by Ceri | Feb 20, 2012 | Products
Promotional flags are the new call to arms in the modern day battle of marketing. Commerce has replaced territory as the goal, and companies around the world are waging marketing war on each other to accumulate clientele and increase profits.
Branding is essential in today’s business world and marketing materials like promotional flags (used mostly in outdoor advertising) are the signifiers. It tells the customer where the product is and instructs them where to go. The flag is a common thing and most don’t even give a thought to its origins. With time it has evolved and has adapted to a staple in outdoor advertising.
History of the Flag
Walk down any business district and you will notice a flurry of outdoor advertising. Banners, signs and promotional flags all vying for your attention, peddling their wares and attracting the attention of would-be consumers. The promotion flag is a commercial evolution from the traditional flag used by countries or the military.
The flag started out as a simple piece of fabric with and identifying symbol or colours on it. Most commonly it is rectangular, but there have been variations in shape and size to differentiate it from others. The flag is adorned with a specific graphic design which is a unique identifier to the source who displays it.
The first uses of the flag in military strategy and were a way for armies to coordinate their military strategies on the battlefield. It evolved into a way of identification and became a strong patriotic symbol for tribes and countries. The most common association with flags is with national identity. Each country has a flag with a unique design that is adopted as a national symbol. Some of the most recognisable flags are the Union Jack (Great Britain), the Star Spangled Banner (United States of America) and the tricolour (France).
Counties often have two versions of their flag. The civil version is the one used most commonly and identified with that country. You’ll see it used at state functions and sporting events. The war flag is, as the name states, a call to arms and used by the armed forces in times of conflict. The various national regiments like the navy, air force or army can all have separate flags.
Promotional Flags: Staple of Outdoor Advertising
As marketing and advertising grew promotional flags were adapted and become branding symbols. Outdoor events were the perfect venue for this new style of outdoor advertising and branded flags flew proudly, adverting a product or brand name. Sporting events have become a common place for promotional flags. Think of a Formula One race and the amount of Ferrari, McLaren or Renault flags being waved proudly around the track. Or at a football match where there is a clash or colours and symbols when one team face another on the field.
A key area that promotional flags are used as outdoor advertising is at mass participation sporting events. In South Africa big events like the Comrades Marathon, Argus Cycle Race or Midmar Mile all get big exposure. Sponsors and sports products have a big presence and set up massive promotional stalls. The best way to identify yourself and stand out amongst the melee is with a branded flag. They fly high as a beacon to create brand awareness and separate them from their competitors.
Promotional flags have become very important in branding, especially when it comes to outdoor advertising. As an identifier it has become a powerful marketing tool and become indispensible to companies, brand and organisations who want to fly their colours proudly.
by Ceri | Feb 17, 2012 | Banner displays, Uncategorized
Want to get noticed? Use a banner. Indoor and outdoor banners are a perfect way to get brand recognition and expose your product to your target market. Whether it’s at an exhibition or at a sporting event indoor and outdoor banners are the ideal marketing gimmick.
Advertising is an integral part to marketing and the visual plays a vital role. To draw a crowd and make then notice you, you need to have something eye catching. Indoor and outdoor banners fit the bill.
Why Choose Indoor and Outdoor Banners?
You have a business and the opportunity to showcase it at an event. Why make use of indoor and outdoor banners? There are more benefits that you would have thought. Here are the advantages:
- Simple to make – Most indoor and outdoor banners are made of vinyl and they are quick to order and easy to make. If you need a banner in a short period of time, this is an option that won’t let you down. Even if your product has changed or upgraded, it’s easy to produce more banners and get them quickly.
- Durable – Since most marketing banners are made out of vinyl they are tough and long lasting. If you attend many exhibitions it’s convenient to be able to use the same marketing materials over again. When marketing outside you need it to be resistance of the elements and won’t fade or tear. Strong sturdy banners will last you and save on costs of having to produce new ones.
- Easy to install – Indoor and outdoor banners are easy to set up. It’s essentially the vinyl and a basic aluminium frame. They are lightweight and east to transport. Once unpacked it is set up in a few minutes and once done it collapses in quicker time. When time is of the essence, you don’t want to waste time on setup.
- Cost effective – Making use of marking banners is surprisingly cost effective. Because they are easy and quick to manufacture, they are very affordable. Their cost makes is possible for businesses of any size to use banner marketing – from large corporations to self owned businesses.
- Versatile – Marketing banners are very versatile. They come in various sizes and shapes and can be customized to suit your needs. With all the products out there, you want to stand out from the crowd. If everyone marketed with the same banner size and style it would be very ineffective. Banner versatility allows different brands to make their mark individually.
Indoor and outdoor banners are a pivotal marketing tool especially when you are promoting at an outdoor event. Brand awareness is essential and you want your brand to be the first thing people think of when considering a product in your industry. The more they see your brand the more it subliminally sinks in and becomes the first thing they think of. Get noticed and put your name out there for everyone to see.
by Ceri | Feb 17, 2012 | Banner displays
A very effective way to communicate with the public is making use of banners with stands (sometimes referred to as rollup banners or retractable banners). They are mobile and lightweight and usually consist of an aluminium frame and canvass or vinyl display. They are a great way to make your product visible and get the attention of your target market.
Banners with Stands: Types to Choose From
The choice to make use of banners with stands is easy, but it will require a little more thought to which kind you need. There are several types of banners and you need to identify the one that will best suit your specific requirements. The most popular ones are:
- Retractable Banners Stands – This type of banner stand is best for when time is of the essence and set up time needs to be super quick. The banners are rolled up inside the base and is pulled out and attached to a pole. It’s light, quick and easy to transport.
- Non-retractable Banners – This style of banner requires a bit more set up but adds more stability to your stand. It can either be supported by carbon fibre rod attached to a metal foot or a carbon fibre X, which spreads out to the corners and gives the banner tension and support.
- Sail Banners – These are banners that offer a bit of movement and can be used outside as flag advertising. The advertising area is mounted to a sturdy pole and can move in the air or a light breeze. There are several shapes and sizes to choose from including teardrop banners, wing banners, mini-flag banners, kite banners or larger advertising flags.
- Telescopic Banner – This style is also known as a feather banner and is quite effective if used in a cluster. The banner is mounted on a pole that has a rotating mechanism. This allows it to move in the wind and can be effective and eye catching, especially if it’s up to 4 meters long.
- Banner wall – The banner wall is mounted on a large aluminium frame/stand. This is perfect for creating a large graphic backdrop. It does require some assembly, but erects in minutes and is easily transportable. With regard to banners with stands this is the big daddy and makes the biggest impact.
Make use of banners with stands to single yourself out from the crowd. With the various options available you will definitely find something to suit your needs. It is a striking and cost effective way of marketing your product or service.
by Ceri | Jan 24, 2012 | Display stands
The Various Retail Display Options
In the highly competitive retail environment companies Viagra launch new products or services or want to retain their market share when other competing products are introduced to the market usually increase their marketing activity. One of the most effective ways of ensuring market share is by allowing customers to interact with products in a meaningful way. Many companies make use of retail display stands and point of sale displays in order to attract the attention of potential new customers and encourage customer loyalty amongst their existing customer base.
These companies can today choose from an enormous variety of different point of sale units. Moreover, the many retail display products that are available from exhibition and show stand manufacturers has ensured that there is a display solution which is suitable for any company, no matter how specialised their needs.
New manufacturing and design methods have also led to a decrease in the cost of custom designed retail display units and many companies are ordering display units that have been specifically designed to differentiate their products or services from the competition.
The many options that are available today range from smaller units, that are easily portable and can be both set up and manned by a single employee, to larger and more elaborate display units which have a variety of different features built into the unit.
Many of these more complex retail display units are designed to offer security features that allow for the safe storage of demonstration materials or stock. These units can also include equipment for the preparation of hot food or beverages. Some also have built in refrigeration units that allow the staff manning the unit to supply chilled samples of beverages and other foodstuffs that might require refrigeration prior to preparation.
The display units used in shopping centres are extremely popular due to the fact that they not only increase the exposure of products and services but also offer companies additional revenue opportunities. This can be especially important when shelf space in retail stores is at a premium.
The Advantages of a Shopping Kiosk
A shopping kiosk can be the perfect retail solution for the small business. There are many different variants available in South Africa and many of these offer excellent return on investment for the small businessperson.
By making use of a shopping kiosk the retailer does not have to enter into protracted negotiations with large retail stores in order to obtain shelf space. In many instances this shelf space is taken up by products supplied by large manufacturers or importers and obtaining the space to go head to head with these producers can be problematic.
Another advantage of the shopping mall kiosk is that it is easily moved from place to place within the shopping centre environment. This means that the owner of the retail kiosk can cope with changes in foot traffic patterns that can vary during the course of the business day.
A shopping kiosk is also both easy and cost-effective to brand and accessories such as shelving and other display options can be purchased either with the original unit or when required, such as during seasonal variations in purchasing behaviour.
High Impact Low Cost Signage
There are a variety of different signage options available to those companies who want to take advantage of the latest developments in printing technology and the new materials that are available. Some of the most popular types, including banners and flags, are used to bolster the attractiveness of retail display units or are used by companies during exhibitions and trade shows. These types of signage have been available to the exhibitor or retailer for many years, but new developments have made then both more attractive and better value for money than ever before.
Signages, such as pull up banners, are now available in a variety of different shapes and sizes that are very different from the traditional banners. Tear drop banners, Sharkfin banners and flag banners are only three types of banners that can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Versatile Display Showcases for Retail and Trade Shows
There are a variety of different display showcases that are available for use in retail displays as well as at trade shows and exhibitions. The customer can choose to have it designed to suit their individual needs or choose from a variety of standard showcases. These showcases can be manufactured from glass or from acrylic material that is resistant to the wear and tear that is common when these display units are used at trade shows or exhibitions.
by Ceri | Jan 19, 2012 | Custom stands
The Services of Custom-designed Stands Designers
Many companies choose to attend trade shows and exhibitions and these opportunities to showcase products and services are regular events in major cities across South Africa. The sheer number of show stands at these events means that a company must take advantage of the services of professional designers to ensure that the custom-designed stands that they have on display will entice possible buyers to spend some of their limited time reviewing the products and services on display.
New technology, new materials and new computer assisted design software have made it possible to manufacture custom-designed stands that are capable of fulfilling the requirements of the designers and the companies that have retained their services.
These show stands range from the simple fabric system stands which although representing extremely good value for money also take advantage of the latest printing techniques which make it possible to display photographic quality prints of products or backdrops which accentuate the properties of the product or the corporate identity of the company offering the products and services.
The new printing technology provides designers with an opportunity to provide companies with custom-designed fabric systems that are suitable for use in a variety of different venues and events.
Designers of custom-designed stands that are used at exhibitions have also taken advantage of new materials in order to ensure that many of the stands that are today available are extremely easy to transport from venue to venue. The lightweight modular systems which make extensive use of aluminium frames to support either fabric or laminate panels are designed to ensure that erecting the stands is extremely simple. Many variants of these types of stands, such as the Metrolite system available from Scan Display, fold up for transport in a carry bag that will easily fit into the boot of an average sized car.
Designers have ensured that many of the custom-designed stands can have additional units attached to them. This provides the customer with an almost endless variety of different configurations. The ability to add to the stands as and when required also makes investment in this type of stand extremely good value for money. These types of stands have been designed to be enhanced through the addition of other display equipment such as extra lighting, brochure stands, display cases and an assortment of banners, such as the ever popular pull up banner.
Custom-designed stands which have been configured by an expert designer to form the foundation of a modular system also represent an excellent investment due to the fact that in the unlikely event of damage to the tough graphic panels these can be easily replaced without the added expense of replacing the entire unit. The design of modular systems also allows the various components of the professionally designed stands to be used for a variety of different purposes in a variety of different settings, such as awards ceremonies or even sporting events. This further enhances the functionality of these display systems.
Larger custom-designed stands are also extremely popular and the designers of these stands have ensured that they are both extremely eye catching and provide the staff manning these stands with sufficient room to demonstrate products and interact with potential customers in comfort. The framework of these stands can be designed to conform to the corporate identity of the company that will be making use of the stand. Curved surfaces and a variety of shapes are today possible and the services of an expert stand manufacturer and designer will ensure that the stand is an accurate reflection of the quality of the merchandise being promoted. Additional services such as the leasing of chairs, portable flooring and other value added services will ensure that the company purchasing a custom-designed stand will enjoy pride of place amongst exhibitors at both exhibitions and trade shows.
Cefixime
