Get in the Mood for Color: Find out What Is Hot in 2013!

The following article is contributed by Jackie Jordan, Color Expert, Director of Color Marketing, The Sherwin-Williams Company. Ms. Jordan is one of the keynote presenters at the 2012 Color Management Conference, December 1–4, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Her valuable session, Opposites Attract: The 2013 Sherwin-Williams Colormix™ Forecast, will explore today’s color mood and reveal the dueling influences that are shaping four divergent color directions. Colormix 2013 is the exploration of extremes and opposites that reflect our diverse mindsets, lifestyles, and design philosophies. We are intrigued by the push and pull of luxury vs. austerity, light vs. dark, textured vs. smooth, fantasy vs. reality, synthetic vs. natural, and so on. We all have our own identities, but we are also influenced and shaped by the divergent energy of the world around us. With influences coming at us at warp speed, how do we find our own equilibrium, and, most importantly, how do we filter the overwhelming number of choices in a world where we have access to everything with the touch of a button or swipe of a finger? As forecasters it’s our mission to process and filter out the noise and focus on the relevant and meaningful so we can share a synthesized view that defines key drivers, inspirations, influences, and influencers that shape and inspire current and future color directions. We look everywhere and at everything to guide and inform us so that we can present a comprehensive account of the why’s, the who’s, and the what’s behind the trends and forecast for the future. Our exploration this year takes its cues from key indicators in fashion, cinema, pop culture, art, product design, science, and nature. Elements of each serve to craft the story and vision of future color and design direction that will inspire us to enhance our environments and provoke a new—or alter an existing—point of view. I look forward to sharing this amazing journey with all of you and perhaps initiating a fresh way to experience color. Please click on the PDF to view conference brochure. Visit www.printing.org/color for more information on Opposites Attract: The 2013 Sherwin-Williams Colormix™ Forecast. Register today to hear from more keynote speakers from Hallmark Cards, Inc. and Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee Inc., as well as innovative sessions that will show you how to gain control of color. Early Bird registration ends November 3,...

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Social Media Is Not a Standalone Technology.

Adding a QR code to link your LinkedIn page or to your business card is just one example of fusing social media with your marketing initiatives. If you’re finding yourself thinking, now why didn’t I think of that?, introduce yourself to the concept fusion marketing, and you won’t get left behind! The world of social media is evolving, and to be prepared for the future, Lon Safko, CEO, Innovative Thinking, and bestselling author of The Fusion Market Bible, encourages you to discover the totally new concept of “interconnecting” all of your traditional and digital tools! “The Fusion Marketing Bible is the next generation of marketing that brings our 6,000 years of traditional marketing, the exciting digital marketing tools of the Internet, and social media and fully integrates them into one seamless tool set that will accomplish every objective you set!”—Lon Safko, CEO, Innovative Thinking Printing Industries of America Training Programs is offering a FREE webinar: “The Fusion Marketing Bible—It’s what’s Next!” on Tuesday, October 16. This is the first time Printing Industries of America has offered a free webinar for anyone outside its membership. This is a perfect opportunity for entrepreneurs and business executives to better understand the relationship between traditional media and social media. Fusion Marketing has the tools you need to kick your company into high gear—and get ahead of your competition.  ...

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Better Manage Your Social Media Engagement

Some people just don’t “get” social media for business. Sure, they think it’s OK to keep up with Cousin Charlie, but they just haven’t gotten a grasp on how they can use it for marketing or business growth. Facebook isn’t just for catching up with your friends, and Twitter can be more than idle chit-chat. Truth is, intelligent use of social platforms helps a company track who visits the company site, reveals what customers say about the business, showcases a company’s services, and amplifies the message of a printed piece! You can learn more about social media at Integrated Print Forum 2012. This event will take place October 29–30 at Printing Industries of America’s headquarters in Sewickley, PA. The focus of the event will be the hottest trends today in the graphic communications industry that you need to implement into your printing business. Sessions will not only focus on social media but on topics such as, the future of digital and how print is a big part of it, the potential goldmine that is the self-publishing boom, the income potential for ePubs, driving business to your website with SEO, branding, and much more. In its second year, Integrated Print Forum is gearing up to be the top event of the year. Renee Berger, Marketing Manager at Western States Envelope & Label, attended the event in 2011 and was so taken by the information she received—and with her experience in the graphic communications industry—she has been invited back in 2012 as a speaker. Her knowledge can help business professionals understand how important social media is for their business, brand, and profits. Here’s what she has to say about this year’s Forum: “What a great program—I am so excited to participate! Coming from a traditional graphic design and marketing background, I understand marketing is comprised of four facets that I like to call the four Ps: Price, Product, Placement, and Promotion. How does social media fit into your picture? Could it be a fifth category all on its own? I think so. How about another P–People. Social media sits on top of the four Ps— as an ‘integrator’ of all the channels. Whether it’s a first impression, teaching someone about your product or service, or best case, having a ‘brand ally.’ Social media further supports your price model as others will affirm your brand promise. Thinking like the consumer is a valuable part of humanizing any brand, and gaining intelligence about what’s next is really important. Don’t miss the opportunities to see what’s next in this excellent Integrated Print Forum–can’t wait to see you there!” Tracking Tools for Super Sleuths: Managing Your Social Engagement, will be the session presented by Renee...

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Best Workplace in the Americas Program—Your Link to Success

The facts are clear: employees are happier and more financially secure when their company is truly invested in them. Is your workplace invested in its employees? It’s time to find out! If you have a great workplace, now is the time to showcase what you have done for your employees by entering the 2012 Best Workplace in the Americas Program. Please send your entry through a traceable means. Visit www.printing.org/bwa to download the entry form. You will need: A brief summary statement—highlighting why your company is a Best Workplace Employee Handbook (required) Supporting Materials (optional)—anything that you think would help the judges understand your HR policies and practices. Items may include, but are not limited to: company newsletters, employee testimonials, program descriptions, outlines and results, goal statements, etc. Payment of the entry fee (for more information, download the brochure for the Fee Schedule) For past winners, the benefits of the Best Workplace in the Americas Program have been immeasurable: “Our employees are very important to us! Being able to provide them with a safe work environment, great benefits, and many company perks helps us show them how much we care about them. Communicorp has won Best of the Best eight out of the last ten years, and we are proud to share this success with our employees!” Robin Scrivner, HRCommunicorm, Inc. “The Best Workplace in the Americas competition helps Vox to keep our focus on our company’s most valuable asset—our people. We believe if our coworkers are trained, encouraged, and motivated, we can continue to grow our customer and vendor relationships that provide the foundation for the success we have been able to achieve so far. We look forward to challenging ourselves to become an even better place to work each year. “ David Reid, PresidentVox Printing, Inc. What’s more—all entrants, winners and non-winners, receive the Best Practices of the Best Workplaces book. This publication highlights the judges’ favorite programs and policies, a benefit to everyone who has entered. See what caught the eye of the judges, and maybe even “borrow” an idea or two! The deadline for entries is October 26, 2012. Enter...

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If color management is important to you…

  Quick, can you recall the last time you made a purchase? What did the ad look like? Tests show that color images hold the consumer’s attention for two seconds or more, while black and white images sustain interest for less than two-thirds of a second. Color is important to our customers’ brands, products, and materials. It is a part of our daily lives. Therefore, achieving consistent, accurate color reproduction is essential to our industry. Color is perception, and as part of our commitment to serve this industry, one of the valuable resources we offer is to help you gain control and improve your management of color. If accurate color reproduction is important in your business, watch as Dave Dezzutti, Technology and Research Analyst, Printing Industries of America and an experienced color expert, demonstrates how the spectrophotometer helps print professionals like you in our on-site, state-of-the-art printing facility. Dave will be presenting at both GRAPH EXPO 2012, held October 7–10, in Chicago, IL (Booth #4045) and the 2012 Color Management Conference, December 1–4, in Scottsdale, AZ. Let us help you color your world—and save your company time and money, too! If color management is important to you and your company, see what awaits you at the 2012 Color Management Conference.  ...

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