newfound identity

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Tag Archives for logo

Keep Calm And Give Cool Shades

sunglassesMost people know the sun is bad for our skin, but many fewer realize the damage the sun causes to our eyes.  Long term exposure to the sun’s UV (ultraviolet) rays can cause cataracts and macular degeneration, among other maladies like skin cancer on the eyelid.

Even though wearing sunglasses makes sense for our eye health, most people choose a cool pair of shades to make a personal fashion statement.  In consideration of both viewpoints, corporate marketers looking for a gender-neutral summer giveaway with some edge have more options than ever in the promotional sunglasses arena.

Styles range from retro, aviator and wrap shapes with standard and mirrored lenses, to infants and kids sizes that come in a variety of fun colors.  Logo decoration is offered on the lens, side arms and front frame, with fully customizable PMS colors to satisfy any corporate branding initiatives.   And best of all, most promotional sunglasses offer full UV sun protection.

Street marketing, charity fundraisers, community outreach, parades, sporting events and countless other venues aimed at raising the corporate profile are perfect opportunities to give a pair of branded sunglasses.  But don’t choose just any pair of sunglasses.  Consider a style that relates to your audience demographic, and create a pair of shades that will excite and thrill.  Protecting their eyes from the sun is just a happy bonus.

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April 10, 2019 by newfound identity Categories: Products With Punch, Ready To Wear, Trade Tips | Tags: branded sunglasses, cool shades, logo, summer giveaway, UV rays | Leave a comment

Brands Can Sizzle Even In The Rain

5099-323-m-womens-new-englander-rain-jacket-lg-hrRain slickers are back!  Originally this classic outdoor rain jacket was offered only in the traditional maritime yellow.  Heavy, but functional, it was created for those brave souls who worked outside.

No longer the stalwart of fisherman, sailors and toddlers, today’s rain slicker is fashionable.  The fabrics are improved, and the styling is up-to-date with slimmer cuts, vent holes and slant pockets.  Unlike the predictable windbreakers that offer a generic, gender-neutral style in two or three basic colors, rain slickers are offered in a variety of colors that are on-trend and ready to be noticed.

Rain slickers sporting your company logo are the perfect choice for many corporate marketing efforts.  Company outings and outdoor community events; wellness initiatives promoting walking; appreciation gesture to valued clients; or gearing up for a spring team-building event.  Try one on, and you’ll agree – the right slicker will help your brand stand out in the rain!

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April 25, 2018 by newfound identity Categories: Products With Punch, Ready To Wear, Trade Tips | Tags: appreciation, brand, logo, marketing, rain slicker, wellness initiative | Leave a comment

On-The-Ball Marketing

29627598Effective marketing efforts should bring the brand message to customers through many different channels.   Social media, event sponsorships,  and experiential marketing are all proven promotional methods that help build the brand equity.  To support these efforts, the company logo must be visible, the promotional materials creative, and the logo treatment consistent.

While building an effective marketing plan, it would also be worthwhile to add a little fun into the mix.  According to a global Nielsen Survey of Trust in Advertising, almost half (47%) of the respondents said that humor resonates with them more than any other content approach.  Injecting fun into your marketing strategy could be just the thing you need to stand out from your competitors.

Show booths with flashing bounce balls, fidget spinners, games and exciting display visuals are much more likely to capture the attention of the crowd.  Lobbies, booth spaces and work areas with a few Boost Ball chairs covered in custom graphics offer comfort and improved posture while bringing a truly modern approach to seating, with a brand billboard that is hard to miss.  Sponsor a charity fun-run with bright shirts sporting creative graphics or launch a social media campaign that offers all-day passes to the nearest amusement park for the winners of your next enter-to-win contest.

There are many ways to add fun to your next marketing campaign, and everyone has a different idea of what they consider to be amusing.  But the important thing is to start the conversation with your team, and get the fun-ball rolling.

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March 6, 2018 by newfound identity Categories: Products With Punch, Ready To Wear, Trade Tips | Tags: boost ball, brand equity, fun run, logo, marketing, promotional materials, show booth | Leave a comment

Dye Sub Basics For Better Branding

dye sub teeT-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies are wardrobe staples for everyone.  Consumers of comfort clothing will wear a well-designed tee under jackets and blazers; statement sweatshirts can be seen at the gym or, if you’re paying attention, even on many of Taylor Swift’s recent album performances; and hoodies, whether zip-up or pullover, remain a slightly edgy article of clothing that is embraced by youth-driven communities.

While I’m certain most of this information is not news to the corporate buyer, I believe that the most creative decoration options for these basics of the charity run have been ignored in favor of the always dependable, but rarely exciting, one and two-color screen print.  While it’s considered budget-friendly to settle for this tried-and-true imprint method, in reality, other decoration options are often no more expensive than that simple application of one-color ink onto the surface of the fabric.

My favorite print method, which has become one of the industry’s most popular and exciting decoration methods for t-shirts and sweatshirts, is dye-sublimation.  This method uses heat sensitive inks that turn into gas under the influence of heat, and become part of the structure of the material.  In other words, the image is in the fabric, not on it.  Therefore, the graphics don’t fade or crack, even after multiple washings, and the fabric remains breathable and touchable.

In addition, dye sublimation offers the ability to recreate logos and images in multiple colors and with extremely fine detail that is not possible with traditional screen printing.   The colors are brighter and smoother – the detail is razor sharp.  Overall, the look has a more retail-quality feel.

Dye sublimation works best on polyester and poly/cotton blends, which makes the all-cotton tee a poor candidate for this print method.  But considering the popularity of the poly performance fabrics, this only adds another reason to take a fresh look at your brand strategy when planning the next shirt giveaway.

Whether your logo is recreated best in a simple 1-color treatment, or you have invested in lush, multi-color “statement” art, dye-sublimation printing should be top-of-mind for your next tee giveaway.   In a world where every customer has a drawer full of discarded t-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies, make sure yours stands out.  The shirt will be worn, and your brand will be noticed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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February 26, 2018 by newfound identity Categories: Products With Punch, Ready To Wear, Trade Tips | Tags: brand, comfort clothing, decoration options, dye sublimation, giveaway, logo, t-shirt | Leave a comment

The Gatekeepers Of Your Brand

CopBrand management is vital for the success of any organization. It affects every aspect of a brand’s products, communications and marketing.  The corporate brand manager is the on-staff gatekeeper for your brand, but what about all the companies you partner with to help you get the word out?

Ad agencies, social media marketing firms, and promotional products suppliers are all in the business of promoting and protecting your company’s  brand.  Anyone who has accepted the responsibility of reprinting your company logo; communicating the value statement for your products and services; or promoting the newest marketing campaign must also have the same enthusiasm and passion for your brand as you do.

Like an over-protective parent, the gatekeepers of your brand should continually be monitoring the execution and the output of the information.  Spotting new trends and understanding how they can help increase the brand visibility is important, but ensuring that those trends are in line with the established corporate brand guidelines is vital.

Always asking, “What else can we do”, should be a common discussion between you and your gatekeeper partners – the end result will be a brand respected by customers and coveted by your rivals.

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February 19, 2018 by newfound identity Categories: Products With Punch, Ready To Wear, Trade Tips | Tags: brand, brand manager, gatekeeper, logo, promotional products | Leave a comment

Stuff That Works

bluetooth speakerThe mobile accessory market is still relatively young, and getting better all the time.  The demand for these portable phone accessories is growing due to the continual rise in the smartphone market along with the preference for comfort and simplicity.  Items like portable speakers, headphones and battery chargers have become standard “must-have” items for even the most casual consumer.

That’s good news for the corporate marketing teams looking for a home run with their customer base.  The variety of products in this category available for logo branding is growing, and the quality of those products is improving.

A few examples:

  • Micro Bluetooth Speaker:  Small size unit (1″x1.25″) with maximum sound
  • Solar Panel Phone Charger:  Produces a high-powered solar charge with a single USB hub
  • PopSocket:  Media stand for your device; a photo or texting grip; lower it for video chat
  • WiFi Smart Plug:   Connect the plug to wifi network and control your devices  from your smartphone or tablet via an App
  • Power Bank:  Digital display of charge level on UL-listed dual USB output power bank

The price points vary, which makes portable phone accessories the perfect choice for all budgets, in most marketing campaigns.  Give a few of these items a test drive – you will have a difficult time deciding, but your customers will thank you for the effort.

 

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January 22, 2018 by newfound identity Categories: Products With Punch, Trade Tips | Tags: branding, logo, marketing, portable phone accessories | Leave a comment

Business Casual, Not Business Sloppy

pigpenAs Lady Bird Johnson said “I’ve really tried to learn the art of clothes, because you don’t sell for what you’re worth unless you look good.”  To that point, if office attire isn’t done right, intelligent, well-qualified people run the risk of being overlooked because their appearance alters others’ perception of their qualifications.  However, there’s a reason many people are confused about the term business-casual.

It’s logical to assume that business attire should be professional and crisp, while casual wear is associated with the slouchy, comfy weekend tees and sweats.   These two terms seem to be at odds with each other.  So how do we blend the two?

First, and foremost, don’t leave the “business” out of business-casual.  Regardless of the industry, every business is a professional organization that expects its employees to dress with respect.  What does that mean?  Simply stated, it means no one should come to work looking like they just finished mowing the lawn or came directly to the office from last night’s party.  Clothes should be clean and shoes should cover the feet.

Appropriate business casual dress typically includes:

  • Men:  Slacks or khakis; dress shirt, open-collar or polo shirt; optional tie or seasonal sport coat; loafers or dress shoes
  • Ladies:  Dress or skirt at knee-length or below; knit shirt, sweater or tailored blazer; casual or dress shoes that cover all or most of the foot

Of course, depending on the industry, some companies may have more relaxed standards that include jeans or sneakers, but even those should be clean and tasteful.

Finally, when companies contribute to the business-casual wardrobe of their employees by giving shirts, sweaters or jackets with the company logo, it’s particularly important to keep in mind that these clothing items are meant to represent the brand as well as the office dress code.   When selecting the next trade show shirt, remember that you want the associates representing your company to sell your company for what it’s worth.

 

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February 2, 2017 by newfound identity Categories: Products With Punch, Ready To Wear, Trade Tips, Uncategorized | Tags: brand, business casual, logo, trade show shirt | Leave a comment

Camo Trend Is Back Just In Time For Fall Promotions

camoThe camo trend is back in fashion, and it’s not just for the hunters anymore.  Since 2015 the classic camouflage pattern has become nearly as popular with style fashionistas as it has always been with outdoor and sports enthusiasts.

Drinkware, blankets, flashlights, caps, bags, coolers … almost anything you can imagine as a gift for your upcoming fall/winter giveaway is available in a camo pattern and can be decorated with your company logo.

And since camo is increasingly popular with the female demographic, suppliers are offering more exciting products geared to women.  Form-fitting tees; jackets with neon pink trim; and trendy totes are among the many products that make an outdoor-theme giveaway just as appealing to the ladies as it is for the men.

A few events that would benefit from the camo craze:

  • Fall Sporting Event
  • Combat Drugs (or any cause) Campaign
  • Community Clean-Up
  • Employee Team Building
  • Gardening / Landscape Trade Show
  • Sales Incentives

The camo trend is perfect for fall promotions.  When you’re on the hunt for new customers, give a camo pattern giveaway to stand out from the crowd.

 

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November 9, 2016 by newfound identity Categories: Products With Punch, Ready To Wear, Trade Tips | Tags: brand, camo trend, fall promotions, giveaways, hunt, logo, sales incentives | Leave a comment

Refresh Your Brand With A Fall Campaign

autumnThe months between September and December are a time of change for consumers.  Back-to-school tasks for children and young adults hit frenzy mode by late summer; parents and caregivers have once again re-shuffled their schedules to accommodate the school calendar; and professionals in every industry are planning for the end-of-year push to meet their revenue goals.

With all this activity, fall becomes an opportune time for brands to initiate a new approach to increasing brand awareness and hitting the target audience with products that make the most of the changing season.  A few ideas to jumpstart your fall campaign are listed below.

  • Academic TabbedQuarterly PageSaver:  Students can plan the year ahead with a calendar and handy bookmarks
  • Custom Eye Black:  Reduce glare and show support for local sports teams, charity events or company sponsorships
  • Tailgate Kit:  Drawstring bag, beverage cooler, stadium cup and moistened towelettes provide all the pre-game essentials
  • Financial Tool:  7-in-1 multi tool can be a wrench, ruler, screwdriver, or bottle opener while securely holding cash and credit cards
  • Adult Coloring Book:  They are flying off the shelves at retail!  Give your customers a way to relieve stress by ditching technology for a brief return to their childhood
  • Fleece Beanie:  With a subtle logo decoration on the side, this one-size-fits-all classic head warmer will appeal to every age group

Now that we are moving into the last half of summer, it’s time to plan for the fall marketing push.  Get ahead of competing brands and show your customers you support the changes that come with the season.

 

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July 7, 2016 by newfound identity Categories: Products With Punch, Ready To Wear, Trade Tips | Tags: brand, brand awareness, fall campaign, logo, marketing, target audience | Leave a comment

Brands Take Note – Vintage Is Cool

12027_Red_3525Vintage-inspired merchandise appeals to every age group.  The Baby Boomers used the original and are happy for a newer version; Gen X, the crossroads generation that grew up before the internet, love a remake of anything nostalgic; and Millennials, the tech-savvy crowd that ushered in social media, find relief in all things that remind them it’s ok to slow down a bit.

Vintage items that represent an era that is associated with simpler times and a slower pace of life are part of a trend that includes renewed interest in board games, slow cooking from fresh ingredients and crafting hobbies.  Although the merchandise is created with design influence from the past, today’s versions are updated with better materials, and often include features that will allow for all the tech items today’s audience can’t live without.

Travel bags, coolers, desk calendars, glassware and throw blankets are just a few of the many products designed with the simplicity and style of a bygone era.  The design is considered “cool” in the same way a classic sports car makes us feel when we see it on the road.  Not flashy, just classy.  And when your company logo is applied, the brand identity is viewed in the same favorable light as that classic sports car.

Consider a vintage-inspired product next time you are looking for a unique giveaway or executive gift.   It will stand out in the crowd of otherwise unsurprising branded items.

 

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May 11, 2016 by newfound identity Categories: Products With Punch, Ready To Wear, Trade Tips | Tags: baby boomers, brand, Gen X, logo, millennials, vintage | Leave a comment

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