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Did your mom or your grandma have a copper Jello mold? We'd bet yes! Trends come and go; this year's charcuterie board could be a future copper Jello mold. Staying top of mind requires engagement, right? What's a kitchen staple that your grandma, her grandma and you probably have in common? Cast iron products. Quality cast iron is a durable essential and a unique gift that will last for generations. It might be a quirky idea, but the goal of branded gifts is to provide a product your recipient will keep, use and enjoy. We are thrilled to announce we have a new partner for your branding: Lodge. Lodge Cast Iron has been making heirloom-quality cookware and accessories since 1896. In fact, they like to say they don't just make cookware - they make memories that last for generations. Do you recall the last branded gift you received? Will it be here for generations? We'd suggest forging some long-lasting bonds via cast iron. Brands matter! Giving a gift like Lodge Cast Iron allows for continuous ways to stay engaged after the initial presentation. Add custom sauce or spices, offer quality cooking utensils, aprons, and oven mitts, even create your own recipe book! The kitchen is the center of most home gatherings - put your branding in the heart of the home. Ask us to create a curated kit that fits your vision and make it a drop ship for turnkey ease! How often do you cook with cast-iron? **Retro tip** Copper Jello mold creations were served up on lettuce leaves.

The irony is a few years ago when the grandparents mentioned pickleball, not only did the quirky name draw laughs, but the grandkids rolled their eyes saying "never", as in never would they play pickleball. Well, you've heard it said never say never; they played. In fact, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the US. Confused? Here's the "dill" - it's a mix of badminton, tennis and table tennis. The quirky name? Name for a family dog! Pickles' founders might not have envisioned back in 1965 that today more than 4.8 million people would play the game. While players have doubled in the last 5 years, it's not just your granny playing the game. In fact, a recent Pickleball report found a third of players are under 25 years old. The Smasher Pickleball Paddle featured here not only has a large contact area that's a sweet spot for the ball, but the full color offers a pretty sweet imprint area for your brand message too. This type of fitness product seemed like the perfect addition to our Quirky Enough to Work series. Just one question left, have you tried this sport yet?

If you follow our blog or have purchased drinkware with our company, you are familiar with the term "wrap imprint". One of our first questions in developing a campaign is to inquire about your audience, to learn how much content area is needed for your message. Sponsorships, education, and milestone moments are just three types of marketing moments that benefit from a large imprint area, especially a wrap imprint. Since each side of a wrap imprint can be different on many mugs, "side 1 & side 2" varies only by how one grabs the handle. However, not all drinkware has a wrap imprint, which means sometimes a decision must be made about imprinting on side 1 or side 2. Your preference determines if the logo or message should face the recipient or turn towards the viewer. On our team we have 2 left-handed teammates - Sally and Angela. Miranda, Sherri, Keith and Olivia are all right-handed, but that does not make them "right". Dive into the science by exploring this post about the Science of People. Our talented graphics team will maximize your imprint area to make sure your message works no matter how you hold the cup! Wondering how being a leftie differs from being a rightie? Challenge yourself today by using your left hand while sipping your coffee, using a pair of scissors, writing in a spiral-bound notebook, or even using a fork and knife!

Join us this Saturday, August 6th as we are teaming up with other local businesses for “Apex Gives Back.” This event is being held to donate a portion of that day’s profits to local charities and non-profits across NC with our Downtown Apex neighboring businesses. There will be music, fun, and activities along Salem Street all day so come on down to shop, dine, and play for a great cause with our neighbors! Normally part of our magic is the in-person experience to collaborate on product selection from the showroom and create with our design team, but don't worry. Even though we are not open on Saturday, you can still send us messages to tee up your order and give back! As part of the fun, we have created a number of ways you can support Apex Gives Back and our Promotional Partners Cares Program with virtually no work at all. Intrigued? 3 Simple Ways to Support: 1. Contact us by email, web or social accounts to let us know you are interested in ordering a drinkware product for an upcoming marketing campaign. That's an instant $15 into our Cares Program total, which currently over $1,000! 2. Place that order before the end of August, and that's another $15 to our Cares Program. As always, work through the marketing, selection and design process with our team without a rush to purchase only on Saturday. Take your time, relax - we will still count your donation in the day. 3. Give us a shoutout on social media! We've been partnering with local businesses, non-profits and schools for fifteen years. Share one of your favorite promotions - in the wild, in action and that's an instant $15 into the Cares Program as part of our partnership to "Apex Gives Back". Our goal is to have made 15 investments by Saturday - that's $225.00 we will invest into our Cares Program. How about a bonus? Ask us about a line of drinkware options we offer that have free set up, free shipping and many offer full color decoration. That's going to save you more than $15 on your order. Some ideas for how to incorporate drinkware into a campaign. As you can see $15 goes a long way! Who will our partnership benefit? Wake Tech Foundation. Take a look here at the impact of the dollars donated to this foundation and the types of programs you will be supporting here. Wondering why we selected this partner? Learn more here. What does "in the wild" look like? Here are some images in action or just taken out of a box from a dimensional mailer: You know our team loves to laugh, which is good for you, which means those products you purchased out in the wild world of our daily routine are growing awareness and sales for your business. Here's the facts. Are you ready to give back? Just by reading this post today, know that we've already added $45 towards our $225.00 goal for Saturday! By liking, commenting or re-sharing this post on your social media, your action will be one of the remaining 12 contributions to our $225.00 goal. Now that's easy!

Have you been longing to shed those winter boots and put your toes in warm sand? The sun is shining, and warmer weather is here; we hope it will stay. Bright sunny days often inspire a quick decision to take a road trip. When time is limited, every second counts. Carrying heavy equipment down to the beach or to a scenic lake view isn't fun. Promotional products are meant to solve everyday challenges, while generating brand engagement. Let's take a look at some summer products quirky enough to work for your brand. The Day Tripper Pop Up Tent Collapses into a round, flat carrying pouch with handles Light and portable, just 2 lbs Instructions, with tent rope and stakes, included Perfect for the park, beach, backyard, company picnic and more We have several styles When you're outside, don't forget the sunscreen, including the Sun Bum Day Tripper Kit and keep your car smelling fresh on your next road trip! What's your favorite place for a quick trip?

It's National Coffee Day and one of our favorite promotional products is drinkware! Statistically speaking your return on investment is strong when you select mugs and tumblers for brand campaigns! Why? Results! Drinkware items have some pretty impressive stats However, my favorite reason to suggest drinkware it's practical and universal appeal; which makes it the perfect branded medium for contests and loyalty programs. Besides, every brander knows the IT Factor is the decoration! Unique Decoration - YES! Wrap Imprints - many tumblers and mugs can be rolled through the machine used for decoration offering more content in the imprint area. Take care not to crowd the imprint area with too much information; a quick read is important. Wrap imprints allow content to be different on each side- perfect for dual branding, listing locations or sharing message to attendees at a premier event. Wrap imprints are also for education, such as providing consumer safety tips or reminding employees of internal goals. Increase the reach and engagement of your brand message with this popular item- it will add some pep to your next promotional campaign.

Our partner at PCNA has introduced a completely new line of products to address the growing desire of our consumers for products that care about the environment. Let's start with the 101- a basic crash course in what you need to know: From wheat straw to recycled PET, here's the scoop on the amazing stuff that makes up our EcoSmart® products. The feedback has been loud and clear – interest in eco-friendly products has never been greater. This demand is coming from a changing culture where plastic waste reduction is celebrated and laws banning single-use plastics are popping up all over the U.S. and Canada. Through EcoSmart®, PCNA has introduced the industry's best selection of products made from recycled materials, as well as products that are reusable alternatives to items normally thrown away after one use. Not all recycled materials are the same. Each one has an interesting story about how it became part of an umbrella shaft or a backpack exterior. Here's a quick primer on the amazing materials used to create EcoSmart products: 1. Recycled PET Polyethylene terephthalate, better known by the abbreviation PET, is the most common type of plastic used for water and soft drink bottles, food containers such as peanut butter jars and household cleaners. It's a favorite of the food and beverage industry thanks to its strength, durability and transparency. Unfortunately, these characteristics also mean that it takes about 450 years for a plastic water bottle to decompose (Popular Science). It's not all bad news, though. PET happens to be the most recycled plastic in the world. Used PET containers are sorted, cleaned and ground down into pellets that are reintroduced into the manufacturing process that make the line of EcoSmart backpacks, umbrellas and even journals. If you're looking for a retail brand in the Eco-friendly game, partnering with Parkland offers their on-trend collection of backpacks, totes, duffel bags and pouches - all made with 100% recycled water bottles. 2. Bamboo Bamboo is another key EcoSmart material.  Our partner has used bamboo for everything from lunch boxes to cutlery to photo frames. Besides being 100% biodegradable, bamboo is highly renewable. Incredibly, it grows several feet in 24 hours and requires 30% less water to grow. 3. Wheat Straw After wheat grains are harvested to make all your favorite baked goods, what becomes of the rigid stalk that's left over? Believe it or not, it ends up in some of our EcoSmart products. Wheat straw is durable enough to become the barrel of a pen or even a lunch box. There is no need to worry about allergies since there is no wheat grain in these products, they are totally gluten-free. 4. Recycled Cotton According to the Council for Textile Recycling, annual textile waste is estimated to equal 25 billion pounds. Once in landfills, all that material can take hundreds of years to decompose. Fortunately, the leftover cuttings from apparel and textile factories can be recycled and used to make products like tote bags and notebooks. Producing a cotton tote using existing materials that would otherwise be thrown away; is a big step toward reducing CO2 and fossil fuel emissions. Ready to layer these types of products into your brand message?

Give your gift that little something extra- after-all, gifting is all about THE EXTRA. Our friends at PCNA shared some popular new product ideas and insights on the appeal of brands. In a recent article discussing the power of retail brands, Rob Wengel, senior vice president of global data analytics firm Nielsen, explained, "Brands can signify quality and inspire confidence." As we head into prime gift season, everyone's searching for products that represent their companies in the best way possible. Going with a gift from a well-known, well-respected retail brand is an easy way to add a little something extra and associate your organization with all the positive attributes that come with that brand. What are the factors that make retail brands successful in the promotional products market? Here are our top three reasons: 1. Perceived Value When you choose a Carhartt® duffel as an annual appreciation gift for your team, you're getting more than just a well-built bag. Since the brand has a legendary reputation for quality and toughness, you're getting a bag that employees will value more because of the brand's stellar reputation. It's the best of both worlds - they'll love the gift and you'll deliver the message of appreciation. 2. Save Time If you're looking at water bottles to give customers as an annual thank you gift, you know the options are going to be overwhelming. Going with one from an established brand like CamelBak, immediately narrows down your search, saves you time and reduces the risk that you'll end up with a sub-par bottle. 3. Peace of Mind Giving a holiday gift to the financial backers who support your non-profit or university? The last thing you want is a phone call that the sweatshirts or jackets you gave top donors are falling apart. Eliminate the worry and headaches and give away superior apparel from an established retail brand like Roots73 with a legacy of quality construction and premium materials. The Bottom Line Going with a retail brand saves you time and helps you avoid some potential pitfalls, makes a big impression and shows appreciation. Shop Brands

Have you caught yourself humming or singing a jingle to a company? Is a jingle the first thing that comes to mind when you hear a company mentioned? Well you’re not alone, 60% of consumers say that music used in marketing is more memorable than visuals. Sonic logos are generally audio cues that accompany the brand’s logo. These cues can be a jingle or even just a simple sound – think Metro-Goldwyn Mayer’s lion roar at the beginning of a movie or Intel’s “bong.” It’s no surprise that sonic logos are growing in popularity. With an ever-growing marketplace that is already crowded, a well-developed sonic logo is a great way to set you apart from competitors. Especially considering that over 100 million devices with Alexa have been sold (not to mention all the Google Home devices) which cutout the ability to capture the attention using visuals and audio sounds are the next logical step to cut through the clutter. Sound acts as that connector between the physical space and digital space created by your brand. It contributes to your identity and helps develop favorable preference, building of trust, and ultimately increases sales – if done correctly. So just how do you develop this unique sonic logo? Check out these ideas: Be Original Develop something catchy and unique, don’t blend in with the crowd or create a sound similar to another brand’s. Dealing with audio can be tricky, there are copyright/trademark laws to be aware of, if it sounds familiar keep making edits. You will spend more time but potentially save money in the long run. Take a Brand Inventory Chances are you’ve thought about how you want to position your brand in the world. When you are thinking of what you want your sonic logo to be, consider what you want people to think of when they think of your brand. Who are you trying to target? What is your brand about? These are important questions to answer to successfully create a sonic logo that resonates and represents. Look for Auditory Clues Do you already use audio clips in podcasts, videos, presentations, etc.? Maybe there is an existing commonality in sound to use as a jumping off point. You never know what content already created can serve as new inspiration! Partner with Professionals When in doubt, turn to the professionals. Whether they’re a marketing firm that offers sonic/audio branding services or a company that solely focuses on sonic/audio they know what they’re doing. Whichever direction you turn, make sure that you click as a group and that they ‘get’ you as a brand and understand your vision. Things to share with the professional of your choice are your mission statement, customer persona, short- and long-term goals, and current marketing/branding initiatives. Finally, don’t settle for something that is 100% representative of your brand. Fun Fact- Did you know the first year we were in business we had a big sound button made with a signature sound as part of our marketing plan? At Promotional Partners we are always interested in ways to make your brand stand out from your competitors. We have several partners that offer unique ways to capture audio into your marketing efforts- check out this link.  What other advertising medium offers you so many sensory engagements at once? Complied by Promotional Partners Team Member- Arien Harris Source- ASI- Advertising Specialty Institute Counselor Magazine - May 2019 author- Christoper Ruvo

The EYES have it; yes; bad pun...but you know I like my word play. Fun and practical webcam covers are that inexpensive promotion you've been seeking to connect with your target markets. How? A PTA might give them out to new families and remind them to WATCH the website for upcoming events. A municipality might give them out with an open house to introduce residents to new town programs. A savvy marketer might use them for a social media contest as a reminder to participate. Is your privacy safe? Know who's watching- we are looking out for you! Tech companies and law enforcement can use this type of product for brand messaging. Smile and the world smiles with you- there are plenty of professional industries that rely on brilliant smiles. Decorators, graphic artists and web designers have an eye for pulling together the right amount of color, pattern and imagery to create a cohesive project.  If your business has a positive impact on another, like business coach that re focuses your assets, a hair stylist that uplifts your spirits with a new look or an insurance agent that is happy you continue to renew your policy each year - a smile goes a long way. Each of these strategies were lifted from archived case studies in our brand resource center. Creating an eye for brand engagement can benefit from a twist of fun!

Have you noticed I've been featuring partnering lines that offer to tie your brand to a greater good? According to Harvard Business Review’s The Business Case for Purpose, 89% of executives surveyed said a strong sense of collective purpose drives employee satisfaction. Why not reinforce this purpose during the holidays with a gift to employees that sends the message of caring and giving? As a tribute to the company's founder, Bill Schmidt, 5% of the proceeds of AWS products by Giving Back to his favorite charities. What types of products can you find in this line? Value basics to luxury products in the categories of bag, drinkware, technology and outdoor leisure. A top quality bag is always a plus for high impressions and long lasting brand value. Integration of technology and RFID protection for your data is hard to resist. What exactly does RFID mean? RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification Devices. Today they are found in passports and credit cards as wafer-thin chips to help speed up transactions. Identity theft via RFID readers is a growing concern. You can protect your personal data with the use of RFID blocking wallets and RFID blocking passport covers.

We are greater than one. Not one person or one brand can move the needle on change. Increasingly we are seeing our partners incorporate brand options within their line that address issues on a national or global level. Teaming up the power of brands with consumer education and demand for products that effect change, social issues can be addressed. Today we had an opportunity for our team to preview some new products. Learning about trends for various industries marketing efforts or gifts is a broad job; lots of lines, lots of products. However, the task is always fun! This brand stood out today for both quality and function. The socially responsible component was a bonus! What is XACTLY doing with % of sales? XACTLY has partnered with The Planet Water Foundation to provide the world's poorest communities with clean, safe water sources. Take a look at the features of this bag: Ultimate Back pack- Oxygen 25 Lycra™ Back Panel 900D Matte Post-Consumer Recycled Body Material – XACTknit™ Jacquard Woven Mesh Accents Metal Logo Plate With Integrated USB A/C External Charging Port Modular Design Includes Integrated Wireless Charging Pocket (When Used With Wireless Power Bank), Fleece Lined, Structured, Tech Epicenter With Cord Pass-Through To All Pockets Integrated Cord Channel In Straps For Wired Earbuds Built In Magnetic Landing Pads Snap Earbuds To Shoulders When Not In Use Theft Deterrent Woojin™ Magnetic Snap Closure System Main Pocket Opens Completely For Easy Access To Bottom 15.6” Extra Protected Laptop Pocket Tablet Pocket Side Drinkware Pockets With Lycra™ Flex Material Research more options from this line- including drinkware, bags Continue to follow the blog for more ways to partner with charitable causes and team together to solve issues.