Crazy March Media, Money & Marketing
February 24th, 2012 by Barclay Rubel
According to Kantar Media, the annual three-week NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship is the second biggest postseason sports showcase for advertisers, out-earning the Major League Baseball playoffs and World Series, the National Basketball Association playoffs and Championship Series, and all 35 college football bowl games.
The NFL playoffs and Super Bowl are the only U.S. sporting events that earn more advertising dollars. The total TV ad spend is expected to be well over $2.5 billion in 2012. That’s more than the economy of Greenland (and 50 other countries). And that’s not counting advertising in newspapers and on the Web.
Bring Your A Game
With all of the money flying around (not to mention basketballs), it’s fair to wonder how you can profit from all the hoop-la. Hang on to the last quarter for four ideas to use for your clients, your favorite fan, or yourself.
Technical Foul
Don’t use the term “March Madness” in your promotions unless you’re an approved, official sponsor of the tournament. If you aren’t a sponsor, the NCAA can sue you. And win. “Elite Eight” and “Final Four” will also earn you a penalty situation.
Double Bonus
It’s okay to use the idea of “March Madness” in things such as 1) plays-on-words or 2) things to do with brackets; just don’t use the actual trademarked terms in a commercial context.
The Final Four Ideas
1. Given the popularity of the March Madness Bracket Tournaments, print posters with blanks that can be filled in as the games progress. Place advertising along the bottom.
2. Create a basketball themed postcard for a mailing or other distribution.
3. Although not as much a party event as the Super Bowl, basketball addicts do get together. A digital save-the-date postcard is quick and inexpensive.
4. The rabid college hoops fan can support her team all year-long with customized team-specific address labels.
Here’s a basic address label template for a basketball fan that can be completed in less time than a 24-second violation.
Now go out and cut down the nets!
–BR
What Chlorine Free Means
February 3rd, 2012 by Barclay Rubel
As Kermit sings, “It’s not easy being green.” Especially if you’re involved in the printing or paper industry.
We all like white paper. It’s easier to read and easier to print on. But paper isn’t naturally white. To make paper white requires bleaching. White, good; bleaching—using chlorine, bad.
I was initially confused by the alphabet soup of claims for chlorine free paper products. Read more »
The Networking Card
February 1st, 2012 by Barclay Rubel
Isn’t it time to have a “business” card for your social life?
Despite our reliance on electronic gadgets, the business card is still the default method of exchanging information. The ritualistic exchanging of cards during sales calls, meetings, and tradeshows is a cornerstone of any work setting.
But what about social settings? Sure, some people troll for customers in almost any situation. Who hasn’t struck up a friendly conversation only to realize Read more »
Roses are Red
January 27th, 2012 by Barclay Rubel
Market Your Business for Valentine’s Day
As I was getting ready to write this post I scrolled through a couple of orders from last February. I figured I’d get some inspiration from the Valentine’s Day cards I saw.
But you know what? There were precious few. And I’m stunned. Where are all the romantics?
But seriously, I realize that unless you’re a polygamist or a Lothario you probably aren’t going to design and order 25 Greeting Cards saying “You’re the Only One.” Unless, of course, you’re a designer planning to resell them, one at a time.
I was actually looking for Valentine’s Day cards for business. Although time is running out, it’s still not too late to put together a themed mailing to market your business.
Here are ten ideas to use Read more »
Super, Super Invitations
January 5th, 2012 by Barclay Rubel
Now that those year-end holidays are behind me I’ve got my sights set on the next big holiday. Well, it’s not exactly a holiday, but it rivals New Year’s Day and the Fourth of July for sheer festive celebration. I’m talkin’ about Super Bowl Sunday!
There’s nothing like kicking back with some friends, some brews, and a wide screen TV. Who’s playing? Does it matter? It’s a party, and, yeah, if my team makes it to the championships and beyond I’ll be psyched, but if not I’ll still enjoy the day.
So since I’m already in the mood for a party, it’s a great time to work on my Big Game invitations. I’ve got a few Read more »
A Tribute to Ben Franklin
January 4th, 2012 by Barclay Rubel
In honor of Ben Franklin’s birthday on January 17
Early to bed and early to rise makes a
man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
We all know this aphorism. And every schoolchild knows about Benjamin Franklin’s experiment with a kite and a key. He signed the Declaration of Independence. His inventions—from bifocals to swim fins to the lightning rod—are legendary. Ben Franklin created the Post Office and the circulating library. He was a politician and the first American diplomat.
But despite all these accomplishments, he always thought of himself as a printer. Benjamin Franklin didn’t invent the printing press. He didn’t even create the Franklin Font. But he was considered the most accomplished printer in Colonial America, and his contributions to the publishing industry are celebrated to this day. That’s why today’s post is dedicated to Benjamin Franklin, printer, whose birthday is Read more »
Introducing gapingvoid Business Cards
December 8th, 2011 by Barclay Rubel
New gapingvoid business cards from Overnight Prints!
Hi Everybody,
With everyone’s attention fixated on the Internet we tend to forget that most business is still face-to-face. If you fail at the moment you shake someone’s hand for the first time, the consequences can be dire.
This was more obvious when that’s all there was, but in many industries not much has changed. Face to face sales calls, conventions, trade shows, are still big drivers, the fact is that for many businesses, the Internet just leads to more Read more »
A Tasty Deal
December 2nd, 2011 by Barclay Rubel
Earlier this week I blogged about our Cyber Monday promotion and promised I’d be back with details about another tasty deal. I wasn’t kidding. Until December 31, with qualifying orders, you can get a FREE $25 Restaurant.com Gift Certificate. Read more »
Back to School Ideas
August 16th, 2011 by Overnight Prints
Back to School Ideas
Summer is almost over and it’s back-to-school time all across the USA! No need to be sad though, back-to-school is an exciting time, full of fresh beginnings and brilliant new things to be learned and discovered!
Whether you’re a parent packing your kids off to school, a returning college student, or a teacher with a whole new brood to take care of, you will need to refresh your school supplies. Here are a few of our favorite back-to-school products:
Address Labels
Let your little ones choose their favorite address labels from our template library and use them to label school supplies, books, lunch bags and more.
Here are our top five back-to-school picks:
