IMI NEWSLETTER EDITION 11

NEWSWEEK & IMI - A SUCCESS STORY FOR OVER 15 YEARS!

We've been working alongside Newsweek, now linked with The Daily Beast, since 1987 not only producing their promotional merchandise but also providing our fulfiment services from our warehouse based in Dudley, West Midlands.
It all started over 15 years ago when we were approached by Newsweek to source their promotional gifts.
Since then, IMI has been supplying many thousands of promotional items such as watches, USB sticks, fleeces, sports bags and the Newsweek Beach Towel (see picture above).
Our relationship has been evolving since then and today, we not only produce these items but we also store all of their promotional items and look after their bulk dispatch as well as sending gifts to individual subscribers. These gifts give a huge boost to their efforts to attract subscribers throughout the European region.

For more information on our fulfilment services and how they can support you please visit our website: www.innovativemarketing.co.uk/about/fulfilment.html

NEWS FROM OUR OFFICES AROUND THE WORLD

IMI ASIA - SHANGHAI, CHINA
Our office in China is busier than ever, supporting our product sourcing efforts and helping ensure that we get the goods on time. With inspectors needed for factory audits and QC we manage much of this process via this office.
Our team leader, Aaron Fang, tells us about the situation in the factories in China: "Chinese factories still have problems to recruit and manage their workers. Nowadays most workers born after 90's are relatively more well off than their parents and if they feel unhappy, they just quit the job quickly". This makes life tough and means forever searching for new sources. The team have managed a huge amount of orders this year to date.

IMI AUSTRALASIA - SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
The Emirates Melbourne Cup is commonly known as the "race that stops a nation". Run at the world famous Flemington racecourse, the Group 1 Handicap is Australia's richest race and is run over two miles on the first Tuesday in November.
We were approached by the Victoria Racing Club to reproduce their iconic Melbourne Cup in the shape of an elegant pin badge. For three years now, we've been producing thousands of premiums for them and we are looking forward to the years ahead, and supplying more innovative designs.

IMI PROGEXION - PARIS, FRANCE
We were deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Mr. Patrick Ricard, the man who transformed Pernod Ricard into a global wine and spirits company. We have the honour of working with the company from our offices in Paris, producing bespoke premiums for many of their iconic brands.
Our CEO Hervé Gex has personally developed a wide range of presentation boxes for Chivas and other well known Whiskey brands in their portfolio such as Aberlour.

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY - A COMMON OBJECTIVE

A Trilateral EU-China-US Consumer Product Safety Summit took place in June 2012 in the USA with the participation of the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, John Dalli, and his counterparts from the US and China.
The main topic of the summit was: "Product safety surveillance from factory to front door: a cooperative effort".
They issued a joint statement outlining how they will further enhance regulatory cooperation and promote cooperation on "seamless surveillance". The concept of "seamless surveillance" links product safety controls along the product supply chain by enhancing cooperation between product safety authorities in countries of origin and countries where the products are sold. The statement highlights some specific actions which will help implement the trilateral cooperation, including on product traceability, better information exchange between regulators and to continue disseminating product safety information to industry stakeholders.
With the globalisation of supply chains international cooperation has become an essential ingredient to ensure safety for consumers in the EU.

Source: European Comission

IMI AND THE APPRENTICE

Winner of the 2011 BBC smash hit The Apprentice with Lord Sugar, Tom Pellereau has recently launched the must-have beauty accessory for 2012. The Stylfile collection, a range of nail files designed with a unique patented curved shape that follows the natural shape of the nail, is the latest invention from Tom who last year won the esteemed prize of going into business with Lord Sugar.
We were approached by Tom early this year to assist with the supply chain management. The range is evolving and we have been able to assist Tom and his team to ensure the quality and supply is maintained and rigorously managed. We are hoping to build on this successful partnership in the future.

HEARD IN THE MARKET PLACE

Heard in the Market Place

IMI comments that the above are very real issues in China. We are now trying to source in new territories but still need China to be competitive. For the covermount market it is imperative that we keep a close eye on all costs.

IMI COVERMOUNT OF THE YEAR - www.kidscovermounts.com

On our last newsletter we asked you to vote for you preferred covermount, choosing from a selection of our favourites.
It was a tight result, but we are happy to announce that the Winner of the Covermount of the Year Award is:

Covermount of the Year Winner

We love the 3D Elephant Puzzle! Not only it's a great gift but also it is educational and the concept is versatile, allowing us to adapt it to other animals. For the curious reader... you will find below the ranking of the other contenders.

Contenders

Please visit www.kidscovermounts.com for more Covermount ideas!

INTRODUCING NEW TEAM MEMBERS

The London office has recently been boosted by the appointment of David Kean as our Business Development Executive. He graduated from Brighton University in business and marketing and brings a wealth of experience having worked in the promotions and premiums industry for some time. He is excited by the challenge to enlarge IMI's client base and has already begun making some important inroads.
Outside of work he is enjoying being a new Dad!
Feng Yuan, Floria, has joined our buying team. She comes from the world of fashion and has an MSC from Manchester University in International Fashion and will bring flair and creativity to this key area in our business. She speaks fluent Mandarin which is great help for our factories and key suppliers in China.
Lastly, Rebecca Lyons, has recently joined as Account Executive. Fresh from Exeter University where she graduated in Human Geography she is learning fast about the world of premiums and has been focussing on supporting some key accounts.

PRODUCT IDEAS

Click on an image to send us an enquiry.
Please visit www.kidscovermounts.com for more Covermount ideas!

Don't forget to visit www.kidscovermounts.com for more Covermount ideas!

AUTUMN COMPETITION

The warm British Summer(!!) has now gone… (Sorry, couldn't help the weather remark!) But now we are looking forward to a nice autumn and the signs are good!.
With the colder evenings upon us, what better way to spend them than pampering your hard working hands a little bit! Whether you're a lady who wants pretty looking nails or a guy who wants to impress the ladies, we are giving you the chance to win a complete set of signed Tom Pellereau's Stylfile products to give your nails the oomph they need!

Please answer the simple question below for a chance to win the complete set.

In which Reality TV show did Tom take part?
A) I'm a Celebrity…
B) The Apprentice
C) Come Dine with Me

Let us know your thought by 19th October and send the answer to imi@innovativemarketing.co.uk. We will notify the winner.

Newsweek & IMI.

News from our offices around the world.

Consumer Product Safety.

IMI & The Apprentice.

Heard in the market place.

IMI Covermount of the Year Award.

Introducing New Team Members.

Product Ideas.

Autumn competition.