- Warning - I'm about to get all Andy Rooney on you.
It gets me mad (Or maybe I should say sad, so I don't sound so negative) I keep getting all these emails from promotional manufacturers with misleading subject lines like: "The BEST new holiday idea" "Here it is - NEW Corporate Gift that Rocks". I'm shaking my head, yeah right. I finally break down and open a few of them, hoping of all hopes that somewhere - someone has a new cool thought but alas - more crap ideas.
Vinyl business card holder anyone?

I can't even bring myself to post this as a full size image. Sure there can be a need for these in the world, but not as a "Killer New Custom Holiday Gift". Maybe Inexpensive Gift for Insurance Industry would be better. Companies should really make their subject lines match their message.
No wonder we're closing our minds to the messages all around us. I know that I'm just hitting Delete Delete Delete. I mean, c'mon man...give me something good. Give me anything worthy. So it's not the hottest new item on the market at least take some time and do some research to show me something worthy and label it correctly. Current styling, up-to-date colors, retro hip - I'm beggin' you.
Every business has a unique message for its audience, I get that. We all have our budgets to shop within, okay. Maybe try something useful, like for the same price range a company could send out something like this - no big deal but full color -full coverage decoration capability for a Brand and useful. People have sun glasses or prescription glasses or cheaters. Could even put a personal message inside too if you mail them.

Here is another one that kills me "Hottest" new USB Flash Drive Shape:

Uuhm, okay,...for the same price I could get any of these below. You can totally produce a more business specific or fun shape to go with your message:



"ALL New Items for the Holidays" - This was the subject line this morning and these were the products they advertised. Seriously.

These conference totes are older than me.
There are so many different new styles, up-to-date materials, trendsetting colors now that this just wastes everybody's time. I'll stop now...just really bothered me this morning.