Logo promotional products
Makers of promotional products are finding new outlets for logo promotional items. Over the years, big and small players in the promotional product industry are offering companies and organizations new possibilities for their logo promotional items. From caps, mugs and key chains, logos are now being placed in previously non-traditional promotional products such as USB memory drives, knives, and even body soaps.
Logo promotional items offer one of the easiest ways to build brand equity. These items essentially help a company build awareness and recognition for their brand or logo. Logo promotional items are effective and practical tools to put your product or logo in close and constant contact with your customers. It is no secret that brand recognition leads to brand recall which could ultimately lead to brand patronage – and logo promotional items accomplish this task quite effectively.
The constant hunt for new items where companies can put their logos is not at all surprising. The $17-billion promotional product industry is definitely in an upturn and suppliers and distributors want to make sure that they offer the corporate market fresh and exciting options.
Wearables and apparels were the most popular promotional product in 2004, according to trade group Promotional Products Association, Inc. . The top ten categories for promotional products or logo promotional items during the same year were:
1. Wearables: Aprons, uniforms, blazers, headwear, jackets, neckwear, footwear, etc.
2. Writing Instruments: Pens, pencils, markers, highlighters, etc.
3. Calendars: Wall and wallet calendars, desk diaries, pocket secretaries, etc.
4. Drinkware: Glass, china, ceramic, crystal, plastic and stainless steel
5. Desk/Office/Business Accessories: Briefcases, folders, desk pen sets, calculators, cubed paper, etc.
6. Bags: Totebags, shopping bags, satchels, gift bags, drawstring bags, cosmetic bags, etc.
7. Recognition Awards/Trophies/Jewelry/Clocks & Watches: Plaques, certificates, etc.
8. Other
9. Games/Toys/Playing Cards/Inflatables: Kites, balls, puzzles, stuffed animals, etc.
10. Textiles: Flags, towels, umbrellas, pennants, throws, blankets, etc.
At the recent annual exhibit of PPAI in January, it was obvious that the search for new places for logo promotional items remain a continuing challenge.
“The items inside the hall, which ranged from rainbow-hued men's briefs and vibrating soap to tiny USB memory drives and kitchen knives, seemed to confirm that these days, nothing is off limits in the world of branding. Every item there could be stamped, stitched, engraved or otherwise labeled with a corporate logo or slogan,” a Wall Street Journal article narrated.
The so-called “branding frenzy”, as the article described it, is fueling the growth of both suppliers and promotional products. Suppliers are those who source and produce the logo promotional items while the distributors are those who directly interface with corporate clients to market and sell these products.
The recent PPAI Expo featured 637 new products from more than 365 suppliers. Prominently showcased at the New Products Pavilion, the new items include new styles, materials, and designs for popular promotional products such as coffee mugs, pens, and apparel. Also on display were a wide variety of logo promotional items including pet feeders, watering units, digital cameras, coolers, radios, and cooking wares.