GIMMICKS: Obama Bans Swag but Fannie-Freddie Get Obscene Bonuses
The swag hunt is on, but finding it is proving a lot harder than President Barack Obama might think. Obama signed an executive order Wednesday to promote cut costs and section seven, titled “extraneous promotional items,” states that “agencies should limit the promotional items (e.g., plaques, clothing, and commemorative items), in particular where they are not cost-effective.” The Federal Housing Finance Agency, the government regulator for Fannie and Freddie, approved $12.79 million in bonus pay after 10 executives from the two government-sponsored corporations last year met modest performance targets tied to modifying mortgages in jeopardy of foreclosure. The executives got...
Published on Monday 21st of May 2012 11:49:34 PM
Jerry Brown orders state to stop buying swag
Gov. Jerry Brown this morning ordered state agencies to stop buying key chains, coffee mugs and other swag, saying the state spent $7.5 million on such items from 2007 to 2010. . . . Brown said in his order that state agencies spent $7.5 million on "items including key chains, squeeze toys, pens, hats, trinkets, shirts, cups and other gift items known colloquially as 'S.W.A.G,' or 'Stuff We All Get.'"
Published on Monday 21st of May 2012 11:49:34 PM
FREEBIE-JEEBIES [ECONOMY HITS HOLLYWOOD WHERE IT HURTS: IN GIFT SUITES]
LOOKS like the party really is over. The days before a Hollywood awards ceremony were once a wonderland of fab freebies - fully loaded Mexico vacations! Private jet vouchers! $100 diamond Havaianas! - but just days before Sunday's Golden Globes, gifting suites have been reduced to serving Bundt cakes, pizza and toothpaste. Stuff you wouldn't want even if they were giving it away. Oh. Wait. "Companies don't even have budgets to pay their own marketing staff, let alone participate in gifting lounges. There is barely anything going on at the Golden Globes in terms of gifting - and Sundance will...
Published on Monday 21st of May 2012 11:49:34 PM
McCain Holding Back on Fannie and Freddie? Um... Wait For It
No confirmation on this, no tip, no hint. But I know what he's doing. John McCain is waiting until the bill passes. And then he will unleash the dogs of war.
Published on Monday 21st of May 2012 11:49:34 PM
Hey FReepers! Why not sell our own election swag? (Vanity)
Seriously, there are some great ideas for slogans on this site. And admittedly, the stuff sold at the official McCain store, is well, pretty bland: So why not inject some life in the race and raise some cash, to either use for FR or donate to a worthy cause, like Downs Syndrome?
Published on Monday 21st of May 2012 11:49:34 PM
Political war brewing in beer marketing industry (Microbrewers say bill increases swag ..)
California's smallest beer makers, including Stockton's Valley Brew, have become engaged in a political fight against industry giant Anheuser-Busch Co. The battle is being waged over souvenirs - specifically, the amount of money California law allows beer companies to spend on the trinkets they give away at bars and festivals. Anheuser-Busch is backing Assembly Bill 1245, authored by Rep. Alberto Torrico, D-Fremont, which would allow beer companies to spend as much as $5 each on the promotional items they give away. The current law puts a 25-cent cap on the items, known in the industry as swag. A statewide coalition...
Published on Monday 21st of May 2012 11:49:34 PM
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