Winter might be holding on with clenched teeth, but in our minds, we’re sipping mai tai’s on the beach.
If you’re not already thinking about your upcoming promotional products needs, we’re here to help get you moving.
We’ve gathered a list of items that you should be thinking about for the upcoming season. (more…)
We are always on the look-out for what is trending in the retail space to ensure the products we recommend will delight and wow the end recipient. With that in mind, we’ve identified three products that we think are going to be big for spring & summer 2013.
(more…)
“What makes a successful Camp clothing & merchandise program,” you ask?
Well, thanks for asking. No, really! Thanks.
A lot of people assume they know what makes a good clothing program but they miss a few key elements. (more…)
Word on the street is that the Mayans have us slated for worldly destruction come next Friday.
In an effort to keep our wits about us, and to prevent massive hoarding of bread and eggs by employees, we decided to focus the troops on their promotional product predictions for 2013, should Bruce Willis save the world (again).
With experts like Forrester predicting 375 million tablets being sold worldwide in 2016, it’s no surprise that we expect tech accessories to be a dominant trend in 2013. Even though I’m an android die-hard, overall, we look to requests for Apple-friendly accessories to drive the majority of requests.
source: Forrester
Keep an eye to our Must-Haves for a curated collection of promotional items for start-ups or the tech minded.
The retail to promo life cycle will shorten in 2013. Look for products introduced at retail to make it into brand-able options in ever shortening cycles.
Likewise, look to promo to introduce more products that filter to retail. Tech gloves are a great example of this type of flip-flop. We first introduced the smart-phone friendly gloves in 2010 and they didn’t hit retail until 2011.
In response to changing economics, design trends, and technology, promotional products companies are innovating in new ways that benefit end-users.
Budgets are coming back, but marketers will remember the lessons they learned navigating the ups-and-downs that started in 2008.
We expect businesses to favor higher quality items with longer life over the tired throw-aways that have historically given promo a bad name.
As big players prove the power of swag by creating promo shopping experiences on site, other brands will follow suit with in-office swag “stores” or pop-up shops. In doing so, they will grow more protective over the statements their products make and will choose swag that reinforces their brand consciousness.
As Flux invades companies large and small, and the power of story continues to embed itself in our lives, 2013 will continue to bring change to the marketing landscape.
As long as the Mayans were wrong, that is.
RIGHTSLEEVE is a promotional products agency helping companies establish emotional connections to their brands through tangible, logoed merchandise. Please say hi on Twitter or Facebook.
Our daily hours of sunlight are shortening and we’re nearing the time when we’ll have to wave goodbye to cottages, camps, and vacations. Summer of 2012 brought with it heaps of color, but it’s time to look forward to fall. [break][break]
The good news? Those great colors are here to stay. [break][break]
Our fall 2012 trend report will bring you up to speed on our trend forecast for the rest of the year, and suggest how to apply what’s hot on the streets to your swag needs.
Dad’s special holiday is just a few days away. If you’ve procrastinated on getting a gift for dear old dad, we’re here to give you some inspiration – and they won’t all require you to dip into your wallet.
Pop-up Hammock - We know the whole family will use this bad boy, but why not give dad the first snooze?
Beat the Traffic App – Not all gifts are about the dough. Point your dad to this app to help him navigate the roads and get home faster!
Brookstone Meat Thermometer – Grilling is serious work for dads the world over. With this remote thermometer he can watch the game and still grill his BBQ masterpieces to perfection.
Magnetic Hammer – Okay, so this one is more of an idea at this stage, but maybe you can DIY your own with your dad and make a weekend project out of it? The magnetic hammer allows you to keep nails at the ready and out of dads mouth.
It feels like only last year I heard groans and digs about that thing the 80′s called fashion. Now, when I look at the fashionistas and fashionmistas (see, it’s totally a word. Thank you Urban Dictionary) on the street, I Just Wanna Have Fun with color. With Neon hues a major trend for this summer we wanted to take a spin through the variety of ways dayglow colors are making appearances this year.
For the man who’s secure in his masculinity, Coleman brand cables have him covered with a collection of outdoor extension cords in colors like hot pink and fluorescent green.
No self-respecting RIGHTSLEEVER would be caught outside on a sunny day without our favorite brandable sunglasses.
Colored denim is back. Turn ‘em into cutoffs for the company picnic and they’re fierce! Found via Pinterest. (Pst, Have you visited the RS Pinterest Page?)
If you follow us on Facebook (and why wouldn’t you?), you’ll remember this shot of the ladies of RIGHTSLEEVE displaying their neon summer nails in full force. Go bright or don’t go to the salon.
Neon slap-watch. Can’t touch that.
The weather has dipped back to seasonal temps in most of the country, but our thoughts are still turning to summer. Trips to the cottage, events around town, and dreams of lounging near the water has us pumped for our favorite summer trends.
Color, Colour, and more Color
No matter how you spell it this summer is going to be colorful. From bright denim making its way back in vogue to eye-popping accessories like flashy belts and watches you won’t be able to hide from bright colours this summers. Bonus points for sporting some neon in your summer attire.
These Military Web Belts are a great way to work that splash of color into summer uniforms or to out-fit your street teams.
Splash of color from the Burberry Prosum Line via elle.com
TOMS
TOMS Shoes took a PR hit last year when the founder spoke at a Focus On The Family event in California, but it doesn’t seem to have slowed down TOMS rise in popularity. You can’t swing a plaid shirts nowadays without hitting someone Instagramming their newest pair. Now that summer is on the horizon, keep an eye out for their vegan, glitter, and classic styles to be kicking around the nearest street festival.
Purple Glitter Shoes from TOMS
Aviator Sunglasses
It could be the Top Gun conversion to 3D. Or maybe work on the sequel. Perhaps it’s 80′s nostaglia grabbing us full-throttle, but aviators are back with a vengence and Ray Ban probably couldn’t be happier. Go full out Maverick with your choice or have some fun with a splash of color for your summer shades. Either way, you’ll be spotting this throwback style up and down the beach this year.
Colorful Twist to a Nostalgic Category
Missing Shoulders
We first spotted this trend in season two of Dance Moms (Hey, we all have our vices) and plan to see bared shoulders abound this summer. Bare shoulders, one shoulder, and celebrity shoulders will be out in full force . Spotted in lines from Dolce & Gabbana, DKNY, and Alexander McQueen this is a look we can expect to see through summer and into fall.
Dance Mom sans shoulders
What do you think is going to be the biggest trend this summer?
