The Promo Column Time to engage
It’s funny how things come around again. Life is cyclical, be it fashion, trends or tastes. If you wait long enough then most things seem to make a reappearance in a slightly tweaked form. Promotional products commentator Stuart Derrick reports.
I
had an example of this recently on a petrol forecourt of all places, when a branded employee of the company bounded up and asked if Iʼd like him to fill up the car. After years of having to do it myself, I was suspicious of this reversal of self service. What was going on? However, itʼs actually quite a smart move as it personalises a transaction that is a classic grudge purchase. Nobody relishes going to a petrol station where the prices seem to soar by the week, the staff are inevitably morose, and you usually have to queue for the privilege. Petrol forecourt man was a pleasant, smiley chap who broke through that mindset just by virtue of offering some help and asking how your day was going. Plenty of brands talk about service, but not so many do something that makes a tangible difference.
The only problem I found was that terribly British dilemma – should I tip him? Whatʼs the etiquette? Answers on a postcard please.
Hit products
On the subject of cars, and added value, a whizzbang idea for keeping kids occupied has been had by Hertz. The car hire business has created kid-friendly vehicles that can be coloured in. The car is upholstered with the designs of a colouring book that can be inked with felt tips as you travel to your destination. The vehicles are being trialled at Hertz Heathrow with a view to rolling them out further if they prove a hit.
A penʼs a pen surely? However, these nifty writing instruments go down the multi-function road by combining a stylish writing instrument with a USB. As well as looking lovely, siting the flash drive in the pen means its always there when you need it.
Flash drive pen from Klio
Turnusʼs removable cap houses state of the art USB flash drives from 4-32GB in 2.0 or even 3.0 super speed technology. The design of the product offers the possibility of combining different colours, materials and surfaces in a variety of ways and in small volumes. As well as branding the barrel there is also the option of uploading brand information to the flash-drive for a campaign. All elements are according to international certification and only A-Brand flash-drives are used. Production, assembly and printing takes place in the Black Forest, Germany. The location of Turnus production is a reminder that Christmas is just around the corner. So, itʼs timely that Simply Crackers are on hand with news of their corporate offerings, and that they can be filled with anything from bottles of perfume and earphones to toothpaste and vodka. Money off vouchers and coupons can also be included. Anyway, what about water bottles, I hear you ask? Good point.
Iʼve always been a big fan of hydration so couldnʼt help but note the Gululu water bottle for kids, many of who are terrible about remembering their five glasses a day. These interactive bottles encourage drinking by gamifying H2O consumption it and tracking it on an app. As if that wasnʼt enough fun, they also have a virtual pet that you can tend to. The only downside is the $129 price tag. You could hire a personal water monitor for that price.
Happy birthday The Hertz colouring car
Inviting people to interact with your brand is one of the most powerful ways of making a connection with an audience, and itʼs one of the strengths of merchandise. I was recently at an event for the launch of a TV channelʼs upcoming programming schedule where there was a design your own T shirt and phone cover booth. The audience of senior people in TV and advertising was lining up to play with a touchscreen interface that allowed them to create their own items. In the process, they were spending time with the brand, leaving them well disposed toward it, and freely entered their phone and email details. In this case, the product was almost irrelevant, it was the process of creation and personalisation that was more important. Imagine how well it would have gone if the product was more exciting, such as the Turnus collection of pens from German manufacturer Klio.
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
For those on a less extreme budget, Total Merchandise has a cool new bottle and cup in one. The promotional screw apart plastic water bottles are made from BPA free plastic and offer a translucent cup and screw on sports bottle with black trim. There are lots of water bottles around, but these are a little bit different and include spot colour personalisation. Finally, this month Iʼd like to wish Captain Birdseye a happy birthday. For 50 years heʼs being wielding his fishy fingers and for the next few months you can celebrate the fact by winning a soft toy version of the Captain, and using a special Snapchat filter to turn yourself into the hairy hero of teatime. I just canʼt believe heʼs younger than me!
Captain Birdseye toy October 2017 | 87 |
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