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Towards the end of 2010 we wrote a blog speaking about the pending legislation in Canada for Consumer Product Safety.

Below please find an explanation of the ACT (as per a news release by ASI Central June 16 2011) and link to the document in it’s entirety.    Please note that all of our key suppliers are CPSIA compliant and we will work with them to make sure that they in full compliance with CCPSA.

"The Canadian Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) will take effect Monday, June 20, meaning manufacturers, sellers and distributors of consumer products who do business in Canada will have to comply with a set of new rules.

The CCPSA mirrors the goals and provisions of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), but is different in a few key ways. For example, the Canadian definition of a consumer product is broader, saying an item is such a product if consumers are likely to obtain it. The U.S. definition states a good is a consumer product if the manufacturer or seller intended or caused to make the product available for use by consumers. The implication? In Canada, a product not intended for consumers that nonetheless finds its way into their hands could be subject to CCPSA guidelines.

The Canadian act specifically includes a number of regulations pertaining to toys and children’s jewelry, sleepwear and restraint and booster seats. For example, children’s jewelry is prohibited from containing more than 600 mg/kg of lead, not more than 90 mg/kg of which may be migratable lead. Additionally, tight-fitting sleepwear must be treated with a flame retardant that results in flame spread of greater than seven seconds. The list of regulations on toys is very detailed, touching on everything from dolls, steam engines, plant seeds, rattles, elastics, batteries, finger paints and more.

The requirements for reporting a potential safety issue are different in Canada, as well. Unlike the U.S. CPSIA, the Canadian act views a product recall by another country as a trigger for reporting in Canada, despite possible differences in the nations’ regulations. In the U.S., products that pose unreasonable risk of serious injury or death must be reported, while in Canada that directive is expanded to include products that could cause serious adverse health effects beyond immediate injury – say, chemical exposure that could lead to cancer.

Additionally, the timelines for reporting and the required content of reports differ in the U.S. and Canada. Depending, manufacturers and sellers essentially have five to 10 days to report an issue in the U.S. In Canada, they must report a problem within two days of learning of it. While the American rules require companies to “inform” authorities of a product hazard or defect, the Canadian act requires that all information the company has on product-related problems must be turned over, raising potential discovery and privilege concerns.

Given the complications, manufacturers, sellers and distributors of consumer products should ramp up efforts to construct a coordinated approach to complying with regulations in the U.S. and Canada. For more information on the Canadian product safety law taking effect next week click here to read the ACT in it’s entirety."

If you have any concerns on how this could affect future promotions, please contact us directly and we will work with you to make sure that you are successful in every way.

ADDENDUM JUNE 28 2011: Here is a link to a 2 page PDF document put together by Health Canada to better explain the CCPSA and how it affects retailers.

To sign up to be emailed regular updates to the ACT please click here.

              Consider:

If we can help you develop a program that motivates your staff in the right way, please be in touch.

Regards;

Ben Baker, President

CMYK Solutions Inc. 

Getting YOU Noticed!

In today’s world we need to understand not only what to communicate to our potential clients, but  HOW.   We need to understand that decisions are made on the move and not always by people tied to their desks.   With that in mind, we are working more and more with our clients to design, develop and implement mobile marketing campaigns that allow them to capture their audiences attention where they are and when they are paying attention.

It is not enough though to develop an active campaign to draw them in.  You need to have a platform that speaks the language of mobile.   Websites are designed today to be viewed on 20″ monitors, 24″ to 36″ away.     That is no longer reality for people on the move.  Therefore we encourage people to develop simple, yet effective, MOBILE MICRO SITES that effectively tell a simplified story and move people effectively towards activation.

Here is the example of our website.  From any mobile device, type in our regular URL and it will direct you to the mobile site.

We just received this success story from one of our key suppliers and I thought it would be of value to this group.

This is an innovative way to drive traffic online, capture data and convert prospects to loyal clients.

I hope that you find this of  VALU E.

Looking forward to Getting YOU Noticed!

Customer Marketing Objective- Red Cross needed an incentive that would motivate people to register in the organization's online database.

Solution- A "Summer Scratch-Off Sweepstakes" digital download promotion.

Promotion Details- Red Cross distributed 200,000 scratch-off cards to people who visited Red Cross locations, each featuring a mystery code guaranteed to win a prize. Most codes contained music downloads for either one or five free songs.

But there were also three iPods, 2 DVD players and a 40-inch flat screen TV up for grabs, along with coupons good for discounts at Red Cross stores.

To find out what their mystery code was worth, scratch-off card recipients were first required to log on to a Red Cross web page and complete a registration form.

Upon completion, they could enter their code and instantly find out what they had won. CFS facilitated the promotion from start to finish - including music codes, printing, and prize fulfillment. CFS also handled the registration page and data capture functions, providing Red Cross with a data file on a weekly basis.

Results- The program was a huge hit - so much so that Red Cross distributed an additional 70,000 scratch-off cards. The end result, the Red Cross increased its database by 105,000 people, a 39 percent conversion rate.

The First step in launching a successful direct mail campaign is identifying your target audience. “You must know the demographics and psychographics,” says Cliff Quicksell, Jr., MAS. “What is the predominant sex, average age, education, and income level? What are the emotional triggers that entice people to make a decision to purchase?”

When designing your direct mail promotion, try to involve as many of the senses as possible. Many companies use scented envelopes, greeting cards that play songs, flashlights, stress balls, and gourmet candy and food. The more recipients interact with your offering, the more likely they will respond.

Lastly, according to a recent study by the U.S. Postal Service, only 44% of direct mail is ever read. Since most of us already receive enormous amounts of unsolicited mail, it’s imperative that your packaging stands out. It’s your “in box” contains a stack of envelopes and a big purple box, which gets opened first? Unusual packaging, such as bright colors, tubes, oversized envelopes, or teaser copy will attract attention and curiosity. Remember, it’s not the quantity of the mailing, but the quality.

We look forward to help Get YOU Noticed! In 2011.

 

I was part of an interesting online discussion this morning with some of the top minds of the promotional marketing industry.  We were discussing technology as it relates to the Royal Wedding and Promotional Marketing.

Now that the economy is starting to revive, it's more important than ever to create goodwill with customers.

This will help you stand out from the competition and strengthen brand loyalty. Studies have shown that promotional products are a very effective way to increase customer goodwill.

Here are some ways you can use promotional products to build a more positive attitude about your company:

• As thanks for repeat business or referrals. A restaurant, for example, can make customers happy (and gain free brand exposure) by giving valued customers t-shirts, hoodies and hats.

A high-visibility item like a desk clock or calendar is a good way to say thanks for referrals.

• As a sales leave-behind.

After your meetings, leave an item related to the solution you offer. One company uses calculators to help add up the increased sales they can bring in; another provides memo boards to record the creative ideas they will provide.

• To show support for social causes. Many customers look for businesses that support local, social or environmental causes. If your company sponsors a team or a cause, promote it with silicone wristbands or lapel pins.

• In direct mail campaigns. Boost open rates by including an item like a highlighter set or ruler.

Increase response by offering a gift such as a wireless mouse or business card holder.

• To win back inactive customers. Get them thinking about you again with a gift such as a plant in a logo'd container or a box of chocolates.

Contact us for more ideas on building a positive image of your company!

New and Unique Products Tri-Pocket Sport Duffel Flexi Ruler Brite Liner® Great Returns.

Xerox has found that promotional products can increase response to its direct mail campaigns by 5% to 15%. So when the company wanted to highlight the high return on investment one of its products can provide, it included a boomerang in the mailing.

The boomerangs were personalized with stickers printed with the recipient's name, company and state, making them even more attention grabbing. Prospects who signed up for a sales meeting were entered into a drawing for a trip to Australia, further reinforcing the "return" theme of the boomerangs.

We can help you design an entertaining campaign that will keep your message top of mind with prospects. Just give us a call!