On this week’s episode of Better Merch…Better Marketing, Kirby and Jade dig into a mix of marketing insights, branded merch talk, and a few surprising media takes—from The Wolf of Wall Street landing on Disney+ to one very noisy pen.
This episode includes:
The Good, Bad, and Ugly of TikTok Marketing
Trade Show Tips to help brands show up and stand out
Our Product of the Week – The Crinkle Pen from HPG
A shoutout to Coshocton Regional Medical Center for earning national recognition
1. TikTok Marketing: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
First up, we waded into the ever-controversial waters of TikTok marketing. Like most platforms, TikTok can be a powerful tool—or a cautionary tale—depending on how it’s used.
The Ugly:
We kick off with a story of influencer marketing gone seriously wrong. It’s a reminder that when brands hand over messaging to creators without clear boundaries or understanding, the results can backfire—big time.
The Bad:
Poppi, a better-for-you soda brand, sent out mini vending machines to influencers as part of a campaign. Some users criticized the campaign as wasteful or out-of-touch. Kirby called it “fake outrage,” arguing that the brand earned awareness and engagement—which is, after all, the goal.
The Good:
Then there’s the success story of an author whose book sales exploded after a single, authentic TikTok video took off. No gimmicks. No huge spend. Just a compelling story shared with the right audience.
Key takeaway:
TikTok can amplify your message, but strategy, authenticity, and understanding the platform culture are essential.
2. Trade Show Tips That Actually Work
Trade shows are back—and if you’re going to invest time and money to show up, you’d better make it count. Jade and Kirby shared real-world tips that can help your booth rise above the sea of sameness.
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Have a Theme: Make it memorable. A cohesive, creative theme ties your merch, booth, and messaging together.
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Train Your Team: A great booth setup means nothing if your team isn’t energized, aligned, and trained to engage.
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Pre-Event Communication: Don’t just show up—give first. Reach out before the show to offer value, create interest, and invite attendees to stop by.
Whether it’s a regional expo or a national trade show, the brands that prepare before the event are the ones that win during it.
3. Disney+ Gets Gritty: A Brand Shift?
Yes, it’s true—The Wolf of Wall Street is now streaming on Disney+. So, what does this mean for brand identity?
Kirby and Jade talked about the change in Disney+ since it merged with Hulu. The main thought of course is, you can’t let Disney+ be your child’s babysitter. But Kirby’s overall take is on knowing your audience. If you don’t create content that is tailored for your perfect customer, then it might feel like the Wolf of Wall Street doing sales training on your child!
4. Product of the Week: The Crinkle Pen from HPG
This week’s featured merch item? The wonderfully tactile and slightly addictive Crinkle Pen from HPG.
Why we love it:
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It’s fun to fidget with (without being distracting).
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The grip is unique and memorable.
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It’s a conversation starter—great for trade shows, events, and desk drops.
You can check it out here:
Crinkle Grip Pen – HPG
Bottom line: It’s not your average pen, and that’s the point.
5. Shoutout of the Week: Coshocton Regional Medical Center
We always love highlighting great work—and this week’s shoutout goes to Coshocton Regional Medical Center for receiving the Patient Safety Excellence Award.
Their commitment to care and excellence makes a real impact in our community, and this recognition is well-deserved. Hats off to the entire team.
Final Thoughts
This episode of Better Merch…Better Marketing was a fun mix of insights, hot takes, and useful tools. Whether you’re navigating TikTok, planning for your next trade show, or just hunting for the next great piece of merch, there’s something in here for you.
Until next time, keep showing up, keep growing, and keep creating Better Merch…and Better Marketing. And as always, if you need help with branded merch, marketing strategy, or creative ideas to grow your brand, let’s talk. We’d love to help you. Head here to get the book “Hit The TARGET” for FREE! This will help you dial in your marketing for better results.
