October 2008 Logo Contest Winner: Hobos for Hire
Posted by: Kate on: November 18, 2008
The day Queensboro Customer Service Representative Matthew sent the “Hobos for Hire” logo around for all of us to see, we immediately started “spinning yarns” (pun intended!) about the logo. What would you hire a hobo to do? We conjectured a wide variety of tasks, some politically correct, others not. If we had just bothered to notice that the email address of the contact was [name]@hobosforhire.com, we could have visited their website. We were having way too much fun making up our own stories.
What Can a Hobo do for You?
“Hobos for Hire,” it turns out, is a band. I emailed the band, asking them about how they became the Hobos. Adam Repp, the head songwriter, wrote me back a wildly entertaining story, befitting of a talented writer. In order to do justice to his witty humor, here he is, in his own words, Adam Repp (cue applause):
Kate: How did you guys choose your name?
Adam: I’d like to think that the name chose us. After a handful of shot down names and an earful from our Nannas, we needed to decide. At the time I was much like a hobo…a transient really. Working during the day, and moving from couch to couch at night. I could only have hoped for the sharing of a spaghetti noodle from a kindred soul.
Then it happened. While fishing empty beer cans out of a customer’s pool, it hit me. Like Eddie Adams from Boogie Nights, the name flashed in my head like a blinding light of realization. Flashbulbs erupted over the illuminated title. We were then and will forever be known as: “The Hobos for Hire.” It suited us…hardworking lovable transients that just wanted a chance to prove their worth in the music industry. While some hobos work for food…we play for respect.
Kate: How did you get together?
Adam: The story goes like this: Josh, Colin and I have been friends since childhood and have always wanted to be in a band. I had a lot of time on my hands while basically squatting at my uncle’s house so I wrote and wrote. I’m pretty sure the space was haunted; so it was either call in Paranormal State or write songs to keep my mind off of the ghostly wails. When Colin and I started collaborating, we brought Josh on as a second guitarist and our friend’s brother, Matt, to hit the skins for us. After about a year we enlisted the services of our fellow pool boy, Justin, to wail on the sax. For our new EP (coming soon at www.hobosforhire.com plug* plug *plug*), we have recruited Josh’s future sister-in-law to lay down some sultry backing vocals. She will hopefully become a permanent tambourinist at our live shows.
Kate: Where do you play?
Adam: We started off playing in garages and basements and have progressed to some of the premiere hotspots of the Northwest Illinois suburbs. No gig is too small for the Hobos…we will play any soup kitchen or junior high-school dance. Hopefully after the release of our new EP “We are your tired, your hungry, your poor…we are the Hobos for Hire” (coming soon at www.hobosforhire.com ehh hemm *plug *plug *plug) we will venture out into the city and be available to play in Michigan Ave. penthouses. . .
Kate: What are some funny things that have happened to you as a result of the name?
Adam: The public has been very responsive to the name. Usually a slight chuckle occurs followed by a quizzical look, followed by “That’s a good name, man.” As a pool boy, I run into the upper echelon of society and upon the mention of our band to one customer, he insisted that he had heard of us. I left before he started ripping at my shirt and stealing hair from my pocket comb…but I was excited that our name was familiarized in his brain…even though I’m pretty sure there’s no way he could have heard of us.
Hobos Hire Queensboro
I also talked to Colin Croft, one of the founding members of the band (who also does administrative tasks, such as ordering shirts from Queensboro).
Kate: How did “Hobos for Hire” find Queensboro?
Colin: As a band, promoting is #1 and we felt the best way to do that was by getting some custom t-shirts. I began pricing out t-shirts from local businesses, which I really like to support, but they were all trying to charge me setup fees/ graphic fees and then those sneaky order minimums. I found Queensboro online, through Google. I quickly created an account and immediately uploaded my Logo, which was ingeniously created by our dearest Hoboette Carly Stangeland. My logo was approved that same day and I was sent a confirmation to view my design on the shirts. After one more confirmation, my order was in line for printing and within a few short weeks my order arrived.
Kate: Now that you are famous and stuff, why do you stick with Queensboro?
Colin: The Logo Locker is great, and the product selection is diverse. I find both the web and phone support is top notch and you can’t beat the 4 piece minimum order and the FREE embroidery or printing anywhere. Viewing my account information and order details is easy on the website, which is important to me. And, your e-mail marketing is super efficient. I have placed at least two orders from those sweet deals that are offered every so often.
There you have it: “Hobos for Hire” in their own words. Just don’t call them “bums.”
Your Logo, Your Marketing Budget
Posted by: Kate on: November 18, 2008
I am a news addict, so I pretty much read everything going on, every place that I can. You might think I’m exaggerating, but I can assure you (and so can my husband), I’m not! When you write a blog and post every day, it is important to keep a steady stream of information coming in so that a steady stream can come out. Hopefully, it’s an informational stream. The New York Times Magazine this Sunday had a great article that I thought I’d share with y’all (as we say in the South). It is super for those of you who are trying to decide how to allocate your marketing budgets during lean times. My eyes almost fell out of my head when I saw the article. I was searching for some Monday blogging inspiration, and there it was!
Keep Your Logo Out Front, says New York Times
The introduction to Sunday’s article The Brand-ness of Strangers says “Some major brands may be pondering a cutback on advertising in this shaky economy, but there is one form of marketing that will soldier on: people walking around wearing logos.” The article highlights a study done by Rosellina Ferraro, a marketing professor at the University of Maryland. The study told the participants that they were looking at “facial expressions.” After all participants had seen 20 photographs, they were divided into groups based on whether they had seen photographs with Dasani water bottles in the pictures. All participants were then given a choice of four different brands of bottled water to choose. SECRET: The study was not, in fact, about facial expressions, but was about logo branding! In the study 40% of the people who had seen Dasani photographs chose the water, compared to the “control” group of people that had not seen photographs with Dasani water in the picture. Interesting. . .
The Election, Logos and Choices
I thought about all of this while the election was going on. I had read an article on Slate Magazine that gave advice to people about the most effective things to do in terms of influencing friends and neighbors re: the
election. On the bottom of the list: Campaign signs in yards. I always thought that was probably not true because I feel strongly that name, logo and brand recognition play a big part in people’s choices. I know that when I open the phone book to look for an electrician, if I have heard a friend or co-worker talking about a particular company, or they have a fridge magnet for a company, I am more likely to call that company. I don’t necessarily know more about that company, but the “quiet endorsement” of the fridge magnet does influence me. The New York Times article vindicated my views!
Logo Apparel: Perfect for Any Size Business
Ultra Fine Micro-Fleece Pullover
My friends tease me all of the time because I am constantly wearing my own logo out. I have jackets, fleeces, shirts, etc. The catch? I don’t have a brick and mortar business. I am a freelance writer. However, I do have a lot of people ask me about what I do when I wear my logo out. If you’re a professional, well, anything really, it is worth your while to invest in some logo apparel. Wear it yourself, give it as gifts to friends, give it as gifts to clients. The power of logo persuasion is not all-encompassing, but it is fairly low cost, and surprisingly effective. Queensboro lets you order logo shirts, logo caps, logo bags and more, with low minimums and at great prices. If you haven’t branched out into logo merchandise for your business, it’s time!
The Heidi Bowl
Posted by: Fred on: November 17, 2008
When you’ve been on the planet as long as I have, you sometimes forget that many people weren’t even born when some of your most memorable cultural touchstones took place. So, in hopes of clearing up any confusion I may have caused, let me take a few moments to recall NBC’s embarrassing faux pas of November 16, 1968.
On that afternoon, the New York Jets were scheduled to meet the Oakland Raiders in a highly anticipated game being broadcast nationally by NBC. Both teams came into the match having won seven games against two losses. The Raiders were the defending league champions and the Jets’ rising superstar quarterback, Joe Namath, was in his fourth pro season.
The tense game featured a number of fights and penalties. The first half ended with Oakland leading 14-12. As the second half of this exciting struggle wore on, it seemed that neither team could gain a decisive advantage.
Finally, with one minute and five seconds remaining on the clock, Jim Turner of the Jets broke a 29-29 tie with a 26-yard field goal. Leading 32-29, the Jets kicked off. The Raiders returned the ball to their own 23-yard line. At this point, NBC took a commercial break.
When the commercials ended, football fans east of Denver were watching the opening credits of a new made-for-TV version of the classic children’s story, Heidi.
At NBC headquarters, the switchboard began to light up as angry football fans expressed their frustration. Their mood became a bit darker when they discovered what had happened in the final moments that they had missed.
Oakland quarterback Daryle Lamonica fired a 20-yard pass to Charlie Smith. When the Jets’ Mike D’Amato was caught grabbing Smith’s facemask on the play, that gain became even larger. The penalty put the Raiders into Jets territory on the 43-yard line.
Lamonica went to Smith again on the very next play. The sure-handed receiver snatched the ball out of the air and bolted for the end zone. This 43-yard touchdown play put Oakland ahead 36-32 with 42 seconds left in the game.
Then, to make matters just a bit more interesting, on the ensuing kickoff the Jets’ Earl Christy fumbled the ball at the ten-yard line. Raiders’ special teamer Preston Ridlehuber scooped it up at the two-yard line and took it in for a touchdown with 33 seconds left in the game.
The Raiders had scored two touchdowns in a matter of seconds, and most of America had missed it.
So many fans called NBC to complain about this situation that the switchboard was overwhelmed. Some reports say that it blew at least 25 circuits. Other irate viewers called NBC affiliates, their local radio stations, the telephone company, and newspapers including The New York Times. Some even called the New York Police Department to complain.
Some have nicknamed this legendary game the Heidi Game. Some call it the Heidi Bowl. Just about every sportswriter calls it memorable. In a 1997 poll taken in conjunction with the NFL’s 10,000th regular season game, a group of sports reporters named the “Heidi Game” as the most memorable regular season game in pro football history.
Cool Tech Performance Polo
Folks have a tendency to remember your big mistakes.
If you’re looking for a mistake-proof gift for the active members of your crew, you won’t go wrong selecting our Cool Tech Performance Polo.
This classic performance polo has a smooth hand, a stylish design, and a natural drape that complements virtually any body style. Combine these features with an extremely pleasant closeout price, and you’ve got a deal with appeal. With the holidays closing in, don’t miss the chance to pick up a few of these attractive polos at exceptional closeout savings.
Best Wishes,
Fred Meyers
Holiday Walks: Gobble ‘til You Wobble
Posted by: Kate on: November 14, 2008
In Wilmington, NC, signs are up, radio station mentions are frequent and advertisements splash across all of the newspapers for a frequent fall tradition here. Chili Cook-offs? No. Seafood Festivals? Hardly. Polar Bear Plunges? Negative. (No, that’s not until February, when it is actually cold here.) Every fall, Wilmington is overwhelmed with “Walks.” Fundraising walks, get in shape walks, celebrate the holiday walks, participate and get a t-shirt walks. Walking is the thing to do and to be seen doing when October, November and December roll around here.
What’s in it for Me?
Why do people participate in walks? Well, I know why I used to participate in walks: the “free” shirt (that came with my registration fee and pledges raised). The “I did this and you didn’t” shirt, if you will. Or, there’s always the “I’m altruistic and fit” shirt. Or, how about the “look how buff and tough I am” shirt (that argument is more for those who participated in the Beach to Battleship Ironman not the Battleship 5K last weekend). Who doesn’t love these self-proclaiming pieces of apparel that are free? Because of Queenboro’s low four piece minimum order requirement for digital printing or custom embroidery, we produce a lot of shirts for various walking teams- both official event shirts, as well as those for individual teams. We get to see lots of fun and creative logos and designs for these various shirts. A recent Thanksgiving Walk logo included the fun tagline “Gobble ‘till You Wobble.” (Kind of defeats the purpose of the walk, huh?)
The Funniest Walking Logo this Year
By far the funniest walk/run logo shirt we are printing (that I am aware of) is for the annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk, which benefits Arthritis research. The particular design I mention is for a team effort, fielded by the principal graphic designer of Liquid Design in Westerville, Ohio. What do I love about this logo? The team is completely honest about their running abilities. Their tagline is “Run a Little, Walk Even More!” If I were to design a logo for my charity walk team, this would definitely need to be my team’s mantra. Joe Handlon, the designer, said that this is his team’s fourth year participating in the event, and they always ask him to come up with an original team shirt. This is the second year that Queensboro has printed their shirts. Even if the team doesn’t finish first, or walk the most distance, they are already winners in my book! They will be strutting their stuff in funny, original team logo shirts, raising money for a good cause.
Event Shirts for Everyone
Is your team getting ready to get fit for a good cause? If you want to stand out from your fellow runners and walkers, consider printed t-shirts from Queensboro. They will be fun memories of your event. If you are organizing a walk, run or even a stroll, and need shirts for your participants, we are happy to help you with your design and your order—large or small. Rest assured, Queensboro shirts won’t bust your budget, and you will have hundreds of people advertising your event for next year for you as they “run” around town in your event shirt.
The New First Dog’s Must-Have Outfit
Posted by: Kate on: November 14, 2008
Has there ever been so much discussion about clothes in a political campaign as there was during the United States Presidential Campaign of 2007-2008? (Yes, that’s right, it went on for TWO YEARS.) It is still not over. Dog breed groups, rescue organizations, and plain ol’ “Joe the dog owners” are campaigning for their breed/rescue dog’s interests to be taken into consideration by the new First Family. I wonder if President-Elect Obama knew that the most highly scrutinized, publicly repeated and controversial comment from his acceptance speech was his admission that his daughters now get to pick out a new puppy.
What a way to set the media on fire! Within seconds, the blogosphere was firing on all cylinders, CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Slate, the Huffington Post and every other major news outlet on the planet went into Red Level Puppy Alert. Of course, Behind the Seams: The Queensboro Blog is part of this esteemed news group (how else would you know about great deals on the must-have fleeces of the season, or the chic new ¼ zip pullover in high-style colors available for a sweet price?). I had to get in on a piece of the action! Michelle Obama has been highly praised for her fashionable, yet practical wardrobe on the campaign trail. (Some people didn’t like the dress she wore to Grant Park, but you can’t hit a home run every time.) The great thing about her high-fashion choices is that Obama wears many cutting-edge ensembles designed by American designers.
Doggie Skins Baby Rib Tank
With the level of scrutiny that the Obamas’ new puppy will face, it is imperative that the canine wear American-made frocks as well. After all, this puppy may need multiple outfits, depending on the weather, because there’s a good chance that this doggie will be sans hair. Enter the Queensboro custom embroidered Doggie Skins Baby Rib Tank. The First Dog needs to look presidential. It also needs to be warm and comfortable so that it is not driven to bite adoring fans. (Poor Barney. He is quite possibly one of the cutest Presidential Dogs. He must have been having a bad day!) What could be better than a dog tank made from USA-made parts? We can embroider the Presidential Seal (with permission from the President, of course), or even help the family create a special First Dog logo. That way, nobody will mistake the new puppy for, say, a Senator’s puppy.
If your dog deserves presidential treatment, come on over to Queensboro. We’ll make sure your pooch stays pampered this holiday season.
Helena, Montana and Closeout Polos
Posted by: Fred on: November 13, 2008
Driving in Helena, Montana, is an adventure not be undertaken by folks with low frustration levels. Most cities west of the Mississippi have carefully laid-out city blocks in a tame geometric pattern.
The city blocks of Helena appear to have been designed by the late Pablo Picasso. They come in an irregular variety of shapes and sizes. Helena’s roads will take you in all sorts of bizarre directions. Some major streets just come to an end for no apparent reason.
Discovering downtown Helena takes skill and determination. Downtown Helena sits in a canyon known as Last Chance Gulch. If you’re lucky, you will see many of the numerous signs in Helena pointing the way to Last Chance Gulch. If you’re not so lucky or not so observant, you’ll risk a potentially dangerous rise in your blood pressure readings on your voyage.
The route from the Capitol Building to downtown, for instance, involves driving on small roads that go through residential areas. With Helena’s strange road layout, if you’re not careful you are as likely to find yourself back at the Capitol Building as you are to discover the pleasures of Last Chance Gulch.
Yes, despite the difficulties involved in the voyage, the Last Chance Gulch area will reward you for your persistence. Downtown Helena consists of many nicely restored buildings. A pedestrian mall, called the Last Chance Gulch Mall, runs through the middle of town for your walking enjoyment. Bordering the Last Chance Gulch Mall are historic buildings containing a wide variety of specialty shops, restaurants, and offices.
After trying to navigate Helena’s mosaic of roads, you’ll be quite relieved to experience the simple joy of exploring this rich area on foot.
100% Pima Cotton Jersey Polo with Tipped Collar
Fortunately, you can experience the simple joy of our closeout polo from the comfort of your own chair.
A few months ago, we got our hands on a selection of fine Pima polos at an extraordinary price. We’ve been selling these $35 shirts at a closeout discounted price. We’ve received lots of nice comments on the quality of this shirt.
As of today, we’ve still got a few of these very special polos available. The selection of colors and sizes, however, is somewhat limited. Check out our 100% Pima Cotton Jersey Polo with Tipped Collar (Style 1567) today!
Best Wishes,
Fred Meyers
The Snowman Trek
Posted by: Fred on: November 12, 2008
The Snowman Trek might sound like a pleasant winter walk with the famous Frosty of song and legend. It is not. It is also not the title of a new 3D-animated holiday film guaranteed to be fun for the entire family. You won’t discover this adventure in the display windows of your local
mega-mall.
To experience the Snowman Trek, you have to journey to the insular Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. Once there, you will be dazzled by a land of high mountains and dense forests. It is a place where ancient monasteries cling to the mountainsides, and the culture remains mostly untouched by the hustle-bustle pace of the modern world.
If you decide to embark on the Snowman Trek, you’ll want to wear a good pair of hiking boots. This rugged stroll usually takes about 24 days to finish. In that time, you’ll walk 216 miles, some of those miles over ground that is permanently covered by ice and snow.
You will tackle 11 mountain passes, many of which are over 16,000 feet above sea level. You’ll be making your way through one of the most remote areas of the Himalayas, the Lunana region. You will be in a unique group. More people have stood on the top of Mount Everest than have finished the Snowman Trek with success. Some claim that this isolation is the reason that the yeti have chosen to call Lunana home.
I’m not sure whether you’ll encounter any abominable snowmen or any other members of their family, but I can tell you that you’re in for a true challenge. Many experienced adventurers consider the Snowman Trek to be the hardest in the world. Half the people who set out to conquer the Snowman fail.
Some are defeated by the unpredictable weather in the high peaks. Others fall victim to altitude sickness or dysentery. In addition to these dangers, the rugged terrain has been responsible for a large number of twisted ankles and broken legs. In an area this remote, your only hope of emergency evacuation is by helicopter, and that ride comes with a pretty hefty price tag.
If, despite these hazards, you’ve just decided to face the challenges of the Snowman Trek on your next extended vacation, I’d like to toss in one more warning: Those mountain passes can get downright cold. Experts say the best way to deal with cold weather is to dress in layers.
Ultra Fine Micro-Fleece Pullover
While I can’t in good conscience recommend our Ultra Fine Micro-Fleece Pullover as the perfect pullover for a long walk through the Himalayas, I can tell you that it makes an ideal middle layer for strolling through a gentler winter wonderland.
Of course, when the weather is a little less frosty, these attractive pullovers are comfy enough to keep you from the chill all on their own. The ultra fine fleece fabric is not only designed to provide superior lightweight insulation, but it is smooth enough to really make your logo shine.
Just in time for the approaching holiday season, these pleasing microfiber fleece creations are now on sale. Feel free to put your savings toward your trip to Bhutan or that new set of hiking boots.
Best Wishes,
Fred Meyers
Glossary: Anatomy of a Polo Shirt
Posted by: Kate on: November 12, 2008
When you read the Queensboro website, you find lots of weird words like “double needle stitched” and “placket.” Today, we solve the mystery for you, giving you the anatomy of a polo shirt. While each style of shirt is different, polo style shirts share many common traits.
Anatomy of a Polo Shirt
Collar: The collar is as much a defining part of the polo shirt as any other feature. The collar lies flat, but can be turned up at the back to keep the sun off the neck (this is especially important for tennis players, and the polo shirt was originally designed by a tennis player). Traditional polo shirt collars are a rib-knit; however, now some polo shirts have self-fabric colors, which are made from the same fabric/knit as the rest of the shirt.
Placket: The placket is the area of the garment where one piece fastens to another. On a polo shirt, this is below the collar, where the shirt buttons.
Buttons: Women’s style polo shirts often do not have buttons, but instead have a collar and a small v-neck. Men’s polo shirts have buttons on the right side, typically two or three (hence, a “two-button placket”).
Cuff: The end of the sleeve is known as the cuff. Some polos have rib knit cuffs, while others have self-fabric cuffs.
Tape: In fabric terms, “tape” is a narrow, woven piece of fabric. The best polo shirts have a “fully taped neck.” This strip of fabric appears on the inside of the neck, helping to maintain the structure of the shirt, while making it more comfortable by covering the seam between the collar and the shirt. It also helps to absorb perspiration. There is often tape along the inner side vents as well, to help keep the shirt from coming un-tucked.
Side Seam: Some t-shirts are “body knit,” which means that they are knit as a tube, and do not require side seams. Side seams help give polo shirts a more fitted shape.
Side vent: The side vents are at the bottom of the shirt. Usually they are taped along the hem, though sometimes they are double-needled stitched. On athletic shirts and performance shirts, there is usually a small piece of tape on the outside of the shirt at the top of the vent, which aids in keeping the shirt tucked in.
Extended Tail: You will notice that on many polo shirts, the back of the shirt is longer than the front of the shirt. This helps keep the shirt from coming un-tucked.
Hem: You will see the term “double needle stitched” used occasionally. This means that the hem is stitched with a double row of needles, and hence two rows of thread, running parallel to each other. A double needle stitched hem is less likely to unravel, and also give the shirt a more finished look.
A Symbol of Veterans Day
Posted by: Kate on: November 11, 2008
In Flanders fields the poppies blow. . . So begins the poem written by Canadian Physician John McCrae, describing the 1915 World War I battlefield in the Ypres salient. Corn poppies, so named because they grow wild as a weed in fields of grain, cover the battlefields of Europe where soldiers from around the world–including Canada, Germany, France, Great Britain, Belgium, Australia, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States– fell during World War I.
Soldiers returning home from the war told stories of the wild red poppies growing in otherwise barren fields. Many of the battlefields became the final resting place of the soldiers that died there, and the red poppies became a symbol of the war, and of the veterans that had given their lives for the cause. The red of the poppies symbolized, in the minds of many, the blood of the fallen soldiers.
Today, the red poppy still serves as a symbol of the Armistice that ended the war on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Today, in the United States, we celebrate Veterans Day on November 11th. All over the world, countries that have lost soldiers in various conflicts around the globe remember their sacrifices on Veterans Day. In the United States, the most prevalent symbol of Veterans Day are the stars and stripes of the American Flag. Around the world, particularly in the British Commonwealth, the red poppy is still the most frequently employed symbol of remembrance.
Pictures of Veterans Day and Armistice Day memorial events around the world show veterans, young and old, standing at attention, many holding a handkerchief, wiping a tear, mourning the loss of those gone, celebrating the sacrifice and honor of all that have served, present or passed. Though they all served in different conflicts, the veterans are bound by common experiences. Among many, the red poppy is just one symbol of the sacrifices they made for their respective countries.
As a staff member and chronicler of happenings at a company dedicated to helping individuals develop and display the symbol of their own business identities, I was curious to read and learn more about the symbolism of Veterans Day. I selected the red poppy to learn more about because my background is in horticulture, and I naturally gravitated toward that living symbol of sacrifice.
Symbols are touchstones to many things: experiences, faiths, memories and, yes, brands. More often than words, the sight of a symbol or logo triggers an emotional response. Advertising professionals capitalize upon that for their job. Citizens showing support and solidarity use symbols to communicate that they stand with a cause. On Veterans Day in the United States, you will see more flags flying than usual as everyone comes together to honor the service of veterans. Around Europe, Australia and Canada, you will see citizens going about their daily business with red paper poppies pinned to their jackets in remembrance of the sacrifices of their countrymen. To all of you who have served, thank you.
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Poll: Best Corporate Holiday Gifts from Queensboro
Posted by: Kate on: November 11, 2008
- In: Polls
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The holidays are coming quickly! Lots of our great gift items are on sale now at Queensboro! We’re wondering, which items from our online catalog do you think make the best corporate gifts?
