The Promotional Merchandise Trade Association (PROMOTA) annual exhibition is the last of the three main showcase opportunities for the trade suppliers at this end of the year, so it was a good opportunity to hoover up any ideas and products that we'd missed at the previous shows.
Fashion and social influences are presenting opportunities in new areas of demand...and an example of this is the new pottery 'thermal' mug with it's own silicon reusable lid:
The coffee culture thing is here to stay, so, this mug joins a rich area of promotional possibility from the outset. However, combine this with the purchase discounts that are available if you use your own mug when visiting Starbucks etc, the environmental aspect of not using disposable cups and the practicality of a thermal mug that is pottery (nicer to drink from for me!).We think these benefits give this mug a strong branding opportunity across many user areas.
One specific order example for the pottery thermal mug was to promote and enact the saving of materials : that of wasted coffee that had gone cold, time (in revisiting the coffee machine/bar) and paper cups and lids that are no longer required.
Fran's got one on her desk, but judging by the volume of orders received so far, she's not the only one!
These 'variations on a theme' are never a bad thing when combining proven products with added features or in a different shape.There has also been the revival of some old favourites that, for various reasons, have made a reappearance back in the market.
Product life cycles can predict the revival of some of the staple items, but the recent economic demands and shifts in marketing strategies have seen some creative work in our response to the brief for 'more for less' and, as a result, new light has been shed on some real sleeper items!
More product examples and in-sight from the various shows will follow, but in the meantime we're happy to come and 'show and tell' ... give us a call, it'll take less time than typing it all up here ;-)
