CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION  AWARDS ‘PRODUCTS OF THE CENTURY Promotional products date back to the time of George Washington, who used buttons as part of his election campaign. The first known product used to promote business was an imprinted burlap schoolbook bag, back in the 1870s. Since that time, tens of thousands of promotions and products have been created to fill the needs of millions of buyers, their companies and their customers. To help celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of the trade association for the promotional products industry back in 1903, Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) sent out a call for the most innovative products of the past century-those that had a major impact on an industry or company. The top five products were selected for recognition at the PPAI Awards Presentation & Dinner in January 2003, part of The PPAI Expo in Las Vegas. These five products were judged the best of 33 supplier entries by the 11 distributor members of the Centennial Committee based on originality, quality and impact on the industry. Promotional products—usually imprinted with a company’s name, logo or Message—include useful or decorative articles of merchandise that are used in marketing and communication programs. Research studies have shown the effectiveness of promotional products, especially in a tough economy. If you have questions or would like additional information about promotional products, PPAI, The PPAI Expo or the “Product of the Century” award, you can contact PPAI at 972-258-3041, e-mail to BillP@ppa.org, or visit their website (www.ppa.org). PPAI is the promotional product industry’s only international nonprofit trade association offering education, technology, trade shows and legislative support to its more than 6700 global members. HOW YOU CAN GET STARTED Want to join the exciting world of ad specialties but don’t know where to start? Contact Kaeser & Blair Incorporated. They’ve been in business since 1894 and can help your start your own business distributing advertising specialty products. They provide you with a 240-page catalog to show to your potential customers. You take the orders and they’ll handle the rest. Some of their dealers are earning anywhere from $4000 to $8000 a month and many others earn every more. Get going for a refundable deposit of $85. To learn more, visit www.kaeser-blair.com or call 800-642-9790.

We all love pens, key rings, caps, flashlights, etc., emblazoned with the name of a company. Ever wonder how the concept of these popular freebies was created?

On November 20, 1903, leaders from nine promotional products manufacturers (then called novelty and specialty goods) met to discuss the formation of an industry trade association. The group came together again in May 1904 to formalize the formation of an industry trade association. The minutes from that first meeting indicated that much animosity was evident and little consensus of ideas was present.

The 12 charter members in attendance had very different ideas of what an association should accomplish for them, including such issues as price maintenance, networking, strengthening business and managing salesmen. In spite of their different visions, a motion was presented and accepted, and they formed the Advertising Novelty Manufacturers Association, though there was even disagreement on the actual name.

Benjamin S. Whitehead, owner of Whitehead & Hoag, Co., a promotional products manufacturing company in Newark, New Jersey, was elected the first president. Dues of $2 per firm were instituted, primarily to cover the costs of the first meeting. Over the next year, the new Association met twice and adopted bylaws and operating procedures.

Within two years, the Association had 56 members, with eligibility relaxing to include those who manufactured materials used by the companies who produced the “novelties.” There was also one honorary member, Henry S. Bunting, who published the Association’s official publication.

In 1910, Bunting wrote a book entitled, “Specialty Advertising—The New Way to Build Business.” The book was the first to define specialty advertising, as well as explain how ad specialties are used in the medium.

In 1912, the word “novelty” as a description of the products was voted out and the Association changed its name to the National Association of Advertising Specialty Manufacturers. This decision was rewarded that same year when the Advertising Federation of American officially recognized ad specialties as a legitimate advertising medium.

Trade shows became a part of the Association’s conventions in 1914, with 32 exhibitors at the first show. By 1920, the Association included “jobbers”—those who sold the products. The Association now had 13 categories of members including jobbers, cloth specialty manufacturers, calendar jobbers, exclusive calendar manufacturers, and more.

The Association celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1928, with more than 132 members, and employed full-time paid staff. The ASA Journal was created. The Depression hit the industry hard, and in the midst of declining membership the group changed their name to the Advertising Specialty National Association (ASNA) in 1933.

Business eventually picked up and sales of $124 million were recorded in 1947. During the 1950s disgruntled jobbers formed their own association called the Advertising Specialty Guild. This group grew to more than 500 distributor members and they held their own trade shows.

In 1958, the ASNA created the “Outstanding Use of Ad Specialties in Business Promotions Awards Competi-tion.” The word “International” was added to in 1971 creating the Specialty Advertising Association International. Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) adopted its new name in 1993 to reflect the broader spectrum of products and services offered by members. The PPAI Expo, held each January in Dallas, Texas, is the oldest and largest trade show in the industry. Membership in the Association stands at more than 6700.

PPAI celebrates its 100th anniversary with a year-long series of events and programs which began at the PPAI Expo in January and culminated 12 months later at the PPAI Expo in January 2004. See the sidebar for contact information.

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