The future of promotional marketing is bright, but it is facing a shift in values. It is time for us to plan for that shift. Here is how we see the future shaping up, coupled with some promises to you, our loyal, bold clients who are hungry for a tired industry to breathe fresh life…
With 25 years of brand merchandising experience, we hope you find some value (and humor) in these tips. We promise they’ll improve your results… 1. Promote your brand so recipients say, “Wow!” and “Smart!” and “Righteous!” 2. Protect your brand. 3. Marketing is about building real relationships. Love your clients through thick and thin. 4.…
An understanding, caring staff, business partner and wife have all given me the time to invest energy into one of the greatest joys of my life, Band Together, the nonprofit I co-founded after the tragedy of 9/11. This force for good organization is now 20 years old! It’s hard to believe that 20 years ago…
You’re probably seeing it in your daily lives – you couldn’t find that particular piece of Samsonite luggage for the family summer trip, or you had to wait 3 months to get it. You’re frustrated with back-to-school shopping because GE microwaves for your child’s dorm room are scarce. Don’t even try to find an inexpensive…
Now that we are seeing a resurgence of corporate event activity, it’s time to start thinking about how you will make your event enticing, educational, sharable, participatory, memorable and/or fun. We know you are getting great giveaways that are on-brand, sustainable, thoughtful, utilitarian, and meaningful BUT, have you thought through an engagement strategy? How will…
Music is a part of the fabric of Brand Fuel. It’s a core reason why Robert Fiveash, my friend of 40 years and business partner of 23, and I remain so connected. Music has inspired us to be more creative, bring people together and unveil some pretty cool events: Giving back to community through the…
The promotional marketing industry has seen 3 defined eras. Era 1: From the time The Bill of Rights was ratified through ~1999. This was the golden age of printed catalogs with obvious pricing codes. There was a time when you had to search by microfiche to source foam stress relievers in the shape of an…
Let me start by sharing that I’m new to the Brand Fuel family and to the promotional product industry. Early on, I made a goal to be completely open to ANYTHING that’s thrown my way at my job. Working in an office for the first time in 8 years was a huge change, and now…
Co-President Danny Rosin spoke on the power of listening at the recent High Five Conference. Here are a few of Danny’s professional ‘Q-Tips’ on listening: Q-Tip 1: Keep an open chair in your meetings to represent your customer. Your customer is wondering, ‘Are you designing for me? Are you responding to me? Are you engaging with…
Try to do good in this world not out of fear of hell or reward of heaven but because it feels better not to be a jackass. No doubt we all agree that the world needs more kindness right now. And every one of us should do our part to help. It’s a lot easier…
Drizzling a melting ice cube across unsuspecting fingertips. Tickling a wrist with feathers and then quickly smacking on a slap bracelet can cooler. Gently scraping a spork down an arm causing goosebumps. Whoa, take a breath, roll down the window and get some fresh air – what exactly are we talking about? This doesn’t sound…
UPDATE: 1/18/17 – Brand Fuel wins PPAI’s National Marketing Award for the Swag Lottery Machine! See the World’s Only Swag Lottery Machine in action! And check out these great shots of unsuspecting adopters at the Triangle AMA’s High Five Conference 2016! What do you get when you take albums by Elvis, Pat Benatar, Dionne Warwick, Barry…