Due to the business climate during Covid-19 we have had to move our production facilities out of Santa Clara, CA to San Diego, CA. We are still in business and servicing our customers from a new location.
This move enabled us to reduce our operation costs and continue servicing our customers. We have the same equipment and products as before. All customer art files and records are available to keep consistency of the product you have used in the past.
We no longer have a physical showroom, but can help via email, online orders, and phone. Our best email address is sales @ firstplaceinc dot com. (but in the normal format)
Shipping to the location of your choice
Ask us to ship each order to the location of your choice, and we will do it. Split shipments around the country and internationally will be accommodated.
With so many employees and staff working from home, we have been shipping most orders directly to homes and other locations. We will do the same for you.
Photographs of your products
Another service we are offering at this time is professional photographs of each individual award should you wish to use the images during a zoom call. Each Image is only $2.00 each.
Our new Address in San Diego, CA
First Place Awards 6937 Saranac St San Diego, CA 92115 408.245.5100 ext 1 or toll free: 888.411.2927 ext 1
We look forward to a continued relationship working with you!
The Academy Awards, more commonly known as the Oscars, are one of the world’s most prestigious and sought-after film awards. While the glitz and glamour of the awards ceremony are often the focus of attention, the history behind the iconic Oscar trophy is equally fascinating.
2018 Oscar Trophy
The design of the Oscar trophy is credited to Cedric Gibbons, the head of the art department at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) studios, and sculptor George Stanley. The inspiration for the design is said to have come from a combination of classical and art deco styles, with a focus on the idealized human form.
The first Oscars ceremony was held in 1929, and the winners were presented with a trophy that stood at just 13.5 inches tall and weighed in at a modest 8.5 pounds. The original design featured a knight holding a crusader’s sword, standing on a film reel with five spokes, each representing one of the original branches of the Academy: actors, directors, producers, technicians, and writers.
Over the years, the design of the Oscar trophy has undergone several changes. In 1938, the base of the trophy was changed to a round shape with a black marble finish, and the number of spokes on the film reel was increased to represent the now twelve branches of the Academy.
During World War II, due to metal shortages, the Oscar trophy was made out of painted plaster for three years, from 1942 to 1945. In 1983, the trophy was changed from its original gold-plated bronze to a gold-plated britannia metal. The new material was lighter, making it easier for presenters and winners to handle.
In 2016, the trophy was given a significant makeover. The new design, created by the jewelry and accessory designer David Korins, features a higher-gloss finish, sharper edges, and a bolder base. The most significant change, however, was the use of 24-karat gold plating, which gives the trophy a brighter and more lustrous finish.
In addition to its iconic design, the Oscar trophy is known for its strict handling guidelines. Winners are not allowed to sell their trophies without first offering them back to the Academy for $1. They are also prohibited from making any alterations to the trophy, including engraving their names on it.
The Oscar trophy has become synonymous with excellence in the film industry and is a symbol of achievement for filmmakers and actors around the world. Its evolution over the past century is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Academy Awards and the dedication of those who have worked to create and maintain the tradition of the Oscars.
The exact origins of the name “Oscar” for the Academy Awards trophy are unclear, but there are a few different theories.
One popular theory is that the trophy was named after the uncle of Academy librarian Margaret Herrick. She reportedly thought that the statue resembled her uncle Oscar, and the name caught on among Academy staff and eventually became the official nickname for the award.
Another theory suggests that the nickname “Oscar” may have originated from a comment made by Academy President Bette Davis in the 1930s. According to this theory, Davis remarked that the statue looked like her husband, Harmon Oscar Nelson, and the name “Oscar” stuck from there.
Regardless of the true origins of the nickname, the name “Oscar” has become synonymous with the Academy Awards trophy and is widely recognized worldwide.
We looked at ways that we could serve our community with our specialty. We created COVID hero awards for various people and organizations across the country. From Pennsylvania to Detroit, Texas and Florida, California and several states in between. We are glad to have been a part of some organizations recognizing their heroes. And it all started with this video. And below are photos of some of the products we produced for our various customers.
Here are photos of some of the Covid Response products we produced.
Ayyub Hanif is an accomplished healthcare leader, social entrepreneur, and public speaker with the belief that “service is a core tenant of being human, and that the social good truly is a responsibility upon all of us.” As CEO of Healthy Solutions/Inge Benevolent Ministries, he established a Health and Social Services Center to care for the underserved and uninsured women and children which also provides shelter to homeless women and children victims of domestic violence.
During the early days of the pandemic, Hanif utilized his position at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing to access the most up-to-date research on COVID-19 to purchase and distribute thousands of quality cloth (with filter), PM2.5 Surgical, and N95 face masks to anybody he could find that needed them (at the time individuals were selling numerous fake products at excessive prices to the needy). Recognizing the serious health implications of misinformation coupled with the lack of administrative infrastructure to withstand a health emergency of this magnitude, he reallocated a large portion of our budget towards direct community and social support. According to him, the initiative would require him to “rapidly retool, repurpose, and reallocate our human resources because we aren’t prepared to respond to a domestic emergency of this magnitude for this long.” Being a nurse he purchased a MERV13 air purifier for the front lobby of his condo and gave masks to the frontline staff and guests for free. As a nurse, although he was in full nursing attire (scrubs) and a current resident, he was not only forced to cease and desist but also is being legally reprimanded by his condo for caring enough to be on the frontline attempting to save the lives of others, for what they instead determined was him causing a public nuisance in their “upscale” lobby. Truly one going above and beyond in the fight against COVID-19.
First Place Congratulates Ayyb Hanif for his excellent response to our lingering COVID-19 pandemic.
Asma Inge-Hanif, a Chaplain & Nurse Practitioner, Executive Director & Founder, 45 years ago established Inge Benevolent Ministries a nonprofit community health, shelter & social services center and now responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Her Health and Social Services Center was established to care for the underserved and uninsured, noting the disparities and based on the prevailing statistical data, true to her nature, she was compelled to serve those in need as a humanitarian solution for those in communities without viable options.
Recognizing current programs disproportionally distributed services and fail low income, marginalized, uninsured and/or homeless, referencing their circumstances, Hanif implemented a solution. She stated, ” vulnerable populations need to know that they have not been forgotten” including those in the community experiencing financial poverty for any reason – especially our elderly.
Without staff and unsalaried, Hanif lives in the shelter she established as she says doing so increases the numbers she is able to serve She had always care for others using her own resources and donations of a few like-minded individuals. This has now been exhausted and do not have the money or the ability to obtain the all that is necessary to care for these our most vulnerable populations. Her center is in one of the identified ‘hot spot’ zip codes and applied to be a testing site but money and supplies were given to those whom neither service nor are accessible to those in her community. Without phones, computers, television or internet many are also unaware of resources or mandates nor able to travel to where services are.
Hanif distributed masks and gloves to the needy until she had no more. Seeing individuals fearful of being approached, she even drove around and distributed face masks to those homeless and begging on street corners. She made calls to thousands she has helped through the years. She was able to reach Mrs Ramirez’s family (who was home with symptoms but no provider). As a nurse practitioner, Hanif wrote her a referral for the test. She did end up being positive for the virus. Being married with 2 children, through contact tracking Hanif discovered others she had been in contact with. Hanif discovered that her husband was positive as well as an uncle whom based on his symptoms Hanif insisted that he go immediately to the ER. Not only was he positive but was so sick that he was hospitalized and placed in a coma. Hanif’s intervention possibly saving his life. In an effort to flatten the curve, and at critical risk to herself without PPE, she started using her already established health center in the nations response to this Pandemic crisis by serving as a resource site and a care provider for those unable to be and/or not being served by those outside of and distanced from any available services.
She now is a coronavirus victim. Those without a personal home are sentenced to a COVID Care center shelter filled with others of lower social-economic status.
When something good happens, you need to show some love.
At the end of a major project, present each member of a team with a memento that recognizes their part in successful completion of a major product release, achievement of a quality standard, the awarding of a patent, or the winning of a major contract. These gifts or mementos need not be large, but they will serve as a permanent reminder of a specific success. When possible, tie the memento to the specific project. The memento could be a printed shirt, a desk paperweight, a coin, or a mantle showpiece.
2. High Standards.
In the world of quality assurance, process improvement or an emphasis on zero accident safety, it is important to incentivize and motivate the achievement of high standards. Many times achieving a high standard is its own reward, but a small token of appreciation for sustained and well directed effort goes a long way towards saying a proper thank you to those who met the goals given to them.
3. Top Achievers.
If somebody is the best, show them!Give them a trophy to show off to others People hang diplomas in their offices, and other certificates of achievement, to show others that they have achieved at a high level. The showpieces matter a lot to our egos. Think of all the importance place on the Oscar award, or the Emmy’s or the Grammy’s. These are prized possessions. Whatever your business, there are people who achieve the equivalent of these well known awards. Top achievers deserve no less.
4. Exceeding Expectations.
Sales is a tough business. Great sales managers set high quotas and push their people, and should also make a huge deal out of those who exceed those targets. The pride of receiving an award for exceeding quota is incredible. Even more incredible is having a wall full of exceeded quota awards. But this isn’t just for sales. You can use any metric to set goals, and when people exceed goals. They deserve a memento of that super achievement.
5. Start at the beginning.
Make an impression on the first day by including in your onboarding process a couple branded products that the new employee can wear or use in public and declare they are part of your organization. Products with your logo and values of your organization provides a daily reminder that the new hire is part of a vibrant team, working towards creating value in the world. Branded apparel can serve the dual purpose of creating that feeling of a team with the employee and marketing to all the people who see them wearing it.
Corporate Culture, a new currency.
More than ever, prospective employees are looking for a corporate culture that appreciates their contribution. Money is only one measure, and since most people don’t broadcast their salary, they need symbolic ways to tell friends and co-workers they are good. That is where First Place helps you. We create gifts awards and custom apparel that you can use for congratulating and motivating your most important asset, human resources.
When casting metal gifts, the sky is the limit, you choose the size, the shape, the color.
Whether used as a promotional piece, or a gift to a valued employee, it shows you took some thought and time. 3D castings say quality, like a beautiful piece of jewelry.
Perfect for recognizing years of service!
The value is communicated through quality, and it is more cost effective than you might think.
Take a look today, and let us know what you would like us to make for you.
The other day I received a call from Kevin Babeaux, who runs a media company called Rhineaux Media Corp. We decided to run an ad with his website and print magazine. Pink Spots reaches a niche market of people who are looking for businesses friendly to the LGBTQ community. I love when people like Kevin strive to meet the needs of a small group, a niche. According to luminaries like Seth Godin, working with your “tribe” is where businesses are succeeding in today’s world.
In a day when the nation seems divided by all sorts of ideologies, political parties and other faux divisions, we like to remember that all people are basically the same. We like to be recognized and appreciated for the good that we do, and we like to feel good about our work in our jobs, communities and other endeavors. We don’t care what your particular beliefs or lifestyle is, for we love to celebrate your successes at wherever you find your passions and talents.
So next time you meet that person in the coffee shop, the bus, the grocery store, and they are maybe a little different from you, say a kind word, such as hello, smile and think of what they are good at. I bet, somewhere, they have a trophy in their room or office that they are very proud of.
And should you have somebody that deserves recognition for a job well done, think of First Place Awards. We would love to be part of your celebrations.
And, please, take the time to browse other listings on their website, and see what other businesses are reaching out with a friendly hand to the LGBTQ community.
Awards Season is upon us. Corporations all through the Silicon Valley are planning awards events to recognize the people who have contributed to their success throughout the last year. Because Silicon Valley is all about innovation, and being unique, many of these companies create completely custom awards to hand out to their top team members.
We can’t share this year’s crop of custom awards we are designing and producing, but the photo on this post is an example of a custom design we made for a team that had completed a project code named “Falcon.” With the image of a falcon, and the wording “The Falcon has landed” They were able to give an award that specifically worked as a memento of a successful project. This is what recognition is all about. Meaningful mementos given to those who contribute value to our projects, companies and communities.
