Nationally, Geiger recently ranked #6 in ASI’s Counselor’s Top 40 and is the only company to remain in the Top 10 since 1963.  The company operates 16 offices across the US and is affiliated with approximately 500 independent Sales Partners who contribute to over $174 million in sales. That’s a whole bunch of swag!! Want to see some supa-fresh swag? Check out our new&fresh catalog.

But what else does it take to achieve MAS+ designation?  250+ hours of education credits, 10+ years experience, industry volunteer service and two certification examinations administered by Promotional Products Association International.  Individuals with MAS+ certification designation are recognized as industry leaders who have attained a superior standard of professionalism, knowledge and experience.  MAS+ can only be achieved by first obtaining a CAS (Certified Advertising Specialist) designation, which Beam achieved February 2008.

Approximately 1800+ industry professionals hold a CAS or MAS designation.  Geiger, The POP Shop’s parent company, claims approximately 10% of the CAS/MAS Designations through their associates and independent sales partners.  This is the most of any one company in the industry, using education to strengthen their ability to serve clients with strong industry knowledge, as well as service, quality and buying power.

Be sure to follow your favorite superheroes on Twitter & Facebook!

Facebook.com/SUPAHRO

Twitter.com/SonyaBeam

Twitter.com/elDeflecto

The PPAI Technology Award recognizes members for development and effectiveness through innovative use of technology.  The Social Media category acknowledges creativity using social media channels to carry and deliver messages with defined results and establishes further rapport with current and potential clients.  The POP Shop was awarded for their “QR Code” and “What Do You Love” campaigns.

The “QR Code” campaign promoted a QR Code kit through direct mail, blog, Twitter, Facebook and Linked In. The kits educated the recipients on the use and effectiveness of QR Code technology by containing a “How-To” Guide and two promo products with QR Codes. Once scanned with a QR Code reader, the link directed users to three optional items through their mobile device: (1) $75 coupon on future promo product purchase utilizing a QR code, (2) video of QR Codes on CSI: New York and (3) a mobile version of The POP Shop’s EcoHero Catalog filled with more creative ideas. The campaign was a success because it provided tangible, easy to understand content regarding QR Codes. After gaining the knowledge, contacts saw the importance of utilizing this advanced method of communication to grow their own businesses and ordere promotional products with custom QR Codes through The POP Shop.

The second campaign was titled “What Do You Love?” and themed for Valentine’s Day.  The objective was to grow The POP Shop’s following on social media channels using a social manner. The program kicked off when approximately 1,000 clients received sweepstakes invitations via email, 280 targeted clients received a direct mail invitation and red pen imprinted  i♥thepopshop.  The offer was also extended to existing online followers and fans.  The grand prize was a $200 iTunes gift card. Entries had to express “what they love” and fans were encouraged to post on their Twitter or Facebook page.  Submittals ranged from humorous to sweet and touching.  At the conclusion of the campaign, The POP Shop increased their fan base by 85% and doubled their web traffic. Additional followers were gained in future months resulting in a total increase of 300% since the campaign launched.

“The POP Shop is super excited to be recognized for our creativity in the new Social Media category.  The success of both campaigns means we are delivering relevant content and engaging our audience.” said Sonya Beam, Marketing Superhero at The POP Shop.

Introducing Stone Paper. It’s made from stone. Finally a writing paper that is 100% tree free, no wood pulp. And just like stone, this paper is durable, resistant to tears and waterproof. Samples available while supplies last, just email sonyabeam@thepopshop.com

• NO wood pulp
• NO tree cutting
• NO water
• NO air pollution
• NO acid
• NO alkaline
• NO bleach

Perfect bound, square-shaped with a 12 pt soft cover and 40 white lined sheets. No pencil or pen handy? Try writing on them with a metal object! Available in 4 colors, 150 units minimum at $2.99 each plus $60 setup charge. Pricing based on 1 color imprint.

Coming Soon!  An idea gallery especially for Church Leaders.  Sign up to be one of the firsts to have access to incredible ideas!

Do you need curriculum to support your efforts on Sunday mornings? Partner with The reThink Group for preschool, children or students.

You don’t want to miss another great resource! The North Point Kids Blog shares how they brought their Happy Birthday Jesus program to life last year.

And don’t forget to “Like” The POP Shop on Facebook or follow Sonya Beam on Twitter for more great ideas. Or email sonyabeam@thepopshop.com for your next upcoming project.

The POP Shop’s Top 30 Summer Bucket List

1. Fly a kite. Not sure How? We Googled it! Here’s How To Fly a Kite.

2. Help a friend. Do you really need more information on how to do this one? No friends? Help a stranger. Most of all teach your children how to help others and pay it forward.

3. Go geocaching. If this is a new one to you, learn more about the latest craze.

4. Enjoy a parade. There’s got to be at least one parade going on near you, especially around July 4^th. Google it!

5. Learn a new sport. You don’t have to commit long-term to this one. It could be as simple as badminton, disk golf, croquet or re-learning how to ride a bike after all these years.

6. Plant new flowers. No green thumb? Buy artificial flowers from a craft store and stick them in pot with dirt. My back deck has beautiful pink hydrangeas all year long – even when it snows! If you’re sticking your nose up at this idea, then dig in and plant some color along a path you’ll walk by all summer.

7. Visit a theme park. You don’t have to drop big bucks on a trip to Disney, and I know there’s not a Six Flags in every city. I discovered Wikipedia’s list of Amusement Parks throughout the North America. Fun is only a car-ride away!

8. Go night swimming. Not a fan of 100 degree sunlight, loading up on sunscreen and crazy loud kids? Swimming by moonlight is a super getaway.

9. Enjoy a water sport. I’m not a surfer, so you’ll find me diving for pennies or tossing the ball. Maybe water skis or jets skis are your thing?

10. Picnic with the family. Brush up with these great tips on dining alfresco. Considering a romantic picnic? Check out this Picnic date night - along with many other creative dates. Oh yeah!

11. Play in the sprinklers. Here’s a nostalgic switcheroo! Skip the pool and watch the kids play in the sprinklers. Shop for a slip-n-slide or inflatable water slide if that’s not a big hit. Either way, it’s something different!

12. See a movie outdoors. I had no idea there were this many free outdoor movies in Metro Atlanta. Grab a blanket, pack some snacks and enjoy movies by moonlight. Plus it’s way cheaper than taking the family to the movie theater!

13. Camp in the backyard. Make use of all that camping equipment, it’s time for a STAYcation. Not a camper? Consider napping on the back porch!

14. Have campfire Smores. Can you believe I’ve encountered a handful of people lately who have NO idea about Smores? Share this camping treat with your friends or family. New to Smores? You might enjoy this how-to video.

15. Visit a farmer’s market. Here’s Atlanta’s Top 10 Farmer’s Markets. Google your city and get shopping.

16. Paint or build something. Try a model airplane with a child, or paint a birdhouse. There might even be something on your To Do List that needs to be crossed off.

17. Watch a sunset or sunrise. Great with your mate, or an excellent way to spend your quiet time. What’s quiet time? Move this to the top of your list and do it twice!

18. Enjoy an outdoor concert. Check out what’s playing at Atlanta’s Chastain Park Amphitheater or Alpharetta’s Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park There’s lots of other outdoor concert venues throughout Metro Atlanta and around the country.

19. Make your own ice cream. One of our favorite recipe websites has a list of Top 20 Ice Cream recipes.

20. Board games for rainy days. Take your family on an adventure with a new “wireless” game. Introduce them to a classic like Yahtzee or Life. If you haven’t tried Apples to Apples, check it out. It’s easy to pick up and there’s a Junior edition too!

21. Setup an outdoor yard game. Try croquet, volleyball, horseshoes or corn hole! Here’s a few yard games you might find at ToysRUs.

22. Make a summer music playlist. Update your iPod with summer favorites from this year and summers past. Stumped? Checkout Billboard’s Top 30 Summer Songs of All Time.

23. Go Riding! Your choice, bike riding, horseback, motorcycle, or maybe even a summer drive.

24. Watch a summer themed movie. There’s something for the whole family in National Lampoons Vacation. Maybe you are a Dirty Dancing fan or prefer the action of Independence Day. Find something and settle down movie snacks, soda and load of family or friends.

25. Enjoy a summertime reading list. Ok, so it’s summer. Sit on your back porch, a beach chair, hammock or somewhere air-conditioned. Barnes & Noble, iBooks & Amazon has a few great beach & summer themed reads waiting for you!

26. Visit a new restaurant or bakery. This is SO easy, there’s loads of new places opening up all the time. Friends are a great source of recommendations. Need more help? Your favorite superheroes at The POP Shop are foodies! We’ll make some GREAT recommendations!

27. Take on a show! Guys, maybe you prefer an air show or car show. Other folks might prefer a theatrical show or musical. Try something different!

28. Have dinner on the deck or patio. But don’t forget the bug spray or citronella candles!

29. Try a new summer themed recipe. Magazine stands are loaded with enticing summertime recipes. Grab your favorite and get cooking!

30. Throw a BBQ for friends or family. It’s not too late to set a date and plan a BBQ. Overwhelmed by summer? Consider a Labor Day event.

We look forward to hearing from you this summer and finding unique ways to bring your brand to life. Here’s a few ways to stay tuned in to unique ways to grow your brand:

Mark your calendar for our Brand Expo Sept 20th 10am-2pm. Details to follow.

• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us Twitter – Sonya @SonyaBeam or Brian @elDeflecto
• Products in action on YouTube

Tone-on-tone Towels

Tone-on-tone decorating is a subtle way to brand a beach towel.  It’s retail appeal increases the desired usability of the product, which equals more visibility for any brand.  As shown, you can mix a few colors to match your brand color or choose a few colors to brighten any event.  Tone-on-tone effects can be decorated on beach towels, fitness towels and golf towels.

Saddle Bag Tote

Stay organized at the beach or the pool with the exclusive new Saddle Bag Cooler and Tote. This ingenious product conveniently keeps all of your essentials neatly organized and within reach. An insulated cooler on one side carries food and beverages; a spacious storage bag on the other side has special compartments for keys, iPods, smartphones, sun screen and your favorite beach magazines or books.

Both totes are connected with a wide, adjustable mesh strap that also allows you to carry your towel. Contoured rubber grips make it easy to close and carry. Easily adjusts to any size lounge chair. Available in red, sunshine yellow, royal blue or lime green.

Surfboard Towels

Surfboard-shaped towels are the must have product of the season. These velour towels are an enormous 32″ x 80″ and make the perfect lounge chair cover or beach towel. Be sure to stand out, for both innovation and high impact.  Consider surfboard-shaped towels. These will make a great addition to your ‘board’ meetings, web-surfing themes, incentive trips or company picnics.

Want more great ideas?

Let’s Connect!  Twitter @sonyabeam | Facebook  Facebook.com/SUPAHRO | YouTube  Youtube.com/SUPAHRO

The POP Shop – a division of Geiger  | www.thepopshop.com

We want to partner with you and learn what’s behind your brand.  Our medium is the unique use of tangible advertising elements such as promotional products, printing and point-of-purchase displays.  The goal is to be effective and unique, and offer dynamic brand solutions.  Clients find that our value grows as the relationship expands and deepens.  We want to be an extension of your team and create Brandspiration.

The POP Shop was acquired by Geiger in January 2009. The POP Shop is now a division of Geiger, the largest privately held promotional products distributor in the nation.

-  Food Gifts - perfect for sharing.  Now available with your logo – Harry & David gifts!
-  Awards - Annual Awards, Years of Service, there’s lots of ways to recognize your MVPs!
-  On-the-go Gifts - Road Warriors will delight when you think of them.
-  Gifts for the Home - Gifts that can be shared with a family.
-  Toast the New Year - Forward thinkers are already focused on 2011, toast with these great gifts.

Need more gift ideas? Follow us for your daily dose of creativity!

Twitter @sonyabeam |  Facebook www.bit.ly/FBPOP

No, this isn’t a list of Top 10 products, or uber-creative ideas. It’s a list of business trends in the promotional industry that WILL affect your business. There’s a variety of tips to help navigate you through some of the trends. Ok, yes I did include a few cool ideas.

1. Cotton Shortage Driving Up Apparel Prices

Expect increased pricing on decorated apparel, uniforms and t-shirts. Cotton supplies are down worldwide, and prices are skyrocketing – up 65% over the past year and at a two year high and rising. This is giving synthetic yarn producers room to raise their prices – 30% and more – as well. Garment prices are under severe pressure. (ApparelNews.net, 4/30/10) The recent floods in Pakistan, a major cotton producer, are exacerbating the situation. It’s going to be a while before things turn around.

Tip: If have a one-time need, rather than on-going program, ask about discontinued apparel.  Last year’s styles and colors are available at discounted prices while supplies last to make way for the recently introduced 2011 apparel products.

2. Promotional Products + Social Media

We are starting to see promotional products being used as rewards in social media campaigns. Example: get a free water bottle for “friending” one company’s Facebook page.  And social media management company, Vitrue gave away free t-shirts to first people to arrive at a Masahable TweetUp.

Tip: Follow The POP Shop on Facebook to see the latest ideas!

3. Inventory Shortages!

Shipping companies took capacity offline during the worst of the recession. With economic activity up, constrained shipping capacity means freight rates up as much as 150% and delayed deliveries for goods made in Asia. Expect “even more pronounced and serious shortages of containers” in the coming peak-season months. At our end, we cannot remember inventories so tight and stock-outs so severe. Be prepared for Plans B and C. (USA Today, 7/8/10)

Tip: Be sure to ask if the product is in stock at your quantity and color. Our Marketing Superheroes are making this part of the sales process, but I’m hearing some of our competitors aren’t as proactive. Otherwise, you may not be aware of out-of-stock issues until after your order is placed and proofed!

4. QR Codes

QR Codes (Quick Response Codes) are all the rage in Japan and are catching on quick in the U.S. You may start to see them on packaging, billboards, magazines ads or sales circulars. Best Buy, Calvin Klein, Pepsi, Polo, FOX, HBO and other brands already adopting the digital craze. The digital codes can be scanned with a smartphone and you’ll travel to a web link driven by the advertiser for immediate content (specials, video, contest, product info, etc). The content can change often, but the code remains the same. Consumers may be more likely to point & shoot than type in a website on their phone. You’ll want to download a QR reader app for your phone, my favorite is i-nigma. Check out this CSI:NY Video explaining QR Codes.

Tip: You can imprint a QR Code on a promotional product and connecting your audience immediate to relevant information about your product or brand! You can print them in colors, on a curved surface and even embroider a QR code! Email sonyabeam@thepopshop.com for a FREE kit “How to Implement QR Codes into Your Branding”

5. Not Easy Being Green

Products made from a new genetically engineered bioplastic called ‘PHA’ (made by Metabolix) will compose in water or soil in a few months. One of first products is a Paper Mate® pen. (Fortune, 4/26/10). Sounds great, but “the reality is more complicated.” If these products are not composted but, rather, put in an airtight landfill, they will “likely remain intact, just like regular plastic.” And, you can compost the case of that Paper Mate® pen, but the insides have to go into the regular garbage. (TIME, 5/3/10) NOW AVAILABLE: The Paper Mate Earth Write is the first branded fully biodegradable pen that dissolves in the earth in 52 weeks!

Tip: Email sonyabeam@thepopshop.com for a FREE “Get Green” Kit showcasing a variety of eco-friendly promotional products.

6. Wellness – The Best Way To Control Costs

With medical inflation rising at double-digit rates annually, encouraging wellness is the best way to keep costs under control. Studies have shown that for every dollar spent on wellness, the return is $ 3.27 in savings. That signifies, among others things, education and incentives to adjust lifestyles. Incentives and recognition to support wellness programs is what we do. We are the exclusive source for Olivia Newton-John’s Liv®, a device providing a more effective breast self-exam. Amazingly, less than 10% of women perform self breast exams.  More Wellness Ideas.

Tip: Consider a wellness initiative for your employees or audience. Signal a superhero for creative ideas to fit your brand and budget.

7. Coming (Back) To America

Increasing production costs in China from a rising currency and wages means China’s “overall cost advantage (with USA made goods) is shrinking.” Our suppliers are dealing with increases in the 15 to 25% range. Some products will be moving to lower wage countries. Some will come back to the US when shorter lead times and lower shipping costs are important. In any case, some supply disruptions are inevitable. (AP, 7/8/2010) Meanwhile, we’ve been steering clients to US made-to-order Production Partners who have inventory and are on top of all product safety issues.

8. Now, Cadmium’s On The Watch List

While we’ve been watching lead contamination, some Asian makers have been switching to another heavy metal – cadmium. A recent AP survey found some metal jewelry products consisted of as much as 90% cadmium which can cause kidney disease, bone loss, and lung cancer. The CPSC is working on new safe exposure levels, but McDonald’s pulled drinking glasses to err on the side of caution. (TIME, 7/12/2010) Our job is to watch to make sure the products we sell you are safe so that you have one less thing to worry about.

9. Make It Personal

New digital printing methods are allowing for more and more products to be very targeted to – and personalized for – small groups and even individuals.

• Fully personalized color calendars with the recipient’s name cleverly integrated into each of the 12 monthly images, such as clouds or snow.

• Variable images completely change from product to product as produced. You can change the image and/or the text as few as one unit per version. Available on select products.

10. Not All Flashdrives Are Created Equal

Flashdrives (USB memory devices) are hot, but beware. Drives are divided into tiers according to quality. Tier-1 and Tier-2 are the most common. A 1GB Tier-1 chip will have 1GB of accessible memory, whereas a 1GB Tier-2 may only have 2/3rds the capacity of Tier-1. It’s still a 1GB drive, but it may have fragmented or bad blocks that will not reliably accept data. Lower priced drives may also use recycled memory or employ “mirroring” to make the capacity appear greater.

Tip: Don’t forget to get the consider the INSIDE quality just as well as the outside.  Plus, did you know you can get USB drives in your custom PMS color – only 100 piece minimum.  Our marketing superheroes can guide you to make smart decisions.

These Powerful Promo Trends are developed by our parent company, Geiger, the largest privately held promotional firm in America, fifth generation and here to stay!

Want more powerful ideas? Twitter @sonyabeam | Facebook www.bit.ly/FBPOP