by Kirby Hasseman
Welcome to our awesome blog post series for Hasseman Marketing called:
“Brand-ecdotes!”
Each week we will talk to a branding all star about what makes the Promotional Product advertising media so special!
This week we talk with Mark Graham. Mark is the Chief Platform Officer at Commonsku and the founder of Right Sleeve. Both are amazing companies in the Promotional Products space.
1. What is your all time favorite Promotional Product and why?The Tshirt. Hands down. I love how this piece is both fashionable and functional. The Tshirt is also a great expression of a brand’s personality and people wear their favourite brands proudly. Think of your favourite shirt for a second. I bet you there is a logo on it, and you have worn it hundreds, if not thousands of times. That’s hugely powerful. 2. Can you name a Promo Product that you have that STILL reminds you fondly of an event, person, organization? If so, can you tell us that story?A Yupoong Trucker Cap with the motionball logo on it. Motionball is a charity that raises awareness and funds for Special Olympics Canada. They have a series of events that bring together athletes of all abilities. I love this hat, it’s lasted me for years and it’s my go to hat. Not only am I proud to wear it because the event raises money for a great cause, but it’s also a really fun event. And I’ve had the hat for 10 years. 3. What is the current product you use all the time?My skucamp journal, made by Chameleon Like. It’s where all of my crazy ideas go. 4. What is an idea/product that you think organizations UNDER use?Oh geez, good question! I’ll have to think about that! Ok, I know this is an unusual way to answer this but I don’t know that I think of a product being underused as much as I think companies fail to think strategically about how they use promotional products. What you see is a lot of junky items produced because a marketer “has some leftover budget” and they engage their distributor in the wrong way. This results in a poorly executed product which hits the landfill and contributes to the public’s negative perception of our industry. So, what’s underused is a creative way of thinking about how promo can be used in the marketing mix. 5. What do you think is the best thing about Promotional Products as an advertising media?It’s the most effective advertising media when it comes to creating an emotional connection with the user. Hands down (when it’s done right)!
And…that’s another awesome edition of Brand-ecdotes! Thanks to Mark Graham for taking the time to jump in on this brand new project!
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by Kirby Hasseman
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Welcome to a super awesome new blog post series for Hasseman Marketing called:“Brand-ecdotes!” Each week we will talk to a branding all star about what make the Promotional Product advertising media so special! This week we talk with Bill Petrie. Bill (as you can see from the picture above) is a Branding Rock Star. He is a veteran of the Promo industry and is currently the President of PromoCorner. 1. What is your all time favorite Promotional Product and why?I’d have to say it’s “Van Halen-ized” Aurabox 2.0 from Origaudio. I travel quite a bit and bring a Bluetooth speaker with me everywhere I go. Outside of my family and work, music is my passion and by bringing the music with me, I can mentally transport anywhere. Plus, it’s got WAY cool Van Halen stripes. 2. Can you name a Promo Product that you have that STILL reminds you fondly of an event, person, organization? If so, can you tell us that story?I remember back in 2014 when I started brandivate – it was a time filled with both excitement and anxiety. The strangest thing about beginning my own business is that it didn’t feel real…until I received the first promotional product with the brandivate logo on it: a padfolio from Hit. Immediately, brandivate felt real, tangible, and concrete – and that’s the real power of promotional products: the ability to turn ideas into reality. Even though I sold the company to PromoCorner in 2017, I still keep that padfolio as it reminds me of the power of my own dreams. 3. What is the current product you use all the time?
Call me old school, but I still hand-write notes in meetings. As such, I’m a sucker for a great writing instrument such as this one from Goldstar. I’m picky when it comes to pens and always gravitate towards the ones that write really well. This one, writes REALLY well. Plus, it’s powered by pumpkin spice so you know you can’t go wrong. 4. What is an idea/product that you think organizations UNDER use?In a mobile society, people live on their phones. As such, the best branding opportunity – the one that will kept, used, and remembered – is a high-quality power bank. While I’m partial to the TenFour from Origaudio, there are a number high quality power banks that will keep portable technology powered so you can share that picture with a distant friend, post a live video from a wedding a loved-one couldn’t attend, or simply just finish that game. 5. What do you think is the best thing about Promotional Products as an advertising media?Promotional products (which I think is an outdated term, by the way) is really tangible, experiential marketing. The logoed backpack you take with you everywhere, the writing instrument you can’t bear to lose, the speaker that keeps you sane on the road, or that padfolio that instantly takes you back to when you started your business – all of those things make marketing tangible in ways more traditional forms of advertising simply can’t.
And…that’s the another edition of Brand-ecdotes! Thanks to Bill Petrie for taking the time to jump in on this brand new project!
Make sure you never miss a post, video or podcast! Sign up for the Hasseman Marketing VIP newsletter here.
by Kirby Hasseman
Welcome to a super awesome new blog post series for Hasseman Marketing called:
“Brand-ecdotes!”
Each week we will talk to a branding all star about what makes the Promotional Product advertising media so special!
This week we talk with Kelly Bowe. Kelly is an Account Executive for Hasseman Marketing.
1. What is your all time favorite Promotional Product and why?
Apparel. I love good quality apparel that I can wear for years. Especially jackets. 2. Can you name a Promo Product that you have that STILL reminds you fondly of an event, person, organization? If so, can you tell us that story?When I worked at JII Promotions in Coshocton, I received a really nice set of knives. When JII was closing, they allowed the employees to take a few samples from the warehouse to keep as mementos. I chose the knife set because it was a really nice item. Every time I use the knives, I think of the wonderful memories and friendsI made at JII. 3. What is the current product you use all the time?The “Twister” Cell Phone Metal Ring Holder and Stand I received a sample of it at our last trade show and I absolutely LOVE IT! It allows me to prop my phone up while I am working at my desk and it makes my phone easy to hold onto while talking. 4. What is an idea/product that you think organizations UNDER use?That is an easy one for me. I feel that organization should have a “Years of
Service” Program for their employees. When a worker is employed 5/10/15/20/25 or more years, they are allowed to choose a gift from their specialized catalog. They receive the gift either at their home or hand delivered by their manager. They also receive a nice appreciation letter from the company thanking them for their years of dedication and service. Every loyal and dedicated employee appreciates when their company acknowledges their efforts and years of service. I feel this is such an amazing program that every company should take advantage of. 5. What do you think is the best thing about Promotional Products as an advertising media?I think that loves to receive gifts. I feel that when a company gives someone a special gift, the recipient will always remember the person and company that gave them that gift. When the gift is an item that they use on a daily basis, the company is thought of often. I try to choose my “gifts” to my clients wisely as I want them to use my gifts often and love receiving them.
And…that’s another awesome edition of Brand-ecdotes! Thanks to Kelly Bowe for taking the time to jump in on this brand new project!
Make sure you never miss a post, video or podcast! Sign up for the Hasseman Marketing VIP newsletter here.
by Kirby Hasseman
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Welcome to a super awesome new blog post series for Hasseman Marketing called:
“Brand-ecdotes!”
Each week we will talk to a branding all star about what make the Promotional Product advertising media so special!
This week we talk with Paul Kiewiet. Paul is the Executive Director of MIPPA (Michigan Promotional Products Association), former Chairman of PPAI, Speaker, Trainer and all around Marketing and Business Guru! When Paul speaks…people listen.
1. What is your all time favorite Promotional Product and why?That’s like asking which is my favorite daughter. The right promotional product that solves the right problem at the right time is always my favorite. 2. Can you name a Promo Product that you have that STILL reminds you fondly of an event, person, organization? If so, can you tell us that story?It’s a small multi-tool with a knife and a scissors from a concrete company that my father did business with in the 1960’s. I don’t know how I ended up with it, but it’s moved with me throughout my adult life and reminds me of my dad every time I see it or use it. The product must be about 50 years old now but the imprint is still clean and the product still usable. 3. What is the current product you use all the time?I have a pad of sticky notes on my desk from TraverseCity.com. I use it every day for jotting quick notes and reminders. I received it last October and it will probably last until at least next October.
4. What is an idea/product that you think organizations UNDER use?I think personalized products are the most under used and most effective promotions. Everyone loves seeing their name on something and have a hard time throwing it away. It’s the best way to get someone’s attention.
5. What do you think is the best thing about Promotional Products as an advertising media? There are so many things that make promotional products the best advertising media – target ability, low cost per impression, affiliation with a brand to name a few. But the best thing about promotional products as an advertising media is that they touch all of the senses. They are the high touch counterpoint (or exclamation point!) in a high tech world. It fits perfectly with the touch-ability trend that we’re seeing today with board games and more analog experiences.
And…that’s the another edition of Brand-ecdotes! Thanks to Paul Kiewiet for taking the time to jump in on this brand new project!
Make sure you never miss a post, video or podcast! Sign up for the Hasseman Marketing VIP newsletter here.
by Kirby Hasseman
Welcome to a brand new blog post series for Hasseman Marketing called: “Brand-ecdotes!” Each week we will talk to a branding all star about what makes the Promotional Product advertising media so special! This week we talk with David Shultz! David is the Vice-President of Operations for DistributorCentral, a technology, search and website provider in the Promo industry. They even host the Hasseman Marketing search website! David is a tech guru, musician, athlete and more.
1. What is your all time favorite Promotional Product and why?
I’m a sucker for drinkware. And before you decide that my love of drinkware is a by-product of having a drinking problem…let me just say that I drink water all day. Having a 30oz vacuum tumbler on my desk that keeps water cold for hours is a sure-fire way to make sure I take in enough water every day and don’t spend half my day walking to the water cooler. I’m also a big fan of t-shirts. Not because they’re cliche or over-used, but because I love a really good design and when I find one I’ll wear it over and over.
2. Can you name a Promo Product that you have that STILL reminds you fondly of an event, person, organization? If so, can you tell us that story?
Easy – 18oz Viking Water Bottle from Crown Products and my super-soft Colorblock Hooded Fleece from S&S Activewear (I know, that’s two items…but they’re both from the same event!). Every time I wear the fleece and use the water bottle I smile and remember the shenanigans while spending 36 hours in the desert with a group of rock star #promoWarriors. The fleece kept me warm during those desert nights, and I think at some point that weekend I used the bottle to carry water, beer, gatorade and coffee and it performs admirably for all four.
3. What is the current product you use all the time?
See answer to #2. Also use my OrigAudio Mission Pack every day (and it’s taken a beating over two years of travel and still going strong) and my Urban Peak vacuum tumbler from Starline that keeps coffee hot for hours on end gets daily use. Probably a little too much.
4. What is an idea/product that you think organizations UNDER use?
Despite the avalanche of powerbanks and thumb drives in the industry, I think some companies are still under-utilizing tech products. I was in a restaurant the other night where there were no fewer than four branded powerbanks sitting on the table during dinner. That was two hours of uninterrupted advertising for those brands. The possibilities are endless, even if they aren’t obvious…phone cases (as Roger Burnett likes to say…”the new t-shirt”), powercord lanyards, memory stick keychains, phone stands, phone wallets, Bluetooth tracker tags, earphones, Pop Sockets…the list goes on and on. I love drinkware, bags and apparel, but some of the latest promo innovations are coming in the tech sector.
5. What do you think is the best thing about Promotional Products as an advertising media?
It’s TANGIBLE! I mean, can you carry around a magazine ad, banner ad, tv commercial, or newspaper ad with you while promoting a brand in real time? I suppose you could…on your tablet…but what’s better than showing off your love of a brand (and, for advertisers…having people carry your brand around on their person) with a fun, useful, walking advertisement?
And…that’s the first edition of Brand-ecdotes! Thanks to David Shultz for taking the time to jump in on this brand new project!
Make sure you never miss a post, video or podcast! Sign up for the Hasseman Marketing VIP newsletter here.
