As a marketing agency, we are regularly challenged on how we can engage our clients’ brands into their customers’ hearts and minds. We normally start our process with a deep analysis of the marketplace through researching who these people are and what they like and the best ways to communicate with them. Often, digital strategies form a large part of our plans to reach large audiences along with our print and advertising services.
A key element of a fully integrated strategy is to look at new ways to put our client’s proposition and brand into the right peoples’ hearts and minds. With so many exciting opportunities for branded merchandising, it gives our agency so many unique and exciting opportunities.
We have provided branded merchandising from start-up businesses to FTSE 100 businesses to help them put over a very bespoke impression and gift for their clients.
Why is branded merchandising important in build brand loyalty?
Our top 6 reasons to produce brand gifts:
1. People remember generosity
Great businesses often give you something to spark your imagination and create the right first impression. One of our favourites is branded pens. We all like a good pen and a beautiful pen will be used well into the future. Looking at your logo every day can create good subconscious affinity to your business.
2. Brand advocacy
We have recently produced tailored coasters for a large corporate client to give out at an upcoming event. These coasters have been designed in a bespoke fashion for a specific event to give the business and brand a very event focused feel. This shows great event alignment towards projects and helps new customers with brand advocacy in purchasing decisions.
3. Long term brand awareness
We have BT branded mugs in our office as we use BT services for our agency as well as our own deVilliers Communications branded mugs. It surprising how many times we look at these mugs in a day. We do like tea in our office and it certainly creates long-term awareness more than any other medium. We look at these logos everyday and we give our clients our branded mugs as a gift in our month review meetings.
4. Ability to show partnerships and events
Often brands are looking to promote key partnerships and events. Branded gifts such as A4 Notepads and stationery can be great client giveaways to demonstrate news and call to action. Your brand situated on every page and embossed on the front can give a very professional feel to your business. Customers will use these useful stationery items for months – this can be a very simple way to win affinity and long term relationships.
5. Signposting
We have talked about how scheduling is a key discipline to effective marketing, but branded merchandising can provide an excellent way to set out your yearly marketing agenda. We have been working with some sports brands and the ability to layout fixtures and event calendars on branded gifts can be a great way to build awareness and loyalty to your marketing program. A stress ball showcasing exciting events can be a great thing to look at to relieve stress and focus the mind on your events.
6. Being different
What makes the great brands is the ability to differentiate their proposition in a very effective manner. Branded merchandising has always been a part of this journey for the super brands. Coca-Cola has always tried to make their merchandising relevant and helpful. Last year’s Rugby World Cup provided a campaign code within their Coca-Cola six can packs for a branded rugby ball. This not only made them relevant but also positioned the brand as an enabler for people to start playing rugby. It also means that Coca-Cola could get their brand into younger audiences and start their long term brand journey in the right way, thus winning hearts and minds.
Our branded merchandising department is led by Emma. For all design and creative requirements and to discuss how we can grow your brand with effective merchandising, email the sales team at sales@devillierscommunications.com
