Discover the secrets to happier employees in this week's edition of the Happy Office Hour powered by Brand Sauce. Chock-full of industry insights, hot new products for your company store, and valuable info to make your office happier and your company culture the envy of your industry.

A Dash of Industry Insights 📰

Industry Headlines, Insights, Data & Upcoming Events

🤝Industry Acquisitions: On December 4th, BDA announced that it has acquired SwagUp, a New Jersey-based distributorship that offers a streamlined platform for distributing branded merchandise. Read more here.

Quote of the Week: “When people are looking at their marketing dollars and saying, ‘Where can I get the very best return on my investment,’ the purchase of promotional products is really number one - better than billboards, better than radio, better than TV and can be really very targeted”. - Tim Andrews, CEO of ASI

🥤History of Swag: Company swag has deeper roots than you might think. Back in the early 1900s, Coca-Cola was already branding calendars and thermometers. But the industry we know today started gaining traction in the 1970s, when companies started giving away free t-shirts.

Economics of Company Swag

📦 The Fascinating Economics of Company Swag

The corporate swag industry (or "promotional products industry" if you're fancy) hit a record $26.1B in 2023 - that's roughly equal to the US book publishing industry. While companies cut back on free lunches and ad spending, swag endures. Why? It's cost-effective and delivers impressive ROI.

Some interesting insights:

• The industry took off in the 1970s with free t-shirts

• Gone are the days of "CPS" (cheap plastic stuff)

• Today's trending items: Premium drinkware (hello, Stanley cups!), backpacks, and quality apparel

• Swag spending can be an economic crystal ball - it often predicts broader market trends

The most fascinating part? While the industry has evolved from Coca-Cola calendars in the 1900s to today's premium branded merchandise, one thing remains constant: Companies may come and go, but their swag lives on. (Someone out there is still using Blockbuster Tupperware and Dairy Queen lip balm!)

Current State: The industry's showing modest growth (1.75% YoY in July 2023), suggesting a stable but cooling economy. But as one industry leader puts it, when recovery happens, "we come out first."

What are your thoughts? What's the most memorable piece of company swag you've ever received?

Strategic Gifting

6 Ways Your Marketing Team Should Be Utilizing Brand Sauce

1. Trade Shows

Transform your trade show presence. From branded booth displays to premium giveaways, we provide complete event kits that command attention. Choose high-end gifts prospects actually keep, while we handle every detail – banners, signage, materials, and more. One partner, zero hassle.

2. Content Creation, Social Media, Influencers, & UGC

Turn customers into content creators. Our reward system transforms everyday brand interactions into a flood of authentic social content. Exchange store credit for user-generated content(UGC), and influencer partnerships that fuel your marketing channels with genuine brand advocacy.

3. Customer Loyalty

Stop losing customers to forgettable rewards programs. Offer premium merchandise they actually want, chosen by them. Watch repeat customers transform into passionate brand advocates who showcase your products because they want to, not because they have to.

4. Street Teams

Deploy an army of authentic brand ambassadors. Perfect for campus campaigns, product launches, or local takeovers. Equip your street teams with premium gear they're proud to wear, creating walking billboards that generate real conversations.

5. Experiential Contests

Turn everyday moments into memorable brand experiences. From digital contests to in-person events, create exciting reward opportunities that drive participation. Let winners choose prizes they actually want, ensuring your brand stays in their daily rotation.

6. Social Proof & Reviews

Transform happy customers into vocal advocates. Exchange store credit for authentic reviews and watch your social proof multiply. While competitors beg for feedback, you'll build a self-sustaining engine of genuine testimonials and powerful recommendations.

Client Spotlight

Client Spotlight: Forgen’s Holiday Collection

This week we're highlighting Forgen's custom holiday store - a perfect example of how to turn seasonal gifting into lasting brand impressions. Their curated collection strikes the perfect balance between premium branded merchandise and products their team will actually use year-round.

From cozy Basin jackets for winter adventures to portable fire pits for outdoor gatherings, each item was thoughtfully selected to extend beyond typical holiday swag. We worked with their team to create a selection that combines practical luxury with their brand identity: beach towels for summer escapes, Cotopaxi hip packs for weekend warriors, and Siligrams ice cube trays for celebrating victories big and small.

It's a pleasure to help Forgen transform traditional holiday gifting into an experience their team looks forward to each year.

Browse their holiday collection here.

P.S. Big shoutout to Ellen Seale for making this happen!

Weekend Update

Around The Water Cooler With Ross

Thursday morning, Ryleigh, who is 6 years old, woke us up at 6:30 a.m. I asked why she was up so early, and she said, "Because I wanted to find Pixie." She then proceeded to run around the house, excitedly telling us that Pixie had made a friend and reminding us not to touch Pixie. Then she said Pixie had fallen, and we needed cinnamon and tongs from the kitchen because she couldn’t touch Pixie. Ryleigh's excitement for Pixie and Elf on the Shelf is incredibly cute and endearing.

Did you know Elf On The Shelf started in 2005? Here is a list of Elf On The Shelf ideas in case you need them.

If you and your kids have a favorite Elf On The Shelf idea please share it with me and we will try it this week.

-Ross

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