Promotional Products and Gifts for Businesses

URL on SWAG? Yes or No?

cassie — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:41:57 +0000

I like to propose questions in LinkedIn every once in a while just to see the take on any given subject from the average business person. Usually, I like to create a question that has an answer, but can be subjective. In this way, it begs the person to discuss why they chose the answer they chose. Then, I get to see the psychology behind it all. And when you know the psychology, you then have a REAL answer to a much BIGGER question.

This particular question is extra fascinating for me. It helps me to understand how people understand the use of SWAG (I’ll be posting more questions on this topic in the future). It seems that people break into two basic categories: 1. SWAG is a business card with a little more function and 2. SWAG is marketing material that can be used alone or cohesively in a campaign to create buzz about your business.

Those who view SWAG as a “Funner Business Card” chose answer “A”. And I agree. If you are a business who is using SWAG to draw more clients by putting your name in front of them (and the studies show this works marvelously, as SWAG gets the most bang for your buck when you consider cost per impressions), then OF COURSE you want your URL on there! You probably want as much information as possible on there. These client’s generally purchase the pens, mouse pads, notepads, mugs… items that have a high appeal and anyone can use them. They stay on the desk right next to the person for a long time to come, and constantly remind that person (and anyone else walking by) of that business.

Those who view a “Higher Purpose” for SWAG chose answer “B”. And I agree. Actually this is the heart of So Tons Creative. Most of you know our mission is to create meaningful campaigns (or campaign accompaniment) with and through the use of SWAG. The best ways to use SWAG are the creative ways, and those sometimes don’t lend themselves to URL’s, phone numbers or even… sometimes… the business name. The client who uses SWAG in this way is the one that is creating a more customized feel. Adding more of an allure, a design element to the product, and making it more of a meaningful gift, to entice the recipient to “come find them”. To also enlist their good friend Jealousy. Now, not only are you engaging the person you sent it to, THEY are now engaging those around them, as they show off their new precious.

Done right, that is how something goes viral. You may have seen this with the new Canon Zoom Lens Thermos. You want one. You don’t even really know what it is… but you can feel the coolness. THIS… my friends… is SWAG in its prime. The Holy Grail. Not only did it create crazy internet buzz, it is going to eventually be another path of revenue for Canon. It triggers a nostalgia as well, and when you can do that, you have hit a homer. (Really, when you do this right, it ain’t no thang for someone to Google you… so a URL could cheapen the product).

As for “C”, it’s not an absolute, but it isn’t cheesy. Mike Styskal of DOE hit the cheesy nail on the head when he said “Leave the www off though”. Not only from a design perspective, but it isn’t a necessary function anymore! Open a new screen and type youtube.com and it comes right up. From a design perspective, it gives us more room to work with it, and the truth is www looks ugly.

To see all the answers to this survey click here. If you feel the need to add your two cents, and the question is closed, leave it here on this blog!

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Reusable Bags, all the Rage in D.C. Now what?

cassie — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:31:17 +0000

We could have done it Seattle. We could have pioneered the bag tax and forced our progressive selves to move forward even further, but we let D.C. beat us to the punch.

You know what I say, “If DC is doing it, oh damn…”

But hey, Seattle doesn’t need no stinkin’ bag tax to make them bring their own bags, and that is exactly how progressive we are! But now that you have all those bags, what to do with them? Here is a handy new product that takes the hassle out of the “Bringing my own bags to the store is such a hassle”.

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Custom iPhone and iPod Covers

cassie — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:50:57 +0000

These cases will protect the device from scratches, bumps and bruises, but allow for full control of device and full access to all ports. Your logo or message is screen printed on a PMS matched silicone case where it is displayed loud and clear.

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Rollabana – Look for them at Superbowl XLIV!!!!

cassie — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:10:25 +0000

If you have been watching any football you have to have noticed those new nifty hand held banners that everyone is holding up. They’re called Rollbanas, and we’ve got ‘em. If you hate football and want to protest it, these are a good way to go too. Multi-functional.

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Eco Pens

cassie — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:46:09 +0000

If you like the pens we have been handing out lately, now is the time to snatch them up for your very own. Until March they are on special (buy 200+, get the 10,000 piece price of $0.44 each). No set-ups either.

Made from recycled cardboard, with a bamboo clip.

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We already knew that…

cassie — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:09:02 +0000

Back in the beginning of November we fore-casted a new trend that is now hitting main stream media. Personalized Hand Sanitizer. So Tons Creative for the “W”!

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All About the Junk Mail

cassie — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:02:02 +0000

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Archie McPhees Moves to So Tons Creative!!!

cassie — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 03:49:05 +0000

Sometimes you need a gag gift. If you live in Seattle, you know exactly where in Wallingford to get it.

But sometimes you need 400 of them. That is where So Tons Creative comes in.

Let’s say you are having a New Years Ball and it is extremely fancy. Two hundred of your favorite people will be in attendance. You need something to say “ThankyouforcomingIloveyousomuch.”

I think Corn Dog Lip Balm says just that.

And to be quite honest, I might make it mandatory around here that we only use Napkin Sketchbooks for taking notes. It basically ensures that we are most creative at all times. Here are a few more items that we deem our favorites, but really there are no favorites. Or, actually, they are all our favorites. We can’t decide. Here are some we think YOU might like.

Handerpants. We all know what happens if you DON’T use them.

Tis the season for Fruit Cake Mints! Because not every family is lucky enough to have a crazy aunt to make ‘em the real thing.

Crazy Cat Lady Scented Soap… It’s never to early to start preparing for the worst.
What is YOUR favorite Archie McPhees gag gift?

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Last Minute Holiday Gifts!!!

cassie — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:05:27 +0000

The holidays are quickly approaching, and you may feel like the timer has run out for you on getting client or employee gifts. Not true! Here are a couple items that can have as quick as a 48 hour turn around time (once in production)!!!! Call us for more information.

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Hotel Indigo’s Branding is Pure Poetry

cassie — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:48:42 +0000

Many travelers feel that all hotels begin to look exactly the same after a while. This isn’t the case at the chain of boutique Hotel Indigo properties. The hotel design uses the Fibonacci Sequence and the Golden Mean. These are mathematical principles found throughout nature in the growth spiral of sunflowers, pine cones and the nautilus shell (which happens to be the chain’s logo).

Such attention to detail is applied to nearly every aspect of the chain, which encourages its guests to “Relax. Recharge. Be Inspired.” To help with the inspiration, the chain offers haikus written on its menus, room advertisements, key cards, do-not-disturb door hangers, bar coasters and napkins.

One of the haikus reads, “Elegant Delight. Distinctive Flavors Linger. Rejoice in a Glass.” This is a description of Clos Du Bois wine, which the hotel offers. Another reads, “Warm and Inviting. Soulful Melodies Delight. Download and Unwind.” This haiku invites patrons to download Hotel Indigo’s complimentary “Music for You” winter podcast featuring Ingrid Michaelson at www.hotelindigo.com/podcast.

These fun little messages, written in three lines that usually consist of five, seven and then five syllables, are impossible to miss. They also appear on the in-room hotel directory and tabletop tent cards in the Phi Bar and Bistro/Phi Café area. With the exception of the last two items, guests are invited to take home the items as souvenirs, according to a company rep.
There are 29 Hotel Indigo properties; 60 more are under development. The chain is owned by the InterContinental Hotels Group.

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