Figuring Out Cooler Liners

This time of year is perfect for thinking about coolers. They make a great gift for customers and employees. In addition, anyone receiving a cooler will invariably hold onto it, making it a lasting marketing presence.

When looking at various types of coolers, you'll notice there are several different types of liners. To help clear some of the confusion, here's a short chart on the differences:


Heat Sealed Liner:  These provide a leak-resistant barrier and are able to hold water. Not recommended for loose ice as it can misshape and tear a soft liner. Usually made of PEVA, a non-toxic vinyl which has been replacing the use of PVC.

Silver Foil Liner:  Sometimes referred to as a thermo-liner, this is good for warm and cold items, but is not leak proof. Usually the least expensive of the liner types.

Hard Plastic Removable Liner:  A good choice for convenient cleaning and for using loose ice.

Clear Plastic Removable Liner:  A soft, leakproof liner which can be removed for easier cleaning.


To best insulate your items in a cooler, follow these tips:

• Keep your cooler out of the sun.
• Keep the cooler off the ground as it can absorb the ground heat and transfer it to the contents.
• Pack items tightly inside the cooler to minimize air circulation which can warm the contents.
• Always keep the cooler closed when not in use.

It Just Works – Promotional Products Work Week

You may think "Swag" or "Stuff" or "Tchotchke" instead of "Promotional Products," but all those terms reflect the same advertising industry which we are so proudly a member.

We often think of ourselves as the "silent" advertising profession. Everyone hears about radio, tv, print and newspaper advertising, but it's not often that "Promotional Product Advertising" gets mentioned as part of the advertising industry. Even in marketing and advertising classrooms, it remains an almost forgotten branch of the advertising world.

However, our industry is a $20+ billion one with more than 33,000 businesses – 97 percent of which are small businesses – and includes almost 500,000 professionals. In dollars spent, it's a very vibrant and growing industry, outpacing radio and magazine advertising.

The week of May 18, 2015, has been designated "Promotional Products Work Week" by our industry non-profit organization, Promotional Product Association International (PPAI).

As members of PPAI, we all work to create awareness for the value promotional products deliver to advertisers and marketers; as well as the positive impact promotional products businesses have on the U.S. economy, job creation and community enrichment.

Consumers love promotional products! PPAI research clearly demonstrates the power of the advertising medium as the most cost-effective way to reach a targeted audience in a tangible, long-lasting and memorable manner.


The info graphic below outlines some relevant statistics about the power of promotional products as an advertising medium. With 88% of recipients able to recall the advertiser, the influence of promotional products is convincing. 

The Creative J is happy to be part of such a great industry as well as a member of PPAI. We are lucky to be in an industry that has such a strong trade organization and advocate for our business success. We also thank all our customers who have been such an important part of our success.

Taking the L.E.A.D. - The Creative J Goes to Washington

Rachel Valdez
Certified Advertising Specialist
The Creative J

Next week, May 20-21, 2015, Rachel Valdez of The Creative J will join the Promotional Products Association International in Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Congress and federal agencies for the sixth annual PPAI L.E.A.D. (Legislative Education  and Action Day). Rachel was selected as one of only three members from the Midwest region to represent the industry!

The PPAI L.E.A.D. is a gathering of PPAI leadership, members and industry professionals from around the country who come together in Washington, D.C. (in-person and virtually) to educate Congress on industry-critical issues as well as the power, impact and job-generating value of promotional products. PPAI is the world’s largest and oldest not-for-profit association serving more than 11,000 corporate members of the $19.8 billion promotional products industry which is comprised of more than 33,741 businesses and a workforce of nearly 500,000 professionals.

During PPAI L.E.A.D., nearly 78 advocates from 30 states will conduct more than 250 meetings with senators, congressional representatives and their legislative staffs on Capitol Hill.

One issue this delegation will be addressing is the proposal by congress to treat advertising expenses as only 50% deductible during the year they are spent, with the remaining 50% spread out over five or ten years. Not being able to claim items such as print and media advertising, business cards, website development, promotional products and other marketing and advertising items will greatly affect how businesses operate. In addition, it would make a major impact on all areas of the advertising community. 

For more on how promotional products and advertising are a vital part of the economy, and how current and proposed legislation can impact not only this specific industry, but the businesses which rely on it as a vehicle for their own success, you can download and read the PPAI Legislative Agenda for 2015.

Still King – Printed Calendars

In a world dominated by electronic devices, does anyone still use an old-fashioned printed calendar?

You bet they do!

The printed calendar still holds an important place in both homes and businesses, which creates an advertising opportunity with great ROI.

Just a few stats, according to a 2011 PPAI study:

1981 – 98% of homes & 100% of businesses had a printed calendar.
30 years later: – 79% of homes & 78% of businesses still had printed calendars.

1981 – 70% of home and 80% of business calendars contained advertising.
30 years later: – 61% of home and 76% of business calendars were still marketing products.

1981 – Every home had nearly 4 calendars and every business had 2.5 calendars.
30 years later: – Homes had 3 and businesses had 2.

As you can see, over the course of 30 years, not a lot changed. Sure, numbers on printed calendars have gone down, but they are still used in a high percentage of homes and businesses.

Looking to reinforce your organization's name and service or mission? With a calendar, the average person will look at that calendar, and your imprint, 2 - 10 times PER DAY.

Let's take an average of those, at 6 times per day, times 5 business days per week, times 50 weeks per year (we'll subtract 2 weeks of vacation time!). That makes 1500 impressions per year. 1500 times your customers will see your name and logo. Pretty good use of advertising dollars, huh?!

If you spend an average of $3.00 per calendar, that less than 1¢ per impression, per year! It's hard to beat that stat with any other type of advertising or marketing.