Before I tell this story, I need to preface it by saying that it is 100% true. There is no part of this story that will be made up and all of my fellow Motivators must promise to believe me. The reason I start this way is because this story is unbelievable. And when I say unbelievable, I mean LITERALLY (yes, Adam, I said literally) UN-BELIEVABLE.

So, my dad is a golfer. He golfs on Thursday mornings before work and on either Saturday or Sunday. Now, since he does spend a lot of time on the green, you may think this makes the chances of THIS happening greater - but, I don't buy it!

Picture this: He is on the 10th hole. He hits a long shot (I think that's what it's called) and tries to follow his ball. As it nears the water, it's going, going, and GONE. But, where did it go? Following the balls arch he nears the pond. But- did it go in? Maybe. Then, it happens. Right before his eyes... he locates a ball. Thinking it is his, he picks up the ball and walks on. Then, he notices a blue logo on the ball. His eyes focus and this is what he saw:

HOW CRAZY IS THAT!!!! I promise, I did not plant this ball, nor did I give my dad Motivators Golf Balls. It was fate. Truly fate. So, incase you didn't think that Promotional Golf Balls could get your name our there - you were wrong. Check out our Promotional Golf Balls here!

The social media giant Twitter is getting ready to launch its new iPad app to the public. The app is completely free and has a ton of integrated materials and interfaces for support. People are very excited about the iPad app due to the fact that the iPad allows for certain features to be added that the cell phone platforms cannot handle.

The biggest appeal about the Twitter app for iPad is its incredible level of user-interactive and user-friendly design. The large screen allows the Twitter page to be presented to the user in the form of multiple "window panes" which can be expanded or retracted just as on a real desktop. The user can funnel through tweets, photos, and news stories until they land on the content that they want. The iPad also optimizes the media-viewing experience for the user. iPad tweeters are able to load videos and other media forms while simultaneously reading new tweets and writing their own.

From the perspective of the promotional products industry, the possibilities of the Twitter iPad app are endless. The iPad was made for media consumption. We have seen other companies embrace the advertising potential of the iPad with apps that make your screen look like a classic magazine page. Endless other apps and pages exist whose job it is to appeal to the user in a way that will encourage them to participate in the media experience.

Twitter has already accomplished the feat of attracting a worldwide audience to its domain by proving the communications and social media potential of its service. By bridging the gap with iPad, they can conquer the final frontier of mobile internet hardware, thus resulting in new incredible opportunities for companies to advertise their product for free.

On no other interface can a Twitter user have such a complete and sound experience of the application offered. Companies will now be able to develop creative means of advertising that only iPad users will be able to experience. This includes games, quizzes, and other forms of participation which will attract the attention of Twitter users on iPad.

As a promotional products company, Motivators has realized the potential that apps like this have to offer. That's why we have recently released the Motivators App for all Apple products and Android phones. This application allows the customers to purchase all types of promotional items right from the comfort of your own home. The main goal of the app is to free users from the constraints of their office, so that when they have a good idea for an upcoming promotion they can place the order at any time. Everything from embroidered apparel to promotional pens is offered on the Motivators App, and since its launch has generated a tremendous amount of traffic for the company.

One can begin to see the incredible speed and potential that social media has to offer when you combine the Motivators App and Twitter App on your iPod. Since Motivators is always using Twitter to talk about our new promotional products and hot deals, any of our followers will be able to receive this tweets right to the timeline feed of their iPad. Once something catches their eye, they will then be able to switch over to the Motivators App and place the order. This entire process can take place in under a minute with less than five clicks of a button. There is no having to switch hardware, there are no long wait times, and you can do it all right from the comfort of your own home!

Adam,

I think its about time that we, your coworkers step in. Considering that today, your AIM status is a farewell message to the vending machine, I think it's safe to say you have a slight problem with food. I'm not calling you fat because let's face it, you're not. But Adam, dearest, you are freakishly obsessed with food. You are Motivators own foodie. You sniff out breakroom treats before the email is even sent out and often times, you pop in on departmental celebrations in a Where's Waldo kind of way. I must say, I quite loved the time we said goodbye to a co-worker and you IMed me asking about the cake. You weren't asking me where I got it, you were just making sure it did in fact exist. Don't think that the rest of us don't know how much you favor Rhonda because every time she comes in here she brings food. And as I type this, I'm remembering this morning's biggest problem: you couldn't find the whipped butter for the bagels.

As your co-worker, I feel that it is imperative for me to step in. It's not that you need to stop obsessing with food, but you have to start obsessing over better food. I think I wouldn't have so much of a problem with it if you liked good food, but the sheer fact that you actually ate at the Pop Tarts restaurant in NYC and liked it…no. Just no. And let's not forget that two days ago you tried to bribe me to vote for Chef Boyardee and Ramen in the vending machine. Granted, it's not like we can get Gordon Ramsay quality food in there, but Ramen? Adam…please.

So here are a few promotional products that might help you on your quest to better food.

Leeds Twist All Opener Set
Please use the corkscrew to open a fine wine. The can opener must not be used for Chef Boyardee brand products, and likewise the jar opener can open something classy…like olives. Not Tostitos salsa or peanut butter.

Leeds Savory Cheese Set
This set is not meant for Polly-O my friend. It's not meant for Baby Bell. Please Adam, cut some gouda with this set and leave the days of individually wrapped cheeses behind you.

Classic Fondue Set
How about you toast a French baguette and melt some Gruyere? You can even melt some rich dark chocolate and couple it with some fresh fruit. There are other dips besides the French onion.  And don't you dare tell me Ranch. I will smack you, and it will be for your own good.

Vierge Bamboo Kitchen Utensil Set
You see the size of that spoon, Adam? That will not fit in a Cup O' Noodles. Use it to toss a salad with fresh escarole, baby spinach and some sun dried tomatoes. It's a perfectly acceptable alternative to a Pop Tart Fluffernutter.

Laguiole 2 Piece Carving Set
There's something to be set about carving a roast turkey. In fact that "something" is that a fresh carved Turkey tastes far better when it comes from an over and not an Oscar Meyer package.

I'm hoping that you heed my advice because there are far better things in the world than Cheetos and Beefaroni.

P.S.: Overhearing the plan of you faking your engagement just so Maria will make you "dirt" only makes me think you need this now more than ever.

As we approach Labor Day weekend, I'm sure many of you are preparing for another year end barbaque. For my friends and I, we traditionally have a all day BBQ event. This year we might try something different and have a BBQ at a park or beach.  Its funny, for the past two years we have been using the same exact BBQ set.  I was maybe thinking it might be the time for a change.  I was looking through the Motivators website and noticed that there was several custom BBQ sets offered. As of now I have my eyes set on this custom 6 piece BBQ set. For those of you in need of a portable grill check out our custom Chill and Grill Outdoor Kit.

I love to travel. Anyone who reads my blogs knows I always jump on the chance to go somewhere different, even if it is only for a day or two, even if it is only a state or two away.I'm lucky that I have a girlfriend that feels the same way. We have traveled as far away as Cancun, and as close to home as Mystic, CT. This Friday is her 25th birthday so what better gift could I give than a Labor Day weekend mini vacation? So, this weekend we are packing our promotional duffel bags and heading off to our nation's capitol, Washington DC. Here's the thing, we both have leased cars pushing the limits of mileage and flights are overly expensive. That didn't stop us though. One of the most popular ways to get to DC is by bus. When I did my research I found MANY different DC bus lines. Not wanting to put my wonderfully patient girlfriend through a miserable 5 hour transportation experience to DC I made sure to read many reviews of the different bus lines.Based on reviews, availibility and cost my choice was a line called DC2NY. They have a very easy to use website, good reviews, moderate cost and oh yeah, a free bottle of water. Now you may laugh, but they are the only line that does this. It is a very small thought that can do a lot to seperate themselves from a crowded field of competition. If they are smart, they give out promotional bottled water. That will keep the company name in front of their customer's face for the entire bus ride, maybe even when the ride is over and long after! They could probably get close to a month's worth of promotional bottled waters for .90 per piece! So, long story short, I'm very excited for my trip, hopefully along the way I'll find some more promotional products to come back with.

The unofficial end of summer is marked by Labor Day weekend. Every year people are given their last chance to soak up the sun at the beach or have a nice family barbeque before the cold weather sets in. This year is going to be a little bit different, since a hurricane is threatening to disrupt the east coast with some heavy wind and rain. Don't worry though; there are still plenty of activities to do indoors for your weekend. If you want to just relax, you can watch a movie in your home and catch up on family time. If you're more of a socialite, there are plenty of Labor Day parties that will be moved indoors due to the inclement weather. And if you don't live in a hurricane zone, then this shouldn't affect your plans at all. Let's take a look at a few promotional products that will help make your Labor Day experience much more enjoyable.

For the people who live on the coast (not the east coast) this will be one of your last chances to hit the beach before the fall sets in. Of course there are a ton of promotional products which can be used at the beach, but probably the most useful are promotional towels. These towels can serve multiple purposes for any beachgoer, including being used as a comfortable surface to lie on over the sand, or to dry you off when you get out of a nice swim in the ocean. There are plenty of these promotional beach towels that can be used for your Labor Day beach experience, and they will go just as good in the linen closet of your home. My favorite by far is the Jacquard beach towel pictured below. The bright colors will definitely catch people's attention at the beach, making it a great promotional investment.

Everyone could use a few promotional picnic barbeque items to make their Labor Day social events much more fun. If you plan on having a BBQ at your home and inviting of some guests, you could definitely benefit from a BBQ set like the one pictured below. A nice set like this has everything that you need to cook up a nice feast for your guests. Keeping with the same theme of outdoor barbeques, people obviously like to enjoy cold beverages at these parties. Using some custom can coolers at your party will be a big hit for your guests. People always enjoy the practical value of an item like this, as it keeps the hands from getting cold and wet. They also provide a great branding opportunity, as people have a chance to discuss the imprinted logo on the can cooler while they socialize at the barbeque.

Of course we can't forget about those people who will be trapped in the midst of Hurricane Earl this weekend. At some point people are going to have to venture out into the rain, either to go to the supermarket or take in a movie. They will need some cover from the heavy storm, and the item to help is promotional umbrellas. There are a ton of different sizes and types of umbrellas that can be obtained for this purpose, but they all have the same function: to keep the recipient dry in the rain. People will totally appreciate the value of these umbrellas, and that value shoots through the roof once they are in high demand at times like this one. Now you can afford to salvage your Labor Day weekend so you don't have to be soaked every time you leave your home.

I can't believe it's Labor Day weekend already. It feels like just yesterday we were planning for the 4th of July weekend. Unfortunately, though, this holiday weekend, the weather is not going to be as pleasant as it was in beginning of the summer season. Hurricane Earl has developed out in the Atlantic Ocean and is expected to hit the Northeast this weekend. How much of an impact it will have on us is not yet determined, but anything can happen so it does not hurt to be prepared. A useful promotional item to have handy in the house is the hurricane safety wheel, which contains important safety, preparation and evacuation information. Also, with the possibility of a blackout and immediate emergency - every household should have a LED Hurricane Lamp, bottled water, emergency clock / radio / phone charger (extra batteries, since this item has is an optional battery backup), and a premier first aid kit. It is a great idea to actually have these items readily available in all homes throughout the year in case of any kind of emergency. Even though it's always a good idea to be prepared, I really hope we will not need any of these promotional items this weekend. Instead I hope to use my promotional sunscreen stick and promotional beach balls instead. Happy Labor Day Everyone!!

As the summer comes to a close, the days are beginning to get shorter and the nights are getting cooler. The start of autumn is by far my favorite time of year. The temperature is perfect, the landscapes are gorgeous, and there is that certain nostalgic feeling that returns from smelling the burning fireplaces in the air and remembering trick-or-treating as a child.

If you own a business, the key to the change in season is to pick the right promotional products that fit. You don't want to be handing out items that are good for the summer, because the recipient won't be able to use it for a full year. The most popular category for getting the word out about your brand is embroidered apparel. So let's check out a few items of clothing which are most appropriate for fall, and which will have a long promotional life for the upcoming season.

The first item of promotional apparel that makes a fantastic gift for the autumn is the Gildan Activewear Ultra Blend Crewneck sweatshirt. This item is one of the best custom sweatshirts you can buy for such an affordable price. It is made of a 50/50 split between cotton and polyester. This is the perfect ratio as it will be a hybrid of comfort and durability on the recipient's body. It has the ribbed sleeves and waistband so that the sweatshirt won't ride up on your arms or body.

This allows the recipient to be active while they wear the sweatshirt, whether they are going out for a jog or throwing around a football in the backyard. Sweatshirts are the perfect item to offer people at company picnics or outdoor events, but they can also be sent personally to your clients as gifts. They can be worn by themselves as the season begins to change, and then used as a thick layer as the winter begins to come around.

Another one of our promotional products that is great for the fall comes from a line of promotional windshirts. These shirts are great for the chilly weather because they can be used as a thin overshirt layer in the outdoors. The Harriton microfiber windshirt pictured below is perfect for anyone who is going to be participating in any athletic or outdoor activity. The recipient can wear it out for a nice walk around the town, on a fishing trip, or just to sit in the stands and watch their child play a Little League baseball game in the cool months.

The windshirt is 100% polyester so the wearer will be able to get plenty of use out of it. The wind and water resistant material, as well as the high V-neck collar will be able to keep the person warm if they are caught in a storm or hanging out by the ocean. It also features two side pockets to keep your hands warm when it starts to get cold. People will really appreciate an item like this, and will remember your business for it when they see the imprinted logo on the front.

The final piece of embroidered apparel that can be offered to your clients in the fall is a bit on the heavier side. A promotional fleece is such an ideal piece of clothing because the material will keep the recipient warm well into the winter. This Clique Jermone fleece is made of 100% polyester microfleece which is designed to retain as much body heat as possible. The item has an open bottom so that it is easy to slip on and off the recipient's body. Fleece is an item that will be in very high demand by your clients as the weather turns cold, simply because it is such a versatile piece of apparel. Wearers can use the fleece as a jacket throughout most of the fall, and then turn it into a middle layer as the snow begins to fall.

I have not been sleeping well at night. I have crazy vivid dreams that wake me up and freak me out (I blame this on pregnancy). With that being said, my favorite thing to do during the weekend is take a nap! I can fall asleep at any time no matter what TV is on or Music is playing. I can fall asleep with lights on, people talking, and the dog barking...I love to nap. I do understand that most people are not like me, and require a dark quiet setting for rest. For those more normal people, I would highly recommend the satin sleep mask. These are also a great promotional giveaway for spas, airlines, and pharmacies. So be like me and take a nap at any time of the day!

In an ever-growing world of technology, the Internet and social media have become the future. Since the first social media sites were created in the early 2000's, a demographic of young people has dominated their usage. Websites like MySpace and Facebook were originally used as networking sites (and that is still their main purpose), but now these sites have become much more integrated and involved. This has allowed companies the opportunity to buy up advertising space on these sites, and that makes the social media phenomenon very interesting to cover from the promotional products industry.

Now it seems that social media has broken ground on the final frontier: a demographic of people aged 55+. More specifically, the numbers increased 88% from Internet users 55-64, and 100% in the 65 and up age group. What makes this so interesting is the fact that there is obviously a huge gap in Internet savvy between this age group, and people in their 20's, 30s, and even 40's. These people have gone through a major portion of their lives without the benefit of computer technology to get them by. They used a pen and paper instead of calculator, got their news from printed publications instead of websites, and met their significant others at dances or through mutual friends, instead of meeting them on dating sites.

Whereas younger people matured with social media, these people have obtained so much life experience without social media that they are considered "old-fashioned" and don't see the communication and advertising benefits of social media. Or at least previously they did not. Now they are finally coming around to realizing that the 20th century is long behind them, and this is a brave new world. Of course there are both pros and cons to that new world, but in the case of social media the attributes of the technology are overwhelmingly positive.

Now while this new demographic is using sites like Facebook to socialize with friends, and make new business contacts, we in the promotional products industry see the advertising potential in these new statistics. Potential advertisers that do good research will optimize on this new trend. This means new types of Internet advertisements which are catered towards the older age group. Facebook has the birthdate information of mostly all of its users. They will start developing more and more ads now based on this information, so that clickable ads appear on the Facebook interface which are most relevant to the age of the user. For example, instead of the user clicking on the homepage and seeing general ads for a phone company or movie, the older user might see an ad for a healthy eating company or AARP membership.

Companies who have struggled to reach these people in the past through traditional means of advertising like television ads and billboards will now have the opportunity for a much different approach. Now, older people may be spending time browsing Facebook or Twitter instead of flipping through the list of their favorite television programs. Furthermore, there is a crucial difference between TV ads and Internet ads: on TV, there is programming followed by commercials. Many people have subconsciously trained themselves to zone out during these commercials or even change the channel. The conversion rate of people watching the program to people see the ad is low.

On the other hand, Internet ads co-exist with the programming or function of the website that the user is currently on. Facebook users can still browse the site while they see the ads in the corners of the screen. To go a step further, these ads have the potential to be fully interactive for the user, through the use of games and quizzes. While young people have been immersed in this type of advertising from a young age, it's something completely new to the older demographic. Therefore, it is much more impressive and stimulating, which will make older users incredibly receptive to it once they have let in the idea of social media in the first place.

The promotional products industry will be following this trend much more closely in the future, to see how they can stay ahead of the curve and get involved in what is becoming the industry with the most potential for profit in present day.