What Gets Tossed? Why have consumers kept the most recent promo product they received? Well, 57% say it’s useful in their daily lives, and 42% said it looks good and felt high-quality. While we’re all taught not to judge a book by its cover, consumers can’t help but reject a promo product that doesn’t match the aesthetic they’re seeking. What turns over 60% of respondents away from products immediately is poor material or construction (see Figure 7), followed by boring or generic designs (38%) and if it’s something they already have too many of (37%). “In the promo world, cheap feels expensive,” Bhat says. “A low-quality giveaway doesn’t just get trashed – it can drag your brand with it.” Don’t jeopardize your five-second impact to be economical. Think of it as a long-term investment that will bring you plenty of ROI. Brookshire is a freelance writer and former PPAI Media intern. FIG. 6 FIG. 7 What usually makes an item feel cheap or forgettable right away? Have you ever made a purchase from a brand because of a promotional item they gave you? Poor material or build quality Boring or generic design Overly large bold branding Too many logos of branding messages It's something I already have too many of Packaging or presentation felt careless It didn't match the event of situation Other 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% Yes, it made me want to try them Yes, I ended up buying something later No, I liked the product but didn't purchase No, I liked the product but didn't purchase 35% 37% 15% 13% PPAI • OCTOBER 2025 • 63 The 5-Second Impact | Must Read
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