A Mid-Year Perspective From Our CEO

At the halfway point of 2026, one thing is clear: the expectations around branded merchandise have changed. What used to be viewed as a series of one-off purchases is now being treated as a strategic lever inside organizations—impacting everything from employee experience to brand consistency to customer engagement.

What we’re seeing—and where we’ve been leaning in—is that the old model of simply sourcing products isn’t enough anymore. Companies are looking for partners who can bring structure, visibility, and strategy to what has traditionally been a fragmented and difficult-to-manage category.

That’s where we’ve been focused this year—helping our clients move from reactive buying to intentional programs. That means fewer vendors, clearer standards, better data, and systems that make it easier to manage branded merchandise across teams, departments, and locations.

We’ve also continued to invest behind the scenes in our technology and infrastructure so that our clients can scale these programs without adding complexity. The goal is not just to deliver products, but to create a more consistent and efficient experience end-to-end.

What stands out most to me is how our clients are embracing this shift. The organizations that are leaning into a more structured approach are seeing better outcomes—not just in cost control, but in how their brand shows up in the market.

As we head into the second half of the year, our focus is simple: continue helping our clients get more out of their branded merchandise—through better strategy, better execution, and a partnership approach that goes beyond the transaction.

– Dave Weintraub, CEO of Pinnacle Promotions