If you’re involved in the promotions industry, you may have come across the fascinating design insights that I’ve come across recently from Martin Lindstrom, author of ‘Buy•ology’.

Lindstrom, through a study of the human psyche, throws light on the subconscious mind and how that plays a major role in deciding what the buyer will buy. In doing so, Lindstrom breaks a number of existing myths related to advertising and promotion.

An interesting theory of his, is his idea of a “smashable” product. In 1915 the Coca-Cola company decided that it needed to do something about the design of its bottles, as they felt there straight-sided containers weren’t distinctive enough. The result was that the Root Glass Company of Terre Haute, Indiana, proposed the swirling, curved “contour” bottle, which remains, one of the most recognisable and loved brand icons.

Why did this happen do you think? In 1915 the designer of Coca-Cola’s bottle was given a simple yet brilliant brief: design the bottle systematically and so distinctive that, if smashed, a single piece of glass would be recognizable as, and signify the Coke brand. As Martin says himself; “The Coke bottle story is fascinating from a brand building perspective. In theory, all brands should be able to pass this test. So, working on this principle, if you removed the logo from your brand, would it still be recognizable?”

Remember if you would like any free branding advice, contact the friendly promotions team over at Gift Selection.

A very popular promotional pen on the continent, is the proudly German, Schneider range of writing instruments.

Well what can I tell you about Schneider pens? Well they certainly think they’re very good, but more interestingly they are the only promotional pen manufacturer to have been certified for more than 10 years with the world’s most demanding Environmental Management System in accordance with the EU Eco-Audit Regulation EMAS.

Created in the late 1940’s to manufacture superior refills for the American pens then being imported, Schneider quickly grew to be one of Germany’s largest pen manufacturers. Schneider today produces a wide range of interesting products; which prides itself on their excellent refill range in particular.

Quality promotional product distributers like Gift Selection and Pens2order, are one of the few promotional product businesses that are able to offer these branded pens in the UK. There is a wide range of pens available, but their Slider range has established itself as a best seller with its new ViscoGlide ink - a high-performance hybrid ink that combines the best features of traditional ballpoint ink and gel ink!

For more information on continental promotional pens – you know who to ask.

Have you seen the unusual range of promotional travel packs that Gift Selection have made available? Each branded pack has a distinct theme, which are ideal for different sorts of clients you may have.

My favourite of these promotional gift packs, is the branded Automotive pack (pictured). The idea behind this quirky promotional product, is that it is kept in the recipient’s glove box at all times. For organisations such as hire cars, car dealerships, valleting businesses – this promotional product would be absolutely perfect to give away to their better clients.

Well what do you get in this promotional gift pack? In a quality branded box, one receives a mini torch, tire gauge, a pen and paper, small ice scraper, two adhesive plasters, plastic gloves, cleaning wipes and a little random I admit – a poncho.

There are many other promotional options (this is just my favourite), such as; First Aid, Anti Crises, Survival, Business and Travel. As always, if you have any questions about this (or any promotional), contact the friendly experts over at Gift Selection.

Apple’s iTunes system has revolutionized the music industry, with Johnny Cash’s Guess Things Happen That Way’, becoming the 10 billionth track to be sold at the ITunes online store.

Black Eyed Peas’ I Gotta Feeling was officially named the site’s most downloaded track, with their single ‘Boom Boom Pow’ the third biggest seller. Louie Sulcer of Woodstock, Georgia bought the 10 billionth track winning a$10,000 (£6,500) iTunes gift card.

There are plenty of promotional products within the corporate gift industry, which enable your organisation to associate themselves with the music industry. Promotional iPod accessories include; branded covers, branded skins, branded cables – even branded iPod voice recorders. Promotional iPod protective cover are all you need to keep your pride and joy safe and sound from the elements, and offer a great branding area for you to spread your corporate identity.

Promotional iPod accessories are sure to give a modern feel to your brand, and have the benefit of being inexpensive, and popular with practically any music lover. If you have a particular branded iPod accessory in mind which you can’t find, let the friendly teams know at Gift Selection and Gadgets2order, who are likely to be able to source it for you.

M&Ms are the treat that melts in your mouth but not in your hand, being one of the leading lines in Mars Chocolate’s confectionary range. Since 1941, and throughout one hundred countries around the world, people have enjoyed scoffing down those little chocolate drops.

Believe it or not, they have now opened a corporate division, so you can now buy promotional M&Ms branded with your corporate message. Very few UK distributors are able to supply these branded M&Ms, but one quality supplier is Sweets2order.

Branding of these M&Ms isn’t even limited to just text, you can even have detailed images of logo’s or even people’s faces. Jim Cass their general manager said, “We are always looking for new products, for example putting a face on M&M’s in addition to words. Expanding our products to businesses with logos and personalized packaging was an outstanding opportunity for us that has been a natural progression for our company.”

You will be surprised by the level of detail in the personalisation; you would be forgiven for thinking you couldn’t reproduce something so accurately on such a small area. In your pack of M&Ms, you can choose any three of 25 colour-ways, along with a broad range of packaging options.

Remember if you have any questions about any promotional confectionary item in general, call the branded sweet experts over at Sweets2order.

Tonight is the night the Brit Awards rolls into London’s Earls Court with; Lady Gaga, Lily Allen, Florence and the Machine, Pixie Lott and JLS all in the running for a possible hat-trick of awards.

As the UK’s biggest music award night, viewers will be treated to performances from Lady Gaga, Kasabian, Cheryl Cole, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, while Prince Harry has recorded a message for the live show, as the ceremony celebrates its 30th anniversary.

The somewhat unlikely host, Peter Kay, is the latest host of the famous awards which began back in 1977. Two special categories have been created to celebrate the best of the Brits over the past 30 years - the best Brits performance and the best album since the ceremony began.

If your organisation fancies an award ceremony of its own, you don’t necessarily have to dress up as Peter Kay, but you do need some quality personalised awards. One quality engraved award supplier is Gift Selection, who have supplied top end engraved awards to all sorts of organisations.

A quality award will make your order staff really feel appreciated, where as one that looks knocked together my result in a mass walk out. Gift Selection can engrave all sorts of popular award styles, such as globes, shards, prisms and stars – but unfortunately no Brit Awards.

Top promotional product supplier Gift Selection and Gadgets2order have added a new range to their technology business gift range, with the launch of a new range of audio speakers designed especially for the promotional products market.

The new range has ten models, with big flat surfaces which are ideal for vibrant full colour prints, at relatively low prices. You can have the majority of these quality branded speakers for under the ten pound mark.

There are three series within the range; the round ball series which features two separate speaker systems merged into a coloured ball design, the square series with a unique textile surface finish that can be used for any full colour transfer printing; and the PVC and paper foldable series, which are lightweight with a flat design, which easily slips into a laptop bag.

Their range is looking to strengthen their speaker range with top end design, but at a reasonable price point.  If require any information at all, contact the friendly teams over at Gift Selection and Gadgets2order.

We sell promotional products to all different sectors of the economy, and to a wide range of business and organisations. Our main client base is made up of public sector organisations like schools, councils and the NHS. We also sell promotional material to lots of charities, and to large businesses via marketing agencies.

One sector we haven’t broken into is the space industry – yet! The government in conjunction with industry and academia, have said the UK space industry can become a much bigger global player, employing thousands of highly skilled workers and turning over approximately £40bn a year.

The report does warn greater investment is needed, but will position the UK for future success. The Space IGS wants to see R&D spending within industry increase by £5bn, and for the government to double its annual civil space budget to £550m over the next ten years.

The nearest promotional item we can offer for the space industry, is the branded Fisher Space Pen. The Fisher Space pen range was designed for use in Space, when astronauts began to explore the reaches of outer space, Paul Fisher realized that there was no existing pen which could perform in its freezing cold, boiling hot vacuum!

If you think a promotional Fischer Space pen, would make a great corporate gift for your organisation, contact the friendly teams over at Gift Selection & Pens2order.

An entrepreneurial chef and hotel owner is planning to produce Scotland’s first commercially-available wine.  Pete Gottgens, originally from South Africa, has planted vines in the grounds of the Ardeonaig hotel in Perthshire.

Mr Gottgens said: “I don’t for one minute think we are going to rival any of the great wine-producing areas of the world.” He explained that he wanted to sell the wine in his restaurant and also allow guests to see the production process. There are 48 vines in total from four different varieties, in the grounds of the hotel located on the banks of Loch Tay.

To celebrate his new venture and promote his business, Mr Gottgens might appreciate some wine themed promotional products. Branded bottle openers are available in all shapes and sizes, and make for a neat promotional product that people are likely to keep for a long time. If bought in quantity, you can pick up a promotional bottle opener to put on a set of keys for as little as 50p.

Alternatively high quality wine accessory sets, make for eye catching corporate gifts, that are bound to make the recipient feel appreciated. Having engraved wine gifts such as bottle stoppers, wine collars and cork screws will make a smart addition to any dining table.

There is a branded wine set for every wallet, but if you’re looking for something specific, contact the friendly promotional experts over at Gift Selection.

The Government’s plans to reward eco-friendly households, has received a muted welcome for not being generous enough.

The clean energy cash-back plan, known as “feed-in tariffs“, offers incentives from April onwards, for those who install small scale renewable on their homes such as solar panels. The UK gets about 5.5% of its electricity from renewable sources, and in order to hit green targets in 10 years’ time, this would have to rise to 30%, which I just can’t see happening.

“Ministers have been far too timid with a policy that could make a significant contribution to cutting emissions and boosting energy security,” said Dave Timms, of Friends of the Earth. The Solar Trade Association said the rate of return was half of that seen under other schemes.

To be fair to the government, more is on its way. Proposals for a second incentive scheme for renewable heat, with people being paid to install technology such as ground source heat pumps and biomass boilers are on the agenda for the 2010 Budget.

Another way the government could reduce Britain’s carbon footprint, is to insist on all new promotional products be eco friendly. One quality distributor of eco friendly promotional products is ecoproducts2order.

They are able to supply a complete solution to your promotional product needs, from traditional eco friendly cotton shoppers to more unusual green corporate gifts. Eco friendly promotional products don’t have to be the usual recycled pen and pencils. They can take many forms, my favourite being the eco friendly promotional piggy bank!