Favortie Items... Promotionally Yours, Sheri Breaux

Top 10 PPAChicago New Product Ideas Posted: 11 Mar 2016 01:36 PM PST Yesterday I attended the PPAChicago New Product Ideas Show. The show was packed with dozens of exhibitors showcasing thousands of products. As I walked through, I couldn’t help but ooh and ahh at some of the items. Many were classic favorites like elegant awards and professional, retail-style golf shirts.  Others were fun, trendy items like a water bottle humidifier or Moscow Mule mug. After a few hours looking through oodles of product, I narrowed down my list of favorites to 10. Why did these 10 make the list? They’re fun, useful products that the end-user is likely to keep and also provide unique branding opportunities.  Note: There were MANY products that could have been on the list, so in the end I just picked some of my personal favorites. 10. Couture Bag with SPARKLE Imprint What immediately caught my eye about this lovely bag was the beautiful imprint of the Chicago skyline. From a distance, the artwork looks like tiny sparkly gems, but in reality, it’s a special type of glossy imprint technique called “SPARKLE.” Since it is an imprint (part of the bag and not something that was glued or attached such as a small gem), there’s no fear of losing part of the art over time.  The bag was sturdy and stylish making it the perfect go-to tote.   9. Flexible Cutting Board  Kitchens provide numerous branding opportunities (refrigerator magnets, calendars, branded utensils and tools), but in pursuing some opportunities you need to be careful. People take a lot of pride in their home, and cooking enthusiasts love their kitchens. Choosing the right kitchen utensil is as much about style as it is about function. Most people do not want overly branded kitchen items, which is why I love these cutting boards. They were quality, flexible, non-slip boards in fun colors with subtle, yet clear, branding. The logo is always visible when in use, but it’s subtle enough to blend in with other kitchen décor when standing by on a counter or shelf.   8. Inflatable Chair When it comes to trade show exhibits, one of the main goals is getting people to stay in your booth. The longer they’re there, the more likely they are to buy. Successful trade show marketers design an inviting space that makes people feel comfortable. This chair would make a great addition. It’s another space that can display your message, and it’s easy to bring from show to show because it’s inflatable. Pack it in your suitcase and blow it up at the show. You can bring other types of inflatable furniture to create a small seating area complete with a chair, couch and loveseat.   7. Jersey Rally Towel Rally towels are an inexpensive way to get your brand message out at large events. How can you make your towel stand out among the rest? Choose a special shape like this jersey towel. Want to promote something other than a sports team? Print any artwork on this shape; it can look like a police uniform or doctor’s scrubs. Whatever you choose is sure to make an impact.   6. Custom Shaped Chocolates I think it’s safe to say that most people enjoy chocolate, so if you want to get in their good graces with chocolates, consider something custom that will help them remember your brand. Chocolate can be molded into pretty much any shape, so think about what represents your brand. If it’s not a tool set as shown here, maybe it’s musical instruments, athletic equipment or cooking supplies.   5. Sweets Trucks OK, when I said most people enjoy chocolate, I was definitely including myself in the mix. I love chocolate, but that isn’t the only reason this truck made my list. Unique containers help extend the shelf life of edible promos. The goodies it carries will be gone within weeks (or days), but when they arrive in a container like this truck, people have a reason to keep it. Many people collect specialty packaging (consider the power of nostalgic Coca-Cola bottles and old school, tin lunchboxes). The additional impressions your brand earns with this collectible gift are worth the extra investment.   4. Temporary Tattoo Event Bracelet Event bracelets are tricky. They serve a practical purpose of tracking attendees, assuring everyone who is there should be there, but for the attendee they can be an inconvenience. Traditional bracelets can be itchy, collect dirt and grime, and may fall off (or at some events, people may try to “share wristbands”). This temporary “waterless tattoo” band eliminates all of that. It’s made with a hypo allergenic, clear surgical tape that blends in with your skin so only the logo is visible. It lasts through washing making it perfect for single-day events. You won’t have to worry about people trying to sneak others into your event, and attendees will feel more comfortable because they won’t actually be wearing anything on their wrist.   3. Toddy Gear Power Bank & Case Toddy Gear is known for its retail product (now available as a promo product) the Smart Cloth. The brand recently added power banks to its product lineup, and when you combine the seamless printing (one continuous full color image, not four separate images with visible seams) on these power banks with an imprinted case and smart cloth, you have a great tech gift.   2. Fremont Power Bank Portfolio This portfolio is perfect for executives, college students or anyone who travels regularly for business. It holds everything you would need to get some work done on the go: writing instruments, a phone, charging cords, USB drive, credit cards and IDs and a notebook. It also features a tablet sleeve and pocket for receipts or business cards. Sure, that’s all great, but what’s the icing on the cake? The built-in power bank! Wherever you go, you’ll never lose a charge. 1. Pixaction Calendars Even in today’s digital age, traditional calendars are still popular in homes and offices. Now there’s a way to tie traditional calendars to technology with the Pixaction app. Described as using a “QR Code on steroids”, calendars incorporating Pixaction can house custom videos for your brand. Scan each calendar image with a smart phone and tablet (using the Pixaction app), and the image comes to life in a video. You can incorporate commercials, product demos, workout tips, DIY guides and more. The opportunities are endless. Pixaction calendars with stock video options are also available. Interested in learning more about any of my favorite #PPAChicago products? Contact your HALO Account Executive today.