Introduction
Branded corporate gifts have long been a staple of business marketing and relationship building. Companies large and small invest in promotional items like pens, notebooks, water bottles, and apparel adorned with their logos to raise brand awareness and foster goodwill with customers, partners, and employees. Recent studies show that 85% of business professionals received at least one branded gift item over the past 12 months.
As the practice of corporate gifting continues to evolve, companies are finding new ways to make their branded giveaways stand out. In this article, we’ll explore some emerging trends and innovations around branded corporate gifts that companies should consider as they plan future promotional campaigns and incentives. Key themes we’ll cover include strategies for gifting in the digital age, the rise of eco-friendly and sustainable gifts, highly personalized and experiential gifts, and best practices for budgeting and measuring ROI on corporate gift campaigns. By embracing some of these forward-looking approaches, brands can maximize the impact of their gifts and stay ahead of the curve.
Building Brand Awareness
Branded corporate gifts can be a powerful tool for building brand awareness. The goal of branded gifts is to increase brand recall and have the recipient associate positive feelings with your brand. When done thoughtfully, branded gifts can boost brand recognition and lead to more sales.
Brand recall is critical in today’s crowded marketplace. On average, consumers are exposed to around 5,000 advertisements per day. Amid all that noise, it’s easy for your brand to get lost. Giving recipients a tangible item with your branding helps cut through the clutter. The gift serves as a reminder of your brand and what you stand for.
According to research by the Advertising Specialty Institute, 85% of people recall the advertiser’s name on a promotional product they received in the past 2 years. Additionally, 76% of recipients keep their promotional products for over a year. The more frequently people encounter and interact with your branded item, the more likely they’ll remember your brand.
Some successful case studies of companies using branded gifts effectively:
- Google gifted new hires with backpacks containing laptops, phones, and other Google-branded items. This immediately made the employees feel part of the Google family and increased brand loyalty.
- During the holidays, Starbucks gave customers reusable red cups with their logo. People posted photos of the cups on social media, providing Starbucks with free advertising and buzz.
- At conferences, Slack gave away socks printed with their logo. The quirky gift got people talking and served as a walking billboard for Slack.
The key is to give useful, high-quality items that recipients will enjoy and want to keep. This leads to repeated brand impressions over time. Corporate gifts should remind people of the positive feelings and experiences associated with your brand.
Fostering Relationships
Corporate gifting is a powerful tool for building and strengthening partnerships with clients and customers. The right gift can foster loyalty, lead to repeat business, and help cement the relationship. When choosing client gifts, it’s important to select items that align with your brand image and showcase your appreciation for their partnership.
Some tips for gifting to foster relationships include:
- Get personal. Include their name, company logo, or customize the gift. This shows you put thought into it rather than just sending an impersonal item.
- Give unexpectedly. Surprise them with a gift just because not only on holidays. Unexpected gifts make more of an impression.
- Choose useful items. Opt for practical products they’ll actually use like wireless chargers, portable battery packs, or nice pens. Useful gifts remind them of your brand.
- Focus on quality. Don’t go cheap on client gifts. Splurge on higher end items that convey the value you place on the relationship.
- Consider consumables. Food gifts like gift baskets, wine, or coffee can be shared and enjoyed. This spreads positive vibes about your brand.
- Be unique. Avoid cliché items and seek out something unique and memorable. Custom engraved items are a nice touch.
- Include a personal note. A handwritten message expresses gratitude and makes the gift more meaningful.
Thoughtful client branded corporate gifts demonstrate that you value building an ongoing relationship, not just gaining a one-time transaction. The gifting experience boosts affinity for your brand. When done right, it’s a worthwhile investment that pays dividends through loyalty and increased business.
Standing Out
Companies are always looking for creative ways to make their branded corporate gifts stand out. In a sea of mugs, pens, and calendars, it can be challenging to find something truly unique. This is where customization and personalization come in.
Custom branded corporate gifts allow a company to offer something distinctive that represents their brand. Instead of choosing a generic item from a catalog, they can work with gift suppliers to develop specialized products. Popular custom gift ideas include personalized notebooks, branded tech accessories like phone chargers or Bluetooth speakers, and creative drinkware like insulated tumblers. The options are endless when you start from scratch with a blank slate.
Along with creating unique products, customization also enables gift personalization. Adding the recipient’s name or initials gives a gift a special, individualized touch. Studies show that people are more emotionally attached to personalized items. Branded Corporate Gift personalization has expanded far beyond just monogramming. Now, companies can include photos, favorite quotes, even engraved messaging that speaks directly to the recipient. The extra effort to make it “theirs” makes the gift more meaningful.
As personalization technology improves, there are more ways than ever to tailor gifts to each individual. Some leading gift trends include:
- Variable data printing of names, photos, messages on each item
- Digital personalization like emails with personalized video messages or animated e-cards
- Personalized URL links to exclusive digital content
- Custom packaging with details like the recipient’s name, interests, and company role
The right mix of bespoke branding, customization, and personalization can make a corporate gift stand out while also strengthening the relationship between a company and its clients or employees. In a data-driven world, the human touch of a personalized gift can be a powerful way to show someone they matter.
Going Green
Sustainability and reducing environmental impact have become increasingly important for consumers and businesses alike. Branded corporate gifting is no exception. More companies are looking for eco-friendly gift options to align with their brand values and show they care about the planet.
There are many ways to make corporate gifts greener. Using recycled or upcycled materials is a great option. For example, notebooks or bags made from recycled plastic bottles demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. Promotional items made of sustainable materials like bamboo, wood, or plant-based plastics are also popular choices.
Opting for items that are locally-sourced, organic, biodegradable, or reusable is another way to reduce the carbon footprint of corporate gifts. Food gifts like fruit baskets, baked goods, or coffee featuring organic and fair trade ingredients are a thoughtful eco-friendly choice. Useful gifts like reusable water bottles, travel mugs, and shopping bags show recipients how to reduce waste in their daily lives.
Going green with corporate gifts is not just good for the environment, it’s good for brand image too. It shows customers and employees that the company genuinely cares about sustainability. The eco-friendly gifts can spark conversations about what the brand is doing to be more environmentally responsible. As consumers grow more concerned about society’s carbon footprint, sustainable corporate gifts provide a meaningful way for brands to demonstrate their values.
Targeted Gifting
Gifts tailored to the recipient are becoming increasingly popular and effective. Understanding your customer demographics and targeting gifts based on age, gender, interests, and other attributes can increase the impact of corporate gifting.
For example, giving tech gadgets to younger professionals or pampering gifts to women creates more thoughtful connections. Researching individual recipients to find their unique interests takes gifting to the next level. Some companies use online questionnaires or consult sales teams to gather data on clients and employees.
The goal is matching the right gift to the right person at the right time. A generic gift risks being forgettable and underappreciated. But a gift showing personalization makes the recipient feel valued. It transforms a corporate gift into a meaningful gesture they’ll remember.
Targeted gifting does require more effort in research, coordination and budget. But the payoff can be immense when done right. The recipient feels understood and the brand makes a stronger, lasting impression. Even small companies can get creative with surveys and data collection to make gifting more personal. The key is demonstrating real thoughtfulness tailored to each individual.
Digital Gifts
With technology advancing rapidly, digital gifting options are expanding and gaining popularity. eGifts and gift cards remain convenient and appreciated options. Retailers make it easy to purchase electronic gift cards to email on special occasions or as a reward. Virtual gifts also allow more creativity, such as sending a virtual bottle of champagne, bouquet of flowers, or greeting card.
New hybrid physical/digital gifts integrate the tangibility of a physical item with digital components. Some examples include:
- Photo books with augmented reality features where videos and music play when scanning pages with a smartphone.
- Connected devices like fitness trackers, smart home hubs, or streaming devices that come with gift subscriptions or credits to utilize their capabilities.
- Traditional gifts like apparel, jewelry, or glassware with QR codes leading to personalized video messages or virtual experiences.
- Smart packaging on gift boxes, bottles, or tins that unlock digital content when scanned.
The lines are blurring between physical and digital gifting. While eGifts provide convenience and instant delivery, consumers still appreciate something tangible combined with a digital surprise or experience. Hybrid options allow brands to offer the best of both worlds.
Experiential Gifts
Experiential gifts that provide memorable experiences are a growing trend over gifts of material goods. Event tickets, trips, classes, and other experiences allow the recipient to create lasting memories. Compared to physical items that may go unused, experiential gifts are meaningful and build stronger relationships between the giver and recipient.
Companies are increasingly using experiential gifts as incentives and rewards for employees. Rather than giving employees another branded mug or pen, gifting event tickets, travel vouchers, or paying for enrichment classes makes employees feel truly valued. Experiential employee gifts lead to higher engagement and satisfaction. They also motivate employees and serve as excellent recognition for achievements.
As people continue to prioritize experiences over things, experiential corporate gifts will keep rising in popularity. The most thoughtful and memorable gifts enable people to explore new places, gain skills, and bond over shared adventures. Branded experiential gifts align with companies wanting to provide unique value to customers, employees, and partners.
Budgeting
Companies invest significant amounts of money into branded corporate gifts each year. Finding ways to budget for these expenses and maximize return on investment is key. Here are some tips on managing gift costs:
Gift Costs and ROI
- Set a per-gift budget range based on the recipient – higher value gifts for VIP clients vs. smaller gifts for employees.
- Focus on quality over quantity – one impressive gift can leave a lasting impression vs. multiple lower-cost items.
- Track redemption rates for gift cards/certificates to evaluate ROI.
- Measure the impact of gifts on customer loyalty and retention. High ROI gifts are worth the investment.
Saving Money on Gifts
- Order in bulk to get volume discounts from gift suppliers and manufacturers.
- Get creative with packaging – wrap gifts in branded tissue paper or boxes rather than purchasing expensive packaging.
- Give intangible gifts like experiences, services, and digital gifts to save on materials and shipping.
- Take advantage of seasonal sales when stocking up on gifts for the year.
Future Gift Spending
- Evaluate gift spending year over year and set future budgets accordingly.
- Look for new, unique gift ideas that provide value without breaking the bank.
- Consider cutting down on lower ROI gifts like holiday cards or small novelty gifts.
- Invest more into gifts that directly impact business goals like acquiring new clients.
With some savvy budgeting and ROI tracking, companies can optimize their gift spending. The right gifts at the right budget can build brand awareness, show appreciation, and strengthen relationships with both clients and employees.
Conclusion
As we’ve explored, corporate gifting is an important part of building brand awareness, fostering relationships, and standing out from competitors. Several key trends are shaping the future of branded gifts.
Companies are focusing more on eco-friendly and sustainable gifts to align with consumer values. Targeted, personalized gifts show recipients they are valued. Digital and experiential gifts provide memorable interactions. And companies are carefully budgeting to get the most impact from gifting programs.
Branded Corporate gifts will continue to play a vital role in marketing and HR initiatives. A well-chosen gift can delight customers, motivate employees, and strengthen business relationships. But gifts must evolve to stay relevant. Companies who pay attention to gift trends and tailor gifts to recipient preferences will see the biggest returns on gifting investments.
The future of corporate gifting looks bright. With creativity and purpose, companies can make gifts part of their brand story and set themselves apart. Branded corporate gifts remind people what makes your company special and why they should choose you. Approach gifting strategically, and the future will be filled with loyalty, engagement, and brand growth.