Eastbay Athletic Shoes and Apparel Honors Military Members and Veterans All Year Round

Posted on October 12, 2011 by admin

Members of the US military make enormous sacrifices each day in order to preserve and protect the American way of life. Often, these sacrifices run on a 24/7 clock and continue on far past retirement. Military members represent the strongest and bravest among us, though they are often overlooked and almost always underpaid.

It is because of this reality that Veterans Advantage was formed. This national program has made its mission to partner with diverse corporations in order to bring special discounts and incentives to military members who do so much. Among the best of these partnerships is the one that Veterans Advantage has with Eastbay, a popular retailer of athletic shoes, as well as sports clothing and equipment.

A Year-Round Recognition

Oftentimes it is on days like Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day that most Americans take time to think about the service of military personnel. Though these holidays are significant, they are not enough. Eastbay, on the other hand, has chosen to honor members of the military (both current and former) 365 days a year with a 20% discount on all merchandise purchased online through their website or over the phone through their popular catalogue.

In addition, Eastbay has been recognized by Veterans Advantage as one of the most military-friendly retailers out there through their willingness to ship to APO and FPO addresses. This means that military on active duty overseas can still enjoy the benefits of Eastbay’s 20% discount. All they need to do is enter their Veterans Advantage number at checkout.

Eastbay: A True American Tale

The Eastbay company not only honors Americans who serve, but stands as a pinnacle to all those in search of the American Dream. The company was founded by two friends, Art Juedes and Rick Gering, back in 1980 as a sort of fluke. As high school sports coaches, Juedes and Gering were looking for a place to purchase sports equipment. They began their company in a grass roots fashion, only serving local high schools and colleges in their native Wisconsin. They invested some $7,000 into footwear and took it “door to door.”

Over time, their plan worked and the company continued to grow and service schools outside of Wisconsin. In 1997, Eastbay was purchased by retail giant Woolworth’s (now Foot Locker) and has since moved its small Wausau, WI office space into a 500,000 square foot distribution and call center dedicated to continuing to provide local jobs to the people of that area.

Eastbay offers all major sports brands, such as Nike, adidas, New Balance, and ASICS in a variety of color patterns and styles. They are often given exclusive rights to certain color palates and use these to continue to service sports teams at all levels as well as their fans and the general public through their popular catalogues and extensive website.

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Tiny Prints Partners with March of Dimes to Give Memories Along with the Gift of Life

Posted on September 23, 2011 by admin

Having a baby is one of the most precious and frightening times of any woman’s life. Whether she is giving birth for the first time or the fourth, there is an understandable amount of excitement and anticipation peppered with worry and downright fear. Though many of us are fortunate enough to have those fears under control through a strong support system and medical care, this is not the case for all new mothers. All too often, prenatal care is neglected due to financial circumstances and, unfortunately, even with the best care available, thousands of babies are born too early every year in the United States.

In June of this year, Tiny Prints, an online leader in providing personalized stationary and photo cards, introduced its new partnership with March of Dimes, the nonprofit organization dedicated to the health of pregnant women and babies. Tiny Prints now offers an exclusive line of March of Dimes items geared towards their customers expecting a baby or who have just given birth. This campaign allows customers a chance to give back to an essential organization while also fulfilling their stationary and card buying needs.

There are two ways to help through this new initiative. First, customers can shop the entire line of Tiny Prints Promotional merchandise through the exclusive March of Dimes promotional page. 10% of all proceeds generated from that page will be donated to the March of Dimes. In addition, the exclusive March of Dimes collection on Tiny Prints will see an additional 10% of all sales donated to the nonprofit. The March of Dimes collection is specifically geared towards new baby needs and includes birth announcements, baby shower invitations, thank you cards and personalized stationary.

About the March of Dimes

President Franklyn Delano Roosevelt, in addition to his famous Square Deal, established the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis in January of 1938. This organization’s goal was to help others like the president who suffered from polio. Once polio was under control in the United States, this organization, which would become the March of Dimes, refocused its efforts onto the prevention of birth defects and the decrease of infant mortality in the United States. In 2003, the March of Dimes launched its Prematurity Campaign and became the best-known name in the fight to prevent premature birth and save babies born too soon.

Over the years, the March of Dimes has raised millions of dollars to put towards research, education, and support for mothers and babies a like. Their research efforts and grantees have been awarded the Nobel Prize in 1954, 1962, 1976, 1985, and 1995. The efforts by the March of Dimes have helped establish newborn screening for birth defects for all babies born in the United States.

About Tiny Prints

Tiny Prints was started in late 2003 by three friends and launched its website in March of 2004. The small, self-funded startup was originally committed to providing unique baby stationary and baby related products such as photo books. It has since grown to include stationary for all occasions, a fully wedding line (Wedding Paper Divas) as well as a corporate stationary branch (Tiny Prints Corporate).

Throughout their growth and relocations to many new, bigger, offices, Tiny Prints remains committed to giving a personal touch to each of its orders. They have been frequently featured on the Today Show and in US Weekly, among many others, and are a favorite of Hollywood and Main Street alike with exclusive online rights to many well-known designers such as Sarah Hawkins and Petite Alma.

Tiny Prints is a subsidy of Shutterfly and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA.

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Checks Unlimited Debit Card Program Helps You Earn Rewards

Posted on September 21, 2011 by admin

In October of 2010 Checks Unlimited announced that it would partner with Tempo, a San Mateo, CA-based company that specializes in affinity debit cards, to offer a new benefit to its customers. As the largest direct-sale paper check producing company in the United States, Direct Checks Unlimited (the parent organization of the better-known Checks Unlimited) has set up this program with the goal of allowing its vast customer base an expanded suite of services.

The Tempo affinity debit card program will offer customers the option of receiving a Discover card linked directly to the checking account they have registered with Checks Unlimited. They will then be able to use this debit card both for purchases as well as ATM withdrawals. This use will allow the customer to generate points through a cash-back program sponsored by Tempo.

Tempo’s Platform

The major benefit of Checks Unlimited’s partnership with Tempo is the unprecedented personalization that the company provides. Unlike a bank-issued debit card, Tempo’s affinity cards are web-based and partnered with several other well-known partner-brands. Its cards are affiliated with the FDIC insured First Bank & Trust Company based out of Brookings, SD. Tempo  also maintains a web-based platform for its debit card which provides a portal for consumers. From this web portal, customers can apply for and activate their cards, in addition to tracking their purchases and rewards.

The program offered by Tempo’s co-branded cards runs similar to many credit card rewards programs, yet protects consumer credit through its link to their checking account (there is no risk of accruing high-interest debt with a checking account-linked debit card). In addition, Tempo is responsible for managing the issuance of the debit cards, which includes managing the application process, risk management, card fulfillment, settlement and authorization. This allows Checks Unlimited to continue placing its focus on their primary responsibility – delivering personal and business checks and accessories to its customers nationwide.

About Direct Checks Unlimited

Direct Checks Unlimited has been in business since 1986 (first as a direct mail check buying service popular in the Sunday coupon section) and has since expanded its brand to the web under the names Checks Unlimited, Designer Checks, and checks.com. It began by offering customers 13 different designs for their checks that were a breath of fresh air compared to the traditional blue they were used to for so many years.

In the intervening time, Checks Unlimited has expanded its offering to over 70 different designs, many featuring popular fictional characters such as Betty Boop, and Disney favorites, Winnie the Pooh and Mickey Mouse, as well as art work by Thomas Kinkade. Checks Unlimited prides itself on its ability to offer personalized checks that are indicative of the individuals who use them.

In addition to paper checks, Checks Unlimited also offers a full line of check-related products, including checkbook covers and address labels that coordinate with each check’s theme. They also offer business-related check printing and products.

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Expand Your Design Business with Snapfish Publisher

Posted on September 20, 2011 by admin

Most people in the photography and design world, really most people in the internet world, know of Snapfish, an online photo sharing site. Known officially as Snapfish by HP, this website is the most popular option worldwide for the sharing, printing and publishing of personal photography. Since its birth in April of 2000 and its subsequent acquisition by technology giant Hewlett-Packard in 2005, it has expanded to 22 countries and boasts a following of close to 100 million users who have up loaded over 10 billion photos.

Snapfish no doubt stands alone in terms of its outreach and customer base partly because it has developed a number of associated programs designed to help people interested in the photography field expand their own reach. The Snapfish community is loyal and enthusiastic about the company and its products, so therefore the chance to earn money and design credit through Snapfish is a real dream for many. It was this concept that fed into the creation of Snapfish Publisher.

Unlimited Benefits

The Snapfish Publisher service is offered to all Snapfish users as a means to allow those with graphic design interest an outlet to sell and market their designs using the company as an agent. Snapfish allows designers to sign up with them free of charge and then to upload their card designs for inclusion in their database. Then, when customers from around the world sit at their computers to make a personalized greeting card or invitation, the designer’s work is included as a choice.

The benefits of this program are then felt on all sides. To date, Snapfish has thousands of card designs available from hundreds of designers worldwide. A quick look at only flat photo cards, for example, yields 10,199 total results. This provides customers with a virtually unlimited list of options in terms of size, color, design and print for any occasion or any need. Want a birth announcement? Snapfish has 1350 designs to choose from.

For the artist, this level of access to clientele with no need for promotion is also a huge selling point. Each designer is named on the card(s) they submit. By clicking on the designer’s name, the user is able to learn a bit about them and provided an additional link to all of their material available on the site. This particular feature is great if a user likes the style of a particular artist and wants to maintain that style and theme throughout their card purchase. For example, you may choose the same design for a birth announcement, set of “Thank You” cards, and subsequent invitation to a Christening party for your new baby.

Why Snapfish Will Always Be Number One

Snapfish Publisher is just another example of why this company continues to dominate its market. It is both an innovator and anticipator of trends and many other major photo sharing sites have gone up and down in the 11 ½ years since Snapfish began. It seems that this company is able to reach through the screen to both its users and the amazing talent available throughout the world and provide them with a meeting place of sorts. This interpersonal communication is what makes Snapfish rise above its competitors and remain number one.

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Tiny Prints featured on Today with Kathy Lee and Hoda

Posted on September 9, 2011 by admin

An exciting day at the headquarters of Tiny Prints in Sunnyvale, CA. Jill Martin, a contributor to the Today Show as well as US Weekly appeared on NBC’s Today Show with Kathy Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb to present an essential list of “10 Things Every Woman Should Own.” On that list: personalized stationary from Tiny Prints.

Martin’s message in this segment was simple, women in the 21st century have a lot on their plate, but owning certain items can give them a leg up in the social world with little hassle. Martin’s inclusion of personalized stationary as a means to reinstitute the importance and care of the handwritten note was not only right on the money, but in line with the establishing principles of Tiny Prints.

A Simple Idea

When three friends sat down in late 2003 and discussed starting a business which specialized in providing unique, personalized baby cards, there was no way that they knew what that idea would later become. Tiny Prints launched its website in March of 2004 and began a journey to bring boutique-quality stationary and accessories to people from the comfort of their own home. They soon expanded their line from baby cards and announcements to all sorts of stationary products including thank you cards, personalized letterhead and address labels among many others.

Through it all, Tiny Prints’ message has been simple: providing a personal touch through a handwritten note or a photo card lets those you love know you care. We live in a world inundated with electronic communication. As a result, we have lost touch with a lot of the old etiquette practices and personal elements of everyday life that brings humans closer to one another.

Personal Service

Tiny Prints was founded on the principles of personalized, boutique-style products delivered to your door with little hassle. This principle is still a foundation of their business practice today, as Tiny Prints puts a real person to work on each card, invitation and stationary piece that is ordered. This personal service is what makes Tiny Prints stand out among the quick, automatic printing services of many other online stationary retailers.

In addition, as the exclusive online distributor of over a dozen famous designers such as Petite Alma, Snow & Graham, and Sarah Hawkins, there is a style and design to fit anyone’s mood and preference.

The Tiny Prints Brand

Founded on the principle that it is the tiny things in life that make a difference, Tiny Prints has expanded its business over the years to include other stationary avenues. This has allowed people from all walks of life and in all of its stages to enjoy stylish, personalized products and excellent customer service.

In 2006, Tiny Prints expanded its business to wedding invitations and accessories though its Wedding Paper Divas brand. This was followed by the launch of Tiny Prints Corporate in 2008 which serves the personalized stationary needs of businesses and corporate clients. Finally, in April of 2011, Tiny Prints was acquired by internet photo giant Shutterfly, a publicly traded company. It is the hope of Tiny Prints that this new acquisition will allow it to reach out and help even more clients from around the world to say “hello” or “thank you” in style.

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Snapfish Stock Images: An Affordable Alternative

Posted on September 7, 2011 by admin

Back in May of this year, Snapfish by HP, the largest personal photo service on the web, launched a new venture: Snapfish Stock Images. The purpose of this enterprise was to harness the power of the 2 billion+ photos already on the company’s website while simultaneously offering a more affordable stock photo service.

Snapfish.com History

Acquired in 2005 by technology giant HP, Snapfish is a digital repository for personal photography. Often used by families and amateur photographers, sites like Snapfish capitalize on the boom of digital photography and the benefits it offers everyone from the high school student with dreams of magazine shoots to grandmothers living hundreds of miles away from new grandbabies. Most users of Snapfish and other photo sharing sites like it upload favorite shots from their digital camera files and then edit, print and share them with family and friends through its free service.

Snapfish offers convenient photo printing and pick up at popular merchants such as Walgreens, Duane Reade and Walmart. It also sells additional photo gift items such as cards, mugs, photo books and calendars. The editing tools provided with the website’s free membership ensure that every at-home photographer can customize their images in order to present professional-quality photos and photo gifts at an affordable price.

Snapfish Stock Images

Snapfish Stock Images takes this idea one step further and allows these same budding photographers the chance to offer their digital images to others and earn money in the process. For a $12 annual fee (which includes 75 free prints) any Snapfish member can add their best & favorite photos to Snapfish Stock Image’s database for purchase by users within the Snapfish community as well as professional image buyers through a micro licensing model designed by LicenseStream. Site users who sell their image will then earn an unprecedented 60% royalty fee on all purchases – the industry standard is usually between 15% and 45%.

The idea behind Snapfish Stock Images is simple: provide an opportunity for the 100 million+ users of the Snapfish community to take a low-risk shot at making money as a professional photographer while at the same time providing internet community at large the benefits of their talent at a price that is far more affordable than many other paid-for stock image websites. The most expensive per-credit price that a buyer will pay at Snapfish is still cheaper than the cheapest high-volume purchase price of other, more well-known stock photo websites.

Snapfish Stock Images sells credits that range from $1.20 each for a set of 10 ($12 total) to $0.72 each for a set of 1000 ($720 total). Digital images for web use (400×267 pixels) only cost 2 credits each, whereas high resolution shots (5184×3456 pixels) cost 15 credits, with some options in between.

There is also a convenient subject list at the right of the screen which is great for image browsing. In addition, simple search feature that the website provides is on par with most other stock photo sites and in general produces a nice range of choices. The company has advertised that in the few months since Snapfish Stock Photos launched, they have amassed over 1 million images from their users.

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Viator.com Announces Huge Expansion Including User Reviews and Recommendations

Posted on October 29, 2010 by admin

The leading online source for researching and booking activities and travel experiences announces a huge expansion. Viator’s information on more than 5,500 activities is even more in-depth, and new user-generated content allows for traveler recommendations and tips, plus member profiles for personalized trip planning.

What are a destination’s top sites? What are the best activities for my interests? What do I need to know to have the best possible experience? Visitors to viator.com can now answer those questions more fully than before. More than 3,000 attractions have expert information and links to interactive local maps. Visitors who have experienced a tour or activity through Viator can add feedback and recommendations, but now so can any traveler who wants to share their experience at a site or attraction. Members can also provide suggested itineraries, ideas for families, and restaurant recommendations, for example. The new site integrates more fully with both Facebook and Twitter, so members can share photos, reviews, and recommendations with their personal networks as well as the Viator network.

Travelers are eager to share their experiences with others, says Barrie Seidenberg, president and CEO of Viator. More than two million people visit viator.com every month, and more than three million have booked local tour and activities using the service. “Viator provides travelers with comprehensive travel planning resources and the addition of traveler-submitted content expands the value we deliver to our customers,” Seidenberg says, “We expect that this content will grow exponentially and become a leading resource for the kind of local information most important to travelers.”

New site features include:

…content focused on a particular attraction. If you know you want to visit the Eiffel Tower or Grand Canyon, viator.com can now suggest other attractions and services in the area. Travel experts, fellow tourists, and locals have all contributed suggested itineraries and recommendations. Dynamic maps provide local points of interest. Visitors can also quickly access destination-specific Deals & Special Offers information.

…much more user-generated content. The site already boasted more than 17,000 reviews and photos from Viator travelers, but now anyone can submit their feedback and opinions. Customers who have submitted reviews in the past will find all of their information collected in one place when they create a profile on the new site. Members can create public profiles if they choose, and change and cancel bookings online.

…social networking integration. Facebook and Twitter users can now connect to their networks on those platforms to share Viator content. Share tours, photos, reviews, and itineraries with friends and followers easily.

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Customers Turning to Toning Shoes for a More Active Lifestyle

Posted on September 30, 2010 by admin

Toning shoes, known for their rocker soles and increased muscle activation, have been a growing part of the footwear market over the past few years. Since Masai Barefoot Technology hit the shelves with their line that create natural instability, more and more brands have been getting in on the latest developments in wellness shoes. California-based comfort shoe retailer Footwear Etc. carries a full line of rocker-soles and shape-up shoes from all the leading brands including MBT Shoes, Skechers Shape-Ups, FitFlops, New Balance True Balance, and Reebok EasyTone.

By encouraging instability, these rocker-sole shoes encourage the wearer to engage leg, back, and core muscles to maintain balance with every step. The result is increased calorie burning, increased muscle activation, and reduced joint, foot, and back pain. Customers with plantar fasciitis often find that rocker-sole shoes help keep their plantar fascia and Achilles tendons stretched, thereby alleviating pain.

MBT (Masai Barefoot Technology) Shoes were the first in the market. Their line includes the patented Masai Sensor in the midsole, which forces wearers to use their core muscles to balance themselves with every step. MBT has a range of styles from walking shoes to dress shoes that are appropriate for work.

Skechers Shape Ups are great for customers who want a cushioned feeling that fits like a sneaker. Their shoes include a kinetic wedge that helps maximize workouts while minimizing impact. Their line also includes sandals, walking shoes, and even boots.

New Balance has long been a leader in the athletic and running shoe field, and has recently expanded with the New Balance Wellness Collection. Their introductory styles include the Rock and Tone, with a lightweight rocker bottom that puts a spring in each step. New Balance wellness shoe technology is based on balance board technology but looks like a regular casual shoe. They also come in wide widths.

Fit Flops let wearers get the benefit of balance conditioning in a summery sandal. Their patent-pending micro-wobbleboard midsole works on the same principles of other balance and toning shoes, and let wearers add resistance and instability to increase the workout benefits of any casual walk.

Reebok has also gotten in on the game with two styles, the RunTone and the EasyTone, for workouts and everyday wear respectively. Reebok’s toning technology relies on pods of air in the sole that move as you do, forcing muscles to work harder. Reebok’s RunTone and EasyTone are a step forward from the first generation of toning shoes in that they look like typical footwear.

All of these brands are available at Footwear Etc, which has eight retail locations throughout Northern California and San Diego and a web store at footwearetc.com.

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Footwear Etc. Announces the New Fall Collection from Naot

Posted on September 28, 2010 by admin

Israeli footwear company Naot is known for combining fashion and comfort, quality and style. Footwear Etc. is pleased to announce the arrival of the Naot fall collection at their retail and online stores.

This year’s styles include a short boot in espresso or black leather called the Talent. The versatile Star is a slip-on shoe in black or grey and pairs just as well with dress or casual clothes. The Beyond is a contemporary take on the ever-popular clog and comes in black, polar sea, and French roast. The grey slip-on Tarot features metal ornament and topstitched overlays. Finally, the Lava is a perfect cool weather men’s slip-on shoe in brown oily nubuck.

Naot’s cork and latex footbeds provide excellent support and stability, and their arch support makes them a popular style with customers who suffer from foot pain. Some of Naot’s styles feature removable footbeds that can be replaced when they wear out.

The fall collection brings the Naot line to more than 400 styles. Footwear Etc. district manager says, “Naot has done it again. … Our customers will love them!” The collection is now online at footwearetc.com and at their retail locations in San Diego and the Bay Area.

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New Tone Footwear Concept Shop Opening in Palo Alto, California

Posted on September 24, 2010 by admin

Downtown Palo Alto is the home of a new concept store from California-based comfort shoe retailer Footwear Etc. The new location, Tone Footwear, responds to the growing popularity of toning and wellness shoes from brands like Skechers Shape-ups, Reebok, Dr. Andrew Weil, Sano, MBT, New Balance, and FitFlop.

Customers are invited to see the latest in rocker-sole shoe technology—and enter to win gift cards, free shoes, and raffle prizes—at Tone Footwear’s grand opening on September 25, 2010, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Toning shoes, also known as rocker bottom, rocker sole, and integrative shoes, offer benefits like increased muscle engagement, better posture, less joint pain, and relief from back and foot pain.

Focusing on toning, health, and wellness, Tone Footwear specializes in shoes containing the latest in rocker sole technology. See the largest selection of toning, rocker bottoms, and integrative shoes in one convenient location. Tone Footwear’s operations manager Nirit Straus is excited about the cutting-edge technology, and says the store will be a one-stop location for a full range of toning shoes, for exercise and everyday.

Tone Footwear is online at tonefootwear.com and at their new location at 644 Emerson Street, Palo Alto. Hours are Monday thru Friday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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