Merch Detective | Promotional Products and Apparel

The Big Three

May 12

For well over two hundred years, promotional products have been a staple in marketing! From yesterday's presidential campaign buttons to today's Popsockets, promo will never go away. And neither wi...

Case Study: Let Them Eat Cake!

Apr 28

Objective A bakery owner had built solid connections with other service providers within their local event industry. But they were looking to grow their business within the wedding market. Pro...

Case Study: Insuring Happy Employees

Mar 31

Item: JAFFA(r) Round Zinc Coaster Purpose: End of year gifts for employees Audience: Insurance firm employees An insurance firm had a particularly prosperous year and wanted to give employees en...

Case Study: Zip It Up

Mar 3

Description: Hit Sports Pack with Front Zipper Industry: Broadcast Media/Telecommunication What it was purchased for: A cellular provider needed giveaways for an event at a major university. How ...

Case Study: Look, Ma, No Hands!

Jan 18

Description: Auto Air Vent Magnetic Phone Mount Industry: Technology What it was purchased for: A technology business was looking for a giveaway item that was unique but also fit within their bud...

Case Study: It's in the Bag

Jan 4

Description Non-Woven Shopper Tote Bag Industry Bookstore What it was purchased for A large Metropolitan Community College Bookstore wanted to feature a reusable shopping bag to the students w...

Case Study: Piece of Cake

Oct 25, 2025

Objective: A bakery owner had built solid connections with other service providers within their local event industry, but they were looking to grow their business within the wedding market. Produc...

Wooing Discerning Celebs with the CARSON Double Wall Bolero Tumbler

Sep 12, 2025

What do you get the celebrity-chef-turned-travel-show-host who has everything? How about the VP of Paid Media at a premier hotel chain you'd love to snag an advertising deal with? Brands like Tra...

Case Study: Hay, Where'd You Get That Tote?

Aug 1, 2025

Description: Large Boat Tote Industry: Sports / Fitness What it was purchased for: Horse show giveaways How it was distributed: A local horse show needed gifts for their major contributors. A ...

Case Study: Plastics Make it Possible

Jul 17, 2025

Description: Oasis Recycled Bottle Pen Industry: Chemicals What it was purchased for: Trade Show Giveaways How it was distributed: A chemical company needed something to give away at a tradeshow...

Industry Mini Dive: Legal Industry

Jun 4, 2025

Is your law firm or legal aid service in need of promotional items to distribute to your clients? No matter the specialty - corporate, family, real estate, or tax law - all legal professionals c...

Case Study: Too Hot to Jot

May 21, 2025

Objective: Department managers wanted their new employees to have an easy way to take notes during the onboarding process. They wanted to incorporate company branding to keep their image consiste...

Case Study: Shine Bright

Mar 11, 2025

Description: Sunglasses and Sunglass Case Industry: Food & Beverage What it was purchased for: Summer is a big opportunity for coffee chains to sell frozen drinks. Part of an employee reward duri...

Case Study: This Event Needs More Cowbell

Jan 28, 2025

Description: Cow Bell Industry: Trade Show / Convention / Events What it was purchased for: A charity marathon coordinator wanted a giveaway that spectators could use to cheer on their runner...

Case Study: A StuPENdous Promotion

Dec 17, 2024

Description: Dart Pen Industry: Technology What it was purchased for: A data storage company wanted an item they could put on their company store website in which branches or divisions could purc...

Case Study: Take a Map!

Oct 21, 2024

Objective: A university wanted a practical handout to give to prospective students, alumni, and other campus visitors. The handout was intended for first-time visitors and those who hadn't been o...

Case Study: Jamming Out

May 29, 2024

A shopping mall was holding a summer promotion to increase traffic during typically slower months. Visitors to the complex were given a “passport” to take to different stores within the...

Case Study: Don't Run from this Promo!

Feb 19, 2024

Description: Running Belt Fanny Pack Industry: Sports / Fitness What it was purchased for: A nationwide gym chain was looking for an item to give away with the purchase of yearly memberships....

Case Study: Fresh Mesh Promotions

Jan 7, 2024

Market: Real Estate Product Use: Incentive Gift Promotion: A high-end resort selected the Atlantis Mesh Beach Tote as an incentive gift for the visitors who attended their timeshare presentatio...

Case Study: I've Got You Covered

Sep 15, 2023

Description: Chenille Blanket Industry: Health Care / Pharmaceutical What it was purchased for: A local hospital needed blankets to hand out to children who were currently patients that they coul...

Case Study: Fun in the Sun

Sep 1, 2023

Product: Two-Tone Malibu Sunglasses Industry: Sports What it was purchased for: A major sports team was having difficulty keeping attendance up at weeknight games. They came up with the idea of d...

Case Study: Create Your Own Reality

Jul 20, 2023

Description: Custom Cardboard Virtual Reality v2 Industry: Corporate / Fortune 500 What it was purchased for: A leave behind for Field Marketing Account Managers to help convert business from the...

Case Study: Snack Pack It!

Jun 22, 2023

Vertical Market: Hospitality Product Use: Gift with Enrollment Promotion: An ocean excursion company chose the Igloo(r) Marine Backpack Cooler as a gift with enrollment for customers participatin...

Case Study: A Wedded Keepsake

Apr 11, 2023

Item: JAFFA(r) Scalloped Edge Vase Purpose: Gift vase for use during wedding ceremonies Audience: Engaged couples A church wanted an elegant and useful gift for couples who chose their venue for...

Case Study: A Getaway Promotion

Mar 27, 2023

A resort wanted to make sure guests felt safe as they reopened after COVID-19 stay-at-home orders were lifted. At check-in, they chose to provide each guest with a Fold-Up Cinch Corner Tote to ke...

Case Study: A Comforting Friend

Feb 12, 2023

This ambulance service is very active in its local community. They use this plush Saint Bernard for children faced with the trauma of when an ambulance is needed. They consider their Saint Bernard ...

Case Study: A Prom Ticket Keepsake

Jan 15, 2023

A Prom Ticket Keepsake Organization High School Product Featured Neoprene Bracelet Goal of Promotion Issuing prom tickets ...

Case Study: Employee Appreciation Gift

Dec 2, 2022

A company with many sales representatives needed an item for their top sales performers. Since their sales staff has both men and women, they needed an item that could be used by either gender. The...

Case Study: Keep it Sweet

Nov 18, 2022

Vertical Market: Hospitality Product Use: Employee Appreciation Promotion: A nationally known hotel chain gifted their staff the Everyday Sweet and Savory Gourmet Carry Caddy for Employee Appreci...

Case Study: Back in Business

Nov 3, 2022

A behavioral health practice was preparing to reopen when shelter-in-place orders were lifted. However, they needed a way to communicate the enhanced safety protocols they put in place to patients ...

Case Study: Safety First

Oct 5, 2022

Product: Auto Safety Kit Industry: Banking What it was purchased for: As a gift to anyone who opened a new bank account for over $1,000.00. How it was distributed: The bank was looking for a bra...

Case Study: Practice Putting

Aug 24, 2022

2 Ball Pillow Pack – Titleist(r) TruFeel for Non-Profit Event When a non-profit had to cancel their annual fundraising dinner due to Coronavirus, a golf course donated their clubhouse patio ...

Case Study: Brighten Their Day

Jul 12, 2022

A realtor wanted to give a thank-you gift to those who purchased a new home with them. They chose the LED Carbon Fiber Aluminum Flashlight. They printed their logo along with the tagline, "We will ...

Case Study: Bear With Us

Apr 16, 2022

Description: Plush Big Paw Bear with Shirt Industry: Financial Services / Banking What it was purchased for: A bank chain needed a product for tellers to hand out to new account members. How it ...

Case Study: Recycle, Reuse, Read a Book!

Feb 18, 2022

Product: Non-Woven Shopper Tote Bag Industry: Bookstore What it was purchased for: A large college bookstore wanted to feature a reusable shopping bag for students. The goal was to get the studen...

Case Study: Lunchtime Appreciation

Feb 3, 2022

Description: ID Lunch Bag Industry: Health Care / Pharmaceutical What it was purchased for: A hospital wanted a unisex item to give out for Nurses Week. Since most of the nursing staff brought th...

Case Study: Resort Incentive Yields Oceans of Opportunity

Jan 20, 2022

A five-star resort that frequently hosts corporate events for Fortune 500 companies wanted to reach out to corporate guests to entice them to return for family vacations. The goal was for the guest...

Case Study: Promo'd to a Tee

Jan 6, 2022

As part of a newly developed corporate social responsibility initiative, an insurance company instituted an annual “give back” day where employee groups volunteered in their communities...

Case Study: Work it Out!

Nov 24, 2021

A nationwide insurance company shifted their employees out of their field offices to at-home workspaces due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Their HR team was tasked with providing a team appreciation ...

Case Study: Stick to the Schedule

Sep 28, 2021

Industry: Hospitality Personalization: A small sandwich shop wanted to increase their business during lunch hour. Their target market was people who worked near their restaurant. Method of Distri...

Case Study: Yes, We Can!

Sep 14, 2021

Description: Kan-Tastic Industry: Food & Beverage What it was purchased for: Fast-food chain giveaway for college football night. How it was distributed: The vendor handed the Kan-Tastic out a...

A Lunch That Packs a Punch

Aug 31, 2021

Description: 3 Section Lunch Container Industry: Healthcare What it was purchased for: A hospital was looking for a unique lunch packet for nurses, doctors, and anyone else employed at any of the...

Case Study: Make a Spectacle

Jun 6, 2021

Description: Rubberized Sunglasses Industry: Broadcast Media / Telecommunication What it was purchased for: A vampire-based television show hosted blood drives at outdoor events. These were given...

Case Study: A Race to Remember

Mar 27, 2021

Item: Sport Bottle with Metallic Ring – 28 oz. Purpose: Race day giveaway Audience: Breast cancer survivors and race participants A regional race supporting breast cancer research added an...

Case Study: Don't Bottle It Up

Mar 12, 2021

An oil & gas company was building employee gift packages that would appeal to their entire workforce during the COVID-19 public health crisis. With employees working both at home and continuing to ...

Case Study: A Flavorful Promotion

Feb 26, 2021

A Flavorful Promotion Boosts This Credit Union's Popularity Organization: Credit Union Product Featured: Lip Balm Goal of Promotion: Generate New Loans Description of Case History: This c...

Case Study: A

Feb 12, 2021

Organization Tanning Salon Product Featured Polyester Lanyard Goal of Promotion To create new clients for salon Description of Case History A tanning salon wanted a creative way to give ou...

Case Study: 3D is the Key

Jan 28, 2021

A company was looking for unique items to commemorate the celebration of its 45th year in business. They wanted to incorporate a new logo that communicated the anniversary as well as the range of p...

Case Study: Do a Double Take

Dec 31, 2020

Objective: A general contracting company was looking for a fun way to provide "before and after" photos to their clients after a remodeling project was complete. Product: Double-Sided Portrait F...

Case Study: The Write Stuff

Nov 4, 2020

Description: Rumba Pen Industry: Automotive What it was purchased for: An automotive supplier wanted to make their name visible in automotive stores around the country. How it was distributed: P...

Case Study: Happy to Hang Around

Sep 8, 2020

Description: Standard Door Hangers Industry: Automotive What it was purchased for: A collision center wanted to increase the number of customer satisfaction survey responses and boost online appo...

Case Study: Wheelie Important Paperwork

Jun 15, 2020

Market: Automotive Objective: A motorcycle dealership wanted professional, branded document pouches to hold important paperwork for new customers to take home after their motorcycle purchase. Th...

Case Study: Keeping it All Together

May 31, 2020

Objective: An insurance company wanted to send new customers home with a special gift and a way to keep their new insurance policy documentation organized. Product: Insurance Document Pouch & Fu...

Case Study: Health & Wellness Spas

May 3, 2020

Products Javalina Jewel(r) Pen Industry Health & Wellness Spas Application Future Visits A day spa wanted to ensure that its guests always received the royal treatment. To encourage ...

Case Study: What Does Your Phone Stand For?

Apr 19, 2020

Product: Phone Stand Industry: Financial What it was purchased for: A local financial institution needed a giveaway item for current and potential clients. It had to be useful to keep their name ...

Case Study: Spec-Tacular Promotions

Apr 5, 2020

Description: CUSTOM Malibu Sunglasses Industry: Food & Beverage What it was purchased for: The end user wanted to give something away at this year's Spring Break in Jamaica for an MTV event tha...

Case Study: Lunchtime Loot

Mar 21, 2020

A restaurant supply company was planning its annual company picnic for employees and their families. Every year, the company gives employees a nice gift in the $10 range. This year, the company cho...

Case Study: It Takes a Village

Mar 7, 2020

Objective A village needed an easy way to let residents know when there were issues with their water meters. They wanted a faster method of communication than mailing letters, and somethin...

Case Study: Getting Bent out of Shape for More Business

Feb 22, 2020

Product: Gel Stress Toy Client: Health Food Store What it was purchased for: As a gift to reward customers for spending over a certain amount. Why it worked: The gel stress toy which, unlike the...

Case Study: Do the Wave

Feb 8, 2020

Market: School Objective: A school's athletic program was struggling to pay for recurring expenses. Game attendance had dropped over the previous year, and alumni attendance was weak. The sc...

Case Study: Attract New Customers

Jan 25, 2020

As part of their new corporate wellness program, the company wanted to stress the importance of healthy nutrition to its employees. Along with literature, discount memberships at a local health clu...

Case Study: Pull Up a Chair and Stay Awhile

Jan 10, 2020

Description: Foldable Chair Industry: Education/Sports What it was purchased for: A high school wanted to purchase an item they could resell to the parents in the spirit shop for fundraising doll...

Case Study: Boosting Trade Show Booth Traffic

Nov 28, 2019

The “Golden Lanyard” to Boosting Trade Show Booth Traffic Organization: Health Care Organization Product Featured: Cotton Water Bottle Strap Goal of Promotion: Driving Traff...

Case Study: Guess the Flavor Lip Balm

Aug 19, 2019

Guess the Flavor Lip Balm Organization Health Insurance Organization Product Featured Lip Balm & Lip Balm Sleeve Goal of Promotion Generating positive reinforcement with sales reps ...

Case Study: Keeping Colds at Bay, One Spritz at a Time

Jul 22, 2019

Keeping Colds at Bay, One Spritz at a Time Organization High School Product Featured Spray Hand Sanitizer Goal of Promotion To promote good health for the winter season Description of Cas...

Case Study: Save the Date, Save the Day

Jun 30, 2019

Description: Trifold Calendars Industry: Banking What it was purchased for: A local bank wanted a way to thank their new customers with a promotional gift item that would have a high perceived va...

Case Study: Raise Your Glass

Jun 2, 2019

The NY Yankees wanted to create special commemorative bottles to celebrate Derek Jeter's accomplishments at Yankee Stadium. They chose 150 magnum-sized (1.5L) bottles with a special logo and Jeter'...

Case Study: Inking Impressions

May 19, 2019

Portability and permanence are among the desirable traits sought in an effective promotional product. A company was looking for a unique self-promotion that incorporated these elements and decided ...

Case Study: This Promotional Product is in the Bag

May 4, 2019

Description: Laundry Bag Industry: Financial What it was purchased for: A credit union wanted to target college students and offer them an incentive to open a new account. They chose a stock desi...

Case Study: Jot It Down

Mar 29, 2019

Description: Mini Flip Pad Jotter Industry: Financial What it was purchased for: An investment firm wanted to promote their new financial blog to their existing customers with a memorable branded...

Case Study: A New Way to Do Cross-Promotions

Mar 22, 2019

Clever Meets Subtle: A New Way to Do Cross-Promotions Organization: Department Store Product Featured: Lanyard with Vinyl Pouch Goal of Promotion: Promoting Store Sales Description of Case ...

Case Study: Computer Repair At Your Fuzzy Fingertips

Mar 7, 2019

A computer repair store attended a local home show and wanted something useful but unique to attract attendees to their booth. They also wanted something that would keep their name top of mind when...

Case Study: Let the Games Begin!

Dec 19, 2018

Product: Custom Malibu Sunglasses Industry: Automotive/Banking What it was purchased for: A car company wanted to find a product that would promote their brand at a local college BCS Bowl Games. ...

Case Study: College Fair Giveaway

Dec 12, 2018

Description: 4" Mini Plush Buddies Frog with Shirt Industry: Education What it was purchased for: A community college was looking for a giveaway item to have at their booth for the upcoming colle...

Success on Campus

Nov 13, 2018

A large university needed a useful tool to promote its school app to students and faculty because it wanted to use the app to communicate important college news and upcoming events. Since most stud...

Case Studies