While traveling, this packaging caught my eye.  The design for over-the-counter medicine (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, bandages, etc.) is a signature style for the brand help®.

Both the packaging style and design are eye-catching.  The text – I have a headache. I have a blister. I’ve cut myself. – is unusually customer-focused.  And, complementing it all is a bright, colorful shape demonstrating what’s inside.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is the way the company sets itself apart, encouraging consumers to take less™.  That package design supports that message.

This packaging would stand out on its own.  But, it is particularly noteworthy because they are so different from competing products.

They’re also a great example of how a bright colors, imprinted on a white shape can be really cool.  And, that’s an idea you could apply to promotional products.

-Suzanne

PS – Here’s a blog post about the packaging design: http://mocoloco.com/archives/026188.php

You’ve seen coffee sleeves. 

But, what about coffee sweaters?

I spotted this new twist on the classic coffee sleeve on a recent stop at Caribou Coffee. 

In addition to the cozy critters above, there were versions that looked like a Nordic ski sweater and an Ugg® boot.

In fact, this new take on coffee sleeves seems to be popping up everywhere.  American Eagle Outfitters’® gives theirs an outdoorsy look and feel.

And, closer to home, a coffee shop is putting an eco-friendly spin on this idea, turning recycled coffee bags into promotional products.

While the standard cardboard sleeves protect your hands, coffee sweaters and coats have a bonus benefit.  They help keep your favorite hot beverage warm as well.

Do you think something like that would fit right in with our promotional coffee sleeves or promotional can coolers? 
-Suzanne

Reaching out to a crowd of early adopters, young people or technophiles? Consider trying QR code marketing!

I’ve been seeing QR (“quick response”) codes everywhere from raisin boxes to business cards to the latest sneaker ad. These black-and-white, pixel-y squares (or colored triangles for Microsoft’s Tag codes) use a mobile phone’s camera and a reader app to link phone users to online content. QR codes are free to create via many online generators.

Who’s Using QR Codes?
Up to 6.4% of the mobile population, or about 14 million users, have scanned QR codes from their smartphone, says the latest comScore press release. Among this group, the most likely to scan QR codes are males (60.5%), or those in the 18-34 age group (53.4%). Is this your audience? Then read on!

Though the codes are traditionally confined to print media, product packaging or storefront signage, innovators can find plenty of cutting-edge ways to distribute QR codes elsewhere using promotional products. Get around limited imprint areas with the endless promotional space QR codes lead to: the internet!

What Can QR Codes Do For You?
A QR code pointing to a landing page for your special event, email opt-in page, catalog request or latest product “buy” page provides an effortless conversion flow for your target audience.

The biggest consideration when choosing promotional items for QR code marketing is that the imprint method is clear enough to render the code, so opt for digital printing that can provide enough detail for the average phone camera to read. Contrast and size are also important factors. The code should be printed in a dark color or black on a light-colored, opaque background, and the code should be at least 1.25” square (32mm) to be properly scanned. Always be sure to consult with your customer service rep about a particular product before ordering to be absolutely sure your QR codes work as intended.

This new method of connecting businesses to potential customers is yet to reach widespread use, but for the right demographic, the QR code is a familiar and flexible way to promote services and products, with the added benefit of using an opt-in (voluntary) marketing approach.

Some of my favorite ideas for QR code marketing include custom mouse pad notepads and everyone’s favorite acrylic cup, the Spirit Tumbler!

Have you thought about turning the way you buy your products or develop your services into part of your organization’s story?

The Van does just that.

The Van is an online gift shop started by two women who simply wanted to spread the joy of giving and receiving gifts.

In a nutshell, these women—Valerie and Ann as they are known on the site—travel ‘round in an old van collecting gifts. The result is an online shop filled with one-of-a-kind gifts, like handmade napkins, funky lamps and adorable cowboy pajamas for kids.

While their products are really cool, what got me was the idea behind the shop and how they’ve leveraged this idea to build a brand. They’ve literally taken “how they found it” and turned that into a differentiator.

-Suzanne

Want to take a new twist with your promotional products?

In the US, the savings rate has tripled over the last several years.  That makes this the perfect time to look at giveaways that help your customers save money. 

The Toothpaste Squeeze-It is one idea. It’s designed to help consumers get the most out of each toothpaste tube. 

Soda Capz are another.  These promotional giveaways help keep the fizz in open cans of soda.

Many retail stores now offer a small discount when you bring your own bag.  Help your customers save money at the checkout with the reusable Expressions Grocery Tote. 
 
With the New Year right around the corner, resolutions to save will be top of mind with many consumers.  Giveaways that appeal to that sense of frugality help your customers save money and help ensure your customers will save your promotional products!

-Suzanne

As educators, I’m sure you have dealt with the issue of students and their cell phones. Whether texting, getting calls, or using social media sites on smartphones, they are very distracting in the classroom.  Your school may even be one that has banned cell phones during class, or even on school property.

With so much that can be done with technology, however, can cell phones actually aid in learning?  School districts in North Carolina are using smartphones to improve math performance, and other districts will be joining in the next year.  The phones are school-issued, so some capabilities, such as texting, are not enabled.  Students are able to post questions on blogs, and it allows students to ask for help at any time of day.

Although some of the applications that would be available on a student’s personal smartphone are not ideal for a learning environment, using personal phones could make the use of these in the classroom a reality much sooner.  Guidelines would need to be set before a program is implemented and the phones are allowed into class, but there may be opportunities to incorporate them in your lesson plans.

The use of phones can also allow students to quickly share ideas through texting or perform internet searches on whatever the topic may be.  They can make exchanging and gathering information very efficient and timely, in a way that was not possible a few years ago.

I’m interested to know where you stand on the issue of phones in the classroom – does it bother you?  Are you in favor of using them as a learning tool?  Or are you against them altogether?

As phones and their capabilities evolve, I’m sure you can see the use of this technology becoming a reality in the classroom much sooner than later.

One of the fastest growing trends in medicine is not a specific treatment, but an approach to care. The existence of medical spas is on the rise, and offer patients relaxation during procedures which can be nerve-racking. Dermatologic and cosmetic treatments are the most common types performed at medical spas, but there are many other specialties that are beginning to use the medical spa strategy. Patients dealing with dialysis, cancer, and even fertility issues can find comfort and care in a spa setting. There are even spas popping up in hospitals, in an effort to provide overall health and wellness to patients.

For some ideas on making your practice more spa-like, check out 4imprint’s latest Healthcare newsletter.