Well, according to this recent study, prenatal exposure to Bisphenol A, also known as BPA, a chemical found in most polycarbonate water bottles, makes girls aggressive. Previous studies have also claimed that exposure to BPA slows down synapses, which, if proven true, will explain why some of us are a little, uh, slow and on the chubby side. (Does this mean we should let mean people get off the hook?) While these claims need stronger proof to back them up, I think it's but wise to be on the safe side and make sure your sports bottle is BPA free. (Doesn't hurt to be safe. Ask your mom.) So the next time you call your Branders rep to order some logo-imprinted sports bottles for your next promotion, make sure you ask for the BPA-free ones. Check out our BPA-free drinkware selection

By April next year, tobacco companies will not be able to add their logo to sporting, athletic, or entertainment events or on custom T-shirts and other apparel and other promotional items. With the bill that President Obama signed recently, granting the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate tobacco, cigarette companies will be seeing a lot of changes. Aside from being banned from adding logos to promotional items (similar to what happened to the health industry early this year), tobacco companies will have to pull out flavored cigarettes off the market. In addition, manufacturers and importers will have to disclose the ingredients in their products. It's been a longstanding battle between legislators and tobacco companies, one that many probably thought they won't see the end of. Obama, who has publicly disclosed his struggles to quit smoking, hopes this new bill will reduce the 1,000 teenagers who become smokers every day. If your organization is looking into promotional items to help you in your anti-smoking campaign, this box of custom Australian chewing sticks is a good encouragement. Infused with Australian tea-tree oil, peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, fennel, and menthol, these promotional chewing sticks freshen breath and leave a long-lasting flavor in the mouth that promises to ...

Whether you're a frequent business traveler of staying home, the increasing cases of swine flu are cause for concern. Some things to consider, in light of this health threat: > It would be wise to heed the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stay put and avoid traveling to Mexico, or stay home when one is showing possible symptoms of the virus: headache, cough, sore throat, nausea, fever, dizziness. I remember being stranded in a Shanghai airport many years back during the height of the avian flu occurrence, and it's not an enjoyable thing--trust me. Health should always be a priority, more than closing a business deal. > Maintain good hygiene. Custom hand sanitizers, alcohol, and antibacterial gel are always good to have when one is traveling or outdoors, so it would be good to have these logo items within everyone's reach. Of course, nothing beats handwashing with soap, pandemic or not. > See your doctor. I subscribe to the belief, "Better safe than sorry." Some relevant readings: 5 things you need to know about swine flu Avoid Mexico, travelers are told Is it safe to fly during the swine-flu outbreak? Don’t miss out on these special subscriber-only promos! Subscribe to our ...

Doctors will be missing their promotional pens, flash drives, calculators, mugs, and other drug company giveaways as the pharmaceutical industry places a moratorium on logo giveaways that are meant to foster goodwill. “We have arrived at a point in the history of medicine in America where doctors have deep, deep financial ties with the drug makers and marketers,” said Allan Coukell, the director of policy for the Prescription Project, a nonprofit group in Boston working to promote evidence-based medicine. “Financial entanglements at all the levels have the potential to influence prescribing in a way that is not good.” Stipulated by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the code also places an emphasis on a 2002 ban on expensive goods and services like sports games tickets, junkets, and financial sponsorships for conferences and scholarships. Read the full-length article here. Photo credit: NY Times

By next year, you cannot give out these promotional pens to healthcare clients. The promotional products industry seems to be taking a beating this month. In the first half of July, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America announced that it is prohibiting the "distribution of non-educational items (such as pens, mugs and other 'reminder' objects typically adorned with a company or product logo) to healthcare providers and their staff" as these "may foster misperceptions that company interactions with healthcare professionals are not based on informing them about medical and scientific issues." The same code, which takes effect January 2009, discourages company sales representatives from "providing restaurant meals to healthcare professionals." However, "occasional meals in offices" may be given in relation with "informational presentations." PhRMA also stresses that "companies should not provide any entertainment or recreational benefits to healthcare professionals." [Read the full-length PhRMA press release here.] What all this is telling us is that promotional items are very influential--so influential, in fact, that their effect on our doctors' judgment is bothering some people. Steve Slagle, president and CEO of Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), never said it better: "I find it hard to believe that educated and sophisticated professionals in the healthcare field ...

Yes, that's right. If you're a Los Angeles resident, you must know by now that the days of plastic bags will soon be over and you'll have to BYOB (bring your own bag) to the supermarkets or buy your own paper or biodegradable bags for $0.25. Hopefully you'll be carrying around some customized canvas bags and not your own plastic bags. But why wait till 2010? You can start with your eco-friendly drive today while building brand visibility by adding your logo to this promotional canvas bag. It's only $2.33 each when you order 1,600 pieces, but that means shoppers will be using your bags for years. What's more, this particular bag can be used for any occasion--whether you're doing errands or simply going out for a stroll. It makes a cool lunch bag as well. I think it's a great move, although I wonder why it has to take a ban for all of us to be more conscious about our use of plastic bags. How do you feel about this new development in Los Angeles?

It just got more exciting... Finally, all our clients, suppliers, readers and even occasional passersby are given more platform to discuss anything. And we mean ANYTHING! Of course, promotions and marketing queries are standards, but Brander's forums are more than that. In fact, you can join rooms especially designated for personal favorites that have nothing to do with promotional products. It's a live community that will be answering the confounding questions you might have and providing a much-needed breather you might have been seeking. Now, let's start talking...

Already a full week into 2008, here's a heads up on the hottest (not simply “newest”) promotional items and marketing products for the year. Multifunctionality, strong visual appeal and environment-friendliness are dominant trends, with some designs fusing all three qualities. Electronic promotional items set for release this 2008 include key chains with proximity detectors and promotional USB accessories for various uses. USB-powered magic answer balls and wood-encased flash drives will join PC-connected cup warmers, fans and desk lamps in the mix. Ballpoint pens that double as laser pointers or memory-card readers, or project graphics will also be offered. USB-ready heated mouse pads featuring snow-globe hubs with calculator, clock and mobile-phone-charging functions will be available in the coming months as well. Nonelectronic promotional items with bundled handy tools such as screwdrivers and miniature pliers are also among the products to watch. Further, many will be integrated with add-ons like carabiners, ID holders, compasses, whistles, bottle holders and openers and flashlights. The new year will also see promotional items with vivid detailing. Designed to lend a higher perceived value, the latest marketing products will have more-solid colors, novel and ergonomic forms, and richer textures. Additionally, bold and brightly hued prints, and ...

Think Pink! October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which you must have known by now because of several pink products available in the market. I am actually extremely happy that companies have started supporting this noble and serious cause by incorporating such initiative in their overall business strategy. From cosmetics to perfumes to apparel to jewelry, companies incorporated this cause to sale of these products by setting aside a portion of sales to give as contribution. I would certainly hope that more companies would do the same and play a part in this cause. You do not need to produce a separate product line up and start a separate marketing campaign (as others have done) to do this. A great idea is to incorporate this in your promotional products, corporate gifts and employee giveaways. By doing this, your company will be promoting breast cancer awareness while your company implements its brand building initiatives. It is like killing two birds with one stone! There are promotional items with a Breast Cancer Awareness theme available that you an definitely use to be a part of the global movement against breast cancer.

I've said it time and time again. Promotional products truly are an effective means of advertising. As proof, sales continue to climb – meaning more people are discovering just how well it does the job of bringing your brand out there. In a recent survey published by Advertising Specialty Institute® (ASI) on March 14, 2007, data shows that industry revenues topped $18.6 billion last year. The 2006 record-setting figures exceeded the 2005 sales by 4.5 percent. In addition, the annual advertising specialty industry analysis also showed that spending on promotional products was almost twice as large as Internet display advertising. It is also nearly five time greater than outdoor advertising and more than cable TV advertising. The exclusive annual analysis, conducted by ASI, shows that growth in 2006 was driven by a healthy economy in North America and by increased interest from businesses in using advertising specialties as an alternative to other forms of advertising and as an integral part of their marketing campaigns. “The advertising specialty industry is extremely robust and as this analysis indicates, has set an unprecedented record of continued growth and increased sales for the last four years,” said Timothy M. Andrews, president of ASI. Advertising Specialty Institute is the largest ...