What do a scratch-and-sniff billboard, smarter branded merch, and packing for a huge industry event all have in common? In this episode of Better Merch…Better Marketing, Jade and Kirby break it all down.
First, we dig into a bold (and surprisingly smart) out-of-home campaign from Subway, where a scratch-and-sniff billboard was used to stop attention, spark curiosity, and create a real connection. What can marketers and merch pros learn from sensory marketing like this — and when does it actually make sense?
Then, Jade introduces her brand-new Merch Pyramid, a simple but powerful way to think about branded merchandise that actually moves the needle: Utility (does it get used?) Aesthetic (does it look good?) Connection (does it make people feel something?)
Finally, we get practical as we talk through the branded merch items we’re packing for our upcoming trip to PPAI Expo in Las Vegas — why we chose them, how they fit the Merch Pyramid, and what we’re hoping they help us accomplish at the show. If you care about: Smarter branded merch, Creative marketing ideas that stand out Practical takeaways you can actually use …this episode is for you. Oh…and don’t forget our Product of the Week (which you can find here) that will help keep us charged on the trip!
Hit play, and let’s talk Better Merch and Better Marketing!
If you have not already subscribed to Better Merch…Better Marketing, today is a great day to do it! You can find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Just search “Delivering Marketing Joy,” and you will have access to all of our podcasts in one place!
And as always, we are here to help! If you need help with branded merch, merch strategy, or creative ideas to grow your brand or your team, let’s talk. We’d love to help you. Get your TARGET Hiring Playbook here for free!
As we head into 2026, business owners and marketers are being hit with more noise than ever.
New platforms. Even newer technology. New “must-do” tactics that promise fast growth and easy wins.
But here’s the truth: while the tools change, the fundamentals don’t.
In this video, I share seven Business Truths for 2026—not predictions, not hacks, but principles I’ve seen hold true over and over again while working with organizations of all sizes.
If you have not already subscribed to our podcast channel, today is a great day to do it! You can find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Just search “Delivering Marketing Joy,” and you will have access to all of our podcasts in one place!
A little bit each day is more powerful than a lot once a week
Consistency beats intensity—every time.
It’s tempting to believe that big bursts of effort will move the needle faster. But in real life, progress usually comes from small, repeated actions done consistently over time.
This applies to content creation, sales outreach, fitness, leadership, and marketing. Posting occasionally won’t outperform showing up regularly. Checking in with customers once a year won’t build loyalty like small, thoughtful touchpoints throughout the year.
In 2026, the brands that win won’t be the loudest—they’ll be the most consistent.
You need more than one tool in the toolbox to grow sales
There is no single channel that saves a business.
If your entire growth strategy relies on one platform, one salesperson, or one tactic, you’re building on shaky ground. Algorithms change. Markets shift. People move on.
Strong businesses diversify how they attract, engage, and retain customers. That might mean a mix of email, social media, sales outreach, referrals, events, and physical touchpoints.
Growth doesn’t come from finding the tool—it comes from building a balanced system.
Despite new technology, appreciation is still a superpower
Gratitude scales trust faster than automation ever will.
AI and automation can improve efficiency, but they can’t replace how people feel when they’re genuinely appreciated. A handwritten note. A thoughtful gift. Even a sincere thank-you.
Customers don’t leave companies because of a lack of technology—they leave because they feel forgotten or undervalued.
In 2026, appreciation won’t be outdated. It’ll be a competitive advantage.
Life is hard. Thinking it should be easy makes it harder
Resilience is a business skill.
There’s a subtle but damaging belief floating around that if something feels hard, it must be wrong. That simply isn’t true.
Building a business is challenging. Leading people is challenging. Growth is uncomfortable by nature.
The sooner we accept that difficulty is part of the process—not a sign of failure—the more equipped we are to push through it. The most successful leaders I know don’t avoid hard things. They expect them.
Attention is the real currency—and trust is how you earn it
Reach without trust is just noise.
You can buy attention. You can chase views. You can go viral. But none of that matters if people don’t trust you.
Trust is built through consistency, clarity, and delivering on promises—over time. It’s built when your marketing matches your reality and your values show up in your actions.
In a crowded marketplace, trust is what turns attention into action.
The businesses that win don’t do more—they do fewer things better
Focus is not a limitation. It’s a growth strategy.
Many businesses stall because they try to do everything at once. I know I have been guilty of this. I want to be on every platform. Chase every opportunity.
The companies that scale tend to choose a few core strategies—and execute them exceptionally well. Focus creates momentum. Momentum creates results.
In 2026, doing less—but doing it better—will matter more than ever.
Digital marketing works better when it’s paired with something physical
Screens start conversations. Tangible things build memory.
We live in a digital world, but humans are still physical beings. We remember what we can touch, feel, and experience.
Digital marketing is powerful, but when it’s paired with physical touchpoints—like branded merchandise, direct mail, or thoughtful gifts—it becomes more memorable and more effective.
The future isn’t digital or physical. It’s digital and physical, working together.
Final Thought
None of these business truths are flashy. That’s the point.
They’re fundamentals—principles that compound over time if you commit to them. As we move into 2026, the organizations that succeed won’t be the ones chasing every new trend. They’ll be the ones doubling down on what works, serving people well, and building trust one interaction at a time.
If you have not already subscribed to our podcast channel, today is a great day to do it! You can find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Just search “Delivering Marketing Joy,” and you will have access to all of our podcasts in one place!
And as always, we are here to help! If you need help with branded merch, merch strategy, or creative ideas to grow your brand or your team, let’s talk. We’d love to help you. Get your TARGET Hiring Playbook here for free!
It is time for a brand-new episode of Better Merch…Better Marketing, and this one kicks off 2026. Let’s learn a few lessons from Quick Serve Restaurants…and much more! Watch now!
In this episode, Kirby Hasseman and Jade Crider share business lessons inspired by quick-serve restaurants and what marketers can learn from their consistency, systems, and customer experience. They also break down the top five categories of branded merchandise that people actually keep, offering insight into what creates long-term brand value.
Kirby and Jade then talk through their goals for 2026 and what they are focused on improving in the year ahead. Hopefully, this gets your wheels turning!
The Product of the Week is the Moon Jams Bundle, a fun and engaging kit that brings energy and creativity to branded merch programs. The episode wraps up with a spotlight on Marlite and their commitment to giving back during the holiday season. A strong start to the new year with practical takeaways for marketers and business owners alike.
If you have not already subscribed to Better Merch…Better Marketing, today is a great day to do it! You can find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Just search “Delivering Marketing Joy” and you will have access to all of our podcasts in one place!
And as always, we are here to help! If you need help with branded merch, merch strategy, or creative ideas to grow your brand or your team, let’s talk. We’d love to help you. Get your TARGET Hiring Playbook here for free!
In the final episode of Better Merch…Better Marketing, Kirby and Jade reflect on the year that was and look ahead to 2026. They share a few areas they want to focus on in the coming year, revisit the Dad Was Right/Dad Was Wrong segment including Jade’s realization that cold calling was not as bad as expected, and wrap up with their biggest takeaways from 2025. A thoughtful and candid conversation to close out the year.
If you have not already subscribed to Better Merch…Better Marketing, today is a great day to do it! You can find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Just search “Delivering Marketing Joy” and you will have access to all of our podcasts in one place!
And as always, we are here to help! If you need help with branded merch, merch strategy, or creative ideas to grow your brand or your team, let’s talk. We’d love to help you. Get your TARGET Hiring Playbook here for free!
It is time for another episode of Better Merch…Better Marketing, and this week Kirby and Jade cover a wide mix of topics ranging from favorite Christmas movies to real-world sales visits, international policy debates, and a standout apparel item you should know about. As always, the conversation delivers practical insights, a little humor, and a look behind the scenes at what is happening in the world of branded merchandise and marketing.
Favorite Christmas Movies and Some Friendly Debate
The episode opened on a lighter note as Jade and Kirby shared their favorite Christmas movies, and the discussion quickly turned into a playful debate. Kirby listed three films that top his personal holiday rotation: Scrooged, Red One, and Die Hard. Each one brings a different flavor of storytelling that reflects his sense of humor and nostalgia.
Jade, however, made the case that the Grinch is the greatest Christmas movie of all time. She defended the story, the character arc, and the emotional impact, arguing that no other holiday film captures the spirit of redemption and joy quite the same way.
The conversation made it clear that Christmas movies are personal, and every viewer has strong feelings about what deserves the top spot. But we want to hear from you! Jade and Kirby invited the audience to weigh in, and it will be fun to see where this debate lands with listeners.
Kirby Visits Bluffton and the Team Takes Action
The episode then shifted into a recap of Kirby’s recent visit to the region. A lot of progress was made on multiple fronts in a short amount of time. First, Hasseman Marketing officially joined the Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, an important step for strengthening relationships in the area and supporting the growth of the newest team member, Adam.
Next, Kirby spent time training Adam, helping him improve his presentation skills, build his sales pipeline, and understand the Hasseman Marketing approach to serving clients. After that, Kirby traveled down to visit Jade and spent time joining her on sales calls. These in-person interactions help deepen client relationships and set the team up for future success.
This portion of the episode highlighted the importance of showing up in person, supporting your team directly, and becoming involved in the local business community. Whether you are onboarding a new salesperson or expanding into a new market, the fundamentals remain the same. Commit to the process. Build relationships. Reinforce your mission.
The Australia Social Media Ban Debate
One of the more serious topics this week was the recent news about Australia considering a ban on social media for children under a certain age. Kirby expressed mixed feelings about the idea. On one hand, he understands the desire to protect young users from harmful content, addictive patterns, and the pressures of digital culture. On the other hand, he wondered how much regulation is appropriate and whether such decisions should come from governments, parents, or a combination of both.
Jade took a more definitive stance. She believes the ban could be a positive step. In her view, children should not be exposed to social media until they are developmentally ready, and giving them more time before entering that online world could be beneficial. She noted the challenges young people face with comparison, anxiety, and constant digital input, and believes a delay could help set healthier habits in the long run.
The conversation opened the door for listeners to share their views. It is a topic with real implications for parenting, technology, and culture. Both hosts agreed that the audience will likely have diverse opinions, and they are interested in hearing them.
Product of the Week: BELLA+CANVAS Heavyweight Pullover Hoodie
This week’s featured product is the BELLA+CANVAS Unisex 10-Ounce Heavyweight Pullover Hoodie. You can find it here: https://www.sanmar.com/p/64674_Dust
This piece is a standout. It is thick, durable, and designed with a quality that makes it ideal for branded apparel programs, retail environments, employee gifts, or winter promotions. Heavyweight hoodies are trending because they offer a premium feel and long-lasting construction. When someone receives apparel that feels substantial and well-crafted, they wear it more often and your brand gets seen more often.
The hoodie’s unisex fit, modern look, and strong construction make it a smart addition to any merch strategy. If your organization is looking for a winter item that people will appreciate, this is one to consider.
Shout Out: Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce
The shout-out this week goes to the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce. They hosted the ribbon-cutting for Hasseman Marketing and were incredibly welcoming throughout the entire process. Beyond that, they have welcomed 150 new members this year, which speaks to their growth, leadership, and strong presence in the region.
Their support of local businesses and willingness to help newcomers integrate into the community is impressive. Chambers play a vital role in connection-building, resource-sharing, and fostering a business-friendly environment. This one is clearly making a big impact.
Final Thoughts
This episode blended personality, practical advice, and thoughtful discussion. From the fun debate over Christmas movies to the real work of training, visiting markets, and joining a thriving chamber, Jade and Kirby provided insight that applies to both marketing and leadership.
They also tackled a meaningful international issue and highlighted a top-tier apparel product that can elevate any brand’s merch program. And, as always, they closed by recognizing positive work being done in the community.
If you have not already subscribed to Better Merch…Better Marketing, today is a great day to do it! You can find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Just search “Delivering Marketing Joy” and you will have access to all of our podcasts in one place!
And as always, we are here to help! If you need help with branded merch, merch strategy, or creative ideas to grow your brand or your team, let’s talk. We’d love to help you. Get your TARGET Hiring Playbook here for free!
