Branded Caps

Promotional caps are big businesses believe it or not, especially around this time of year. Unfortunately I look like a degenerate when I wear a baseball cap, but if you can pull them off, you can do a lot worse then a promotional cap by Daiber.

This promotional cap must be doing something right, as it won the ‘Communicative Product’ title, in this year’s Promotional Gift Award 2010. The special cold-black technology effectively reflects the heat instead of absorbing it. The cap is made from 98% cotton and 2% spandex to fit perfectly on the head, with embroidered vents to provide necessary air supply (sounds like a car).

Quality distributers such as Gift Selection and Capstore can supply all kinds of promotional caps though, including my favourite, the old Brush Twill! Have your promotional caps embroidered or have them printed. Gift Selection have even supplied completely bespoke caps before, with absolutely every part of the product being made to order.

Did you know that the first caps were worn in 1860 by the Brooklyn Excelsiors – an early American Baseball team, but it wasn’t until 1900 that the modern “Brooklyn” style cap was worn.

I’m a Lady!

The sun’s been reminding us recently that it still exists, with the more optimistic of Brits donning their shorts and T shirts while showing off their pale flesh.

Right now is the best time of year for your organisation to start thinking about branded T shirts. There are however more to branded T shirts then first meets the eye. If your marketing campaign is geared toward the fairer sex, then having some fittest T shirts will mean they are much more likely to be used. Remember the most expensive promotional items, are the ones that are never used.

One brand of promotional T Shirts that concentrates on their ladies range in particular, is all American favourite Hanes. There ‘TasTy’ range, is proving popular, as their “relaxed fit is feminine and comfortable at the same time, created in our innovative new fabric. You no longer have to choose between a too tight t-shirt and a unisex t-shirt.”

These quality T shirts can be bought from reliable distributers such as Gift Selection, where they can offer five different styles: crew neck, boat neck, v-neck, tank top and long sleeve, while each of the five styles is available in eleven stylish colours: White, Black, Red, Navy, Sunflower Yellow, Orange, Sky Blue, Royal Blue, Khaki, Brown and Light Pink.

Are You Loving It?

When it comes to giving away promotional items, they don’t come much bigger then Ronald McDonald, with his array of crazy character side-kicks. Not even Gift Selection can compete, with the volume of promotional products the fast-food giant churns out throughout the world.

The Happy Meal, although not inventing the idea of giving away a promotional product with a children’s mean, is certainly the most popular. Happy Meal toys have become increasingly elaborate, from initially being little more than a cheap plastic trinket, they have gradually been replaced with increasingly sophisticated toys, many of which are a tie-in to some existing toy line or film. Between the 1980s and 2006, this was usually a Disney movie. However, on January 1, 2007, Disney did not renew the contract, wishing to use their characters to promote healthier foods instead.

Aside from it’s relations with Disney, McDonald’s iconic ‘I’m loving it’ slogan, is set to change here in the UK. Within six months, McDonald’s chief marketing officer Mary Dillon, is hoping we will all be chirping “You deserve a break today” instead.

World Cup Marketing

World Cup themed promotions are going to be everywhere shortly, with the world and his wife getting in on the act. The latest large scale world cup marketing campaign in the UK, is Pizza Hut’s ‘Pass it around’.

The digital and direct mail activity, created by agency Elvis, wants you to take a look at their dedicated micro-site. On the site, which uses Facebook Connect, users can play an online football game with the chance of winning prizes. These prizes include a Samsung 40″ LCD TV, Blu-ray discs, PlayStation 3 consoles, and football games, as well as a fridge full of Pepsi and pizza.

Pizza Hut is also to launch a range of new products, such as Footie Feast Pizza and Loaded Potato Skins, with the activity encouraging consumers to sample the new toppings and products available. I think any brand can positively associate themselves with the World Cup in a variety of ways. A series of prime time TV ads probably won’t be appropriate for small and medium size businesses, however promotional products can be.

Quality distributers such as Gift Selection and Promostore, can offer quality promotional products to suit any size of organisation. If you’re a marketing agency for example, who is stuck for ideas to pitch, ask one of their friendly teams for a special World Cup mini brochure for some eye catching ideas.

Branded T Shirts, branded footballs, everything you may expect is available. I think you’ll be surprised about what is available - why not go for some quality personalised chocolate footballs in a branded pint glass!

Good Business Practice

Giving out promotional products to the pharmaceutical industry, can be a bit of a grey area, as the last thing you want is to be seen to be bribing decision makers.

What’s more, cultural differences can lead to different interpretations of what could constitute ‘corruption’. What one country might consider unethical, another may view as standard commercial conduct. In Japanese’ culture, giving gifts of increasing value as a business relationship develops is the norm, and would be considered extremely rude in this context to return or refuse a gift because it was seen as a bribe (on the other hand they could just be bribing you).

There is various pretty complex legislation dealing with bribery and corruption – too many to mention here. If you seriously want to learn about the ins and outs of the law, then you’ll want to read up on the following legislation; The Corruption Act 1889, he Prevention of Corruption Act 1906, The Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 and The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Clik Clacks!

Branded Clik Clack tins, are our best promotional confectionery item - once you get your head round the name - you’ll love this little promotional item. Have your mint tins printed, or even engraved. What’s more there are even four different sizes too!

Promotional Clik Clacks are great promotional mint tins, that won’t cost you a fortune. The beauty of these branded mint tins, is the choice available. You can have practically any colour option you wish, with variety of top quality fillings.

Quality confectionery items like these are ideal if you’re attending a corporate show, and want to give something out that will keep in prospective client’s minds. Alternatively, if your ever out and about visiting clients, leave a couple of these behind after you’re meeting to leave a sweet impression.

The best place for promotional confectionery of all shapes and sizes is Sweets2order, don’t worry there promotional confectionery isn’t swept up from a factory floor in China – it is all from the best European manufacturers.

Data Protection Laws

Branded USBs are a big seller in the promotional products world, I’d be prepared to bet you have one yourself in your home.  In the cut through, hard nosed, corporate world, USBS have in some cases become a victim of their own success. How many USBs or even computers has organisation lost in the last year? It should probably be more of a concern then you think.

Sanctions for non-compliance with data protection laws, will be clamping down on lax organisations this month. The Information Commissioner’s Office can levy fines of up to £500k for series data security breaches e.g. failing to encrypt data on portable devices. Watch out, they can also conduct audits on whether data processing complies with best practise and issue enforcement notices. Employers must have appropriate security systems in place, with consistent processes for sharing sensitive information!

As well as supply promotional USB sticks, Gift Selection can supply a range of extra secure USBs, designed to be used with particular sensitive date. If you need a branded USB with a number lock on, or even one with finger print recognition technology – you know who to call.

Polyprop Eco Bags

You may come across eco friendly bags, being proudly described as non woven. That’s all very well, but what the deuce does non-woven PP actually mean. For those without a chemistry degree, non woven polypropylene is a fabric that is manufactured from polypropylene gas which is a by product of oil refining.

These promotional bags are lightweight yet strong, these bags are made to last and used again and again. Like my Mother in law, they’ll be an old bag for life so to speak. Unlike my Mother in law, if you decide you no longer want it, they can easily be recycled.

The beauty of promotional eco shoppers, is that they’re available in vivid colour options, which is something that many eco friendly promotional products lack. I personally like the natural shades that eco products generally arrive in, but with ecoproducts2order and Gift Selection, they like to give their clients as much choice as possible.

Eco friendly promotional shoppers are ideal for corporate trade shows for two main reasons. Firstly the bags have a great branding area, with the potential for it to be seen by thousands of people. Secondly the polyprop bags are very strong, which is just as well for when your picking up all those brochures, and other bits and pieces.

So if you want to market your organisation along eco friendly lines, at your next corporate trade show, speak to the friendly teams over at Gift Selection and Ecoproducts2order.

Printed Porcelain Mugs

The Mecca of printed mugs has revamped its website today – take a look at their lovely new site here.

So what’s new in the world of printed mugs? The Mugstore is now pushing their printed corporate gift sets more then they done in the past. These up-market sets are great for organisations large and small, and will give a really smart corporate feel to one’s business.

These printed business sets are made from porcelain, which is a material there really keen on over there. They have a new range of printed porcelain items, which they’re hoping will sell well to the hotel industry.

Printed porcelain items are especially ideal for chains of hotels, since they’re more hard wearing then regular earthenware. Their printed porcelain mugs, saucers and bowls in this range even carry a ‘five year side chip’ guarantee!

If you fancy buying some smart cappuccino printed mugs, made from some lovely porcelain to have in your own office rather then low cost giveaways, give the friendly team a shout over at The Mugstore.

Gambling Sector Promotions

The biggest industry that buys promotional products outside of the public sector, is the gambling sector. Poker, bingo, sports betting you name it, there are promotional products out there representing them.

Promotional poker chips, branded snooker balls there are all sorts of unusual promotional products out there that Gift Selection can supply. We recently quoted on a very large order for some promotional travel mugs of all things, not the first thing I would recommend for a book keepers, but then again – why not?

It wasn’t a great day for the bookies on Sunday, as a massive £2 million was staked with online giant Betfair on Italian clubs Chievo and Catania finishing level. In the end, seven firms suspended betting by last Thursday, but they had to pay out on bets beforehand.

David Williams of Ladbrokes, said: “We saw a lot of money for the draw and decided to pull the plug”. One gambler made the good point of “the amount of money was unbelievably high for two teams in their position. Neither is exactly a household name here and the game wasn’t even televised.