getting another one.  (again, for home usage only)

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The Advertising Specialty Institute announced that hand sanitizers now rival pens as one of the most popular logoed items that companies are giving away to clients and employees. Blame it on the flu!  Searches on ASI’s product database jumped 439% for the last year – only pens which are the most popular promo product of all time were higher.

Sales of all logoed sanitizing products surged in early spring, and then again in September, at the start of flu season. Sales of flu-related items, like facial tissues, have also increased.  H1N1 (swine flu) first was detected in the US in April 2009.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that when soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used to help prevent the spread of germs.

Sanitizing products aren’t just used as promotional giveaways. Increasingly, they are being used internally by HR departments to reduce absenteeism caused by illness. Bullpen has an extensive line of hand sanitizers. Contact us today to find the perfect one for your company!

Recently a representative of Cross came to our office to teach us about their pens….errrr writing instruments (lesson 1!). Cross is a wonderful classic American brand and the perfect product for a company to use as an upscale gift for important clients, prospects or board members. Putting your brand next to the Cross brand sends a strong statement. Personalizing a Cross creates an item that the recipient will keep for a lifetime.

Cross pens are a staple of high school and college graduations—we all have gotten either the gold or silver set at some point in our lives.

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When we received a free sample from our manufacturer, I knew this item looked stylishly familiar.

And if you frequent Starbucks®, there’s a more than likely chance that you peruse the items on sale by the counter while waiting for your triple grande cappuccino mocha latte with 2% milk and a shot of espresso. If so, you may have run into this particular cup. It’s a clear 16 ounce, double wall acrylic tumbler with a straw, retailing for approximately $15.

Because it’s a double walled cup, it has insulating qualities to keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold without your hand knowing the difference. Its twist off cap makes it easy to get refills of which ever drink tickles your fancy, and secure enough to take it on the go. Each cup comes with a matching colored straw to keep you sipping along.

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Posted by: Robert Melvin

0% Fat, 0% Sugar, 100% Calorie Free, 100% Cotton

Are you looking for holiday gifts that exude creativity and are light on your budget? If so, you might want to consider Towel Cakes. Choose from five delicious towels: Chocolate Heart, Strawberry Heart, Swiss Roll Chocolate, Swiss Roll Green Tea, and Strawberry Cheese Cake. Ingredients: each cake consists of two hand towels with your unique artwork and/or message imprinted on the package, 0% Fat, 0% Sugar, 100% Calorie Free, 100% Cotton.

Prices range from $5.50 — $7.75 and the minimum purchase quantity required is 50.

Posted by: Colin Hageney

Just when you think you’ve seen everything, along comes this new Food, Wine & Beer Pairing Wheel.  I think what I like most about this item is that it’s low-tech.  The data-packed culinary wheel pairs food with wine on one side and food with beer on the other.  Add your corporate logo on both sides and instantly you have a useful branding tool that your customers can use almost anywhere.  The wheel size is 6” diameter (3 disks total), easily slips into your jacket or purse.  Who needs an iPhone app when you have your handy helper seconds away?  (minimum order 1500 pieces, logo on both sides, $2.99)

This is great example of how a lot of data can be condensed, presented in a unique format to make situation-specific calculations or comparisons and get your audience to use it over and over.  Let Bullpen help you uncomplicate your company’s information.

Posted by: Colin Hageney

In early 2008, I was proud that Bullpen was the first company in Houston to roll out a line of eco-friendly promotional products.  People said we were tree huggers and that eco-friendly items were a fad that wouldn’t last.

Time has proven that we made the right choice.  At Bullpen, we are committed to offering products and conducting our business in a socially responsible way.  Given the current global environmental challenges, we continue to reduce our carbon footprint and our impact on the world around us.  In the spirit of the holiday season, here are 5 ideas that we think are really cool.  Wipe the bark off your shirt and read on…

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Posted by: Colin Hageney

It’s that time of year when companies, schools and non-profits are looking for that perfect gift to give employees, clients, board members and donors.  With the current economy, budget-friendly gifts are a huge consideration. Gifts in the $5-10 range are being more and more requested. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that a lower priced gift is the same thing as a “cheap” gift.  There are many lower-priced items with a high perceived value. Gifts that help people simplify and those that are homier are favorites.  Engraved key fobs, desk accessories, writing instruments, journals, drinkware, music, lotions, candles are just a few ideas.
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