Saturday, January 23, 2016
Promotionally Yours: Big Game Branding
Promotionally Yours: Big Game Branding: Promotional Marketing Blog by HALO Branded Solutions Big Game Branding Posted: 22 Jan 2016 01:53...
Big Game Branding
Promotional Marketing
Blog by HALO Branded Solutions
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Posted: 22 Jan 2016 01:53 PM PST
The biggest game in the NFL season
is just a couple weeks away; have you been following the ad teasers? It seems
like each year companies preview their ads earlier and earlier. Sometimes the
teasers are even more interesting than the ads themselves. (Check out this Redacted Press Release from Taco Bell
teasing its Super Bowl ad.)
While much of the United States is
focusing on the big game commercials (who bought in? how much did the spot
cost? what’s being sold? how creative is the spot?), we’ve been thinking
about all the other ways companies get their names out during Super Bowl
Sunday. Promotional merchandise is a huge part of every sporting
event. (Read about the power of branded merchandise in professional
sports here.)
Let’s start with Super Bowl gear.
Much of what we see depends on who makes it to the big game. For example, if
the Green Bay Packers would have made it past last weekend, there probably
would have been special Big Game Cheese Heads.
You can
still get one, it just won’t be for the Big Game.
Available
for each division champion.
However, just because a team
doesn’t make it all the way, doesn’t mean they can’t get a slice of the promo
merchandise pie. Each division championship gets a set of hats, shirts and
other division-specific merchandise. Every big contest is an opportunity for
a new piece of gear. So, currently the four teams with a chance to make it to
the big game have likely already made a good chunk of money on division
championship gear.
In addition to team gear, there is
generally memorabilia for the specific Super Bowl year. This year the NFL
celebrates Super Bowl 50, and being its “golden anniversary” there is more
opportunity for memorabilia. The NFL is selling everything from drawstring
bags and shirts to mint ticket collections to commemorate this special
occasion.
 You can
find all Super Bowl 50 items here: http://www.nflshop.com/search/super%20bowl%2050
The NFL isn’t the only company
using branded merchandise to enhance its marketing efforts leading up to,
during and after the big game. Game sponsors are sure to have various
products in support of the game and their brands. Every item in the stadium,
from the beverage cups to the giveaways in the parking lot is likely to be
co-branded with the sponsor’s logo and some reference to the big game. These
items will be seen as collectibles to football fans, and if they somehow
reference the game, recipients are more likely to keep the item. Big
events such as the Super Bowl provide numerous opportunities to get your
brand noticed, but if you are not officially affiliated with the NFL, stay
away from official NFL terms on your merchandise. It is safer to use phrases
like “big game” or “super Sunday” in any advertising materials.
What’s your favorite piece of
sports memorabilia? Tell us about it in the comment section below.
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Friday, January 8, 2016
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Promotionally Yours: Tradeshow Survival Kit-Promotionally Yours
Promotionally Yours: Tradeshow Survival Kit-Promotionally Yours: 7 Must-Haves: Trade Show Survival Kit Posted: 06 Jan 2016 01:37 PM PST If you’re not in the promotional products industry,...
Tradeshow Survival Kit-Promotionally Yours
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Posted: 06 Jan 2016 01:37 PM PST
If you’re not in the promotional
products industry, you may be unaware that next week is the Promotional
Products Association International (PPAI) Expo, one of the largest annual
trade shows in the promotional products industry. Nearly every industry has
trade shows, and if you’ve never attended one, you are surely missing out.
The benefits of going depend on your industry, but they can range from being
the first to know about new products, saving on purchases through show-only
specials, attending classes taught by industry leaders, and mingling with /
learning from your peers.
As we finish our last-minute
packing for the PPAI Expo, we wanted to provide you with a checklist for your
next show. These are the things to remember to bring to the show if you’re an
attendee
(exhibiting is a completely different ball game).
Before you leave for the show,
remember to pack:
1. A Plan – Utilize the show
schedule, map, exhibitor listing or any other show materials available to
create a plan of action. Knowing whom you need to see and what you want to
accomplish long before you head to the show will ensure that you get things
done. Today, many shows develop an exclusive app so you can always have your
schedule and map in digital form, too.
2. Tablet/Phone/Jotter/Chisel
& Stone Slab – Always have a way to take notes, and remember to actually take them.
There is far too much going on to keep it all straight; these notes will be a
lifesaver back at the office.
3. Camera and
Sticky-Notes – Taking pictures of what’s new and awesome is always a great
idea, but pictures without labels inevitably lead to questions such as “Who
makes this?” or “What was special about that thing?” Placing sticky notes by
products when you snap a photo will help you organize your thoughts after the
show. Also, consider making a video at your favorite exhibits to share with
colleagues and customers later.
4. A Large, Comfortable
Bag – Giveaways are almost guaranteed at any tradeshow. Bring a
large, travel-friendly bag so you can bring home all the promotional
literature and branded items your heart desires. Consider a backpack or
something on wheels, but check the show floor guidelines first. Some shows
have exclusions for the types of bags you can carry.
5. Business Cards – You never know when
a networking opportunity will present itself. Make sure you have a healthy
supply of business cards to hand out. Even if a show offers badge-scanning
technology to eliminate the need for piles of business cards, those scanners
don’t always work. It’s good to have at least some cards on hand. Remember to
be choosy about who you hand your card to or let scan your badge; too many
scans can lead to unwanted email spam or catalogs in your mailbox.
6. Access to Work – During the show, you
will be generally unavailable, but consider bringing something you can work
on while waiting in the airport or during downtime in the hotel room. Simply
catching up on emails while you’re out of the office will make your return
less stressful.
7. Company Gear, Comfortable
Shoes and a Smile – You should always wear your company uniform or colors when
you attend a show, and comfortable shoes ensure all that walking don’t leave
your feet aching. There is no better brand ambassador then a happy and
energetic employee proudly wearing company gear. You’ll usually have a trade
show badge, but a company nametag or embroidered shirt is a nice added touch,
too. Encourage your employees or colleagues to wear the same color so your
company representatives are easily recognized throughout the show.
What’s on your trade show survival
list? Share your ideas in the comment section below.
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Monday, January 4, 2016
Promotionally Yours: 2016... start out right
Promotionally Yours: 2016... start out right: 2016 Resolutions You & Your Team Can Keep Posted: 30 Dec 2015 08:31 AM PST Next year’s marketing plans may be written with an ap...
2016... start out right
Posted: 30 Dec 2015 08:31 AM PST
Next year’s marketing plans may be
written with an approved budget to back them up, but that doesn’t mean there
isn’t a bit of wiggle room to improve yourself and your team for 2016. Take
this time before the start of the New Year to reflect on 2015 and set realistic
goals that you and your team can keep for 12 months.
How to begin: Gather your team for a casual meeting or “working lunch” to
reflect as a group on the past year. Encourage everyone to take individual
notes, and jot group ideas on a large white board.
How to reflect: Think about the past year’s marketing campaigns and goals. What
worked? What didn’t work? The answers aren’t always black and white. Break up
each campaign into stages—from brainstorming to execution to post-campaign
analysis—to evaluate strengths and weaknesses and find areas to improve on in
2016. Also consider internal relations; a stronger team will lead to stronger
work.
How to set goals: Again, your 2016 marketing plan and budget are likely set, so
what types of goals are we setting here? Now’s the time to develop goals
related to how your team interacts with one another while working on projects
or simply around the office. Consider the ideas below:
1. Want everyone to be more
filled in on the team’s projects? Implement a weekly or monthly team meeting to
review team progress.
2. Looking for new
perspective on creative? Bring in different team members for your brainstorming
sessions.
3. Everyone need more focus
time? Block out an hour every week to work without phone, email or meetings.
4. Sick of the department
being messy? Declare a monthly cleaning day.
5. Encourage healthy
lifestyles with weekly “walking meetings” and replacing sodas with water.
Minor changes like these can help
ensure a successful 2016.
How to keep resolutions: To help everyone stay on track with their goals, choose a limited
number of team resolutions. A small number (maybe no more than five) is easier
to maintain and will not feel overwhelming. Encourage individuals to make small
resolutions, too. Set weekly check-ins to see how the team is doing and
consider incentives such as small prizes, free lunch or a team happy hour, for
kept resolutions.
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