April 7, 2008

Bear Market: Classy Note Holder

When Bear Stearns went under, my natural tendency was to poke fun at them. But on the flip side, they did do some nice promotional gifts. Here's one that's up for sale an eBay, a nice desktop note holder from Cutter & Buck. When you're targeting high net worth investors, you'd better make sure your business gifts are desktop-worthy.

Posted by mark at 10:03 AM. Permalink: Bear Market: Classy Note Holder | Comments (0)

March 18, 2008

Adobe New Hire Gift

Here's a great new hire gift from Adobe that includes a fleece blanket and a customized notebook. It's actually very similar to a new hire gift we did for Earthlink. With new hire turnover being a huge cost for employers, even the cost of a really nice new hire gift is just a drop in the bucket compared to losing a great hire.

Posted by mark at 6:48 AM. Permalink: Adobe New Hire Gift | Comments (0)

February 29, 2008

Sun Microsystems New Hire Kit

A very happy new hire at Sun Microsystems posted some photos of the welcome kit he got on flickr. In many ways, the kit is very similar to one we did for Earthlink. In particular, it was sent to the new hire at their home, before they started work. If you're going to do a new hire kit, why not go the extra mile and make them feel great about their career choice BEFORE they have a chance to be apprehensive about their first day! As any good new hire welcome gift should, the kit had a personal message about the values of the company. Here's what the recipient had to say about the kit:

A nice gesture - I really liked this welcome card. "Sun has a unique culture and flexible work environment where you can learn, grow your career, work on cool projects, and balance your personal and professional life."

The small paper sheet inside is interesting - the Sun logo is embossed in it: "This paper is handmade with 100% biodegradable and recycled fibers. When you wet it and plant it in soil, it will grow lavender flowers."

Would you like your new hires to feel that way when they come in to the office on their first day? I hope so.

Posted by mark at 9:25 AM. Permalink: Sun Microsystems New Hire Kit | Comments (0)

January 14, 2008

Lexus Uses Gifts as a Part of Excellent Customer Service

I just received a marketing letter with a couple great examples of how Lexus created brand loyalty by offering superior customer service, and actually delivering on their stated goal of "treating each customer as we would a guest in our home." In one example, a promotional gift added to the overall experience:

"Shortly after launching the inaugural LS 400 sedan nearly 20 years ago, Lexus discovered that about 3,000 cars had minor technical problems. The company responded by sending small teams of executives to visit each customer at home. They apologized in person and offered a gift while a Lexus technician resolved the mechanical glitches right there in the customer's driveway."

Posted by mark at 10:16 AM. Permalink: Lexus Uses Gifts as a Part of Excellent Customer Service | Comments (0)

December 21, 2007

Google Gift 2007: A Little Video (Camera) for Everyone

We've featured previous Google Christmas gifts on the blog and now, thanks to Shimon Sandler, we've got some footage of this year's gift, a Flip Video Camera featuring the Google logo. For one thing, it's a great way to get more content on YouTube. After all, they did spend $1.65 Billion to acquire it. For your reference, previous gifts included: a digital photo frame, a USB travel kit and a color-changing mood radio.

Posted by mark at 3:56 PM. Permalink: Google Gift 2007: A Little Video (Camera) for Everyone | Comments (0)

October 24, 2007

Dubai Gift & Premium Show Grows by 30%

According to AME Info, the Dubai Gift & Premium show has grown by 30% for 2007 to include over 100 exhibitors, over 5,000 attendees and a growing international appeal. Managing Director Justin Boutros says, 'This year, we are welcoming a considerable number of first-timers and the strategic location of Dubai offers those looking out for new business opportunities a unique meeting point.'

Posted by mark at 12:29 PM. Permalink: Dubai Gift & Premium Show Grows by 30% | Comments (0)

December 6, 2006

Google Gifts 2007: Imprinted Digital Photo Frame

Google always seems to do a good job rewarding their top advertisers with holiday gifts and this year is no exception. in fact, it may be the best ever. Google doesn't mess around when it comes to colorful promos, or enticing giveaways, and they also do nice holiday gifts for their advertisers. In 2004, they gave away color-changing mood radios and in 2005 it was a nice usb travel kit. Common themes for Google goodies include use of their trademark multi-color palette and products that lean towards being techie, while still also fun.

For their gifts in particular, some additional touches typically include: nice packaging and multilingual messaging. If you want to be like Google, you can send out your very own digital photo frame gifts but you'd better hurry up if you want to do it for this holiday season!

Posted by mark at 7:11 AM. Permalink: Google Gifts 2007: Imprinted Digital Photo Frame | Comments (0)

August 19, 2006

Free Stuff Isn't Free to the IRS

According to the LA TImes, "Next week, nominees for this year's Emmy awards can expect the usual "gift basket" full of award season freebies: lavish jewelry, plasma TVs, Celine Dion backstage passes, gold-plated cellphones. But there will be a lump of coal at the bottom of each one: an IRS tax form." While gift baskets have long been a staple of awards shows, they have grown increasingly lavish in the past few years as companies realized the advertising potential of having their product associated with top celebrities and events.

Posted by mark at 5:42 PM. Permalink: Free Stuff Isn't Free to the IRS | Comments (0)

August 2, 2006

Not All Free Stuff Is Free

According to the New York Times, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has reached an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service over gift baskets given to presenters and performers at the Oscars. Previously, the Academy paid an undisclosed amount to cover the taxes on the gift baskets, but going forward the recipients will receive 1099 forms for the value of the items in the baskets and will need to pay their own darn taxes.

Posted by mark at 12:51 PM. Permalink: Not All Free Stuff Is Free | Comments (0)

Looking for promos? Find promotional items, corporate gifts and promotional marketing articles at ePromos Promotional Products, Inc..