One of my favorite parts about my job is talking to my customers about what they do, and why they are ordering. Last week, I spoke to Jayson who is an export service representative at Rosenbauer America. But what does Rosenbauer America do? They make fire trucks! They also made the truck that is Sentinel Prime in the Transformers movie! When I was told that, I was blown away, and needed to ask for some swag. Jayson was kind enough to send me a huge package of their custom imprint promotional products that they have ordered. Below is an image of what I was sent: A custom imprinted lapel sticker, customer imprinted patch and lapel pin, promotional golf tees, personalized calendar, a screen printed T-Shirt, and an engraved bottle opener (reason they called to re-order). I am so excited to have received all of these amazing giveaways!

This past Thursday January 26th, Ken, Laura, Samantha and myself attended the SAAGNY winter showcase 2012.  The plethora of trade show items were amazing.  Any promotional product you could think of was there.  Any item you may want imprinted they had on display.  It really makes you think about how many of these items you come in contact with every single day.  We all had a great time walking the show and are looking forward to selling many of these item to our customers!

If Netflix's New Year's resolution is to rebound after its multiple flops in 2011, it's certainly off to a good start.  Last year the on-demand Internet streaming media service was slammed with backlash from customers who were unhappy with price hikes.  Then, Netflix attempted to rebrand its DVD service as Qwikster, another ill-received move.

But according to Mashable, that's all in the past: "Netflix on Wednesday announced it added 220,000 streaming subscribers in the fourth quarter and posted earnings of $0.73 per share and revenues of $876 million, beating Wall Street forecasts."  The positive performance is a good sign for the company and its shareholders.

Most importantly, investors are optimistic about the company's future, as well.  Mashable reports that "Netflix’s stock price has bounced back from a low of $64.53 in early December to $94.84, the company’s stock price at the close of the market on Wednesday." During trading after hours, the stock rose even more.

What do you think? Should we mark January 26 on our promotional desk calendars as the day Netflix made a comeback?

The first thing I do when I get to work is cross out that day on my promotional wall calendar so I do not count this date for any means on any of my orders (and secretly to make sure I know which day and date it is). I feel like without my calendar I would be a big mess! No one understands my needs or helps me remember everything like my calendar does. I mark everything from birthdays, to meetings, to special events I need to attend, to the bills I need to pay. My calendar allows me to see everthing all layed out for the month so no need to miss a payment here or there. I thank you my promotional wall calendar for making me stay so organized.

With a steady rise in e-commerce, there's almost always a sale. Whether it's during the holiday season or shortly after, June or September, there's always an opportunity for savings if you search for it.

Motivators is introducing free shipping for hundreds of Leed's items on the website. Motivators already has low prices and has the occasional promotional code for extra savings but this sale is a great way to pick up any last-minute gifts and is our way of thanking you for a successful year. So whether you want a custom imprinted watch or a promotional mouse pad, Leed's has the finest around.

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a happy and safe New Year. Right about now is the time to write your New Year's Resolutions for you, your company and your family.  One of the biggest resolutions is to get organized.  One of the best ways to started in your organization quest is with your Promotional Wall Calendars. You can write down all of your information to maintain organization.  So hurry up and buy calendars for you and everyone in your life.

Another year has come and gone. Like any new year, it's met with optimism for the coming year and a feeling of reminiscence as we look back on the year. When I look back, there are often history-making events that I overlook. Here's a small look at what defined 2011. 

The year of the protester.
Those living in New York and in any major city across the United States are all too familiar with the length and intensity of these protests. For a few months, it was common people from all walks of life that got the attention of the nation and across the globe. The push for economic reform is still alive and well, despite the steady dwindle in protests.
But the United States came late to the party. Protests started earlier in the year in the Middle East. Several countries, starting with Egypt, protested for an end to political unrest. To those unsure of why Time magazine named the protester Person of the Year, check out the maps below show just how many regions of the US and Middle East were affected by humankind.

Not the year of the tyrant political leader.
It seemed that every political tyrant that has gained notoriety during my generation has either passed away, been forced to step down or been killed in 2011. Who could remember the cell phone video just moments after Moammar Gadhafi was shot and killed or the secrecy behind the Osama Bin Laden mission. Kim Jong-Il passed away suddenly this month too.

Celebrity Google searches.
It's very hard to say which single celebrity was the Celebrity of the Year but the top 10 Google searches can give us a pretty good idea of the big names of the year. The list is as followed.
10. Madonna
9. Kim Kardashian
8. Shakira
7. Katy Perry
6. Britney Spears
5. Nicki Minaj
4. Cher
3. Rihanna
2. Justin Bieber
1. Lady Gaga
To give you an idea of how popular these people are, the 10 names combine for 3,335,000,000 searches nationwide.

There's literally hundreds of major events that have shaped the year and world history that I left out. If you want to keep together a running list of everything that happens for 2012, Motivators has a wide array of promotional calendars and promotional planners. 

After months of speculation about the possible release of the iPhone 5, on October 4, 2011, Apple surprised us all with the unveiling of the iPhone 4S.  The new mobile device was an update on the iPhone 4, and featured a more advanced camera, a dual core processor, and an advanced voice control system, Siri.  But some Apple fanatics are still holding out for the iPhone 5, hoping for a redesigned phone in 2012.

Yesterday, Mashable reported on a new round of iPhone 5 rumors that have begun to circulate.  According to Mashable, word on the street is that the iPhone 5 will have a "redesigned front rim in rubber or plastic, possibly to connect the face to a new aluminum back plate or to cover a new antenna system."

Additionally, the phone will allegedly feature a four-inch screen and is set to launch next autumn, so mark your custom planners! 

Do you trust the rumors, or is this just another set of unfounded ideas?  Share your comments below!

One glance at my promotional calendar and I realize I am behind schedule on my Christmas shopping.  I normally enjoy shopping but not at this time of year.  I am like a deer in the headlights at the mall especially if I do not have a specific gift in mind.  My sister, our hippie tree hugger, is easy to buy for as long as it's Eco-Friendly Promotional Products, she is happy.  One year I bought her a kitchen top compost bin (yuk) and she was thrilled!  Teenagers are not so easy to please.  First of all everything they really want is too expensive...i-pad, mac-book pro...trips to Florida.  Really this is what they asked for this year.  I hate to dissapoint them at Christmas, but NO.  It's not so much about the money....but the loss and eventual destruction of said electronic item.  Between 2 girls we have gone through 5 digital cameras, and probably 8 phones.  Current i-phone has shattered screen which is not a problem according to my daughter.  I can just use MY upgrade to get her a new i-phone since she is not eligible for an upgrade for over a year. So how to shop without breaking the bank and upsetting my little angels Christmas morning?  I have no idea....but I will try....

As Brandon mentioned earlier today, promotional calendars are the perfect way to brighten up and personalize cubicle space.

But once 5:00 hits, how do you stay ahead of the curve when it comes to your reminders and appointments?

Consider purchasing custom imprinted planners found on the Motivators website. These planners come in a wide variety of colors, styles and materials. The custom imprinted planners do have one thing in common: there is plenty of space to keep notes and reminders of the day.

Looking for some great deals during the Holiday season? Our new Motivators Diary Shop has free ground shipping on its items and slashed prices. 2012 planners are still available in large quantities. Order soon because you'll want these ready and shipped before the Holidays creep up.