Promotional products have long been considered an effective marketing tool for businesses looking to improve their brand recognition and drive customer loyalty. For many, it can be challenging to understand which custom promotional products will resonate strongest with their target audience.
Now more than ever, marketers need to build and reward brand loyalty, drive sales and engage consumers, clients employees and even suppliers to their business.
Marketers spend more than $1.34 billion dollars (AUS) and $144 million (NZ) a year on promotional products for one reason, they work!
Delving into market research conducted both in Australia, New Zealand and the United States, we can see that utilising promotional products in various channels by brands is a crucial component to successful sales and marketing activities.
Promotional Products Work!
- 52% of respondents said their impression of a company is more positive after receiving a promotional product.
- 76% recallthe name advertised on the product.
- 55% keep the item for more than one year.
- Nearly 50% of recipients use them daily.
- 52% of people do business with a company after receiving a promotional product.
Spend less, achieve more and tell people the benefit of doing business with you. Utilise promotional products to achieve your business objectives – whether it is customer loyalty, supplier recognition, driving sales through promotional activities or employee motivation programs.
Promotional Products in the Home:
- How many people have at least one promotional product in their kitchens? 91%
- How many have 2 or more in their kitchens? 81%
In fact, the kitchen is the #1 place people use and keep their promotional products. (People spend on average 3-5 hours a day in their kitchen)
Promotional Products in the Office:
- How many people have at least one promotional product in their offices? 74%
- How many have 2 or more in their offices? 59%
In the workplace, more than half of people hold onto their promotional product from one to 4 years plus.
Reach & Recall:
- 71% of business travellers surveyed reported receiving a promotional product in a 12-month period.
- 34% of this group had the item on their person.
- 56% of people kept their promotional product for more than one year.
- 76% said they kept their promotional product because it was useful.
- 76% of the respondents could recall the advertiser’s name on the product.
How effective are Promotional Products for staff retention, motivation and brand interest?
- 75% of Human Resource managers surveyed are using promotional products in recognition programs.
- 72% of Marketing and HR managers say that promotional products are very effective for motivating and retaining staff.
- 100% of advertisers said that including a promotional product returned a favourable response to their campaign.
- 69% of advertisers said promotional products increased brand engagement with 84% saying they created more favourable impressions of the brand itself.
Understanding the Medium:
- A product is just a product, until it is linked with a promotion, it then becomes an advertisement.
- The most successful advertising campaigns are the result of a planned strategy.
- “Throwing”products at your target market without that planning is a poor return on your marketing dollars.
- The product is only one component in the whole campaign – link all elements together.
- The creativity used to get a response is the key to increasing profits and promoting brands.
Successful Campaigns Require:
- Strategic logistical roll out.
- Actionable engagement and “emotional” triggers.
- Data collection analysis.
- Logo application reflecting the brand and it’s values.
- Creating the difference between a ‘passive’ and ‘active’ promotion.
For over 25 years, the Australian Promotional Products Association (APPA) has represented the regions of Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands – it’s members now include over 800 of the top professionals in this segment of the advertising industry. Design, creative, manufacturing, distribution and application of promotional products in accordance with business practices and ethics meets the highest industry and community standards.
APPA provides their members with a Code of Conduct, training and education, pricing advantages and acknowledgement of promotional excellence through their prestigious Annual Awards.
APPA is a proud, founding member of the International Federation of Promotional Product Associations (IFPPA) promoting professionalism, ethics and communication throughout the world wide, multi billion dollar promotional industry.
*Insert APPA logos with our business
To help brands and businesses stay on top of the latest product marketing trends – and to pick the best products to promote their businesses – we have provided an update of on trend products which can be used as incentives for Customer Loyalty, Event Giveaways, Sales Channel drivers, activations for Consumer Promotions or as part of a larger marketing campaign.
Top 50 promotional products our customers want to receive
- Tshirts
- Pens
- Coffee Mugs
- Drink Bottles
- Headphones
- Tote Bag
- Sunglasses
- Hoodies
- Notebooks
- Umbrellas
- Caps
- Beanies
- Stubby Coolers
- Lanyards
- Torches
- Laptop Bag
- Travel Mugs
- Polo Shirts
- Hand Sanitizer
- Cooler Bags
- USB Drives
- Power Banks
- Confectionery
- Badges/Lapel Pins
- Beach Towels
- Backpacks
- Glassware
- Mouse Pads
- First Aid Kits
- Bottle Openers
- Face Masks
- Portable Speakers
- Sunglasses Case
- Outdoor Jackets
- Keyrings
- Plush Toys
- Candles
- Socks
- RPET Non Woven Bags
- Coasters
- Stress Toys
- Sweatbands
- Bookmarks
- Fridge Magnets
- BBQ Tools
- Picnic Blankets
- Compendiums
- Sunscreen
- Aprons
- Car Air Fresheners
Whether used as a standalone campaign or as part of a fully integrated marketing plan, promotional products are a proven method to increase brand visibility, create hype and drive sales!
