We’ve got school spirit—yes we do. We’ve got school spirit, how about you? Bullpen is offering special pricing on these item below. Each items offer a low price tag, but a high value. Bullpen Marketing can work with you to find the perfect fundraising item or idea for your school. These special prices are valid until Nov. 25, 2011.

Mega Hand Clapper
Give a hand and make some noise with this large hand clapper. This item is great to sell in spirit stores, before pep rallies and sporting events. Make some noise for your favorite team! Available in white, black, blue and red.

Price: $0.99 ea. with a minimum of 300 piece order. Includes 1-color imprint, 1-location printing. Shipping not included.

24 oz Aluminum water bottle
Clip it on and go! This BPA-free, stylish water bottle with carabiner can be conveniently clipped to backpacks and is terrific at promoting eco-conscious living. Available in aluminum, blue, red, apple green, white, black, tangerine, aqua, fuchsia and graphite.

Price: $3.48 ea. with a minimum of 144 piece order. Includes 1-color imprint, 1-location printing. Shipping not included.

Drawstring Cinch Bag
Safety First! Wide reflective strips on top and bottom of this bag is great to keep your students visible at night. This drawstring rope closure converts bag from a tote to a backpack. Available in black, blue, hunter green, lime green, orange, purple, red and yellow.

Price: $2.19 ea. With a minimum of 150 piece order. Includes 1-color imprint, 1-location printing. Shipping not included.

7.5” Plastic Megaphone
Rah Rah RAH! Let’s make some noise and eat a snack. This item can be filled with popcorn, peanuts or other goodies and sold at school games as a fun snack and noise maker. Megaphones come with bottom cap and top lid to make snacks easy to hold and carry. Available in black, blue, green, orange, purple, red and yellow.

Price: $1.77 ea. With a minimum of 100 piece order. Includes 1-color imprint, 1-location printing. Shipping not included.

There’s something to be learned from ASPCA and other animal shelters when it comes to non-profit advertising and asking for donations. Most times they pack a punch, hit you where it hurts and have you begging for the pain to stop.

Those animal groups sure have a way of putting out a message that send chills down your spine and tears down your face within a span of 30 seconds. How do they do it? And how can any marketer learn from their success?

The effectiveness of most of these campaigns come from the emotional appeal that they create. For example, this Shelter Project Ad for 2 kitties who just haven’t been chosen yet.

Targeted. Direct. Heart-wrenching. And how about the ASPCA commercial starring singer/song writer Sarah McLachlan?

Manipulative?—Perhaps. Effective?—Absolutely!

Taking a step back from animated cats and one-eyed dogs, the story is at the heart of the message and is essentially what “sells” the message. Both these examples go above and beyond simply conveying information. They take you on a journey, triggering an emotional response, all the while, effectively (directly or indirectly) making a call to action. “Tomorrow—guaranteed!”

Any non-profit business can appropriate this model to work for them—as long as they can tell a convincing enough story.

Posted by: Colin Hageney

Many people in the United States think that the majority of manufactured goods are made in China.  In fact, the USA remains by far the No. 1 manufacturing country. It out-produces No. 2 China by more than 40 percent. U.S. manufacturers cranked out nearly $1.7 trillion in goods in 2009. The promotional product industry is dominated by products that are made overseas, but that doesn’t mean you can’t brand your company with something Made in the USA.

People buy American for many reasons, and for many companies, it is to support their corporate culture or philosophy.  Just because a product is Made in the USA doesn’t mean it’s more expensive.  In recent years, the high cost of fuel to transport goods around the globe has helped American manufacturers level the playing field.  Let us help you find the perfect products that fit your company best.  If you’re looking for American-made products or green products or even American-made green products, contact Bullpen and let us help you out.

A few products Made in the USA…

Click here to see a more options in the Bullpen “Made in the USA” Showcase.