Advertising Specialties Continued…

• Advertising Flags


• Air Fresheners


• Aprons


• Ashtrays


• Auto Accessories


• Badges


• Badge Holders


• Bag Clips


• Balloons


• Belt Buckles


• Binders


• Bookcovers


• Bookmarks


• Bottle Openers


• Business Card Holders


• Buttons

This just covers the letters A and B! An advertising specialty company usually compiles their product line on disc and at an online web site to make the decision on which items to use as promotional vehicles much easier.

Tailoring a campaign

A good promotions and specialties company will work with you to determine what types of items will work best for your company. It may be as simple as putting a name and logo on a bottle opener if your company is in the soft drinks business. More often though, a company will select certain specialty items keyed to certain specific products.

An ad specialties consultant has experience in knowing how to conduct an effective campaign. For example, t-shirts may not be an appropriate advertising medium for a company in the shoe business. Key chains and fridge magnets in the shape of shoes, however, can be effective in reinforcing your company's image with its customers. These items are usually inexpensive when ordered in volume. As advertising venues they're ideal because they're seen and used on a daily basis.

Going Logo

For many new companies, a catchy logo is imperative in defining the image the company would like to present. Wendy's Hamburgers uses "old fashioned" type and the image of founder Dave Thomas's daughter Wendy to establish a wholesome and healthy image for their chain. Toyota devised a high-tech "T" logo that reflects the modern technology and design of their automobiles.

As times change, companies may change their logos as a way of repositioning themselves in the marketplace and appealing to a new generation of consumers. In some cases, a company will change their logo and years later, revert back to using their original logo. An example of this is Chrysler, who is attempting to reach back to an era when its brand was noted for value and quality. It doesn't always work, as in the case of New Coke. A valued brand logo was abandoned, and the marketing campaign was a failure.

An advertising specialty consultant will work with new and established companies in devising an effective and representative logo, then apply that logo to a range of promotional items that will imprint the company's name and logo into the buying public's consciousness. It's all part of an effective and lasting marketing strategy that strengthens and reinforces a company's brand identity.

Spreading the word

Advertising Specialty companies have expanded their range of promotional tools beyond gift items to complete presentation suites. Events, tradeshows, fund-raisers, galas, association meetings, political campaigns, and seminars are all venues for promotional advertising. A combination of an effective presentation followed by the distribution of promotional items is like a gift that keeps on giving... long after the event is history.

By Steve Levenstein