The Last (Plastic) Straw

Last year the world population used over 500,000 million straws, 480 billion plastic bottles and one trillion single use plastic bags. The impact to the oceans and our planet’s health has been devastating. Over the last few years there has been a resounding public outcry against the use of these types of disposable plastics, and the corporate world is responding.

Hotels and airlines are instituting bans on plastic straws, and cities around the country are doing the same for disposable plastic bags. Tour companies and cruise lines are joining in the fight, while corporations in every industry with brand marketing budgets are supporting the cause with more eco-conscious giveaways. And as the following examples demonstrate, it’s not only good for the environment, it’s also good for business.

Drinkware – Third Most Influential Promotional Item: Acrylic, stainless and ceramic drinkware products can easily replace disposable plastic bottles and cups. As with every corporate giveaway, consider the style of the product to be sure it matches the lifestyle of the recipient. Ceramic mugs are fine for office workers, but those who spend a lot of time in a car or outdoors need plastic or stainless.
Stainless Steel or Copper Straws – 53% Of U.S. Consumers Use Promotional Drinkware: The same consumers giving up plastic bottles for reusable drinkware are anxious to receive their first truly reusable straw. Dishwasher friendly and engraved with a company logo and/or personal name, these unique promotional items truly reflect the fast-growing demand for alternatives to plastic straws.
Reusable Bags – Create More Impressions Than Any Other Promotional Product: For grocery shopping, travel, and outdoor excursions, a reusable canvas or non-woven bag, backpack or duffel are smart giveaway choices that are used at home and in the office. Not just for carrying groceries, sturdy bags of every style increase brand identity and improve brand loyalty.

For corporations that want to appeal to this generation’s sensitivity to the health of our planet, it makes good business sense to promote your brand while encouraging more eco-friendly habits. Give the corporate gift that keeps on giving!

Business Casual Meets Fashion Basics

Corporate attire doesn’t have to be boring. It should be comfortable and reflect a style that today’s young professionals can relate to. The clothing should echo the image of your company, without making such a bold fashion statement that the reactions are more about the shirt than about the brand.

Many times shirts and jackets decorated with company logos are associated with firms that provide employee uniforms, as in the restaurant, airline or rental car industries. But just as important are the teams representing their companies at an industry trade show, community outreach event, or business conference. And those employees are more likely to wear the same clothes again at a later date when working at the office or attending an after-hours networking affair – which brings us back to the importance of choosing business separates that are both appropriate and fashionable.

Fortunately, many retail-brand clothing suppliers can be sourced through the advertising specialties industry and decorated with corporate logos. And those suppliers that specialize in private label merchandise – offering the same quality at a lower price – are experiencing enviable growth by providing style and color choices that mimic what most people see, and buy, at the stores in the mall.

The options are as varied as the employees themselves:

chambray shirt styles for men and women;
distressed fabric fleece and tees for the younger set on community clean-up;
custom printed ties and scarves for a more formal look;
polos that look as good with office trousers as they do with golf khakis;
cardigan sweaters for women, 1/4 zip sweaters for men, and v-neck sweaters for either – when the office gets cold, there’s a warm clothing option for all.

Today’s corporate clothing choices are anything but boring – ask for ideas and samples, and let your team decide. The brand impressions increase every time that item is worn … and isn’t that the whole idea?

Hello, Cold Days

At this time of year, promoting your business with cold weather accessories like a faux fur lined trapper hat is a sure way to warm the hearts, and heads, of your customers. According to the 2014 Advertising Specialty Industry (ASI) Impressions Study, 42% of US consumers will keep a promotional hat if it is attractive. Keeping that in mind, rather than another ball cap for a 1st quarter giveaway, consider one of the retail-inspired fashionable choices currently available.

There are many options, but the final choice depends on the age and demographic of your audience. A trapper hat may not be the best choice for the middle aged women on your customer list, but when appealing to the younger set, it’s certainly more appealing than a golf visor. Below are some of the cold-weather hats that are trending in retail and can be branded with a company logo.

Trapper Hat: Faux fur lined hat with chin strap and buckle. A sure hit for the young men as well as the outdoors-inclined young women.
Slouch Beanie: Acrylic/Poly beanie that keeps the ears warm in a slouchy silhouette that is preferred by many young women and men over the traditional skull cap.
Newsboy Hat: Also known as the Cabby Hat, this updated classic style is offered in solid or herringbone fabrics that appeal to men of all ages.
Fleece Bucket Hat: Microfiber fleece lined bucket hat is comfy and stylish regardless of the recipients age.
Classic Beanie: Available in fleece, acrylic or wool, this popular hat option is perfect for hiking the trails or around town.

Regardless of which hat is selected, the logo treatment should be subtle. Unless, of course, your brand happens to be that of a winning football team, most people would prefer not to be billboards for your company. But even a subtle logo will be seen and the number of brand impressions increases every time that hat is worn.

Winter weather is with us for a few more months. Consider a warm, stylish hat as a way to connect with your customers at a time when they may be hard to reach.

Simply Better

New products are introduced every day to answer the age-old question every corporate buyer asks their promotional products partner – “what’s new?”. Of course, the answer to that question depends a great deal on what products the company has traditionally used for branded giveaways, because new ideas can many times mean the same thing as new products. New to you, so to speak.

However, it is true that every year original products are introduced that appeal to a wide variety of customers. Many of those new products are not entirely unique inventions, but rather a simpler design on existing products meant to make our lives slightly less complicated. And if a company distributes a branded item that helps simplify life, it’s likely that recipient will use the product and therefore continue to increase those valuable brand impressions.

A few of my favorite new items this year are listed below:

The Loop: Shown in the image in this article, this is a valuable tool for keeping earbud wires tangle-free and easily accessible. Anyone who exercises, travels or just relaxes with their favorite tunes will appreciate this low cost, high impact gift.

The Bottleband: Turn any size bottle into a handheld device. Made out of the same silicone material as the cause bracelets, these handy bottle holders allow runners and walkers to easily carry a bottle of water by slipping the band over the hand. Hydration simplified!

The Slip Clip: It’s a beach towel clip that holds a towel or bag onto the lounge chair without scratching or leaving marks. For a conference held at a beach location or an incentive reward trip aboard a boat, these simple clips offer a large imprint area and easy-to-use design that will showcase your logo every time the weather heats up.

New is good … simple is good … new AND simple is better! The next time your company is considering a branded giveaway, take a look at what’s available to help make your customers’ lives a little bit easier.

newfound identity

products carry the mark, people carry the message

Tag Archives for brand impressions

The Last (Plastic) Straw

Business Casual Meets Fashion Basics

Hello, Cold Days

Simply Better

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