Unique! …but is it a fit?

A questions we get all the time is “what is the newest, hottest, most unique product to brand for an event”? We like to start by making sure the product you select is a fit for your business goals, the event, your recipients and, of course, your budget… While we could break out ideas like corporate kites, die cast belt buckles, pint glasses with a handy bottle opener in the base, magnetic koozies (yes, with a magnet strong enough to place the koozie on the outside of the door of your diesel pick up truck… if you are a redneck), custom hot sauce, a cowboy boot shaped shot glass, logo’d flip flops or. . . well. . . the point is, these are fun products, but these unique solutions might not be relevant to your business. As you read the list, you may have thought, “how cool is a belt buckle with my logo!!” But would this really be a fit for your company’s marketing efforts? Before we whip out the wild cards, we want to learn a bit more about your goals:

• Can we identify the target audience with whom you wish to build relationship through branded merchandise? Is it women choosing healthcare services, bank auditors, college students, automotive junkies, tourists, football fanatics, potential donors…? These folks each require wildly different consideration as we attempt to create interest in your business and engagement with your brand.

• What type of relationship are you trying to cultivate with these folks?… Initial introduction… client thank you’s… referral gifts… are we cultivating prospects at a tradeshow… creating community engagement… delivering employee recognition… co-branding for an event… or will this product be a call to action… ?

• When do we need to receive product and how will you distribute this merchandise? Is there an event in 1 week (which gives us 1 day to produce and 4 days to ship)… will you receive the product on site or do you need to send each piece individually on a specific date… is this a closing gift… a cold call leave behind… sponsorship swag… or maybe this item will be “marked up” for retail sale… ?

• What is the ideal recipient experience? Is the goal to position the brand a cool… credible… innovative… irreverent… local… playful… technical…

These are just a few of the interview questions that help us pin down and deliver clever and engaging product solutions that earn wins for our clients as they build relationships with their customers, investors, members, employees and the even their community at large. We don’t have a magic bullet. We believe that by investing in your company’s objectives, we can develop a relationship that will serve your business growth goals and ultimately build brand love. Let’s play.]]>