Twitter, RSS Feeds, Facebook, oh my! Is Printing Getting Run Off The Press?
Every year more and more new technology emerges and those who live and breathe the printing world are faced with the question “Is print going to be replaced by a new technology?” Will the digital products of Amazon, Apple, Google and others replace the printed word? Everyone knows this is a controversial topic. Clay Shirky, in fact, wrote a provocative piece on this topic last year and his post spurred 1,200+ comments. And so it goes ….
We would be myopic if we were to ignorantly gloss over the forces of the digital age and their implications on the way we do business and the new types of business models that are emerging. There is no doubt that there is a macroeconomic and technological big shift, but in our microcosm of printing promotional materials, we feel the printed word is here to stay.
Advertising and business will forever be interconnected and the modes of advertising are changing, however the Internet is not the panacea. Not everyone is as Internet savvy as the 18 year old college student who spends an hour a day on Facebook. Yes, it’s safe to say that the older generations are gaining significant traction when it comes to the web and social media and those 18 year olds will one day rule the world, but the key to this entire puzzle is figuring out how digital and print compliment each other not how one can destroy the other.
In fact, the seminal titans of the printed word world recently joined forces—Charles H. Townsend, Condé Nast; Cathie Black, Hearst Magazines; Jack Griffin, Meredith Corporation; Ann Moore, Time Inc.; Jann Wenner, Wenner Media—to talk about the vitality of magazines as a medium. Their “Power of Print” campaign will launch in roughly 100 magazines, reaching 112 million readers per month, in an effort to promote the strength of printing.
To support their campaign they highlight a few compelling statistics:
- The annual number of paid subscriptions is nearly 300 million.
- Magazine ad recall has increased by 13% over the last four years.
- Adults 18-34 read more issues than adults 35 and older.
- The average reader spends 43 minutes reading each issue.
- Readership has actually grown over the last five years.
And get passionate in this recently launched video.
As, Ann Moore – Chairman and CEO of Time, Inc., states: “… people find room in their lives for the new media alongside the media they already love”. Well, the media we love is printing yet we have found room in our lives to use the best of the new (e.g., blog, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Flickr) to compliment what it is we do. We encourage the reader to do the same. Find room in your lives for the media you love and find the best of the old and the new.
“Is print going to be replaced by a new technology?” The answer is no … it will only compliment.
We Support the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation – Providing Service All Year Long
Even though the prime-time holiday season has come and gone, the needs of disadvantaged children have not. Giving and caring for others should be a focus throughout the entire year. One client of ours is truly exemplary in providing service and works hard at it all year long.
Meet the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. For those who are less fortunate during the holiday season, Toys for Tots steps in to lend a helping hand by providing toys for children all around the United States. Toys for Tots was founded in 1947 by Major William L. Hendricks of the United States Marine Corps and to this day still accomplishes every year the gift of giving by bringing a toy together with a child during the holidays.
This last year was particularly successful:
“The results of the 62nd annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Campaign, conducted during October, November and December 2009, have been tabulated. The results are: U.S. Marines distributed 16.4 million new toys to 7.4 million less fortunate children throughout the nation. This was one of the most successful campaigns in the 62 year history of Toys for Tots – and this in spite of the economy.”
Below are some videos that always bring a smile to our faces when we see the United States Marine Corps helping others. We support or troops for their involvement in our communities around the country.
Lindsey Vonn and Susan Van Allen…“Sisters” at Heart
For years I told my family how, as a child, I would often ski at Buck Hill, a metropolitan ski area in Minneapolis. I used to laugh and tell them I would ski down the hill and practically end up on Interstate 35. It’s really metropolitan!
During the Olympics, I was surprised to find out that Lindsey Vonn learned to ski at the same place. Being the older “sister”, my experience was many years ago, she followed in my ski-tracks. Recently, I broke my finger and I’m now sporting a full hand/arm cast. What a coincidence that Lindsey broke her pinky finger just the other day at the Olympics. She just has to be like “big sister” Susan!
I wish Lindsey continued success and a speedy recovery.
Get well soon!
Some of the Most Clever Advertisements of all Time!
At Banners on a Roll® we love clever promotion and advertising and after scouring the Internet, and compiling what we like, we wanted to share with you some of our most favorite advertisements we have ever seen. These are just fun to look at. Take a gander and let your creative juices flow ….
Don’t drink and drive
Mini Cooper Subway entrance and exit
McDonald Giant Napkin Dispenser – spill something?
Life’s too short for the wrong job
Papa John’s Pizza – I want one!
The Sopranos – an authentic advertisement
Vitae Shelters send a strong message
Hoover Vacuum Cleaners – Don’t you want to touch?
Drink Up! Plastic Surgery
Source: uaddit.com
Powerful Red Cross Advertisements
Source: sawse.com
2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics Marketing Signage and Products: not only the biggest stage for athletes but also for printing
The 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada are in full swing. The worlds-best athletes have been training for years just for this moment. While it is the biggest stage for sports stars across the globe, it is also the biggest stage for marketing signage and promotional products. On every athlete, behind every news conference, around every competition, are print products. Marketing teams from around the world are blanketing the city of Vancouver with print. Take a look at these photos to really get an idea of how much printing is actually used at the Olympic Games. There truly is no bigger stage.
All photos courtesy of Vancouver2010.com
Some talented artists, a little creativity … and these brands and trucks come alive
At Banners on a Roll® we are always looking for creative ways to visually communicate a brand’s message or to promote products. With the help of some talented artists, a few trucks in Europe seemed to have figured it out.
It’s amazing how vivid such artistry can be … making it look as if the bottle is protruding out of the truck.
Don’t be fooled by this enormous looking canvas tote bag. It’s still a truck.
Those Pepsi bottles must be magnetic hanging from the ceiling like that. I wonder how the drink tastes ….
This guy looks like he’s about to play a mean game of “Semi-Truck Tug-of-War”.
That is one big mobile aquarium. Hopefully somebody fed the fish today.
A giant’s book collection. Try hefting one of those books. Now that’s a tough read!
Those Pringles look toxic considering the state of the inside of that semi. Burnt to a crisp.
In the pursuit of similarly thinking of creative ways to visually communicate a brand’s message or to promote products, we created a video. You can watch it here.