In today’s Round-Up, we’re looking at how one Fast Company article rocked our industry by referring to promotional products as cheap conference swag which set in motion a number of online counterattacks.
Fast Company
It’s Time to Stop Spending Billions on Cheap Conference Swag
Last November, this article was published on Fast Company followed by a lot of backlash within our industry.
The author went so far as to call for a removal of promotional products from our culture. As if one can just shut down a $24 billion industry from one #fakenews opinion piece. Doing so would leave nearly 400,000 American’s without a job, and shut down over 25,000 companies, most of which are small businesses.
I think the author’s intention was to bring attention to environmental issues, which I admire, but I strongly disagree with her stand against promotional products.
ASI
ASI President & CEO, Tim Andrews, Responds to Fast Company
Many players in the promotional product industry lashed out against the Fast Company op-ed. ASI’s Michele Bell called it a stitched-together, bullshit piece of writing and called out the plagiarism aspect. Andy Cohen, also with ASI referred to it as shoddy reporting.
Promo Marketing
Getting In On the (Still) Growing Promotional Caps and Headwear Category
“For every business in the world, there is a logo, and everywhere we go, we see logos. In every sporting event, you see a hat. On every delivery person, on every golfer, every tech person, every service leader in various industries, you see a hat. The hat is universal and says it all.” -Joey Knight, Assistant Division Director for Paramount Apparel International.
So, what’s your favorite cheap conference swag item? Do you agree with any of the points made in the article? Tell us why in the comments below. You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook using the hashtag #hatswork.
