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Bring the Mountain Lifestyle to Everyday Life 

Whether you’re hosting a few friends for dinner, a yard full of folks for a backyard barbeque, a wedding, a corporate event, or something in between… you want everyone to enjoy themselves – and remember the great time they had!

So what’s it take to pull off an unforgettable event for your friends, team, or clients? We asked Jennifer Bishop at J. Leigh Events for some advice on how throw a party like a pro!

As a professional event planner and full-time “party thrower,” what are some essential elements to a successful event?

Good food and personalized touches! People always remember if the food was good, and they always remember that extra touch you put into the event. When I personally throw parties at our home, I always try to do something to wow my guests. It can be something small, like a personalized golf ball for my husband’s 50th or marquee letters in the front yard. For my clients, I take their vision and budget to create special touches that will bring the biggest impact.

What role can branded merchandise play in a successful event? 

Branded merchandise can offer a bounce-back opportunity for attendees to return to the business. Typically at our shopping center events, people love free stuff… For our nonprofit clients or corporate clients, branded merchandise is a reminder of the event they attended. It triggers for them to make a donation or to visit your business.

One of the most successful giveaways a few years ago was the pop-socket. They were relatively new to the market and people loved them. I loved it! Which is why it is so important to stay in tune with trends in the market and what people won’t just throw away.

How about some ideas for using branded merchandise to take an event from “bland” to BOLD? 

Give something that people can actually use… and be creative. We recently hosted an event for a client and they produced items from the honey bees on their property. It was a huge hit!

If you are on a budget, do enamel or button pins. People love taking a token of an event they attended and loved and putting it on their jacket or tote bag.

In 2022 we worked with the Louisiana Tourism Association and each of the participating parishes and chefs sent items so we could create a swag shopping room. The majority of the items were very unique and we cleared out the room. One of the biggest hits was a spice mix by one of the participating chefs!

Phone chargers or external cell phone batteries… since everyone loves an extra way to keep their phone charged on the go. Huge hit!

Reusable water bottles; but a nice one, like a Stanley. We are all trying to stay hydrated out here!

More about J. Leigh Events

J. Leigh Events is a full-service event planning company that focuses on large scale events, community, and nonprofits. You can find them at j-leigh.com and you can follow them on Instagram @jleighevents for more event tips!

In case you missed this story, the new Barbie movie opens next week. Whether you’ll see the movie or not, there’s no doubt you’ve seen the marketing behind it. It’s practically inescapable at this point. Sorry, Grimace Shake. Granted, the film and the soundtrack are loaded with more stars than a planetarium; it’s the marketing that been the real bright spot up to this point. And there are some very down-to-earth principals that make the whole thing seem out of this world.

Keep it simple — The Barbie movie’s big, pink billboards are a shining example here. They get right to the point in advertising the movie’s release date. Apply the same logic to your marketing and resist the urge to ask one platform to do too much. Does that pen need your business name, web address, and a QR code to do the job right? Probably not.

Make it fun — Think about how clients can be a part of your marketing. This is an easy, and often overlooked opportunity to get even greater value from your branded merchandise. When selecting products to represent your brand, consider how your clients will wear, use, and interact with it. Check out how players on the Barbie movie soundtrack are getting in on the party.

Stay on brand — Signature colors, themes, etc., can represent you and your brand without even saying a word. Note how Barbie’s pink, purple, and orange color themes are seen throughout the movie’s marketing and branding. There’s practically nothing that can’t be produced in YOUR brand’s signature colors, as well.

Plan ahead — Yes, promotion for the Barbie movie has seemed like an endless spigot. And the planning that went into that flawless execution was years in the making. Your campaign may not require years, but the more time you can invest, the more creative and impactful your marketing – and branded merchandise – can be.

There’s a New Yorker magazine cartoon making the rounds in our industry right now. It’s poking fun at one of the most-loved and utilitarian promotions of all time: the venerable pen.

The 1-panel cartoon shows a marketing brainstorming session with this idea offered up: “We could get our logo emblazoned on ten thousand crappy pens that barely write, then scatter them to the four corners of the earth?”

Ouch.

SHOP: Pens and Writing Instruments from The Dunstan Group

Truth is, pens and writing instruments are some of THE most sought-after and recalled branding and marketing tools in the promotional quiver. Here are three big reasons why we LOVE pens here at The Dunstan Group!

Eventually, Everyone Needs One

Looking for a promotional item that’s affordable, that people actually want, and will always get put to use? That’s a pen, for sure. Yes, there are plenty of fantastic promotional items, but a pen is a safe bet. And no matter how many pens, you or a client or customer has, there’s always room for another one. Even if you don’t need it right now… you will eventually.

Pens Come In A Variety Of Styles and Price Points

Choosing pens as promotional items doesn’t mean you’re going for price alone. There really are pens and writing instruments for every audience and price point. Pens you’ll hand out at trade shows are completely different than those you’ll use as gift boxed sets as “thank you” or holiday gifts. At the end of the day, they’ll all represent your brand, company, or nonprofit. Choose the right tool for the job.

Incredible Brand Recall

Seven in ten of consumers in a recent industry survey said they’d received at least one promotional product in the past year. Most (88%) said they recalled the brand on that promotional product! Talk about a lasting impression. More than one-third (35%) of the time, that promotional product recalled was a pen.

Think about it. When’s the last time you purchased an umbrella? Chances are, the umbrella you use most often is one that was gifted by a brand or company. Odds are even better that if another brand or company offered you an umbrella today, you’d probably say, “yes!”

Umbrellas branded with company logos and colors tend to be better and more sturdy than most, since lesser quality would reflect poorly on the brand. That’s something to consider when you’re selecting the umbrella you’ll want out there representing your brand. And, if recent weather is anything to bet on, we’re sure your clients, team members, and friends will have plenty of opportunities to use a great umbrella – and thank YOU for it! Here are some Dunstan Group favorites this season:

Rebel Sublimated Umbrella

The Rebel Sublimated Umbrella from The Dunstan Group will not only protect you from the rain, but also from a rain-soaked umbrella! The Rebel umbrella is an inverted umbrella, a revolutionary designed to keep you dry when closing. The unique feature allows the water to push away when closing, making it easy when entering or leaving a car or through a door. Features include a 48″ arc, auto close pongee fabric and a straight rubberized finger grip handle.

WindPro Vented Auto Open Umbrella

Rain or shine, you will be ready for a fun-filled day on the golf course with this Windpro® Umbrella from The Dunstan Group! Designed with an automatic opening, this umbrella features a big, 62 inch arc (157.5 cm), a square shaped vented canopy that’s engineered to resist windy conditions, FRP fiberglass rib construction, a gel-filled grip handle and a fabric/mesh case with bungee cord-lock closure. Choose from an assortment of canopy colors and customize each umbrella with your brand name, logo, or message!

Fashion Print Compact Umbrella

Create a promotional giveaway that’s eye-catching, memorable, AND one they’ll use all the time. The Fashion Print Compact Umbrella from The Dunstan Group is the perfect canvas for your unique design or message, and it comes in your choice of fashion prints. It’s constructed with an auto open and close mechanism, steel 3-section shaft and ribs, a 42″ arc and rubber coated handle. Small enough to take along for work, travel, or outdoors; and big enough to keep you dry.

Stratton Reversible Inverted Umbrella

Now, for something completely different—the Stratton Reversible Inverted Umbrella from The Dunstan Group. The reverse, open/close technology ensures that your wet umbrella drips away from your car, floors and you. Featuring 190TPG polyester material with a perforated liner, this umbrella has a resilient, fiberglass frame designed to stand up to strong winds, a push button, c-shaped handle for easy opening and carrying, with self-standing for easy drying. Utility with a unique twist!

Telescoping Travel Umbrella

Your clients, teammates, and friends will always be covered with this easy-to-carry folding travel umbrella from The Dunstan Group. It comes with a black EVA case and metal shaft, and featuring a 37″ arc for max coverage in a mini package — conveniently folding down to just 6″. Available in several eye-catching colors, you can customize this item by adding a silkscreen imprint of your company logo or design. Measuring 6 3/4″ x 3″, the black case has a matching colored zipper, too!

Want more umbrellas? Check these ideas from The Dunstan Group!

The dust has hardly settled from the Wells Fargo Championship, but there’s plenty more golf to be played in Charlotte. Whether the weather is perfect year-round where you are, or the season is just starting to turn, it’s easy to make your brand stand out on the course. Here are the best bets from The Dunstan Group to tee it up for your clients, partners, and team members this season!

Mid-Tier Golf Kit

The mid-tier golf kit will be a hit with golfers at every level! This one includes three Titleist® TruFeel™ golf balls, a metal poker chip with ball marker, packaged in a synthetic leather valuables pouch. The price includes a full-color imprint on the golf balls, poker chip, and pouch.

Golf Kooler Bag

Introduce your brand to new customers with the golf kooler bag from The Dunstan Group! It’s made of 420 denier polyester with PEVA lining and holds up to six cans to keep them cool and ready. Other features include a detachable and adjustable padded shoulder strap, web carrying handle, side zippered main compartment, front double-zippered pocket, and a reusable ice pack. Imprint this with your branding and get more people to see the value you can bring!

Golf Kit in a Sleeve

Tee up your next great marketing campaign with this course-ready product! This GolfElope features 4 tees, divot tool, and a ball marker in a silver dispenser wrapped within an envelope sleeve. A great gift for dad on Father’s Day, an executive gift, or any fan of the game! Made in the USA!

Sun Bum Outdoor Kit

This Sun Bum® kit comes with everything you need for a day on the links–  without the sunburn. Use the sunscreen, cool-down lotion, and lip balm to stay protected while enjoying a day on the course. A perfect tournament gift or giveaway that your clients can use immediately. Add your company name or logo for maximum visibility!

ColorFusion Golf Towel

The ColorFusion golf towel is a proven winner! It’s made of an absorbent velour Turkish combed cotton blend, measures 16″ x 24″, and is printed with edge-to-edge designs in vibrant colors. It features its own sewn-in loop for easy hanging. It’s perfect for recipients to keep on hand when needing to clean off their clubs.

Your brand or business may not be jumping on the all things neon trend, but you can take advantage of the excitement by examining how your corporate apparel and promotional products can stand out with color.

Traditionally, most garments selected for corporate apparel or promotional purposes have stayed within the tried-and-true neutral favorites: black, white, navy, gray. But bold color choices can make your brand stand out from the crowd.

“Choosing the right color is key,” says Scott Dunstan, president and founder of The Dunstan Group. “Accent or supporting colors can often be found in a brand’s color palette or brand guidelines… they’re often underutilized opportunities to fuel a fresh take on a branded merchandise and apparel.”

Carissa Richmond is director of national sales with BELLA+CANVAS. She says although many promotional products and apparel customers look for neutrals or classic red or blue first, they are drawn to other colors once they see what’s available.

“We’re seeing that a lot of customers are gravitating towards colors that differentiate their offering,” she said in an interview with PPAI Media, our industry trade association. “A lot of them realize that if they’re going to add a color that none of their competitors have, then that really differentiates their offering and helps continue to grow their brand.”

“Taking advantage of color can mean the difference between being seen on a crowded trade show floor, golf tournament, or at an event,” adds Dunstan. “In a sea of black, blue, and white and your team is wearing orange… it’s easy to understand where your eye will go first.”

The color experts at Pantone have highlighted a variety of colors we’ll see plenty of in 2023. Along with Viva Magenta, the color of the year, expect to see vivid reds, pink and orange, as well as classic lime green, and grayish blues.

Put to color to work for your brand this season. Freshen-up your team’s corporate apparel, branded merchandise, or corporate gifts that are on trend and on brand.