In this week’s episode of Better Merch…Better Marketing, Jade and Kirby tackle the intersection of branding, consumer behavior, and employee engagement—with a healthy dose of fun and a few sharp marketing lessons along the way.
This episode covers:
- The rise of plastic bag bans—and the merch opportunity hiding in plain sight
- Two very different coffee campaigns—and what they teach us about promises and promotion
- A new Gallup study on remote workers, stress, and engagement
- The Product of the Week: Lip balm that keeps your brand literally on your customer’s lips
- A shoutout to the Coshocton Collaborative, now officially open and ready to build community
Watch or listen to the full episode here:
Plastic Bag Bans and the Branded Tote Opportunity
Plastic bags are now banned in 12 states (and counting), along with many major cities. While some see this as an inconvenience, Jade—who lives in Colorado where the ban has been in place—says it’s really not that big of a deal.
In fact, both Jade and Kirby see this as a branding opportunity. If your business provides your audience with a high-quality, reusable tote, you’re not just solving a problem—you’re delivering a useful piece of branded merch that gets seen over and over again.
As Kirby put it, this is a great example of “creating marketing that people say ‘thank you’ for.” Functional, relevant, and repeat-use merch is how brands stay top of mind without shouting for attention.
A Tale of Two Coffee Campaigns
This week also brought two contrasting stories in the world of coffee marketing:
7 Brew Coffee launched a clever Mother’s Day campaign: Buy two coffees, get a coffee coolie. It worked—customers felt appreciated, and the gift made sense for the moment. The key? Knowing your audience.
In contrast, Dunkin’ promoted a Nurses Week campaign… but not all locations participated, leading to disappointment, confusion, and frustration. Jade and Kirby agreed that it’s better not to promise anything than to offer a campaign that falls apart in execution.
Marketing lesson of the week: Don’t overpromise and underdeliver. Whether you’re selling coffee or branded merch, clarity and consistency win trust.
Gallup Study: Remote Workers Are Engaged—But Also Stressed
A recent Gallup study found that people working from home report higher levels of engagement with their work, but also increased levels of anger, sadness, and loneliness. It’s a revealing—and important—data point.
Jade and Kirby discussed the balance between productivity and emotional wellness in remote settings. It’s not just about output; it’s about how people feel. Some solutions?
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Create space for intentional connection (virtual or in person)
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Encourage breaks and boundaries
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Look for signs of burnout—not just performance metrics
This segment was a good reminder: Engaged doesn’t always mean okay. Leaders and teams need to pay attention to both.
Product of the Week: Pucker Up—It’s Lip Balm Time
This week’s Product of the Week is a pint-sized powerhouse—the Pout Pucker Mini Lip Moisturizer from HPG.
Why we love it:
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Affordable and addictive—people keep coming back for more
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High use frequency—your logo is seen multiple times a day
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New scents and flavors let your brand find its personality
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Great for events, giveaways, wellness kits, and retail add-ons
This is a perfect example of small merch with a big impact. Your customer will literally carry your brand in their pocket.
Shoutout of the Week: The Coshocton Collaborative Is Now Open!
We’ve shouted out the Coshocton Collaborative before—but this time, it’s for something big: the ribbon has officially been cut, and the Collaborative is open for business.
Located in the heart of Coshocton, this new space is part coworking center, part innovation hub, and part small business incubator. It’s designed to serve entrepreneurs, startups, remote workers, and anyone looking for a collaborative community to build and grow.
Kirby and Jade shared their excitement for the investment in Coshocton County and the potential ripple effect this space could have across the region. From local economic development to entrepreneurial energy, this is a project worth celebrating.
Final Thoughts
This episode of Better Merch…Better Marketing was a mix of practical insights and inspiring stories, reminding us that great marketing isn’t about gimmicks—it’s about consistency, thoughtfulness, and relevance.
Here’s your quick recap:
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Plastic bag bans = opportunity for functional branded merch
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Great campaigns work because they deliver what they promise
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Remote workers may be thriving—but also need support
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Lip balm is small, affordable, and high-impact
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Coshocton Collaborative is now open—and the future is bright
Thanks for tuning in! Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Better Merch…Better Marketing—and if your team needs help finding the right merch to stay visible and valuable, we’d love to help. Head here to get the book “Hit The TARGET” for FREE! This will help you dial in your marketing for better results.
