The question really is – what isn’t trending in tech products? Tech is fun. Tech is useful. Tech is always changing, morphing, and providing more and better. The “olden days” are not the 1920s, 1940s or even 1980s, when it comes to tech. In consumer/business technology the olden days were five years ago. Portable technology is incredibly dynamic and exciting in promo.
Overarchingly, a new technology called near field communication (NFC) enables phones, tablets, and laptops to communicate with other devices by bringing them into contact, such as with mobile payments. According to the J Paul Company, “The promotional products industry has found a way to bring that same technology into the marketing world by creating high tech promotional items that allow NFC compatible devices to communicate directly with a customer. NFC chips are being placed into a variety of branded promotional products, such as backpacks, journals, and even power banks.”
Carrie Lewis, marketing/communications manager for BIC Graphic observes that everyone’s tech gear is getting more use than ever this year. With working from home and virtual learning, there may be opportunities for virtual tech with clients who have not ventured into the technology category before. Tech accessories like earbuds and headphones are especially useful right now and are available in a wide variety of price points to fit most budgets.
“With everyone using their technology items more, it also makes the category a top pick for the gift-giving season this year,” she suggests. “Premiums like retail-branded wireless Bluetooth® speakers (#32166) and truly wireless earbuds (#32128) are sure to be impressive to, and appreciated by, the recipient.
Benjamin Salatino Payne, senior account manager of iClick agrees, noting that safety and more time spent at home seem to be the driving factors when buying technology products in the promotional industry. Wireless charging and UVC sanitizing products in particular are on the rise. “As more people are working and learning from home, the use case of wireless charging has increased tenfold,” he notes. People want to charge in whichever room of the house they're in, but don't prefer to move a charger many times a day if they don’t have to; it’s easy to forget.
Further, “When they do venture outside of the house, they almost always take their phone with them, a hub for bacteria and germs. A cell phone actually carries about 25 times the amount of germs as a toilet seat! This has really driven the need to clean phones, and UVC light sanitizing products are a great way to achieve that.”
You may still hear some objections as to the hastening “obsolescence” or the notion that a promotional tech item is “expensive.” But they say a lot about your client’s brand and how current it is.
And, suggests Lewis, “It is all about choosing the right item and the right quality. For example, a phone case may not appeal to everyone because it might not be the right size for their device. However, a power bank provides on-the-go charging which is useful for almost everyone and can be used anywhere. Plus, power banks are kept an average of 12 months so that is a full year of brand impressions. If it is from a retail brand like myCharge (#32333) and offers wireless or wired charging – you’re looking at a promotional item with real longevity.”
Further, she added, now more than ever, typical end-users love tech promos because we tend to use technology every day, all day. They tell the story that a brand is modern, current, and knows what will be useful and helpful for their customers.
Salatino Payne acknowledges that while technology is a fast-moving product category itself, typically end-user adoption moves more slowly. “Sure, there are early adopters to all new tech, and that's why as promo suppliers we try and stay on the cutting edge. However, for everyone with the latest and greatest new gadget, there's going to someone who is lagging behind.” He adds that much of iClick’s technology products work on old and new phones/devices alike, which expands relevance for end-users.
According to Lewis, technology promo products don’t always have to break the bank. BIC Graphic’s new To Go 3-in-1 Charging Cable (#32396) offers lightning, micro-USB, and USB-C charging compatibility at a low price point. An affordable and useful promo that can easily be clipped to a backpack, belt loop or purse strap for easy accessibility.
Companies that imprint their brand message on technology promos can remain top-of-mind when fewer customers can engage in-person. Providing employees, students, customers or clients with a bundle of tech accessories is effective for keeping the client “front and center while virtually communicating, working and learning,” Lewis says. BIC Graphic’s Virtual Connection Kit(#32413) includes a mouse, earbuds and charging cable to help make virtual connectivity and accessibility easier.
Despite the more common “stay-at-home” practice we’re still in, tech promos make even more sense for end-user engagement with virtually all your clients.
CASE STUDIES
Benjamin Salatino Payne, senior account manager of iClick: “Chatman University is preparing to welcome students, faculty and staff back for Fall 2020, despite concerns around COVID-19. Like many other institutions across the country, the administration has worked tirelessly to develop plans that will respect social distancing and proper sanitation to successfully reopen. As an added safety precaution, the university offered all incoming freshmen and every resident on campus a portable UVClean Micro to keep any object or surface virus-free. They're also planning to offer this product for sale in all campus stores along with the UVClean P4000 5x Flip, which will create a revenue stream to offset the cost of the giveaways and help to keep more of its population safe.”
“Windsor Regional Hospital wanted to thank its frontline healthcare professionals for the amazing patient care and selflessness they've exhibited during the COVID-19 crisis. Windsor also wanted to provide a useful item to keep their devices up and running throughout the critical time of need. So, a universal power bank was drop shipped to all frontline employees at 40 different locations. The hospital truly believes that each of its healthcare professionals is a #SuperHero.”
“InstaGrub, the largest independent food delivery service in the country, wanted to empower drivers and keep them safe during the COVID-19 outbreak. The company created kits including a PopPack with a Swappable PopGrip and a Vent Mount to aid with hands-free driving and UVClean P4000 5x Flip helping them keep their devices charged at all times, which is required as they need to access the customer orders app without interruption. This product also has the key benefit of a built-in UV-C light enabling the drivers to quickly and easily disinfect any object or surface. These kits showed appreciation for InstaGrub’s current employees and they were sent as welcome kits to new drivers.”
“Diamond Mobile is preparing to welcome their employees back to the office and wanted to create a unique kit of items to make the transition both enjoyable, productive and safe. The company chose three products to enhance the use of mobile phones with fun and motivational taglines from Diamond Mobile’s most popular advertising campaigns. All of the items were packaged together, greatly increasing the perceived value of the gift. In total, 2500 kits were distributed to 150 stores and office locations.”
“Jazz Avenue, a very popular restaurant, bar, and entertainment venue, was just allowed to open up as the COVID-19 virus began to subside. The company had to follow strict health and safety guidelines from the CDC, but management decided to go above and beyond, so guests would feel as comfortable as possible. They ordered 15,000 UVClean Micros to place on each table encouraging guests to use the UV-C light sanitizing technology for cleaning their place settings and personal devices. Jazz Avenue also offered the product for sale if customers wanted to add it to their bill and they had them stocked in its retail store. This helped to keep everyone in their facility safe while adding a new revenue stream to the business.”
“When the economy started to open up after the COVID-19 outbreak, the RLX Hotel was prepared to welcome back its staff and guests thanks to weeks of planning. In addition to masks and shields at the front desk, social distance decals on the floors, and many contactless hand sanitizers around the property, management wanted to go above and beyond to ensure guests felt comfortable. The hotel provided UVClean Micros at all touchpoints in the lobby and offered them for sale in the gift store. There was also a UVClean Qi in each guest room to power mobile devices and sanitize objects and surfaces in the room. This item was listed for sale on the in-room menu and guests could simply take it home with them and it would be seamlessly added to their bill at checkout. These products promoted health and safety for guests, while adding a new revenue stream for the hotel.”