Seasonal Marketing Ideas

Using Promotional Products to Spice Up the Season

 

With only one week left in my favorite month of all, I have big plans this weekend. I am determined to find the best pumpkin and show the world my unparalleled pumpkin carving skills! Okay. So that’s an exaggeration. There’s usually not too much more to my Jack-O’-Lantern than three triangles and a very crooked smile. But it is definitely one of my favorite ways to spend a chilly fall evening.

If you’ve read any of my past blogs, you know how partial I am to the cool weather, and (as the ladies in our department know) pumpkin flavored anything! So as October comes quickly to an end, I’d like to focus on a few simple pleasures that I would encourage everyone to participate in during the all-to-brief fall season.

Activity #1: Bake!
Anything with the spicy and fresh flavors of the fall. Apple Crisp and Pumpkin Muffins are two of my all time favorites. For a fun office event, hold an afternoon Halloween party. Encourage employees to bring in their favorite fall treats to share. Give kitchen utensils to all participants for an extra branding boost.

Activity #2: Take a hike…
Or a walk. Or even a stroll. The cool weather and soft sunlight are great times to get a little fresh air and a little extra exercise. And don’t forget to clip on your pedometer to see how far your stroll takes you.

Activity #3: Host a backyard bonfire
Take it outside! Break out the coolers and collapsible chairs and toast marshmallows over an open fire. Of course make sure that starting a contained fire is legal in your city. You wouldn’t want to risk that getting out of hand!

Activity #4: Carve pumpkins
Whether you break out the pumpkin carving equipment for the kids, or just for fun, pumpkin carving is a fun and creative break from the normal day-to-day routine.

Activity #5: Stock up on tasty treats
You want to be prepared for Trick-or-Treaters on the 31st! And a tip for parents, grocery bags are excellent for collecting the treats and goodies your little Ghosts and Goblins will amass Halloween night!

No matter what activities you choose to participate in this season, remember to incorporate promotional products into your marketing promotions and events. Hosting team events and activities is a great way to increase employee loyalty and morale. Take a break from the day and use Halloween and fun fall events as opportunities to bond with your team.

Enjoy!

Kim
Marketing Coordinator

Posted by Admin in Seasonal Marketing Ideas, 0 comments

Promotional Products: Recipes for Successful Marketing Campaigns

I adore October. Yes, I like that the leaves begin to change and the temperature drops, but mostly I love October because it is National Dessert Month. And while I have never become a cooking aficionado, I have loved desserts since I was two and lived across the street from a TCBY. Although I couldn’t even pronounce the word “yogurt,” my noises and hand gestures were enough to communicate my nightly need for the tasty treat, and the unsightly yogurt stains on all my clothes proved my dedication. I still love yogurt and devote a lot (perhaps too much) of my spare time to trying the latest soft-serve stores, but I have also grown to love baking and all other forms of dessert.

Aside from being delicious, dessert is great because it brings people together. How many memories involve sharing pumpkin pie with family on Thanksgiving or indulging in giant ice cream sundaes at childhood slumber parties? And, dessert plays a major role in popular culture from its presence in songs and movies to the old maxim “life’s uncertain, eat dessert first!”

That’s why promotional kitchen utensils, including ice cream scoopers and measuring cups, are ideal ways to incorporate your brand into everyday use. Because one thing is for certain: in today’s media-cluttered world, becoming a valued part of any home provides great exposure for your company.

And, in case this blog posting has made you hungry for more than just tips on how to effectively utilize promotional products, here’s a recipe for my fall favorite- zucchini bread:

3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups white sugar
2 cups grated zucchini
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour two 8×4 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, beat eggs until light and frothy. Mix in oil and sugar. Stir in zucchini and vanilla. Combine flour, cinnamon, soda, baking powder, salt and nuts; stir into the egg mixture. Divide batter into prepared pans.
3. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until done.

Enjoy!

Sarah
Creative Writing Intern

 

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Plan Your Halloween Party with Promotional Products

As the weather gets drearier and the stores rearrange their aisles to accommodate candy and costumes, I can only think about one thing: the Halloween party my roommate and I are throwing at the end of the month. I love playing hostess, and anyone who’s ever thrown a party with me can testify that I can be a bit of a control freak when it comes to the music, the invitations… even the cocktail napkins. For my 22nd birthday party, a friend who was born on the same day and I threw a “Wine and Cheese Liberals” theme party. We crafted boxes of Franzia to look like ballot boxes, hung up posters of the Kennedys, and offered a delectable spread of organic cheeses. I even recruited a baker friend to slave over a batch of bleeding-heart cupcakes, upon which she frosted anatomically correct hearts, and which bled red icing when you bit into them. Additionally, I am such a voracious mp3-jay that I have transformed other people’s quiet gatherings into all-out dance parties, to the bewilderment of the hosts and the delight of their guests.

So, after sending out save-the-dates via Facebook and ensuring that no one I knew would be hosting a competing party, I have begun to see everything through the lens of this Halloween Party. What’s the best way to turn the upstairs bedrooms into a haunted house? Will Nosferatu be checked out already from the video store? How will we keep the cat from taking off her costume?

This obsession has of course followed me to the workplace, where I’ve been browsing Pinnacle products for anything party-themed: coasters, because even though my furniture is ring-resistant, nothing says class like a coaster beneath the glass; glassware for serving the pumpkin punch; and candles to cultivate a spooky ambiance.

I inherit my love for entertaining from my mother, who used to fill journals with accounts of all the parties she threw, meticulously recording the theme, guest list, and menu from each party, and taping relics like cocktail napkins or invitations to the pages.

As we enter the months of holiday primetime, chances are I’m not the only one with entertaining on the brain. Now would be a great time to break up the monotony of office doldrums and offer your customers some products for the buffet table.

To get you in the mood, here’s a clip from F.W. Murnau’s 1922 film, Nosferatu.

Acree
Creative Writing Intern

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Make Flu Shots Less Painful with Promotional Bandages

img_3463Yesterday was a day that many Pinnacle employees had been dreading for several weeks (including Deidre, pictured here). The occasion can be summed up in a mere seven letters: FLU SHOT. We all knew it was in our best interest to suffer the brief pain associated with the shot; nevertheless, grumbling and complaining pervaded the office during the few hours prior to our scheduled visit from a certified healthcare professional. Several people opted for the painless flu mist, but the majority of staff members walked out of the make-shift flu shot station with that telling symbol of bravery adhering to our arms: a bandage.

As much as I hate shots, I have to admit that I always enjoyed going to the pediatrician and being able to choose my own bandage. Minnie Mouse was a favorite, but the Care Bears were a close second. Bandages, despite their short lifespans, are valuable promotional tools to advertise any brand, even a personal brand, as demonstrated by rap superstar Nelly in 2001 and basketball player Dwyane Wade in February of this year. Why not customize a bandage or bandage dispenser to communicate a unique message? Create a cohesive campaign based on the sentiment that your company can fix any “boo boo.” The originality you can employ when utilizing promotional bandages is unlimited- from font colors and styles, to patterned bandage containers, to catchy taglines, a bandage is an ideal blank canvas to feature your custom content.

While writing this blog post, I began to wonder about the history of designer bandages. As a product of the digital age, my first instinct was to turn to Google for answers. Here a few of the results I stumbled across, and I’ll let you pass your own judgments about whether these examples are fashion forward or just plain weird. What do you think about designer bandages? Leave a comment below with your opinion.

designer_bandaids lvswarovski-aid

Dana
Team Lead – Social Media

Posted by Admin in Seasonal Marketing Ideas, 3 comments

The First Day of Autumn!

Zach-Dischner-Fall-PallateToday is the first day of the fall season. I can’t lie. I LOVE the fall. From the crisp air to the new fall fashions (especially the shoes), I love everything about it. Because of this love affair, I try to incorporate as much as I can into this time. Whether it’s attending an outdoor fair, pumpkin patch or charity walk, I try to spend as much time as possible in the great outdoors.

As the weather continues to cool and the leaves begin to change into the familiar browns, oranges, yellows and reds of fall, it’s a great time to think about your upcoming promotions and fall themed events. Whether you’re like me and want to enjoy the weather outside, or you just like to enjoy the view from your cozy home, fall themed promotions can be a lot of fun.

Want to reward your employees for all their hard work? Consider hosting a Halloween party at the end of October. Give away Halloween totes and candy to your employees and clients. Make sure to give your employees lots of notice if you want to have a costume contest. Or consider pulling together a corporate team to participate in a breast cancer walk to raise awareness. You can even host a pumpkin patch or hayride! There are tons of ways to increase employee morale while building a stronger team.

And while you’re at it, make sure to outfit your team in branded apparel and headwear. From warm fleece jackets and vests to knit beanies and winter caps, appropriate apparel is key to distinguishing your group at events.

Get out and enjoy the weather while promoting your brand and business with custom promotional products and apparel. And don’t be afraid to take advantage of the season when planning your promotions.

Hooray for fall!

Kim
Marketing Coordinator

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September 11th: National Day of Service and Remembrance

11-art

Artwork from Art for Heart, an exhibition of paintings by nearly 200 children, from toddlers to teenagers, who lost loved ones in the attacks on New York City's World Trade Center.

On September 11, 2001, a terrible tragedy occurred in our nation. The 9/11 series of attacks left thousands of innocent victims and mass destruction in its wake. The aftermath of this horrible disaster affected not only the thousands of people directly involved in the attacks, but billions more, as family members and loved ones of the victims, the American population, and even the rest of the world continue to grieve.

Despite the immense pain and hurt inflicted on the American public, some citizens have taken it upon themselves to ensure that the lives lost were not in vain. This year marks the first federally recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance, a holiday which materialized in response to the perseverance and efforts of the 9/11 community and Congress, as well as thousands of organizations and support groups around the country.

The 9/11 non-profit organization called MyGoodDeed spearheaded the campaign to make this significant date in history a national day of remembrance. The organization’s website, https://www.911day.org/, was launched with the goal of “rekindling the spirit of unity that swept the nation in the wake of the attacks,” says cofounder David Paine. After losing a loved one in the 9/11 attacks, Paine and his friend Jay Winuk established the organization to remember the incredible feats and sacrifices made by so many Americans in the face of tragedy.

Yes, there are countless ways that you can use promotional products as part of non-profit and philanthropic campaigns year round, but why not take action today to make a difference in the world around you? From picking up trash around your office, to volunteering at a local food bank or homeless shelter, take it upon yourself to be a good Samaritan and dedicate a few minutes of your time to give back to our country in return for all the opportunities that it has made possible for you.

I stumbled across the 9/11 Day widget at https://www.911day.org. It is a clever (and easy!) way to share and obtain ideas about how to recognize the National Day of Service and Remembrance, and I hope that you, each and every one of our loyal blog readers, decide to respect and honor the sentiments of this national holiday in your own unique and special way.

Dana
Marketing Coordinator

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Honor Your Workers This Labor Day With Promotional Gifts

Robert Couse-BakerThis coming Monday, Americans around the nation will grill hamburgers and hotdogs at neighborhood barbecues, play water sports at the lake, and maybe see some firework displays – all in honor of Labor Day. Often regarded by Americans as the symbolic end of summer – the last long weekend of the season before autumn begins and those long summer days begin to fade – it sometimes seems as if this holiday means little more than just a day off work, or school, or of course the beginning of the NFL and college football seasons. Traditionally, however, Labor Day is meant to be a celebration of much more than that, outlined in the first proposal of the holiday in the late 1800s as a day to exhibit “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations.”

Coming off the heels of the American Industrial Revolution that spanned the mid to late 19th century, the average American worker endured 12-hour days, 7 days a week, to make a basic living. The use of child labor and harsh working conditions were also prominent during that time. As workers sought an outlet to express their demands for better working environments and a better quality of life, unions developed and held parades to voice their concerns, the first of which took place on September 5, 1882. Recognized as the very first Labor Day, ten thousand workers marched from city hall to Union Square in New York City to honor the workers of America and to vocalize their workplace issues. As years passed, more states began to hold these parades, and finally, in 1894, Congress passed an act declaring the first Monday in September to be the legal holiday known as Labor Day.

Honor your workers this Labor Day by giving them promotion gifts to show your gratitude for all their hard work. Whether it’s a crystal engraved award, an executive pen set, or a simple scented candle, they will be sure to appreciate the recognition.

Jaime
Creative Writing Intern

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Think Pink!

It’s that time of year again. The days are getting shorter, the sun seems softer and the breeze is getting cooler. As summer winds down and we enter into the fall, its time to think about the fall season and all of the events it brings.

One of the things closest to my heart is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Each October, the American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and other non-profits hold annual walks and fundraising drives to raise funds and awareness of the life-threatening disease that impacts nearly 200,000 women each year.

This October, show your support in the fight against breast cancer with pink promotional products. Does your company attend an annual breast cancer walk? Outfit your team in pink branded apparel. Not only will you be showing your participation in the event, but you’ll be promoting your company as a brand that cares.

Want to raise extra money for your charity of choice? Sell branded pink products before the event, or even at the event if rules allow. From tumblers and keychains to apparel and tote bags, selling pink promotional gear is a great way to earn last minute donations. With so many inexpensive, unique pink items out there, you can afford to have fun with your promotion.

As October quickly approaches, don’t forget to shop for all your pink supplies. Demonstrate your support in the battle against breast cancer with pink promotional products.

Think pink and join the fight against breast cancer!

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Stay Healthy this Flu Season with Promotional Hand Sanitizers

mcfarlandmoThe H1N1 virus, commonly referred to as the Swine Flu Virus, is expected to infect between 30 and 50% of the American population this fall and winter. The resurgence of the Swine Flu virus may begin as early as September because of the start of the new school year, and experts predict cases to peak in mid-October. The H1N1 vaccine is not going to be readily available until mid-October at the earliest, and furthermore, vaccinated individuals won’t develop immunity for several weeks after they actually receive the vaccine. Particular groups that are more susceptible to infection include pregnant women, health care workers, the elderly, parents or guardians of infants younger than 6 months, and adults under 65 with an underlying health condition.

The H1N1 virus is highly contagious, but there are some ways to protect yourself and those around you from falling victim to this illness. The CDC recommends several basic steps, which most people normally follow anyway, to minimize the spread of germs.

1. Wash hands frequently with soap and water, particularly after coughing or sneezing. Promotional hand sanitizers are also effective tools for warding off infection.
2. Shield your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Make sure to dispose of the tissue properly after use.
3. Try to avoid touching your face with your hands, as this is a common way to disseminate germs.
4. If possible, keep your distance from people already infected with H1N1. People mainly contract influenza as a result of being exposed to the coughing or sneezing of infected people.

Should you happen to catch H1N1, stay home from work or school to minimize the risk of passing the virus to others.

Keep your employees, clients, and loved ones healthy by distributing inexpensive, yet highly effective, promotional hand sanitizers to encourage clean hands. Pinnacle Promotions sells many types of promotional hand sanitizers in a variety of forms and styles. Consider the impact that antibacterial spray or antibacterial gel imprinted with your company’s name and marketing message could have on your target audience. Any recipients of practical promotional products from our Hand Sanitizer collection are guaranteed to appreciate the items during flu season, and they will be reminded of your company’s concern for their well-being every time they take action to ward off germs!

And lastly, although the Swine Flu is a serious subject, this video posted on YouTube puts a humorous spin on the virus’ name. It made me laugh out loud, and hopefully it will brighten your day, as well.

We hope you enjoyed the song, we sure did. Avoid it, block it, or hide from the Flu behind PPE kits such as waterproof first aid kits or promotional face masks, you can also take extra cautious steps with an 1-8 social distancing barrier. Be sure to shop Pinnacle Promotions today!

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Put Your Marketing Message on the (Promotional) Moon

Sweetie187Because Pinnacle Promotions is the home of RocketShip 24-Hour Express Service™, I thought it would only be fitting to write a blog post about the 32nd anniversary of NASA launching the Voyager 2 spacecraft! Space exploration is an exciting concept, and August 20th, 1977 marked a significant advancement in humans’ understanding of the universe around us.

The Voyager 2 is an interplanetary space probe that became the sole spacecraft to reach Uranus and Neptune. To date, it is the only device of its kind to have completed the Planetary Grand Tour, an ambitious plan that exploited a unique occurrence in the Solar System, which happens only once every 176 years when the outer planets are arranged in a particular geometric pattern.

To make your next marketing campaign truly “out of this world,” consider using a theme related to space exploration or the extraterrestrial. We offer an enormous array of promotional products that relate to this topic, and you can be as playful or serious with your product selection as you would like. A Moons Calendar, which features photos of the moon in different phases for each month, or our America in Space wall calendar can bring clients or employees one step closer to outer space exploration, and remind them of your company’s name and contact information 365 days a year. With 2010 quickly approaching, make sure that you have ordered custom imprinted calendars to promote your brand.

To demonstrate your brand’s wit and light-hearted attitude, imprint alien stress relievers with a catchy tagline or slogan. For a more serious take on the theme, why not opt for a moon stress reliever to convey your marketing message? Or take a look at this futuristic futura photo frame to decorate your recipients’ desktops and keep your company’s name in front of them all day long. Personally, I think Judy Jetson would have enjoyed a trendy, cutting-edge item like this one!

Motivate customers or employees to “reach for the stars” with promotional products inspired by matter from our galaxy and beyond!

Dana
Marketing Coordinator

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