Pin Mania has me jumpin'!

There just hasn't been enough hours in a day this past couple months. I think the count for trading pin orders has topped 40 and is still growing!


Last Sunday and Monday, CTV news aired a piece on Olympic pin trading. It was a great experience having a TV crew show up, interview me and then shoot some 'b roll' to make the story happen. If you want to watch the news cast, click here and look for the December 13th archived newscast. Its around 22 minutes in.

Dozens of business owners are taking advantage of "pin mania". And many still don't realize how big pin trading is going to be. Even if you think pins are like the 8-track of promotional products, chances are you'll get it once the games hit. EVERYONE will be wearing a pin and it will be the coolest way to connect with visitors to your locale during games time.


We have just completed two very interesting projects. The first was for the Whistler Question. We commissioned West Vancouver artist Xwalactun to create 4 images: a Thunderbird, salmon, bear and wolf. The Question has teamed up with the Pacific Pin Trading club to create a trading area in the Whistler village. These gorgeous pins will be given away for FREE during the games. Watch the Question newspaper for details!
The second project of note was for West Vancouver 2010 office. They held a district wide design contest for students to come up with 18 designs. We utilized a different type of pin called "Hybrid". Basically you can have any design you want printed and then covered with clear epoxy and mounted on a pin. THis process is awesome for detailed designs or photographs.

I've also developed a new twist on trading pins. If we imprint a distinct URL on the back of your pin, you can drive traffic to your web site and present special offers or even count how many people visit as a result of your marketing efforts. I've been advertising heavily in the Sea to Sky area in a couple of newspapers. But the thing I've always hated about print is this: you never know how effective it is. That is unless, you offer people free pins in your add and send them to a URL that can only be tracked back to your newspaper ad. This way, I can look at my google analytics (nerd talk for web stats) and I can tell you than nearly 90 people have stopped at this page in response to my advertising. Heck you can even take advantage of my free pin offer http://www.ultipromo.com/freepins

And finally, I want you to know that we have other ways to make your brand stick out during the games. We have sold cowbells, keychains, temporary tattoos and toques. Sorry it took so long to update. Hopefully I'll have more exciting 2010 related news for you shortly.

The momentum is building!!!

Since September, I've felt the 2010 momentum building. The call volumes have increased, particularity for lapel pins. I have a long history in creating lapel pins so this Olympics kind of feels like I'm competing at the top of my game not only as a sales person but as a graphic designer.

Recently we were selected by the West Vancouver 2010 office to produce a line of lapel pins that are designed by school children. Earlier this year the 2010 Integrated Security Unit gave us the nod to create some commemorative coins. And right now we are in discussions with an international pavilion as well as about a dozen businesses in Vancouver, Whistler and Squamish to create trading pins for them. Its important to note that none of the work we do has no 2010 branding or Olympic rings and we abide by the guidelines set out by VANOC.

And today I was able to purchase a couple tickets to the Mens Long Hill Ski Jumping medal round. Ski jumping has a special place in my heart. As a youth I attended the Calgary 88 games. My father and I watched Eddie the Eagle complete his world famous jump. It was quite a moment. So maybe I'll be able to witness some Olympic moments in my own back yard?

The torch relay starts next week so after several years of living in a construction zone, I'm excited to see all the venues done and the inkling of games fever starting to hit.

Yesterday I attended a presentation by VANOC which discussed the future of the athletes village in Whistler. This legacy venue will be able to host events in the summer and the winter which is great for my business and this community.

Photo Credit: BBC