Pinnacle Promotions Marketing Company Blog

I was watching one of my new favorite shows, How’d You Get So Rich, with Joan Rivers the other night and I realized I must be doing something wrong.

The premise of the show entails Joan Rivers examining the immense wealth accumulated by regular folks that hit it rich with the creation of a product or company. While watching this episode, I couldn’t help but wonder what it is that makes a product so revolutionary, so desirable, that the inventor is made a multi-millionaire almost instantly? How is it that such simple ideas. Such basic, never-take-a-second-glance products can make a regular person super, ridiculously rich!?

I guess the most obvious reason that creative genius hasn’t struck me is that I’m not an inventor. I don’t look at the ordinary and plot a faster, prettier, more effective product. But trust me. Now I’m trying my best to. Now don’t get me wrong. I love my day job. But who wouldn’t want to at least be able to afford a shiny new Italian sports car, or a sparkling clean new mansion? The world of the wealthy seems so attractive and easy from the outside…

Okay. Now back to reality. I may never be a multi-millionaire. And honestly I don’t really need to be – nor do I really even want to be. But I can’t help but be fascinated by the way some people build their fortunes.

There is one thing that every one of these people has in common. They have built a recognizable brand. Whether it is a clothing label, an inventive toy or a redesigned gadget, these people have marketed and built their brand/product to a level that is almost unreachable.

Take a tip from these marketing geniuses and build your brand. Unexpected and unique promotional products, giveaways and stylish apparel can all be great ways to get your advertising message out into the public. No matter what your line of business entails, promotional marketing and public visibility are key to your success.

Kim
Marketing Coordinator
view my bio!

Within the social structure of the United States, and any other developed nation really, there is a preoccupation with symbols of status – consumer products being one of them – used to denote one’s position within society. Though the nature of any correlation between these notions is highly subjective, it is hard to deny that those consumer products with brand names or designer labels are regarded as ones denoting wealth and prestige, and generally lie within the realms of the upper class. While many of these so-called designer items do rightfully align themselves with the rich and wealthy, owing to the quality of their goods, the true determination of their value is merely a social construct, initially developed from marketing schemes and sustained by consumer perceptions. More than just name recognition and the benefits of that familiarity, along with a brand name comes an identity of quality and excellence.

Your company can benefit from these marketing efforts of already recognizable labels by using their promotional products, and ultimately pairing your name with their reputation. At Pinnacle Promotions, we carry brand name promotional items such as promotional pens by Bic®, tools and watches by Swiss Army®, and office accessories by Alicia Klein®, just to name a few. Promotional products with brand names will be sure to impress clients and employees, and recipients will be even more likely to keep these products that they recognize to be of a certain value. You can see our entire collection of brand name promotional items by clicking here.

Jaime
Creative Writing Intern
view my bio!

I went through a phase my freshmen year of college where I was addicted to the popular online auction and shopping website eBay. I only actually bought a few items using the site, but that was all that was necessary to realize that it could be quite detrimental to my sense of well-being. I think it was after one particular morning – when I spent my entire 10am philosophy class in an anxiety-stricken panic because the auction for the discounted designer bag I had been eying all week would end well before the day’s lecture on Lucretius would, and I happened to currently have the highest bid – that I decided to end the obsession right then and there before my grades began to suffer and I began to count down the hours and minutes of my days in the following manner: 1h 27min left in the auction, 1h 13m left in class, equals 14min to get from Callaway Hall to a computer at the student center to place the winning bid.

Besides the ultimate disappointment in myself that came with the realization that I had fallen victim to such a self-indulgent act, I never really had any problems in relation to the site itself. Today during my lunch break, however, I happened to hear a story from a co-worker (thank you Courtney for unknowingly providing the inspiration for today’s blog!) that made me consider the negative consequences of using such a purchasing outlet.  Courtney’s boyfriend had recently sold his used iPhone through eBay. In the description he made sure to disclose that there were scratches on the product and that he could provide additional pictures of the item if requested, but that the iPhone was completely non-refundable after purchased. To make a long story short, the purchaser claimed that there were more scratches than described and requested a refund despite the clear disclosure that the transaction was to be final, resulting in a dispute that has yet to be resolved. Now I am not trying to criticize eBay or the use of other similar online shopping sites, (as I mentioned earlier I never had any transactional problems like this with any of my purchases) but the situation made me think about how reliable and consumer-friendly the processes are for ordering promotional products here at Pinnacle Promotions.

At Pinnacle Promotions, consumers are assigned to dedicated account teams to guide them throughout the entire buying experience. We offer the highest quality promotional products too and stand by our Pinnacle Platinum Guarantee™, ensuring that each order arrives on-time and exactly as it was approved or we will re-run your order or refund your money. You can stick to eBay if you want the thrill of the auction and can accept the consequences of being unsatisfied with your purchase, but if you want to shop with confidence, you can trust Pinnacle Promotions for all of your promotional product and imprinted apparel needs.

Jaime
Creative Writing Intern
view my bio!

Original Artwork By Jodi Spong, Production Manager/Graphic Designer

They all say “money makes the world go around.” But in the contemplative words of Tim McGraw, “who are they?” Well, I guess the overwhelming majority of society has adopted this mentality, but that does not mean that this statement should be interpreted as law. Children are taught at a young age through the use of allowances to value money and spend it wisely, but too often kids grow up to become jaded and materialistic, losing sight of what is really important in life.

Promotional products can serve as valuable marketing tools to attract business, but they need to be properly integrated into a cohesive marketing mix to return optimal results. Relationship management is a critical aspect of running a company, and you want to take necessary steps to ensure that your brand is perceived positively among current and potential customers. You need not shell out big bucks to impress end users of your promotional products with expensive gifts; sometimes it really is the thought that counts.

In college I took a marketing course entirely based on the concept that the best companies, the ones which make the greatest impact on the world around them and therefore stand the test of time, are those that have a soul. Soulfulness is an admirable quality that comes from within a brand: it is the intrinsic principles and values that guide the company every single day, and it cannot be communicated adequately in a mission statement or companywide memo. Ultimately, every organization needs money in order to remain in existence, but there are many other important factors that must be present to create a strong brand identity.

I am not trying to discourage you from investing in costly customized executive gifts or gift baskets. These items promote your brand’s professionalism and appreciation for valued clientele. However, you can achieve comparable success by employing less expensive promotional products and coupling them with articulate, compelling imprint messages or underlying marketing sentiments.

One of my favorite examples of inexpensive, yet highly effective, marketing with promotional products is LiveStrong bracelets. These cheap bracelets started a movement across the country in support of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Consumers can buy their own custom imprinted bracelets, featuring the word “LiveStrong,” to publicize their support for the charitable cause, while also helping fundraising efforts for the foundation.

The popularity of LiveStrong bracelets demonstrates how simple it is to use promotional products for good, and the potential benefits that can be reaped by associating your brand with meaningful causes. Show the public that your company has a soul by distributing items like EarthSmart™ pens and jotters with your logo. You can also give these products out in your office or workplace to set a precedent for environmentally conscious actions.

Another way to get the word out about your company’s unique culture is by customizing inexpensive promotional products with phrases (not slogans!) that your employees live by every day. Some examples may be “Do good to do well” for a bank or financial institution, or “Mindful matters” for an educational foundation or think tank. Any way that you can think of to illustrate your company’s mantras in a genuine way to your target audience can boost brand loyalty and recognition. Check out our Sales and Closeouts category to take advantage of our current deals.

The answer to the question posed in the title of this blog post is yet to be determined. Look within your company or organization to reach your own conclusion, as every business operates differently and has its own set of objectives. Whether you decide to shell out big bucks or just small change, I wish you the best of luck with whatever direction you choose to take with your promotional products purchases!

Dana
Marketing Coordinator
view my bio!

July 17, 1955: Disneyland televised its grand opening in Anaheim, California. Where would the promotional products industry be if not for the influence of Walt Disney? The Disney empire is undoubtedly one of the strongest examples of successful promotional merchandise as a brand-building tool. Did you know that over 14 million tourists pass through Disneyland annually? And that they spend about $3 billion at the park?

The goal of any company or organization is to generate a recognizable image for their brand, and Disney has certainly generated a formula for success that all of us in the marketing world hold in high esteem. From branded apparel to patented technology, Disney’s brand portfolio encompasses an enormous selection of promotional goods. Just the sight of Mickey Mouse ears is enough to cause many consumers to reminisce about their personal experiences with the animated legend and his fictional acquaintances.

Now it would be impossible for any brand to replicate Disney’s rise to prominence, but there are some aspects of the promotional powerhouse’s journey to the top that can be applied to any business.

For example, creativity can be a great way to capture peoples’ hearts and loyalty. Disney’s original idea to open a theme park was unlike anything the world had ever seen, immediately causing a sensation. You can employ similar tactics by thinking outside of the box to surprise and impress your clientele and employees. There are a finite amount of promotional products available on the market, but imprinting these items with your customized logo and message are what make them memorable. The possibilities of designing a completely new and distinctive campaign are endless, and the originality you incorporate into your promotional products purchase will be sure to breed positive buzz for your brand. Whether you opt for unique promotional products, or decide to take advantage of our tried and true best selling promotional products, you can make these items one-of-a-kind giveaways through the content you choose to imprint on them.

Disney also makes an enormous variety of promotional products available to consumers worldwide through their retail stores and outlets. This level of outreach is absolutely not appropriate for the majority of corporations in existence, but the more options you add into your selection of promotional products, the better. Your customers and employees are a diverse group, and an automotive item or fashion tote may not appeal to your entire target market. Try to order products with specific recipients in mind, and even consider choosing two independent sets of products to feature as part of the same campaign or promotion.

Finally, we all relish the opportunity to reflect on our youth, so think about the logo imprinted toys and games you could distribute to workers or patrons- take a page out of Disney’s book and look for promotional products that will integrate fun and magic into your corporate image!

Dana
Marketing Assistant
view my bio!