Gift practical promo from one of the industry’s top categories.
With the rise of “it brands” like YETI, Hydro Flask and Stanley, drinkware has become a must-have promo item for end-buyers across markets. And industry sales show it; the category made up 10.7% of promo sales in 2023, according to ASI’s annual State of the Industry report – more than double its percentage in 2011. These water bottles are functional and fashionable picks for your next promo drinkware campaign.
Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, this 32 oz. Basecamp bottle is ideal for camping, backpacking, hiking and more. Crafted from Tritan BPA-free plastic, it features a wide mouth and screw-on cap.
The Ringo magnetic insulated water bottle not only keeps beverages at the perfect temperature but also holds a phone magnetically. Whether empty or full, users enjoy a complete 90-degree range to capture content, follow workouts or make video calls. Dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
Featuring a sleek stainless-steel base and cap, this 22 oz. Tritan water bottle is designed for convenience. It includes a handy loop for easy carrying or strapping to a bag. Available in trendy colors, this bottle is the perfect hydration solution for those out and about.
Crafted from durable stainless steel, the 32 oz. Dri Duck Rover water bottle is designed to keep both the user and their furry friends hydrated – simply detach the base to reveal a pet dish, ensuring water is always within reach.
Featuring double-wall insulation to keep drinks at the ideal temperature, the Tervis Venture bottle offers a versatile two-in-one Versa lid with both a drink-thru spout and a straw spout. Designed for convenience, it includes a push-button opening for one-handed operation and a safety lock to prevent spills.
A sleek and functional masterpiece, this 18 oz. double-wall stainless-steel bottle keeps hot drinks warm for up to 12 hours and cold drinks chilled for up to 24 hours. Crafted from recycled stainless steel with a matte finish, it features bamboo and gunmetal-finished accents.
The Rivers bottle combines style and functionality with its beveled silhouette and powder-coated finish, offering a sleek look despite its large 32 oz. capacity. Features an easy-to-carry handle and a button-push pop spout that locks. Made from double-wall 18/8 stainless steel.
Perfect for use in the office, gym or any destination, this 40 oz. double-wall bottle features a twist-off lid and preserves ice for hours, ensuring drinks stay refreshingly cold. Its smooth, sleek design provides an elegant canvas to showcase any logo.
Where innovation meets convenience, the 30 oz. SiliH2O water bottle is unique for its 100% silicone material. Includes a snap-down, leak-proof top and convenient notch for keyring attachment. It’s BPA-free; nontoxic; and dishwasher-, microwave-, oven- and freezer-safe. Great for education campaigns.
Constructed with double-walled, vacuum-insulated 18/8 stainless steel, this 30 oz. bottle keeps beverages at the perfect temperature. Featuring a screw-on lid with a convenient rotating carrying handle and built-in straw, it offers ultimate ease of use.
The earthy brown hue gives off cozy vibes.
Goodbye, “Brat Green.” Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year dredges up a different summer hit – the rich brown hue an echo of Sabrina Carpenter’s blockbuster “Espresso.”
What once dominated the airwaves will now saturate our sight lines, with Pantone’s selection of Mocha Mousse, a hue that the global color authority says appeals to a desire for comfort and evokes the delectable quality of cacao, chocolate and coffee.
Pantone has chosen Mocha Mousse as its 2025 Color of the Year. (Pantone Color Institute)
“Underpinned by our desire for everyday pleasures, [Mocha Mousse] expresses a level of thoughtful indulgence,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. She went on to call the shade “sophisticated and lush, yet at the same time an unpretentious classic” and noted that it presents a “tasteful touch of glamour” while it “envelops us with its sensorial warmth.”
The color institute also pointed to the need for harmony as inspiration for its color pick. For the 2025 Color of the Year, “we look to a color that reaches into our desire for comfort and wellness, and the indulgence of simple pleasures that we can gift and share with others,” said Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute.
Pantone is selling limited-edition merch featuring the Color of the Year. (Pantone Color Institute)
Indeed, the Pantone Color Institute is selling limited-edition branded merch featuring its 2025 pick, including coffee mugs, keychains and notebooks. Pantone also has an array of brand partners touting Mocha Mousse in home décor, makeup and apparel. Makeup membership service IPSY is offering a collection of limited-edition products in the shade. Society6, an artist-driven e-commerce retailer, also has a Mocha Mousse collection, available on a variety of products that include art prints, phone cases and more.
This is the 26th year that Pantone has been declaring a Color of the Year. Back in 1999, the institute declared Cerulean Blue its 2000 Color of the Year. For 2024, it chose the pastel neutral Peach Fuzz. Other recent picks include 2023’s Viva Magenta and 2022’s Very Peri.
1. Employee Appreciation Gifts Lean into the coziness of the shade with soft blankets or fuzzy socks.
2. Fitness Studios Help boutique gyms and other fitness studios build up an apparel line with fleece hoodies in earthy brown hues.
3. Company Stores Add a cotton cap, perhaps with an embroidered or faux leather patch, to give employees ample options to rep their company.
This year’s gift bag is a real bag that uses trendy branding and even finds space for print.
The “swag bags” for major award ceremonies like the Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Golden Globes are known for their eye-watering monetary value. This year’s Golden Globes bag continues the tradition and is reportedly the highest-value gift bag in the ceremony’s history, with more than $1 million in luxury gifts and getaways nestled neatly into the bag itself.
That’s all well and good for the celebrities, but let’s talk about that bag itself for a second, shall we?
Sometimes, it seems like the term “swag bag” is a bit of a misnomer. There might not be a bag at all. That’s why some shows have started using phrases like “gift suite.” However, the Golden Globes bag really is an honest to goodness bag, and there are plenty of lessons that we can draw from it for promotional products distributors.
It might be a coincidence, since we’re only a few days from Pantone announcing the 2025 Color of the Year “Mocha Mousse,” but the bag designed by Atlas Bespoke uses a shade of brown that looks an awful lot like the it-color for next year.
Part of that is because brown works well as a neutral shade and is often used alongside other neutrals like black and white for luxury goods.
When your gift is supposed to say “opulence” and “award,” you want something that fits the narrative, and Mocha Mousse – or whatever specific shade of brown this bag is – works well here, making the bag elegant and on trend.
“We’re super excited about this chic chocolate brown,” a spokesperson from Atlas Bespoke told Hello! Magazine. “It’s timeless yet on trend.”
Though a marketer or distributor’s first instinct may be to plaster a big loud logo all over a product for maximum visibility, there are times when restraint is appropriate. Many upscale or designer products, even when the logo is what creates the high perceived value, err on the side of minimalism.
The Golden Globes bag does this well with its two main logo signifiers. The first is a small luggage tag that looks like a golden medallion that attaches to the handle with a simple engraved “Golden Globes.” The other is a small embossed Atlas logo on the front of the bag.
This way, recipients can use the bag without it being too obvious that it was a freebie (a relative term), though it has that “if you know, you know” exclusivity factor.
“This bag isn’t something you’ll see anyone else carrying unless they’re a winner or presenter,” the Atlas Bespoke spokesperson said. “If you spot someone at the airport with it, you know you’re in the presence of a Golden Globe honoree.”
Promo pros can create a similarly high-end retail vibe for clients whose brands align with such elements by leveraging minimalist/subtle decoration.
Since the Golden Globes and Atlas Bespoke did go the route of a physical bag rather than a “gift suite,” they needed a way to convey all of the actual gifts, many of which are immaterial, like vacations or experiences.
That’s where a small matching booklet came in handy. The booklet is the same fabric as the bag and includes a list of the redeemable gifts.
“We didn’t want to create waste,” the spokesperson told Hello! “This booklet allows recipients to select their own adventure – whether it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, a luxury fashion consultation or a far-flung travel getaway.”
That also continues the trend within the promotional products industry of allowing end-users to choose their own gift. Some end-buyers will create e-commerce platforms where end-users can redeem a code or select their own gift from a list. That way, there’s a smaller chance of an unwanted product ending up in a landfill.
A good promotional gift should be something the recipient desires and wants to use. This bag takes the idea of the over-the-top awards show gift suite and condenses it into a minimal, stylish and functional package. The bag is not only the representative of the Golden Globes and Atlas Bespoke; it represents the $1 million worth of gifts “inside,” and will continue on as a regular bag that recipients can use as a subtle flex wherever they may roam.
This bag hits the sweet spot: stylish color and fabric choices, minimal-yet-visible branding where there’s no denying who’s marketing the product and space for eco-friendliness.
Shine a light on your client’s brand, logo or message with these light-up promo items.
The market for light-up wristbands is valued at a whopping $168 million, largely driven by concerts and music festivals where they’re given out to fans and attendees. But opportunities for light-up promo items extend far beyond just the music space. From speakers to displays, there’s space to light up the room in a variety of industries, from trade shows to bar and restaurant events. These picks are a bright place to start.
Transform any wall plug into a combination charging station and night-light with this LED light-up adapter. Supports both USB-C and USB-A cords. Customize with a company logo or message for a standout giveaway at tech-savvy activities and events.
Light up the mood and any party with this Bluetooth speaker. Its transparent dome showcases multiple color-changing lights that flash to the beat of the music. Offers seamless pairing with compatible devices and a portable design that doesn’t compromise on sound quality.
Made in the USA from clear styrene plastic, this 32 oz. shaker features three super-bright LED lights in red, blue and green. BPA-free and recyclable, making it perfect for lighting up any bar or nightclub event with one of six dazzling lighting effects.
This backlit LED badge necklace can light up any horizontal or vertical design, making it an effective way to advertise at concerts, trade shows or corporate events. Featuring one bright white LED, it illuminates artwork with three different flash settings: fast flash, slow flash and steady on.
Exhibitors will draw a crowd at their next trade show with the backlit Illuminator InstaStand. Featuring pneumatic hardware that sets up in three seconds or less, this counter can hold up to 35 lbs. Perfect for any event, it includes a carry case.
Featuring a full-color, light-up logo print in the center of its charging pad, the Chi Charge Bright charger ensures a brand gets noticed. This 15 W wireless pad combines eco-friendly bamboo with quick-charging technology. Includes 6-foot USB-C cable.
The versatile Brilla Travel Adapter works to keep laptops and mobile devices plugged in and charged up in over 150 countries. This essential travel companion features a LED top panel that lights up a logo in full color when plugged in. Great for employees who travel frequently.
Employees will brighten up their workspace and stay organized with the Note Brite. Set includes an acrylic dry-erase board, white dry-erase marker, cleaning cloth and beechwood stand with LED lights controlled via a built-in USB plug. Can be placed vertically or horizontally in the stand.
This time, the singer has partnered with Sony and the New York MTA to take over a whole subway train with a mix of print and promo.
At this point, we have to wonder whether Olivia Rodrigo has plans for world domination – or at least conquering New York City.
First, it was a building takeover in Manhattan last September through a partnership with American Express and Spotify, where walls were decorated with print displays and balloons, rooms were decorated to look like themed bedrooms, and fans left with plenty of special branded merchandise.
Now she’s partnering with Sony as well as the New York MTA to take the promotional campaign to the streets – or at least under them.
Commuters could take a special “O Line” subway car, which was decked out in Rodrigo and Sony co-branded print advertisements rather than the usual things like injury lawyers or reminders not to smoke on the train. Even the transit map was transformed, with each stop being renamed to reflect a Rodrigo song or lyric, like “Lacy Avenue” or “All-American B*tch Road.”
The whole thing took place at Bowery station, which was fully transformed into a purple color palette like her previous installment in 2023. Once fans actually got onto the cars, they could take pictures with props or in front of a selfie-friendly mirror, according to The Knockturnal.
Moving into the next car (which is typically a no-no during normal subway rides but encouraged during the promotional event), fans could try the Sony LinkBuds, which were supposedly set to two specific EQ settings by Rodrigo herself, perfect for listening to her albums GUTS and SOUR.
There was also a subway sketch artist, who would gift fans the drawings.
In the last car, fans could grab an “Obsessed” sash from the ceiling to take home or have their fortunes read by a tarot card reader.
When fans disembarked from the experience, they got a branded tote bag full of smaller gifts like candy, a beanie and a branded MetroCard.
This is sort of a continuation of what the MTA has been doing with co-branded initiatives, specifically with its printed MetroCards. Through the years, the MTA has worked with New York icons for limited runs of special MetroCards.
This might be one of the last times they print someone else’s brand on the paper cards, though. Back in May, the MTA partnered with indie rock band Vampire Weekend for branded cards and announced that there would only be two more co-branded cards until the program is phased out as digital payments become the norm.
MTA had only one more co-branded MetroCard up its sleeve, which it debuted this month: A collaboration with Instagram, featuring some New York creators.
But, just because the MetroCard program is over doesn’t mean that print products are on the way out.
Even in a modern promotional campaign meant to advertise cutting-edge music technology and digital streaming, print was the star of the show. To create the immersive display and “take over” the subway, Sony and the MTA had to turn to print products to replace the standard advertisements and route maps.
And, as we’ve seen in other events like this, the brands use wide-format printing to cover walls or even things like vehicles to make sure no brandable space is left behind, as Rodrigo even did in the Paris Metro last year.
When thinking about blending print and promotional products together, it’s logical to think about the promo side first – especially if that’s the distributor’s background. This can mean putting together a gift set and then designing a branded box or bag. That’s a great idea, and is endlessly valuable in this day and age where kitting is so popular.
But there’s also plenty of space – literally – for print to be the focus and promo to serve as a complementary piece, like the branded gifts given out at the end of the “subway ride” here.
With a well-executed print display, you create one giant brand visibility exercise that continues after it’s over with thoughtful promotional gifts.
It’s time to literally think outside the box (or can, or bottle).
One of the oldest tricks in the book, or joke shop, is getting someone to open a jar of some antiquated treat like peanut brittle only to find spring-loaded snakes whizzing out of the jar. It scares the daylights out of the mark, and we all have a good laugh over it.
Society has mostly evolved past the old snakes-in-the-peanut-brittle can trick, but the idea of putting products into vessels where they might not “belong” is gaining steam in a trend that one marketing strategist is calling “Chaos Packaging.”
In short, the idea is to take a consumer product like, say, coffee, and put it into a package that instead of looking like a bag or jar of coffee looks like, say, a VHS tape in a paper sleeve.
That’s a real example, by the way.
You might’ve also seen it at the grocery store, where products like olive oil are packaged in aluminum cans with openers at the top just like a soda can.
There’s just something about the “something’s not right here” design aspect that appeals to consumers’ sense of whimsy and curiosity. For the brands, it’s a way to stand out on the shelf among the competition.
“Investing in design is even more important now that other forms of storytelling and awareness building have become not just expensive, but very crowded, so if the algorithm doesn’t find you, you’re in big trouble,” Craig Dubitsky, a former chief innovation strategist at Colgate-Palmolive and now co-founder of the coffee company Happy, told the Wall Street Journal. “But the shelf is curated.”
Happy, for another example of what coffee companies can do, packages its individual packs of beans in a plastic case that looks sort of like a mints container.
It’s a simple way for product designers to quite literally think outside of the box. You can look around at other forms of packaging or containers and think, “Does my product fit in there? Can I make it fit in there somehow?” With a bit of imagination and some clever engineering, the product could take on new life and become a conversation starter.
In the digital age, that’s crucial for brand awareness. When a product sparks conversation, the brand gets an extended lifespan through word of mouth and social media.
Lach Hall, co-founder of the sunscreen brand Vacation, which packages its products in cans that look like whipped cream, told the Wall Street Journal that this fun packaging idea made it so the company barely had to do any real marketing of its product.
“Classic Whip has done an extraordinary job for us in earned media,” Hall said. “We don’t necessarily have to do any paid promotion for it — just by having this product out in the world, it generates around 5 million views a week on TikTok [during the summer months].”
In the promotional space, creating clever packaging for a product enhances the first impression. The end-user is already smitten by the brand on display before it’s even in their hands or they’ve opened it up. Using a bit of imagination and taking the time to think about what a product could look like instead of relying on simply what it “should” or usually looks like can be enough to bring a promotional campaign to another level.
It might be as simple as changing the shape of the container to look like something else, or it might take more intricate product design and printing to use different artwork and motifs to evoke something else, playing on emotions like nostalgia or even taste to entice the end-user to your product.
Heck, I’m already thinking about which VHS coffee I want.
House and home items are surefire bets as promo products for their widespread daily use.
The diverse range of options in the house and home promo category presents a unique opportunity for gifting items that end-buyers can use every day, thereby enhancing clients’ brand reach. With the global home décor market on the rise, as noted by Allied Market Research, consumers are keen on stocking their homes with interesting but practical items. Use these picks as a starting point to make a lasting impression.
End-users can beautify their workspace with this succulent plant in a branded ceramic pot. Measuring about 2.5 inches, the potted succulents present a blend of gratitude and growth for your clients’ next promo campaign.
Crafted from recycled polyester, stainless steel, and ABS plastic, this charcuterie knife set is designed to complement any charcuterie board or serving platter. Includes a cleaver knife for meats, a cheese knife and a spreader for cheeses and jams, plus a convenient storage pouch for easy carrying.
This timeless keepsake brushed black steel 5” x 7” frame offers a blend of simplicity and sophistication, allowing recipients to personalize and cherish it for a lifetime. A great gift for clients or donors when paired with photos from a recent event, fundraiser or campaign.
Create an unforgettable sensory experience with these alcohol-free, naturally derived essential oil room sprays. Available in three curated options – lavender, citrus or cinnamon – these pocket-sized 0.33 oz. sprays are perfect for hospitality and real estate events.
This multifunction brush will be the recipient’s new cleaning companion. This three-in-one tool is ideal for cleaning all types of drinkware, from reusable bottles to tumblers to lids. Makes a spot-on gift for new renters and homeowners.
Infuse home or office space with 100% pure essential oils while enjoying a soft, ambient glow from the Vitruvi Glow Diffuser. With an eight-hour run time and coverage for rooms up to 300 square feet, this diffuser ensures long-lasting fragrance and a serene atmosphere throughout the day.
Morning coffee rituals just get better with the Corkcicle coffee set. Crafted for the coffee connoisseur, this kit includes everything needed for the perfect pour-over experience: a precision-engineered dripper and a double-walled thermal mug. Just add coffee grounds.
These natural wax candles are inspired by each of the 50 U.S. states and designed to enrich home or office décor. The Texas candle, for example, exudes leather, smoke and vanilla scents. Available in 16 oz. and 8 oz. sizes.
Home cooks and foodies will appreciate this electric salt and pepper grinder set. This countertop promo item features two refillable electric grinders and a fitted stand, ensuring your client’s brand captures plenty of logo impressions. Great as a unique gift or for restaurants to use tableside.
Advertisers will make a lasting impression with this cutting board. Crafted from rich medium-endgrain North American maple, this practical and memorable promotional item can feature messages either on a metal plate or engraved into the board.
The paint brand selected nine colors to make a design lookbook. Print and promo pros can use the palette to help craft colorful solutions for clients.
Annually, Pantone selects its Color of the Year – a particular shade the experts believe represents the forthcoming cultural zeitgeist through color.
In the past, Pantone has selected two colors that create a varied depiction of the state of things, but nine colors? No.
However, that’s exactly what paint purveyor Sherwin-Williams just did for its Colors of the Year, which it has dubbed the “2025 Color Capsule of the Year.”
The idea of a “capsule” is all the rage right now, especially in the apparel space, where streetwear brands and designers release small batches of products in well-timed “drops” to spread demand out over time and create scarcity. Many of these capsules even pull in other brands for co-merchandising efforts.
Sure, Sherwin-Williams is creating a color template for interior designers and painters. But it’s also showing how color schemes can work together for applications in the world of print products, apparel, hard-good promotional products, trade show displays and more.
The capsule includes the following colors: Grounded: An earthy brown Sunbleached: A light neutral gray Chartreuse: A loud pop of color amid neutrals Rain Cloud: A deep bluish-gray reminiscent of a storm rolling in Clove: A dark brown to pull down the light tones Malabar: A sandy shade with pink undertones Bosc Pear: A warm orangey brown (or browny orange) White Snow: Just a few notches below pure white, with a hint of pink Mauve Finery: A chic light purple
When looked at as a cohesive unit, the capsule is something that product designers, printers and distributors putting together new items or a collection of goods can use for inspiration.
Washington, Missouri-headquartered The Chest (asi/44830) uses these annual color reports as a guiding force in their promotional products, which include branded kits and print solutions.
“Color can make or break a design,” says Sheila James, marketing manager at The Chest. “It is usually the first thing noticed. A lot of time can be spent using the best color to go with [an item], and when the ‘colors of the year’ come out, that can be a big help in making those decisions.”
Make an eco-conscious choice in one of promo’s biggest categories.
Sustainability is often a key product consideration for corporate campaigns. In fact, 86% of end-buyers said it’s an important factor when choosing their promotional products, according to recent end-buyer research from ASI – and more than 6 in 10 of them are willing to pay a premium for more environmentally friendly promo. Whether that’s using materials with lower carbon footprints or choosing products that reveal how much recycled material goes into their manufacturing, the apparel market has a wide variety of sustainable options.
Made from 25% recycled polyester, this modern quarter-zip features a varied jacquard knit that wicks moisture and side panel body mapping for ultimate comfort and style. Perfect for an active day outdoors, it offers hyper breathability and SPF 50 protection.
This versatile gender-neutral anorak packs into a functional fanny pack for easy storage and carrying. Made from 100% recycled nylon and featuring a water-repellent finish, it offers lightweight weather protection on the go.
Designed for comfort and performance, this tech performance polo is crafted from 100% recycled polyester piqué. Features both Coolcore technology to wick away sweat and built-in UPF protection.
A sustainable and high-quality choice for a winter campaign, this jacket is made from an average of 37 upcycled bottles. Features a fleece interior and sherpa-lined pockets for ultimate comfort, plus a sherpa three-piece scuba hood on the women’s style.
Made from 60% Polylana polyester – a combination of certified recycled polyester and modified polyester – and 40% acrylic, this knitted beanie offers warmth and comfort. Featuring a fully fashioned top and an elegant rib-knitted cuff, it’s a perfect giveaway for winter event attendees to stay cozy.
Wind- and water-resistant, ultra-lightweight and easily compressible, this quilted jacket packs into its side pocket for convenience. The 100% dobby polyester fabric, crafted from certified recycled PET bottles, is lined with PrimaLoft Silver Insulation for extra warmth.
Crafted from 95% recycled polyester, this unstructured, six-panel cap features a low-profile design with a pre-curved bill. The Stay-Dri performance sweatband keeps the wearer comfortable while the d-ring micro hook and loop closure ensures a perfect fit.
The “Espresso” singer teamed up with Cash App for three branded events in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.
The best-case scenario for a brand is for their end-users to be thinking about them every night. Isn’t that sweet? I guess so.
For those who have lived under a rock since the summer, that’s a reference to Sabrina Carpenter’s enormous hit “Espresso.” And for everyone who knows the song, congratulations, it’s now stuck in your head, too.
The joke will make sense in a second. Walk with me here…
Carpenter, through a partnership with Cash App, is hosting three pop-up events in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, where her team is leaning into the theme of coffee and “Espresso” to create “Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet Café,” borrowing the title of her hit 2024 album.
This idea of a pop-up shop, complete with branded merchandise, for a pop star isn’t new. Olivia Rodrigo, for example, just partnered with Spotify for a branded experience in New York to commemorate the release of her album GUTS. And it’s not just musical artists – TV shows and streaming services get their own pop-up treatments, too.
However, what sets Carpenter’s campaign apart is the savvy angle of tying in the coffee pun with the coffee shop idea, bringing in another trend in experiential marketing. When you think of your local coffee shop, what do you picture aside from baristas in cool clothes and a display of baked goods? You can probably picture the merchandise for sale and branded packaging – things like T-shirts, mugs, tote bags, thermoses and packaging for coffee beans or tea.
A coffee shop lends itself nicely to merchandise, which is why the likes of Ralph Lauren has used it as a marketing medium in luxury getaway locations across the world.
By tapping into the coffee universe, Carpenter and her corporate partners find themselves at an intersection of different marketing avenues and seem to have accomplished everything you’d hope a branded pop-up of this nature can do. Those include wins promo pros working on experiential marketing initiatives can try to engineer for their clients too, such as:
The main goal of any branded campaign is to spread brand awareness. Thinking just of the promotional products space, you can see that the Carpenter team did that through things like drinkware, T-shirts and various print products.
The merchandise table works very much in the same way it would at a concert, but this way the brand –Sabrina Carpenter – comes to the fans rather than forcing them to pay any price of admission.
In an age where everything is online, tactile promotional products and experiences should be designed to have an extended life through social media sharing. There needs to be something that drives people to leave their homes and potentially wait in long lines for something. The opportunity to post fun pictures on social media can be significant motivation.
When done well, every conceivable photo angle in a pop-up experience is a good one. There are printed displays to be backdrops and walls, and plenty of eye-catching branded items within view or to be used as props for photos. There are QR codes aplenty. There are dedicated hashtags.
For sure, there should not be any forgetting whose event you’re at.
This café pop-up is, ostensibly, for Sabrina Carpenter. Still, it’s also for Cash App, which harnessed Carpenter’s social capital at the moment to gain some hip points with would-be users.
And of course, let’s not forget the actual coffee shops that transformed into this branded vehicle temporarily. They put their normal brands on hold for a minute, but it was a smart move: Crowds of people, many of them potentially first-time patrons, have experienced sitting in the café and could come back again.
In New York, Carpenter and Cash App took over Partners Coffee. In Chicago, it was Happy Monday. This week, Angelinos can visit Verve Coffee in West Hollywood.
To add to the Cash App integration, customers who use a Cash App Visa card to buy stuff will receive a 30% discount on their purchase – up to $40, according to Sprudge.
The music marketing landscape has changed drastically as a result of streaming, social media and the COVID-19 pandemic. Artists are meeting their fans in new ways. And, after all, an artist is a brand at the end of the day, and fans are customers. It sounds crass to put it so transactionally, but it’s the truth.
Looking beyond the music world, any brand can take a piece of their identity or their brand story, expand on it, and create a memorable experience out of it. If they can meet their customers and potential customers where they live, shop and eat, that’s even better. Finally, sparing no detail through print products, promotional giveaways and catchy design can turn something that feels like a sales pitch into a fun day out with memories to last a lifetime – both in their hearts and on their social media feeds.