PPB November 2016

It depends on

the industry and

level of

client.

We have

done everything from

miniature working models

of roller coasters, to

high-end telescopes in

lasered wooden boxes, to

custom chess sets and

china. The trick is to think

about what you want people

to think about when they get

the gift. We have even

numbered pieces so they

know they got 256/400 and

there will never be a 401.

For example, the

telescopes were given out by

the president of a helicopter

maintenance company to

presidents of helicopter

companies, all of whom

had corner offices looking

over airfields or downtown

vistas. The chess sets were

given out by a chess fanatic

who liked to play the game

with his customers when he

came to visit.

It is about a gift that

creates a connection with

the specific clients and

acts like a VIP card when

you are not there. It is all

about presentation and

the wow factor. Custom is

king. Create something that

speaks to the brand and is

something that they cannot

get anywhere else.

Make people feel special.

BEN BAKER

President

Your Brand Marketing

UPIC: CMYKSOL

We have found that more

and more end users are

asking for products that

can be used for the home.

If you think about it, this

broadens the visibility of

the branded product. Not

only is the product useful

to the recipient, but family

members, friends and

neighbors who see the

product might also express

an interest, thus increasing

the brand exposure.

A very popular gift for the

home is high-end barware,

as this might not be a

product category that the

recipient would normally

splurge on for themselves.

Also, retail brands have

become very popular and

are requested specifically

by end users. And last,

gifts that have some sort of

special feature or function

are in demand because end

users want something that

is unique. How many times

have we heard clients ask,

“What do you have that’s

new and different?”

KAREN PROANO

Director

International Merchandise

Concepts

UPIC: IMC1

Customized corporate

fitting and gifting events

are becoming much more

prevalent. Instead of giving

one item such as the

potentially boring speaker

or headphones, let the

recipient select what

they want. It makes the

experience much more

pleasurable andmemorable.

You get way more bang for

your gift-giving buck.

Let’s say you had 144

golfers at a golf tournament.

A table could be set up to

give the gift of sunglasses

to each golfer as they check

in to the tournament.

Gift recipients will have

perhaps four or five styles

each of men’s and women’s

sunglasses to choose from.

The gift recipients can choose

their favorite on the spot and

take it away with them. They

are choosing what they want

and not taking something

they may not be all that

interested in.

Fitting events can be

done withmany different

products such as luggage,

bicycles, watches, cookware

and kitchen countertop

appliances. With the bigger

items, samples are there

and when the recipients

choose a gift, the itemcan be

directly drop-shipped right to

their homes.

Give your local

name-brand incentive

representative a call to

help you set up the right

program for your client.

PETER ADANALIAN

President

Dragon Distribution, Inc.

UPIC: dragon

How about an enclosed

ecosystem? They’re very

unique and over $100. There

are different sizes. They

provide years of fascination.

You’ll be a hero!

PHIL WILKINSON

Owner

P.W. Enterprises

UPIC: pwent

Do You

Have An

Answer?

A Distributor Asks

What are the telltale

signs of a long-lasting

employee and

short-time employee,

and in what areas

should I watch out

for hiccups when

hiring employees?

What’s

Your Answer?

Email answers along

with your name, title

and company name

November 18

Question@ppai.org

for possible inclusion

in an upcoming issue

PPB

magazine.

Julie Richie is associate

editor for PPB.

NOVEMBER 2016

INNOVATE