Creating a real connection with another person can be tricky, so imagine how difficult it is to create a real connection with hundreds and thousands, if not millions of people using a one-size-fits-all method. Although an uphill battle, brands still succeed in creating meaningful connections when they communicate their message using methods that reach into our core so deep that they can’t easily be forgotten. Brands create genuine connections simply by making us feel good. Several months ago we posted this article that mentioned how one favorite old t-shirt has the power to bring back so many memories. The same can be said for a myriad of other things like gifts, places, people, songs, smells, music, etc. Every single one of these has the ability to remind us of memories, feelings, and circumstances of our past. This phenomenon, known as nostalgia, is one of the most powerful tools brands have at their disposal in creating emotional connections.   Although feeling nostalgic and remembering times in the past might make people feel sad, the surprising truth is that it actually reduces loneliness and gives comfort and optimism and hope for the future. Using elements of nostalgia is not new to branding, but it is increasing at an alarming rate. Take the following three items for example: Brands returning to their roots from decades past Many brands are reviving campaigns, logos, and values of the past. In 2013 United revived their “Fly the Friendly Skies” slogan that was so

Investing in the right promotional products requires finding the perfect balance between several factors common to every branded merchandise campaign. Be sure to consider each of the following factors in your campaign plan to ensure your desired impact and message. Company goals: What are you trying to accomplish by using promotional products? The answer to this question should act as a starting point for which products to consider. Do you want to distribute products that are used daily or less often but really stand out in a crowd? Whatever your goal may be, keep it in mind when making decisions and make sure to analyze your goal success for future campaign improvements. Consider Target Market: What product does your target market want to receive? What types of activities do they enjoy in their spare time? Every promotional product must to add value to the target market’s life in some way otherwise it will likely end up in the back of a desk drawer or the trash. Spending a little extra time talking with and surveying your desired market to understand them completely will ensure you distribute products that will be valued by recipients. Budget: Budgets are a huge part of selecting promotional products that cannot be avoided. But too often we see purchasers who let their budget alone control exactly which products to choose. This is a practice we strongly advise against because it often leads to investing in products that will not deliver the desired outcome, which essentially wastes your resources. Although