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Past Issues

October 2007

Poker-Themed Promo Puts Politician in the Chips

"Family values" is one of the most common phrases you'll hear in the typical politician's repertoire. The last thing a candidate or elected official wants is to be associated with any sort of vice - right?

Well, not always. When you're the mayor of Sin City, all bets are off. Case in point: Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman uses an imprinted poker chip as a business card alternative. "My favorite promotional products are my good luck mayor poker chips", he says. "They have a picture of me holding a martini, which is my favorite drink."

Gambling and drinking - that's two vices in one promotional product. Goodman says he gives out about 10,000 of the chips a year, especially when he's on the campaign trail. Besides his caricature, the front of the chips feature the slogan "The Happiest Mayor in the World". The back is imprinted with his phone number, fax number and e-mail address.

Is a martini-toting image on a poker chip really a smart promotion for a mayor? Interviewed shortly before being elected for his third term, he said, "The last time I had 86% of the vote, and this time I'm trying to break 90%. I think these chips help improve my chances."

Though he ended up with a mere 84% against five opponents, Goodman isn't likely to give up the chips just yet. "I'm the envy of all mayors around the world that I have this as my card", he says.

Nike Incentive Program Boosts Attendance

Nike employs factory workers around the world. Without enough workers on the line, production must shut down, which can cost the company tens of thousands of dollars per occurrence. Every manufacturing company faces such problems. Nike decided to do something about it, and developed a one-year program.

At the beginning of each quarter, coffee mugs (a different color and inscription each quarter) were presented to workers with perfect attendance. Different mugs each quarter gave workers a renewed sense of competition to earn the mug unique to the current quarter.

In addition, the company created the "Just Do It" awards to recognize individuals who demonstrated positive acts in the workplace, going above and beyond the basic job description. The award was a logoed and screened t-shirt, compressed into the shape of a running shoe as well as a bright yellow lunch cooler. The items, including the coffee mugs, were all presented by management on the factory floor in front of the workforce, increasing the competitive aspect of the program.

Results: The company experienced no line shutdowns for the entire length of the campaign, the first such occurrence in three years.

Did You Know?

If you missed our recent company overview issue, it's archived here.

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Favorite Quotations

“Life is like an ever-shifting kaleidoscope - a slight change, and all patterns alter.”

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Trivia Corner

The average person's hair will grow approximately 590 inches in a lifetime.

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