Welcome back to another episode of Better Merch…Better Marketing! 🎙️ This week, we’re breaking down some of our favorite Super Bowl ads (and a few that left us confused), why branded apparel doesn’t have to be boring, the ONE piece of branded merch every company should have, and—believe it or not—an area where Dad was actually RIGHT.
And before we wrap up, we’re giving a shoutout to John Larsen from OneGoodDeedJourney.com for the amazing work he’s doing.
Watch the latest episode right here 👇
Now, let’s get into the highlights!
Super Bowl Ads: The Good, The Bad & The WTF 🏈
Super Bowl commercials are a big deal. Brands pour millions into creating spots that will make us laugh, cry, or remember them forever. This year, we had some ads we really liked—and some that made us say, What were they thinking?
✅ Our Favorites:
- Bud Light’s Ad – Simple, fun, and easy to watch. They nailed the tone.
- Uber Eats Conspiracy Ad – A clever and silly ad where they pitch the idea that Football was created to sell you food.
- Mountain Dew’s Ad Featuring Seal – An unexpected but hilarious use of Seal (the singer, not the animal).
❌ The WTF Moment:
- The Tubi Ad with the Cowboy Hat Head – We both agreed… this one was just weird. Maybe it worked for some people, but for us, it was more confusing than entertaining.
Now, we want to hear from YOU! What were your favorite (or least favorite) Super Bowl ads this year? Drop them in the comments! 👇
Branded Apparel Doesn’t Have to Be Boring 👕
We say it all the time, but it’s worth repeating—branded apparel shouldn’t feel like a uniform.
Too many companies stick to generic polos and boxy t-shirts that no one actually wants to wear. But when done right, branded apparel can be:
✔️ Trendy and stylish—people should actually want to wear it.
✔️ Comfortable and high-quality—if it feels good, they’ll wear it often.
✔️ Well-designed—think about placement, color, and creativity beyond just a logo.
If you’re ordering apparel for your business, ask yourself:
Would I wear this if it didn’t have my company’s name on it?
If the answer is no, it’s time to rethink your approach.
The ONE Piece of Branded Merch Every Company Needs
We had a little debate on this one…
🥇 Kirby’s Pick: The Classic and Cool T-Shirt
- A well-designed, high-quality t-shirt is the most wearable branded merch out there.
- People wear their favorite t-shirts all the time—so if you do it right, your brand becomes part of their wardrobe.
🥇 Jade’s Pick: Custom Calendars
- It’s functional, useful, and sticks around all year long.
- Calendars put your brand front and center every single day—which makes them a smart marketing investment.
🥇 Honorable Mention (Because Kirby Broke the Rules): Drinkware
- Let’s be real—branded drinkware is one of the best promo items out there.
- Whether it’s tumblers, water bottles, or coffee mugs, people use them daily.
- A high-quality piece of drinkware keeps your brand in constant rotation.
So, what do YOU think? If you could only pick ONE piece of branded merch, what would it be? Let us know in the comments!
Dad Was Right?!
This is a rare moment, folks. Kirby was actually right about something.
Jade shared how, while her husband was deployed this past year, she actually enjoyed moving home and being around family. While she didn’t expect to love it as much as she did, it turned out to be a great experience.
So, in this one instance… Dad gets to say, “I told you so.” 😉
Shoutout to John Larsen & OneGoodDeedJourney.com!
Before we close out, we want to give a huge shoutout to John Larsen and the work he’s doing with OneGoodDeedJourney.com.
John is on a mission to spread kindness and encourage people to make a difference—one good deed at a time. His work is inspiring, and we love seeing the impact he’s making.
Check out OneGoodDeedJourney.com to learn more and see how you can get involved!
Final Thoughts: Better Merch, Better Marketing, Better Conversations
This episode had a little bit of everything—Super Bowl ads, better branded apparel, the best merch picks, a rare “Dad was right” moment, and celebrating good people doing great things. But at the core of it all, it comes down to one thing:
BETTER marketing leads to BETTER brand impact.
If you want to level up your branded merch, marketing, or company culture, let’s chat. We’d love to help you find the right strategy for your brand.
And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Better Merch…Better Marketing! 🚀
At Hasseman Marketing, we are all about fun…and doing marketing BETTER. If you need help creating Better Merch & Better Marketing reach out to us! 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.
