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Holiday Project is a Real Winner 

Holiday Project is a Real Winner

Choate Construction Company’s quest for the perfect Christmas Gift is a testament to the power of promotional products to tell a complete and meaningful story. It’s also a case study in the value of relationships and the trust that’s fostered when a client knows and believes you have their best interests in mind. Knowledge of product and suppliers is something that can be learned. A client’s trust has to be earned.

The project was a hit with Choate Construction and their clients. It’s now been recognized within the promotional products industry as a Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) Gold Pyramid award winner.

“We’re not thinking about awards or recognition when we’re helping clients and friends bring a project to life,” said Scott Dunstan, founder and president of The Dunstan Group. “We’re always wondering and working on how we can take their idea to the next level. Adam gave us the runway, and we took off together on this one.”

Choate Construction trusted The Dunstan Group with a mission that was very personal to them as a company, and as individuals: producing a holiday gift for their clients that also demonstrates their ongoing support for families and individuals with Autism. Sourcing products from suppliers that shared Choate’s mission and values – and their message – brought the entire project full-circle.

“The search for the perfect Christmas gift was a daunting task,” said Choate Construction’s Adam Hawthorne in a letter to The Dunstan Group. “They’ve been engaged with our company for a number of years and have been instrumental in helping us find useful and high-end promotional items.”

For this project, a bottle of top-shelf bourbon was bundled with a pair of leatherbound rocks glasses, and a candle from Luhrs Wicked Wicks. Both companies work to employ individuals on the autism spectrum and those with special needs.

“This whole thing came together just perfectly because Scott had a genuine and heartfelt idea. We packaged all 250 of them at our office – Scott, Brian and Taylor even came by to help with that. We produced a little video to tie the story together, and put a bow in it, so to speak.”

You can check out the Choate Construction Company holiday video here: https://www.choateco.com/cltchristmas22/

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Plan Your Promotions for the New Year

Plan Your Promotions for the New Year

A new year means a brand-new opportunity for you swing for the fences with your brand or business promotion. As you build on the successes from the last year, here are five ways to add some new marketing and promotion ideas to your calendar.

Be a Partner in Their New Year’s Resolutions

Whether we stick with them or not, many of us will make resolutions in the new year. Whether it’s health and fitness, rest and relaxation, work or personal goals; help your clients, partners, and teammates succeed in the new year with promotional products that support their goals. From yoga mats to journals, calendars to candles; The Dunstan Group catalog is full of great ideas.

Send a New Year’s Gift

Think you missed the window on holiday gifting? Think again! We believe there’s never a wrong time to say “thank you,” or to express your gratitude to clients, teammates, or friends. Get their new year off to a great start with a gift that lets them know how much you appreciate their business, their partnership, or a job well done. Awards, gift baskets, snacks and treats make great gifts they’re sure to appreciate.

Go Green in the New Year

Worried about the environmental impact of your gift or packaging? Your clients are, too. It’s easier than ever to make a statement without making a huge carbon footprint. From brand-name apparel, gift baskets, bags, electronics, and more; you can find them made with more post-consumer recycled materials and packaging.

Team-Up for a Good Cause

Do more good in the new year by pairing your promotions with a nonprofit partner. Is there a cause your company or community is excited about? That’s the one you’ll want to explore. Start by seeing how your business can support their mission, promote their special event, or even how to raise money together to support the greater good they’re doing. Brand purpose and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) considerations are now key purchasing criteria for more than half of consumers globally.

Add an All-New Promotional Product

Is your swag selection, company store, or team apparel getting a little stale? The new year is the perfect time to reevaluate and reinvent how you’ll present your brand with promotional products. With new products and apparel coming to market, The Dunstan Group can easily help you find the branded merchandise or apparel to meet your goals and your budget. Just ask!

2023 Holiday Gifting Trends

2023 Holiday Gifting Trends


Holiday gifting doesn’t have to be hard. The Dunstan Group can make it easy, fun, and hassle-free. And if struggling with great ideas has you stuck in neutral, here are some of the hot holiday gift trends for 2023! 

Customized Gift Baskets:

Elevate your corporate gifting with personalized gift baskets that speak directly to your recipient’s tastes and interests. Alongside gourmet snacks and premium coffee, include items that resonate with their preferences or hobbies. Complement the selection with a handwritten note expressing gratitude for the partnership, making the gesture both thoughtful and tailored.

Electronics and Tech Gadgets

Make a lasting impression by gifting high-quality tech gadgets that seamlessly integrate into their work routine and everyday life. Whether it’s a sleek wireless charger, speakers, or noise-canceling headphones, ensure the item is both practical and stylish.


Corporate Wellness Gifts:

Let them know you care about their health and well-being with thoughtful corporate wellness gifts. Whether it’s fitness trackers, yoga mats, wellness subscription boxes, or high-quality water bottles; give them a gift that helps them unwind from the daily grind.  

Personalized Desk Accessories:

Enhance the professional workspace of your clients, partners, and team members with personalized desk accessories. Choose items that are not only practical but also aesthetically pleasing. If it’s a product they can use year-round, you know they’ll always be thinking of you! 

Company Branded Merchandise:

Reinforce your brand presence and remind them they’re part of the Team, with carefully chosen, high-quality branded merchandise. Go for modern designs, brands they love, and premium materials to ensure the items are not only functional but ones they’ll wear with pride.

The holiday season is coming up – FAST! The Dunstan Group is here to help, so connect with us soon and you’ll have one more holiday “to do” done! 

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Stats About Hats

Hats and caps are far from the unsung heroes of the marketing and promotions world. We love ‘em here at The Dunstan Group, because they’re an all-season, all-ages, fits-all promotional product that’s really hard to beat. Here are five easy reasons to add caps and hats to your next promotional campaign! 

1. High Visibility: Your Logo in the Spotlight

Where do you find most hats? On the top of someone’s head, of course. That’s prime real estate for your logo to shine! They’re not just accessories; they’re walking billboards. Your brand gets all that attention just by tagging along on someone’s daily adventures. Talk about being a real head-turner…

2. Walking Billboards: Where Style Meets Your Message

Your logo, front and center, making a statement on the street, in the park, or even at the local coffee joint. When folks rock your logo on a hat or cap, they’re basically becoming your brand’s marketing team. It’s not just an accessory; it’s a fashion statement that says, “Hey, here’s a brand I know and trust!” In a survey from the Advertising Specialty Institute, 85% of people said they know and can recall the advertiser who gave them the cap. 

3. Functional Utility: More Than Just Good Looks

Hats aren’t just about looking cool; they’ve got a job to do. Whether it’s shading from the sun or keeping cozy in the cold, they’re the unsung heroes of comfort. Your brand doesn’t just get seen; it becomes a part of everyday life—like a trusty sidekick, but way more stylish. Nearly 70% of people surveyed say they own a promotional hat; 33% of men surveyed say they wear a hat or cap at least once a week!

4. Wide Appeal: From Teens to Trendsetters

Hats are ageless, genderless, practical AND cool. From the kids on TikTok to your grandma, everyone loves a good hat. So, when you slap your logo on one, you’re not just reaching one niche; you’re hitting up a whole crew of potential fans. With so many options, we’ll help you find the right cap or hat for the market you’re trying to reach. Seriously. Grandma might not appreciate the flat bill cap. 

5. Long-lasting Advertisement: Hats Cover the Spread and Then Some

In a world of trends, hats are the OGs. They’re not here today, gone tomorrow, by any stretch. In fact, like most promotional products, the better the quality and style, the more they’re likely to stay in the marketplace. Promotional caps are kept, on average, for ten months! Great ones are kept for years. Who doesn’t love a bit of commitment?

Your logo on a quality hat or cap from The Dunstan Group. That’s definitely a great marketing idea! 

In Tune with Goldie’s

 

Goldie’s is one of South Boulevard’s newest hangs, and it’s already getting lots of love and attention from music and food lovers alike. The music-hall-meets food-hall features a main stage with “live” music nightly, plus two bars, two seating areas and patios. And the food? Goldie’s Kitchen, Tina’s Pizza and the Big Weiner hot dog cart have something for everyone in your crowd. 

The gang at Goldie’s chose The Dunstan Group to produce the gear and goods so patrons can take the Goldie’s experience home; from caps, tees, stickers, cups – and even drumsticks! Plus, Goldie’s team members are decked out in branded merch sporting the brand. 

 

We caught up with Goldie’s co-founder, Tyler Hager, to ask a couple of questions between sets.

DG: Goldie’s has been open for a minute now. What’s the reception been like? You’ve certainly gotten a lot of good press! 

 

Tyler Hager: It’s been unbelievable — way above sales projections. We went all in on the buildout, and at this point, glad we did so. Lots of great press and lots of great people coming through the doors. Heavy volume on the weekends and we hope to grow weekdays sales, especially when we open back up for lunch. All better than anticipated and we look forward to being a staple around LoSo.

 

DG: How does branded merchandise and apparel factor into your marketing, member retention, or recruiting plans? 

 

Tyler Hager: This has been the most fun brand out of any concept I’ve been a part of. We really felt Plaid Penguin nailed the branding side of things which correlated into some cool merch. Our Guitar pick “G” logo has really grown on us and is well-received by our fans. It looks great on apparel, and has given us a huge platform to work with and have fun with. Our staff is proud to wear our gear, too, which is really cool.

 

DG: What led you to choose these items and decorate them in this way, and can you tell us a little about the overall promotion? 

 

Plaid Penguin took our original talking points and ran with them to create what we have built. They did a great job of running with a few ideas we had and turning it into a brand that seemed like it had been alive for 10+ years. Of course, Parks House Design did an awesome job bringing it to life within the four walls. They really got to get creative and run with our branding ideas and give us life. They did a great job! 

 

DG: What kind of reaction have you received from staff and clients? 

 

Tyler Hager: All positive. We have had to evolve and make many decisions as this is new concept. The staff has been a strong part of this and that’s been cool. Our staff is front and center and they carry the brand. They have really been exceptional.

 

DG: How long have you been working with The Dunstan Group, and what’s your experience been like? 

 

Tyler Hager: Best group in the world! In all seriousness, they are creative and most importantly, reliable. They have stayed ahead of the curve, and embraced their industry to put so much effort into being the best at what they do. They have drive, and do what they do for the right reasons. A+

You can check out Goldie’s for yourself at 3601 South Boulevard, in Charlotte. 

 

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