the twist: advertising: way back then

Gilmore's Garden, New York Philharmonic Society, 1878 New York

Handsome Presents Given Away with Tea & Coffee at Remers, Auburn, NY
Hood’s Sarsaparilla, Lowell, MA
Holiday Goods, Stowell & Co. 24 Winter Street

Hope Mfg. Co. Toy Manufacturers, Providence, RI

i am always on the hunt for old advertising promotions.  recently i wandered into an old paper show and found some amazing treasures.  so take a journey with me to 1878 -1910 and see how they did it way back then.  i think these die cut images are just beautiful.  perhaps used as direct mail pieces or presented to customers for patronage, they have survived for us to enjoy.  what do you think they will say about our work in a hundred years?

Dr. Benson's Celery & Chamomile Pills After Tea and Coffee, Bath, ME

the twist: i want my nba

well it is not looking too good for the nba season.  feeling kinda blue about it actually.  we have a great team in my town of orlando.  i hope that talks will resume or as they say the two sides can move the ball forward.  but in case you need a little nba action i think i have found the answer.

more twists:  put the power of the slam dunk in your hand and engage your clients with the basketball globe.   just shake the globe to score a basket. your logo prints on the 4″  sphere and it includes a desk stand.   use your imagination to score big  points with your clients.

do the twist:  at creative-crossroads i can shake up your sales with  imaginative promotional products.  there are hundreds of creative ways to get your name in front of perspective clients and renewing old relationships.  don’t have time to think about it, let me create the perfect promotion.  i’m optimistic about the season ahead. feel free to put my creativity to work for you.  creative-crossroads, always creative, always promotional.

the twist: money, yeah that’s what i want

lots of money.   i don’t know about you, but i am so sad with all of this economic newsbad unemployment numbers, the morning mantras buy this sell that;  no wait  sell that buy this;  gold vs.no gold, stimulus, son of stimulus and now the omaha buffet.  yikes.  so until it all shakes out get on with business with the million dollar big bucks note pad.  seriously who doesn’t want a million.

 more twists:  this notepad measures 3-1/2″ x 7-13/16″.  The million dollar federal reserve note is printed on one side and your logo and copy fits perfectly on the 2nd side.  each notepad is worth 50 sheets or 50 million.   

do the twist:  at creative-crossroads we are over the economic yaya’s.  getting on with business is the most important thing we can do to help get this country and our friends back to work.  at creative-crossroads, i have a slew of million dollar ideas that can get your business back on track.  hey who’s that handsome hunk on the note?  for this and more promotions to make you a million, it’s creative-crossroads, always creative, always promotional.

the twist: havin’ fun all summer long

i don’t know about you, but i am ready for summer.    tying promotional products into the warm-weather activities of summer is an excellent way to heat up sales.  products that come to mind include sunscreen, lip balms, pails and shovels, flip flops, beach towels, a personal mister and drink cups. 

more twists:  company picnics, sporting events, outdoor concerts or beach days lend themselves to a variety of branded products.  summer offers a great time to make personal connections with customers.  don’t be afraid to use eco-friendly products such as the reuseable drink cup.  create summer packs filled with a beach towel, flip flops and sun screen.   run a facebook promotion and ask your fans how they like to relax.  the possibilities are endless. 

do the twist:  i am working with clients to beat the mindset of a summer sales slump with creative self-promotions that play on warm weather themes.  research shows that colorful, fun products go a long way in building loyalty to your brand.  make creative-crossroads your promotional headquarters.  email for summer specials and grab a discount on your order.  i’m ready for some summer fun…how about you?

                        creative-crossroads, always creative, always promotional. 

the twist: je ne sais quoi

2011 the year of the flood, tornado, earthquake, terrorist, the unexpected and the inevitable…and yes, people are flocking to a small town in southwestern france to await the end of the world in 2012.  the lucky town is burarach.  it is a small village with a population of less than 200 under the mountain pic de burarach.  so you’re thinking some survival kit, i’m thinking wine survival ..hey it’s france after all…with some of the finest vineyards in the world. 

more twists:   the grigio 4-piece wine set is a classic way to carry around all the wine survival tools you will need for 2012 and beyond.  the dark, mysterious spray rubber wine bottle case includes a waiter corkscrew, pour/stopper combination and a drip ring.  and just in case all the end of the worlders have to return home to the usa, the set meets fda requirements.  but just in case it all ends, and archeologists find your bottle, your logo will be on display for posterity.  now that’s a win win. 

do the twist:  at creative-crossroads we create lifestyle promotions for all of your events.  whether you are showing up in france for the end of the world, or planning the next international conference,  add  some  je ne sais quoi to your promotional products.   always creative,  bon appetit, always promotional,  bon buvons…world without end…creative-crossroads.

the twist: got fresh?

mints are a very popular branded give-away at trade shows and conferences.  and the packaging is very unique.  from the classic mint card and domed tins to a zipper tin that also features jelly beans,  i wanted to show you some clever ways to brand your logo and keep it fresh. 

do the twist:  take a step in the right direction with the sneaker tin full of mints.  great for youth programs, charity walks.  the zipper tin is perfect for recreational events.  you can attach the tin to your gym, golf or favorite bag.  nothing like a little treat on the run.  the larger than life dice tin  will get your sales program on a roll.  finally the home sweet home tin isn’t just for real estate.  think of all the industries that center around the home.  alarm company, electrician, plumber, roofer, banker or candlestick maker?  i’ve got you covered. 

more twists:    creative-crossroads is full of fresh  promotions that will drive your sales and grow your business.  spearmint, peppermint wintergreen, hey, it’s good to be fresh.

the twist: “Y”

the “Y” project  landed on my desk  a few weeks ago.  find a product under $ 2.00 that will help maintain a healthy lifestyle and it must not leave the house.  well there are lots of products on the market that i included in my initial presentation.  but as i got to thinking what is the most important message we hear over and over…eat your fruits and vegetables.  mother was right and research has proven her point.  5 a day is the healthy way.  so off  i went to my client with the “Y”. 

do the twist:   the deluxe “Y”  is  fruit and veggie peeler made from fda approved food grade plastic.  it’s  non-toxic, lead free and dishwasher safe.   kitchen accessories are excellent choices to keep your brand  name in front of your clients. a great promotion for many different industries, realtors,  construction,  caterers, nutritional advocates, school fairs, and the list goes on. 

more twists:  my client loves the “Y” and is developing a great marketing strategy to go along with her facebook and social media outreach. it will include a few tips and  recipes about  the 5.   i love happy clients and healthy ones too.  so if you are ready to slice, dice, scoop, measure, whisk  or just peel away creative-crossroads is your place to find the most interesting promotions to get your brand on the move.  email jodie@creative-crossroads.com if you would like my favorite green drink recipe.  yes you will need the peeler but worth it.

creative-crossroads, always creative, always promotional.

the twist: tow trucks and cary grant

i love tow trucks, i love cary grant,  i love tow trucks driven by cary grant.  well almost,  so welcome to my thursday afternoon. truly there is nothing worse than the car stalling on the way to an important client meeting in busy traffic.  i found myself completely freaked out as this has never happened to me before.  what’s a girl to do.  triple aaa, i let that expire, but mark my great mechanic sent the tow truck.  and emerging from the flat-bed truck comes the cary clone.  i felt like i was in one of those movies when the action goes slow motion while reaching for your lip gloss, like that will help.  let me put it another way, this guy was his own 13 month calendar.  which brings me to my point.  promotional products  reduce stress.

do the twiststress relievers have always been popular trade show gifts.  they started out with simple shapes and designs but today the stress comes in themes and shapes for every industry on the planet and into the wild.     

more twists:  it’s a new year and the right  time for you to let creative-crossroads introduce new and clever promotions that will increase your sales, introduce your new product, get the herds to stop by your booth and reduce your stress.  kick the 2011 plan into gear.  in the next few weeks hundreds of new products will be available. watch the web site.  now back to the car.  almost fixed…minor glitch.  on my way….namaste

creative-crossroadsalways creative, always promotional.

the twist: a little kitsch

well the weather outside is frightful, if you are living in florida this week.  but as the song goes, it’s that time of year.  and in a couple of weeks, the new year will be upon us.  new year revelers always  bring out the kitsch, the feathered party hats, oversized glitzy eyeglasses emblazoned with the new year, sparkling noise makers, fireworks,  freezing tourists in times square, and lots of bubbly. so you have to admit these champagne sequined glasses are over the top kitsch and should really get the party started.

more twists:  these celebratory gold glitter champagne sunglasses are just the touch to greet 2011.  and here’s the bonus, each pair is manufactured with 400 UV protection from the sun or the morning of january 1.  aspirin.  your brand can be imprinted on the temple.  the best part, you can use these for any celebration or happy occasion in 2011.  a great promotion for restaurants, champagne distributors, wine bars, event planners, country clubs and anyplace people gather to celebrate.

 do the twist:  like you i hope for all good things in the new year. enjoy a little fun and be safe as we welcome 2011.   you definitely want to be part of the great year i have planned for you at creative-crossroads.  lots of new ideas to brand your logo and share the marketing love.  creative-crossroads, always creative, always promotional. 

the twist: now voyager

when i think back, i used to travel like a real goof ball.  truly remarkable how much stuff i used to pack for a trip including the hot rollers, the curling iron, the hair dryer, a bag of peppermint patties, and my ever trusty iron, yes my iron and niagra spray starch (full size).   now you’re thinking “real goof ball”.   5 star hotels were not always on the agenda.  and one must always look neat and tidy, no matter how many hours on the road.   fast forward, technology to the rescue.  i discovered this voyager travel iron with built-in sewing kit and thought  “genius”…and i had to share it with you.

more twists:  this unique mouse shaped 15-25 W travel iron has the following features, a non-stick sole plate, an integrated sewing kit, and its own grey cloth protection bag.  you can dry iron with a steady 170 degree celsius (338 fahrenheit) temperature.  for the sake of safety, the iron has  built-in heating safety protection, pilot light and a UL plug. 

do the twist:  my dream travel iron is great for your clients who need to look like a million for the big deal.  for this and more neatly pressed travel promotions visit creative-crossroads.  remembering the words of the great billy crystal, “it doesn’t matter how you feel, it only matters how you look”  and at creative-crossroads,  my promotions will make your brand  look marvelous.  always creative, always promotional.  give a call….