No matter the name you use – USB memory, USB flash drives,  USB Drives – custom USB memory sticks are one of fastest growing promotional product categories we’ve seen in awhile.

The popularity is really driven from the wide acceptance these drives now have in our everyday lives – you’ll see them on quite a few key chains shuttling data and pictures around, and they’re now almost as much a school supply requirement as a no. 2 pencil!

And it’s that ‘utility’ that makes USB memory an ideal promotional item.

The most effective giveaways are ones that the recipient will use over time.  This means your logo or message will be seen frequently over a long period, and it’s no bad thing that your organization is associated with something that people really value.  Plus, if presentations are a regular part of your business, there’s nothing better than loading the presentation onto a drive and leaving that drive – and presentation – with your client!

The popularity of USB memory sticks has meant an explosion of styles, colors, and memory sizes – you won’t have a problem finding something that fits into your branding guidelines.  Memory size is the determining factor when it comes to price – less memory means lower price. However, keep in mind that less memory alos means less utility for the client,  so generally it’s best to buy the most memory for the money. Sizes of 1GB, 2GB and 4GB are the most popular.

Check out Amber’s video below on one of our more popular drives – she does a better job of touching on some this than I do! And if you’re looking for one of the best-looking USB drives around – check out this blog post.

It’s been a hectic start to the year and I’ve just been politely reminded that I haven’t told anyone about any interesting tales or products from my travels.

Germany was the first trip of the year with our UK team to visit the European trade show for our industry. The best new product in my opinion was a tweak of one of 4imprint’s favorite new items of 2008. the USB people.

The newest addition to the USB family is really the GucciT of USB people.

It stands taller, prouder and is heavier than any of its counterparts.  Meet the “Gold USB man.”

I was smitten.  Immediately, I started talking to our supplier about availability, samples, pricing and delivery information.

If you are looking for a value buy on some USB drives, this is not the product for you. If however you need to make an entrance, want to be remembered and want the recipient telling absolutely everyone about you then this has to be the way to go! This OSCART lookalike definitely has more personality than most traditional anniversary awards!

Other cool additions. innovative USB hubs.  One was designed like a desk lamp and other a little car.  USB people need something to drive around in, of course!

And, as you can see, there are also USB cars, planes and ships.

The USB family also welcomed mini USB people, who are great to hang on key rings.

We’re busy working on bringing these new additions to the USB family to market. Right now, we’re looking at mid- to late March. Let me know if you want to be notified when they are available.

Of course, I’m first in line for the gold one!
–Suzanne

So, some members of the team here (who shall remain nameless – you know who you are!) had a bit of fun with a new product that we offer – customizable USB People. After having a ‘USB Kevin’ made (pictured below – check out the details including a pen in the shirt as I’m known to do and my Livestrong (TM) wristband – clearly these guys have too much spare time on their hands! I’m partial to the one that looks like I’m running at least the USB Kevin is in good shape!) they created a contest for folks in the office that showed ‘pictures’ of USB Kevin in various places around the world. The person who correctly identified all the places my USB friend had been, won a real USB Kevin and tickets to a ball game. They even sent some USB Kevins to my house so my family could enjoy them (and enjoy them they did…the giggles as they pulled my head offf were a little alarming actually). My eldest theorized that USB Kevin with 1GB of memory represented a huge improvement in brainpower over the real thing.

Anyway – it’s another example of how the clever use of a promotional product makes a connection with people and gets a conversation started. Need to do any of that as part of your marketing initiatives?