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Where Does the Word Swag Come From?

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At Pinnacle Promotions, swag is not just our business – it’s our passion. You might be wondering what swag really is, and from where did that term actually originate?

There have been varied opinions over the years about how ‘swag’ came to be. Many people have convinced themselves that ‘swag’ must be an acronym or abbreviation for something.

Here are some things we came across in our research – just to name a few:

  • ‘Stuff We All Get’
  • ‘Stuff We Ain’t Got’
  • ‘Stolen Without A Gun’
  • ‘Scientific Wild Arsed Guess’

While these may be rather colorful explanations, they are certainly not true. ‘Swag’ actually comes from the Scandinavian word svagga, meaning ‘to rock unsteadily or lurch.’ It was first introduced into the English language in the 13th or 14th century.

As you might suspect, the meaning of words evolves over time, and it’s certainly not set in stone. In current usage, swag has come to have a few very different meanings—illegally obtained goods, a decorative garland, or lastly, our realm of expertise, free merchandise—namely promotional items and goodies.

For us swag lovers, it’s all about anything and everything that can be custom branded to promote your business.

The possibilities are endless, from custom branded hats to mobile phone cases to promotional magnets, and everything in between. We’ve seen from first-hand experience how custom promotional products have benefited businesses of all sizes.

If you’ve decided that your marketing strategy could use an update, you might just need a little bit of swag. We would love to share our passion for swag with you by helping you build much needed brand awareness and recognition with the promotional products that click with your company and audience.

Just as the meaning and context of words changes with the times, so should your marketing strategy. With the right swag, you can build your business by leaps and bounds, and ultimately Make the right impression™.

 


Custom Outdoor Products: Thinking “Outside” the Box

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You have a business and a fantastic product or service. But, now you have to engage in one of the most essential activities to build your business—attracting potential customers.

Even if you already have customers, to keep the business going and growing, attracting even more customers should be an ongoing effort. To do that, you need to have a unique point of view, and give customers a compelling reason to communicate with you. While every business is different, marketing remains necessary for every one. Ideally, you should be using multiple channels to find and attract customers.

So, as a supplement (for larger businesses) or an alternative (for smaller businesses) to traditional marketing efforts like print or television media, think about using promotional products. When it comes to advertising, over time, the attention span of customers has become shorter and shorter, making it even more difficult for businesses to build their brands. In turn, businesses have to think outside the box to garner customers.

What better way to literally do that than with custom promotional products? Since it’s summer, customers can take your brand outdoors with unique custom outdoor products.

Coolers

Instead of simply telling customers how wonderful you are, listen for what they really want, and then satisfy that want. At this time of the year, customers are spending more time outdoors with friends and family, hosting parties, having picnics or just relaxing. For these reasons, providing customers with promo items like custom coolers is a good incentive for them to conduct business with you. Your company logo or contact information can easily be printed onto these custom coolers, which makes it really simple to take an ordinary cooler, and turn it into an effective advertising tool. Our selection of promotional coolers come in various sizes and colors designed with the customer in mind, like the Collapsible Party Cooler, which can securely hold a whopping 28 beverage cans and even comes with a retractable bottle opener!

Collapsible Party Cooler

Chairs

Once customers have coolers packed with cold drinks close by, they will need somewhere comfortable to sit back and relax. Whether it’s at a concert, a sporting event, or just to soak up some sun, a custom promotional chair is the perfect seat. By providing customers an enjoyable day outside, your brand can enjoy greater visibility, and in turn, you will expand your audience. Custom printing a swag item like the Fanatic Event Folding Chair with your corporate logo will surely help your brand stand out in the crowd. This chair also conveniently has built-in cup holders and even a matching carrying case.

Fanatic Event Folding Chair

Sports

After chilling out with a refreshing beverage for a bit, customers have picked up the pep to play some sports and games. We’ve got custom sports products to equip the athletes and the cheering section too, from soccer balls to golf tees to face paint and more. These offer wonderful branding opportunities that really allow your brand to be seen on a larger scale, regardless of how small your business may be. You can really get more bang for your buck, especially since unique branded swag makes a statement and illustrates your brand personality without having to spend a lot of money. Take a look at this handy Stake Your Spot Kit for a great golf game, and imagine seeing your brand front and center and having your message heard loud and clear.

Stake Your Spot Kit

Custom outdoor promotional products will freshen up your marketing strategy in a way that makes your products, services AND your brand message resonate with customers.

Because at the end of the day, if you want to get the attention of your customers, you have to give it to them first.

What in the World is a Tchotchke Anyway?

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In regards to the marketing industry, and especially in regards to promo products and swag, you may have heard the term ‘tchotchke’ being thrown around here and there.

Besides being a funny-sounding word that literally nobody in the world can spell correctly on the first try (without Google), Tchotchke is actually an old Yiddish term meaning an inexpensive, showy trinket or miscellaneous item.

Just for fun, here are a few renditions of the word that we came across:

  • tsatske (not even sure what this is)
  • chochkey (kudos for most creative!)
  • chachki
  • chotchkes
  • chachtski
  • chochski

Okay, enough.

Whether you call promotional products “tchotchkes,” “swag,” or “giveaways,” they can be an important part of your marketing strategy. But unlike the latter two terms, marketers tend to avoid using the term “tchotchke,” as it has come to have a negative connotation in marketing.

For example, nowadays, if a professional utilizes a promotional product to market his or her business without regard to the target audience or whether that product even relates to the business, that promotional product becomes a tchotchke – more of a throwaway item.

The only way that you can make any impact in distributing promotional items to potential and current customers is to provide products that actually have a purpose and value to them. Don’t let your business dollars or brand (or spelling… LOL) get tossed in the trash.

Putting the focus on the customer experience will help your business choose the most appropriate and effective promotional products that will not be termed tchotchkes. If used correctly, custom promotional products can generate interest, and more importantly engagement with your brand and business.

It has additionally been proven that effective promotional products foster customer goodwill (positive attitudes and feelings) towards a company and its salespeople. So don’t let the lingo like “tchotchke” dissuade you from taking advantage of promotional products. Contrary to what you may already believe, promotional products do not, by any means, cheapen your brand, provided they are useful and unique.

For example, an athletic company may want to give clients a custom promotional gym set to get them ready for a workout. While an educational company may want to give away bendable book lights. At Pinnacle, we’ll help you find the ideal promotional products for your brand and industry that will assist your business in generating leads and sales.

 Ultimate Gym Set- Water bottle, earbuds and armband                          Bendable Book Light

Always remember to make the needs and expectations of customers your priority, because ultimately, it’s their experience with your brand that matters the most.

By choosing a brand-appropriate promotional product over a forgettable, random item (a tchotchke), you can really enhance your marketing campaigns.

 

Are You Pinnacle Perfect?

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We’ve told you how valuable promotional products can be for marketing your business. With Pinnacle Promotions on your side, building your brand couldn’t be easier.

Once you’ve decided that you’re ready to take the plunge into the realm of promotional products, there are so many options that are available to you, from type to print style, to color. When you don’t have much time to get the high quality and affordable custom branded promotional products that your business needs ready for your event, we have you covered.

Enter Pinnacle Perfect—our most popular promotional items, with simplified swag options at factory direct prices. With Pinnacle Perfect products, you won’t have the hassle or hesitation, as these products have quick turnarounds backed by our Pinnacle Platinum Guarantee.

Your marketing may not be perfect, but to help you get there, there’s Pinnacle Perfect. These schwag products span across different categories from drinkware to bags to office accessories and more. It’s just a matter of finding what works for you.

Drinkware

For example, Pinnacle’s take on the classic white coffee mug has proven to be a simple, yet extremely effective takeaway piece for customers, as they have a way to remember your brand each and every day, while sipping their favorite beverages. As an added convenience, this ceramic mug is microwave safe with a comfortable handle. Then, with your branding cleanly printed on the front of the mug, you will be ready for your next event!

 Pinnacle Perfect Coffee Mug

Giveaways & Favors

We’ve got some perfectly fun and still useful swag like these LED Key Tags. These custom branded LED key tags come in four bold colors and even include batteries. The LED feature coupled with custom branding certainly takes it up a notch not just in terms of appearance, but also in terms of marketing power.

 Pinnacle Perfect LED Key Tags

Technology & Electronics

In this age of technology-obsessed consumers, it is a great time to take advantage of the marketing opportunity available. Pinnacle Perfect Metallic Powerbanks can be screen printed or laser engraved with your corporate logo,  adding some energy not just to devices, but also to your marketing. With a sleek finish and a choice of four vibrant colors, you can appeal to consumers, as well as add some personality to your brand.

 Pinnacle Perfect Metallic Powerbanks

Believe it or not, your company has tremendous marketing potential. With Pinnacle Perfect products, you don’t have to jump through the hoops to achieve success.

In terms of utilizing schwag and custom products, don’t get bogged down by the vast number of choices available to you. Follow our simple breakdown of cost-effective, immensely popular, custom promotional products, and you’re sure to Make the Right Impression™.

 

Educational Products: Back 2 School With Promo Products

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It’s that time of the year again, when kids and young adults grudgingly put away their bathing suits at the end of summer vacation and gear up for going back to school.

As they head back to hit the books, not only should the students be prepared with adequate school supplies, but so should the schools. Students, teachers, parents, and school administration all really do take pride in their school.

Custom school schwag is a positive way to spark a sense of school spirit, assist students with their daily study needs, and even lend a helping hand with school special events or fundraisers.

While with businesses, their goal in using promotional products is generally to generate sales and leads, educational institutions use promotional products primarily to shape their brand image.

It’s a great way for a school to cost effectively promote the school. There are some broad categories of promotional products that schools of all sizes can take advantage of in developing their brands.

Homework Helpers:

For a student to succeed, having the right supplies makes all the difference. When a student can be organized, studying can be a little more peaceful. These sorts of promotional products can be offered to students at a reasonable price, perhaps at the school store. For example, one of the most essential items for studying is having excellent lighting. This bendable book light that easily clips onto a book is perfect for late night studying or reading, as it has an extra bright white LED light, and conveniently has a battery included. With your school or institution’s logo proudly printed on the base, students can take pride in their school and its commitment to student success. Another great option to consider adding to your collection of custom school supplies is the New Wave Pocket Buddy Notebook, equipped with inner and outer pockets, 70 lined sheets, and a matching translucent ballpoint pen. Promotional swag like pens, note holders, and pencil cases will make organization, and brand building a breeze.

Bendable Book Light

School Spirit

Showing school spirit is part of a complete school or college experience. There couldn’t be a more fitting way to help students and faculty do that than with promotional spirit swag. Great for sporting events, a product like Boom Boom Sticks could really get a crowd going, and puts the spotlight on the school branding. Students and faculty will be reminded of whom they represent time and time again, and will be excited to share that message with others. That also goes for the Rollabana, which can be printed on both sides of the banner for extra impact with images, phrases, and/or pictures!

Boom Boom Sticks

School Fundraisers/Events

From campus clubs to choirs and athletic teams, there comes a time when a little fundraising may be in order. Instead of boring potential donors with standard sales merchandise like magazine subscriptions or bake sales, provide them with useful and unique branded swag. Offering something like a cool and handy Waterproof Smartphone Pouch or a Curvaceous Stainless Steel Custom Sports Bottle will capture audience attention and show some brand personality, hence making the right impression.

Waterproof Smartphone Pouch

In the educational realm, custom promotional swag is a simple way to establish a school’s brand and personality, and consequently raise awareness for the institution, or even for a specific department within it. These products are beneficial to students and staff alike, and they are simple, cost-effective means of marketing.

Happy back to school!

 

Top Products for Promoting Employee Wellness

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It is often said that happy and healthy employees are better employees. That seems obvious, but employers oftentimes cannot figure out how to promote this sort of harmonious atmosphere in the workplace. In fact, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) found that “companies that support workplace health have a greater percentage of employees at work every day.”

While as an employer, you cannot prevent or cure a disease, taking small steps to promote employee health and wellness can make a big difference in the long run. Instituting large-scale health programs may be out of the scope of your business, but offering employees certain types of promotional products is an affordable and effective way to show them that you are taking their health into consideration, hence boosting productivity. With these promotional products, it’s not so much about achieving brand recognition, as it is about having healthier and happier employees. Here are just a few ideas to get you started.

10ml. CleanZ Pen Promotional Hand Sanitizer Spray

 Practicing good hygiene is key to staying healthy. While hand washing really is the ideal way to keep germs at bay, getting to soap and water may not always be possible, especially on the go. In these cases, hand sanitizers are a good alternative. The CleanZ Pen Promotional Hand Sanitizer is perfect for these situations, as its uniquely designed cap allows it to be attached to anything, from belts to briefcases to backpacks, and more. Not only does it have the advantage of portability, the CleanZ Pen also comes in your choice of two different scents­– unscented or citrus breeze. Unlike most hand sanitizers, which are liquid gels, this is literally a ‘handy’ sanitizing spray! Additionally, custom printing your corporate branding across the pen provides employees with a way to remember how your business is looking out for their wellbeing.

10ml. CleanZ Pen Promotional Hand Sanitizer Spray

 

StayFit Multi Function Promotional Pedometer

 Another essential way to improve overall health is exercise. Regular physical exercise gives you more energy, both physically and mentally. This means more productivity in the workplace. As an employer, you can encourage healthy habits with this useful promotional product, the multi function promotional pedometer. It’s easy for employees to fall into a sedentary lifestyle in the workplace, so this will inspire them to get moving. The StayFit pedometer makes tracking exercise simple and fun, as it has an FM scan radio with earbuds, a calorie counter, an easy-to-read digital step counter, and a clock display. As an added convenience, the wearer has the option of an elastic arm band or plastic belt clip, which makes it simple to use while on the go. This makes for a great corporate gift since it comes with a 1-piece gift box and it can be custom printed with your business branding.

 StayFit Multi Function Promotional Pedometer

 

Deluxe His & Her Personal Care Kit

 Stressed employees are surely not better workers. At the end of the day, employees need to be able to relax and take care of themselves, so this deluxe custom kit is a way to express your appreciation to employees for everything that they do. The kit includes a hairbrush, mirror, sisal, nail/toe brush, massaging pumice stone, and bath slippers. It all comes in a clear drawstring bag, that you can imprint with your corporate logo, to send employees the message that the company recognizes their value.

 Deluxe His & Her Personal Care Kit

While promoting your own business is important, making sure that you have healthy and happy employees to help you get the job done is equally important. These custom branded promotional products will certainly show your employees appreciation, build your brand image, and make an impression.™

 

Pinnacle Spotlight: Coca-Cola

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Here at Pinnacle Promotions, you’ll quickly find that your business has the ability to be a hero in your field, when you realize that your superpower is top-notch branding. No matter what sort of corporation, clients both large and small have found first-hand how custom branded promotional products only enhance their existing marketing campaigns.

Making the right impression™ is the key goal for any business, regardless of size. You want your customer to have a clear understanding of your core values, and to immediately associate with your brand in a positive way. If you recognize the customer’s value, and they can recognize your value, building trust, and in turn, your business will be a cinch. The challenge in attracting and retaining customers is oftentimes keeping your brand fresh and relevant. That’s where Pinnacle comes in. We’ll help you identify what makes you YOU, and provide your business with the most appropriate options.

In this regard, here’s what one of our most successful clients, (whom you may be familiar with!), The Coca-Cola Company, had to say about their experience:

“Pinnacle Promotions never ceases to amaze me. Their team constantly brings in new ideas that fit our brands’ images and personalities. They truly understand our brands’ needs and help take our products to the next level with their work. I can always rely on Pinnacle to provide me with the best options, from price-conscious pieces to premium items, and the results consistently turn out great! I am constantly impressed by their diligence and follow-up to ensure that we stay on track. I have never dealt with such a friendly and hard-working staff!”

You can see how a little custom promoting can really go a long way. In current times, bringing your brand to prominence has become increasingly difficult, as customers’ attention spans for marketing grow shorter, and the amount of competition is increasing. Thinking of new ways to always stay one foot ahead of the competition can wear you out, so utilizing custom branded promotional products in your marketing strategy will take that load off your back.

We’re honored to have contributed to the branding success of companies like The Coca-Cola Company, Emory University,  Cox Media, and more. From the world’s most recognized brands, to the small businesses that are still finding their footing, Pinnacle Promotions is ready to help you harness your branding power, and make the right impression™.

Event Planning: How to Organize a Killer Company Event

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When it comes to your business, you’ve probably heard the phrase “image is everything.” This is true, as showing a sense of professionalism is important if you want to connect with other businesses and even with your own employees. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun with your brand.

In actuality, to Make the right impression™, it’s important to build a brand that’s truly professional with a sense of personality. A great way to promote team building, encourage new clients to consider doing business with you, to raise money for a cause, or even to launch a new product is to host a company event.

But, to put together a successful company event, it takes time and planning. From the location, to the publicity, to the catering, there are lots of elements to take into consideration. Here are some of the important steps to making your event a success.

Step One:

Obviously, the first step in planning a company event is to define the business purpose for holding the event, and who your target audience is. Every planning decision that you make will be driven by this knowledge, such as the event format, the content of the event itself, the location, etc. For example, is your aim in hosting this event to generate business leads, or to raise awareness for your company or a specific product? Once you have established this, you should make sure that your team is aware of that purpose.

Step Two:

The next step is to establish a budget, and accordingly, the complete experience. Determining a set budget allows you to understand what you can realistically do within your limitations and the scope of your resources. At the same time, once you have a set budget in mind, know if it will allow you to achieve your event goals.

Step Three:

Then keeping your goals and budget in mind, the third step is to figure out a theme and plan the experience. What do you want attendees to learn, achieve, and have as a result? What sort of entertainment, or activity sessions should invitees expect to see and hear, for example, games, speakers, maybe product demos, and/or food & drink? There should be some sort of element of engagement or fun, otherwise it will not be a worthwhile or memorable experience for you or for attendees. Think about what type of business you have, and what activities would be appropriate for your brand and your goals.

Step Four:

The fourth step, and probably one of the most important parts of putting on a great corporate event is to promote it. Why is this so important? Because, without promoting your event, nobody will know that it even exists, and without people, you don’t have an event! A couple of good ways to get the word out are to publicize it through social media, targeted emails or newsletters, or creatively reminding them by distributing custom branded invitations or other promotional products.

 Premium Seed Paper Invitation

Now, right from the moment that event invitees enter your event space, you can create a completely branded experience. You could first give them these handy Badge Holder Bifold Neck Wallets, which are perfect for storing ID cards, money, business cards, etc. This will make it easier for attendees to network at the event. Then, along the way, every display could be branded using these custom printed 8-foot economy table throws available in lots of different colors to meet your brand standards. From the décor to the swag and right down to the beverage glasses, don’t miss out on valuable branding opportunities.

 Badge Holder Bifold Neck Wallet Economy 8' Table Throw (3 sided)    12.5 oz Beverage Glass

Follow these steps, and organizing a killer company event will be a breeze. Finally, remember that utilizing effective branding in your corporate event with items like promotional schwag present a cohesive and professional image that STILL has personality.

Happy planning!


Custom Electronics: Supercharge Your Brand

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Technology has become completely ingrained in our society, and most people would consider it a necessity in their everyday lives. Nowadays, it seems that we can barely fathom how we would even function without having access to all the gadgets and gizmos at our disposal.

As a business, building your brand is essentially about capturing the customer’s attention, and clearly communicating your value. So in this day and age, combining bold branding with technology will steer your business towards success. With promotional custom branded electronics, you’ll supercharge your brand–literally. Here are just a few ways in which you can connect with current and potential customers by lending them a helping hand with custom promotional electronics.

Help them unwind

No, we don’t mean offer free drinks to all your customers. When it comes to technology and electronics, it’s about wires. With everything from cell phone and computer chargers, to video game consoles, to earphones, people have a lot of cords and wires to keep track of, and it becomes a tangled mess very quickly. You can provide customers with certain custom promotional products to reduce the clutter, and at the same time, bring out the best in your brand.

For example, the Cord Wrap/Earphone Organizer is a neat way to keep earphones or other cords wrapped up in place. Even better, you can custom print your corporate logo directly on this handy organizer. Another unique item to help customers organize their electronic chaos is the Tangle® Hub 2.0, a fun-shaped, brightly colored little hub with convenient ports, that each twist 180 degrees for easy accessibility. With your branding printed on each and every port, customers are constantly reminded of your business, and how it is impacting them on a daily basis.

Cord Wrap/Earphone Organizer          Tangle® Hub 2.0

 

Turn Up the Volume

Customers love their music, and can be very particular about enjoying the subtle nuances and true sound quality. Providing customers with attractive and quality bluetooth speakers will make that experience even better. Personalizing a useful item like a Bluetooth speaker by printing your branding across the front gives you the unique opportunity to directly appeal to customers’ sensibilities, as well as call-out to your brand. Customers don’t have to worry about lugging around a bulky item just to enjoy their music to its fullest. Something like the Havoc Speaker easily provides hours of playback time, and even recharges in 1.5 hours. It also includes a micro USB to USB recharging cable. Or, another wonderful option is The Palo Speaker, which makes listening on-the-go super easy.

Havoc Speaker            The Palo Speaker

 

Keep Everything in its Place

With all those electronics, things can get out of hand. For example, it’s very frustrating to have your cell phone one minute, and lose it the very next. For times like that, make your brand useful. A cool Jelly Sticky Pad® allows you to stick your digital devices, glasses, and/or any other small items that easily get lost to it, and it leaves no sticky residue. Having precious items sneakily slide away from you is no longer an issue. With plenty of room for large printing, this is an incredibly cost-effective and meaningful way to show customers appreciation and to put your brand at the top of their minds.

Jelly Sticky Pad

Utilizing custom branded electronics, and these deceptively simple ideas in your marketing strategy will establish a brand message that resonates with customers, and gives you effortless brand-building opportunities.

Trade Show Tuesday: Gearing Up for Your Winter Show

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Trade shows are a great opportunity to capture the attention of potential customers, showcase your new products or services, and learn about industry trends and news. But to truly be prepared for presenting at a trade show, you need to start planning at least a few months in advance. Summer vacations are winding down, but before you know it winter will be upon us. That means that now is the time to start getting geared up for the winter trade shows.

At a trade show, perhaps more than in any other place, it is the optimal chance for your business to connect with customers and Make the right impression.™ To generate traffic to your booth, aside from having an excellent presentation, you can offer clever and creative giveaways to your visitors. Custom branded promotional products or schwag will help attendees remember your brand and appreciate your service. Here are some of those products that will be perfect giveaways for the winter trade show.

Keep Warm Buddy Set

Your booth attendees will literally warm up to your brand, when they have the Keep Warm Buddy Set in hand. This includes a comfortable fleece scarf, gloves, and cap in a neat drawstring bag, all of which can be custom embroidered with your corporate branding. Offering this convenient and useful branded bag to potential customers and clients as a token of appreciation, as opposed to items that will more than likely be tossed aside, will allow your brand to stand out amongst the competition, and hence be remembered. So, when planning for the trade show, remember to take timing and the season into consideration, and take advantage of that.

 Keep Warm Buddy Set

Plush Blanket

This is the perfect medium to get brand exposure and help customers stay warm and cozy all year long, not just in the winter. Your company logo can be embroidered on this microfiber fleece blanket for maximum branding impact. Since this product is not limited to a particular audience, you can attain even greater brand reach, which makes it a useful marketing tool at the trade show. Showing customers your soft side has never been easier, or more appealing.

Plush Blanket

Malmo Mix n Match Gift Set

When it starts to get chilly, nothing hits the spot like a hot beverage. That is why this gift set is an excellent choice as a giveaway. A sturdy and stylish travel mug AND a travel tumbler will make enjoying hot drinks on the go easy. Your corporate branding can be custom printed on both, and the two are packaged neatly in a silver gift box. You have lots of colors to choose from, and can also choose to have both the tumbler and the mug the same color or two different colors. Even better, you can enjoy free printing set up on the second item. You can really show that your brand has personality, and can create an inviting atmosphere for your booth visitors.

Malmo Mix n Match Gift Set

For the winter trade show, tap into the timing and spirit of the season with promotional products like these in your marketing arsenal. Remember, that to Make the right impression™, you should be able to connect with customers, and show them that you have put some thought into your entire trade show package, from the display to the presentation to the giveaways.

Make sure that everything that you do comes together to produce a cohesive brand message, with a dose of personality.

 

Promotional Products: A Class Act

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School is back in session all across the country. That means new seasons of extracurricular activities like sports, theatre rehearsals, etc. In addition, individual school clubs and groups are planning different ways to generate interest in or raise money for themselves and their programs.

That applies to the PTAs as well, who are organizing their agendas and events for the year. Pushing potential members and event attendees into purchasing random items will certainly make them hesitant to become involved.

If you’re a club or event organizer, a positive alternative to this method is to offer complimentary, custom swag. This will allow you to spark a bit of curiosity and interest without being a complete turn off. Without further ado, here is YOUR lesson in custom promotion.

Club and Event Ideas

No matter what type of group or event you may have, keeping personal belongings in order isn’t easy for everyone. That’s why a sturdy cinch pack or drawstring bag is a custom giveaway that’s appropriate for anyone. Offering individuals any one of these sturdy and stylish bags that are available in several different colors, styles, and patterns, and custom printing your group name or logo on it will build awareness, and act as a useful souvenir. Those individuals will be appreciative and more inclined to consider participating in respective activities.

Color Splash Promotional Cinch Pack

Also, knowing the type of group or event you have, e.g. a fraternity, a sports team, an orientation, you can provide associated custom branded giveaways.

For example, fraternities and sororities may want to proudly print their letters on a comfortable and attractive t-shirt, while for a PTA event or school orientation, a fun and complimentary custom giveaway item could be a pencil stress ball.

On the other hand, a unique giveaway for an athletic team could be a bold Pencil pennant to stir up some real school spirit. With your organization’s information printed on these items, you can generate buzz keep your brand at the top of people’s minds, and encourage engagement from potential members.

 Men's Cool Dry Sport Tee        Pencil pennant- 2 3/8" x 3 1/4"

So if you want to build brand awareness without being a bother, custom promotional giveaways will do the trick.

You will remind potential and current members/invitees of your value, add some genuine personality to your brand, and Make the right impression.™

Happy back to school!

 

Top Tips for Choosing the Right Promotional Products

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By now, you should know that promotional products offer tremendous value to that advertiser, as well as to the recipient.

According to research by the Advertising Specialty Institute, one third of recipients said that they are more likely to do business with an advertiser after receiving the promotional item than they were beforehand.

Recipients not only remembered the name of the advertiser, they also overwhelmingly felt more positive about the advertiser.

With this information in mind, you should know that promotional products can convey your company message creatively. But to achieve the maximum impact, you have to give the right product to the right person, and still stay true to your business image.

What does it really take to choose the promotional products that work for your business (and satisfy customers)? Without a clear marketing strategy, you are setting yourself up for trouble.

This applies to every company, whether a non-profit organization or a small business. Here are some tips to choose the promo products to make your business shine and Make the right impression™.

 Know Who You Are

It goes without saying that you should know your products and services inside out. But aside from that, you should know your company values, what you represent, what sort of image you want to present, and what is your brand message. You should build your marketing strategy based on that. Ask yourself if the product in question is appropriate for your brand. For example, if your business is in the educational industry, a custom beach towel may not be the ideal choice, but a custom clipboard folder may be better. It sounds too obvious, but by knowing yourself, you can know your customer too. That means that you can tailor your product to meet the needs of your target customers, while still building your brand accordingly. Also, you could consider distributing one sort of promo product to existing customers, and a different one for potential customers, as you are conveying two different messages–one as a reminder, and one as an invitation.

10.5 lb./doz. Mid-Weight Colored Beach Towel                Clipboard Folder               

Be Unique

When it comes to promotional products, all too often, businesses choose generic products that they may personally like, but in the end are forgettable. The idea is to convey your brand message in a way in which customers feel appreciated, and your brand is remembered. To put your best foot forward and make the right impression™, choose promotional swag that is in tune with your brand and connects with customers on a personal level. For instance, a non-profit company could swap out a general promotional notepad for a Recycled Jotter & Pen. Choose a product that will be a memorable keepsake, unlike a generic product that any company could use. Consider what sort of items your competitors are likely to give away, and go against the grain, but remember to represent your company appropriately and creatively. If everyone in your field is giving out cell phone holders, think of what makes you unique and make your decisions based on that.

The Recycled Jotter & Pen                       The Coloma Cell Phone Holder

 

Consider Location

Think about how and where you are planning to distribute the product. If it will be at a company picnic, you have more leeway to customize larger promotional items like a cooler tote, while at a trade show, something lighter may be in order, like a convention tote. So make sure that you take location of product distribution into account when selecting the most effective and appropriate promotional products.

 Icy Bright Cooler Tote                       The Chattanooga Convention Tote

As you can clearly see, there is more to the story of promotional products than meets the eye. Promotional products are highly valuable tools to include in your marketing strategy, but only if you know how to make them work for you.

When you have a clear strategy, an understanding of your brand and your customer, and a unique selling position, choosing the most effective and most appropriate promotional products for your business to give away to both potential and new customers will be straightforward.

But always remember that if you are still completely lost, you have Pinnacle Promotions.

 

Seasonal Promotional Products: How to “Fall” Into the Perfect Marketing Strategy

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As a business owner, you may find yourself more engrossed in the day–to-day processes and challenges, than in the big picture. Instead of being narrowly focused, remember your primary goal–growing the business and building your brand.

To achieve that goal, you will have to play the role of a business owner AND a marketer. You need to have a strong, overall marketing strategy in place, which you can adhere to and implement consistently within your means.

By doing so, you have the ability to capitalize on seasonal marketing opportunities. Though your particular business may not be a simply seasonal one, you may have started to notice that consumers’ purchase behaviors are influenced by seasonal changes, trends, and events-i.e., Back to school, Easter, winter weather, etc.

A great way to leverage these occurrences is to develop promotional campaigns. In these efforts to develop marketing that actually resonates with consumers, offering custom branded promotional giveaways and incentives will help you to effectively attract customers, and retain them for the long run.

As the fall season is officially just a month away, we are here to provide your business with some fall marketing tips and ideas.

Fall Weather

The way that consumers, feel, their habits, their moods, and their interests are, believe it or not, influenced by changes in the weather. By keeping your brand relevant to the season and these seasonal desires, you are showing customers that they matter, and you can stay connected and engaged with those consumers. With the arrival of color changing leaves, and cooler days, consumers are dressing warmly and spending more time outdoors with the family, playing sports, taking pictures, camping, attending fall festivals, etc. To set your business apart from the competition, and to provide customers with incentives to begin or continue business with you, you could provide them with complementary, custom branded promotional gifts.

For example, with the Game Day Hooded Blanket in hand, watching a thrilling game of football couldn’t be more relaxing. It’s a cleverly designed combination hooded poncho, backpack, and even a blanket, with inner hand-warming pockets all in one! The backpack allows for easy storage and transportation. With all of these features and your corporate logo custom printed on it, customers will carry literally carry your brand to a larger audience, and you can set yourself apart from the competition.

Ultra Cotton Long Sleeve T-Shirt                    Game Day Hooded Blanket

 

Fall Holidays/Events

The fall season brings with it many notable holiday observances that you could utilize in promoting your business. For one, there’s Labor Day. Labor Day is generally celebrated by Americans as the symbolic end of summer, and it’s a time when people like to have picnics, barbecues, and other outdoor events. It is the perfect time to promote your business, and help customers enjoy the special day. Some custom branded giveaways could give your business the extra marketing edge.

The Chill and Grill Outdoor Kit takes the hassle out of outdoor shindigs. This handy portable grill comes equipped with a large cooler compartment and tongs included, as well as extra zippered compartments to store grilling supplies and food. Comfortable grip handles and a shoulder strap make it easy for customers to become the grill master of the party. The best part is that you can custom print your corporate logo on it in a large space. In doing so, consumers enjoy their get togethers, while you can effectively develop brand awareness.

Chill and Grill Outdoor Kit

This is just one instance in which providing your customers with custom promotional products can be useful for the fall holiday season. Consider how you could utilize the spirit of other fall holidays to promote your brand in a way that is truly relevant to consumers – especially your desired target audience.

Capturing the spirit of the season creatively will help your consumers connect and relate to your brand and your message. Custom products or schwag will make that possible within the scope of your budget and marketing strategy. You ultimately want to build your business and your overall image.

So, put on your marketing AND business leader caps, and “fall” into the perfect marketing strategy!

Recognize Excellence with Custom Promotional Awards

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Whether it’s for your staff, students, or an athletic tournament, awards are a pleasure to receive and to give. If you want to truly show respect for those recipients, those awards should be of a quality that you would be proud to receive yourself. The award should truly embody the spirit of your brand, and at the same time look professional. Custom promotional awards will help you celebrate the awardees in a classy and memorable way. At Pinnacle Promotions, you can find the custom awards that are most appropriate for your ceremony, from ribbons to plaques to trophies available, all in a variety of styles and materials.

Office & Employee Awards

Rewarding employees and businesses for their fine work and accomplishments is not only an incentive to them to continue performing at their best, but it also builds the overall morale within the business. If you want to express your gratitude to employees in a more creative manner, these custom promotional office & employee awards are an excellent option. Looking to go against the grain? You can make a statement with the Achievement Dichroic Crystal Employee Award. The crystal is coated in a special material that creates layers of color from the reflected light. With this pop of brightness and your inscriptions etched in it, this will be a keepsake that recipients will be proud to display. Another unique option that may even earn applause on its own is the Accolade Pyramid Appreciation Award. The three tiers cleverly illustrate how the recipient has climbed his or her way to the top! Recipients will understand that striving to receive such a special award is truly worth the effort.

 Achievement Dichroic Crystal Employee Award                         Accolade Pyramid Appreciation Award - 6 in.

 

Acrylic Awards

Even a simple design can make an impression. The sleek, sharp look and feel of the custom acrylic awards is a bold expression of gratitude. For example, the Peak Acrylic Award is a clear, acrylic award featuring metallic finish lines at the base. Both the recipient and the award itself will shine! You have plenty of space to have your desired inscriptions clearly screen printed across the front, which will be a wonderful memento of an important achievement. Or, the Texture Black with Clear Acrylic Award is composed of a triangular base with clear, acrylic curved top. This distinctively geometric combination is pleasing to the eye, and is not at all bulky, which makes it perfect for presenting and for keeping. The overall professional, yet still personal feel to these awards will really resonate with recipients and those seeing it.

Peak Acrylic Award                        Texture Black with Clear Acrylic Award

 

Wooden Awards

If a statue-like design is not your cup of tea, than these wooden awards may be just right. A commemorative plaque can just as effectively and appropriately Make the right impression™. The Aberdeen Rosewood Plaque has a rosewood finish with your choice of a handful of different plate styles. Conveniently, these awards fit in with any event, whether it’s for a school function or an office event. The beautiful laser engraving adds that extra special touch. You will be able to create meaningful tokens of recognition at an affordable price.

Aberdeen Rosewood Wood Plaque with Lasered Plate - 7 x 9 in.

 

Celebrating and recognizing deserving individuals for their hard work and achievements is an important contributor to the success of your group. The myriad of custom awards at your fingertips will allow you to do this creatively and professionally. Ultimately, awardees will have a memorable way to capture that winning moment in a way that symbolizes your brand and business.

How to Throw the Perfect Labor Day Corporate Event

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We are just a couple weeks away from Labor Day, the federal holiday that represents the end of summer, and pays tribute to the contributions of American workers. Americans generally celebrate this day with parties, parades, and athletic events. It’s the time of the year to break out the barbecue, and put together an unforgettable bash. As a business owner, this is a good opportunity to bring your employees, co-workers, and their families together to recognize and celebrate their efforts. With that, here are some tips to help you organize and execute the perfect Labor Day corporate event.

1. Send an invitation now!

Since Labor Day always falls on the first Monday in September, your guests have busy party schedules for the long weekend. Sending a custom invitation well in advance will allow guests to plan accordingly, and will ensure that you do, in fact, have guests at your event. You can customize this clever, earth-friendly seed paper invitation to fit your needs, in terms of color scheme, style, and pattern, and the same time, make a positive impact on the environment. It conveniently comes with RSVP cards, and Thank You cards as well, with envelopes that are 100% recycled. Incorporate your business branding, and looking professional with a bit of personality couldn’t be easier.

Premium Seed Paper Invitation

2. Choose a Theme and Decorate Accordingly

Tying all of your party elements together cohesively will create the appropriate party atmosphere, which guests will be able to connect with. This will even make party planning a bit easier, as there is a unifying message that you are putting forward. You could go with an All-American theme, and incorporate the red, white, and blue colors into everything, from the food to the decorations. For example, you could put red, white, and blue balloons up, and even have them custom printed with your corporate branding. These 100% biodegradable latex balloons will be a fun and colorful addition. You could also hand out these USA Promotional Pinwheels to guests, as party favors that kids and adults alike will appreciate. Custom print your company branding on the stick, and you’re good to go! You can even add your corporate branding into items like drinkware, and plates, as a gentle reminder to guests of who is making the party possible!

USA Promotional Pinwheel

3. Plan a Memorable Menu

Finally, every good party needs good food, and now is the perfect time for barbecue. Grilled chicken and veggies, coleslaw, and burgers are just a few of the popular favorites for Labor Day. You will look and feel like a grilling pro with the right equipment. The Grill Master Promotional Picnic Apron Kit is perfect the chef, as it allows for all cooking tools to be easily within reach. The kit comes equipped with an apron, detachable bottle opener, padded oven mitt, and a towel. There is no need to worry about messes, as the apron is machine washable. The best part is that you can have the apron custom printed with your corporate branding, which means your brand can make yet another subtle appearance.

Grill Master Promotional Picnic Apron Kit

 

By following these tips, you can inject a bit of branding into your corporate Labor Day event in a fun, but not intrusive way, and put together one heck of a shindig! Bring together your team, friends, and family, and incorporate a bit of branding for a completely cohesive and unique get together that will be remembered long after Labor Day.


Promotional Products to Channel Your Inner Athlete

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With more and more consumers choosing organic and fat-free foods over the regular, and getting in on the latest exercise trend, tapping into the health & fitness industry for your marketing efforts will help you Make the right impression.™

How can you connect with those health-conscious consumers and successfully promote your brand? That’s where promotional products play in to your marketing strategy. With the right promotional products, you can help each and every customer channel his or her inner athlete, and put your brand at the forefront. Here is just a selection of the ways in which you can reach out to potential customers with great giveaways.

Active Health Tracker & Heart Rate Monitor

 Fitness trackers of all sorts have sharply risen into popularity recently. Knowing everything from your heart rate, calories burned, distance walked, sleep patterns, and more, gives the customer some peace of mind. Customers feel like they can adjust their daily routine accordingly, and take better control of their health. These devices can be a tad expensive, but now that is not a concern. By custom branding this tracker and handing it to customers as a branded giveaway piece, they appreciate all the same benefits that they would have with the popular trackers, while your corporate logo custom printed on the band will travel with them wherever they go, and will be seen far and wide, without busting your budget (or that of the customers)!

 Active Health Tracker & Heart Rate Monitor

Ultimate Gym Set

With the Ultimate Gym Gift Set, the customer will have exactly what he or she needs to make it through a good workout. The customer can stay hydrated with a water bottle in hand, keep energy up with favorite songs playing through earbuds, and even safely hold a mobile device or music player using the armband holder. Each one of these items can be custom branded with your business logo, to remind customers that your brand is making the workout possible, and to potentially increase your brand awareness. This set acts as a unique promotional gift that shows consumers that you really do care about their health.

Ultimate Gym Set- Water bottle, earbuds and armband

 

Fitness Towel

After the tough workout, nothing feels better than a cool down. Grab a cold water bottle, and wipe away the perspiration with this soft and light, 100% cotton Fitness Towel. If you are in the fitness business, or are even hosting a health or sporting event, this promotional towel is an excellent option. You have substantial space to boldly custom print your corporate branding across it, which in turn allows you to easily spread the word of your business, and grab the attention of a much larger audience.

Fitness Towel

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a priority for many consumers. Take this into consideration, and your brand can motivate those customers, and inspire potential customers to channel their inner athlete. With custom promotional fitness & wellness products, you can and will expand your brand reach significantly, and clearly communicate your unique brand story.

The Right Color Choices for Promo Products

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When you, as a consumer, walk through the supermarket, how do you make your purchases? You may first think of price, but unknowingly, product packaging is influencing your purchase decisions. You gravitate towards items that physically appeal to your senses. The shapes, forms, colors, patterns, and typography all have an effect on you, and how you think and feel. So, when it comes to your business, you have to get into the mind of the consumer, and design your product and packaging in a way that represents your brand, and still appeals to the customer’s sensibilities.

Promotional products are excellent brand building tools, but in order to utilize them successfully, you have to take this into consideration when it comes to customization. The most successful companies have developed such a characteristic brand identity that consumers even immediately associate certain colors with those companies. If a company has such effective branding, that can easily be translated into different mediums, from print advertising, to television, to promotional products.

When choosing the most appropriate colors for your promotional products, there are a few key elements that you should keep in mind.

1. Target Audience

If you understand precisely who your target audience is, you will not only choose the most appropriate promotional products to give to customers, but specifically those that visually appeal to them. Each color generally conveys different emotions and messages within different demographics and cultures. For example, the color green can represent nature, money, health, greed, calmness, or good luck, depending on with whom you are communicating. Red can represent passion, danger, speed, or excitement. In terms of culture, as an example, in the western world, white represents peace, while in parts of Asia, it represents death. Vibrant colors tend to resonate more with a younger audience, while more subdued colors resonate with an older crowd. A neon mug might not attract an older consumer as much as a stainless steel mug.

 11 Oz. Neon Mug With C-Handle                  Double Wall Stainless Steel Mug - 7 oz.

 2. Corporate Identity

When choosing a color scheme, it is not just about personal preferences. Those colors should be representative of your brand. What color suits your brand personality and the characteristics of your products or services? What do you want customers to feel when they interact or associate with your brand? Remember, you don’t have to limit yourself to only one color. If done so appropriately, you can choose multiple colors that complement each other and work together well even on different backgrounds.  For example, this structured cap combines a few different colors successfully, without being jarring to the eye.  There aren’t certain colors that represent specific industries; it’s just finding what works best for your particular brand.Contrasting Double Piping Cap Structured

3. Your Competitors

Examine what sorts of color schemes your main competitors are using, and choose the opposite. In this way, you can differentiate yourself from the crowd. Still, always remember the importance of staying true to your brand. By going against the grain, you avoid looking as though you are simply jumping on the bandwagon. In branding, it’s all about being memorable.

Ultimately, if you have your goals in mind, you will make all the right choices when it comes to your color selection. Through good color choices, you can truly communicate your brand’s message, make your brand’s personality shine through, and Make the right impression™ time and time again.

Choosing the Perfect Promo Products for Your Trade Show Giveaway

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A trade show is an excellent opportunity for you to meet potential customers, and convey your brand message to the masses in a more casual setting. As trade show attendees are visiting and passing by many businesses’ booths, putting together a professional presentation and display that is memorable is more important than ever.

At trade shows, many businesses frequently give their booth visitors some sort of promotional swag, in the hopes that their brand is seen as unique and truly one of a kind. Your brand can succeed using this method, only by distributing the right promotional products. How can you decide what promotional giveaways will Make the right impression™, those products that will not simply be thrown away after the show? Here is what you should remember when deciding what promotional swag works best for your company at the next trade show.

1. Is the product representative of your brand?

When you are thinking about what sorts of promotional swag to give to booth visitors, you should first and foremost remember why you are there in the first place—to communicate your brand message to potential customers in a way that doesn’t come off as forced or a hard sell, and ultimately, generate qualified leads. Your chosen promotional product should tie in to how your brand is a solution for a prospective customer. If the product is just another tchotchke and is not representative of your business, then it is most likely headed for the trashcan. A product that is consistent with your brand doesn’t just mean that if you’re in the tech industry, for example, you should give out custom powerbanks. Does that product actually align with your corporate personality? Some products may be more fitting for buttoned-up brands, while some products are more appropriate for sporty or quirky brands.

The Karera UL Listed Powerbank

2. How useful is the product?

For a promotional giveaway that actually has an impact on your audience, that product has to be a combination of creativity and practicality. The product should have some valuable use to the customer, while still have a creative flair. After all, the right product will trigger the customer’s memory of your business—what you do, what are your products/services, and what is your unique selling proposition. It should be a high quality product that has the potential to see long-term use, and have a lasting charm.

Once you combine that usefulness and some personality, you could potentially create some brand buzz during, and even after the trade show. This will allow your business to really stand out in the crowd. You should also remember to scope out the audience. Don’t give out swag to every single one of your booth visitors, only to those who actually expressed a sincere interest in your products or services. If you are trying to reach a very specific audience, then consider having two sets of promotional swag—one set that caters to those top prospects, and one set of products with more mass appeal.

For instance, journals and portfolios are usually popular with everyone, while a more valued customer may get a mini wireless speaker. With a proper understanding of your audience, you can utilize promotional products that cater to their needs, and at the same time, you can still gain valuable leads and business.

Leeman New York Mini Tuscany Journal                          Bluetooth Mobile Mini Wireless Speaker

3. Quality Matters

At the end of the day, quality product really does make the difference between closing a deal and losing a deal. You want to inspire potential customers, not discourage them from conducting business with you. You will have to ask yourself what is the best quality promotional giveaway you can get within your marketing budget. Just because you have a limited budget, doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice quality. You can easily find a unique, brand appropriate custom promotional product to ramp up your trade show booth, and connect with customers. If your promotional item looks cheap and breaks easily, it is nothing but a poor reflection on your brand and business. No matter what your industry or line of expertise may be, you don’t want your business to be associated with inferior quality. By providing booth visitors with this sort of product, customers have much lower expectations of the quality of service that they can expect from your business.

Merit Business Tote

Once you have your trade show booth and professional presentation all ready to go, a high quality, creative, and practical promotional giveaway item that represents your brand and business will certainly encourage your potential leads to become real customers. By following these guidelines, you will be on track to having the best trade show ever, well within your marketing budget.

Products We Love: Printed Mints

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So we’ve all seen promotional mints, mints in imprinted receptacles from metal tins to plastics containers all in varying shapes, colors, and sizes. But have you seen the actual imprint or logo on a mint?! A couple of years ago M&M’s started offering personalization on their candies and they’ve taken off like wildfire, especially for weddings. Think about doing the same thing for your brand, but on a mint (more professional, less melty.)

Each mint is 0.5” W x 0.5” H which allows you a 0.33” W x 0.33” H full color imprint. Oh the possibilities with this new product… you could use a photograph, your mascot, letters, product images, and of course your logo.

Printed Mints in a Small Tin isn’t new product, but it’s always one been one of our favorites!

Advertise your product or services on the mints

Just something a little different to get your customers to remember you.  And according to our product reviews, they taste great too.  Bonus!

Make Flu Season Fun with a Promotional Bandage

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Though it’s still on the warm side here in Atlanta, flu season is upon us.  You know it’s coming when every pharmacy you drive past has a sign up advertising the flu shot.  And you really know it’s coming when you get an email from HR encouraging all employees to get their flu shots by offering a 2-hour time off to do so.

In addition to some free time off and you know, not getting the flu, there’s also the bandage.   Call it your own personal badge of courage.  And of course you want that badge of courage to be blinged out, right? Minion bandages are not just for kids, folks.

The cooler the bandage, the better.  And what’s better than a bandage with your logo on it?

Custom-Printed White Bandages

Don’t think of it as associating your brand with pain.  Think of it as associating your brand with a life-saving badge of courage.  Or 2-hours off, if you work at Pinnacle.

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