PPB March 2019

of view, forecasting their needs to best satisfy all projects. “Whether it’s creating custom integrations with procurement and accounting platforms, customizing sites to be utilized as employee or client reward and recognition platforms or building out loyalty functionality, there isn’t much we haven’t done for our clients,” Sussman says. Their expansive range of services include brand management, custom production, event design and strategy, promotional product curation, printed marketing collateral, digital promotions, branded internal- or external-facing ecommerce websites and custom-made products. The early days of Imprint Engine were run by sheer dedication and drive. The trio of entrepreneurs started in a “comically small office,” according to Sussman, “that would be more appropriately described as a closet.” All of the profits earned were recycled back into the business, and the team described themselves as “lean” and “scrappy.” They still maintain this attitude. “The scrappy mentality continues to flow through our veins and remains an important part of our culture, and it’s something that we feel contributes to our success,” he says. But they have consistently recognized honesty, transparency and quality as their three non- negotiables. “We’re not about maximizing profits in the short term, we’re about maximizing relationships in the long term.” When presented with an order, the team doesn’t simply fulfill and move on—they ask all the right questions. “When a client asks for 10,000 pens, we don’t just respond back with a list of pen options, we ask the ‘why’ behind the request,” Sussman says. “‘Who are you giving these pens to? Why pens as opposed to something else? What is the event? We rarely end up selling our clients what they initially ask for. We differentiate by adding value to the process as a marketing partner, not just taking orders.” After landing Uber as a client—a relationship Imprint Engine values highly—they worked with Uber Eats to create an alluring influencer campaign based around a direct mail kit. The kit included a customizable TV dinner tray, a set of decals and instructions for each recipient to make the tray their own. When finished, recipients were asked to upload an image to social media for the chance to win a grand prize. “It was exactly the kind of project we love to be involved in, where we can provide our creative input and logistics expertise to help elevate a good idea to great,” he adds. Imprint Engine is also dedicated to its partnerships with local nonprofits—such as Children’s Minnesota, Second Hand Hounds and Tickets for Kids—and helping these organizations maximize their savings using tech- based solutions. “We’re huge proponents of supporting nonprofit organizations and giving back to the community that has supported us so generously throughout the years,” he says. “It gives our entire team a sense of purpose to help nonprofits accomplish their goals.” Sussman explains that one of their partners was accustomed to distributing t-shirts to participants of an annual race. With Veit, Gilbertson and Sussman as participants themselves, they knew that many partakers would rather the funds be put toward the organization as opposed to t-shirts. Instead of distributing t-shirts at the most recent race, Imprint Engine built a custom web store where participants could register online and receive points to shop in the online store. Those interested in purchasing a keepsake were able to select from a series of items, and those who weren’t donated the points to the organization. The effort resulted in savings of more than $30,000. Going forward, the Imprint Engine team will continue to invest in new technologies to provide top results for their partners and help their team evolve along with industry changes, Sussman says. “We view innovation as an opportunity. We believe the industry could use a healthy dose of change and we’re excited to be on the forefront of that change.” And they’re certainly having fun while doing it. “We’re a group of people who love what we do and work seamlessly together to make our partners happy,” he says. Danielle Renda is associate editor of PPB. “We view innovation as anopportunity. We believe the industry could use a healthy dose of change andwe’re excited to be on the forefront of that change.” | MARCH 2019 | 91 THINK