A time of giving

Well it has been a hectic few months, and with Christmas almost apon us, it is a good time to reflect on the year that has been. Christmas is all about giving, both material and immaterial. But in the world of promotional merchandise it is one of the busiest times of giving of the year.

But with the New Year looming, it is an opportunity to refresh marketing plans and to look at new merchandise. Over January I will be travelling Europe sourcing the latest products for 2011 in the merchandise world. Everything from bean bags to jelly beans, you name it, I will see it. It important to be at the forefront of new merchandise, to ensure that you are sourcing the latest and greatest item, to get the greatest impact. All my clients have online merchandise stores, so it is essential that we update current items with new designs to keep the store fresh, relevant and regain interest from customers. This buying month is key, I keep all my clients in mind, looking for new products to suit their marketing plans for the coming year.

So if you do want me to look out for new ideas for your next project give me a shout.

Merry Christmas everyone and hope you have a prosperous 2011!

What’s the date today?

I have said this before and I will say it again promotional marketing works. A lot of people don’t give ‘swag’ enough credit and it has a bad rep, which is understandable because there is a lot of promotional tat out there that is the derivation of lack of understanding of how merchandise can be effective, laziness and lack of thought. Such as the Spiro paper hat, I am sure it has its place but REALLY! So here is a short blurb on why promotional merchandise is essential to add to your marketing mix. That’s were I come into play. Rather than just sending you a quote, firstly tell me more about what the merchandise is for and who would be using it. Just spit balling a few ideas within your budget can make a world of difference.

• Longevity – rather than a hamper or gift voucher which once used has no lasting impact, branded corporate gift with your logo on it makes an impression on the user throughout the long life time of the product.

• Value for money vs. advertising impact – corporate merchandise has more impressions per £/€ than another medium of marketing. A mug for example makes 5000 impressions on the recipient throughout its lifetime!


• Usefulness – the right choice of product for the desk or home will be used on a regular basis. The best gift is an item that is used on the desk, so that the recipient is reminded of your logo in the decision making time of the working day.

Now as we are leading to the towards the end of the year (where did the year go?) it is important to think about diaries and calendars, as although they are not the latest hot product, they are a key piece of merchandise that gets your brand noticed every single day of the year. I have a daily fact and quote rip off calendar that is from a supplier, which sits prominently on my desk in full view of myself and the rest of the team here. Everyday I look at and read the quote and fact. The impressions their logo makes is at least once a day. When I next need a calendar for a client I immediately think of them! This stuff works!

Calendars are calendars to most people, but there is a calendar we can provide that has the point of difference. It is the personalised calendar. Where an individual person or companies name is integrated within different images each month. Now nobody would throw out a calendar with their name on it! The impact that product has that you took the effort to create something unique and personal for them rather than giving them a bog standard calendar is invaluable? Why not use it as an alternative to a Xmas card this year? Or instead of a Xmas gift? There is still plenty of room to put your logo on the frame of the calendar.

So get personal and get your calendar’s before the year is out!

Light up your desk!

Being around merchandise for several years, little excites you in terms of new product. There are only so many different variations of mugs, so many pens, mouse mats etc, so when you see products that have constant impact on someone’s desk, that are useful and good looking, you light up!

Desk items are the perfect product in terms of your logo. The desk is the Mecca in which decisions are made, who do I award that contract to? Who do I call for that quote? Who do I use for my next marketing event? Right now on my desk, I have a Google mug (always use Google as a search engine), a calendar from a supplier (always use that supplier), this stuff works! Now the biggest hurdle in terms of offering a desk item, is for it to useful enough for someone to warrant it precious space on their desk. If someone gives you a paper pen holder, when you already have a stainless steel one that does everything except make you a coffee, you know which one you are going to keep. So if you are going to spend budget on merchandise, make sure its counts. My favourite simple desk product is a sterling silver photo frame, most people don’t already have one, or if they do wouldn’t mind another one, and it is a great way to have their loved ones on display. But if you are looking for something a little edgier how about these?

PokketMouse

A stylish way to shine a light on your promotion...
Luxury, slim optical mouse with LED's that lights up your logo with a simple touch of the mouse. Ultra thin design for a true promotion with class! Supplied in handy travel pouch.

USB Hub & CardReader Podium

Your logo on stage!
Stylish 3-port hub with multi functional cardreader (ie. MS/Pro Duo, M2, SD/MMC, Micro SD) for optimal branding that will stay on your clients desk. Your logo is illuminated when in use.

SolarSpeaker & MultiCharger

Eco music on the move!
Handy solar powered music speaker and charger for many of your gadget / devices. Great for outdoor activities. An ideal gift for an ECO style promotion!





So imagine the impact of your logo flashing on the decision maker’s desk every time they use the item? Or a fan who uses it daily to show their love for your brand?

You’re in good company!

There are Notebooks and there are Moleskine Notebooks, the Gucci of the notebook world. It is simplistic, sophisticated and absolute perfection.

The simple elegance of a black rectangular notebook, with an elasticated page holder and an expandable pocket has been favoured by some of the greatest artists and thinkers, why wouldn’t you want to associate your brand with such as notebook!

Hemingway, Van Gogh, Chatwin and Picasso are just some of the names that have used these notebooks to put ideas to paper. In Ernest Hemingway's memoir, Moveable Feast, he chronicles Paris in the 1920s just after World War I while spending time writing in various Paris cafés. Hemingway reflects on the quintessential moments ordering a cafe au lait and pulling out his Moleskine notebook and pencil from his pocket to start writing.

Moleskines now come in various shapes and sizes, including city guides, watercolour notebooks, Music Notebooks, Storyboards, diaries, and Passion Notebooks.

Passion Notebooks are a relatively new concept for Moleskine. They have 6 different styles: Book Journal, Music Journal, Recipe Journal, Wellness Journal and lastly but certainly not least a Wine Journal! A great way to express your passions and have a keepsake of all your thoughts and opinions of every topic.

What makes Moleskine so perfect for the promotional market is the front cover of the notebooks are blank, leaving you a clean palette to put your brand on. Many companies are giving these as gifts to clients, and the response is fantastic. Because who would throw out a Moleskine?

1 out of 3 people who receive a promotion at work, use a mug with the company’s logo on it.

I recently read an article from another distributor which said that a Personalised CD case was the latest and greatest merchandise product available. I was confused so immediately checked when the article was written thinking surely it was written 5 years ago, but it was written only last month!

Forgive me but a personalised CD case is not the hottest product on the market, it wasn’t even 2 years ago, the CD case went out of date about the same time the I-pod was launched, and that was 2001. So why would someone try and pitch a product that’s 9 years too late?

There are a lot of products available in the merchandise world, over 750,000 off the shelf products, so you are really spoilt for choice. But how do you differentiate between what is a product that would work for your campaign and what wouldn’t. It all goes back to my first blog, I am not going to try and flog you a pen unless it is really what suits what you are trying to achieve. It is about understanding your objectives and matching the best product to that. So next time you ask for a pen, instead of the usual response you will get from most merchandise companies, which is how many, I will ask you ‘why’?

Here’s an example of how we might tackle one of your objectives. If you are trying to increase employee retention or loyalty, rather than picking a mouse mat from a catalogue, let us look into it a little further. What you won’t know is that 1 out 3 people promoted use a mug with a company logo on it. Another fact is that throughout the lifetime of the mug, the employee will look at the logo 1500 times. So why not give everyone a mug with the company logo and their name on the other side. Nobody would throw something away that had their name on it. Increase the value even more by packaging it in a lovely gift box, an in-expensive way to do so. Its personal, it’s simple, and it has the facts to back it up.

And the craziest thing is that whilst a marketing agency will charge you through the nose for a creative concept, we do it for free. So next time you need a creative angle on merchandise and not just some swag from an online website or paper catalogue, get in touch.

Rock n Roll

Summer holidays are here, and it's time to hit the beach, have a soiree in the park and enjoy the outdoors. You have the food, the picnic blanket, the sunscreen, the umbrellas, but your missing one thing to make a good day out a great one.

The GO ROCK SPEAKERS.

Small enough to fit in your pocket, with a volume that packs a punch. Bring your favourite music everywhere you go with these tiny travel speakers. Extendable bass box technology fills the air with strong, clear sound. The two speakers lock together as shown for easy portability and work with all music players with a 3.5mm audio jack socket. Available in silver, matt black (personal favourite), matt white, metallic blue and red.

All you need is your I-pod/I-pad/Mobile Phone/ MP3 player, plug the GO Rock Speakers in, and you are ready to rock n Roll!

Move your ideas.

A compendium is right up there as one of the most useful types of merchandise, next to mugs and pens. It has an impression rate of around 1500 (1500 views of the item and your branding), from the sales team taking it to their next client meeting to directors using them at annual conferences.

But lets face it, there not that exciting, useful yes, but when was that last time a black compendium caught your eye? Does your brand embossed on a plain black compendium portray the message you are trying to get across about your company?

So finally we have a unique option that will catch your attention. A set of folders in various colours, that are far from boring. Khaki, Ruby Red and Smokey Grey are just some of the colours this stylish folder comes in. They have thought of every feature that would be useful, including a sticky note pads and a detachable business card holder, the design is absolutely timeless.

Not only can you brand the folder itself, but also the pen, the notepad and even the sticky notes. Complementary items, which can be seen here incude mug and notepads to complete the set. To finish off the look the folders come in fantastic packaging, a sleek inidivudal box with the words ‘move your ideas’.

So get excited, and get your hands on this elegant writing accessory.