Andrew Klein
President
GIANTmicrobes
PPAI 882112
How did your company get its start?
Over 20 years ago, GIANTMicrobes’ founder Drew Oliver realized that children and adults alike are fascinated by the invisible, microscopic world. He started with a line of plush toys based on four common germs: those that cause colds, flu, sore throats and stomachaches. Over the first 10 years, this expanded to 60 plushies.
In 2015, I came on board to run the company. With many years of experience in toys, gifts and consumer products, we expanded the company’s assortment to include over 300 adorable, educational products covering many aspects of biology, health and wellness. GIANTMicrobes now includes products based on body organs, molecules, genetics, mental health topics, chronic disease and nature.
This fun, geeky and educational toy has led to a huge following among consumers and professionals who work in science, health and education. The company has expanded its capabilities to customize and brand for other organization. We print or embroider logos and messages on permanent sewn-in tush tags, hangtags or on the surface of the plushie.
What led your company to enter the promotional products market?
GIANTMicrobes’ initial focus was on consumers and growing our wholesale business. Once we started to make a name for ourselves, distributors and agencies started approaching us with clients in healthcare, science, education or other industries who asked to work with us on a bulk or custom order.
Our products uniquely align with the brand and missions of many organizations in pharmaceuticals, healthcare groups, public health agencies, pest control, food safety organizations and others, so our promotional business started to grow a lot. We are pleased that so many people love our products as giveaways and to help elevate their brand and messaging.
After the pandemic began, topics related to health and science became even more important and our business exploded. We realized we could all be doing stronger business rather than sitting passively and waiting to be contacted, so we reached out directly to distributors to tell them about GIANTMicrobes.
What’s your favorite thing about being in the promotional products industry?
We love that GIANTMicrobes are reaching organizations and end users that love our products. Because our plushies are directly on point with the topics and purposes of businesses using GIANTMicrobes for promotional purposes, we know it will resonate and create buzz in a way no other swag or merch can.
Why did you join PPAI?
Numerous distributors we work with recommended PPAI and said this was the group to belong to and to help carry out our message. Since joining, we have received great attention from members, and we are starting to feel like we are a part of a family. We are super excited to be attending the The PPAI Expo in January 2025 as first-time vendors.
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