I have never been a history buff, but I have always been amazed by the number of museums and attractions that exist across the USA and around the world.There is the world famous House of Mud (see Vacation), the John Deere Museum in Moline, Illinois that attracts hoards of fine tractor connoisseurs, and no museum experience is complete without a trip to the Spam Museum in Rochester, Minnesota.

This got me thinking about another unique museum that I have visited many times over the past thirteen years; starting right around the time that Sonic Promos began.Tucked away in West Hartford, Connecticut, not too far from Main Street, Blue Back Square (which has a great Whole Foods, BTW) and the Trash Museum, you will find The American Museum of Promotional History, otherwise known as my Mother-in-Law’s house (MINLAW).

Though recently remodeled, MINLAW houses a bevy of promotional items, marketing pieces and branded clothing dating back to the early 80’s (though there may be even older treasures yet discovered).Some of these items have never been opened thus increasing their street value.Our journey begins when we enter the kitchen.

Scattered among the family photos, children’s art and baby announcements dating back to the early 2000’s, the refrigerator showcases tons of promotional magnets, clips, rulers, frames, a magnetic letter opener and a coupon holder.You can even see a very early Sonic Promos magnet that dates back to 1997 (old-school).



Visitors of the Drawer Series are treated to a vast array of sticky note pads (including one for Linda McMahon’s run for US Senate), calculators, a bundled pack of Hot Hands, a promotional clip still in its packaging, a woven lanyard key tag, tape measure and a multitude of pens bundled in rubber bands.

Another drawer displays the largest known collection of privately owned jar grippers. When it comes to colors and shapes, clearly MINLAW is partial to blues and circles but you can also find some reds, yellows, greens and whites as well as hearts, ribbons and rectangles. The curators of the Drawer Series did not suggest that there was a need for 15 (!) grippers at once but “you never know.”

The drinkware cabinet displays a variety of ceramics, stainless steel and acrylic items. Notice the personalization on the American Veterans Mug. The 1984 US Figure Skating Team mug is a promotion from Maxwell House (printed on the other side). There is the ceremonial Bat Mitzvah mug that every house should own. The 1998 Republican Party Delegate mug is weathered but still shows well.

Most people can show you their matchbook collection. However the MINLAW collection can be found throughout the entire museum. Interestingly enough the restaurant-branded matches can all be found in the kitchen, a perfect place to be when one is thinking about food. As a courtesy to patrons, this piece of history is housed on the upper shelves, away from small hands and short pyromaniacs.

After visiting the kitchen, I decided to call it a day. I cannot wait to visit the Garage, Home Office and the relatively unchartered Basement Vault, where items have yet to be catalogued. Stay tuned.

When you work in direct marketing, “junk mail” becomes much more interesting.  Standing at my mailbox, I don’t automatically chuck the coupon books, flyers, postcards, and brochures; I save the ones that catch my eye for office show-and-tell.  The magnetic calendar from my neighborhood realtor carefully addressed to Lyndsey Hickerson? Keeper!

 
At the office, we review our postal treasures with an analytical eye and discuss what worked and what could use improvement.  They often inspire us with creative ideas that we can tweak and modify for a client.

Several days ago, a handwritten envelope arrived at the Sonic Promos office addressed to Seth Weiner. No return name was denoted, just the return address in California.

Upon seeing that Seth had been “selected [as] a contestant” in an online game, we went straight to the computer and discovered an interactive game show called “The Switch Is Smart”.  Humorous multiple choice answers and ego-boosting, congratulatory text kept us clicking through to the final screen where our host was at last revealed: Netgear.   Left with options to A) purchase a Netgear port, B) download case studies or C) contact a Netgear specialist, we… closed the window and went back to work.

Where did Netgear go wrong?  Tune in Monday and we’ll evaluate the good, bad and ugly about direct mail campaigns.

Last Thursday I took my son, Ben, to see the Washington Capitals play against the Tampa Bay Lightning.  We enjoyed ourselves tremendously, celebrating both a Caps win and Veteran's Day.  November 11th marked the unveiling of "Courage CAPS", a program that the Caps run that benefits Our Military Kids, a nonprofit organization that supports National Guard and Military Reserve families – one child at a time.


As part of the program the Caps sold camo shirts and hats with the Courage Caps logo on them.  You can see the gear below and on Slap Shot in the picture above.  The line for these items stretched around the corner as fans looked to support their team and a great cause at the same time. 

                                                               

In addition to the Courage Caps program, the ARMY had a booth set up.  Unfortunately both Ben and I were told that we were not the target demographic (am I that old??).  However, they were very nice and gave Ben some really neat promotional items including a camo lanyard (with breakaway strap), a carabiner watch and compass and dog tags.  It was very cool of them.


                                           

It was great to see a professional sports organization go to such lengths to acknowledge the efforts of our men and women in uniform both overseas, here at home and of course, UNLEASHING THE FURY at the Verizon Center.  Thank you all for your service to our country.

I am a lifelong Washington Capitals fan.  When I was a kid, my parents would take my brothers and I to the old Capital Centre a few times each year.  Back then the seats, hot dogs and beer cost as much as one seat does now.  But I digress.  Perhaps the one thing that has always been constant is the marketing and promotion at the games.  Years ago it was free pucks, or sticks or a t-shirt with a player’s name on it.

Nowadays, companies have changed some of their promotional tactics to keep their reach large but their expense small.  Today’s example:  Chipotle.  During each game, when there is a random break in the action, the video screen will show a video of SlapShot (the Capitals mascot) walking into a Chipotle and having burritos made up which he then brings into the stadium and throws out to the crowd.  The video can be seen here:

At the last game I went to, I was lucky enough to catch one of the burritos.  I was so excited (and hungry).  However, the hunger turned into a bit of disappointment as I soon realized that it was not a burrito but rather a compressed t-shirt wrapped in foil and made to look like a burrito.  This soon changed when I realized that the “shurito” had a Free Burrito gift card on it.  Pretty cool.

I will say that the shirt itself was pretty uncool.  One color imprint on one side and on the left chest no less.  This was a great opportunity for Chipotle to have a cool design or at least a QR tag that I could scan with my phone while at the game.

I was still pretty psyched to catch one.  You can see the pictures below.  As you will see, I have two now.  The one I caught (unopened) and the one the guy next to me caught.  His response “Sure you can have this.  What am I gonna do with this boring shirt, especially when I am going to the bars after this.”


 

I was just informed that I have been chosen as one of our industry's Rising Stars of 2010.  As they say at the Oscars, it is nice to be nominated but it is always nicer to win.  This honor is one that is only made possible by the good people that we have here at Sonic.  Whether it is consulting with you on your needs, finding you a great new product, creating the art to make your products look good, tracking your order or telling you a funny story about what is happening at the bus stop across the street, you can always count on us to be there for you.