What's New at W. M. Martin Advertising?

Code of Conduct Adopted by W. M. Martin Advertising

2012-01-09T20:59:22Z

W. M. Martin Advertising just adopted the Code of Conduct recently established by our industry, PPAI.It assures our valued customers that we not only will provide quality merchandise but will continue to be committed to social ethics by aligning ourselves with suppliers that do not use child labor, pay fair wages and reduce waste while producing merchandise.

'Tis the Season

2011-12-20T17:13:15Z

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone! It can be a crazy time of year but I hope that you take the time to rejoice, enjoy your family, friends and count your blessings. I am sure if you look, you can find them everywhere. Do you have a job? Give thanks. A roof over your head, friends and family in your life? Give thanks. It doesn't always feel joyful when rushing around or missing those who are no longer here but please take the time to remember in good ways. Our team at W. M. Martin Advertising gives thanks to all of you who have touched us and trusted us to be your marketing partner(and hopefully we mean a little more than that too!). Have a peaceful and wonderful year's end and happy, safe new year. Look forward to hearing from you in 2012.

CPSC To Hold Public Hearing About Lead Content

2011-01-31T20:52:00Z

As part of W. M. Martin Advertising's push to Brand our customers safely, we just wanted to inform you about the upcoming public hearing about lead content hosted by the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission). Check out this article article with all the information about it. We at W. M. Martin Advertising take safety seriously and are dedicated to stying on top of all safety issues that may affect the promotional products that you order. Be assured that we will brand you safely!

Holiday Gifts, Anyone?

2010-11-30T21:07:00Z

The holidays are soon upon us. Heck, who am I kidding, they are here! It's not too late to get holiday gifts for your customers, employees, families, etc. Call W. M. Martin Advertising and let us know your price range and how many items you may need. We have products in every kind of category and price point. For example, big chairs are available right now for under $30 each with your imprint on them. Only a 48 piece minimum.

Nearly Every Home Uses Promotional Advertising

2010-05-03T16:47:00Z

Check out this file to learn about how many people use promotional advertising in their busiest room in the home...the kitchen! Make sure your advertising dollars are well spent. For ideas, please contact your W. M. Martin Advertising representative.

800-950-3120.

the kitchen

Punchout Catalogs

2010-04-28T17:39:00Z

Punchout catalogs are a great way for businesses to streamline their procurement systems

and to ultimately save time and money. W. M. Martin Advertising offers punchout catalogs for your

marketing needs for systems such as Oracle and Ariba.

How do plastic bottles become promotional products?

2010-01-25T17:49:00Z

Ever wonder how plastic bottles are converted in to cloth and then into promotinal products? Well if your answer is yes, check out this cool you tube where you can learn about the whole process.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvBKEf919ac

If you ever want to order Earth friendly and safe products, contact Wendy at 800-950-3120 or email at wendy@wmmadv.com

W. M.Martin Advertising helps you BRAND yourself safely!

Every Wonder How Some Visually Stunning Cups are Made?

2009-09-02T20:23:00Z

If you are like me, you may find factory tours pretty cool. Well I just checked out how some cups can be digitally imprinted. These are awesome cups for attention grabbing images and can be used at tradeshows, community and sporting events. The options are as many as the cups that are offered. Check out the link below to see the process of imprinting visually stunning cups.

Cool Imprinted Cups

Best in Business Award

2009-09-01T16:32:00Z

W. M. Martin Advertising just received an award in best in local buseinsses.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WM Martin Advertising Receives 2009 Dallas Award

U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

WASHINGTON D.C., June 8, 2009 -- WM Martin Advertising has been selected for the 2009 Dallas Award in the Advertising category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association

CONTACT:
U.S. Commerce Association
Email: PublicRelations@us-ca.org
URL: www.us-ca.org

###

Incentives- What are they? Do they Work?

2009-05-12T19:24:00Z

How does a company recognize it's best and most dedicated employees or top performers and what do they use? The cost of turn over is very high and morale can be low during these times of recession. So what is an employer to do???

Use incentives! Incentives are a way to say "thank you". 75% of companies that use incentives, use promotional products to achieve this type of recognition. The most popular items used include plaques, pins, wearables and nice pens. Another way to provide incentives to employees is through a gift selection program, where you pick the dollar value and we send either a link or paper catalog congratulating the employee for their achievement and allowing them to choose the award of their choice.

There are many types of recognition programs including:

1. Years of Service

2. Sales Attainment and Exceeding

3. Employee Referral Program

4. Teamwork programs

Human resource professionals are often the ones in charge of the programs specifically to improve attendance, fitness, lower turn over and improve growth.

If you want to learn more about incentivesand how to use them, please contact your sales professional at W. M.Martin Advertising for more information.

Sabrina and Gypsy Bleu

2009-04-21T19:16:00Z

Check out Sabrina & Gypsy Bleu a fabulous band and customer. They are playing this weekend at TGIFs in McKinney. They are a very fun band and play tons of great rock and roll favorites. So if you are in the mood to dance, listen to some great tunes and have a good time,check out Sabrina & Gypsy Bleu and check out the new tshirts they are selling sporting a nice embroidered logo too.

Are all pen inks created equal?

2009-04-20T15:59:00Z

What is BIC Secure Ink?
This ballpoint ink provides a durable defense against check or prescription fraud.

What is check or prescription washing?
Common household solvents can be used to literally "wash" away the writing ink that appears on checks and prescriptions. This enables others to rewrite checks or prescriptions, usually for fraudulent purposes.

BIC's Secure Ink is formulated to be water-resistant, light-resistant and eraser-resistant to help protect your secure documents.This ballpoint ink is a great product for the financial, insurance and general business markets.

This ink option is available in BIC Clic Stic, the most popular retractable in promotional products and BIC Clic, the most popular retractable in the banking and financial industries.

Let W. M. Martin Advertising, Inc. help you stay safe and secure by protecting your important documents with BIC Secure Ink.

Questions and Answers:

Q: What is check or prescription washing?
A: Common household solvents can be used to literally "wash" away the writing ink that appears on checks and prescriptions. This enables other's to rewrite checks or prescriptions, usually for fraudulent purposes.

Q: Does BIC have products that prevent check or prescription fraud?
A: BIC's Secure Ink is available in BIC Clic Stic , the most popular retractable in promotional products and BIC Clic , BIC Clic Gold and Clear Clics , the most popular retractable in the banking and financial industries.

Q: What is BIC's Secure Ink?
A: BIC's Secure Inkwas formulated to be water-resistant, light-resistant and eraser resistant to help protect your secure documents.

Q: I thought Gel or Roller ink was the best defense against check washing?
A: BIC's ballpoint Secure Ink provides a durable defense against check or prescription fraud, adhering to ISO 12757-1 and 12757-2 Standards for indelible ink, and offers over 1 mile of write-out.

Q: Does BIC offer any Secure Ink Gel pens?
A: BIC does currently have Gel pens available in our product line, such as the Velocity Gel, Intensity ClicGel, Tri-Stic WideBody Gel and Pro+ Gel. We are in the process of testing the performance of these Gel inks against check and prescription fraud practices.

Q: What can I do to help protect myself against check washing?
A: Fraud experts recommend the following steps to reduce your risk of becoming a victim:

Lock up your checks.

Write checks only to merchants and people you trust.

Use credit or debit cards while shopping.

Consider online bill payment and other electronic methods.

Monitor your bank statements closely.

Report stolen checks to the police.

Close compromised checking accounts immediately.
Source:Liz Pulliam Weston 2006, Your paper check is a thief's best friend, MSN Money, April 10, 2006.

Q: Is there a marking or feature on the pen that differentiates it as having Secure Ink?
A: Upon customer request, the Secure Ink logo will be included in the imprint area near the customer artwork to advertise that the pen has Secure Ink.

Addtional Links on Check Fraud:

National Check Fraud Center Site - http://www.ckfraud.org/
Check Fraud - A Guide to Avoiding Losses - http://www.occ.treas.gov/chckfrd/chckfrd.pdf

It Pays to Promote In a Recession

2009-03-31T15:35:00Z

It Pays to Promote during a Recessionary Period

In a study of U.S. recessions, McGraw-Hill Research analyzed 600 companies from 1980-1985. The results showed that business-to-business Firms that Maintained or Increased their Promotion Expenditures during the 1981-1982 recession Averaged Significantly Higher Sales growth, both during the recession and for the following three years, than those that eliminated or decreased promoting. By 1985, sales of companies that were Aggressive Recession Promoting had Risen 256% over those that didn't keep up their promoting.

In addition, a series of six studies conducted by the research firm of Meldrum & Fewsmith showed conclusively that Promotion Aggressively during Recessions not only Increases Sales but Increases Profits. This fact has held true for all post-World War II recessions studied by The American Business Press starting in 1949.

Should You Advertise During a Recession?

2009-03-31T15:32:00Z

Should You Advertise During a Recession?

Consider this ad from 1935 and how it affects buying today.

Advertising dollars spent during slow times are the best investment a company can make. In 1929, rival cereal makers Kellogg's and Post were in a close race to win the breakfast cereal market. When the Great Depression started, Kellogg's maintained their advertising spending while rival Post cut back.


At the end of the Depression, Kellogg's had achieved a category dominance that they maintain to this day. Your ad dollars work harder in slow times. If your company is less active, this is the time to steal market share and share of voice. Just because your customers are not buying at recent levels does not mean they have stopped reading, thinking, or formulating opinions about the companies and brands they buy from.

Howdy Partner!!!

2009-03-27T16:08:00Z

In this day and age of business, we are all wearing many hats and more often than not performing many tasks regularly. It used to be considered that women were the only ones that could multi-tasks but nowadays EVERYONE does. Now more than ever it is important to partner with one another in order to make each others lives and yes, job descriptions, go more smoothly. BNI, Business Network International, a business networking group, has a philosophy that "Givers Gain!". Many companies are struggling these days with the current recession, so rather than just succumb to a defeatest attitude, it is more important than ever that we all work together and not only use each others services but refer to others as well. Know someone who is a good printer? Let others know about them. Do you know a great graphic artist? Send some business their way. How about accountants, financial planners, janitorial services, plumbers, landscapers or any companies that have terrific customer service? Pass their name along. Let's work together to thrive in this economy, and fight for growth; not just accept that it is tough right now. At W. M. Martin Advertising we want to be "your secret weapon". We want to be your go to partner when it comes to promotional products, imprinted apparel, awards and incentive programs, and more. We appreciate your trust in working with us, but as an interested partner, we want and need referrals too and we'll do the same for you. So partner, if you know someone who has a tradeshow coming up, perhaps a company picnic, or just needs help promoting their company, please consider giving them our contact number. We want to be their "secret weapon" too.

Congratulations to The McGowan Group of Wachovia Securities

2009-03-27T15:49:00Z

Congratulations goes to Spencer McGowan from Wachovia Securities, who has been named one of our nation's top 1,000 advisors by Barron's financial weekly. This is a highly regarded benchmark for success. Spencer has not only been a trusted advisor to the founder of W. M. Martin Advertising, Winnie Martin but has also been a valued customer for many years. It is with true sincerity that all of us at W. M. Martin Advertising give a "shout out" of major kuddos in congratulating Spencer for this achievement as well as to his entire firm at The McGowan Group of Wachovia Securities.

Ciro Guastella Update

2009-03-23T16:24:00Z

W. M. Martin Advertising, Inc. began selling promotional products in 1983 and really took off when Winnie Martin was awarded the first National Call Before You Dig program in 1993, when AT&T first sponsored it. Through loyal customers who appreciated our enthusisasm for assisting them in promoting their messages and companies, we have continued to serve our customers well. Customers such as Ciro Guastella really helped put us on the map and just in case you were wondering, "What ever happened to Ciro", we thought we'd let you know.

“Ciro Guastella retired from AT&T in October of 1999. After that, he spent a few years with the New York City and Long Island One Call Center as a consultant and Associate Director. When he quit that position he moved from New York to New Jersey and continued to do what he always loved: traveling the world. He has traveled many times to Italy where he still has some properties, and in the winter months spends some time in Mexico or Florida. Presently, with his wife Joyce, they just welcomed the arrival of their second grandchild.”

That's terrific, Ciro. Thank you for your past and present business. It's great to hear that you are enjoying life and truly appreciate you. You've not only been a wonderful customer; you've been a great friend.

It would be terrific to hear comments and updates from any of our past customers (and present) as well; we know you are out there. E-mail cs@wmmadv.com just to let us know what you've been up to these days.

Savage-Precision Celebrates an Open House

2009-03-06T21:22:00Z

At times when much of what we hear is bad news about the economy it is nice to share good news about one of our customers.Savage-Precision Fabrication, Inc., a supplier of precision parts since 1975 to companies such as Lockheed Martin, celebrated an open house on March 4, 2009 in order to show customers and vendors their new and beautiful building in Wylie, Texas. The event was well attended and employees donned company logoed apparel provided by W. M. Martin Advertising and handed out mouse pads featuring their new building as well as letter openers commemorating their special event. Congratulations on the new facility. I truly believe that Savage-Precision Fabrication should be nominated for one of the Forbes magazines, Best Companies in America to Work at. Below are just 2 photos taken at thiss successful event.

Green is In!!!

2009-03-03T18:59:00Z

Green is in. It is not a fad or a trend and W. M. Martin Advertising has many attractive promotional products that offer an Earth-friendly alternative to commonly purchased marketing materials. We offer sticky notes, travel mugs, desk items, magnets, lanyards, t-shirts and even nice polo styles and dress shirts all made from either recycled or sustainable materials, and many other products as well. The prices are also very competitive these days. So if your company has any "green" initiatives, we can help. If you are interested in learning more about purchasing "green" products to position your company in a eco-friendly light or perhaps you have a message that you want to take to the public on water conservation or energy savings, please contact Wendy Fahle,MAS at W. M. Martin Advertising. She would be glad to discuss with you some of the many viable alternatives that can be used to promote you as being eco-conscious.

What is CSR

2009-03-02T20:52:00Z

These days the buzz is all about Corproate Social Responsbility, CSR, but what does it mean? CSR is being a good company, good to your employees, good to the environment, good for the economy and good for the world. No small order if you ask me! It's not only about poluting less but about giving me. It's about the Golden Rule. It is no longer about writing a check to a charity, it's about being the best a company can be. Providing good services and qualtiy goods that are safe. It's about not poluting during production, not using child labor in your production. It's about aligning yourself in strategic alliances that not only assist one another in a hard eceonomic environment but also about using our current products wisely. The newest term is "blue is the new green!". Being green is about using products that are recycled, recyclable and also reusable. Being blue is about being green and good. Good to the world and the people in it.

At W. M. Martin Advertising, our company is very like minded in providing service, qualtiy goods at a fair price while asisting our customers promote their companies so that we can all do our part in fighting this recession. But we don't stop there. We align ourselves with the cream of the crop in our industry working with vendors who are "blue"as well in their practices. 26 years of experience has taught us something; we work with vendors who pay the price to assure that they are provide qualtiy products. Products that have been tested for safety issues, not producing these in a socially malaligned practice where price is always the bottom line, not quality of goods or ow they are produced. Sometimes you have to pay a little more so that the products that you buy from us are assured qualtiy, safety, environemntally and socially-corporately responsible ways.

For more information about some of who we have aligned with and their Qualtiy certifcation Alliance, please follow the QCA link.