History of the advertising object
It all began in Great Britain at the dawn of the 18th century and the Industrial Revolution; it was at this time that the promotional merchandise sector took shape. At that time, companies used advertising items solely to promote their brand image to consumers.
Promotional items must therefore be useful in the consumer's daily life. The most popular items were household utensils such as metal boxes.
It was in the 1950s that promotional items began to be seen as collectibles, evolving with trends and thus acquiring a new function. In the 1960s and 70s, keychains became all the rage as promotional items. Then came the era of phone cards and pins in the 1990s.
Nowadays, promotional items play a significant role in the French communication landscape. They can be found in various forms: a personalized t-shirt to promote a brand, a promotional pen to serve as a business card, or even a USB key, which has become the ultimate high-tech gift!
The French Federation of Promotional Products Professionals
There is a French Federation of Promotional Products Professionals (2FPCO). Founded in 2004, the 2FPCO is the representative organization for companies that manufacture, brand, or distribute promotional items designed to promote the awareness, image, products, and services of advertisers.
The federation conducted a consumer satisfaction survey. Furthermore, this survey confirms the French public's fondness for promotional items. In fact, 8 out of 10 French people would like to receive more of them—unbelievable in this age of digitalization ! The survey also confirms that promotional items are an effective medium, particularly in their role as a lever for brand engagement. 81% of respondents remembered the brand associated with the item.
In 2013, promotional items accounted for 4.4% of total media and non-media communication spending; this is why their selection has become strategic in a communication plan. This survey highlights certain trends. 79% of respondents expressed a preference for computer and electronic accessories, and 85% favored detailed labeling. Promotional items are most appreciated in France as part of a commercial "thank you" (loyalty reward or first purchase); promotional items distributed during events come in second.
The 3 main functions of a promotional item
1) To please the customer to whom it is offered
2) Benefit from repeated visibility with this client
3) To potentially gain visibility among other consumers exposed to the product
Whether they are buyers or sellers, promotional merchandise specialists are true experts in consulting on promotional products. They assert their strategic role in the marketing campaign development process for advertisers.
Creative marketing at the service of promotional items
With 10 years of experience in advertising and promotional items, Marketing Creation manufactures all types of products! We are accustomed to short lead times and competitive prices while taking into account product quality and compliance with standards.
Indeed, we work closely with certified laboratories such as SGS to guarantee the safety of our products.
Come and discover our greatest success story with McDonald's!
We have worked on numerous projects; here are some of our references:
Our client IKKS approached us to create a skateboard that met their expectations and specifications. It's a vintage item that's making a comeback; children and adults can use it in the city or have fun at a skate park. IKKS needed Marketing Création to address the technical constraints and feasibility of the product.
IKKS customers could see this skateboard on display in store windows. It was available for purchase as a promotional item for €5 with purchases of €130 or more from the 2016 summer collections for girls and boys.
Timberland commissioned Marketing Creation to design a promotional item for the launch of a new clothing collection. As Timberland specializes in outdoor apparel, the goal was to create an item that aligned with the brand's strategic marketing positioning.
Together, we designed a bracelet based on the "Power Balance" model as a gift for the consumer. The bracelet features the brand logo to express the connection between Timberland clothing made from natural materials and the body's natural energy.
Contact us today to bring your most creative ideas to life for personalized or completely tailor-made objects! Request a quote. 👇
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