2 days ago
Description: Custom Wave Table Tent Industry: Hospitality What it was purchased for: A local brewery wanted an eye-catching promotional item to place on tables that would boost their alcohol sale...
Continue Reading4 days ago
We continue our look into marketing collaborations between major brands with a couple of weird ones. But in these cases, weird is good! 1. Sneaker Collab Features Eggo Waffles Sneakerheads wh...
Continue ReadingOct 30
Surf-inspired activewear brands like ROXY(r) are stoked with our YUKON design-fondly known as The Party Cup(tm). It’s double-wall insulated, so it keeps refreshments cool on the beach while...
Continue ReadingOct 6
Recent releases include a tumbler carrier from drinkware juggernaut Stanley, as well as some catchy WNBA gear. 1. Stanley Creates A Bag Just For Quencher Fans Stanley keeps coming up with new...
Continue ReadingSep 17
Item: 8GB Custom USB 2.0 Flash Drive Purpose: Provide information about the school and programs Audience: Students and prospective students A community college was looking for a unique way to...
Continue ReadingSep 11
As top brands seek new exposure, we see more and more co-branding arrangements. In these scenarios, companies that compete in completely different markets find they can help each other bring ne...
Continue ReadingAug 5
Clever merch and promos grab the attention of fans and make lasting impressions, so let’s take a look at a couple of recent successful promotions that got great responses. 1. Broadway's ...
Continue ReadingAug 5
Product: Gel Stress Toy Client: Health Food Store What it was purchased for: As a gift to reward customers for spending over a certain amount. Why it worked: The gel stress toy which, unlike the...
Continue ReadingJul 21
Objective: A university wanted a practical handout to give to prospective students, alumni, and other campus visitors. The handout was intended for first-time visitors and those who hadn't been o...
Continue ReadingJun 29
Item: JAFFA(r) Wave Award Purpose: Welcome gift for incentive winners Audience: Software company sales representatives A software company held a sales incentive contest for reps to win a trip...
Continue ReadingMay 24
Objective: A local bank wanted a way to thank their new customers with a promotional gift item that would have a high-perceived value. Product: Beach Trifold Calendar Personalization: The bank ...
Continue ReadingApr 11
Description: Roll-Up Blanket Industry: Corporate / Fortune 500 What it was purchased for: A reward to employees for good service. How it was distributed: These blankets were mailed to locations ...
Continue ReadingMar 21
Objective: A village needed an easy way to let residents know when there were issues with their water meters. They wanted a faster method of communication than mailing letters, and something more...
Continue ReadingMar 11
Whether it’s peanut butter and jelly or Coach Prime and the Colorado Buffaloes, some combinations make more magic than you’d expect. Find out how clever partnerships have boosted th...
Continue ReadingFeb 5
Vertical Market: Hospitality Product Use: Gift with Enrollment Promotion: An ocean excursion company chose the Igloo(r) Marine Backpack Cooler as a gift with enrollment for customers participatin...
Continue ReadingDec 3, 2023
Drawing inspiration from viral videos, memes and other pop culture moments, these promo items help end users make memories. 1. Oscar Mayer Makes Hot Dog Straws For Real You might re...
Continue ReadingOct 25, 2023
Description: CUSTOM Malibu Sunglasses Industry: Food & Beverage What it was purchased for: The end user wanted to give something away at this year’s Spring Break in Jamaica for an MTV e...
Continue ReadingOct 10, 2023
October is here, and the Halloween pop-up stores are all around. While these types of pop-ups may cost upwards of $30,000, some retailers can run a short pop-up event for around $1,500. When pl...
Continue ReadingSep 25, 2023
Vertical Market: Hospitality Product Use: Employee Appreciation Promotion: A nationally known hotel chain gifted their staff the Everyday Sweet and Savory Gourmet Carry Caddy for Employee Appreci...
Continue ReadingSep 18, 2023
A shopping mall was holding a late-winter promotion to increase traffic during typically slower months. Visitors to the complex received a "passport" to take to different stores within the mall for...
Continue ReadingSep 11, 2023
We’ve never been fond of terms like giveaway or swag. Promotional products serve a lot serve a lot of purposes, and extending the reach of branding is certainly one of them. But when a pr...
Continue ReadingAug 27, 2023
A gym wanted to promote their additional personal training services. The client gave the Compact Aluminum Power Bank 4000 mAh away to new clients who booked an initial consultation with a trainer. ...
Continue ReadingAug 14, 2023
It won’t be long before you start seeing those Halloween pop-up stores in your community. You know the ones – they appear in vacant storefronts, often before the leaves have even ch...
Continue ReadingAug 12, 2023
The Golf Mesh Shoe Bag is an essential accessory for association tournaments. Designed to keep golf shoes organized and protected, this bag is made of durable mesh material that allows for breat...
Continue ReadingJul 14, 2023
This ambulance service is very active in its local community. They use this plush Saint Bernard for children faced with the trauma of when an ambulance is needed. They consider their Saint Bernard ...
Continue ReadingJul 10, 2023
Wearing our favorite food brands has never been easier. Brands are getting more creative, designing products to mimic or represent our favorite snacks. Find out how these buzzworthy products in...
Continue ReadingJun 29, 2023
Market: Finance Product Use: Employee Recognition Promotion: A wealth management firm selected the Samsonite Executive Computer Backpack as an employee recognition gift. At the company’s ...
Continue ReadingJun 12, 2023
Unconventional ideas paired with useful products can make lasting impressions. Though APTCO works mostly with small businesses, we love to see partnerships with national brands. It turns out th...
Continue ReadingJun 7, 2023
When a distillery was launching a new line of spirits, they collaborated with a large chain of liquor stores to promote their new products. The stores gave all employees PrevaGuard(tm) Face Masks i...
Continue ReadingMay 31, 2023
Description: Custom Cap Industry: Trade Show/Convention/Events What it was purchased for: A major national racing event was looking for giveaways to hand out to folks in suites and VIP sponsors. ...
Continue ReadingApr 24, 2023
2 Ball Pillow Pack – Titleist(r) TruFeel for Non-Profit Event When a non-profit had to cancel their annual fundraising dinner due to Coronavirus, a golf course donated their clubhouse patio ...
Continue ReadingApr 17, 2023
Objective: A bakery owner had built solid connections with other service providers within their local event industry, but they were looking to grow their business within the wedding market. Produc...
Continue ReadingApr 3, 2023
A few days ago, former president Donald Trump was indicted by New York grand jury relating to alleged hush money payments to adult entertainer Stormy Daniels. There are, of course, myriad takea...
Continue ReadingApr 2, 2023
Description: Rumba Pen Industry: Automotive What it was purchased for: An automotive supplier wanted to make their name visible in automotive stores around the country. How it was distributed: P...
Continue ReadingMar 19, 2023
Description: Custom Cardboard Virtual Reality v2 Industry: Corporate / Fortune 500 What it was purchased for: A leave behind for Field Marketing Account Managers to help convert business from the...
Continue ReadingMar 12, 2023
Description: Pencil Sharpener Industry: Construction What it was purchased for: A shipyard in a major city harbor has advocates who go out to local schools to promote shipbuilding. These advocate...
Continue ReadingJan 8, 2023
Small businesses take note-this is how the big companies do it. Here are 5 recent promotions that brands used to reflect values, connect with consumers, and create exclusive experiences. 1. Hi...
Continue ReadingJan 7, 2023
Item: WideBody(r) Message Pen Purpose: Inform people about range of services Audience: Clients and general public A chiropractic office wanted to inform clients and others about their range o...
Continue ReadingDec 23, 2022
Description: Oasis Recycled Bottle Pen Industry: Chemicals What it was purchased for: Trade Show Giveaways How it was distributed: A chemical company needed something to give away at a tradeshow...
Continue ReadingNov 15, 2022
Products Javalina(r) Classic Pen Industry Financial Application Direct Mail A local bank wanted to increase awareness of its low mortgage rates and decided to do a direct mailing ...
Continue ReadingNov 8, 2022
Keeping Colds at Bay, One Spritz at a Time Organization High School Product Featured Spray Hand Sanitizer Goal of Promotion To promote good health for the winter season Description of Cas...
Continue ReadingSep 6, 2022
WE LogMeIn is a software provider specializing in remote access, a service that has seen a huge surge in demand since 2020. With around 300 employees, they saw the need to maintain a healthy e...
Continue ReadingAug 18, 2022
In the fall, a car dealership introduced a new model and promoted it to potential customers. The car dealer purchased a mailing list and merged it with its own database. The Ranger Stylus Sati...
Continue ReadingAug 10, 2022
Objective An event organizer wanted consistent branding for everything from their tournament save the dates to golfer giveaways. Products Custom Tri-Fold Calendar, A2 (4-1/4" x 5-1/2") Folded Pr...
Continue ReadingAug 8, 2022
The annual Pyramid Awards sponsored by PPAI (Promotional Products Association International) recognize creative marketing efforts that deliver results. We feature these on occasion to demonstra...
Continue ReadingAug 3, 2022
The “Golden Lanyard” to Boosting Trade Show Booth Traffic Organization: Health Care Organization Product Featured: Cotton Water Bottle Strap Goal of Promotion: Driving Traff...
Continue ReadingJul 27, 2022
In response to the Coronavirus outbreak, a financial institution decided to provide single-use pens in all their locations and for drive thru banking. This idea was intended to help stop the spre...
Continue ReadingJun 20, 2022
A software company creates attention at tradeshow events with custom plush animal mascot giveaways. This plush Leonberger Dog Mascot for the company as giveaways at trade shows and other marketing ...
Continue ReadingMay 29, 2022
A nationwide insurance company shifted their employees out of their field offices to at-home workspaces due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Their HR team was tasked with providing a team appreciation ...
Continue ReadingMay 14, 2022
Clever Meets Subtle: A New Way to Do Cross-Promotions Organization: Department Store Product Featured: Lanyard with Vinyl Pouch Goal of Promotion: Promoting Store Sales Description of Case ...
Continue ReadingMay 7, 2022
When deadlines really matter, we in the promotional products business can do some remarkable things. We have supplier partners lined up to imprint and ship custom branded products for next day ...
Continue ReadingApr 29, 2022
Description: Trifold Calendars Industry: Banking What it was purchased for: A local bank wanted a way to thank their new customers with a promotional gift item that would have a high perceived va...
Continue ReadingMar 15, 2022
Market: Automotive Objective: A motorcycle dealership wanted professional, branded document pouches to hold important paperwork for new customers to take home after their motorcycle purchase. Th...
Continue ReadingFeb 21, 2022
Description: Set of 4 Measuring Cups Industry: Hospitality / Tourism What it was purchased for: A casino in the Milwaukee area wanted to spice up a "normal giveaway" with a theme. They had come t...
Continue ReadingFeb 14, 2022
As part of a newly developed corporate social responsibility initiative, an insurance company instituted an annual “give back” day where employee groups volunteered in their communities...
Continue ReadingJan 31, 2022
Description: Large Boat Tote Industry: Sports / Fitness What it was purchased for: Horse show giveaways How it was distributed: A local horse show needed gifts for their major contributors. A ...
Continue ReadingJan 16, 2022
Product: Phone Stand Industry: Financial What it was purchased for: A local financial institution needed a giveaway item for current and potential clients. It had to be useful to keep their name ...
Continue ReadingDec 24, 2021
Description: Auto Air Vent Magnetic Phone Mount Industry: Technology What it was purchased for: A technology business was looking for a giveaway item that was unique but also fit within their b...
Continue ReadingDec 2, 2021
An insurance company signed up to be the “hydration” sponsor for a fun and colorful 5K run/walk for charity. The race was popular in the community because it was known as a vibrant, fun...
Continue ReadingNov 18, 2021
Objective: Department managers wanted their new employees to have an easy way to take notes during the onboarding process. They wanted to incorporate company branding to keep their image consiste...
Continue ReadingOct 20, 2021
Description: 10 Oz. Aztec Spooner Mug Industry: Advertising / Marketing / Publishing What it was purchased for: A major coupon distributor was looking for a thank you to give out to advertisers...
Continue ReadingOct 6, 2021
Description: Dart Pen Industry: Technology What it was purchased for: A data storage company wanted an item they could put on their company store website in which branches or divisions could purc...
Continue ReadingSep 13, 2021
Simple and efficient, lanyards keep important items close throughout day-to-day activities. In the early 1500s, lanyards were invented as a way to carry weapons and keep them accessible. Lanyar...
Continue ReadingSep 8, 2021
Objective: An insurance company wanted to send new customers home with a special gift and a way to keep their new insurance policy documentation organized. Product: Insurance Document Pouch & Fu...
Continue ReadingAug 10, 2021
Item: JAFFA(r) Scalloped Edge Vase Purpose: Gift vase for use during wedding ceremonies Audience: Engaged couples A church wanted an elegant and useful gift for couples who chose their venue for...
Continue ReadingAug 9, 2021
Medical Practice Promotion a Winner Central Family Medical wanted to accomplish two things: Simultaneously educate their community about common home ailments and how to treat them, and at the ...
Continue ReadingAug 2, 2021
Objective: A large photography studio wanted a better welcome kit for their wedding clients than just a few loose flyers. Product: Mini Horizontal Pocket Folder Personalization: The photography s...
Continue ReadingJul 18, 2021
Description: 16 Oz. Swiggy Stainless Steel Bottle Industry: Non-Profit What it was purchased for: The item was purchased for a youth camping trip. The bottles were meant to hold the water for...
Continue ReadingJul 12, 2021
Personally speaking, I love to learn. That’s not to say I loved every moment of school! But I've always enjoyed learning new things, and that hasn’t changed since school ended. In f...
Continue ReadingJun 5, 2021
Description: Running Belt Fanny Pack Industry: Sports / Fitness What it was purchased for: A nationwide gym chain was looking for an item to give away with the purchase of yearly memberships....
Continue ReadingMay 29, 2021
Item: JAFFA(r) Round Zinc Coaster Purpose: End of year gifts for employees Audience: Insurance firm employees An insurance firm had a particularly prosperous year and wanted to give employees en...
Continue ReadingMay 10, 2021
How Many Sleeves Does Your T-shirt Have? Miller Lite Is Selling One-Sleeved 'Vax Time Tees' to Benefit Restaurant Workers We have beer can antennas for game day, and our Dive Bar candles are ...
Continue ReadingApr 16, 2021
Description: Chenille Blanket Industry: Health Care / Pharmaceutical What it was purchased for: A local hospital needed blankets to hand out to children who were currently patients that they coul...
Continue ReadingApr 12, 2021
We often feature stories about marketing campaigns run by small neighborhood businesses-ones you’ve never met but that might have a lot in common with you. But this time we’ve found...
Continue ReadingApr 1, 2021
Description: Cow Bell Industry: Trade Show / Convention / Events What it was purchased for: A charity marathon coordinator wanted a giveaway that spectators could use to cheer on their runner...
Continue ReadingMar 18, 2021
Description: Plush Big Paw Bear with Shirt Industry: Financial Services / Banking What it was purchased for: A bank chain needed a product for tellers to hand out to new account members. How it ...
Continue ReadingMar 8, 2021
As the saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun. In 1996, after 19 years of working in the printing and promotions business, I decided it was time to own my own company. I remember ...
Continue ReadingMar 3, 2021
A shopping mall was holding a summer promotion to increase traffic during typically slower months. Visitors to the complex were given a “passport” to take to different stores within the...
Continue ReadingFeb 24, 2021
Item: Sport Bottle with Metallic Ring – 28 oz. Purpose: Race day giveaway Audience: Breast cancer survivors and race participants A regional race-Race For America- supporting breast cancer...
Continue ReadingFeb 8, 2021
Every year, PPAI (Promotional Products Association International) recognizes promotional campaigns that have achieved extraordinary results with a Pyramid Award. These span a wide range of cate...
Continue ReadingFeb 3, 2021
Products Javalina Jewel(r) Pen Industry Health & Wellness Spas Application Future Visits A day spa wanted to ensure that its guests always received the royal treatment. To encourage ...
Continue ReadingJan 27, 2021
Objective: The city was celebrating National Public Works Week with a community event. The event provided education for community members, as well as games for entertainment. Event planners wante...
Continue ReadingJan 20, 2021
Description: Spoon Mug Industry: Advertising What it was purchased for: A major coupon distributor was looking for a thank you to give out to advertisers. How it was distributed: The spoon mug...
Continue ReadingJan 13, 2021
A restaurant supply company was planning its annual company picnic for employees and their families. Every year, the company gives employees a nice gift in the $10 range. This year, the company cho...
Continue ReadingJan 11, 2021
Small businesses are the lifeblood of the community. Even though APTCO is a national company, many of our clients are primarily focused on building and maintaining business in their local area....
Continue ReadingDec 1, 2020
Description: Standard Door Hangers Industry: Automotive What it was purchased for: A collision center wanted to increase the number of customer satisfaction survey responses and boost online appo...
Continue ReadingNov 16, 2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic spread, a non-profit healthcare provider needed additional waiting room seating for their clinics and health centers across the state. As a non-profit, they needed an affor...
Continue ReadingNov 1, 2020
Product: Jumbo Cooler Bag Industry: Agriculture What it was purchased for: These bags were given out to participants in a company golf tournament. How it was distributed: All participants receiv...
Continue ReadingAug 28, 2020
Item: Puppies & Kittens Mini Appointment Calendar Client: Pet Food Manufacturer Purpose: Increase pet food sales through goodwill campaign A pet food manufacturer partnered with a nationwide ...
Continue ReadingAug 20, 2020
A large university needed a useful tool to promote its school app to students and faculty because it wanted to use the app to communicate important college news and upcoming events. Since most stud...
Continue ReadingAug 6, 2020
A hotel wanted to promote its amenities to guests in a personable, yet non-intrusive manner. The goal was to encourage guests to utilize hotel amenities instead of going off-site to fulfill their n...
Continue ReadingJul 30, 2020
Item: goingreen(tm) Stapled Appointment Calendar Purpose: Promote awareness of recycling programs and provide recycling information to the community Audience: Residents of the company’s s...
Continue ReadingJul 1, 2020
Market: Entertainment Product Use: Gift With Purchase Promotion: A major theme park chose the Safeguard Security Waist Belt as a gift with purchase for customers who bought season passes. The w...
Continue ReadingMay 4, 2020
Market: Hospitality Objective: With their event scheduled close to Mardi Gras, event planners wanted to provide a themed goodie package for attendees with giveaways from event sponsors. They wan...
Continue ReadingApr 27, 2020
Description: Foldable Chair Industry: Education/Sports What it was purchased for: A high school wanted to purchase an item they could resell to the parents in the spirit shop for fundraising doll...
Continue ReadingApr 13, 2020
Description: Dual Compartment Cooler Bag Industry: Corporate / Fortune 500 What it was purchased for: An annual company picnic for employees and their families. Each year they give their ...
Continue ReadingApr 6, 2020
Description: Hit Sports Pack with Front Zipper Industry: Broadcast Media/Telecommunication What it was purchased for: A cellular provider needed giveaways for an event at a major universi...
Continue ReadingMar 15, 2020
A company with many sales representatives needed an item for their top sales performers. Since their sales staff has both men and women, they needed an item that could be used by either gender....
Continue ReadingMar 10, 2020
Promotional Products are everywhere. Businesses of every size and non-profits of every stripe have them. Problem is, most of them just chose something to “get their name out there.”...
Continue ReadingFeb 29, 2020
Description: Custom Wave Cap Industry: Automotive What it was purchased for: The client was looking for a signature cap that would be unique, high-quality, and something that the recip...
Continue ReadingFeb 11, 2020
Every year, Promotional Products Association International recognizes the most creative promotional marketing campaigns with Pyramid Awards. It’s always fun to look at some examples to se...
Continue ReadingDec 19, 2019
Product: Auto Safety Kit Industry: Banking What it was purchased for: As a gift to anyone who opened a new bank account for over $1,000.00. How it was distributed: The bank was looking for a bra...
Continue ReadingDec 12, 2019
Product: Two-Tone Malibu Sunglasses Industry: Sports What it was purchased for: A major sports team was having difficulty keeping attendance up at weeknight games. They came up with the idea of d...
Continue ReadingDec 10, 2019
These days, any company looking to gain attention through marketing is bound to include social media in its plans. The smart ones don’t stop there. They make sure to combine different cha...
Continue ReadingNov 27, 2019
Objective A local brewery wanted an eye-catching promotional item to place on tables that would boost their alcohol sales and highlight their weekly specials while encouraging enrollment for their...
Continue ReadingNov 20, 2019
Objective A general contracting company was looking for a fun way to provide "before and after" photos to their clients after a remodeling project was complete. Product Double-Sided P...
Continue ReadingNov 6, 2019
A Prom Ticket Keepsake Organization High School Product Featured Neoprene Bracelet Goal of Promotion Issuing prom tickets ...
Continue ReadingSep 10, 2019
In the world of advertising, effectiveness has to be one of the most important metrics. You can talk about exposure all day long, but if the receiver of the advertising doesn’t take some ...
Continue ReadingSep 9, 2019
Organization Tanning Salon Product Featured Polyester Lanyard Goal of Promotion To create new clients for salon Description of Case History A tanning salon wanted a creative way to give ou...
Continue ReadingAug 13, 2019
With today’s hectic pace and the increasing amount of stress we shoulder, it’s no wonder that people are looking for more ways to play. Many of them turn to toys and games that teac...
Continue ReadingJul 9, 2019
Summer means T-shirt season is here. 100% cotton has been the traditional go-to fabric for festivals, walks, and company events of all types. But that is changing. Specialty fabrics and decorat...
Continue ReadingJul 6, 2019
Industry: Hospitality Personalization: A small sandwich shop wanted to increase their business during lunch hour. Their target market was people who worked near their restaurant. Method of Distri...
Continue ReadingMay 14, 2019
We learn a lot each year studying the results of printing and marketing awards, such as the PEAK awards presented by the PSDA (Print Services Distribution Association). The image above has qu...
Continue ReadingApr 26, 2019
A five-star resort that frequently hosts corporate events for Fortune 500 companies wanted to reach out to corporate guests to entice them to return for family vacations. The goal was for the guest...
Continue ReadingApr 19, 2019
Guess the Flavor Lip Balm Organization Health Insurance Organization Product Featured Lip Balm & Lip Balm Sleeve Goal of Promotion Generating positive reinforcement with sales reps ...
Continue ReadingApr 11, 2019
Product: Custom Malibu Sunglasses Industry: Automotive/Banking What it was purchased for: A car company wanted to find a product that would promote their brand at a local college BCS Bowl Games. ...
Continue ReadingApr 9, 2019
We’ve written here before that one of the earliest uses of promotional products was campaign buttons for George Washington. Of course, they’ve been a staple of political campaigns e...
Continue ReadingMar 21, 2019
Description: Mini Flip Pad Jotter Industry: Financial What it was purchased for: An investment firm wanted to promote their new financial blog to their existing customers with a memorable branded...
Continue ReadingMar 14, 2019
Description: 3 Section Lunch Container Industry: Healthcare What it was purchased for: A hospital was looking for a unique lunch packet for nurses, doctors, and anyone else employed at any of the...
Continue ReadingMar 12, 2019
A trend started to emerge recently. Some pretty big corporate giants-like Hugo Boss-started noticing that its young consumers were choosing their branded apparel based on how the logo and desig...
Continue ReadingFeb 27, 2019
Description: Laundry Bag Industry: Financial What it was purchased for: A credit union wanted to target college students and offer them an incentive to open a new account. They chose a design, &l...
Continue ReadingFeb 13, 2019
As part of their new corporate wellness program, the company wanted to stress the importance of healthy nutrition to its employees. Along with literature, discount memberships at a local health clu...
Continue ReadingFeb 6, 2019
Product: Non-Woven Shopper Tote Bag Industry: Bookstore What it was purchased for: A large college bookstore wanted to feature a reusable shopping bag for students. The goal was to get the studen...
Continue ReadingJan 29, 2019
Description Non-Woven Shopper Tote Bag Industry Bookstore What it was purchased for A large Metropolitan Community College Bookstore wanted to feature a reusable shopping bag to the students w...
Continue ReadingJan 22, 2019
Description: Auto Air Vent Magnetic Phone Mount Industry: Technology What it was purchased for: A technology business was looking for a giveaway item that was unique but also fit within their bud...
Continue ReadingDec 18, 2018
Description: Coupon Photo Folder Industry: Hospitality What it was purchased for: A restaurant was looking for a unique way to deliver custom printed coupons to their guests to attract more repea...
Continue ReadingNov 12, 2018
Description: 4" Mini Plush Buddies Frog with Shirt Industry: Education What it was purchased for: A community college was looking for a gift to have at their booth for the upcoming college fairs ...
Continue ReadingJul 10, 2018
You know those car wash fundraiser events school children hold to raise money for a trip or cause? The effort is admirable, but the quality of the wash is questionable, the time it takes is ext...
Continue ReadingJun 1, 2018
Collin Street Bakery, a highly respected Texas-based bakery, had an image problem. It sold fruitcake in a world that makes fun of fruitcakes. “Collin Street Bakery has been shipping to 200 c...
Continue ReadingJun 10, 2017
These walking billboards are everywhere. And they have been for a long time, about 80 years. That is, the promotional variety. Plain T-shirts are older than that, starting as underwear around 1...
Continue ReadingMay 10, 2017
Advertising comes in many forms - radio, television, newspapers, magazines, brochures, and increasingly, online tools such as websites, blogs, and emails. But study after study shows that one o...
Continue ReadingMar 1, 2017
According to the Gallup Organization, 70% of employees just aren’t that into their jobs. Hello? If that isn’t a wake up call, somebody is really sleeping soundly. Disengaged employe...
Continue ReadingJan 7, 2017
Medallion Labs planned to set meetings with qualified prospects during a trade show. Previous shows had been lackluster; no more than 10 prospects had signed up in the previous year. New strateg...
Continue ReadingDec 7, 2016
The much-maligned tree has been subject to a lot of abuse in recent years. All those email footnotes that plead to you to not print the email, the cry of “save a tree!” Meanwhile, the ...
Continue ReadingSep 7, 2016
Breast cancer awareness gets a lot of attention. And rightfully so. There are a lot of people working very hard to ensure that Breast Cancer is a “Top Of Mind” issue. However, there are...
Continue ReadingMay 12, 2016
It's called gamification - turning a business objective into a game. Supposing you have a goal of getting employees more deeply engaged in creative processes that result in product improvements...
Continue ReadingApr 10, 2016
Last month we featured some creative marketing campaigns that received awards from Promotional Products Association International - PPAI. We continue in this issue with some more promotions tha...
Continue ReadingMar 12, 2016
Promotional Products Association International - PPAI - recently awarded the most effective promotional campaigns of the past year. Note: not the coolest products, but the promotions that deliv...
Continue ReadingSep 12, 2015
>Universal Pictures dug deep to promote this past summer's animated Minions movie. The marketing leading up to, and during the release of Minions was an absolute blitz. The creatures were every...
Continue ReadingJul 13, 2015
Garden gnomes, soap dispensers, fedoras and replica championship rings are just a few of the new promotional items MLB teams will give away at ballparks this season. Still, the promo product th...
Continue ReadingMay 14, 2015
Everything from plastic fangs promoting the latest vampire flick to whoopee cushions decorated with the title of an upcoming slapstick comedy has been used in product advertising for motion pic...
Continue ReadingMar 10, 2015
The NBA and NHL seasons are into their second acts, spring training is already here for major league baseball (even if Spring isn’t). Professional sports takes marketing seriously. Those ...
Continue ReadingJan 10, 2015
With the proliferation of email for marketing (yes, including this very newsletter), old fashioned physical mail can have a bigger impact than ever. That is, if it gets attention. Here's an exa...
Continue ReadingAug 10, 2014
Promotional products are everywhere. From screen printed T-shirts to pens to mugs to key tags, company logos are viewed thousands of times per day. But so what? Branded promotional items are a ...
Continue ReadingJul 10, 2014
Nonprofit organizations face many challenges. Their marketing budgets are generally much smaller than those of major corporations. They have to depend on donations rather than sales to generate...
Continue ReadingApr 10, 2014
It's probably a surprise to nobody that surveys rating satisfaction with customer service usually have cable TV providers near the bottom of the list. “Waiting for the cable guy” is...
Continue ReadingMar 12, 2014
With virtually every cell phone, whether smartphone or simple flip phone, having a camera, the “selfie” has become a cultural phenomenon. People are not just taking photos of themse...
Continue ReadingFeb 10, 2014
The recording industry has undergone tremendous changes over the past few years. Gone are the days when artists depended on signing with a major label, who would then handle all the promotion. ...
Continue ReadingNov 12, 2013
KPMG, an audit, tax and advisory services firm, recently developed a brand-boosting marketing campaign. They developed a tagline – “The Right Team” – and recognized that...
Continue ReadingSep 26, 2013
Earlier this month we were talking about what a powerful promotion a bobblehead day could be for major league baseball teams. They've been proven to drive sales in a big way. The NY Yankees pla...
Continue ReadingSep 13, 2013
Regular readers of this newsletter know how we feel about the word giveaway. We believe in promotions but hate giveaways. Though a large portion of our business is in providing branded promotio...
Continue ReadingJul 10, 2013
Payroll managers can be the Rodney Dangerfields of a business. No respect. When everyone's check is perfect, who bothers to thank them? But they're surely going to hear about it when there's an...
Continue ReadingDec 10, 2012
As reported in the NY Times, Coca Cola has expanded their use of branded products. Last week saw the launch of a big new campaign. December has always been a big time for Coke advertising, ever...
Continue ReadingJul 10, 2012
How do human resource professionals motivate employees, boost productivity, and improve customer service? These were some of the questions asked by Promotional Products Association Internationa...
Continue ReadingJun 12, 2012
When it came time to unveil a new promotion, Jack Link’s Beef Jerky turned to Sasquatch. The big furry guy is the brand’s icon. The brand recently unveiled new television commercial...
Continue ReadingMay 8, 2012
The US Postal Service has had to endure hearing the term “snail mail” for over a decade. As internet usage has become mainstream, mail volume has seriously declined to the point tha...
Continue ReadingMar 5, 2012
Well, everyone who works in an office, that is. Paper Mate(r) (who has quite an interest in pens) commissioned a survey of 1000 people from around the US who are full time office workers. Scott Cri...
Continue ReadingFeb 14, 2012
Rising health-care costs have made wellness programs a good deal for companies that invest in them, and now Uncle Sam has stepped in to make it easier to create and fund them. The new Health Ca...
Continue ReadingJan 10, 2012
As we're all in the process of rebooting from a busy holiday season, surely we can appreciate this story. Last Thanksgiving, besides enjoying a big turkey, about 11,000 people took a pledge to ...
Continue ReadingDec 13, 2011
Sports fans will do anything for their teams, right? Marketers tested this theory during last college basketball season by pitting three Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, area colleges against e...
Continue ReadingNov 8, 2011
The State Bar of South Dakota had a problem. The supply of lawyers in rural areas of the state had been dwindling over a period of several years. Law school graduates were more attracted to joi...
Continue ReadingOct 18, 2011
Producers of The Mechanic, an action thriller starring Jason Statham as a hit man, needed a unique promo to stand out amid the din of movie madness bombarding the media and consumers today. The...
Continue ReadingOct 11, 2011
Corporate wellness programs that offer employees rewards can help significantly reduce the cost of health care, according to a new report released a few weeks ago. Data shows that wellness ince...
Continue ReadingJul 19, 2011
Promotional Products Association International (PPAI; ppai.org) the not-for-profit association for more than 8,000 members of the $16 billion promotional products industry, has published studie...
Continue ReadingMay 10, 2011
The wedding of England's Prince William and Catherine Middleton, which practically the whole world knows took place on April 29, has been almost impossible to miss in London for the past few mo...
Continue ReadingApr 12, 2011
Virus. What a word! Loaded. It used to pertain strictly to disease - the human kind. Then we began to think of our computers as living. So we ascribed all sorts of human characteristics to them...
Continue ReadingDec 21, 2010
An unusual product requires an unusual promotion. Culturelle, a company that makes dietary supplements that aid in digestive health and immune-system functioning, was looking to promote its bra...
Continue ReadingNov 16, 2010
Real Estate sales is all about personal branding. This is not to say that a corporate brand isn’t important; it can certainly add some credibility. But it's really about the agent. Susan Si...
Continue ReadingNov 9, 2010
Though politics is on everyone's mind these days, most people try to avoid discussing it in a business situation. And though businesses may be making contributions to campaigns, you won't gener...
Continue ReadingOct 19, 2010
Magazines, like newspapers, have faced a challenging market the past few years. Many have been forced to close as both subscriptions and advertising revenue have declined, while printing costs ha...
Continue ReadingOct 12, 2010
Let's be honest, pens are one of the most over-used promotional products. Who doesn't have a drawer full of neglected pens with somebody's name or logo on them, set aside because they were cheap,...
Continue ReadingSep 14, 2010
Direct mail has been the mainstay marketing solution for many businesses for decades, but it has faced more than its share of challenges in the past few years. The expanding use of online marke...
Continue ReadingAug 17, 2010
Publishers have a tough task trying to get attention for new novels in a crowded and competitive field. Booksellers have so many options to choose from, that even works from well-known authors ...
Continue ReadingJul 20, 2010
Select small businesses in Manhattan and Brooklyn recently received an unexpected gift - a live fern. The fern served as an introduction to The Park Avenue Bank, a local New York City bank that...
Continue ReadingJul 12, 2010
What's the best promotional product to drive home the theme of a marketing campaign or event? It's a never-ending question. The marketing idea is always more important than the product, but when th...
Continue ReadingJun 21, 2010
Companies who use promotional products as part of their marketing campaigns took notice a couple of weeks ago when 12 million Shrek-branded drinking glasses were recalled by McDonald's. The paint...
Continue ReadingJun 15, 2010
After extensive discussions, the planners decided on the theme, “Love Versus Cancer,” and launched an accompanying Web site (www.loveversuscancer.org) at the beginning of February. ...
Continue ReadingJun 8, 2010
Do you ever wonder where company names come from? Sometimes multi-million dollar consulting contracts are involved, but sometimes it's just a whim! Regardless, they can have a major impact on p...
Continue ReadingMay 18, 2010
When you're one of many technical support services looking to stand out at industry events, it helps to be colorful. PlumChoice has recognized this simple fact and chosen to firmly embrace its ...
Continue ReadingMay 11, 2010
Colorado residents rank as the nation's leanest, and they're not resting on their laurels. “The fact that nearly 19% of adults in our state are obese is cause for concern,” says Mar...
Continue ReadingApr 20, 2010
There can be a certain stigma attached to attending a community college. That's why Onondaga Community College (OCC) decided not only to revamp the image of its educational institution, but als...
Continue ReadingApr 13, 2010
There's no replacement for real-world experience. 10 years ago, startup beverage brand SoBe made the right marketing choices, and the result was the acquisition by PepsiCo for about $370 millio...
Continue ReadingMar 9, 2010
If you were visiting Chicago last summer and you thought you saw a giant owl, you weren't hallucinating. You likely saw Ollie, the TripAdvisor mascot. The owl and a TripAdvisor street team targ...
Continue ReadingJan 12, 2010
This summer, Jones Soda proudly proclaimed that it was “the official soda of the road trip.” To prove it, the premium soda brand teamed with Griffin Technology to reward people for ...
Continue ReadingSep 15, 2009
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion needed to increase event media coverage and ticket sales. Traditional print and radio advertising had proven to be very expensive in past seasons. They knew ...
Continue ReadingSep 8, 2009
With Breast Cancer Awareness month coming up soon, Mott's got a head start this summer with a well-thought-out campaign to raise awareness. They chose a theme to prove they are “Pink to t...
Continue ReadingAug 18, 2009
International Dairy Queen may be onto something. The fast food chain, which specializes in frozen treats, recently used a promotional product to “bribe” bloggers to write about its ...
Continue ReadingAug 11, 2009
Anybody can give away pens, key chains, and T-shirts at a trade show. But it's how you use these products to interact - and even play - with show attendees that makes them linger in your booth ...
Continue ReadingJul 21, 2009
High-tech company Integrated Chipware was looking forward to a trade show to introduce their new icWORKSHOP product. The target audience consisted of programmers and engineers. Since this was i...
Continue ReadingJul 14, 2009
We get lots of phone calls from companies looking for products to give to customers, prospects, or even employees in an effort to market themselves. Many of them already have an idea what they ...
Continue ReadingMay 19, 2009
Earlier this year, select reporters, bloggers and key “influencers” received a mysterious box in the mail. In it was a single metal cog engraved with a series of letters and numeral...
Continue ReadingDec 16, 2008
On-the-job training is an essential part of business, but what about on-the-job marketing? It works for creative-staffing firm The Boss Group. The company makes sure to provide the talent it pl...
Continue ReadingNov 18, 2008
Dragon boat racing originated as an ancient Chinese ritual intended to win the good graces of river dragons. Today, it’s a widely growing sport, reminiscent of crew – and at least o...
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For the up-and-coming frozen treats company Dippin' Dots, its movie tie-in with New Line Cinema's Journey to the Center of the Earth was a big deal. To get the most out of its first-ever movie ...
Continue ReadingOct 21, 2008
Convenience store chain 7-Eleven was looking to get consumers to “walk this way” right into its stores with its May Guitar Hero: Aerosmith promotion. To promote the debut of its Ful...
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Monroe Shocks and Struts has a message for all of the animal lovers of the world: “Replacing worn ride control components could improve vehicle steering, stopping and stability – an...
Continue ReadingSep 16, 2008
How does a wildly successful sales consultant and author of a New York Times bestseller (The Ultimate Sales Machine) promote himself to his top prospects? With promotional products, of course. ...
Continue ReadingSep 9, 2008
It is frightening when cracks suddenly appear in the cement in and around your home. The first thought is “Uh-oh, this is going to cost me a small fortune to fix.” There’s not...
Continue ReadingAug 19, 2008
When marketing a fitness center, the first promo items that come to mind are probably exercise-related: sports bottles, gym bags, bottled water, etc. But June Hines, of June Hines Pilates, figu...
Continue ReadingAug 12, 2008
How does a smaller restaurant chain compete locally with the huge international franchises? One way is to take an established idea – kids’ premiums – and give it a local twist...
Continue ReadingJul 8, 2008
Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP’s practice in environmental law goes back to “the dawning of the Age of Aquarius” (the late 1960s, that is). After decades of serving client ...
Continue ReadingJun 10, 2008
Upfront gifts from non-profits to prospective donors are nothing new, but they’re usually low-cost items like address labels, greeting cards and notepads. Not so with a recent mailing fro...
Continue ReadingMay 20, 2008
No, they weren’t cooking up brontosaurus burgers at Chicago’s John Hancock Center on March 7. Rather, it was a giant bratwurst. Johnsonville Sausages set up a 30-foot grill, above w...
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With so many important issues to address and so much need in the world, non-profit organizations are faced with a daunting proposition: How do they generate public awareness for their cause; an...
Continue ReadingMar 18, 2008
Season tickets carry no small price tag, so the Colorado Rockies Baseball Club wanted to do something special to show appreciation to these valued fans. Season ticket holders received a complet...
Continue ReadingMar 11, 2008
You know the cliché “yeah, the day pigs fly.” You've probably even used it yourself at one point or another. Well, Capital One is taking the term literally. In November, Cap...
Continue ReadingFeb 19, 2008
Cotton Inc. exists to promote the cotton industry, through technical services, information, and market trend analysis. It sought to create awareness and increase the use of cotton fabric produc...
Continue ReadingFeb 12, 2008
At Massey Energy's 15 different coal mining sites, safety is a moment-by-moment concern. A recent campaign had the objectives of increasing awareness of safety habits in the workplace, improvin...
Continue ReadingJan 15, 2008
TeleVox Software sought to generate interest in a product for orthodontists during the introduction of a national tradeshow and drive attendees to the tradeshow booth. Software products have a ...
Continue ReadingJan 8, 2008
Borax is an old brand, 115 years old, to be exact. Like many veteran brands, its consumer base tends to be, well, a bit older. To draw in a younger generation of women who were unfamiliar with ...
Continue ReadingDec 18, 2007
NewsU is a nonprofit entity that provides online training for journalists and journalism students. It sought to create awareness of News University and extend the reach of the organization. Th...
Continue ReadingDec 11, 2007
The first three hours after an abduction are the most critical in recovery efforts. This statistic was the driving force behind the creation of the AMBER alerts program, an early response syste...
Continue ReadingNov 20, 2007
Whether it is a bank, a credit union, an investment firm, or a credit card company, financial institutions have one major thing in common: they all want to tap into the middle school, high scho...
Continue ReadingNov 20, 2007
Nike employs factory workers around the world. Without enough workers on the line, production must shut down, which can cost the company tens of thousands of dollars per occurrence. Every manuf...
Continue ReadingNov 13, 2007
The Arizona Department of Health Services wanted to generate community awareness of the risks of second-hand smoke, particularly as it affects children. The campaign, first introduced with TV ...
Continue ReadingOct 9, 2007
“Family values” is one of the most common phrases you'll hear in the typical politician's repertoire. The last thing a candidate or elected official wants is to be associated with a...
Continue ReadingSep 18, 2007
When you have a mascot as memorable as Queenie the Cow, you want to milk her for all she's worth. Penn Maid Dairy in Philadelphia does that by taking its message to local schools. Queenie and o...
Continue ReadingAug 21, 2007
Canadian clothing company Roots wouldn't live up to it's name if it wasn't committed to Earth's wellbeing. “Dating back to the inception of Roots, the company has always been active in va...
Continue ReadingAug 14, 2007
Philly Cheese Steak Pizza versus Brooklyn Style Pizza: Which one's the better pie, and why? That's the buzz behind Domino's latest national product promotion, which brought the two regionally ...
Continue ReadingJul 17, 2007
The ancient Greek goddess Gaia is a personification of the earth, and Napa Valley's Gaia Hotel and Spa is named after her for a good reason. Billed as “the first fully environmentally sus...
Continue ReadingJul 10, 2007
Summer is here. Marketers who incorporate a summer theme into their programs started long ago to develop their programs. Abbott Laboratories was about to unveil a new “Get Healthy for Sum...
Continue ReadingJun 12, 2007
Can two words sum up what a hospital and its staff are all about? Sure, when they're backed up by a huge marketing program like the Hello Life campaign launched by Brookwood Medical Center in B...
Continue ReadingMay 15, 2007
In an age where an abundance of home entertainment turns many people into couch potatoes, movie theaters are eager to reach out to those willing to leave the house for entertainment. Figuring t...
Continue ReadingApr 10, 2007
Promoting a line of pre-cast concrete school buildings may seem like a non-glamorous task, but that only made this lively, creative campaign that much more of a surprise and a success. Fibrebo...
Continue ReadingJan 16, 2007
Loctite Sumo Glue is a new, heavy-duty, universal glue with a name that emphasizes its bonding strength. Realizing the the sumo wrestler image is a powerful one, maker Hekel Consumer Adhesives ...
Continue ReadingNov 14, 2006
Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions. When they do a promotion, they do it big-time. For example, for the home opener for the Carolina Panthers NFL season this y...
Continue ReadingOct 17, 2006
The St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership was formed in 1995 to raise awareness of air-quality issues and to encourage people in the area to help reduce air pollution. Each summer - typicall...
Continue ReadingOct 10, 2006
The signs were everywhere: billboards, newspapers, even posters on the subway. To promote its new “no ATM fees at any bank anywhere” policy, TD Banknorth kicked off a multi-tiered c...
Continue ReadingAug 8, 2006
For the launch of its UltraSteel construction framing product, manufacturer Clark Western was preparing for an industry trade show and wanted something more attention-grabbing than literature t...
Continue ReadingJul 18, 2006
When Seattle-based Starbucks Coffee wanted to increase awareness of the Starbucks Holiday Red Cup, it took its campaign to the streets. “We designed replicas of the vente coffee cups,&rdquo...
Continue ReadingJul 11, 2006
A hugely successful campaign done for an auto insurance company was targeted at the Hispanic population in Southern California. Guerilla marketing techniques were used in a three-month marketin...
Continue ReadingJun 20, 2006
In the two years since its launch, Virginia Beach's Live the Life campaign has won 67 national marketing and travel-and-tourism awards. And there are other numbers indicating how effective it is...
Continue ReadingJun 13, 2006
When The Quigley Corporation - the makers of Cold-Eeze products like KidzEeze sore throat pops and bubble gum - wanted to target the parents of young children for a recent marketing effort, it ...
Continue ReadingMay 16, 2006
Hot-tub dealer Paradise Spas was looking for a way to build traffic for their booth at an upcoming home show. They wanted to use an affordable gift, but had several stipulations for it: Ideally...
Continue ReadingMay 9, 2006
The decline in film use and increasing popularity of online digital photo-processing meant plummeting sales for the photo department of Walgreens. The large drugstore chain needed a way to draw...
Continue ReadingApr 18, 2006
April 10, 2006 - Trevose, PA - The Advertising Specialty Institute(r) (ASI) released results of its annual promotional products industry sales analysis, indicating revenues jumped 5.1 percent f...
Continue ReadingApr 11, 2006
The Cleveland Museum of natural history is a world-class destination for visitors and researchers. For nearly a century it has served as an outstanding resource for public education and environ...
Continue ReadingMar 21, 2006
No matter what business you're in, it's a good idea to think about branding. Whether you operate a medical practice, a construction company, or a food distributor, you should be thinking about ...
Continue ReadingMar 14, 2006
With so many important issues to address and so much need in the world, non-profit organizations are faced with a daunting proposition: How do they generate public awareness for their cause; an...
Continue ReadingFeb 14, 2006
Life Pointe Christian Church, in Charlotte, NC, was nearing completion of its new church and needed to make its presence known because this wasn't just a new building, it was the opening of a n...
Continue ReadingDec 20, 2005
What do the phrases “Run Your Own Race” and “Don't Cry Til’ You Get to the Car” have in common? They're both albums by Mulberry Lane, a Nebraska-born pop group mad...
Continue ReadingNov 15, 2005
Every week dozens of movie titles are released for the home-viewing market on DVD. So, a non-blockbuster new release has to get creative in its marketing efforts to stand out from the crowd. W...
Continue ReadingNov 8, 2005
The National Basketball Association, which recently adopted a more formal dress code, and got a lot of press coverage in the process, is not the only organization requiring more professional dr...
Continue ReadingOct 11, 2005
Can bobbleheads attract new members to an organization? That's what The Association Forum of Chicagoland (AFC), an association of over 1,500 businesses, charities, civic and professional organi...
Continue ReadingSep 20, 2005
This summer, the Pennsylvania/New Jersey regional branch of the American Red Cross invited people to get their kicks on Route 56. Huh? That's the name of the summer blood drive campaign just c...
Continue ReadingSep 15, 2005
In a recent case study, a business owner sent personalized pizza cutters in custom-made boxes to a dozen key decision-makers that he wanted to get appointments with. The boxes, which contained ...
Continue ReadingJun 22, 2019
The NY Yankees wanted to create special commemorative bottles to celebrate Derek Jeter’s accomplishments at Yankee Stadium. They chose 150 magnum-sized (1.5L) bottles with a special logo and ...
Continue ReadingJun 8, 2019
Objective A children's hospital wanted to send a thank you gift package to donors. They wanted patients to be able to add a personalized touch to the gift to connect donors better to the cause. P...
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