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News

5 Reasons the Crosley Cruiser CD Player Totally Rocks

June 4, 2026

Looking for promotional products that don’t disappear into a desk drawer? The Crosley Cruiser CD Player really rocks! With its retro-inspired suitcase styling, built-in speakers, Bluetooth capability, and portable design, it giving the kind of vibes that say your brand is tuned-in to what’s trending now.

For brands that want to create a stronger impression with clients, employees, or VIP audiences, this is the kind of product that stands out immediately. It is unexpected, highly displayable, and easy to connect to a broader gifting or promotional experience. Bottom line, we love it! Here are just five reasons why.

1. It Blends Nostalgia with Modern Features

The Crosley Cruiser CD Player has the kind of look that gets people talking right away. Its suitcase shell, metal clasps, and tonearm-inspired power switch give it the visual charm of a mini turntable, while the actual function is built around a familiar format that folks are loving all over again: CDs.

But it’s not just borrowing from the past. With built-in stereo speakers, Bluetooth streaming, a headphone jack, FM radio, and aux input, it gives users multiple ways to enjoy music without needing extra equipment. That combination of retro personality and modern convenience makes it especially appealing as a premium promotional product.

2. Your Branding Gets Seen (and Heard), Not Stored

One of the biggest advantages, is that it is meant to live out in the open. Whether it ends up on a desk, shelf, console table, or office credenza, it naturally becomes part of the space.

That makes it an amazing branding opportunity! Instead of your logo being tucked onto a small gadget or hidden inside packaging, the exterior of the player offers a visible canvas for customization. The result is a promotional product that keeps working long after it is received.

3. It Feels Thoughtful and On-Trend

Great branded gifts feel intentional, and this one absolutely does. The Crosley Cruiser CD Player taps into the continued appeal of nostalgic design while offering something that feels fresh, giftable, and conversation-worthy.

That makes it a smart fit for brands that want to move beyond ordinary tech gifts or basic office items. It works especially well for anniversary gifts, milestone campaigns, creative industries, music-themed promotions, or any situation where your team wants to give something that feels curated rather than generic.

4. It’s Portable and Ready to Use

There’s no complicated setup or a pile of accessories involved here. The rechargeable battery, lightweight build, and built-in speakers make it easy to use right out of the box. That’s another win-win!

Recipients can enjoy it at home, in the office, on the porch, a weekend trip, or wherever they like. That kind of flexibility matters when selecting great branded merchandise and promotional products. The ones that are easy to use are the ones that actually get remembered.

5. It Elevates the Entire Gifting Experience

Because this is a more distinctive item, it works beautifully as the centerpiece of a premium gift. Pair it with custom packaging, a personal note, a branded insert, or even a themed playlist on CD, and suddenly you have more than a product—you have an experience.

We believe this Crosley Cruiser CD Player will be a real knockout for executive gifting, top-client appreciation, employee recognition, and one-of-a-kind campaigns. When you want your brand to feel more polished, personal, and memorable, a product like this can really take it next level.

If your goal is to give something people will notice, keep, and actually enjoy using, the Crosley Cruiser CD Player checks a lot of boxes. It is stylish, functional, highly giftable, and just different enough to help your brand break through the noise.

The Dunstan Group can help turn a product like this into a fully-branded experience, from customization and presentation to the kind of thoughtful execution that makes a promotional gift feel truly memorable.

5 Ways to Show Up and Show Out for America’s 250th

May 21, 2026

America’s 250th birthday presents a rare, built-in theme for client outreach, employee engagement, and event branding. With Memorial Day, Independence Day, and a full summer of corporate and community events on the way, it’s a one-of-a-kind time to put patriotic promotional products to work like never before. Here are five smart and star-spangled ways to get it done!

1. Premium Richardson Caps for Everyday Brand Visibility

High-quality headwear is still one of the most effective and enduring branded pieces. Richardson 112-style trucker caps and similar profiles offer the comfort, fit, and look that users actually want to wear well beyond a single event.

Pairing your logo with a tasteful America 250 treatment, like subtle stars and stripes, commemorative marks, or a red-white-and-blue accent, you create a piece that feels both timely and timeless. These caps are ideal for client gifts, field teams, and event staff, and they continue to deliver impressions long after the holiday or campaign has ended.

2. Picnic and Outdoor Gear That Supports Branded Experiences

Many of you are planning client appreciation events, company picnics, and community partnerships around the summer holiday calendar. Picnic-ready branded items – like coolers, blankets, insulated drinkware, or folding chairs — extend your brand presence into those environments in a useful, visible way.

Incorporating America 250 designs into these items helps you participate in national or local celebrations while still keeping your brand front and center. Or build celebratory kits for key accounts or employee recognition to support retention and relationship-building.

3. Event and Party Supplies for Sponsored Activations

Sponsoring or hosting events this summer? Branded party and event supplies offer an on-trend way to create a cohesive, on-theme experience. Branded cups, plates, napkins, can coolers, and other celebration-related items turn ordinary events into something branded and memorable.

When your logo appears alongside an America 250 graphic, it shows that your organization is invested in the moment. Think: festivals, hospitality areas, branch openings or store events, and any occasion where photos, social media, and crowd visibility matter.

4. Functional Outdoor Essentials with a Patriotic Lens

Outdoor-focused promotional products— like tote bags, sun and safety kits, blankets, or grilling accessories—are always relevant during the summer season. When those items are put together with a thoughtful America 250 design and your brand identity, they become both functional and memorable!

They’re the perfect pieces for customer onboarding kits, loyalty rewards, or tiered gifts for key accounts. Because they’re built with leisure and fun in mind, recipients will associate your brand with positive, memorable experiences.

5. America 250 Apparel Collections with Premium Decoration

Red-white-and-blue themed apparel is another “win” for the summer and a 250-year celebration. From denim jackets and ultra-soft fleece crews and hoodies, to performance polos, bombers, pullovers, and lightweight outerwear… we’ll help you find the option that fits your campaign best.

And when it comes to decoration: heritage-inspired patches, detailed embroidery, bold direct-to-film prints, clamshell labels, and custom zipper pulls can highlight America 250 while integrating your logo in a custom, on-brand way.

With Memorial Day weekend approaching and a full year of America 250 observances ahead, now is the time to plan your patriotic branded merchandise and apparel. From Richardson caps and outdoor event gear to limited-edition America 250 apparel collections with elevated decoration, The Dunstan Group can help you design and deliver a cohesive program that supports your client outreach, employee engagement, and event initiatives that are on time and on brand.

5 Reasons Shibumi Shade Is a Branded Merchandise Must-Have

May 6, 2026

Shibumi Shade is already a fan favorite on the beach, but as a branded gift, giveaway, award, or trade show piece, it goes next-level! It’s eye-catching, wildly practical, and gives your logo a front-row seat to every sunny day. Those aren’t the only reasons we love Shibumi Shade here at The Dunstan Group!

Reason 1: It Literally Runs on Beach Breeze

Shibumi Shade is powered by the wind, so the same breeze that kicks up the waves keeps the canopy gently floating overhead. That means no wrestling with heavy umbrellas, no chasing canopies down the beach, and no complicated hardware to mess with. It creates a big, beautiful patch of shade that feels more like a hangout than a hideout.

Reason 2: One-Person Setup, Zero Drama

If you can stick a pole in the sand, you can set up a Shibumi. Slide the canopy onto the pole, anchor it, fill the bag with sand, and you’re done. No tools, no team, no 20-minute production while everyone else is already in the water. As a branded item, that ease of use reflects well on your brand as thoughtful, smart, and respectful of people’s time.

Reason 3: Serious Sun Protection Without the Cave Vibes

Shibumi Shade delivers UPF 50+ sun protection, blocking the vast majority of UV rays while still letting the breeze and views come through. You’re shaded, but not shut off from the beach. That makes it perfect for families, corporate outings, or client beach trips where people want to hang out, socialize, and actually enjoy the day in (and out) of the sun.

Reason 4: Packs Small, Plays Big

One of the coolest things about Shibumi is how light and packable it is. It collapses into a compact, easy-to-carry bag that’s simple to toss in the trunk, a closet, or even a suitcase. But once it’s set up, it covers a generous area for groups, snacks, coolers, and gear. It feels like a “big” gift without being bulky or inconvenient.

Reason 5: Built for Branding That Gets Noticed

The canopy itself is a bold, moving billboard for your logo that’s hard to miss against a backdrop of sand and surf. Pair it with branded accessories like beach towels, chairs, or bags, and you’ve got a cohesive, premium-looking kit that makes your brand part of everyone’s favorite days. Whether you’re thanking top clients, rewarding your team, or promoting an event, a branded Shibumi Shade doesn’t just get used—it gets noticed!

5 Reasons Johnnie-O Is a Go-To Favorite

April 22, 2026

Some brands just feel right the moment you put them on. Johnnie-O is one of those brands. With an easygoing, coastal-inspired style that looks as sharp in the office or on the road, Johnnie-O has become a fast favorite for teams, clients, and event apparel that need to look good and feel even better.

If you are looking for branded apparel that your crew will actually be excited to wear on and off the course, here are five more reasons Johnnie-O is at the top of our list here at The Dunstan Group.

1. Effortlessly style that’s never stuffy

Johnnie-O hits that rare sweet spot between laid-back and put-together. Think clean lines, modern fits, and just the right amount of personality built into every piece. It looks just as much at home in the boardroom, at the clubhouse, or at a backyard cookout with clients.

That is what makes it such a win for branded apparel. Your logo lands on pieces that feel refined without being formal, so your team looks sharp in photos, on site visits, at tournaments, and everywhere in between.

2. Built for real life and real weather

From golf tournaments to offsites, to everyday office wear; Johnnie-O is designed to keep up. Lightweight, breathable fabrics, stretch that moves with you, and styles that layer easily make it a natural choice for the way people actually live, work, and play.

For outdoor events, travel days, or trade shows; that comfort factor really matters. When your team or VIP guests are wearing something that feels good from the first tee time through the last meeting of the day, they will remember your brand in the best possible way.

3. Weekend-ready style people want to wear

One of the biggest tests for any branded apparel is simple: does it get worn after the event is over? Johnnie-O passes that test with flying colors. Its on-the-course, at-the-lake, around-town style means it’s the kind of gear that won’t get stuck in the bottom of the drawer. They become part of the regular rotation.

That is powerful for your brand. When someone reaches for their favorite Johnnie-O quarter-zip or polo for a weekend round of golf, a kid’s game, or date night, your logo goes along for the ride in a natural, authentic way.

4. A brand you and your clients already love

There is something to be said for the brand halo effect. When you pair your logo with a recognizable brand name like Johnnie-O, it lets everyone know you care about quality and attention to detail.

Whether you are outfitting your sales team, thanking top clients, or creating gifts for members and donors; that kind of elevated perception really matters. It can turn a simple piece of apparel into a meaningful, memorable touchpoint for your brand.

5. One brand, TONS of ways to use it

Because Johnnie-O works so well across different settings, it is incredibly versatile in how you can use it. Golf tournaments, charity outings, and hospitality events. Sales meetings, incentive trips, and leadership retreats. Client gifting, employee appreciation, and welcome kits for new hires.

Choose a style that fits your audience, like a classic polo, a lightweight layer, or a casual button-down, and you have a go-to piece that can flex across seasons, events, and teams while still feeling cohesive with your brand.

Ready to put Johnnie-O to work for your brand?

If you are looking for branded apparel that feels as good as it looks, and that your people will be excited to wear on and off the course, Johnnie-O is a smart place to start. And, of course, the team here at The Dunstan Group is ready to find the right Johnnie-O styles, decorations, and details to make your brand look and feel its best!

Want Better Trade Show Engagement? Here’s How WE Did It!

April 9, 2026

Here at The Dunstan Group, we’re always looking for ways to prove branded merchandise and apparel more memorable, more useful, and more effective. So when it came time to promote ourselves at the ALLPRO Spring Show, we knew we wanted to do more than hand out a basic giveaway. So you know, ALLPRO is a professional trade association of independent paint store owners. The Dunstan Group is a branded merchandise and apparel partner, and part of the group. At this year’s show,  we wanted to increase engagement with other ALLPRO members, and showcase a smart, conversation-worthy item.

That’s where this big idea came into play.

It all started with a conversation about how to create a giveaway that would feel interactive and engaging for ALLPRO attendees. Because our business is all about relationships, we wanted a promo item that would do more than sit on a table or get tossed into a bag. We wanted a token that would help us stay top of mind after the show and give people an easy next step when they were ready to connect.

A custom poker chip checked all those boxes.

Yes, a poker chip. It was compact, easy to carry, and fully-customizable on both sides! Even better, it gave us room to include a QR code that could lead attendees directly to a link for a special offer. That meant we weren’t just giving something away; we were creating an easy path from booth interaction to post-show follow-up.

The poker chip’s “Lucky 10” promotion offered 10% off for Spring Show attendees who scanned the QR code and filled out the form. The chip also let us have a little fun promoting the Fall ALLPRO Show and its Vegas theme. It was a natural way to play into that upcoming moment, and let us build messaging around “don’t gamble on your brand.”

And, of course, It worked!

We saw scans come in early — even before the show floor opened the next morning — which told us the chip was doing exactly what we hoped. It stayed in pockets, and kept our brand top-of-mind. It kept our name in front of attendees after they left the booth, and it gave us a clear, easy way to follow up with people who were interested in learning more.

That follow-up mattered. The form responses helped us start conversations, and move those prospects toward actual orders. It was way more than a fun giveaway. It was a practical marketing tool that helped turn booth engagement into business. In fact, it increased booth engagement seven-fold!

At the ALLPRO Spring Show, like other trade shows, standing out in a crowd is key. This project gave us an opportunity to do just that, and lert us show that The Dunstan Group thinks creatively about branded merchandise in ways that go beyond the expected. The poker chip became a conversation starter, a memorable takeaway, and a reminder that promotional products are more than just giveaways when they’re done thoughtfully.

We love helping our clients create branded merchandise and apparel that connects with people and supports a bigger marketing goal. Sure, it was fun to do something like this for ourselves, but the real win was the real-time showcase of just how effective a well-executed promo idea can be.

5 Reasons Desk Plants Make the Perfect Branded Gift

March 26, 2026

If your brand’s goal is to grow relationships and nurture connections, there’s no better place to start than right on someone’s desk. Desk plants are the latest go-to promotional item bringing warmth, wellness, and a touch of green to office spaces of all kinds. Whether you’re welcoming new employees, thanking clients, or adding personality to your trade show giveaway, desk plants do more than decorate — they help your brand thrive in all the right ways.

Here are five reasons desk plants make a smart choice for your next branded gift or promo campaign

1. They Bring Life to Workspaces

Even just a little greenery can make a big difference. Desk plants instantly brighten desks, cubicles, and home offices — transforming impersonal spaces into welcoming, inspiring ones. They’re a daily reminder of your brand’s thoughtful touch and attention to detail.

2. They’re Easy to Care For

You don’t need a green thumb to enjoy a desk plant. Many low-maintenance varieties — think succulents, snake plants, or pothos — thrive with minimal water and care. That means your gift stays beautiful longer, without adding another “to-do” to a busy day.

3. They Promote Well-Being

Plants have been shown to reduce stress and boost mood, focus, and productivity. Giving one communicates that your brand values balance and well-being, whether it’s for employee appreciation, onboarding kits, or wellness-themed campaigns.

4. They’re Customizable and Memorable

Desk plants pair perfectly with your logo or messaging — printed on a pot, tag, or planter sleeve — for branding that feels natural, not forced. It’s a gift that grows and gets noticed long after other giveaways are forgotten.

5. They’re a Sustainable Choice

Unlike single-use or disposable items, desk plants align with eco-conscious values and sustainable branding goals. It’s a meaningful way to show your brand’s commitment to growth, renewal, and care for your clients, employees, and the planet.

Ready to Grow Your Brand?

From corporate gifting to customer appreciation, desk plants offer a fresh, lasting way to connect. The Dunstan Group can help you find the right style, packaging, and branding options to make your plant promo as unique as your business.

Build Your Brand — One Block at a Time

March 12, 2026

Looking for a fun, unexpected way to connect with clients, customers, or event guests? LEGO-style branded Infinity Blocks are a fun, creative way to make your brand click. They’re fully customizable, colorful, clever, and designed to engage people of all ages. Here are five reasons they’re building buzz with businesses looking for something fresh in their marketing mix.

1. They’re Nostalgic — and Instantly Recognizable

Who doesn’t love the click of a building brick? Infinity Blocks tap into that childhood joy of creating something from scratch — and that instant recognition makes your branded piece fun, approachable, and familiar. When clients or event guests see these, they’re already smiling before they notice your logo.

2. They Invite Hands-On Engagement

Infinity Blocks aren’t just something to hand out — they’re something people can actually interact with. Unlike a pen or keychain, these encourage users to play, stack, and display. That tactile element sparks conversation, draws people to your booth, and keeps your brand quite literally in their hands long after they leave.

3. They Make Memorable Corporate Gifts

Tired of the same old stuff? Infinity Blocks offer a lighthearted and meaningful way to recognize clients, employees, or partners. Whether displayed on a desk, used as part of a playful team message, or built into a custom gift box, these blocks remind people that your brand values creativity and connection. Get it?!

4. They’re Customizable and Collectible

Each block can feature your logo, company colors, or custom message, and the fun really grows when you mix and match designs. Think of a campaign where each event or milestone adds another block to the collection — a smart way to encourage ongoing engagement and brand loyalty.

5. They Build Buzz at Events and Trade Shows

Want to stand out on a crowded show floor? Infinity Blocks draw people in with an open invitation to test, build, and play. They’re great conversation starters — and when attendees walk away with a branded piece that clicks together with others, they’ll remember where they’ve been and who they met.

 

At The Dunstan Group, we love finding creative ways to make brands more engaging — and Infinity Blocks fit that mission perfectly. Whether it’s for client gifts, internal recognition, or trade show giveaways, these customizable bricks let you build your brand — one block at a time.

The Ability Experience: When Philanthropy Gets Real

February 25, 2026

Christy Harrison knows a thing or two about motivation and mission. She’s the Managing Director of Chapter Engagement for The Ability Experience, the in-house philanthropy of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. Her job is to help more than 160 chapters move beyond “we support a cause” and into real relationships with people with disabilities in their local communities.

“I always say The Ability Experience and Pi Kappa Phi are the best combination because our men are literally able to get dirt under their fingernails in service and philanthropy,” she told us. “It’s not about writing a check and sending it to an organization where you never see the benefits. They get to be a part of the disability community and show that disability doesn’t mean inability.”
That hands-on connection, she’s learned, is what turns an obligation into a mission. And that mission requires the right tools – the kind students would actually want to wear, talk about, and work for.
That’s where this partnership really takes off.

Raising the Bar with Incentives
Launched at this year’s Pi Kapp College for Chapter Officers, Christy and her team brought something new to the table: sharp-looking custom rope cap with The Ability Experience logo front and center.

Each philanthropy chairman got one, right there on the spot. Generally, the young people participating in this conference aren’t allowed to wear caps. But this was different. It wasn’t just swag; it was a signal. For the rest of the weekend, that cap became a quiet conversation starter, a badge of leadership – and the spark for one of The Ability Experience’s biggest fundraising jumps yet.

Christy’s team wanted to measure fundraising in a way that celebrated chapters big and small. Total dollars told one story, but dollars per man told another. A chapter of 40 men that raised 10,000 dollars deserved just as much recognition as a chapter of 200 raising the same amount.

So, they built a new incentive around a very special hat:
• Hit 250 dollars per man, and your chapter earned custom hats.
• Hit 500 dollars per man, and you unlocked a special version with The Ability Experience’s class hand circle logo in your university colors.

It Sounded Simple. And it Worked!

At Pi Kappa College, each philanthropy chairman checked in and received one rope cap as a gift and a challenge. It was the only hat allowed to be worn on Sunday – something small that made it stand out. By the end of the weekend, Christy could see it working.

“They came to their final session with their hats, and we just saw it really start conversations,” she told us. Other students wanted to know where they got it, what it meant, and how they could get one, too.

Back home on their campuses, the hats became the centerpiece of a year-long success story. Christy and her team “breadcrumbed” the incentive, sending updates like:
• “You’re so close to 250 – how can we support you?”
• “You hit it! Congratulations. We’ll mail your hats out now.”

Some chapters hit the 250 dollars per-man mark in the spring. Many reached it in the fall. Other chapters – including College of Charleston, Texas Christian University, and Louisville – pushed all the way to 500 dollars per man to earn the fully custom version.

“Incentives like this don’t replace the mission,” Christy said, “but they really can amplify it when the item tells the story and feels special.”

When The Mission Shows Up in the Wild
Christy likes to tell students that fundraising can come from anywhere. You just have to be willing to talk about what you’re doing.

One evening, she was sitting alone at a bar near the University of Mississippi, watching a game. Two sorority women came over – partly to make sure she was okay, partly out of curiosity. Christy told them what she did with The Ability Experience.

Their response: “Oh my god, can we donate?”

She pulled up the fundraising app on her phone. A small conversation turned into a gift, and another story she could take back to students: the more visible you are, the more you talk about your cause, the more opportunities appear.

The hats and shirts play into that same idea. Worn on campus, at chapter meetings, and during recruitment, they’re a low-friction way to put the logo – and the story behind it – in front of people who might never hear it otherwise.

A 10X Jump – “That Screams Success!”
Christy’s fall travel schedule included a “call-a-thon” at Ole Miss, where she helped students run a concentrated, one-hour fundraising push. In that single hour, they raised 17,000 dollars. By year’s end, that chapter had raised 60,000 dollars – up from just 6,000 the year before. The tools had changed. The conversations had changed and so had the results.

For Christy, the custom pieces from The Dunstan Group were part of that shift. The shirts and hats gave students a reason to talk and a way to show what they stood for. Just as important, they felt current.

“I always appreciate how The Dunstan Group’s entire team is so aware of trends because they change so incredibly quickly,” she said. “This hat was something that motivated them 365 days a year. That screams success and engagement in my mind.”

Christy’s goal for 2026 is simple to say and complex to execute: get The Ability Experience brand out there in as many creative ways as possible, while deepening students’ connection to the mission. She wants them to walk into recruitment, into class, into their communities with more than a logo: she wants them to carry a story they’re proud to tell.

That’s where the partnership with The Dunstan Group fits. The right cap, the right shirt, in the right style, can become a talking point, a motivator, a reward, and a reminder of why the work matters. And for the thousands of Pi Kappa Phi members across the country, that rope hat is now exactly that – a daily reminder that their effort, their fundraising, and their service are changing the way society sees people with disabilities.

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