A simple wood-handled spatula given to her at a charity 5k before she ever entered the industry taught Jessica Ibsen, promotional consultant for Parsippany, New Jersey-based distributor Stackable Sensations (PPAI 277517), how powerful promotional products for the home can be.
“More than a decade later, I still use that tool at least once a week and despite many, many washings the logo is still visible. That is a lot of repeated impressions for one price and it’s one of the most used items in the kitchen,” Ibsen says.
The proliferation of cooking shows, high-profile celebrity chefs and meal-kit companies has inspired home cooks to try cooking new dishes and expand their tastes—while also sharing their creations on social media sites. And today’s popular open-concept kitchen/living room spaces ensure that we spend much of our time at home either in the kitchen or in very close proximity to it, and we entertain there, too. Vickie Pedersen, owner of Pedersen Group, LLC (PPAI 692721) based in Phoenix, Arizona, says that the trend for entertaining at home is a great opportunity for both promotional and incentive-based branded products.
“Casual entertaining at home no longer means a bag of chips and a jar of salsa. Products that people want to use when friends and family come over are also a great way to increase exposure. When someone asks ‘where did you get that?’ and the response is ‘I was given it at an event for XYZ brand,’ or ‘I earned it in an incentive contest at work,’ there is recognition of the brand and a stronger emotional connection.”
Smart home products are everywhere now and they can increase the ‘wow’ factor of typical houseware gifts. “Many items for the home are Bluetooth-enabled and have apps to control them—slow cookers, coffee makers, lighting, etc.,” Pedersen says. “People may not necessarily want to spend their own money on some of these, but given as promotional gifts or incentives, they have a cool factor that will make an impression.”
With so many products that are used in a home, it can be a little overwhelming to choose what’s best for a brand. “In general, select items that have some functionality. That way, no matter what the style is, it will be appreciated and used,” Pedersen explains.
As for product color, Pedersen says that neutral colors are always a safe bet but cautions against ruling out bright colors or patterns if there’s a specific branding reason. “Adding in some seasonality is a good way to introduce a little color for select items; for example, bright colors for summer and warm tones for fall. It is better to stay away from items that have bold patterns that may not blend easily with most décor. However, if there is a theme [for an event, for example], then make the colors and patterns consistent and the items will be great reminders of the experience.”
And be sure to select quality items. “If the budget is limited, choose quality over quantity (or size). Reach out to premium reps for ideas. They all have brands in this category and they can quickly provide great options,” Pederson adds.
Coffee Connoisseurs
Americans are finally consuming more coffee after years of the beverage’s consumption plateauing, according to the National Coffee Association’s (NCA) 2017 National Coffee Drinking Trends (NCDT) report.
But forget plain old drip coffee. All age demographics have a clear preference for gourmet and espresso brewed drinks, especially Millennials and Gen Z members. “More of us are drinking coffee, and younger consumers appear to be leading the charge,” said Bill Murray, NCA president and CEO, in an announcement of the report’s release in conjunction with NCA’s March convention in Austin, Texas.
“A steadily growing taste for gourmet varieties is also driving a wider trend toward specialty beverages.” According to the study, more than half of all cups of coffee consumed in the past day were gourmet—a record-high 59 percent, compared to 46 percent reported in 2012. Can you smell the aroma of promotional opportunity?
Source: Daily Coffee News
Hot Products To Spice Up Any Kitchen
Blue Frog Printing / PPAI 265052 / www.bluefrogprinting.net
Evans Manufacturing / PPAI 110747 / www.evans-mfg.com
Heritage Sportswear / PPAI 177353 / www.heritagesportswear.com
K&R Precision Corp / PPAI 112266 / www.k-and-r.com
High-Use Home Gift Ideas
Pedersen Group, LLC / PPAI 692721 / www.pedersengroup.net
JCS Home Appliances / PPAI 652136 / www.jcshomeappliances.com
The Allen Company / PPAI 113879 /www.allenmugs.com
Fields Manufacturing / PPAI 111951 /www.fieldsmfg.com
Enhance Home Entertaining With These Great Items
St Regis Crystal, Inc. / PPAI 230188 / www.stregiscrystal.com
Minya International Corp. / PPAI 112523 / www.minyausa.com
Maple Ridge Farms / PPAI 114165 / www.mapleridge.com
Starline USA, Inc. / PPAI 112719 / www.starline.com
Tropicana Serves Up Promotional Products In Latest Marketing Campaign
With orange juice consumption down 13 percent in the past four years due to an ever-proliferating increase in beverage choices and consumers’ avoidance of orange juice’s high sugar content, Tropicana is offering promotional products as part of its ongoing marketing campaign to encourage people to enjoy a ‘Little Glass’ of its 100-percent juice as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
Continuing through the beginning of August, the on-pack promotional campaign gives consumers the chance to collect seven different ‘morning mood’ glass designs. Shoppers must purchase three promotional Tropicana packs and enter their details on the campaign’s website to receive the juice glasses.
Tropicana Brand Manager Sophie Giraudel says: “We believe this latest ‘Little Glass’ promotional offer from Tropicana is a fun way to reinforce our messaging from last year, that one glass serves as a convenient and easy way for people to get important vitamins, minerals and one of your five-a-day [fruit and vegetable servings].”
The seven Little Glass designs capture common morning moods, such as ‘Friyaay’ and ‘Sleepy head’.
Source: Business Insider, Talking Retail
Julie Richie is an Austin, Texas-based writer and former associate editor for PPB.