And while I found some funnier than others, it got me thinking about using humor to promote your brand.  Some of the top brands use humor in their advertising and it’s wildly successful.

The first thing that comes to mind is AT&T’s “It’s Not Complicated” campaign, which features a man asking groups of children questions like, “Which is better, faster or slower?” and their hilarious answers.  AT&T’s message is that their service is simple and easy to use, but these commercials use a round-about way of illustrating that message, focusing on the humorous aspect of the kids’ answers more than anything.  (I researched it a litte bit to see if these ads are scripted.  Apparently they do have a “guided script” but often stray from it because the kids’ off-the-cuff answers are much funnier than anything the script writers have come up with.)

Or what about Atlanta’s own Scoutmob?  The daily deal (but better!) site capitalized on the “cool because it’s ironic” mustache trend and added a mustache-cam to their app.  Having an app that allows you to choose from different types of mustaches and put them on the pictures you take with your phone has nothing to do with daily deals, but it’s funny.

And while I’m taking about Atlanta companies, we can’t forget Mailchimp.  This email marketing service provider uses humor as an integral part of their brand image.  Whether that’s little things on their site that they do (after you send a campaign, one of your options is to “eat a banana”, which takes you to a Chiquita Banana Youtube video or the funny things they show around their office like their life-sized mascot,  Mailchimp understands that while the product may be great, sometimes an extra laugh really drives it home.

So, back to coffee mugs. Coffee mugs are one of our most popular product categories. For good reason too; I mean, what better way to show off your logo than putting it on the vessel for your customers’ daily java habit.

While most coffee mugs get the job done, there’s something to be said about having your mug, the one with your logo, being your customers’ favorite mug. And while this might have to do with the quality or size of the mug itself, maybe adding some humor to your mug could make it shoot up on the mug popularity scale. (I rank my coffee mugs in order of favorite to least favorite, don’t you?!)

What if you came up with something humorous – it could be generic, it could be related to your industry – and put it on one side of your coffee mug? On the opposite side could be your logo. It’s a great way to get your brand out there while also showing that you have a sense of humor.  And you never know, it might become your customers’ favorite new coffee mug.

Lee
Marketing Coordinator

Brew at the Zoo

Zoo Atlanta.  Saturday, 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. $38 for Zoo Atlanta members; $43 for non-members. 21+

Sure, there are lots of beer tasting festivals in Atlanta, but this one’s got wild animals! Enjoy unlimited samplings of a variety of different beers, music from several bands and djs and the opportunity to see the more than 1500 animals that live at Zoo Atlanta.

More info and directions

Atlanta Jazz Festival

Piedmont Park. Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.  Free.

Enjoy a long weekend of jazz at the Atlanta Jazz Festival.  Piedmont Park will host music all weekend long on two stages.  There will be lots of food vendors providing refreshments and attendees are also allowed to bring their own food and beverage.

More info and directions

photo credit: Mambo’Dan

GREAT Jubilee Family Festival

Oglethorpe University.  Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Adults $8; kids 14 and under free.  Parking $6.

Celebrate everything British at the GREAT Jubilee Family Festival.  This fun event will have classic British cars on display as well as a large kids area, games, the Downton Abbey Tea Room, food and drink and an exhibition cricket match.

More info and directions

Atlanta Urban UNICYCLE Event

Mason Mill Park.  Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.  Free.  Bring your own unicycle and gear.

Someone reading this must know how to ride a unicycle, right?  If that’s you, head down to Mason Mill Park on Saturday for the Atlanta Urban UNICYCLE event.  This is a fun day of riding and hanging out with fellow unicycle enthusiasts at Mason Mill Park which has a boardwalk, dirt trails and other fun places to ride.

More info and directions

The Optimist Anniversary Bash

The Optimist. Saturday, 4:00 p.m.  $15.

Celebrate The Optimist’s 1 year anniversary with a fish fry.  This event has a fun, coastal vibe that will make you think you’re at the beach.  There will be live music including Ben Tanner, keyboardist for the Alabama Shakes, who will be playing with Belle Adair and The Bear.

More info and directions

Atlanta Caribbean Carnival

Parade starts on Ralph McGill Avenue and ends at Morris Brown Herndon Stadium. Saturday, 10:00 a.m  - 10:00 p.m.  $10.

Immerse yourself in Caribbean culture at the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival.  Now in its 25th year, this event promises to be a good time for all.  Enjoy the parade of bands that begins in downtown and ends at the festival village.  Enjoy Caribbean traditions and experiences right here in town.

More info and directions

The Good
Between Facebook now asking us what we’re reading/listening/feeling, Instagram’s ability to document each and every meal, and YouTube fostering a new generation of “haul” videos (videos where the host takes the viewer through what all they bought that day), people have never been more willing to talk and share about their favorite brands and items. Promotional products have never had a better stage to shine on.

Ask recipients to tweet you a picture of their promotional product in use, choose a witty hashtag, and you could be well on your way to Twitter fame. Think of Taco Bell’s #doritoslocostacos campaign, they had everything from pictures of the actual tacos to images of those waiting in line or taking their first bite (more of my odd love affair with Taco Bell’s revamped advertising here). Thank them for being part of your community and always make sure to feature content from your users because it’s a good way to let users know that it’s as much about them as it is you.

Which brings me to my next point: have a little fun showing off a little. Take, for example, the custom corn hole boards I mentioned above. Posted on a social media site, this image conveys the message that even when they are trying to sell you something, this vendor still wants you to enjoy yourself. If even General Electric managed to make themselves more than enjoyable on Pinterest, then we have no excuse!

The Bad
And now comes the fine print. Creating content, making connections, building loyalty – these things take work. Personally, I find the challenge a fun one but like the old mottos go, nothing worth having is ever easy. Luckily for you, our sales team can help you find the perfect promotional product, but you have to figure out the QR code or hashtag.

Sure, there will always be internet trolls and naysayers but you can curtail most of those by choosing a promotional product that lasts and quickly addressing any issues that come up via social media instead of deleting or ranting in response. And even if your online campaign gets sidetracked, hopefully it will be as hilarious as when the internet banded together to send popular rapper to a remote part of Alaska. This particular campaign was a winner on all counts: not only did Listerene Fresh Strips get tons of exposure, the rapper PitBull was able to show himself as a personable artist who is true to his word, and the town of Kodiak Alaska got to have a lot fun.

So, as long as you cover all your bases and prove yourself gracious in the face of the unexpected, the bad can end up being good.

The Ugly
Sometimes, things can go from bad to ugly. If customers are very unhappy with a product, they may take to social media to blast away, and if not handled delicately, the whole ordeal can turn into a social media scandal. To avoid reaching “the ugly” stage, make sure your product and campaign doesn’t cross the line of outrageously funny to outrageously offensive.

The Conclusion
While promotional products may be one of the older forms of advertising, social media is still considered the new contender. With a well planned campaign it can be easy to stand out among the crowd and shine with your chosen promotional product. Have you seen any promotional product/social media campaigns that you considered successful or have you seen ones that crashed and burned? Let us know in the comments. Have you considered showing off your promotional products on your social media sites or starting a campaign based on them?  Are you a fan of hashtag campaigns or QR codes?  I lean towards hashtags myself but have heard many a compelling argument fot the QR code.

As always, I love seeing promotional products in action so please send us some pictures or drop a link in the comments section!

Sofia
Merchandising Assistant

At time of publication, this site has 20,099 fonts for download! Some are free, some are donationware and some are shareware. The best way to go about finding a font that you like is to click on the type of font you’re looking for, let’s say your’e looking under “fancy” for an “old school” font. Click “old school” and the more options button. From there, I like to choose the “free” or “public-domain” button. This means that you can use this font for commercial purposes. If you’re selling something, a t-shirt, a mug, etc, it’s considered commercial use. If you’re unsure, choose that option to be safe. There are still tons of choices available.

So, check it out and see what you can find. And remember, please send us Illustrator .ai or .eps files if possible! If not, don’t dispair, we can work with what you’ve got. Like I said, we have a super talented art team here.  (Check out our FAQ page for information about artwork submission.)

Lee
Marketing Coordinator

Advertising is made up of trends and passing fads: billboard ads may be big one year or a flop the next, radio advertising is not lauded as it once was, and, eventually, we all throw away print magazine and papers no matter how artfully crafted the ads were. The right promotional product, given at the correct time, can be spared that fate. It can become the daily tool we go to without second thought, the one that stays snugly at the bottom of our trade show tote long after it’s brethren have been bartered or gifted away.

So what promotional products do you choose if you want your investment to have a long shelf life? Look for quality and step away from gimmicks. While there will always be a time for gimmicy promotions, it’s best to choose something that will outlast. Items like the Americana Leather Wrapped Journal possibly packaged with a promotional compu-tote like the Kenneth Cole Women’s Etched In Time Compu-Tote, are ones that will develop history with time. For either personal or business use, people tend to keep journal around for years whether to reflect on old times or see how business meeting went months ago. A name brand leather tote will be kept and proudly displayed for years, so while costly it is a worthy investment for years of brand exposure and loyalty.

These three products are but a glance at what options you have for a promotional product that lasts. Consider investing in a beautiful executive pen or a set of carefully imprinted glassware. If you need more ideas check out our website or give us a call at 877.300.2007, our team can help you find the perfect promotional product. Also, let us know what promotional products have lasted for you. Have you found any promotional items or apparel at a grandparent or parent’s house?

Sofia
Merchandising Assistant

Party in the Park

Centennial Olympic Park.  Saturday, 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.  $35 in advance.

There will be live music all day long at Centennial Olympic Park.  Enjoy the sounds of The Electric Sons, Yeasayer, GROUPLOVE, Ellie Goulding and Passion Pit with the skyline of Atlanta as the backdrop.  There will also be an artist market and local food trucks.

More info and directions

Atlanta Streets Alive

Peachtree Street. Sunday, 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.  Free.

For four hours on Sunday, 2.7 miles of Peachtree Street will be closed to cars as part of Atlanta Streets Alive.  This event was inspired by a weekly event in Bogota where streets are closed to cars and people are encouraged to take back the streets.  The Atlanta event aims to celebrate the neighborhood, expose attendees to fun outdoor activities and to encourage Georgians to take to the streets via foot or bicycle (or any other non-gasoline powered way).

More info and directions

Taste of the Highlands

John Howell Park.  Saturday, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  $50.

Enjoy tastes from some of Atlanta’s most popular restaurants.  Highlands favorites like La Tavola, Atkins Park, The Family Dog, Murphy’s and many more will be participating.  100% of proceeds go to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

More info and directions

AJC Peachtree Jr 3K and Lil’ Peach Dash

Piedmont Park.  Saturday, Lil’ Peach Dash is at 8:15 p.m.; Peachtree Jr is at 9:00 a.m.  $15 for Lil’ Peach Dash; $22 for AJC Peachtree Jr 3K.

Let your kids experience the Peachtree Road Race in a safe, non-competitive environment.  The AJC Peachtree Jr is designed for runners ages 7-12 and will cover 3K (1.86 miles).  The Lil’ Peach Dash is a 50 meter dash for kids 6 and under.

More info and directions

East Atlanta Beer Fest

Brownwood Park. Saturday, 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.  $40 in advance; $45 at door.  21+

The East Atlanta Beer Fest is now in its 10th year.  Head to Brownwood Park to sample over 175 different beers, hear live music, enjoy food from local restaurants and have a general great time.  Each entrant will receive a promotional pint glass.  Proceeds benefit the East Atlanta Foundation.

More info and directions

Draft on Taft

Corner of Charles Allen and 10th. Saturday, 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.  $35.  21+

Draft on Taft is a street party that benefits Gigi’s Playhouse of Atlanta, a Down Syndrome awareness center.  Enjoy cold beer, good music and crawfish and po’boys in the heart of Midtown.

More info and directions

We’ve all busted out an ill-advised chicken dance at a prom or wedding. The simple act of flapping your arms and forgoing all embarrassment unites us on a dance floor. Suddenly strangers are friends and you can’t help but laugh. It’s with these unique holidays that you can really plan for some fun promotional products.

I can’t help but smile every time I look at this Chicken Stress Reliever. Imagine breaking up a monotonous Tuesday by placing one of these on an employee’s desk and thanking them for a job well done. If you’d like to blare the chicken song through your company speakers, and start a chicken dance conga line, then I will request you send us the video! Aside from workplace fun, this holiday and it’s promotional products are great for the food industry! Give them away as the adult equivalent to a Happy Meal prize, and have a contest with some giveaways for whoever has the best judged chicken dance. Show your customers that your brand can be relaxed, your company can proudly sashay onto the metaphorical dance floor and really let loose with the rest of us.

Since National Dance Like a Chicken Day is already upon us, you’ll have to make plans to order your items early next year. But if you are still in the market for obscure celebrations, perhaps I could interest you in July’s International Joke Day, National Junk Food Day, or Book Lover’s Day in August? Truly the possibilites are endless.

Sofia
Merchandising Assistant

So, even though it’s become a viral Youtube sensation, the truth of the matter is that most people are really strapped for time and finding ways to save time really is important.  So, I bring you: time-saving promotional products.

You can find products that will help you save time in pretty much every category.  Here are some that I’ve come up with, but I can assure you, there are others.

Office items have become commonplace whether you work in an office or not.  Untangling the many USB cords that you have or unplugging something from your computer so you can plug something else in: Aint nobody got time for that.  Fortunately, there are products out there (on our site!) that can help you keep your cords untangled and allow you to plug in many USB devices into your computer.

What about drinkware?  Pouring yourself a cup of coffee and drinking it at home before you rush off to the office: aint nobody got time for that!  A sturdy, spill proof travel mug is your answer.

Finding your pen, stylus and highlighter at a moment’s notice?  Aint nobody got time for that!  How about a 3-in one writing instrument that can make searching in your bag for a highlighter when all you can come up with is a pen (and an old piece of gum) a thing of the past?

And then you have the ultimate time saver: our RocketShip 24-Hour Express Service.  Your order will be processed in as little as one business day after artwork confirmation.

I could keep going on and on about time-saving products in all sorts of different categories, but aint nobody got time for that.

Lee
Marketing Coordinator

So why the Gulp? Well now that the warm weather is back, you’ll find that every weekend is filled with outdoor festivals, concerts, races, and sporting events. It will get hotter and hotter and people will start reaching for water bottles and tumblers. With this in mind, wouldn’t it be great to offer them a double wall tumbler with a sturdy lid and matching straw? Available in 9 different colors, the Gulp is sure to seamlessly fit with your logo or event. Perhaps you are a food truck vendor that wants to give away a earth-friendly alternative with each meal purchased, maybe you are an outdoor concert coordinator who wants to minimize the amount of waste and cleanup post-concert, maybe you’re a day camp promoting health and fitness: no matter what you have going on the Gulp can help promote your brand.

Best of all, the promotion won’t be a victim of Summer Lovin‘, that’s easily forgotten at the end of the season. Since it is a double wall tumbler and you can remove the straw and drink out of the lid, it can easily transition to all the pumpkin spice lattes and peppermint mochas enjoyed during the cooler part of the year. With it’s extra low price point, the Gulp is a great investment piece that will be enjoyed long past it’s Deal of the Moth status.

Sofia
Merchandising Assistnat

BrunchRUN

Piedmont Park.  Saturday, 9:00 a.m.  $40.

Earn that breakfast!  This 5K in Piedmont Park includes a breakfast burrito and home fries from Edwards Brother’s Barbecue and a cup of coffee from San Francisco Coffee Roasting Company afterward.  You’ll enjoy a raffle and lawn games while you eat.

More info and directions

Atlanta Moon Ride

Park Tavern. Friday, kick off is at 8:00 p.m.; ride starts at 10:00 p.m.  $30 in advance; $35 day of event.

Head down to the Park Tavern with your bike on Friday night.  The Atlanta Moon Ride is a 6.5 mile bicycle ride to raise money for Bert’s Big Adventure.  There will be a rolling DJ keeping the pace along with the Atlanta Police Department.  The route finishes where it started, at the Park Tavern, where everyone will be partying until 2 am.  Costumes are encouraged and there will be prizes.

More info and directions

Dunwoody Art Festival

5501 Chamblee Dunwoody Road.  Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Sunday, 12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Free.

Take mom to the fourth annual Dunwoody Art Festival this weekend.  There will be a vibrant artist market featuring more than 160 artists, a kids area, live music and a tasty food court. In addition, there will be a “Chairs for Charity” auction, giving attendees the chance to bid chairs painted and decorated by students in Dunwoody schools.  Proceeds from “Chairs for Charity” will go to the art programs at the participating schools.

More info and directions

Kirkwood Spring Fling

Bessie Branham Park.  Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.  Free for festival; Tour of Homes is $20.

The 11th Annual Kirkwood Spring Fling is this Saturday.  Enjoy an artists market, live music, plenty of food and a kids area.  There will also be a Tour of Homes, showcasing some of the best homes in Kirkwood.

More info and directions

Gnomes in the Hood

Garden*Hood. Saturday, 4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  Free.

Head to Cabbagetown to own your very own Garden Gnome.  Gnomes in the Hood features unique gnomes created by 25 local artists.  They will be auctioned off and proceeds will go to the Cabbagetown Clay and Glass Works.  While the silent auction is going on, you will be able to enjoy light appetizers and cocktails while checking out the great plants and flowers at Garden*Hood.

More info and directions

Buckhead Spring Arts & Crafts Festival

Chastain Park. Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.  Free.

Over 175 artists and artisans will be in Chastain Park this Saturday and Sunday for the 4th Annual Buckhead Spring Arts & Crafts Festival. Take a stroll while listening to live acoustic music, sample the best local food, or stopping by with your children in the professional children’s area. Pets are welcome and admission is free, making this one outdoor event not to be missed.

More info and directions