This is the Most Important Word When it Comes to Relationship MarketingForbes.com contributor Steve Olenski interviewed BDA co-founder and CEO Jay Deutsch about relationship marketing and the role of branded merchandise in the digital age.
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Bobblehead Series Honors All-Time Top 10 RockiesBDA co-founder and CEO Jay Deutsch spoke with 850 KOA Denver, the radio home of the Colorado Rockies, about the team's special bobblehead promotions for its 20th anniversary season. The Rockies partnered with BDA to create bobbleheads of the All-Time Top 10 Rockies, as voted on by fans.
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Five Minutes with Jay DeutschAdvertisers are expected to spend a record $13.79 billion on sports sponsorships in North America in 2013, according to a new forecast by IEG. Those in the business believe this means fewer TV and digital campaigns and increased focus on the tangible in sports marketing—i.e., promotional products. Promotional Products Business asked BDA co-founder and CEO Jay Deutsch about this anticipated renewed focus on off-line sports marketing.
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BDA Expands C-Suite with Promotion of Rob Martin to Chief Marketing OfficerBDA today announced the promotion of Rob Martin to Chief Marketing Officer. Martin joined BDA in 2009 as Vice President of Marketing and oversees all facets of marketing and communication for both BDA corporate and its consumer products division, PowerA™.
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CBS Sports Eye On Baseball Q&A With Jay DeutschNowadays, we're seeing more and more creativity on the bobblehead front, especially in looking to capture memorable moments or events. BDA, Inc. is on the cutting edge, as they're producing some excellent bobbleheads, including two we've touted in recent weeks here in our Eye on Baseball blog: Coco Crisp's "Bernie Lean" and Albert Belle pointing to his bicep.
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Coco Crisp Bobblehead Does the 'Bernie Lean'The dance that became a fan sensation as the A’s rallied to the 2012 AL West title is now captured in bobble form. Scheduled for June 29, Oakland’s Coco Crisp “Lean” bobblehead giveaway certainly ranks among the most creative promotions for the upcoming baseball season.
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BDA and NFL Players Association Ink Multi-Year DealBDA today announced it has finalized a new agreement with the NFL Players Association, through NFL PLAYERS, INC., the NFLPA’s for-profit marketing and licensing subsidiary. The contract deems BDA the sole-preferred promotional provider for NFL PLAYERS, INC. licensed premium merchandise through the 2014 Super Bowl.
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Rocking the Needle to Save LivesClose to 500 BDA employees and business partners packed the Space Needle for our second annual Rock the Needle event in support of domestic violence awareness and prevention. Eighty employees earned the opportunity to climb the Space Needle staircase, from the base to the observation deck.
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BDA Honors Top Suppliers for 2012The results are in for this year’s BDA Supplier Awards, voted on by BDA sales, product development, logistics and operations staff. Winners represent Hit Promotional Products, Cutter & Buck and Alpha Shirt.
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BDA Adds Seasoned Marketing TalentBDA today announced the addition of Alecia Bridgwater and James Szubski to its strategic brand management team. Bridgwater will serve as divisional vice president of brand marketing and Szubski will lead the consumer products division (CPD) as director of marketing. Combined, the duo brings nearly 25 years of marketing and leadership experience to BDA.
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Rooting for 'USA, USA!'The U.S. Olympic Committee licenses its name and logo to provide funding for U.S. athletes to compete at the Olympic and Paralympic level. USOC managing director of consumer products and licensing Peter Zeytoonjian talks Team USA licensing with Retail Merchandiser.
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Stepping Up in the Wake of Superstorm SandyWhen Superstorm Sandy ravaged the Northeast, Bank of America acted promptly to provide aid to its employees.The financial services leader teamed with BDA to deliver blankets, water, batteries, diapers, trash bags and other basics to associates impacted by the storm. A day after receiving the request, trucks were en route from the BDA Midwest Fulfillment Center in Plainfield, Ind., to distribution sites in New York and New Jersey.
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How branded merch, affinity clubs help teams court female fansThe female pro football fan is facing an all-out blitz as the NFL and its corporate partners look to develop a lasting, lucrative connection with this growing segment of their audience. Women now account for 45 percent of the NFL’s fan base. In 2011, Nielsen’s NFL ratings climbed from 3.7 to 3.9 in the 18- to 34-year-old female demographic. Consider further that shopper marketing data from the Boston Consulting Group points to 70 percent of household purchasing decisions being made by women, and the value of the female fan skyrockets.
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Everybody Loves BobbleheadsBobbleheads have bounced back as 2012 marks the first time since at least 2005 that MLB clubs used bobblehead giveaways more than any other promotional handout. That top spot, according to SportsBusiness Journal’s seventh annual review of team promotional calendars, normally goes to T-shirts or headwear. Bobbleheads have ranked from second to fifth in recent years.
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BDA Enters Licensee and Promotional Agreement with National Baseball Hall of Fame and MuseumBDA today announced it has signed a three-year contract as an official licensee and promotional premiums provider of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The agreement covers merchandise to be distributed by Major League Baseball teams, Minor League Baseball teams and through the Baseball Hall of Fame retail outlets, including the Cooperstown, N.Y., museum store, webstore and catalog business.
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Spreading the Halloween Spirit with Spooky In-store PromotionThe National Retail Federation says Halloween will be an $8 billion industry this year, with seven in 10 Americans celebrating and spending an average of nearly $80 per person on costumes, candy and decorations. Hershey’s is helping spread the Halloween spirit with an interactive in-store promotion.
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BDA Honored as a Fastest-Growing Private Company by Puget Sound Business Journal for Ninth YearThe Puget Sound Business Journal announced that BDA made its list of the 100 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in Washington state for the ninth time in the past 18 years. For this achievement, BDA was part of the 2012 Hall of Fame class, revealed at the Business Journal’s Oct. 11 awards gala at Meydenbauer Center.
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BDA Receives Two Stevie Awards for Corporate WebsiteBDA today announced its selection as a Gold Stevie Award winner for Best Overall Website in The 2012 American Business AwardsSM for BDAinc.com. The site also received a bronze award in the Best Home Page category. Awards were announced Sept. 17 at the American Business Awards' new product and tech awards gala in San Francisco.
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BDA Hires Peter Davis as Senior Director of Sports AlliancesBDA today announced the hiring of Peter Davis as Senior Director – Sports Alliances. Davis has spent the past 10 years with the NCAA, serving as director of corporate alliances since 2006. In this role, Davis will manage league relationships with the NCAA, MLB, NFL, NASCAR and USOC. BDA partners with leagues, teams, colleges and sponsors to activate their brands through strategic, targeted merchandise campaigns.
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BDA Volunteers Clean Up Lighthouse ParkBDA employees from the Woodinville, Texas, Michigan, South Carolina and Indiana locations came to Mukilteo to help weed in the beds around the shelters and restrooms of Lighthouse Park and on the beach berm.
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BDA Nabs Printing Award for Ford Collection CatalogBDA earned gold honors in the Detroit Club of Printing House Craftsmen’s 2012 Gallery of Superb Printing Awards for The Ford Collection 2011-12 merchandise catalog. Our in-house creative team in Troy, Mich., designed the catalog, which features images and descriptions of more than 150 officially licensed Ford products developed and sourced by BDA.
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Kauffman Stadium Transformed into Undulating American FlagBefore beleaguered AL starter Justin Verlander threw his first pitch, Chevrolet, an official MLB corporate partner, outfitted 43,500 fans in specially branded red, white and blue All-Star Game T-shirts. Each shirt bore the legend “2012 All-Star Game Pregame” and featured the MLB and Chevrolet logos. When fans donned the T-shirts, the stadium was transformed into an undulating American flag.
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Patriotism on display at Kauffman StadiumIn the words of one of the more than 40,000 fans who made it happen on Tuesday, Kauffman Stadium was a "living, breathing flag" for the 83rd All-Star Game. Major League Baseball and Chevrolet placed a packet on every seat, containing either a red, white or blue T-shirt. Instructions were included to "create a patriotic display of colors" for the pregame show on FOX leading up to the first pitch.
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All-Star T-shirt Activation Adds Color to Pregame CelebrationOur handiwork was on display during last night's MLB All-Star Game broadcast. On behalf of MLB corporate partner Chevrolet, BDA was tasked with coordinating the production, delivery and in-stadium setup of 43,500 red, white and blue All-Star Game T-shirts. The effort gave the pregame festivities a decidedly patriotic feel.
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We'll Never Forget This ColleagueIn this Inc. magazine interview, Jay Deutsch, CEO of Seattle-based BDA, explains how his company faced a tragic loss—and now has a new mission.
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BDA Recognized as One of the Top 100 U.S. Promotional AgenciesBDA announced today it placed sixth in the 2012 PROMO 100 agency rankings, compiled by Chief Marketer Magazine. This is the seventh consecutive year BDA has been included in the top 10, reaching as high as fourth in 2008 and 2009. BDA was recognized as the No. 1 agency in the Promotional Products category.
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MOGA Named Best Hardware of E3MOGA by PowerA was named "Best Hardware of E3" by Machinima. The video entertainment network got a chance to go hands-on with the mobile gaming system, calling MOGA "an impressive piece of tech."
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BDA Ranks First on 2012 Promo Marketing Top 50 Distributors ListBDA today announced it was awarded the No. 1 spot in the 2012 Promo Marketing magazine Top 50 Distributors rankings. This marks the second time in five years BDA has topped the list. BDA also ranked first in 2008 and has been a fixture in the top five the past seven years. The annual awards recognize the largest distributors in the industry based on 2011 sales volume.
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BDA Named Promotional Premiums Provider of the New York JetsBDA today announced it has been named the official promotional premiums provider of the New York Jets. Through this agreement, the Jets will partner with BDA on the development of officially licensed hard and soft goods premiums, including in-stadium giveaways, out-of-stadium activations, cause-related campaigns, season ticket holder incentives, affinity club merchandise and hospitality gifts.
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Eastside Fastest-Growing Private Companies Revealed for 2012BDA has been named to the Puget Sound Business Journal's list of the fastest-growing private companies on the Eastside. Final rankings, based on revenue growth between 2009 and 2011, will be announced in the July 20 issue of the Business Journal.
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This Elegant Controller Solution Could Change the Way Mobile Games are Made and PlayedKotaku presents a sneak peek at the MOGA mobile gaming system from PowerA. MOGA aims at making today's console-quality smartphone games play like console games. Mobile phone gaming controllers have come and gone, bulky add-ons proving more novelty than mobile gaming revolution. Accessory developers have been trying for years to develop a solution to the touch screen control issue, but up until now nothing has stuck.
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15 Distributors Sign Charter Pledging QCA SupportQuality Certification Alliance, the Chicago-based independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping promotional product companies provide safe products, has created a Distributor Advocacy Council Charter that allows distributors to formally pledge their support for the organization. QCA DAC participants can officially commit to meeting the higher standards of Fortune 1000 companies through partnering with QCA accredited suppliers that have been independently verified as having processes and procedures in place to deliver safe and compliant products.
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Merchandise a powerful activation tool for teams, sponsorsThe value of sports sponsorships is rooted in the strong emotional attachments fans develop with their favorite leagues, teams and athletes. It’s our job as marketers to create lasting promotional ties that inspire the consumer to transfer some of that loyalty over to the sponsor. Sponsorship is the fastest-growing sector in the sports market and nowhere is this growth more evident than with branded merchandise, an advertising medium that’s steadily gaining traction among sports entities and the world’s most iconic corporate brands.
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Promo Marketing Top 50 Distributors: The InterviewsPromo Marketing's annual discussion with the industry’s biggest, brightest and highest-earning companies includes a Q&A with BDA co-founder and CEO Jay Deutsch. For the second time in five years, BDA claimed the No. 1 spot on the magazine's Top 50 Distributors rankings.
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BDA Recognized As a 2012 Top Distributor By the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI)BDA today announced that it has been awarded the No. 2 spot on Counselor magazine’s 2012 Top 40 Distributors rankings. The annual list by the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) ranks the nation’s top distributors of promotional products based on gross revenue and is compiled from survey results provided by member companies.
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IDSA Conference Encourages Designers to Break Through BoundariesLast week’s IDSA Western District Conference delivered on its theme of “evolving design practice.” We explored how the role of industrial design is evolving and expanding by breaking through the traditional boundaries. Today, industrial design is influencing diverse areas, such as politics, music, film, fashion and business strategy. Following is a taste of what the presenters shared over the two days.
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BDA Appoints Preston Akers Director of Product and Supply Chain IntegrityBDA today announced it has named Preston Akers director of product and supply chain integrity. With more than 30 years of experience in product sourcing and quality assurance, Akers brings a diverse skill-set to BDA, the industry leader in matters of compliance and safe manufacturing. Akers previously held positions at Progressive International, Eddie Bauer, Lands’ End and Target.
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Cause Marketing is a Billion-Dollar BusinessThe cover story for the May 2012 issue of Promotional Products Business magazine dives into cause marketing. One of the story's examples is the Starbucks Indivisible wristband, which benefits the Opportunity Finance Network. What the story fails to mention is that BDA was brought in by Starbucks to oversee creation of the wristbands.
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BDA Receives Silver ADDY Award for MUNITIO Call of Duty MW3 Billets PackagingBDA was among the marketing and design agencies honored at the Seattle ADDY Awards competition recognizing creative excellence in advertising. BDA received a Silver ADDY® award in the sales promotion category for the MUNITIO Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Billets retail packaging design. The award qualifies BDA for one of 15 district ADDY competitions.
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BDA Completes Stringent QCA Reaccreditation ProcessBDA today announced its reaccreditation by the Quality Certification Alliance (QCA), following the successful completion of a rigorous third-party audit of the company’s compliance programs and practices.BDA was first accredited in 2009 and remains the only branded merchandise distributor to receive QCA accreditation. To date, QCA has certified the manufacturing processes of BDA and 18 additional companies.
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‘Project Runway’ Meets PillsburyHigh fashion was on the menu at this year’s Pillsbury Bake-Off. Former “Project Runway” contestants Althea Harper, Kara Janx and Carol Hannah Whitfield were commissioned to create aprons for the 45th event. The ladies were given the Bake-Off logo, then tasked to “make it work.” Once Harper’s apron was deemed the winner, BDA was called on to translate the custom design into a mass-produced piece.
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Notes from the International Home + Housewares ShowBDA hit last week’s International Home + Housewares Show in search of new sources for eco-conscious housewares and holiday gifting ideas. The four-day show at Chicago’s McCormick Place convention center featured nearly 2,100 exhibitors from 125 countries displaying the latest products for all areas of the home, both inside and out.
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BDA Hosts Second Annual Football Think TankBDA is hosting its second annual Football Think Tank this week at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. Reps from more than half of the NFL’s franchises and the league offices will attend the two-day workshop, an opportunity to share best practices, encourage communication across teams, discuss the latest marketplace trends and uncover product ideas.
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Ford’s Octane Academy Builds Brand Affinity with Action Sports FansMotocross icon Brian Deegan gave action sports enthusiasts their first glimpse of Ford’s limited edition F-150 ATV developed by BDA and KYMCO USA. In a video promoting the new Fuel TV series “Octane Academy,” Deegan tours his Metal Mulisha compound in Temecula, Calif., from the seat of a Blue Flame Metallic “Built Ford Tough” ATV.
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BDA Appoints Joe Ungari Director of Creative ServicesBDA today announced it has named Joe Ungari as Director of Creative Services. In this role, Ungari will be responsible for driving the company’s creative philosophy, methodology and capabilities to all levels of BDA’s global clientele, business departments and service lines. Specifically, he will direct cross-disciplinary development of BDA’s in-house award-winning design agency. Ungari brings to BDA nearly 30 years of international product innovation experience, having worked with companies in Europe, Japan and China.
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The Super Bowl Ads Most Don’t SeeThe talk this week was which Super Bowl ads were the funniest and which flopped. Multimillion-dollar TV spots are certainly the most familiar and talked about form of Super Bowl advertising, but the sponsorship story doesn’t end there. Those of us fortunate enough to attend or be in the host city of a Super Bowl, World Series, Final Four, Daytona 500, Stanley Cup Final or Olympic Games are exposed to another more tangible advertising medium—branded merchandise.
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Patriots Fans to Receive 'I Was There' Towels at AFC Title GameAll week long, the Patriots have been praising Gillette Stadium for its atmosphere. They loved it last week, as a previously sleepy place came alive. This week, the Patriots are expecting more. To help, they are hanging out towels—to be waved—as a free giveaway for Sunday’s game vs. the Ravens. BDA delivered 70,000 towels for the AFC title game.
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BDA Recognizes Top Suppliers for 2011The results are in for this year’s BDA Supplier Awards, voted on by BDA sales, product development, logistics and operations staff. This year's winners represent Alpha Shirt, Pro Specialties Group and LogoMark.
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BDA Cares Foundation Celebrates Launch With 'Rock the Needle' Fundraiser Featuring University of Washington Basketball Coach Lorenzo RomarBDA today celebrates the formation of the BDA Cares Foundation with the “Rock the Needle” charity event at the Space Needle. BDA employees will show their strength by walking 1,000 miles on the Space Needle’s observation deck in support of domestic violence. The foundation, dedicated to the prevention of violence against women and children, was created by BDA co-founders, Eric Bensussen and Jay Deutsch, as a result of the impact of a domestic violence tragedy within the BDA community.
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BDA Cares Foundation Celebrates Launch with 'Rock the Needle' FundraiserBDA today celebrates the formation of the BDA Cares Foundation with the “Rock the Needle” charity event at the Space Needle. BDA employees will show their strength by walking 1,000 miles on the Space Needle’s observation deck in support of domestic violence. The foundation, dedicated to the prevention of violence against women and children, was created by BDA co-founders, Eric Bensussen and Jay Deutsch, as a result of the impact of a domestic violence tragedy within the BDA community.
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