PPB December 2018

by Danielle Renda TECH TALK A SoundMessage Evoke brand awareness by imprinting your client’s logo on wireless earbuds. Apple transformed wearable tech when it swapped headphone wires for microchips— and a more convenient, wearable option. Promotional products distributors can take advantage of this hip innovation by offering clients custom skins for the now ubiquitous, wireless earbuds. Using their logos and brand- specific colors, companies can create buzz for their brands while wearers jam to their favorite tunes. (And with some popular earbud brands boasting a 24-hour battery life, there’s no telling how many people will take notice.) Companies that manufacture wireless headphones also sell wireless charging cases. The charging case, which is larger than the individual earbuds, offers additional real estate for companies to imprint their designs. This also grants clients the option to customize the earbuds, the wireless case or both. And without having to worry about the mess of tangled wires, wearers are free to partake in extreme sports and outdoor adventures, or simply chat on the phone, while bringing your brand along with them. According to Reuters, the wireless earbud market is anticipated to grow through 2023, because of the increasing demand for virtual reality gaming. According to a report by TechSci Research, by 2022 the international market is anticipated to reach $19 billion. But aside from gaming, there are other uses for the low-maintenance earbuds, and more opportunities for them to be seen. Not only may consumers listen to music or talk on the phone using the earbuds, but they can privately enjoy their favorite movies and TV shows too. In short, they may very well wear them every day, throughout the day. Wireless earbuds are still a relatively new-fangled technology, with Apple having introduced its AirPods to market in December 2016, and Bose following suit in September 2017 with its own sleek design. But because of its newness, consumers are generally purchasing the standard factory colors being offered. Not only will your colorful, logo-imprinted promotional products be unusual, but they’ll certainly serve as conversation starters for your biz. 70 | DECEMBER 2018 | THINK