The Taxman Cometh... for your Bobbleheads?

Bobblehead night at the ballpark, a timeless tradition in baseball - and one that draws the crowds.  I remember going to collect bobbleheads of my beloved Red Sox favorites, it's as American as a hot dog and beer at a ballgame.

Baseball teams use these and other promotional items as attendance drivers, as do many other businesses do for gift-with-purchase programs.  Most of the time, the item cost is amortized in to the ticket or product sell price, so that when the consumer makes a purchase of said ticket/product, they also get the promotional item.  However, the state of Ohio contends that these are not part of the ticket price as that price doesn't change throughout the year.  This Ohio state board of Tax Appeals agreed with the state, and this issue is now at the Ohio Supreme Court.

Yes, we're talking about bobbleheads, however this case presents a large potential issue in regards to all gift-with-purchase programs - should the promotional giveaway be taxable?  Many companies across several industries rely on these type of programs to drive revenue.  Should the giveaway item become a taxable entity, the fallout would be damaging on several levels.

Talk about a wobbly situation (sorry, had to do it..)  For more, Read Here!

Can a promo product define a movement?

Yes, I know, weird question right.  Of course not, there has to be a brand message and a campaign to spread that message dummy.

All of that is true, however I would argue that the right promotional product can bring a personal element to a movement to such an extent, that the product is the driver of the message.  People forget that promotional products have a large impression ratio - think. about walking billboards, i.e. T-shirts as a prime example of wearing your brand out.

Live Strong

Lance Armstrong created this non-profit in 1997 to support people affected by cancer.  Armstrong, a cancer survivor and professional cyclist worked with Nike in 2004 to raise money and brand awareness for cancer patients.

A simple silicone bracelet went on to sell through 80 million bracelets, and Live Strong has become synonymous with healthy living and personal strength.  The simple bracelet has gone on to raise funds for hundreds of organizations and causes - as a symbol of strength, perseverance and in my case, a reminder to Pay It Forward.

MAGA

As some say, don't hate the player, hate the game.  Well, when it comes to the 45th President of the United States, that statement doesn't often hold water as he is the most controversial President in our lifetime.  That doesn't discount that he took a simple phrase, Make America Great Again in to a marketing powerhouse - all driven by a simple, red hat.  The hat quickly became an iconic promo product for Trump supporters, and the visual symbol of his entire campaign.  A simple red cap that literally was picked because it fit the President's head the best, defined his campaign and now his administration.

Your brand can be personalized by the right promotional item, let Whiteboard Promotions extend your brand's reach through branded items that define your brand.

Be a Trade Show Pro

Let's face it, the next three months are a straight sprint with back to back shows a norm.  Getting all the critical elements together is a challenge for any seasoned pro, so we've come up with your guide to keeping it all straight - from long term planning ideas to the "Oh man, do we have any booth giveaways?" to make your life a bit easier for 2018.

We can help in every step of the process - from booth design, table covers, booth apparel, giveways, and incentive items. Let us help get it all together for you at Whiteboard Promotions.

Add this handy planning guide to your arsenal to make your trade show season awesome!

Planning Guide

Tale of two Brand Pimps

Giving your brand a personality is an important aspect of your marketing mix.  A brand has to be able to relate on a human level to establish trust and long-term value with your customer base.  Big brands such as Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Budweiser and Disney have excelled in extending their brand to  a personal level.  Whether it's what you ask for in the South when wanting soda, Ronald and Mickey, or the beloved Clydesdales, brands that achieve a personality are winning the game.

However, there are some Brands where it may be better if the stuck to product development than going over the top with brand personalization.  Lately, two individuals have been pimping their brands in colorful - and in one case outrageous - ways.

LaVar Ball and the Big Baller Brand

Let's face it, we all have the ability to be that Soccer Mom or loud Sports Dad - I am well aware of my reputation with both of my boys!  But LaVar Ball makes me look like a saint when it comes to his boys and the Big Baller Brand.

He's brash, loud, obnoxious, completely loyal to his sons, and an outspoken Brand ambassador.  He should be, he created it!  Unfortunately, the Big Baller Brand is basically that, a tagline brand as their products - basketball shoes and sportswear - have been underwhelming and the company has been given an F by the Better Business Bureau.  Don't say that to LaVar though, as he stays true to his brand better than anyone - just that he should have paid more attention to the product line and delivery instead of pimping his company and his sons' basketball skills.

John Legere and T-Mobile

As opposed to the BBB legend LaVar Ball, John Legere is colorful in his own way, literally.  The T-Mobile CEO bleeds his company's Magenta brand color with everything that he has.  He has mastered the ability to blend promo products in to marketing mix, leveraging magenta-colored branded items in his social media posts, using promo products as motivators to employees and gifts to customers for loyalty.  He has created a persona that typifies T-Mobile's mission as a wireless disruptor - and its CEO is the epitome of that personality.  He's brash, exciting, apparently a cook, and all-in on brand extension - fun to watch and follow online

The lesson is that you can be an asset to your Brand's messaging as John Legere continues to do, or with your personality traits, tarnish an aspiring brand with an over-the-top and abrasive style.  Stay true to your message and utilize promo products to extend your reach on a one-to-one basis with your customers, employees and stakeholders. 

For more ideas about how to implement promo items in to your branding programs, go to Whiteboard Promotions.

Fundraising: Why not use promo products?

My wife found an interesting site that was leveraging t-shirt sales to help raise money and awareness for seven areas in our world that need help:  Feeding the hungry, healing the sick, Hope for peace, house the homeless, quench the thirsty, teach people well, and save the Earth.

Noble causes, but as is always the case - it takes money to help in these seven areas.  So, Project 7 created a storefront that sells branded t-shirts, mints, bottled water, coffee mugs and iPhone covers to raise funds for select non-profits.

We have found that promo products that have utility - Tervis Tumblers, Nalgene water bottles, T-shirts, and coolers are great items to look at for schools, non-profits and awareness programs.

The Umbrella - a timeless brand opportunity

Yesterday was the first day in quite a while here in Atlanta where that big yellow thing in the sky was visible all day.  We had soggy fireworks and the ducks were quite happy for a good long time.

Which brings me to the Umbrella - yes it was a valuable commodity for us in the past week, but I do think it doesn't get the proper branding respect it so deserves.

Originally, umbrellas were made to ward off the sun - not rain.  The Chinese started to apply wax for waterproofing purposes, and the trend migrated over to Europe, where it evolved in to a fashion item for the elite.  Nowadays, you can get one on any NY corner for $5-10.00, but utilizing it to market your brand has now gained a better following.

Yes, it's old school, but at an outdoor event, on the city streets, or in your car, the reliable umbrella is a fantastic brand vehicle.

Promo products: Do they really drive brand recognition?

It's time to drive new revenue to your company, so you've put together a fantabulous marketing plan that will bring your company to the next level.  You have your T.V. spots, your advertising placements, billboards and your website is all SEO'd with amazing online ads dialed in.  You are ready for some explosive growth - or are you?

Did you forget an important marketing medium in your mix?  What, you don't think a promotional product is worth it?  Not so fast my friend...

Those trinkets and trash work man!  Surveys show that 70% of consumers remember receiving a promo item, and 88% of them REMEMBER who gave it to them!  How's that for brand recognition or ROI?  So that little lip balm, promo sunglasses, or custom t-shirt might not be a bad investment after all.

Read More of the power of Promo products in you marketing mix!