April 10, 2006 - Trevose, PA - The Advertising Specialty Institute® (ASI) released results of its annual promotional products industry sales analysis, indicating revenues jumped 5.1 percent from 2004 to $17.8 billion in 2005 — the third year of continuous increases and a new record.

Spending on promotional products was twice as large as Internet display advertising, five times greater than outdoor advertising and more than cable TV advertising.

The exclusive analysis, conducted by ASI, shows that growth in 2005 was driven by increased recognition that promotional products should be included in marketing campaigns and by the overall strength of the U.S. economy.

“This analysis indicates that the promotional products industry continues to experience solid gains, including three years of increasing sales, as more and more companies realize that promotional products — apparel items, pens, mugs — have a lasting impression on recipients and provide a strong return on the marketing investment,” said Timothy M. Andrews, president of ASI.

The ASI promotional products industry sales estimate is widely acknowledged as the most accurate and most comprehensive available, derived by a census of total promotional products sales from 19,000 ASI distributor members.

Furthermore, the growth of the promotional products industry has outpaced the growth rate of the U.S. economy as a whole. The U.S. Gross Domestic Product, while healthy, posted a 3.5 percent gain in 2005. This figure declined from 4.2 percent in 2004.

The bottom line - promotional products bring results.