Branding Ideas℠

Tag: swag

You are currently browsing the Branding Ideas Blog posts tagged: swag

Swag: Dorky and Uncool? Think Again!

September 21, 2016 Branding / Cool / Design / Wearables
No comments

hrc-branded-swagOk, let’s be honest. When you think of promotional items, does the word “cool” come to mind? If the answer is no, you’re probably not alone. Promotional products were not historically seen as hip, trendy, or fashionable, but a lot has changed in recent years. Now swag, once looked at with more than a whiff of disdain, is cool. Even the meaning of the word ‘swag’ has been updated to mean something cool, a unique personal style, or something you approve of.

Not convinced that swag is in style? Here are a few recent developments in the world of branded merch that may change your mind:

  1. Designers and fashionistas are embracing swag. Maybe it’s nostalgia or maybe it’s just a yearning for a return to the graphic design of old, but when it comes to what’s in style, everything old is new again. Designers are embracing old school graphic t-shirts, and major fashion houses are even elevating the humble embroidered patch to haute status.
  2. Campaign swag has gone from dorky to desirable. Those of us who remember the 70s, 80s, and 90s can immediately call to mind the old school, blocky, and decidedly lame graphic design of political campaigns. You didn’t see Carter-Mondale or Reagan-Bush printed on a great fashion t-shirt, much less see the fashion elite wearing them. But now swag has gone upscale: major fashion designers have released gorgeous branded t-shirts promoting Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid. They’re so chic you almost forget they’re campaign merchandise.
  3. Major brands offer items through promotional products sellers. Yes, swag can be covetable—especially when you have major brands like Victorinox, Lacoste, Nike, Kenneth Cole, Isaac Mizrahi, Moleskine Brookstone, MoMA, Umbra, and Alessi offering their own specially branded items through promotional products sellers. This type of co-branding is big right now, and it means your business can offer premier goods that might not have been available in the past.

6f124d9c-8f60-4e17-9bd2-462d2082a67aThe most important take-away to keep in mind is that there are more choices than ever before. Back in the day you might have just been able to offer your customers a not so hip foam can cooler (which, let’s admit it, is ironically cool these days). Now you have a wealth of options to pick from—each with its own unique style and sensibility. At the end of the day, one thing is certain: when it comes to branded and promotional items, this is not your grandparents’ swag!

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.

Campaign Swag at the RNC and DNC

July 22, 2016 Advertisting & Marketing / Branding / Cool / Events & Holidays / Promotional Inspirations
No comments

Bernie Sanders mouse padIt’s convention time! The Republicans have been gathering in Cleveland this week to formally nominate Donald Trump as their candidate for President, and next week the Democrats will officially give their nod to Hillary Clinton in Philadelphia. This has been an unusual campaign season to say the least, and as we’ve talked about before here on the blog, one of the most interesting and unique things about it has been the campaign swag. Promotional branded products are one of the most effective methods that candidates are using to advertise their campaigns, and supporters (or, in some cases, just really clever entrepreneurs with a good sense of humor) are getting in on the act too.

Of course Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” hat is the most iconic and readily recognizable piece of campaign swag out there, but there are others worth mentioning. Here are some of the most intriguing types of swag—or stories about swag—that have gotten our attention as the election has heated up this summer:

  • Make America Great Again spinoffs. One of the most effective things about Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan is that you can spin it off into many different versions. We’re seeing that this week, as the RNC presents a different theme each night (Make America Safe Again, Make America Work Again). Some merchandise sellers are putting an ironic twist on the famous catchphrase with tongue-in-cheek products such as the Make Coffee Great Again coffee mug.
  • Magical Bernie gear. Although Bernie Sanders may be out of the race, his supporters are still buying up plenty of swag—including really fun, kitschy items like a 80s portrait style mouse pad showing Bernie holding a cute cat and a Bernie Sanders Is Magical onesie depicting the Bern riding triumphant atop a unicorn graced by a rainbow. Not to be outdone, 90s girls saying #ImWithHer can make a statement with throwback Hillary scrunchies.
  • Unique, local swag from Philly artists. Conventions such as the RNC and DNC are big opportunities for cities to draw attention to their special attractions and what makes them unique, and Philadelphia is no exception. To welcome the DNC next week, Philly artists have designed a set of exclusive clothing, pins, magnets, and other souvenirs sure to attract visitors to the city of Brotherly Love. This is a nice change of pace from the same-old same-old, ubiquitous Liberty Bell goods you typically see throughout the city.

Whoever you support in this year’s campaign, there’s likely some swag out there with your name on it. Have you seen a piece of swag that has particularly caught your eye lately? Snap a photo of it and share it with us on social at Twitter, Facebook, or @branding_ideas on Instagram! We’re always on the lookout for examples of cool, funky, or interesting swag.

Are you looking for branded promotional items to help your company stand out? 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.

It’s Promotional Products Work! Week!

May 25, 2016 Advertisting & Marketing / Branding / Cool / Events & Holidays / Promotional Inspirations / Wearables
No comments

Promotional Products Work!Did you know it’s Promotional Products Work! Week? It is, and we’ve been celebrating with the industry. Promotional Products Work! is an annual event dedicated to showing how powerful and effective promotional products are in promoting your business. Last week we shared 6 ways promotional products can benefit your business right here on the blog, and this week we are running special social media posts on our Twitter and Facebook profiles to highlight the many ways in which promotional products can make an impact.

So what’s Promotional Products Work! Week all about?

This yearly event is a chance to showcase how well promotional products get the word out about your business, generate customer interest, and create increased opportunities for sales. The promotional products market is booming, too: promotional products advertising is the fourth-fastest growing advertising medium, ranked right after mobile and digital. Here are a few stats that illustrate its popularity and effectiveness:

  1. 8 in 10 people own a promotional product.
    1. Consumers especially like promotional products that are useful, attractive, informative, desirable, and fun.
  2. 88% of people who receive a promotional product remember the advertiser.
    1. That’s incredibly powerful brand recall and a very cost-effective investment.
  3. Promotional products create a favorable view of your company and lead to sales.
    1. 59% of people who received a promotional product had a more favorable view of the company.
    2. 85% of people who received a promotional product did business with the company after receiving the product.
  4. They’re especially popular in the kitchen and workspace.
    1. 91% of people keep promotional products in the kitchen.
    2. 74% keep them in their work area.
    3. 55% hold on to promotional products in their bedroom.
  5. People hold on to promotional products for a long time.
    1. 47% of consumers hold onto the promotional products they’ve received for a year or more.
  6. Wearables and writing instruments are hot.
    1. Wearables and apparel, including t-shirts and hats, get a 41% brand recall.
    2. Writing instruments draw a 35% brand recall.
    3. Drinkware is also quite popular, at 19% brand recall.
    4. Sporting goods (15%) and pocket/purse items (13%) also do well.
Promotional Products Work

Infographic: Promotional Products Work!

Promotional products can really make a difference for your company, creating increased grand recognition, a favorable view of your company, and new business opportunities. If you want to learn more about how promotional products can have an impact, check out this handy infographic or the Promotional Products Work! Week website for more information.

Looking for some expert guidance on which promotional products might be a good fit 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.

5 Terrific Trade Show Giveaways That Will Boost Your Brand

January 12, 2016 Advertisting & Marketing / Branding / Events & Holidays / Promotional Inspirations
No comments
Bluetooth speakers are a popular trade show giveaway item

Bluetooth speakers are a popular trade show giveaway item

Exhibiting at a trade show can be an exciting opportunity for your business to connect with potential customers and clients. But how can you make sure you stay top of mind with them after they’ve left your booth? Promotional giveaways are often a great way to create lasting and effective brand awareness. Here are five ideas for great swag that will boost your brand at these events:

  • Tech gadgets – Particularly if you’re in the tech sector, tech gadgets are always a hot item. USB drives come in handy at conference time, as do power banks, earbuds, and styluses. You could also consider offering a raffle or a contest for a higher-value item, such as Bluetooth speakers.
  • Pens and notebooks – If you’re late for a breakout session but just ran into that potential client or business partner you don’t want to miss, you don’t want to be caught without a pen or a piece of paper for exchanging contact information or taking a quick note. We’ve all been there. That’s why pens and notebooks, while seemingly simple, can make thoughtful and effective gifts.
  • Branded care packages – Trade shows can be exhausting and physically draining. The people who come up to your booth may look like they’re doing fine, but they may be privately grappling with a headache, a rumbling stomach, or a blister from all that walking throughout the exhibitors’ hall. Branded care packages including a little TLC such as water, breath mints, aspirin, snacks, and even band-aids can make a lasting, positive impression.
  • Eco-friendly giveaways – As we all know, trade show attendees get lots of swag—so much so that they can begin to wonder about its impact on the environment. A lot of the most popular trade show swag, including tote bags, notebooks, and even eco-friendly USB drives, are among the many environmentally friendly promotional items you can give away.
  • T-shirts – Long the ubiquitous staple at trade shows, t-shirts are still an enormously popular item for giveaways. They double as free advertising for your company; they get worn on-site during the conference or event, spreading the word about your products and services.

Do you have a trade show on the horizon? We can help advise you on custom branded promotional products that can make a difference for your brand. Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook or call us at 877-881-6845 for creative and innovative branding ideas to help your company stand out and make a great impression.

Boost the Impact of Your Promotional Giveaways at Events

September 25, 2015 Advertisting & Marketing / Branding / Events & Holidays / Promotional Inspirations
No comments

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!

Swag Goes Digital?

March 17, 2011 Technology
No comments

South by Southwest, one of the country’s biggest film and music festivals, wraps up this week in Austin, Texas, and for their 25th year, festival producers have ditched traditional gift bags filled with swag from companies looking to promote their products and brands in favor of “digital gift bags” accessible via an exclusive online social network. The move is an effort to be more eco-conscious and to meet the demand for their ever-growing guest list. We wonder if recipients would prefer “tangible goodies” they can open and hold in their hands, but it certainly reduces physical and financial waste, and we’re all for that!

Read more about SXSW’s digital gift bags here.