The Promo Column


Trump the competition A


s readers of the column will be aware, the new US president, Donald Trump, is a massive fan of merchandise. It is estimated that his campaign spent $11.5million on merchandise during the campaign, all of it made in the US of A. With the recent inauguration, Trump carried on his love of a freebie by giving those attending his inauguration balls Trump-Pence swag bags. The high-quality bags contained goodies such as the iconic red baseball cap, a fake dollar bill featuring Trumps image, and an I was there pin badge. All good stuff, but will it be enough to Make American Great Again? Well see.


As befits his role as dealmaker in chief, Trump has got down to business quickly signing a slew of executive orders. Although many of them seek to pull the rug from under former president Obama, Trump has shown consistency in one area – his choice of pens. When he signs executive orders, Trump is using a Cross Century II black lacquer and gold roller ball pen, just as Obama did. The Trump White House reportedly put in an initial order for 150 of the pens.


Presidential pens


Cross has had something of a monopoly on presidential pens with George W. Bush and Bill Clinton using the Cross Townsend pen, and Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush also favouring Cross pens. An official Cross-White House programme began under Clinton. Typically, the president uses a number of pens to sign various orders, with the pieces handed as souvenirs to guests at signings. With Trump getting double busy in the White House, he may want to employ something a bit quicker, such as a custom-made stamp. Those imaginative folks at Awesome Merchandise have a new range of stamps available in


On into March and inevitably we start with Donald Trump. Promotional products commentator Stuart Derrick explains how the new US president is linked to promotional merchandise.


six sizes and multiple colours. The plastic cased self-inking stamps can be customised with any text or images you wish. Theyre long lasting (good for up to 20,000 imprints, which should be enough for the four-year presidential term) and self-contained with no mess – great news for self-confessed germophobe Trump. He really should splash out on some. Back in the US, a striking product has come to my attention. Bottle Breachers are an intriguing option produced in America by former army veteran Eli Crane, who came up with the idea of using spent ammunition to make personalised bottle openers. The ex-Navy SEAL was given a gift of a bottle opener made from a shell and decided to try making them himself. The unusual gift quickly became popular as a groomsman gift, especially after Eli began to offer personalisation and customised designs. Starting in his garage, the business really took off after Eli appeared on Shark Tank, a US start-ups programme similar to Dragons Den in the UK. The company uses 50 calibre shells to make the openers and prides itself in hiring former veterans to work with it, as well as helping vet charities in the US. Bottle Breachers was recently named as one of the top veteran-owned businesses in the US, and has expanded its product range to include keyrings, wine bottle openers and pens, as well as apparel.


Cross Century II black lacquer and gold roller ball pen


Other different products Something a little different comes from Kelloggs, which, has come up with another piece of kitchen kit with which to fill our cutlery drawers. Promotional Stretch n Sip collectable spoons are currently available in special packs of Coco Pops, Rice Krispies, Frosties and Coco Pops Croc Prints. The extendible spoons, which double-up as straws, follow on from Kelloggs colour- changing Magic Spoons promotion last year. These special spoons changed colour in hot or cold milk, and the cereal company shipped eight million of them. The company also offered personalised spoons last year. The Stretch n Sip promotion runs until spring 2017 with spoons available in three different designs, featuring Coco the Monkey, Tony the Tiger and Croc. Im loving these spoonfuls.


When it comes to working off some of those empty calories, more of us are getting on our bikes. As a relatively new Mamil (middle aged man in Lycra), I was delighted to stumble across a company called Pegatin. It makes professional stickers comprising your name and country flag, for your bike and other sporting equipment. The stickers are top quality, and are used by more than 50,000 cyclists and other athletes from around the globe.


Custom stamps from Awesome Merchandise


| 46 | March 2017


The custom road and mountain bike stickers, decals and vinyls, will make every two-wheeled warrior feel as much of a pro as Sir Wiggo himself. Not only do they look great on a bike frame, but also other gear such as helmets, bike boxes and anything else you wish to tag. They are guaranteed for one year and will be replaced free by the Exeter-based company if you there are any issues.


Stretch ‘n’ Sip spoon from Kellogg’s


www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk


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