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At the Rio Olympics, It’s All About That Swag

August 11, 2016 Advertisting & Marketing / Branding / Cool / Events & Holidays / Promotional Inspirations
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Team USA gear created by Ralph Lauren for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Team USA gear created by Ralph Lauren for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Have you been watching the Olympic Games in Rio this week, cheering on the U.S. women’s gymnastics team and chuckling at #PhelpsFace memes? If so, you’ve no doubt noticed some of the interesting branding stories coming out of Rio too. The Olympics are an incredibly high-profile sporting competition, playing out on just about the biggest stage there is, and the IOC is guarding its branding very carefully. It’s been notoriously strict about use of official Rio 2016 logos and even GIFs (yes, believe it or not, you’re officially not allowed to share animated GIFs of the Olympic Games on social media… though that didn’t stop clips of #PhelpsFace from going viral). Not surprisingly, the IOC has also taken a dim view of unauthorized swag being peddled during the two-week athletic event.

Still, there have been some really interesting and even surprising branding stories coming out of Rio, along with some pretty covetable swag we can all appreciate whether we’re into sports or not. Here are some of the most intriguing types of Olympic branded products—or stories about Olympic swag—that have gotten our attention as the Games have gotten underway:

  • Custom Nike swag for Olympic athletes. Preparing for the Games takes many years, as Olympic observers know. Tokyo 2020 organizers are already deep into planning for their turn in the Olympic spotlight. Brands are no different. Nike spent three years preparing custom swag for Team USA and Team Brazil, designing individualized gifts tailored to each athlete’s specific schedule and needs. That incredible attention to detail no doubt left a strong impression on the athletes, and it’s smart Olympic branding. When giving promotional branded gifts, it’s always a pro move to make sure that your gifts are useful, helpful, and relevant to the people receiving them.
  • The IOC is making its own knockoffs. This is fascinating! While actively going after unauthorized vendors for churning out counterfeit merchandise, the IOC itself is getting in on the act, selling cheaper versions of its official Olympic branded goods in downtown Rio. One good aspect of this development is that it makes Olympic gear accessible to Brazilians who might not otherwise be able to afford it, but it’s also an impressive display of chutzpah and branding control at the same time.
  • Fashion-forward team gear. Swag and high fashion have been converging in an interesting way lately—Justin Bieber’s new line of tour-inspired merchandise is just one example. Not to be outdone, the Olympics are featuring some attention-getting team gear created by famous fashion brands such as Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, and Christian Louboutin. If there’s a particular look you like or a team you want to support, you can buy the same swag online and rock a cool Olympic pose yourself.

We’ve got just over a week to go, with more intriguing examples of Olympic swag and interesting branding stories sure to come out of Rio as the Games continue. They’ll be worth keeping an eye on as you cheer your favorite athletes to victory!

Are you looking for branded promotional items to help your company stand out from the competition? There are a lot of ways branded goods can draw attention for your business. Get in touch with us on Twitter and Facebook or call us at 877-881-6845 and we’ll be glad to advise you on exceptional promotional products that can represent your brand with style and grace.

Boost the Impact of Your Promotional Giveaways at Events

September 25, 2015 Advertisting & Marketing / Branding / Events & Holidays / Promotional Inspirations
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Are you planning to host, sponsor or exhibit at an upcoming event, conference or trade show? If you’re trying to figure out what types of promotional giveaways will have the best impact, you’re not alone. People often reach out to us asking for advice and tips on what types of swag to prepare for their event. Here are three tips for making sure your promotional gifts are both memorable and impactful long after your seminar, company retreat, or expo has wrapped up.

1. Give your event attendees swag that is valuable and helpful

While exciting, conferences can also be very stressful. After standing on your feet all day long and rushing from one breakout session to the next, many participants find themselves in need of a quick snack or even some aspirin to assuage a developing headache. Their smartphones or tablets may also be running low on battery power. You have an opportunity to make their lives a little easier by gifting them a care package complete with a snack, mobile device charger, and some aspirin.

Reusable water bottles are also very popular and they have the added benefit of being eco-friendly. Both the water bottles and mobile device charger, being re-usable, will deliver brand awareness for you long after the conference. The snack and aspirin, while consumable items that will only last for a short while, will still have a beneficial impact. Something appropriate to the location or season, like sunglasses for a summer event in California or a warm hat for a winter trade show in Boston, will also be appreciated. By being helpful to your event attendees, you will ensure that they associate your brand with quality service and thoughtful customer care.

2. Make sure your promotional giveaway is unique, special and memorable

It goes without saying that at a large event, your greatest challenge is to stand out from the crowd. In order to draw attention, you’ll want to be sure that your swag is fun, delightful, entertaining, and memorable. If your brand identity is lighthearted and has a sense of humor, you may choose to feature a funny pop culture reference on a tote bag or notebook. A tasty treat such as a goody bag with personalized chocolate buttons is another great option. Whatever you select, make sure that it is easy for the event attendees to transport (i.e. not heavy – those types of items often land in the trash) and, if it’s intended to be taken home after the event, that it can pass through airport security.

3. Create a demand by offering a desirable branded gift in limited quantities

Some companies choose to invest their budget in a small number of high quality gifts, such as branded Bluetooth speakers or tablet styluses in attractive colors, to be distributed at an event booth or conference table. You can even run a special giveaway to attract additional interest among people passing by. If your event has a strong social media presence, a contest with a desirable prize can get people excited and start talking about your brand on social media too, boosting your brand awareness among the attendees even further.

Curious to know more about how custom branded promotional products can help you stand out at an important event? Reach out to us via Twitter or Facebook or call us at 877-881-6845 and we’ll be happy to chat about how you can make your special event a success!