By Affiliate Donna Jacobson, owner of Third Floor Promotions
As you plan your 2012 marketing strategy , you can create a buzz about your company by giving a trendy, cool and useful product no matter what your budget. Some of the hot new trends were seen in Las Vegas at the PPAI Show, the largest show of its kind in the country.
TECHNOLOGY trends abound with USB drives remaining hot sellers. Several suppliers are making RFID (radio frequency ID) blocking sleeves that protect the information on your credit cards, passports and other media from being stolen. Products for smart phones and tablets such as microfiber cleaning cloths, combination stylus/pens, tablet and cell phone stands are all in great demand.
GREEN is a continuing trend for 2012. Products include coasters made of recycled leather, rubber and cork, shopping bags made of recycled materials, organic cotton tees and hats, pens made from recycled plastic, and notebooks and pads made with recycled paper to name a few.
TRAVEL is generating fun new products. Luggage identification is one big opportunity to display your logo with products from neon light up luggage tags, neoprene handle wraps, and full slip on four color process luggage wraps. Travel chargers, wi-fi finders and portable headphones are some of the techie travel product trends.
SOCIAL MEDIA has engendered a whole new way to logo products. Quick Response codes are giving the familiar barcodes competition. The QR code is a pattern of black and white squares and lines that can be scanned by smart phones with QR reader software. Put a QR code on your promotional item and you can direct prospects to your mobile websites, Facebook pages, eCoupons, upcoming events and more with a simple click and scan.
Lastly, don’t forget about color trends. Pantone LLC, the company who is responsible for creating the Pantone Matching System, also known as PMS colors, have announced the official Pantone color of 2012. The color is Tango Orange. Sometimes with your business, you have to go with the ‘in” fashion and capitalize on that even if you don’t personally follow the crowd. When giving out your promotions, if you give people what they want, including the “in” colors, they will use your giveaways more, giving your company more exposure. This is yet another idea to incorporate into your marketing to help boost your company exposure.