PPB July 2020

Audrey Sellers is a Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas-area based writer and former associate editor of PPB. Real-World Solutions Social-distancing guidelines make it tough to give a hug right now. However, organizations can still send some love to their employees with custom plush toys. According to Sharon Griffith, vice president of sales and marketing for Soft Stuff Creations in Surrey, British Columbia, these toys spark fun in many ways. “Plush toys are a great way to welcome employees back to work, or if still working at home, a great way to stay in front of them,” she says. “Everyone loves a plushie.” For inspiration on how plush toys can keep a brand top of mind, look to Hootsuite. The social media platform showcases a plush version of the Hootsuite Owl, Owly, having fun all over the world on Instagram. Griffith says her company also sparks engagement with its own plush mascots, Roofus and Roofina. “My Facebook followers get quite upset if I travel somewhere and don’t post pictures of Roofus,” she says. “He is quite well-traveled.” Plush toys open the door to many creative ideas. Employees can post photos of their plushie during the workday or when he relaxes. Employers can send a plush toy to celebrate a team member’s above-and-beyond work. Griffith also suggests using different plushies or outfitting them in different color t-shirts to designate various teams and launching a contest to name them. No matter how brands use them, plush toys create company pride and bring a smile at a time when it’s needed the most. Sing your employees’ praises with the Bose SoundLink Revolve+ BluetoothSpeaker . This wireless speaker goes anywhere and delivers immersive sound for up to 16 hours before needing a recharge. Incentive Concepts PPAI 212912, S10 www.incentiveconcepts.com Businesses can send a message of support and solidarity to remote workers with huggable plush toys . Add a custom t-shirt or face mask or design a custom plush creation. Soft Stuff Creations, Inc. / PPAI 413041, S2 / www.softstuffpromo.com | JULY 2020 | 41 GROW