Person-Shaped USB Memory Stick
In recent times, buying and distributing promotional gifts has become a necessary component of doing business. Promotional products is as important to marketing and building a brand as was television and print advertising 20 years ago.
However, given the focus on cost management by many organizations in 2009, companies have been very particular in regards to what and how much promotional products to procure. The think tank Sagitar Consulting recently conducted a study to understand this year's buying habits around promotional and corporate gifts. Marketing departments within Fortune 1000 companies were interviewed to understand the specific characteristics or dimensions of a product they were looking for when selecting a promotional product. Twenty dimensions in all were evaluated.
The study suggested that there was a common and strong focus across industries across 3 dimensions--distinction, practicality, and relevancy.
Distinction
Foremost, marketers are saying the promotional product had to be easily differentiated from gifts provided by other companies. This is supported by a decrease in the purchases of commodities such as pens and notepads this year. Given the trade-off between higher distinction and a higher cost, even in a recessionary environment, companies are more willing to pay more for a more distinct product.
Practicality
Here, practicality refers to the usefulness of the product. Businesses are looking for promotional products that their customers will use. Repeated use of the product ensures the ongoing value of the product beyond the current marketing or sales campaign.
Relevancy
Lastly, companies are looking for products that are relevant to their own business. This will help the customer tie the product to the branded business.
Sagitar showcased several products from the promotional products company Vinalli (http://www.vinalli.com) that exhibit the aforementioned 3 dimensions.
Collapsible Speakers (http://www.vinalli.com/
Distinction:
Practicality:
Relevancy: the music industry
USB People (http://www.vinalli.com/
Distinction:
Practicality:
Relevancy: almost all industries--the character can be designed to reflect any business, products, or clientele
Credit Card USB (http://www.vinalli.com/
Distinction:
Practicality:
Relevancy: financial services industry
Other dimensions that were also favored across many industries include Green/Eco-Friendliness, Portability, and Affordability. Remember to keep these factors in mind when purchasing and receiving corporate gifts this holiday season!
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
