by Kirby Hasseman
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Welcome to a super awesome new blog post series for Hasseman Marketing called:“Brand-ecdotes!” Each week we will talk to a branding all star about what make the Promotional Product advertising media so special! This week we talk with Bill Petrie. Bill (as you can see from the picture above) is a Branding Rock Star. He is a veteran of the Promo industry and is currently the President of PromoCorner. 1. What is your all time favorite Promotional Product and why?I’d have to say it’s “Van Halen-ized” Aurabox 2.0 from Origaudio. I travel quite a bit and bring a Bluetooth speaker with me everywhere I go. Outside of my family and work, music is my passion and by bringing the music with me, I can mentally transport anywhere. Plus, it’s got WAY cool Van Halen stripes. 2. Can you name a Promo Product that you have that STILL reminds you fondly of an event, person, organization? If so, can you tell us that story?I remember back in 2014 when I started brandivate – it was a time filled with both excitement and anxiety. The strangest thing about beginning my own business is that it didn’t feel real…until I received the first promotional product with the brandivate logo on it: a padfolio from Hit. Immediately, brandivate felt real, tangible, and concrete – and that’s the real power of promotional products: the ability to turn ideas into reality. Even though I sold the company to PromoCorner in 2017, I still keep that padfolio as it reminds me of the power of my own dreams. 3. What is the current product you use all the time?
Call me old school, but I still hand-write notes in meetings. As such, I’m a sucker for a great writing instrument such as this one from Goldstar. I’m picky when it comes to pens and always gravitate towards the ones that write really well. This one, writes REALLY well. Plus, it’s powered by pumpkin spice so you know you can’t go wrong. 4. What is an idea/product that you think organizations UNDER use?In a mobile society, people live on their phones. As such, the best branding opportunity – the one that will kept, used, and remembered – is a high-quality power bank. While I’m partial to the TenFour from Origaudio, there are a number high quality power banks that will keep portable technology powered so you can share that picture with a distant friend, post a live video from a wedding a loved-one couldn’t attend, or simply just finish that game. 5. What do you think is the best thing about Promotional Products as an advertising media?Promotional products (which I think is an outdated term, by the way) is really tangible, experiential marketing. The logoed backpack you take with you everywhere, the writing instrument you can’t bear to lose, the speaker that keeps you sane on the road, or that padfolio that instantly takes you back to when you started your business – all of those things make marketing tangible in ways more traditional forms of advertising simply can’t.
And…that’s the another edition of Brand-ecdotes! Thanks to Bill Petrie for taking the time to jump in on this brand new project!
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by Kirby Hasseman
The Delivering Marketing Joy Podcast is back! Our goal here is to attack 2018 with a vengeance! The Delivering Marketing Joy Podcast will provide some inspiration, motivation and education to make it happen! Consider this your 10 minute “kick in the pants” to get your week started off right! This week we discuss what happens when we get off track. We all have “that day” or “that week” when things just are not working. We might be unfocused. We might be uninspired. But today we talk about how to get back on track when that happens. Listen in now! What about you? What do you do to get back on track? If you have cool ways to get back after it, let us know! Thanks for taking the time each week to listen in! Make sure you never miss an update! Sign up for our VIP newsletter here.
by Kirby Hasseman
Welcome to a super awesome new blog post series for Hasseman Marketing called:
“Brand-ecdotes!”
Each week we will talk to a branding all star about what makes the Promotional Product advertising media so special!
This week we talk with Kelly Bowe. Kelly is an Account Executive for Hasseman Marketing.
1. What is your all time favorite Promotional Product and why?
Apparel. I love good quality apparel that I can wear for years. Especially jackets. 2. Can you name a Promo Product that you have that STILL reminds you fondly of an event, person, organization? If so, can you tell us that story?When I worked at JII Promotions in Coshocton, I received a really nice set of knives. When JII was closing, they allowed the employees to take a few samples from the warehouse to keep as mementos. I chose the knife set because it was a really nice item. Every time I use the knives, I think of the wonderful memories and friendsI made at JII. 3. What is the current product you use all the time?The “Twister” Cell Phone Metal Ring Holder and Stand I received a sample of it at our last trade show and I absolutely LOVE IT! It allows me to prop my phone up while I am working at my desk and it makes my phone easy to hold onto while talking. 4. What is an idea/product that you think organizations UNDER use?That is an easy one for me. I feel that organization should have a “Years of
Service” Program for their employees. When a worker is employed 5/10/15/20/25 or more years, they are allowed to choose a gift from their specialized catalog. They receive the gift either at their home or hand delivered by their manager. They also receive a nice appreciation letter from the company thanking them for their years of dedication and service. Every loyal and dedicated employee appreciates when their company acknowledges their efforts and years of service. I feel this is such an amazing program that every company should take advantage of. 5. What do you think is the best thing about Promotional Products as an advertising media?I think that loves to receive gifts. I feel that when a company gives someone a special gift, the recipient will always remember the person and company that gave them that gift. When the gift is an item that they use on a daily basis, the company is thought of often. I try to choose my “gifts” to my clients wisely as I want them to use my gifts often and love receiving them.
And…that’s another awesome edition of Brand-ecdotes! Thanks to Kelly Bowe for taking the time to jump in on this brand new project!
Make sure you never miss a post, video or podcast! Sign up for the Hasseman Marketing VIP newsletter here.
by Kirby Hasseman
When I think of Tailgating, I think of fun. Whether it’s grilling food, cold drinks or just spending time outdoors, the thought of a good tailgate brings a smile to my face. So Tailgating (and other outdoor events) can be a great time to bond with the team or create experiential marketing for customers! But what do you need to make sure you hit the mark? Here are a few great products that will make your company event a home run! Coleman Oversized Cooler Quad Chair: If you are spending time outside, you will need a place to sit right? This is a great option. Not only does it have a cooler built into the arm (that holds 4 cans plus ice, but it’s also big enough to hold a full size person! Coleman 60 Quart Wheeled Cooler: You want to make sure you don’t run out of cold beverages. This Coleman cooler holds plenty of liquid! But don’t worry, the handle and wheels make it easy to move from place to place! Caps Off Spinner: Okay…this is just fun. This combination fidget spinner is also a bottle opener! Not only can you open the beverage of your choosing…but it’s fun to play with too! Giant Tumble Tower Game: And speaking of fun…it’s great to have a few games to play at any outdoor event. This Tumble Tower Game will provide fun for kids of all ages. Multi-Q Grilling Tool: This multi-tool is for the grill master! It includes a spatula, grill fork and a basting brush in one compact unit. It’s fun AND substantial. Nice for when you never know when you might happen upon a party and need to grill some meat! 20 Oz Keeper Cup: And of course you will need something to drink from! This 20 oz Keeper cup is really nice for the price. It’s a nice plastic cup that will last! 16 oz Stack Pint: But if you want to take your tumbler up a notch, this Stack Pint is awesome. It’s double wall and vacuum sealed and features a stackable design. This thing will keep your beverages cold and will not sweat! This is Tailgating in style! These are 7 products that are sure to be a hit at your next tailgate or any outdoor event. If you want more ideas, please let us know! And if you want to make sure you never miss an update, sign up for our VIP newsletter here.
by Kirby Hasseman
When you search for Promotional Merchandise, what do you type in the search bar on Google? What do you call it? How do you view it? What is the “right” thing to call the items you put your logo on? It’s a 22 Billion dollar industry…so it should be easy right? Turns out…not so much! There are tons of terms for the items you put your logo on. And many professionals in the industry don’t agree on what we should call it! No wonder our clients are not sure. Here are a few members of the Hasseman Marketing Team on what we like…and don’t like! Jeff Wickerham: Jeff is an Account Executive in Ohio that has been around HMC for several years. His favorite term? SWAG. His least favorite? Trinkets. Eric Dingler: Eric is an AE in the Virginia Beach area. Eric says he is “not a fan of chotskies or swag.” On the other hand, he does like “promotional items or (depending on the audience) novelties. I also gear for certain audiences.” Amy Hasseman: Amy is a veteran of the marketing industry and really feels that what we call it matters. She is not a fan of “trinkets and trash.” She says that it’s important in the industry, but also for customers. “If you want your brand to be a premium, then you should hand out Promotional Premiums.” No matter what you type in the Google Search bar, we want to help. As a matter of fact, whether you buy from Hasseman Marketing or not, we want to be a resource. So check out this link on 5 Questions Your Should Ask before your next campaign. So whether you get branded items, promotional products, SWAG, or Promotional Premiums, make sure you consider the lasting impression you want to make. How do you want your recipients to feel? Make sure you never miss an update or piece of content. Sign up for our VIP newsletter here.
