Cutter & Buck, the leader in corporate apparel, has announced exclusive distribution of Clique and New Wave - two of Europe's most popular clothing brands. "The Clique and New Wave lines are a great addition to our Cutter & Buck collection. Performance fabrics, some fashion forward items, some very cool jackets and outerwear....we're excited," said regional manager (and NSU Chancellor!) Haines Maxwell.

Cutter & Buck CEO, Ernie Johnson, noted that "...our goal is for customers to view Cutter & Buck as their single resource and supplier for corporate wearables."

Clients in the Carolinas can see an extensive sampling of the new lines at the Charlotte regional showroom. www.cbcorporate.com now features the complete Cutter & Buck collection as well.

In a continuing effort to educate and inspire friends and clients, Western Associates regional manager Haines Maxwell (also moonlighting as Chancellor of Neat Stuff University) has launched http://neatstuffu.blogspot.com. "Six months ago, I didn't know what a blog really was!" said Maxwell. The "Chancellor" and his colleagues will be regularly posting thoughts and suggestions on promotional advertising as well as commenting on marketing trends, innovations and things that make them scratch their heads. "In the spirit of Neat Stuff University, we want to provide useful content that will help our clients get results...even if there is no direct link to our making a sale." Check it out and learn some Neat Things like the new rules of marketing and pr in the recent book released by David Meerman Scott which boasts the descriptive name ~ The New Rules of Marketing & PR!

A sleeker and more ferocious-looking bear -- set against a backdrop of Charlotte's skyline -- has replaced the cheerful "Chubby" mascot that has been the city's professional hockey franchise's signature for several seasons.

"There's nothing wrong with Chubby as a character," said Checkers owner Michael Kahn. "But this is a tougher-looking logo." There's more to the new image than an on-ice attitude, though. Kahn said incorporating the skyline into the logo is symbolic of how important civic involvement is to the franchise.

"That's a focal point for us," said Kahn. "It's something we've excelled at and are getting better at." The organization raised $470,000 for local charities last year and are shooting for half a million this season.

For the unveiling of the new look, team staffers were decked out in Neat and Sweet polar fleece pullovers featuring the updated logo. The "swat team" led by John Keith from Western/Neat Stuff U. digitized the new logo for embroidery and completed the order in four working days. "You guys are phenomenal!" declared Jon Rathbun, the Checkers Community Hockey Coordinator, "I’ve never seen turnaround like that. We made a ridiculous request and it was done lickity split."

A record number of Neat Stuff Fans attended the 8th annual Christmas in October at the Ballantyne Resort. Over two hundred and fifty folks attended one of the regions' largest promotional shows featuring factory reps from around the country including Cutter & Buck, Swiss Army Brands, Logomark, Page & Tuttle, Storm Duds, Eagle Dry Goods, Greg Norman Apparel, Nike, Ping, Journal Books, Papermate, New Products, & Fersten Worldwide. "Suppliers and attendees were raving about the exchange of Neat Ideas," said WA regional manager and NSU Chancellor Haines Maxwell. "Our focus is really more about creative solutions and executing strategies to get results for our clients. Anyone can sell you something with your logo on it." Fran Mathay of Cox Marketing, " You folks have this down to a science now! I came away with a number of great ideas to recommend to our clients."

Morgan Southern had a challenge. Karen Brown was up for the task.
We'll let the Jeff Hershey, Morgan Southern Vice President tell the story:

"I just wanted to take a moment to express our gratitude for the unique “Wall Banner” that Karen Brown helped us create to present to the owner of our company in recognition of our 25th anniversary….over the 6 months, the original concept evolved through the creative assistance of Karen and in her knowledge and relationship with graphic design specialists. The end result was part photograph, part logo, part art. We also were able to have roughly 60 employees signatures digitized on the border for an affect that is truly amazing….From the beginning, Karen never gave up, and never lost sight of the importance of the project. The ideas kept flowing and I couldn’t tell you how many times we went back and forth on the various versions. At one point, I actually had decided that we would not be able to make it happen by our original deadline and was making alternate plans, but Karen would not accept that. The time crunch got so tight toward the end that Karen personally delivered it to us from Charlotte to Atlanta so that we would have it in time for our annual meeting!"

Our hat is off to Karen Brown for going the extra mile….or the extra 250 miles!

Friends and clients of Western Associates gathered for a test run of First Friday! Beginning Friday, November 1, the patio behind the Neat Stuff U. Student Union will be the scene of serious grilling and fellowship.

Festivities will last from 11 a.m. til 1 p.m. on the first Friday of each month. Different suppliers will be sponsoring contests such as the "wedge-shot-in-the-bucket" with the winners taking home some Neat Stuff. Mark your calendars!

When the Allen Tate folks needed some great commemorative ideas for their 50th year in business, they went to their "go to" promotional guy, Berry Stubbs. Several Neat Items were produced including this framed print featuring the Tate 50th Anniversary logo flanked by old and new headquarters pictures. Each print was personalized and presented to the brokers-in-charge of each office.

Christmas in October update from the office of NSU Chancellor Haines Maxwell:

"We're pumped for CIO 2007! Confirmed exhibitors are Swiss Army Brands, Leeds, Cutter & Buck as well as a number of suppliers that are first-timers including Thermos and Sony Premium Division." This year's event shifts back to the Ballantyne Resort so be sure to mark your calendars. Wednesday, October 3, 2007 from 10 a.m. til 4 p.m.

Click here to sign up and we'll get you registered.

When she's not helping clients with Neat Stuff, our own Susan Love can be found traveling the world playing tennis for her country!

One of the country's top amateur women, Susan was recently selected to represent the United States in the Margaret Court Cup scheduled to be held April 23-28 in Antalya, Turkey.

General Colin Powell addressed the team from Neat Stuff University as well as several thousand other promotional marketers at the annual ASI Promotional Show in Orlando. The General offered a thought that applies to all of us as he shared, "I try to spend my time looking through the front windshield and not through the rearview mirror."

Speaking to the current world situation: "One of the greatest challenges for the United States as a world leader is to maintain our openness in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. While the government needs to get a better handle on who’s coming into our country, what they’re doing while they’re here, and whether they left when they said they would, closing our doors to the world is not the solution." Noting that his parents came to the U.S. 80 years ago, Powell said it’s important that we continue to demonstrate to the world that “we are not a Hollywood sitcom or a Michael Moore book.”

“The greatest strength we have to fight terrorism is our openness,” he added. “The terrorists can knock down our buildings but they can’t change who we are. We can’t let them take away the openness of our society.”

While we were stirred to hear from one of our country's great leaders, we were also working hard to find solutions for our clients. If you're in the Charlotte area, make plans to visit our new showroom and see the latest in Neat Stuff. If you're out of town, give us a buzz or shoot us an e-mail….we'd love to help you get results.

"You want it WHEN?"
A common question in many businesses! To address this issue in the world of promotional products, the Western/NSU gang is introducing NEAT STUFF EXPRESS which will highlight a variety of promotional products that can be produced in one to three days. "Occasionally, a client will tell us, 'The boss dropped a bomb on me last week and wanted some items for our show but I knew there wasn't enough time to turn it around so... I DIDN'T CALL YOU," noted Haines Maxwell, NSU Chancellor (real job - Western Associates regional manager). "Launching NEAT STUFF EXPRESS will give attention to items we can turn around in a day or two..there are actually 1000s available on a rush basis with no rush charges."

Featured items will include laser engraved writing instruments, drinkware, tote bags, desk items, business padfolios and sport bags . Place your order with camera-ready art by noon . Completed product - with your advertising message on it - will ship the next day. Imprinted and embroidered garments turned around in 24-72 hours.


Keep an eye on www.neatstuffu.com for details.

Oct 17, 2006

Fun With Berry and Sally.

Fun and festivities abounded at Cirque de Tate, as Western’s Berry Stubbs and Sally Williams had the opportunity to be a part of the Allen Tate Fall Sales Rally. The event – hosted at the Charlotte Convention Center-gave 1000+ Allen Tate agents the opportunity to touch and feel the latest in Neat Stuff from Western Associates. “Folks were particularly interested in our new Decorate on Demand program which allows agents to order Tate embroidered apparel with a one piece minimum,” said Berry, Western’s point man for the Allen Tate program. “Our custom caps and visors debuted at the show. We now have those in inventory for immediate delivery!”

OUR BEST SHOW EVER! GREAT SUCCESS!
Once Again 200 + folks enjoyed the latest and greatest in NEAT STUFF!

One of our clients from the region's largest real estate firm to Berry Stubbs, Neat Stuff Expert,
"Good Afternoon Berry, please know that I rarely take time for trade shows....HOWEVER, just wanted you to know that out of all of the trade shows I've attended over the past few years....Christmas in October was the most memorable and the most informative....okay....and the food was delicious!"

Thanks to all our guests who attended the festivities.

Click Here to view Our CHRISTMAS IN OCTOBER 06 Gallery Page.