God Bless America!

JULY 1, 2009 - Live from the Mecklenburg County Courthouse - JURY DUTY! A great way to celebrate the upcoming Fourth of July. As "Truman" (the fellow in charge of the jury room) gave us an orientation at 8:30 a.m., I was reminded of our system - though not perfect - that allows a person accused of a crime to be judged by a jury of twelve. I would certainly prefer that (especially knowing that I would be innocent!) to having one man-an Ayatollah, perhaps-determine my fate. How about you?

Marketing thoughts-The hits keep coming from David Meerman Scott and Web Ink Now...check out the Marketing of the Grateful Dead. Scott shares his thoughts on the Dead's "counter-culture marketing" that begs the question, "How are we marketing our business...Are we doing it pretty much the same way our competitors are?"

Game Plan for Life-The Super Bowl and NASCAR champion Coach Joe Gibbs is releasing a book this month billed as "Your Personal Playbook for Success." Joe commissioned a research firm to ask the man on the street what "success" meant. From the results, Coach Gibbs recruited 11 experts to each write a chapter on subjects including Finances, Health, Relationships, God, Purpose. Check out the website for more of the scoop on this project. And putting his money where his mouth is, Coach is buying breakfast for 1000 men at the Westin in Charlotte on July 31 to talk about the book while sharing his heart and spiritual journey.

"When you are through learning...."

"....you are through." So said John Wooden, perhaps the most respected coach in the history of intercollegiate athletics.

There's no excuse for not learning when folks like David Meerman Scott, author of a book we featured in our early blogging days - The New Rules of PR & Marketing, continues to put out great stuff....for FREE! Check out his excellent site and download some of his latest content including Lose Control of Your Marketing and The New Rules of Viral Marketing.

Portions of Scott's latest e-book appear in his soon-to-be released World Wide Rave. What is THAT? Glad you asked. According to the author, "A World Wide Rave is when people around the world are talking about you, your company, and your products-whether you're located in San Francisco, Dubai, or Reykjavik. It's when global communities eagerly link to your stuff on the Web. It's when online buzz drives buyers to your virtual doorstep. And it's when tons of fans visit your Web site and your blog because they genuinely want to be there."

Scott gives you the RULES of creating a World Wide Rave...FREE...look 'em up on his site.

Speaking of RAVES.....our Neat Stuff Production crew is jazzed about our latest HIT video featuring the highlights of the 2009 Orlando ASI Promo Show - Episode One. We feature a handful of the COOLEST new promotional products with - hold your breath - more to come in later Episodes. Check it out and help us start the World Wide Rave.

Sunshine in '09!

It's the first Monday morning in January and the Neat Stuff/Western team is wrapping up a great four days at the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) Show in Orlando. It goes without saying that the multitudes (that's you) are anxiously awaiting the Neat Stuff Production videos featuring all the latest and greatest from the show. As always, our focus in not on "stuff" but on helping you get results. We're planning on a great year in 2009 and our primary objective is to assist our clients in having a great year as well.

Stay tuned.

Just Passin' Through?

Dave Hancock-a great one in the Promotional Product business and, more importantly, a great friend to many-on December 8th finished his race on this earth. Dave started his promotional career in the late 80's with Applegate/Potter in Charlotte and later joined the local firm Fletcher Barhnardt & White-one of the nation's largest promotional agencies at the time. Dave spearheaded the FBW fulfilment division which launched programs in the 90's for the Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys and numerous corporate clients. Dave is survived by his mother, Katy, and his daughters Laura, Liz and a grandson, Carter.

Big Show, Big Success!

Once again, hundreds of Neat Stuff fans attended the annual Christmas in October (click here to see life-changing video) event held at the Ballantyne Resort on Wednesday, October 15th. Entertaining the crowd was motivational speaker and magician, Chris Hannibal. Hannibal (available for YOUR employee or marketing event) dazzled the crowd with numerous feats of intrigue and MAGIC! Dianne "Sweetie" Maxwell did her annual Vanna White imitation at the Spinning Wheel while giving away Parker Pens, Free Golf at Ballantyne Resort, our annual Limited Edition Inspirational Tee Shirts, the 08-09 Neat Stuff U. Motivational Calendar, Cutter & Buck/Clique/New Wave golf shirts and apparel, flash drives from Leeds, Maui Jim sunglasses.....and much more!



Special thanks to our exhibitors representing Fabriko, Cutter & Buck, Gemline, Maui Jim, Panache Publishers, Imagemark, Integrity Media, The Murphy Group, Greg Norman, Le Blue Private Label Water, Parker/Papermate, Plybon Company, Journal Books, WA Recognition, Ash City, Eagle Dry Goods, Shedrain, Starline, HIT Promotions, Kanata Blanket, Toppers and Next Promotions.

Neat Stuff Show this week!

Wednesday, October 15th is the time and the Ballantyne Resort is the place where suppliers from around the country will share the latest in promotional products, employee incentives and direct marketing. "This year we are putting an extra emphasis on helping our clients get results," said Neat Stuff U. Chancellor Haines Maxwell. "While this always drives us, we have brought in a number of exhibitors to help us focus in this area." Among first-time participants in the show dubbed "Christmas in October" are Imagemark-a firm that specializes in variable data printing, direct mail, PURLs (personalized URLs) and on-demand printing; Integrity Media-experts in using video for web and email applications;WA Rewards-our in-house employee recognition division; The Murphy Group - specialists in unique, custom import programs.

It's still not too late to sign up. Register today and plan to drop in this Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Back to School - Great Events!

One of my friends checked out our blog the other day and said, "Dude! You haven't posted anything since June!" Guilty. The Chancellor has been on the road this summer to Folly Beach, Blowing Rock, Wichita and the Rocky Mountains! All business, of course.

Time to get back in the groove. Let's start with Great Events:

1-First Fridays. Friends, clients, countrymen - have been joining us on the First Friday of each month for fellowship, burgers, brats, beverage, prizes, chipping golf balls...all at the Neat Stuff U. Student Union patio. Next blast noon-ish on September 5th. Join us THIS FRIDAY if the hurricane doesn't get us.

2-Art/Music show. If you're not hip enough to go up to NoDa (or if you haven't even heard of it...derived from "NOrth DAvidson"...north of downtown). All kind of Neat Stuff going on this coming Friday evening, September 5th...art, music, food.

3-Projecting Hope Film Festival. FREE inspirational films at the Ayrsley theaters (485 and South Tryon) all weekend long.....October 3rd-5th. Amazing Grace, Bella, Facing the Giants, Veggie Tales, Expelled by Ben Stein, and more! Info at http://www.projectinghope08.blogspot.com/

4-Christmas in October. The big NEAT STUFF Show will be held once again at the Ballantyne Resort on Wednesday, October 15th. Suppliers from around the country will be showing there Neat Stuff from 10 a.m. til 3 p.m. On-line registration will be available sooooon.

...and a BUSINESS thought.....according to the experts, what are the most effective days and times to send emails? And the answer is.... (click right here!)