The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), Trevose, PA, a media and marketing organization serving the advertising specialty industry, recently released results of its annual advertising-specialties sales analysis. The numbers show that industry revenues reached $19.6 billion in 2007—a 5.4% increase from 2006, and a new record.

According to the data, spending on advertising specialties was 83% greater than radio advertising, 73% higher than Internet display ads, and nearly five times more than outdoor advertising for the same period. Industry increases also reportedly outpaced the 2.2% growth rate for the US GDP.

“This is the highest industry sales we have recorded and shows continued growth of promotional products over the last five years,” says Timothy Andrews, president and CEO of ASI. “The growth reflects continued use of advertising specialties by marketers who want to deliver their brand in a powerful, memorable, and cost-effective way. In today’s climate of increasing economic uncertainty, purchasing decisions for advertising and marketing are being scrutinized closely. Advertising specialties are a relatively safe advertising investment and are nearly recession-proof because they provide a proven high return-on-investment at a low cost and have a lasting impact on target audiences.”

Andrews also says that the traditional advertising specialty industry is expanding in part by embracing more companies, including those that decorate, embroider, and engrave promotional items and business gifts. According to ASI, distributors in the advertising-specialties market are optimistic about 2008, but continue to watch several factors affecting the industry, including ensuring product safety and compliance, increasing demand for products that are environmentally friendly, and volatility of prices for natural resources used in manufacturing, such as oil for plastics. For more information about the annual sales analysis, contact ASI, 4800 Street Rd., Trevose, PA 19053, 800-546-1487, Web: www.asicentral.com.