New Blue Paper™ and Podcast from 4imprint Weighs
Corporate Social Responsibility Options
(OSHKOSH, Wis.) – Corporate social responsibility has made the move from business trend to good business. Promotional products retailer 4imprint’s most recent Blue Paper, entitled Corporate Social Responsibility presents a background on the topic as well as an overview of benefits and strategies to consider when creating a corporate social responsibility strategy.

Recent studies have found that 79 percent of Americans take corporate social responsibility practices into consideration when debating a product purchase. What’s more, other findings indicate that a large number of CEOs said they plan to increase their companies’ corporate social responsibility spending by 25 percent on average.

“The most successful corporate social responsibility strategies seem to come from businesses that support their customers and the communities within which they work and build their program with that in mind,” explains Kevin Lyons-Tarr, 4imprint president. “Doing good is not only the right thing to do, but it’s good for business as well.”

Corporate Social Responsibility discusses a variety of topics related to corporate responsibility that readers will find useful when adding the tactic to their marketing mix, including: a brief history of corporate social responsibility, common goals and strategies, tips for success and concise case studies.

Read the paper or listen to the podcast in-full at http://info.4imprint.com/bluepapers/.

About 4imprint Blue Papers
4imprint Blue Papers are in-depth, how-to articles, distributed to 4imprint customers to help their organizations succeed. Accessible at www.4imprint.com/bluepapers, Blue Papers have covered popular, cutting-edge topics such as podcasting, online social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and experiential marketing.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, serving more than 100,000 businesses with promotional items throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland. 4imprint offers corporate gifts, personalized gifts, custom t-shirts, promotional pens, travel mugs, tote bags, water bottles, Post-it® Notes, custom calendars, custom shirts and much more. For additional information, visit www.4imprint.com.

4imprint’s Newest Blue Paper™ and Podcast Delve into
How Web 3.0 Will Change Marketing
(OSHKOSH, Wis.) – While many marketers are still coming to grips with Web 2.0, the next iteration of the Web is just around the corner. The new technologies it brings serve to enhance the ways in which marketers seek data, communicate information and offer products and services to consumers. Yet, many marketers have no idea what’s coming. The latest Blue Paper™ and Podcast from promotional products retailer 4imprint, called Marketing and Web 3.0, explores the areas of Web 3.0 that stand to impact marketing the most.

“Web 3.0 is a major shift,” says Greg Ebel, vice president of sales and marketing for 4imprint. “While Web 2.0 was about linking people, the next evolution of the Web is about linking data and perfecting an ‘open’ environment. It’s an exciting time for marketers, but equally, we all need to be at the table to begin to figure out what it all means.”

Blue Paper Marketing and Web 3.0 is a compilation of information regarding new innovations designed to help spark conversation among marketers by examining …

• Linked Data and the Semantic Web’s potential effects on research, content creation and targeting audiences;
• Open source, OpenID™ and Open Graph Protocol and how the greater pool of knowledge and collaboration will decrease product-to-market timeframes and increase innovation;
• Software as service, along with cloud computing, and how these will improve marketing efficiencies; and finally ….
• The latest trends in Artificial Intelligence.
To read this Blue Paper, or to download the Podcast, visit www.4imprint.com/bluepapers.

About 4imprint Blue Papers™
4imprint Blue Papers™ are in-depth, how-to articles, distributed to 4imprint customers to help their organizations succeed. Accessible at www.4imprint.com/bluepapers, Blue Papers™ have covered popular, cutting-edge topics such as podcasting, online social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and experiential marketing.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, serving more than 100,000 businesses with promotional items throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland. 4imprint offers corporate gifts, personalized gifts, custom t-shirts, promotional pens, travel mugs, tote bags, water bottles, Post-it® Notes, custom calendars, custom shirts and much more. For additional information, visit www.4imprint.com.

4imprint Introduces New Exclusive Promotional Products: Notebook, Cup2Go

(Oshkosh, Wis.) – Promotional products retailer 4imprint has introduced a new range of exclusive imprinted products: the Perfect Fit Notebook, Cup2Go Plastic Tumbler and the Palermo USB Drive. Each can be personalized with a business, agency or nonprofit logo.

• Perfect Fit Notebook
This mini notebook comes complete with a retractable pen held within the notebook’s margin and a convenient snap closure keeping the cover shut and notes private. The Perfect Fit Notebook holds 120 pages of lined paper and comes in four bold accent colors. The notebook makes an ideal giveaway for employees and event attendees.

• Cup2Go Plastic
The new recyclable Cup2Go is available in 10 bright hues. The reusable promotional mug comes complete with a screw-on lid. This long-lasting giveaway is an effective promotional product for coffee shops and retailers, restaurants, employee giveaways and company break rooms. This product is available exclusively at 4imprint now through August.

• Palermo USB Drive-2GB
The rubberized protective casing on this promotional USB drive makes it stand out. A sliding button on the side of the drive keeps the USB protected while the attached carabiner helps ensure it never gets lost. Each imprinted USB drive comes with 2GB storage space.

“Our customers use promotional products to stand out,” said Suzanne Worwood, vice president, merchandising, 4imprint. “Offering products first and designing new products helps them do just that.”

For additional information and to order 4imprint’s exclusive promotional products, visit www.4imprint.com/exclusive.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, serving more than 100,000 businesses with promotional items throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland. 4imprint offers corporate gifts, personalized gifts, custom t-shirts, promotional pens, travel mugs, tote bags, water bottles, Post-it® Notes, custom calendars, custom shirts and much more. For additional information, visit www.4imprint.com.

Thinking about developing a corporate involvement program with a local school? Read 4imprint’s Newest Blue Paper® and Podcast First

(OSHKOSH, Wis.) – From sponsorships, to fundraising partnerships, to incentive programs and beyond, more and more businesses are partnering with schools through corporate involvement programs. The latest Blue Paper™ and Podcast from promotional products retailer 4imprint, called Corporate Involvement in Schools, provides background on the different types of involvement and delves into the benefits presented to businesses and schools.

“Many businesses are in a position to fill a need within the community or provide resources to future employees,” says Kevin Lyons-Tarr, president for 4imprint. “Corporate involvement is a way to do so while increasing visibility and enhancing reputation through goodwill: A win-win situation.”

Schools that stand to benefit from such involvement are eager for partnerships, too: In a recent study conducted by the Association of Community College Trustees and Collegis, a technology services provider to higher education, 96 percent of community college trustees predicted more corporate involvement in higher education in the form of private/public partnerships.

Corporate Involvement in Schools examines …
• The varying scope of involvement
• Examples of successful involvement programs
• Steps businesses can take to assess the need for a corporate involvement program in the community
• How to go about developing these programs.

To read this Blue Paper, or to download the Podcast, visit www.4imprint.com/bluepapers.

About 4imprint Blue Papers®
4imprint Blue Papers™ are in-depth, how-to articles, distributed to 4imprint customers to help their organizations succeed. Accessible at www.4imprint.com/bluepapers, Blue Papers™ have covered popular, cutting-edge topics such as podcasting, online social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and experiential marketing.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, and serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional items throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland. Its product offerings include corporate gifts, personalized gifts, custom shirts, promotional pens, travel mugs, tote bags, water bottles, Post-it Notes, custom calendars, and much more. For additional information, log on to www.4imprint.com.

4imprint Explores Workplace Privacy Rights in New Blue Paper® and Podcast

(OSHKOSH, Wis.) – Technologies that allow employers to obtain information on current and prospective employees, along with tactics that employers can implement to monitor work and productivity of employees, are expanding rapidly. So rapidly, in fact, that many businesses find themselves at a crossroads of what can be done and what should be done. The latest Blue Paper®and Podcast from promotional products retailer 4imprint, entitled Workplace Privacy: The Cone of Silence?, explores these tactics and presents a broad overview of the legal implications of doing so, along with the benefits.

“Just because the technology exists doesn’t mean these tactics are right or appropriate for all businesses,” says Mary Curtin, vice president of human resources for 4imprint. “Business should really focus on legitimate needs of the company in respect to employee best interests and trust. A great place to start is with a workplace privacy policy that outlines expectations for everyone.”

In a survey conducted in 2007 and released in 2008 by the American Management Association and the e-Policy Institute found that monitoring employees is fairly common practice in the U.S.: 66 percent of employers surveyed monitor the Internet connection of employees and 65 percent of employers restrict access to certain Web sites, such as social networks or those sites that feature adult content, games or the like, and another 43 percent store and review computer files.

Workplace privacy is a subject that employers and employees should educate themselves on in their own business environment to decide what is best for the organization and what is best for employees. Workplace Privacy: The Cone of Silence? Explores different aspects of workplace privacy, presents expert advice for developing a workplace privacy policy and offers tips on how best to communicate on this issue with staff. To read this Blue Paper, or to download the Podcast, visit www.4imprint.com/bluepapers.

About 4imprint Blue Papers®
4imprint Blue Papers® are in-depth, how-to articles, distributed to 4imprint customers to help their organizations succeed. Accessible at www.4imprint.com/bluepapers, Blue Papers™ have covered popular, cutting-edge topics such as podcasting, online social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and experiential marketing.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, and serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional items throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland. Its product offerings include corporate gifts, personalized gifts, custom shirts, promotional pens, travel mugs, tote bags, water bottles, Post-it Notes, custom calendars, and much more. For additional information, log on to www.4imprint.com.

New Blue Paper™ and Podcast from 4imprint Examines the
Recession’s Top Ten Lessons from Successful Businesses

(OSHKOSH, Wis.) –Every major event in business is learning opportunity and the recent worldwide economic recession is no exception. The latest Blue Paper™ and Podcast from promotional products retailer 4imprint, entitled Lessons from the Recession’s Most Successful Businesses, looks at the nation’s businesses that not only sustained, but actually grew throughout the downturn and why.

“This paper provides some real world examples of how companies not only survived the recession, but thrived” says Kevin Lyons-Tarr, president of 4imprint. “From investing in innovation to exemplifying customer service, they stuck to their beliefs in their business and strategies, regardless of economic climate. The recession offered us a good reminder that it’s time to get back to basics—and to value employees and customers.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it’s estimated that during 1998 to 2005 only two-thirds of new small businesses survived their first two years, while only 44 percent made it past the four year mark. The reasoning as to why these businesses didn’t succeed varies, but one thing stands true: The ones that did succeed will likely thrive well into the future.

Lessons from the Recession’s Most Successful Businesses presents case studies from Apple®, C.F. Martin and Co.™, Cisco Systems, Inc.™, and Ford Motor Co. and others to explore time-tested tactics such as building a strong brand, defining and adjusting your business’s niche as necessary, knowing your industry, understanding and valuing customers, investing in innovation, becoming indispensible, involving staff, and more. To read this Blue Paper, or to download the Podcast, visit www.4imprint.com/bluepapers.

About 4imprint Blue Papers™
4imprint Blue Papers™ are in-depth, how-to articles, distributed to 4imprint customers to help their organizations succeed. Accessible at www.4imprint.com/bluepapers, Blue Papers™ have covered popular, cutting-edge topics such as podcasting, online social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and experiential marketing.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, serving more than 100,000 businesses with promotional items throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland. 4imprint offers corporate gifts, personalized gifts, custom t-shirts, promotional pens, travel mugs, tote bags, water bottles, Post-it® Notes, custom calendars, custom shirts and much more. For additional information, visit www.4imprint.com.

New Blue Paper® and Podcast from 4imprint on
Direct Mail Marketing Now Available

(OSHKOSH, Wis.) –Even with the advent of the Internet and online communications, research still suggests that more than 75 percent of marketers use direct mail strategies. The latest Blue Paper™ and Podcast from promotional products retailer 4imprint, entitled Direct Mail Marketing, explores why this tried-and-true strategy has made marketing efforts successful for many businesses and what benefits such strategies hold.

According to the Unites States Postal Service™ (USPS), 98 percent of consumers bring in their mail the day it’s delivered and 77 percent sort and read mail immediately. Perhaps part of this reason is because direct mail has proven to be one of the most targeted and personalized marketing strategies. Combine that with great copy, appealing design and budget-conscious distribution, businesses and organizations can have a winning strategy to boost awareness or sales.

“Although other forms of marketing continue to take form and gain momentum, direct marketing continues to be an effective marketing strategy, and this paper takes a good look at the elements to consider,” says Greg Ebel, vice president of sales and marketing for 4imprint.

Direct Mail Marketing explores what makes for successful direct marketing copy and shares anecdotes on what has worked businesses who regularly implement direct mail marketing strategies, including:

• Setting objectives and measurement benchmarks for direct mail campaigns.
• Working with the USPO, mail houses and direct mail specialists to identify budgetary obstacles, design and mailing implications.
• Cost considerations, such as quantity, paper weight, lists, design and printing.
• Personalization, such as variable printing, customized marketing Web sites and simulated handwritten notes.

To read this Blue Paper, or to download the Podcast, visit www.4imprint.com/bluepapers.

About 4imprint Blue Papers®
4imprint Blue Papers® are in-depth, how-to articles, distributed to 4imprint customers to help their organizations succeed. Accessible at www.4imprint.com/bluepapers, Blue Papers™ have covered popular, cutting-edge topics such as podcasting, online social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and experiential marketing.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, and serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional items throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland. Its product offerings include corporate gifts, personalized gifts, custom shirts, promotional pens, travel mugs, tote bags, water bottles, Post-it Notes, custom calendars, and much more. For additional information, log on to www.4imprint.com.

Promotional Water Bottles Feature New Materials, Finishes

(OSHKOSH, Wis.)—Promotional water bottles are now available in new materials and finishes, including BPA-free and dishwasher safe materials, according to promotional products retailer 4imprint.

Among the hottest trends in promotional sports bottle design is the introduction of water bottles made from Eastman TritanTM copolyester. Developed by the Eastman Chemical Company, Tritan is shatter-resistant, heat-resistant and odorless. Unlike polycarbonate, Tritan is BPA-free.

4imprint offers a range of promotional water bottles made with Tritan, including the popular CamelBak® Better Bottle and the new Hydro-Ice Core Tritan Sport Bottle.

“Sports bottles made with Tritan are growing in popularity,” said Suzanne Worwood, vice president of merchandising, 4imprint. “There are lots of reasons these will appeal to customers. They resist breaking and are dishwasher-safe, lightweight and BPA-free.”

New Promotional Drinkware Finishes
Plastic sports bottles that look metallic are another trend in promotional sports bottle design. The ShimmerZ Slim Grip Bottle – Metallic is one example. The metal-like shimmer makes these plastic bottles a cost-effective alternative to stainless steel water bottles and sports bottles.

“New material development has made it possible to get the look of stainless steel at a budget price,” Worwood said. “These sports bottles are bright and vibrant. They look like stainless steel, but at a fraction of the cost.”

The Shimmerz Slim Grip Bottle comes in two materials: PETE plastic and Tritan. PETE is BPA-free and recyclable.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, serving more than 100,000 businesses with promotional items throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland. 4imprint offers corporate gifts, personalized gifts, custom t shirts, promotional pens, travel mugs, tote bags, water bottles, Post-it® Notes, custom calendars, custom shirts and much more. For additional information, visit www.4imprint.com.

Hip to Clip: The Latest Blue PaperTM and Podcast from
4imprint Highlights Online Coupon Strategies

(OSHKOSH, Wis.) – In 2009, some 8.6 million households reported regular use of online coupons, demonstrating again that coupons aren’t just for the Sunday circular any more. The latest Blue Paper™ and Podcast from promotional products retailer 4imprint, entitled A new way to clip: Developing an online coupon strategy, shares this and other insight on online coupon strategies and outlines what businesses should know before implementing their own.

“Retailers have known for a while that coupons can be key to cultivating customer loyalty and driving sales,” shares Greg Ebel, vice president of sales and marketing for 4imprint. “But more and more, research is indicating that online coupons can be more effective than print coupons.”

In fact, while average redemption rate for print coupons is about 1.2 percent, recent studies have indicated that online coupon redemption rates are upward of 10 to 15 percent.

A new way to clip: Developing an online coupon strategy explores how online coupon strategies can help businesses to incentivize purchases, drive Web traffic, build customer loyalty, measure the effectiveness of communications channels and increase word of mouth among target audiences.
Also covered in this Blue Paper are helpful ideas to developing an online coupon strategy, including identifying target audiences, setting discount or promotion prices, implementation and measurement. To read this Blue Paper, or to download the Podcast, visit www.4imprint.com/bluepapers.

About 4imprint Blue Papers™
4imprint Blue Papers™ are in-depth, how-to articles, distributed to 4imprint customers to help their organizations succeed. Accessible at www.4imprint.com/bluepapers, Blue Papers™ have covered popular, cutting-edge topics such as podcasting, online social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and experiential marketing.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, and serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional items throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland. Its product offerings include corporate gifts, personalized gifts, custom shirts, promotional pens, travel mugs, tote bags, water bottles, Post-it Notes, custom calendars, and much more. For additional information, log on to www.4imprint.com.

4imprint Makes $127,000 Difference with one by one™ Program

(OSHKOSH, Wis.) – The best time to give is when others need it most. During 2009, a year of economic trepidation and tightened funding for many nonprofit organizations, promotional products retailer 4imprint contributed to the sustainability and growth of 254 charities, donating $127,000 in-kind via its one by one™ philanthropic giving program.

For every business day of the year, 4imprint donated $500 worth of promotional products to deserving U.S. and Canadian charities. More than 1,780 one by one™ applications were submitted for the 2009 grants. In addition to the 254 grant recipients, 4imprint awarded another 754 nonprofits with sample-product donations and offered a minimum 10 percent discount to organizations that applied but did not receive the grant.

4imprint’s one by one™ program marked its fourth year of success in 2009, offering in-kind donations to help eligible charities in boosting awareness for their organizations, reaching customers, promoting events, thanking key audiences and much more.

“The one by one™ program helps nonprofits stretch their budgets and make more out of the resources they have,” explains Kevin Lyons-Tarr, 4imprint president. “We’re just happy to be a part of the great work they’re doing every day.”

The promotional products retailer also reached out to its local communities over the past year, awarding 48 donations to nonprofits in the immediate surrounding area of its headquarters in Oshkosh, Wis.

4imprint is currently accepting applications for its 2010 one by one™ program online at http://onebyone.4imprint.com. Any 501(c) 3 organization, registered Canadian charity, school or religious organizations are encouraged to apply. Interested organizations are asked that applications be submitted a minimum of 2 months before items will be needed for use. This allows time for applications to be processed and products to be delivered in time for scheduled events.

Fourth-quarter 2009 one by one™ recipients include:

AAUW Poughkeepsie Branch Inc. – Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Albright LIFE – Williamsport, Pa.
Alzheimer Society of Toronto – Toronto, Ontario
American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Chapter – West Palm Beach, Fla.
Anshe Sfard Keillat Torah – Glendale, Wis.
Canadian Liver Foundation – Calgary, Alberta
Cedarkirk Camp & Conference Center – Lithia, Fla.
Chattahoochee Fuller Center Project, Inc. – West Point, Ga.
Cheerful Givers – Eagan, Minn.
Child and Family Services of Saginaw County – Saginaw, Mich.
Child Care Resource Center – Chatsworth, Calif.
Children’s Cancer Recovery Foundation – Harrisburg, Pa.
Cobb Literacy Council – Marietta, Ga.
Conception Abbey – Conception, Mo.
CornerHouse Child Abuse Evaluation & Training Center – Minneapolis, Minn.
Extended Child Care Coalition – Santa Rosa, Calif.
Extreme Missionary Adventures – Rayville, La.
Filipino American Human Services, Inc. – Jamaica, N.Y.
Fireweed Collective Society – Fort St. James, British Columbia
Forever Young Senior Wish Organization – Collierville, Tenn.
Franklin County Sheriffs of Northeast Georgia FOP – Lavonia, Ga.
H.A.S.S. Mid-America Regional Council – Kansas City, Mo.
I.W.I.N. Foundation – Indianapolis, Ind.
IHM Family Literacy Center – Coatesville, Pa.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Northeast Wisconsin – Menasha, Wis.
Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center – Hutchinson, Kan.
Kids On Paper – Valley Glen, Calif.
League of Women Voters: Lee County – Fort Myers, Fla.
Lincoln Lutheran of Racine – Racine, Wis.
MANNA – Philadelphia, Pa.
Montgomery Hospital Foundation – Norristown, Pa.
National Family Caregiver Support Program – Soldotna, Ark.
Northeast Tennessee Vulnerable Adult Coalition – Johnson City, Tenn.
Northern Virginia Urban League – Alexandria, Va.
Not for Sale Campaign – Montara, Calif.
Open Heart Magic – Chicago, Ill.
Operation Christmas Child – Lethbridge, Alberta
Ovarian Cancer Orange County Alliance – Anaheim, Calif.
Palm Beach County Council of PTA/PTSA – Boca Raton, Fla.
Pioneer Technical Center High School – Madera, Calif.
Portland Rescue Mission – Portland, Ore.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chattanooga – Chattanooga, Tenn.
Shepherds Ministries – Union Grove, Wis.
SkillsUSA Georgia, Inc. – McDonough, Ga.
Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services – Somerville, Mass.
St. Croix Environmental Association – Christiansted, Virgin Islands
Starkville Area Arts Council – Starkville, Mo.
Susquehanna University Women’s Basketball – Selinsgrove, Pa.
Teach Us 2 Nurture – Greenville, S.C.
The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Foundation – Jacksonville, Fla.
The Children’s Shelter – San Antonio, Texas
The Elena Macias Foundation – Livermore, Calif.
The Salvation Army – Albany, N.Y.
The Teresa Group – Toronto, Ontario
The TREAL Project – Berkeley, Calif.
Trinity Rescue Mission – Jacksonville, Fla.
Twin Rivers Associates, Division of IPPI – Exeter, N.H.
Unity House of Troy, Inc. – Troy, N.Y.
Upper Room Mission – Vernon, B.C.
Youth First Community of Promise – Ramsey, Minn.
YWCA Lancaster – Lancaster, Pa.

About 4imprint’s one by one™ program
one by one™ is the charitable giving program of 4imprint. Now in its fifth year, 4imprint’s one by one™ program supports nonprofits with IRS-approved 501(c)3 status or Canadian-registered charities, religious organizations and accredited schools. Since the program began, the promotional products retailer has awarded nearly a half-million dollars in promotional products grants to nonprofit organizations.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, and serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional items throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland. Its product offerings include corporate gifts, personalized gifts, custom shirts, promotional pens, travel mugs, tote bags, water bottles, Post-it Notes, custom calendars and much more. For additional information, log on to www.4imprint.com.

Now available: 4imprint’s Latest Blue Paper and
Podcast on Tapping the Crowd for the Next Big Idea

(OSHKOSH, Wis.) – Increasingly businesses are outsourcing work to experts, freelancers and even consumers through crowdsourcing. The latest Blue Paper™ and Podcast from promotional products retailer 4imprint, entitled Beyond the team: Crowdsourcing, explores just how businesses are using the Internet to cultivate innovation and marketing advantages through collaboration.

“It’s all about taking a problem or need and finding an individual, or a group of individuals, who have the collective knowledge and vested interest to help find your solution,” explains Greg Ebel, vice president of sales and marketing for 4imprint. “We hope this blue paper is helpful for those thinking about this strategy.”

Crowdsourcing enables businesses to:
• Expand options and solutions to beyond what is immediately available or affordable in-house.
• Drive down expenses by creating increased competition for work.
• Offer the ability to develop something new while simultaneously creating brand awareness and building vested relationships with consumers.
• Provide a means to funnel and redirect attention to a business’s other marketing efforts.

Beyond the team: Crowdsourcing examines the benefits and potential obstacles when implementing a crowdsourcing strategy and presents popular models and platforms to explore. To read this Blue Paper, or to download the Podcast, visit www.4imprint.com/bluepapers.

About 4imprint Blue Papers™
4imprint Blue Papers™ are in-depth, how-to articles, distributed to 4imprint customers to help their organizations succeed. Accessible at www.4imprint.com/bluepapers, Blue Papers™ have covered popular, cutting-edge topics such as podcasting, online social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and experiential marketing.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, and serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional items throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland. Its product offerings include corporate gifts, personalized gifts, custom shirts, promotional pens, travel mugs, tote bags, water bottles, Post-it Notes, custom calendars, and much more. For additional information, log on to www.4imprint.com.

New 4imprint Blue Paper™ and Podcast ask “What’s in an image?”

(OSHKOSH, Wis.) –Images are used across practically every communication channel to message, sell, emote and enhance content. When it comes to choosing these images, there’s more to a good image than aesthetics. The latest Blue Paper™ and Podcast from promotional products retailer 4imprint, entitled What’s in an image: Formats, copyright, design and placement, sets out to address this and other image-related topics.

“An image really is worth a 1000 words,” said Greg Ebel, 4imprint vice president of sales and marketing. “Research suggests that 72 hours after seeing a message presented with images, 65% of people can recall the message, compared to only 10% recall in people who have seen the message presented with text alone.

From what makes an image resonate with a viewer to knowing how to optimize files for the Web, the strategic use of images is practically a science in and of itself. However, successful use of images has been proven to increase design and search engine optimization, along with recall and comprehension in audiences.

This podcast and Blue Paper—4imprint’s version of a white paper—specifically addresses the basics of selecting an appropriate and effective image for use online or in print, the options for obtaining images, file formats, placement of images and the creation of image libraries. To read this Blue Paper, or to download the Podcast, visit www.4imprint.com/bluepapers.

About 4imprint Blue Papers™
4imprint Blue Papers™ are in-depth, how-to articles, distributed to 4imprint customers to help their organizations succeed. Accessible at www.4imprint.com/bluepapers, Blue Papers™ have covered popular, cutting-edge topics such as podcasting, online social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and experiential marketing.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, and serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional items throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland. Its product offerings include corporate gifts, personalized gifts, custom shirts, promotional pens, travel mugs, tote bags, water bottles, Post-it Notes, custom calendars, and much more. For additional information, log on to www.4imprint.com.

The Year of the Mobile? 4imprint’s Latest Blue Paper® and Podcast Explores Mobile Marketing

(OSHKOSH, Wis.) – As the mobile community continues to grow, so does the business opportunity to reach new customers and engage current audiences. The latest Blue Paper and Podcast from promotional products retailer 4imprint, entitled Mobile marketing, explores these opportunities while addressing an increasingly common question: Just what exactly is mobile marketing?

“There is a great deal of interest and growth in mobile marketing as it is an extremely personal channel of communication, offering valuable content to engage target audiences at the same time,” states Greg Ebel, vice president of sales and marketing for 4imprint. “We felt now would be a good time to explore this evolving and expanding trend.”

According to Fast Company, there are 2 billion mobile subscribers in the world today and that number is projected to jump well-beyond 3 billion by the end of the year. What’s more, mobile marketing has already become a billion dollar industry and revenue projections steadily increase as more users subscribe and technology continues to advance.

The Mobile Marketing Blue Paper presents the many areas of mobile marketing, advantages (and in some cases, disadvantages) of various strategies and tactics, how to develop and implement a mobile marketing strategy, and tools and resources for measuring return on investment. The paper also features:

• Mobile-specific Web sites, URLs, templates and mobile-friendly graphics
• Text marketing basics, opt-in guidelines and distribution services
• Promotions, contests, applications, games and content ideas

To read this Blue Paper, or to download the Podcast, visit www.4imprint.com/bluepapers.

About 4imprint Blue Papers®
4imprint Blue Papers™ are in-depth, how-to articles, distributed to 4imprint customers to help their organizations succeed. Accessible at www.4imprint.com/bluepapers, Blue Papers™ have covered popular, cutting-edge topics such as podcasting, online social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and experiential marketing.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, and serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional items throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland. Its product offerings include corporate gifts, personalized gifts, custom shirts, promotional pens, travel mugs, tote bags, water bottles, Post-it Notes, custom calendars and much more. For additional information, log on to www.4imprint.com.

4imprint White Paper and Podcast Focuses on Green Marketing

(OSHKOSH, Wis.) –What once was a marketing approach aimed at a niche consumer, green marketing is increasingly reaching mass adoption. The latest Blue Paper™ and Podcast from promotional products retailer 4imprint, Green marketing, explores this shift and examines advantages and disadvantages to businesses entering the green market.

From 2008 to 2009, consumer demand for green products grew 15 percent and 70 percent of consumers now say they would purchase a green product over a comparably priced, non-green option. Additionally, studies have found that a certain degree of green consumerism exists in all markets.

“Research seems to suggest that the green consumer exists in a much wider demographic base than marketers originally had thought,” said Kevin Lyons-Tarr, president of 4imprint. “Businesses have the opportunity to appeal to new audience segments with products and marketing materials designed with green in mind.”

In addition to illustrating this research, Green marketing offers a:
• Primer on green marketing lingo
• Summary of today’s green consumer
• Overview of FTC guidelines on green marketing
• Review of successful green marketing strategies and campaigns
• Reasons why to pursue and sell green or eco-friendly products
• Explanations on what makes a green product “green”

To read this Blue Paper, or to download the Podcast, visit www.4imprint.com/bluepapers.

About 4imprint Blue Papers™
4imprint Blue Papers™ are in-depth, how-to articles, distributed to 4imprint customers to help their organizations succeed. Accessible at www.4imprint.com/bluepapers, Blue Papers™ have covered popular, cutting-edge topics such as podcasting, online social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and experiential marketing.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, and serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional items throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland. Its product offerings include corporate gifts, personalized gifts, custom shirts, promotional pens, travel mugs, tote bags, water bottles, Post-it Notes, custom calendars and much more. For additional information, log on to www.4imprint.com.

4imprint Shares Online Video Strategies and Tips in Latest Blue Paper™

(OSHKOSH, Wis.) – Promotional products retailer 4imprint’s most recent Blue Paper delves into the world of online video marketing, giving its readers tips and tricks on how organizations can effectively use the medium to boost sales, increase site traffic and generate leads.

According to the Blue Paper—4imprint’s version of a white paper—and podcast, adding video to a Web site can drive 36 percent more clicks, 20 percent more inbound calls and more than double the time a user spends on a Web site. With such tremendous business benefits, it’s no wonder so many organizations are ready to learn the ropes and master online video.

Harness the Power of Online Video discusses a variety of topics related to online video that readers will find useful when adding the tactic to their marketing mix, including:

• What makes an online video successful
• How to formulate an online video marketing strategy
• Equipment considerations
• Tips on video blogging, otherwise called “vlogging”
• How to respond to user commentary and mitigate controversy

“Online video has really exploded over the last few years, and a lot of organizations are looking to get more involved,” explains Greg Ebel, 4imprint vice president of sales and marketing. “It’s a way to market products and services that truly can enhance your existing efforts.”

4imprint invites readers and listeners to learn more about how to use online video to further engage, entertain and inspire customers to action. Read the paper or listen to the podcast in-full at http://info.4imprint.com/bluepapers/.

About 4imprint Blue Papers
4imprint Blue Papers are in-depth, how-to articles, distributed to 4imprint customers to help their organizations succeed. Accessible at www.4imprint.com/bluepapers, Blue Papers have covered popular, cutting-edge topics such as podcasting, online social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and experiential marketing.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, and serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional items throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland. Its product offerings include corporate gifts, personalized gifts, custom shirts, promotional pens, travel mugs, tote bags, water bottles, Post-it Notes, custom calendars, and much more. As of January 1, 2010, 4imprint, Inc. is offering a new guarantee on all promotional products. For additional information, log on to www.4imprint.com.

Latest from 4imprint Shares Tricks on Working with Generation Y

(OSHKOSH, Wis.) – Workforce dynamics are shifting, and promotional products retailer 4imprint wants organizations to be prepared to welcome a new generation of employees: Generation Y. With its latest Blue Paper™ installment, 4imprint offers organizations a variety of tips to attract, motivate and retain budding Millennial cohorts.

According to The dawning of a new workforce: When “Generation Y” comes knocking, Generation Y encompasses roughly 76 million individuals born roughly between 1980 and 1995–the majority of whom are searching for employers who support their need for excitement, making a difference and being a part of something bigger.

“Generation Y is very different from generations preceding it, and will likely shift company dynamics,” shares Mary Curtin, 4imprint vice president of human resources. “Millennials require a change in management and communication styles, and this requires a proactive approach.”

The Blue Paper™ covers a variety of topics related to seamlessly transitioning Generation Y into an organization’s team, including:

• How to recruit Millennials in a way that speaks to their interests and values
• What perks Generation Y job seekers look for in an employer
• How to communicate with Gen Y-ers in a way that makes them comfortable
• Fostering positive relationships between varying generations of employees
• How to motivate Millennials and make them long-standing team members

“The dawning of a new workforce” helps its readers focus on Generation Y as an asset to their organization, versus a roadblock to success. To read it in full, visit 4imprint’s Web site.

About 4imprint Blue Papers™
4imprint Blue Papers™ are in-depth, how-to articles, distributed to 4imprint customers to help their organizations succeed. Accessible at www.4imprint.com/bluepapers, Blue Papers™ have covered popular, cutting-edge topics such as podcasting, online social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and experiential marketing.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, and serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional items throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland. Its product offerings include corporate gifts, personalized gifts, custom shirts, promotional pens, travel mugs, tote bags, water bottles, Post-it Notes, custom calendars, and much more. As of January 1, 2010, 4imprint, Inc. is offering a new guarantee on all promotional products. For additional information, log on to www.4imprint.com.

New 4imprint White Paper and Podcast: Workplace Ergonomics
Blue Paper® Highlights the Risks for Workplace Injury and Methods for Protecting
Employees and Improving the Work Environment

(OSHKOSH, Wis.)— Promotional products retailer 4imprint releases its most recent podcast and Blue Paper (its own version of a white paper), entitled Ergonomics in the Workplace.

Ergonomics is the scientific study of the way humans work. Businesses and experts can use ergonomics to adapt an employee’s work environment to fit an employee’s physical needs, thereby increasing productivity and morale.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor and Statistics, in 2008 work-related injuries thought to be associated with inattention to ergonomics accounted for 317,440 workers’ compensation claims, with each claim resulting in 10 days out of work for injured parties, costing state fund employers millions of dollars.

“This Blue Paper identifies ergonomic risk factors, outlines steps businesses can take to mitigate these factors and improve the work environment, decrease absenteeism and increase morale, and boost productivity.” said Mary Curtin, 4imprint vice president of human resources. “From the simple details of how folks sit in their chairs, to the best use of lighting for reading a computer screen, ergonomics can really make a difference! ”

The Blue Paper (4imprint’s version of a white paper) and podcast are available for download at http://info.4imprint.com/bluepapers/.

About 4imprint Blue Papers
4imprint Blue Papers are in-depth, how-to articles, distributed to 4imprint customers to help their organizations succeed. Accessible at http://info.4imprint.com/bluepapers/ in both print and podcast forms, Blue Papers are also available on iTunes®. Blue Papers cover popular, cutting-edge business, marketing, human resources and management topics such as podcasting, online social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and experiential marketing.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, and serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional items throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland. Its product offerings include corporate gifts, personalized gifts, custom shirts, promotional pens, travel mugs, tote bags, water bottles, Post-it Notes, custom calendars, and much more. As of January 1, 2010, 4imprint, Inc. is offering a new guarantee on all promotional products. For additional information, log on to www.4imprint.com.

Online Retailer 4imprint Announces White Paper and Podcast:
Emergency Planning for Small Businesses
Blue Paper® explores how to plan for and recover from disasters for small businesses

(OSHKOSH, Wis.)— Promotional products retailer, 4imprint focuses on the importance of emergency planning in its newly released Blue Paper® and podcast, Emergency Planning for Small Business.

Unexpected events such as natural disasters, theft, or data loss can be crippling to any small business. In fact, an estimated 30 percent of small businesses in the United States alone have experienced a disaster in the past three years and at least one in four of those businesses never reopened.

“We certainly all hope that no business is struck by disaster, but unfortunately, it happens” says Kevin Lyons-Tarr, president of 4imprint. “The best way to deal with any emergency is to be as prepared as possible. This Blue Paper tries to do that by providing an overview of disaster planning.”

In addition to sharing what benefits some businesses and experts find in having an emergency plan in place, this Blue Paper shares advice from sources such as the U.S. Department of State and The American Red Cross to address what small businesses should do before and after an emergency, how to do it and what to communicate to whom in the event that something goes awry.

Blue Paper (4imprint’s version of a white paper) and podcast available for download at http://info.4imprint.com/bluepapers/.

About 4imprint Blue Papers
4imprint Blue Papers are in-depth, how-to articles, distributed to 4imprint customers to help their organizations succeed. Accessible at http://info.4imprint.com/bluepapers/ in both print and podcast forms, Blue Papers are also available on iTunes®. Blue Papers cover popular, cutting-edge business, marketing, human resources and management topics such as podcasting, online social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and experiential marketing.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, and serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional items throughout the United States, Canada the United Kingdom and Ireland. Its product offerings include corporate gifts, custom shirts, promotional pens, travel mugs, tote bags, water bottles, Post-it Notes, custom calendars and much more. For more information, log on to www.4imprint.com.

4imprint White Papers Explore the Donor, Nonprofit Relationship
The latest Blue Papers®, a two-part series, address
the basics of donor prospecting, relationships and fund development

(OSHKOSH, Wis.)— Does your organization have the donor relationships needed to withstand the test of time? Promotional products retailer, 4imprint ‘s most recent podcasts and Blue Papers (its own version of a white paper), Fundraising Basic, Part I and Fundraising Basics Part II discuss how nonprofit organizations can identify and court prospective donors to support their missions, and outline considerations and tactics for developing a winning fundraising strategy.

Fundraising Basics Part I provides insight on the importance and how-tos of research strategies, donor demographics, lifecycle segmentation, education and engagement when it comes to prospecting—and the targeted and integrative use of multiple communications channels.

Building on part one, Fundraising Basics Part II tackles the basics of situational analysis, goal setting, budget and timeline development, and the tactics necessary to create a successful individual fundraising strategy for any nonprofit organization

Kevin Lyons Tarr, president of 4imprint said, “Our thought was to explore the relationship between donors and nonprofit organizations by focusing on fundraising fundamentals. These basics, presented in our Blue Paper, will hopefully not only benefit our nonprofit customers, but also the communities in which they reside.”

Blue Papers (4imprint’s version of a white paper) and podcasts available for download at http://info.4imprint.com/bluepapers/.

About 4imprint Blue Papers
4imprint Blue Papers are in-depth, how-to articles, distributed to 4imprint customers to help their organizations succeed. Accessible at http://info.4imprint.com/bluepapers/ in both print and podcast forms, Blue Papers are also available on iTunes®. Blue Papers cover popular, cutting-edge business, marketing, human resources and management topics such as podcasting, online social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and experiential marketing.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, and serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional merchandise throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland. For more information, log on to www.4imprint.com.

On Your Mark. Get Set. Read.- The Latest Podcast and White Paper by 4imprint
Reviewing the how’s and why’s of professional book clubs and their impact on business

(OSHKOSH, Wis.)— Promotional products retailer, 4imprint dives into another interesting topic with the release of its most recent Blue Paper® and podcast: An Introduction to Business Reading Groups.

It’s been reported by the U.S. Department of Labor and Yahoo! that people who read at least seven business books a year earn a reported 2.3 times more than people who read only one.

Publishers are responding with books that speak to career advancement and fulfillment, as well as business tomes that read more like a VanityFair feature than an academic textbook; because, more and more people are seeking intelligent conversations and thought-provoking ideas through business-related reading groups.

President Tom Hayden of Shive-Hattery, an architectural engineering and consulting firm, is a big proponent of business literacy. He designed a leadership program for his company, heavily based on reading and discussion. “We looked around and realized we didn’t have enough leadership talent,” Hayden said. “We had quite a bit of management talent, but not leadership. Leaders produce change,” he explained.

Other companies have noticed similar issues and believe reading groups help address those gaps in a neutral method, where everyone has an equal voice.

“The research pertaining to reading groups and their positive impact on business excited us and thought it would excite our customers as well,” states Greg Ebel, 4imprint’s vice president of sales and marketing.

Blue Paper (4imprint’s version of a white paper) and podcast available for download at http://info.4imprint.com/bluepapers/.

About 4imprint Blue Papers
4imprint Blue Papers are in-depth, how-to articles, distributed to 4imprint customers to help their organizations succeed. Accessible at http://info.4imprint.com/bluepapers/ in both print and podcast forms, Blue Papers are also available on iTunes®. Blue Papers cover popular, cutting-edge business, marketing, human resources and management topics such as podcasting, online social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and experiential marketing.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, and serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional merchandise throughout the United States and Canada. For more information, log on to www.4imprint.com.

4imprint White Paper and Podcast: Becoming a Thought Leader
Blue Paper® features the benefits and how-tos of thought leadership

(OSHKOSH, Wis.)— Promotional products retailer, 4imprint announces its most recent podcast and Blue Paper (its own version of a white paper), entitled Becoming a Thought Leader.

People who strategically cultivate industry insight to build foresight are thought leaders. They are more than experts, they are innovators with the ability to influence organizational change, sustainability and brand integrity.

“It’s thought leaders that help us question our methods, provide us vision and encourage us to stretch our thinking”, said Kevin Lyons-Tarr, president of 4imprint, “so this paper discusses the benefits of thought leadership and reviews tips to bring the thought leader out in all of us.”

Thought leadership is a business strategy that requires a continuous cycle of research, planning, effort and review. This Blue Paper outlines the benefits of thought leadership, poses questions to ask before pursuing thought leadership, illustrates steps to becoming a thought leader—including developing a strategy and an effective message—and presents case studies of successful thought leadership.

Blue Paper (4imprint’s version of a white paper) and podcast available for download at http://info.4imprint.com/bluepapers/.

About 4imprint Blue Papers
4imprint Blue Papers are in-depth, how-to articles, distributed to 4imprint customers to help their organizations succeed. Accessible at http://info.4imprint.com/bluepapers/ in both print and podcast forms, Blue Papers are also available on iTunes®. Blue Papers cover popular, cutting-edge business, marketing, human resources and management topics such as podcasting, online social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and experiential marketing.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, and serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional merchandise throughout the United States and Canada. For more information, log on to www.4imprint.com.

4imprint White Paper and Podcast Released:
What’s in the Employee Breakroom?
Blue Paper® features employee nutrition and its impact on productivity.

(OSHKOSH, Wis.)— Promotional products retailer, 4imprint releases its most recent podcast and Blue Paper (its own version of a white paper), entitled What’s in the Breakroom?: Employee Diet and Productivity. Featuring research that links nutrition to worker productivity, this Blue Paper offers health-conscious tips and ideas to reducing absenteeism and increasing an employer’s bottom-line.

In a 2006 Personnel Today magazine article by Sally O’Reilly, wellness-solutions company vielife studied 15,000 people in the U.S. and the U.K. Results found that employees with poor nutrition reported 21% more sick-related absences and 11% lower productivity than healthier colleagues. Additionally, in Christopher Wanjek’s book Food At Work Workplace Solutions For Malnutrition, Obesity And Chronic Diseases, it was found that in one year obesity contributed to more than 39.2 million lost work days and 239 million restricted work days.

In response to this convincing data, many companies are making the shift to healthy onsite food offerings, such as nutritional vending machine choices to low-fat cafeteria menu options to nutrition policies that dictate no-donut meetings. And, the rewards are showing themselves in reduced illnesses, chronic diseases and enhanced concentration.

“This Blue Paper sheds wonderful light on the direct relationship between healthy eating and work productivity,” explains Mary Curtin, vp of human resources for 4imprint. “As employers, we have an opportunity to provide a supportive work environment that caters to healthy eating and nutrition through a variety of methods, including offering WeightWatcher® programs, nutritious vending options or even onsite fitness classes. By helping keep our team members well and fit, they live longer, better lives, and we benefit from their increased productivity. It truly is a win-win.”

Blue Paper (4imprint’s version of a white paper) and podcast available for download at http://info.4imprint.com/bluepapers/.

About 4imprint Blue Papers
4imprint Blue Papers are in-depth, how-to articles, distributed to 4imprint customers to help their organizations succeed. Accessible at http://info.4imprint.com/bluepapers/ in both print and podcast forms, Blue Papers are also available on iTunes®. Blue Papers cover popular, cutting-edge business, marketing, human resources and management topics such as podcasting, online social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and experiential marketing.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, and serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional merchandise throughout the United States and Canada. For more information, log on to www.4imprint.com.

4imprint White Paper and Podcast Released: Body Language
Blue Paper® features common cues and interpretations of body language and
the importance of cultural awareness in nonverbal communication

(OSHKOSH, Wis.)— Promotional products retailer, 4imprint releases its most recent podcast and Blue Paper (its own version of a white paper), entitled What is Your Body Language Saying?

“Body language can be just as important as spoken language in communications,” shares Mary Curtin, 4imprint vice president of human resources. “This paper discusses cues such as facial expressions, gestures, posture and proximity which can help employers better communicate with their employees, customers or partners. It’s an interesting topic with application to associates at all levels.”

As business becomes increasingly global, companies must also be mindful of cultural differences and nuances that are present in body language. Jeanette Martin, co-author of “Global Business Etiquette” and business professor at the University of Mississippi, says that there is value in understanding cultural differences in body language even if your company has not yet reached a global market.

In addition to discussing common body language cues and body language in a cross-cultural setting, 4imprint’s latest Blue Paper provides tips on how to ensure that you are aware of and using body language in an effective way, such as:

• Copy or mimic the gestures of the person you are speaking with to make him or her more comfortable.
• Maintain a foot stance that is six to eight inches apart with feet pointed forward as it communicates a relaxed and attentive state.
• Balance eye contact so you are looking directly at someone 80-90 percent of the time. More and it appears disconcerting, less and it shows disinterest.

These, along with many other practical non verbal recommendations, are available for download as a Blue Paper and as a podcast at http://info.4imprint.com/bluepapers/.

About 4imprint Blue Papers
4imprint Blue Papers are in-depth, how-to articles, distributed to 4imprint customers to help their organizations succeed. Accessible at http://info.4imprint.com/bluepapers/ in both print and podcast forms, Blue Papers are also available on iTunes®. Blue Papers cover popular, cutting-edge business, marketing, human resources and management topics such as podcasting, online social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and experiential marketing.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, and serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional merchandise throughout the United States and Canada. For more information, log on to www.4imprint.com.

Latest 4imprint White Paper and Podcast:
Professional Associations: Putting Them to Work For You
Blue Paper® expands on the values of professional associations for
individual professionals and businesses.

(OSHKOSH, Wis.)— Promotional products retailer, 4imprint releases its most recent podcast and Blue Paper (its own version of a white paper), entitled Professional Associations: Putting them to Work for You.

Dick Knapinski, public affairs director for the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), a professional and enthusiast association for those in the aviation industry, says that what’s true of EAA is often true of most professional associations, “Organizations serve as the catalyst that allows members a way to find information and to share experiences.”

Membership in a professional association can return invaluable benefits—professional development, access to industry publications, discounts, networking opportunities, and more. But, you can’t just sign up and expect the rewards to pour in.

“Membership in a professional association—as an individual or as a business—can be a valuable resource,” shares Mary Curtin, 4imprint vice president of human resources. “But these memberships need to be chosen wisely and used effectively. Then you can expect to expand your knowledge base and your client list while creating visibility within an industry.”

4imprint’s latest Blue Paper provides insight to the benefits of membership in professional associations as an individual and as a business. It addresses what individuals and businesses should be looking for when identifying professional associations to join, policy and guideline considerations for employers, tips for networking at your first professional association event, and keys to getting the most out of membership.

Blue Paper (4imprint’s version of a white paper) and podcast available for download at http://info.4imprint.com/bluepapers/.

About 4imprint Blue Papers
4imprint Blue Papers are in-depth, how-to articles, distributed to 4imprint customers to help their organizations succeed. Accessible at http://info.4imprint.com/bluepapers/ in both print and podcast forms, Blue Papers are also available on iTunes®. Blue Papers cover popular, cutting-edge business, marketing, human resources and management topics such as podcasting, online social media, search engine optimization (SEO) and experiential marketing.

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, and serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional merchandise throughout the United States and Canada. For more information, log on to www.4imprint.com.

(OSHKOSH, Wis.)— 4imprint has released the 4th edition of an exclusive 13-month, 2010 Wildlife calendar, featuring the photography John Van Den Brandt. By day, John is a National Account Executive with 4imprint, but he spends nearly every other waking moment looking through a viewfinder capturing breathtaking images of wildlife in their natural habitat.

John’s work has been showcased for years in a variety of publications and retail outlets and his artistic passion is evident in this one-of-a-kind, limited edition calendar featuring wildlife photography from his travels throughout the United States, Manitoba and British Columbia.

Printed on retail-quality stock, this staple-bound, full-color wall calendar features a new scene each month—and your business’ logo 365 days a year. Accompanying each photo is a note from John describing the ‘story behind the shot’. On-sale now, and ideal for holiday-giving, these calendars are only available while supplies last.
“There is something for everyone in this calendar; from backyard birds to the exotic animals. My favorite may be the killer whale as I was able to capture it entirely out of water,” states Van Den Brandt.

“We are thrilled to provide such a unique, quality product – it really takes the traditional logo’d calendar to an entirely new level,” explains 4imprint President Kevin Lyons-Tarr. “It’s a great example of how our team is willing to go above and beyond for our customers, and we appreciate John sharing his personal passion and hobby with them.”

About 4imprint
4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, and serves more than 100,000 businesses with its innovative promotional merchandise throughout the United States. For more information, log on to www.4imprint.com.