March 12, 2008

SXSW 2008: A Lot of Schwag

South by Southwest is probably the biggest independent music conference in the world, with hundreds of bands, thousands of attendees and lots of free stuff. Ever have to put together conference kits? Well, if you feel sorry for yourself, just check out how many goodie bags the folks at SXSW have to put together every year. In addition to the bags that are given out at the conference, there's loads of other stuff given out by bands, record labels and sponsors. For a lot of attendees, the free stuff is a highlight of the event. Or at least something to arrange carefully, photograph and post online, generating additional exposure for the organizations giving it out.

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December 21, 2007

New Order Scarf

Since I work at a promotional products company, I can probably get just about any promo I would want. Except this New Order scarf, which I like almost as much as the Kraftwerk calculator. I definitely love it when a band does promotional merchandise that is a little bit more creative than the standard shirts and hats.

Posted by mark at 8:54 AM. Permalink: New Order Scarf | Comments (0)

November 16, 2007

You Know Those Guitars That Are, Like, Quadruple Guitars?

Not a promotional product, but twice as double as a double guitar, what better way to promote your quad-core processor in Austin, TX?

Posted by mark at 10:43 AM. Permalink: You Know Those Guitars That Are, Like, Quadruple Guitars? | Comments (0)

November 8, 2007

Elvis Fan? Now's Your Chance!

Bill Beeny, curator of the Elvis Is Alive Museum is closing up shop and selling his collection of Elvis memorabilia on eBay. He still believes Elvis is alive, but after 17 years he's ready to turn his museum into a food bank. Amongst the items available in the auction is an open coffin housing an Elvis dummy. According to Mr. Beeny, “It doesn’t look like Elvis, but neither did the guy in the casket.” Read more at the New York Times.

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November 2, 2007

When Being a Fan Means Forever

This actually isn't he first crazy casket we've featured, but it may be the coolest. Or even the cooler-est:

The "KISSｮ Kasket" is completely covered with a specially laminated photomural that features the KISSｮ logo and the images of the band members. The words "KISSｮ Forever" are imprinted on the side of the casket. In addition, "KISSｮ Kasket" can also be used as a Giant KISSｮ Cooler, enabling fans and their friends to enjoy ice-cold sodas and beer served directly from the ice-filled, completely waterproof "KISSｮ Kasket." The "KISSｮ Kasket." is autographed and signed.

According to Gene Simmons: "This is the ultimate KISSｮ collectible. I love livin', but this makes the alternative look pretty damn good."

Posted by mark at 1:14 PM. Permalink: When Being a Fan Means Forever | Comments (0)

October 19, 2007

Matchbox Twenty Releases New Album on USB Bracelet

Matchbox Twenty's new album, Exile on Mainstream is being sold on a promotional usb bracelet. The bracelet version of the album includes extras like a music video, costs $35 and is being sold exclusively at Best Buy. The idea was inspired by a similar venture where Willie Nelson was able to sell concertgoers a recording of that night's show on a bracelet. The band seems excited: "I just think it's neat," says lead singer Rob Thomas. "It's really fun knowing how much is inside that wristband." Very neat, Rob, very neat. And someday perhaps technology will advance to the point where they can release a future album on an actual matchbook. (via USA Today)

Posted by mark at 10:33 AM. Permalink: Matchbox Twenty Releases New Album on USB Bracelet | Comments (0)

October 12, 2007

Flaming Lips Laser Pointer

The Flaming Lips have always been pretty much the coolest band in the world, largely because of the ingenuity of their live show (which has included balloons, giant balloons, fire, Christmas lights, people in fuzzy animal costumes, etc). So, it's no surprise that they created custom laser pointers as a giveaway to enhance their live show. The leftovers were sent out with copies of their recent live DVD UFOs at the Zoo. Which is a good idea, because even if you can download video these days, you still can't download a laser pointer.

Posted by mark at 4:32 PM. Permalink: Flaming Lips Laser Pointer | Comments (0)

April 5, 2007

Burmese Elvis Clock

Who is the Burmese Elvis? I don't know, but he's on this clock! The clock itself is hanging on the wall of a Burmese silk factory according to the person who posted the photo. What's the lesson here? I guess that promotional clocks and Elvis are valued around the world. Also, it looks like Burmese Elvis won some trophies.

Posted by mark at 9:25 AM. Permalink: Burmese Elvis Clock | Comments (0)

June 2, 2006

We Love Free Stuff, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

Accoding to The Desert Sun, Arizona couple Marie Ann and Richard Ashcraft have, over the last 40 years, amassed a collection of more than 2,000 items worth about $100,000, including Beatles lunch boxes, wigs, album covers and even board games. That's a lot of Beatles promos, and they've appreciated in value over the years. One example:

"The pink mini-guitar was sold in 1964 for about $1.29. Today it is worth about $400, but the true treasure is the mini-mini guitar enclosed in a glass frame. The mini-mini guitar was a promotional item offered only to record stores and those in the industry, which makes it worth about $1,500 today."

Posted by mark at 5:12 PM. Permalink: We Love Free Stuff, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah | Comments (0)

May 3, 2006

Chicago Officials Okay with Rock, Not Roll

The alternative rock festival Lollapalooza made a dubious promotional decision and inflamed Chicago officials by handing out promotional rolling papers to journalists at a city-sanctioned press conference where parks officials were to receive a $400,000 donation from last year's concert proceeds to benefit city parks. Distribution of the promos was stopped and the concert promoter apologized for his mistake, saying that the event "very family friendly. . . . This is not what we're about.'' I'm guessing he'll be more careful next time, and it looks like the concert will go on as planned, potentially raising as much as $600,000 for Chicago parks this year. The rolling papers should be available on eBay any minute now.

Posted by mark at 11:33 AM. Permalink: Chicago Officials Okay with Rock, Not Roll | Comments (0)

March 10, 2006

Potters Promo Pillowcase Hits the Sweet Spot

I'm back for the third time with Harry and the Potters merch, if you haven't read it, check out Merch Done Right and Wizards Rock the Promo Toothbrush. This time, I'll explain why this custom pillowcase is a perfect example of hitting the promo sweet spot by combining utility, relevance and novelty.

Utility: A promotional product should have some inherent value, because they are generally seen when they are used.

Relevance: Your target audience is who they are because you share an interest, so relevance means picking something that is relevant to you and the recipient. People read in bed, and they also make their bed a comfortable space (e.g., kids often have sheets with their favorite cartoon personalities). Harry and the Potters and their fans both share a love of the Harry Potter books, so choosing a pillowcase actually creates an environment of relevance: being in bed with my Harry and the Potters pillowcase, reading a Harry Potter book and listening to their cd.

Novelty: By novelty I primarily mean newness, freshness or uniqueness, but weirdness or other notions of novelty work fine, too. The primary principle is that if I've been to a million rock shows (and I have), seeing a unique item is going to have a bigger impact on me than seeing a cd or t-shirt. If you've walked a trade show, you know what I'm talking about.

Kudos once again for some great, creative promos, and go see them play.

Posted by mark at 7:25 AM. Permalink: Potters Promo Pillowcase Hits the Sweet Spot | Comments (0)

March 6, 2006

Wizards Rock the Promo Toothbrush

This is the second part of my analysis of Harry and the Potters merch, if you haven't read it, check out Merch Done Right. Years before I worked in the promotional products industry, my band actually had toothbrushes with our web site on them. It was our bass player's idea. I was glad to see Harry and the Potters promoting dental health with their "Harry and the Potters rock the plaque off!" custom toothbrushes.

I also wanted to point out that by having inexpensive items, like these buttons and toothbrushes, Harry and the Potters have giveaways that may drive sales ("They were nice enough to give me a button, I'll buy their cd."), or generate brand loyalty (If you think of a band as a business, the goal is to attract and retain customers, or grow a fanbase.) that will drive future sales. They're also recognizing, and catering to, a tier of the audience that paid to see them perform, but wasn't ready yet, or didn't have the cash, to buy a cd or t-shirt. Pretty savvy, eh? They are wizards, you know. Harry and the Potters current tour dates here.

Posted by mark at 7:15 AM. Permalink: Wizards Rock the Promo Toothbrush | Comments (0)

March 4, 2006

Merch Done Right: Harry and the Potters

I went to see Harry and the Potters on Friday and they were great, they also had great promotional merchandise, like these t-shirts. They were well-designed and printed on American Apparel shirts. As someone who has been in a band, I know that a good tour shirt can make the difference between losing money on the road and almost breaking even. In particular, I thought the variety was key. My girlfriend bought four shirts, which she wouldn't have done if there was only one design. I'm actually surprised she didn't buy five shirts. In the next few days, I'll post more about how two teenage Harry Potter fans have better promos than most businesses. Also, they're on tour until May and highly recommended, go see 'em!

Posted by mark at 8:24 PM. Permalink: Merch Done Right: Harry and the Potters | Comments (2)

February 26, 2006

Virtual U2 Promotional Merchandise

Although I don't actually play video games, I've been reading a lot about them in the past year or so, particularly the large, multi-player games that are like virtual worlds, complete with their own social structures, political processes and economic markets. Ilya Vedrashko is doing a thesis on advertising in games, and posted this image from a free U2 concert that happened this weekend in Second Life (a video game). It would be interesting to know how much virtual promos and promotional merchandise from real companies impact gamer buying preferences once they're back in the real world.

Posted by mark at 5:47 PM. Permalink: Virtual U2 Promotional Merchandise | Comments (2)

Low Budget Kinks Promo

Promotional ashtrays aren't as popular as they used to be, but neither are The Kinks. This one is presumably from 1979, when they released Low Budget. Personally, I'd love a Village Green Preservation Society gardening set.

Posted by mark at 8:57 AM. Permalink: Low Budget Kinks Promo | Comments (0)

February 18, 2006

Punk Rock Duck

I don't have a whole lot to say about this, except that it's a punk rock rubber ducky that you can custom imprint with your logo. I guess it's also worth noting that it's one of 37 promotional rubber ducks we have on our site. That's what I call selection!

Posted by mark at 10:47 AM. Permalink: Punk Rock Duck | Comments (0)

February 4, 2006

Tiny White Stripes Records

The White Stripes have always been good at self-promotion, and this limited edition record player and set of three-inch records is pretty darn awesome. Jack White puts it this way:

"I just wanted you to know that we are keeping all of our campaign promises to our fans. And we will never forget the promise we made that we will always do our best to provide our true fans with items of merchandise that they can get from no other band and cannot get on the internet, and cannot be used for any practical purposes."

And he's right, it's cool and it satisfies the true fans because it is impractical. It exists purely as a signifier of the relationship between artist and fan and would actually suffer if it did have pratical value to people besides fans. And it looks cool. And it plays tiny records. And tiny records are cool.

Posted by mark at 9:47 AM. Permalink: Tiny White Stripes Records | Comments (0)

January 28, 2006

You Know Those Guitars That Are, Like, Double Guitars?

Well, if someone could somehow fuse these two guitars together, it would be the ultimate double guitar. Look at 'em, they were made to fit together. Until these two guitars are joined together as the ultimate guitar, I'm just going to sit and strum my guitar stress ball while wearing my guitar-shaped compressed t-shirt.

Posted by mark at 10:56 AM. Permalink: You Know Those Guitars That Are, Like, Double Guitars? | Comments (0)

January 23, 2006

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!

There really isn't anything to say about this except: these are buttons...with ABBA on them.

Posted by mark at 8:47 AM. Permalink: Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! | Comments (0)

January 14, 2006

Fantasma Phones

Why would I spend 482 Yen to buy a copy of Fantasma by Cornelius even when I already have a copy and a copy of the remixed version? Because this copy came with Cornelius headphones, that's why. As it says on the case, "Slowly place the stereo earphones in your ears before meals, at bedtime, or as directed by your mother."

Posted by mark at 11:02 AM. Permalink: Fantasma Phones | Comments (0)

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