PPB September 2019

Products At A Premium report, the average per-person spend for non-cash reward and recognition programs is increasing; for Fall 2018, it was $824, a considerable increase from prior years. This is largely explained by the increase in respondents spending more than $5,000; 10 percent reported per-person spending at that level. Pinny Kahana, vice president of sales and marketing for Mahwah, New Jersey-based supplier Chefman, has noticed a similar trend for his company. “We do a lot of business in the promotional space, and we’re seeing a real uptick in the price points of the giveaways,” Kahana says. “We’re seeing people who want to actually offer something valuable to their customers.” Rather than simply wanting to get customers through the door, Kahana says, companies seem to want to establish a positive and emotional connection. “It’s about creating the positive experience,” he adds. “Instead of competing on the perceived value of a giveaway, now they’re giving them intrinsic value and an experience.” Experience Economy Today’s marketers know that consumers expect experiences—they gravitate toward brands that they associate with positive emotions and memories. That’s where premiums can deliver. “A premium gift gives the end user the opportunity to have something that they would have bought for themselves, which is much more memorable,” Stark-Cappelli says. The Incentive Research Foundation’s “IRF 2019 Trends Study” lists “transformational” experiences as one of 10 key trends that will affect the marketplace this year. If research shows that incentive programs are heightened by the positive experience, why take any chances on anything but a well-known brand? “As for the trend toward experiential gifting,” Forrest says, “I feel that companies want to offer multi-branded experiences at their incentive, recognition or other events—something that offers more than just a gift.” For instance, Bulova’s Gift in Time Program enables a client’s customers to select a watch model and have it fitted for a personalized experience. “We have a portfolio of collections and price points that can work for just about any audience, and guests enjoy the exclusive shopping experience,” Forrest says. The move toward the experience economy—and its implications for the premium and incentive segment—represents a paradigm shift in mentality for companies, Kahana says. “Their goal is—and they’re learning this from companies like Amazon—to focus on the consumer and they’ll come back to you.” Made of stainless steel and acacia wood, the Pulse Salad Bowl with Servers embodies contemporary function and elegant form. The wood base is held in place by a magnet, which can be removed, allowing the stainless steel bowl to be cleaned in the dishwasher. This salad bowl with servers makes a great presentation that will become a staple serving piece. Nambé / PPAI 185296 / www.nambe.com Looking for a premium for end users who love to entertain and cook? The Chefman Perfect Pour Volcano Waffle Maker has an innovative design that features a pouring spout and volcanic design to ensure the batter spreads evenly. Simply twist the pour spout into the base, pour the batter using the included measuring cup and watch it bubble up like lava. This waffle maker features an anti-leak system that seals in the batter while cooking, resulting in mess-free and stress-free waffles. Chefman / PPAI 713804 / www.chefman.com | SEPTEMBER 2019 | 41 GROW