Product Description: Dual Compartment Kooler Bag

Industry: Restaurant Supplies

Use: Company picnic every year for employees and their families.  Each year they give their employees a nice gift in the $10 range.  This year they chose the Dual Compartment Kooler Bag due to the roomy size of the bag and the mesh separator. 

How was it distributed: Each employee was given a short menu of lunch selections for the company picnic. The company then stuffed the bags with the lunches before the picnic. Each employee received their lunch as well as a nice cooler bag to take home with them.

Result or ROI: The bags ended up being such a hit, the company decided to repeat the order and use the same product for their industry shows.

Product Description: 18 Oz. Cabana Bottle

Industry: Hotel

Product 

Industry: Bookstore

Use: A large Metropolitan Community College Bookstore wanted to feature a reusable shopping bag to the students who shopped at the bookstore. The goal was to try to get the students to first purchase the bags,and then bring the reusable bags back to the bookstore to use for all of their bookstore shopping. If the students would use these bags then the bookstore would not have to use the plastic bags that they had been using. The price on the disposable plastic bags was continuing to go up, and was becoming a larger expenditure for the bookstore.

How was it distributed: The buyer at the bookstore said that in order for the students to want to buy and re-use one of these bags, the bag had to have graphics that would catch the eye. The buyer enlisted the aid of a couple of the schools art students to develop a full color graphic that could be used on the bag. This design needed to be unique and eye-catching. Further, the logo had to incorporate the school mascot, along with the bookstore, and the campus. College art students are very creative and she had a good number of designs from which to choose. She chose the one that a concensus of students who worked at the bookstore said would be the most popular. This full color design was the one used on the non-woven Shopper Tote. Along with this bag, the bookstore would offer a 10% discount on any purchase if the bag was brought back to use. If the bag was over half full of multiple goods, a 15% discount was then offered.

Result or ROI: The results were tremendous! The bookstore went through 2500 bags in the first 3 weeks. The bookstore was selling them at their cost, and the students loved the bag with the unique school design, and they loved the fact that the bag itself repreesnted a nice discount on any purchase. The bookstore manager has been getting volunteers and unsolicited submissions of new bag art for the next run. The buyer is planning on using this concept on backpacks. This item will offer basically the same capacity, same functionality. The bag has become a must-have item!

Product 

Industry: Food/Beverage

Use:  A major tea company was trying to create mass buzz over their 3 new tea flavors being introduced at a large outdoor tradeshow event. They wanted something with impact that people would not only wear while on site, but also take with them and wear to promote their brand after that day. Additionally they wanted a special design that would get people talking.

How was it distributed:   The sunglasses were at the end users booth at the event. Anyone who came over to taste the 3 new teas and fill out a quick survey would get a pair of these sunglasses for free.

Result or ROI:  The end user was out of sunglasses before the 2^nd day of the event. They had tremendous feedback on their new tea flavors and an incredible buzz because everyone that left their booth was wearing these sunglasses. They have another event planned for late fall and are placing a repeat order with a new design. Their goal is to make these a limited edition set of styles that people will look forward to collecting.

Wellness is the rage right now. Companies love to host and support wellness programs because the health of their employees really flows down to the bottom line. Healthy employees are more productive and result in lower healthcare costs to the employer. Hundreds of millions of employee workdays are lost to illness each year and long term treatment associated with diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure is a drag on employers’ healthcare plans. Wellness programs are one inexpensive way to empower employees with a way to improve their own health which results in greater productivity and lower healthcare costs for the employer. Wellness programs are easily justified from a budget perspective and associate the employer with a positive social trend.

Exercise Bands are a terrific vehicle for harnessing the wellness trend. They give the user the ability to perform a wide range of exercises and are portable. The portability of the product allow it to be taken anywhere with the user – removing the number one reason for not engaging in exercise – availability. The product can be used at home, transported in carry-on luggage, taken to the office. This product is attractive and has a good sized, centrally located decoration area for maximum sponsor visibility. Because the product has utility and a quality feel, it is far less likely to be discarded – giving the provider a durability of message as well.

Product 

Industry: Retirement Community

Use: A popular chain of elderly care facilities was looking for a great product to boost name recognition.

How was it distributed: These notebooks were given to potential residents and family as well as giveaways at every kind of event they attended.

Result or ROI: They replaced another notebook the customer had gotten tired of using. With the phone number on it, you always know how to get in touch with your loved one in their care.

Product 

Industry: Technology

Use: A data storage company wanted an item they could put on their company store website that branches or divisions could purchase and on which they could add their branch logo. They chose the dart pen, and each was sold printed with the main logo and the branch logo that was ordering them.

How was it distributed: Sold directly from the website to several branch locations.

Result or ROI: The distributors that created the program now have all these branches and affiliates buying the pens, and through that they have created relationships that have led to other items not on the site being sold for individual projects.

Product 

Industry: Sports

Use: Horse Show giveaways

How was it distributed: A local horse show needed gifts for their major contributors. A VIP tent was set up at the event, and the bags were given as a gift, stuffed with tumblers.

Result or ROI: The gift bags were greatly appreciated by the VIPs, and the organizers of the show expressed enthusiasm to set up their gift bags for the following year, expanding the idea.

Product 

Industry: Banking

Use: A gift that was not gender specific and was useful and could be branded and had a high-perception of value.

How was it distributed: A distributor was working with a bank who asked them to bring to them ideas for an incentive gift. The bank wanted to set-up an incentive gift to give to new depositors who opened a new account at the bank for over $1,000.00.  They were looking for an item that would be useful and a gift that would have a high perceived value. The gift had to be one that would work for both men and women. The bank had established a budget of $20.00 per item.  The bank projected that over a 2 month period they would set a goal of 200 new accounts.  Obviously, this item would need to have the bank logo on it, so it would need to be branded.

The Auto Safety Kit product addressed all the parameters that had been set-forth by the bank. A gift that was not gender specific and was useful and could be branded and had a high-perception of value.

Result or ROI: The bank was able to achieve their goal of 200 new depositors in less than the 2 month time period they had targeted.

Product Description: Retro Specs

Industry: Retail

Use: A shoe store was having their annual party celebrating top sales reps. A prize was needed for the top sales people.

How it was distributed: Those with the highest sales in each store were awarded the sunglasses.

Result or ROI: Company morale is always boosted when appreciation is shown. It’s also a fun piece to wear as flare while working.

Product 

Industry: Healthcare

Use: An insurance company wanted to provide a reward for completing their health challenge.

How was it distributed: The pedometers were mailed out to subscribers who signed up for the healthcare challenge.

Result or ROI:  There was a great response with many reorders.  In total of assorted pedometers almost 100,000 pieces were ordered in a 4 month period.

Product 

Industry: Education

Use:  A local school was looking for a fundraiser item to help older kids raise money for an overnight camping trip.  They chose the Keep Warm Buddy Set, which includes a beanie, scarf and gloves, since it would appeal to a broad spectrum of people.  

How was it distributed: The sets were sold at sporting events and on campus.

Result or ROI:  The sets enabled the school to raise enough money for the trip, and they plan to sell them again next year for the next camping trip.

Product 

Industry: Entertainment

Use: A vampire-based television show hosted blood drives at outdoor events. These were given out to donors upon arrival as a giveaway.

How was it distributed: It was given to anyone who gave blood as both a thank you and a reminder to watch the television series.

Result or ROI: Anyone who spotted someone wearing those glasses was willing to do what they had to do to get a pair and they came over to donate.

Product 

Industry: Financial

Use:  A credit union wanted to target college students and offer them an incentive to open a new account.  They chose a stock design, “Laundry Method for College Students” that gave basic tips and instructions for washing clothes, along with their logo.

How was it distributed:  It was given out at the time of opening a new account.

Result or ROI:  The concept was so creative and successful that the word spread on campus and increase of new accounts were up 20%.

Product 

Industry: Healthcare

Use: A reward to employees for good service

How it was distributed: These blankets were mailed to locations around US and then on one specified date all the offices gave out the blanket to all employees who qualified

Result or ROI: The blankets were well received and have boosted motivation of employees who wish to earn their's.

Product 

Industry: Education/Sports

Use: A high school wanted to purchase an item they could resell to the parents in the spirit shop for fundraising dollars for the sports teams.  The foldable chair was a great choice since buyers could use them for seating during the games, and also afterwards. 

How was it distributed:  It was sold in the spirit shop, which was open during the actual sporting events.

Result or ROI: The spirit shop sold out the first week of school and has since reordered several times.

Product Description:

Industry: Healthcare

Use: Packaging a lunch for nurses/doctors and anyone employed at any of the Hospital’s locations.  After years of giving away lunch bags, the customer asked for something different that the staff might utilize even more than the lunch bags they’d been giving them for the past three years.  The distributor brought in 4 samples for the presentation that were filled with a lunch that they had purchased at a local deli.  The compartments were all full with a main dish and two sides.  They also brought in a virtual of the item with the customer’s logo on it.  The buyer loved it.

How was it distributed:   Each employee was given a lunch container.  The buyer also decided to use the same idea to give out for a ribbon cutting of a new section in one of the locations at the lunch after the ceremony.

Result or ROI:  The recipients’ loved the lunch containers.  The next day in the cafeteria they charted that over 85% of the employees were using the new lunch containers.

Product Description:

Industry: Education

Use: A private college was looking for a recruitment item that they could give to students that were visiting the college for a tour.

How was it distributed: The college sent out a postcard to recent high school graduates in the area advising that if they signed up for a tour of the college they would receive a gift. They picked the Mini Backpack because it was very functional and they liked the design.

Result or ROI: The promotion was a success and the college had a 10% enrollment over the previous year.

Product Description:

Industry: Liquor/Food and Beverage

Use: The End User wanted to give something away at this year’s Spring Break in Jamaica for an MTV event that would capture the attention of not only the Spring Breakers but get air time on MTV as well.  One of the hottest items in our line right now is the Malibu Sunglasses….not only are they stylish, but they are UV protected and are a necessary item to use at the beach.

How was it distributed: As Spring Breakers made their way onto one of MTV’s beach stages, they were asked to try a very small glass of this mixed drink. Once they tried the drink they were given the sunglasses.

Result or ROI: The sunglasses were a huge hit with the recipients, creating awareness for the liquor brand. They were in such high demand that they ran out of 3,000 units in less then 30 minutes and were spotted around town the entire week.  Everyone in the MTV crowd was wearing the glasses, hence giving the liquor brand publicity all over the world.

Product Description:

Industry: Coupon Distribution

Use: A major coupon distributor was looking for a thank you to give out to advertisers. 

How was it distributed: These spooner mugs were filled with goodies like candies and cocoa and sent out to all advertisers with a thank you note.

Result or ROI: The thank yous were well received. This is just one more way this distributor was able to show they value their advertisers.

Product Description:

Industry: Non-Profit

Use: The theme was “Change”, as in making a change in the world. They used this bank and the words “Change Counts” to capitalize on this theme and tie in the item.

How was it distributed:  Given to volunteers of the program.

Result or ROI:  The volunteers were pleased with the gift and the organization noticed a rise in volunteer retention.  The customer was very happy with their distributor for the clever idea and continued to work with them on other projects

Some Key Highlights of the Report:

• 88 percent recall the advertiser on promotional products
• 85 percent have done business with the advertiser after receiving a promotional item
• 83 percent like promotional products
• 81 percent keep them because they are useful
• 53 percent use promotional products once a week
• 47 percent keep them for more than a year

To read The Influence of Promotional Products on Consumer Behavior, click here.

Product Description: Plastic 2” Ruler With Circular Magnifying Glass

Industry: Museum

Use: Field trip handout to students.

How was it distributed: The magnifying glasses were handed out to students during a field trip tour of the museum. The tour was to educate the students about anthropology. The magnifying glasses were used to get a closer look at the artifacts.

Result or ROI: The kids left the museum with a clearer understanding of what they saw and a souvenir to remind them how much they enjoyed visiting the museum.

Product Description:

Industry: Casino

Use:  A Casino in theMilwaukee area wanted to spice up a “normal giveaway “ into some kind of theme.  They had come to the realization that they were spending hundreds of thousands on giveaways with no theme and were wondering if they had any impact at all on driving people to the casino.  They chose a theme of “Now you're Cooking with “ x “ Casino“ and decided to give away an item that would go along with the theme and most importantly have lasting power among the demographic of the casino—predominantly seniors.  So they opted for the measuring cups because everyone needs this type of product in their cabinets for cooking.

How was it distributed:  The main entrance of the casino was decked out in a kitchen atmosphere complete with cabinets, a fake stove and a refrigerator.  They had casino workers using the measuring cups to make a cake, and they repeated this scene every 20 minutes for two hours, each time giving the recipients the measuring cups along with a piece of cake.

Result or ROI:  People that usually go into a casino are usually not smiling (it’s been proven in their market analysis) so this little skit and giveaway gave their customers a chuckle and left them with something very useful.

Product Description: Custom Wave Cap

Industry: Auto dealer

Use: Client was looking for a signature cap for their dealership that would set them apart and be a cap that would be unique, high-quality, and be a cap that the recipient would wear because it has a great appearance.  Wanted cap for early Fall Distribution so needed a cap that is 100% Brushed cotton.

How was it distributed: Cap will be given to all employees and customers that come in for a new or used car or for service on their existing car.

Result or ROI:  Dealership has done caps in the past, and with this built-in distribution network , a   unique and quality cap has become the expectation.  It is a signature branded piece for which  the distribution network has high-expectations.

Product Description:

Industry: Chemicals

Use: Trade Show Giveaways

How was it distributed: A chemical company needed something to give away at a tradeshow. They wanted to promote their stance on environmental awareness while showing something relevant to their industry. They found this pen, made of recycled plastic, and thought this fit their message perfectly. They chose to print these items with the slogan “Plastics make it possible” on the barrel.

Result or ROI: This led to a 20,000 piece order and a big hit at the tradeshow.

Product Description:

Industry: Agriculture

Use:  These bags were given out to participants in a company golf tournament.

How was it distributed:  All participants received a bag as a prize along with a nice bottle of wine and wine opener.

Result or ROI:  This promotion was used as an incentive to get people to sign up and donate money. As a result more than 200 golfers signed up for the event.

Product Description: Plush Bear With Shirt

Industry: Bank

Use: A bank chain needed a product for tellers to hand out to new account members.

How was it distributed: These teddy-bears were given to new accounts specifically targeting college loans.

Result or ROI: This is still an active program. It’s a small bank with several branches. It’s been a great ice breaker to get people to sign up. These banks are typically in grocery stores and people stop for a bear promotion.

Product Description: Rubberized LED Flashlight with Clip

Industry: Credit Union

Use: A credit union needed something to hand out at a college campus for a promotion of student loans. They needed something that would be useful to students and would stay with them wherever they went. An item on a key ring would help with ongoing visibility, and flashlights could be useful for students who find themselves out at night more often. The Rubberized LED Flashlight had strong potential to appeal to college students.

How was it distributed: The flashlights were handed out on campus during the credit union’s visit. Students were invited to come to the credit union’s table and hear a quick pitch about student loans, followed by a free flashlight key tag gift with the credit union’s brand.

Result or ROI: Over 1,000 flashlights were handed out to students, which went on many students’ key rings, keeping the credit union’s brand fresh in their minds.

Product Description: Phone Stand

Industry: Tradeshow

Use: A tech supplier was in need of giveaways for an industry tradeshow. They needed something inexpensive yet useful to their audience.

How was it distributed: The phone holders were handed out at the booth, and folks from around the exhibit hall came around just to find out what these things were.

Result or ROI:  They were very impressed! Best of all they drew in the right people to the booth and gave a chance to give them the “pitch”. Great idea!

Product Description: Cow Bell

Industry: Sporting Events

Use: A charity marathon coordinator wanted a giveaway that spectators could use to cheer on their runners. They chose the cowbell.

How was it distributed: The item was co-branded with the name of a company sponsoring the marathon, and was handed out to the crowd on the day of the marathon.

Result or ROI: Since it was co-branded the cost was split two ways and both companies were able to advertise at huge events getting their advertisement into the hands of everyone there cheering someone on.

Product D

Industry: Sports

Use: Fast-food chain giveaway for college football night.

How was it distributed: The vendor handed the Kan-Tastic out at the gate during a college football game. The items were printed with the team logo and schedule on one side and the fast-food logo on the other. 

Resut or ROI: Many fans were using the item during the event, boosting brand visibility throughout the game.