Industry members turning to ASI resources to educate and inform themselves throughout pandemic
TREVOSE, PA – August 28, 2020 – Members of the promotional products industry are increasingly turning to ASI news and educational resources, with the Advertising Specialty Institute® (ASI) reporting record numbers of online page views and education certifications awarded since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
When it comes to page views of news content, July was ASI’s second-best news month on record, only behind April. Views of online news stories were up 31% from June to July, and up 20% when compared to July 2019. Increasingly, the industry is turning to major reports like the Counselor® State of the Industry and Top 40 lists of suppliers and distributors as well as breaking news items like the deadly COVID outbreak at a promo supplier and reports of toxic ingredients in hand sanitizers.
To date, total 2020 news content is up 19.87% over 2019, with news driving almost 56% of overall ASI website traffic for July.
At the same time, ASIUniversity.com reported a record 56% increase in BASI™ (Bachelor of Advertising Specialty Information) and MASI™ (Master of Advertising Specialty Information) industry certifications awarded to ASI members between March and July versus the same period the previous year.
“We’re gratified the promo industry is relying on ASI’s educational resources as well as our exclusive, original news stories and research reports,” said Timothy M. Andrews, ASI president and chief executive officer. “Whether it’s actionable news, insights and intellectual capital or a livestream video and educational podcast, it’s clear members are counting on ASI’s multiple media platforms to inform and enrich themselves. I’m proud that we’ve continued to lead the industry in trusted content and education throughout a time of great uncertainty.”
At the end of March, ASI launched a new online education action plan featuring free videos and webinars to help members refine their sales, social media and marketing skills throughout the coronavirus crisis. Over 90 videos and webinars are available for ASI members on ASIUniversity.com.
Plus, ASI Show is hosting a virtual Education Day, free for ASI distributor members, Thursday, October 15, from 1-4 p.m. ET. The virtual event will offer the same valuable business content and expert instructors as ASI’s traditional in-person education day, specifically created to help distributors maneuver in an uncertain economy, with an emphasis on new and emerging markets carved out by recent shifts in the marketplace, including:
For more information on ASI news, please contact Michele Bell, ASI’s vice president of editorial and events, at [email protected]. For education info, contact Kerry Boderman, education director, at [email protected].
About ASI
The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI®; asicentral.com) serves a network of 25,000 suppliers, distributors and decorators in the $25.8 billion promotional products industry. ASI’s flagship product, the technology platform ESP®, manages the industry’s entire supply and marketing chain. ASI also produces award-winning digital and print content, live events and educational programs that enable companies in 53 countries to be more efficient, productive and profitable. ASI’s Counselor® magazine provides the most authoritative business content in the industry, and the ASI Certification Program features 500+ live and online education courses for over 40,000 professionals. The company, family-owned and -operated since 1962, is proud to have been consistently ranked among the “Best Places to Work” in Philadelphia and Bucks County, PA.