This year, the 2016 Republican Presidential debates are a hot topic. Although seemingly more entertaining than enlightening, the GOP debates are pivotal in that they are galvanizing the public to become politically aware – that their votes and choices count – and that this election year, they can make a difference in their local and regional races.
Candidates for myriad offices – clerk, town council, mayor, state and national congress and senate, judge, sheriff, county – are consistently seeking funds for marketing their campaigns. Campaign managers as well as heads of local Democrat and Republican clubs are charged with finding promotional products to assist with candidate recognition. And this is where it can truly get fun and highly creative. Plus, depending on how far that candidate may go, political items are a future collectible market.
A cursory search on Etsy.com for "vintage political campaign items," yielded a lot being sold of such items, much of it from the 1950s. It includes: car/ice scrapers for a district court judge, ice cube trays for a county supervisor, thimble, for state assembly, magic sponges for a councilman, reusable car garbage bags for a councilman, address book with pencil for a councilman, nail file for a state senator, wipe-n-shine instant shoe polish packets for a highway superintendent, and a matchbook for a state senator, and a comb for a mayor.
A recent estate sale in Lakewood, NJ, contained a political promotional item collection, including a large number of rulers; the collection sold quickly at a high price, even though the candidates are long gone.
These are examples of not only how wide and unique political campaign promotional items are, but how deep and enduring their impact can be.
If there is one challenge that is constant in any election year, it is a restrictive budget. Amberlea Barnes of Drum-Line says, "Smaller campaigns for local and regional offices may have tight budgets. Distributors should show candidates the value of promotional products in comparison to other advertisements. There are endless possibilities for affordable, yet effective products in our industry. Note pads, for example, are low priced items, but give many impressions with the candidate's name and slogan on each sheet."
Joe Durand of Larlu observes that all types of political candidates spend their marketing budgets on many types of advertising, including promotional products. "Our products last – buttons, poms, decals, etc., and they create excitement. The advantage of many products is their wide appeal to candidates and the ease of distribution at the event. While TV and radio ads are gone within seconds, promotional products last and are sometimes collected."
There are several things Bill Mahre of ADG Promo says he finds consistent when approached by distributors related to political campaigns and ideas – "normally very tight budgets, desire for highly visible items that can be distributed easily to crowds, and strong emphasis on Made in USA products. One other key element is the need to have enough room for the candidate's message prominently displayed," he notes.
"At VisionUSA the national elections offers a fabulous opportunity for our products to be used in numerous ways by candidates on both sides," noted Mark Weissman, partner in the company. "As a designer and manufacturer of patented USA-made drinkware and desktop accessories, politicians in national, state and local elections consider us a "go to" to help raise awareness, and money of course, to help promote their campaigns. I cannot imagine a candidate distributing a made in China product to potential voters," stressed Weissman. VisionUSA has thus far produced product for all but three of the numerous Republican candidates and both leading Democrats.
Beyond candidates are the necessary forces that support them each year: political party clubs. These organizations also need promotional items. EMT, according to Steve Weinstein, president, provides a wide range of sharply imprinted banners that are perfect for fundraising events. They are also suitable for local and regional political party clubs that want to raise awareness and funds for the party candidates who are running in any given year. EMT offers championship banners and friendship banners with gold tassels.
Further, he adds, a great sale to political party clubs is EMT's line of U.S. flag lapel pins. One rarely sees any political candidate not wearing one. Each political club should be equipped with enough lapel pin inventory. Here, EMT offers the printed USA flag lapel pin with epoxy dome (USA-E), and the USA flag lapel pin with printed imprint and lamination (USA-L), both made in the U.S. And, a suitable giveaway by clubs to promote themselves during political events may be EMT's USA flag speed die cast key tag (SPKRC). "EMT's American flag pins offer the option of adding logos with six-day production. Lapel pins, patches, and Inspire ring pendants are excellent ways to show patriotism in a wearable fashion," Weinstein remarks.
For both candidates and party clubs, "Scratch pads with a magnet are great campaign giveaways," says Barnes. "Include some information about the candidate, as well as, the election dates and locations. Since it's a useful product, voters will display the pad on a refrigerator or filing cabinet, reminding them and others to go vote. Pocket notebooks are kept in cars, purses, and pockets and used over and over. One candidate chose a bright yellow cover made of durable poly that was sure to stand out against traditional red and blue campaign colors."
For Larlu, says Durand, buttons are its best-selling campaign promo item. Buttons are visible at campaign rallies and stump speeches, and they last well beyond the campaign, he says. "Buttons are also very affordable and offer full color graphics – important for the candidates who want to a put a picture of themselves on the button to gain face recognition in the community."
Perennially popular campaign items for ADG Promo, says Mahre, are the following: Wallet-size calendars (DC4075), which are tear proof and budget-friendly (under $0.70 A). They have a patriotic theme and plenty of room for messages. Strip-size calendars can come in magnet version (DC8575) or two-sided stock (DC8075); under $0.50 A for two-sided version. "Scenes Across America" desk calendar (DC5099) offers voters a full-year visibility; ADG can even create customized versions with candidate messages and images for each month. And the "Patriot Liberty" 7x10 planner (Windmill 52250) "is used for key donors and volunteers; it can be personalized with an individual's name which adds significant value and impact," Mahre notes.
Key donors and volunteers can be rewarded with any kind of token of gratitude imprinted, embroidered or etched with the party and the candidate. Headwear, polo shirts and sweatshirts (perfect for October and November), make great ideas, and also for fundraising. For example, a local Democrat club sold comfortable hooded sweatshirts with a left-chest embroidered logo of the local Democrat club for $50 each at a meet-and-greet cocktail event for the Democratic councilmen seeking re-election. This event also featured mugs for sale, and of course as "thank you" giveaways for volunteers and donors.
This year, cast your vote for yourself - as a creative and effective campaign promotional consultant!