Promotional Products & Marketing Blog

Somebody once said, “A father is someone who carries pictures in his wallet where his money used to be.”

We think that’s a pretty accurate statement. So when June 17 (a.k.a. Father’s Day) rolls around, it’s only fair that dads get a little payback—perhaps with a really cool logoed gift.

Custom promotional products, from logoed leather wallets to promotional cooler bags for beer, are a great way to show appreciation to dads while still promoting your brand.

Consider this: There are an estimated 67.8 million fathers across the nation. Father’s Day is your opportunity to roll out the red carpet for dads, and present them with a meaningful promotional gift.

We’ve pinpointed some top picks for Pop that are sure to brighten his day while keeping your logo front and center.

• For golfers… A logoed golf gift set is perfect for tee time. This one includes custom coordinated Pro-Flite® logoed golf balls, five tees, two ball markers and a divot repair tool. Imprint each item with your logo.
• For grill masters… A custom barbecue set lets Dad prove he’s king of the grill. Twelve essential barbecue tools are tucked inside a stylish aluminum case boasting your logo on the lid.
• For sports enthusiasts… This promotional chair is a game-day must-have, featuring an adjustable foot rest and two cup holders. Dads can also take it tailgating.
• For the style savvy… Dads are well-dressed in this custom Nike polo shirt. Engineered with Dri-FIT technology, it keeps dads cool whether they’re on the green or running errands with the kids.
• For foodies… A logoed food gift is something all dads crave. This custom gift box gets the party started with a feast of promo snacks including cheddar cheese, summer sausage, chocolate-covered almonds and more.
• For handy-man types… Jaws will drop when dads see this promotional tool kit. It’s packed with 196 tools perfect for tackling any repair or household project. Your logo gets prime exposure on the front of the case.

Promo know-how tip: In addition to custom Father’s Day gifts, consider hosting an in-store Father’s Day bash or offering dad-exclusive specials. These are great ways to celebrate the occasion, and you’ll be seen as a brand that cares.

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When companies or individuals invest in promotional products, they want their message to be seen by the masses; they don’t want their logoed items to be discarded or forgotten.

While every promotional item serves a valiant purpose, products that have these three characteristics are the ones that stick around for the long haul.

For a promotion with staying power, choose promotional items that are …

• High-quality. You don’t want your logoed product crumpling in the hands of consumers. It wouldn’t thrill them very much, and it wouldn’t exactly do wonders for your brand. Always opt for well-made, durable promotional products.
• Functional. If people have a use for it, they’ll keep it around, whether it’s a logoed bag or a promotional travel mug. Consider the lifestyle of your target audience, and select custom products that will mesh right in with their everyday tasks.
• Appealing.  Logoed products have to look good if you want recipients to wear them, use them and display them. Design, color, materials and logo placement all matter, so don’t skimp or overlook the details.

Promo know-how tip: Not all promotional products are destined to stick around for years—that’s simply not their purpose. But if that’s what you have in mind for your next promotion, you know what characteristics to look for.

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It’s no doubt some Americans have gotten lackadaisical about their fitness—more than one-third of U.S. adults are obese, according to the CDC.

Nike is determined to do something about it. The company unveiled a clever way to get folks moving by giving them no other option—it removed actual seat bottoms from park benches and customized the backs with the Nike Run logo.

It’s an effective, can’t-miss way to promote health and fitness, while still promoting the Nike brand.

If snatching seat bottoms from park benches isn’t your thing, spread your message of health and wellness with promotional products.

Promo know-how tip: Logoed athletic apparel, workout gear, water bottles and more are useful to recipients at the gym or on a jog, and they show your brand’s commitment to health and fitness.

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We love spotting promotional products in use, so we got all paparazzi on this fellow today in New York City.

Check out his logoed backpack and hat—they’re branded with the Smithfield Foods logo and #43 for Smithfield’s sponsorship of NASCAR’s #43 Ford Fusion.

Either this guy loves spiral-sliced ham and the Sprint Cup Series, or he’s a Smithfield staffer who’s proud to show off his company’s brand.

We’re thinking it’s the latter.

That’s the power of promotional products—you don’t have to sponsor a NASCAR driver to get your employees or customers excited about your brand. If you really want to rev up your branding, high-quality, attractive and functional promotional products are the way to do it.

Promo know-how tip: Explore beyond traditional office items for your employees, as Smithfield has done with this sporty Nike backpack and cap. Think about it like this: You want the recipient to be proud to use or wear your logoed gift, so give ‘em something good.

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You know how to get your body ready for the beach: eat right, squeeze in some exercise and nab the perfect swimwear.

But what about your promotions—are they ready for beach season? Consider this: About 75 million Americans are heading to the beach this summer. These sun-seekers represent a gigantic, sunscreen-slathered market to get your message across.

Beach resorts, travel agencies and cruise lines have a prime opportunity for giving guests logoed beach items, but they’re not the only ones. Any business can benefit by giving their customers promotional beach items they can use while playing or relaxing in the sun.

Memorial Day is the kickoff to summer, which means beach season is drawing near. Try these 10 beach products to add a little surf, sand and sun to your next promotion.

1. Beach balls. Take an unexpected route and use these for company picnics, birthday parties or concerts.
2. Beach mats. Make sure to find one that’s water- and sand-resistant to keep your logo vibrant.
3. Beach towels. Logos pop against a crisp, white background, but tropical colors are irresistibly fun for beach towels.
4. SPF lip balm. Protect your customers’ kissers with promotional SPF lip balm in an array of tantalizing flavors.
5. Beach bag. Help beachgoers corral their logoed beach items with a promotional beach bag. Multiple pockets are ideal, especially ones sized for water bottles.
6. Sunglasses. Hop on the aviator sunglasses trend for a promotional gift your customers can use in any season.
7. Beach buckets and toys. Promote your brand and playtime with logoed items for kids. Many beach toys double as bath toys, so you get twice the exposure with parents.
8. Sunsceen. Look for promotional sunscreen with a carabiner clip for easy attachment to a beach bag or tote.
9. Water bottles. Promote hydration with a logoed water bottle. Try packing some promotional sunscreen or lip balm inside for an easy beach kit.
10. Coolers. Wheeled coolers are best for shuttling drinks from the car to the coastline.

Promo know-how tip: Logoed beach items are fun, useful and perfectly on time for the summer season. Score some sizzle with our hot summer specials happening now!

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It’s officially graduation season, and we have the perfect promotional gifts for the bright-eyed Class of 2012—all 3.1 million high-school grads and 1.5 million college grads. So while chancellors are preparing commencement addresses and seniors are pulling out their caps and gowns, now’s your chance to make a lasting impression with a logoed gift. Four grad-perfect ideas:

Picture frames. Help new grads spruce up an office space with a promotional picture frame. Made of highly polished aluminum, this stylish photo frame is designed with debossed stripes and a black felt backing.

iPad sleeves. We love the fresh, funky patterns of this logoed neoprene sleeve from BUILT. It’s ideal for college freshmen to safely tote their iPad around campus, and there’s even an interior zip pocket for keys or a charger. A bonus: It’s checkpoint friendly when they fly home to see Mom and Dad.

Leather padfolios. New grads can make a polished entrance into the working world with a custom leather padfolio. This style boasts a suede lining, an interior pocket, a slot for business cards and a pen loop. Make it even snazzier by including a customized pen.

Desk sets. New recruits are on the fast track to the C-suite with this uber-classy promotional pen and custom mouse gift set. Fashioned from top-quality leather, the mouse pad provides comfort for the wrist, and the pen features brushed nickel hardware and underplating for a crisp, professional look.

Promo know-how tip: Consider the next step for graduates—are they entering the workforce? Continuing their education? Choose a promotional item that’s worthy of the occasion, but that will also be useful in their next endeavor.

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How do you take your vodka? How about in a promotional water bottle? It’s an unconventional idea, but it’s one that’s getting KRU 82 vodka some serious attention on the shelves.

One liquor outlet in the New York metro area reported that 80 percent of customers wanted to try KRU 82; a normal taste test only attracts about 30 percent of customers. The liquor outlet sold 20 cases in a matter of days. The owner says the packaging is the reason for the swift sales.

With a thick, black strap and a convenient carabiner, the KRU 82 bottle conveys style and outdoorsy appeal. Hikers can pack some glasses and vermouth in their backpacks, and voila: martinis on the slopes.

Or not. It’s just nice to have the option.

This packaging also appeals to the green crowd. It’s 100-percent BPA-free and shatterproof, so users can refill and reuse.

KRU 82 stands out from other vodkas because of its distinctive packaging. So we say: Ditch the proverbial bottle. Dare to mix it up with your packaging.

Promo know-how tip: Presentation matters. Polish your campaign with the right packaging, whether it’s a promotional jute bag or a logoed gift box.

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At this week’s Jazz Fest in New Orleans, you won’t just find Cajun cooking and soulful beats—you’ll also spot a menagerie of promotional apparel and promotional items.

Festival goers can snag BayouWear®—including aprons, skirts and shirts—as a colorful keepsake from the event.

They can also get their hands on promotional items such as 2012 Jazz Fest posters and vintage posters from past events.

Sure, these promotional gifts help re-enforce the Jazz Fest brand, but they’re also coveted collectibles. Promotional items bring the experience full circle by providing attendees with a tangible reminder of good times. These products make patrons want to return year after year to get the latest collectibles, and they help form an emotional tie to the event.

The Jazz Fest brand gets seen and remembered long after the last trumpet solo—and it’s all thanks to some well-chosen promotional products.

Oh, and some mighty fine po-boys.

Promo know-how tip: Promotional apparel isn’t just for attendees; remember to include event staff. They’re your brand ambassadors, so they need a spiffy, unified look with promotional shirts, vests, hats or aprons.

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Want to give your clients something fresh, creative, and unique? These promotional items are brand spanking new and ready to go to work for your brand!

There are lot of custom water bottles out there, but there aren’t many as classy and elegant as this new glass logo water bottle. For high-end campaigns or high-end customers, these stylish bottles are a head-turning choice that will make your clients say “wow!” Each bottle comes with a matching protective silicone sleeve to ensure a long lifetime of use.

This new Smilin’ Mood Dude Stress Ball is an example of what happens when you combine a few great ideas into one product. In this case we’ve got the popular Mood Dude™ brand, a stress ball, and color-changing mood material. The end result is an addictive desk toy that people won’t be able to put down! Great for reducing tension and stress in the workplace.

Just in time for summer, this custom cooler bag is set to revolutionize insulated cooler bag design! Instead of just packing your bag with ice and cramming drinks in, this bag has special icepack pockets for each can. The bag also features a secure zippered closure that will help keep your beverages ice cold for hours!

But wait, there’s more! To browse more new promos, check out our Hot & New collection!

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In a market packed with competition, your business needs to do everything it can to stand apart from the crowd. Promotional products already help to achieve this by engaging people’s senses with a tangible product. Now, you can give your promotions an even bigger boost by engaging another sense – smell!

According to Dr. Andrew Weil, “Scents have an uncanny ability to trigger memories because they are the only sense that directly connects to the part of the brain that stores emotional memories.” What if your business could combine the impact of a tangible product with the emotional power of scent?

The good news is you can! Using scented promotional products is a powerful and unique way to improve brand recognition and recall. This strategy works even better if your business or tagline can be tied to a relevant scent (eg: a donut-scented pen for a bakery, a coffee scented pen for a company promising a ‘boost’ in sales, or a watermelon scent for a summer promotion.)

Your company can start taking advantage of scented promos right away with customized Snifty pens, a wildly popular retail brand that until now was not available for business use! Snifty pens come in 9 delicious scents including watermelon, fruit punch, caramel, chocolate chip, strawberry, and more. These aromatic advertising tools are made with eco-friendly materials, and their intoxicating smells can last for more than a year. Best of all, at prices as low as $0.75 each, they won’t break your budget. Grab some today and smell em for yourself!

And remember, these pens are exclusively distributed by ePromos, so don’t go looking anywhere else!

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