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Branded Merch: 4 Success Stories That Changed The Market

Covering in-depth case studies of 4 different industries.

What is GiftAFeeling & The Shared Secrets Lab (TSSL)?

GiftAFeeling Inc. is a Canadian multinational branded merchandise supplier and the #1 global R&D company in the corporate gifts and promotional products domain. In April 2021, GiftAFeeling was named one of the top 5 e-commerce businesses in Canada. They have customers all over the globe including Canada, United States, Germany, Sweden, India, Australia, and many more.  From startups to Fortune 500 companies, we have helped organizations of all kinds build stronger relationships with their employees, customers, stakeholders, and partners.

GiftAFeeling's Shared Secrets Lab (TSSL) is the #1 global R&D lab in gift-giving psychology, specializing in corporate gifts, promotional products and branded merchandise. With research performed by the industry thought leaders and experts in psychology (SMEs), TSSL helps organizations find products that people will actually keep and not toss out. Thus, making sure that not only promotional campaigns get the desired visibility, impressions, and better brand recall, but also decrease the environmental footprint of these products along with saving organizations from spending a fortune.

Table Of Content

  • Branded merch that helped a bank acquire big customers 
  • Merch that boosted employee spirit in a 50 year old manufacturing company
  • Creative corporate gifts for an animation studio
  • Company merch that helped a tech giant rebrand

#1 - Branded merch that broke history & got a bank the highest number of wealthy customers

Client Profile

A prominent German event management company helping their client, a bank based in Pennsylvania, USA with a promotional giveaway products campaign.

Objective

To create and deliver a highly customized, innovative, and creative gift box that reflected the bank's new generation tech development as well as get new leads and prospects. All within an incredibly tight timeline of 1 week.

Challenges

  • Find high-quality innovative and creative products, ensuring that the gifts adequately represented the bank's forward-looking tech aura.
  • Need for a completely customized gift box comprising multiple high-end products.
  • A stringent 2-hour delivery window (10 AM - 12 PM on a Thursday) to transport 4 skids of products to the event location.
  • The extremely short timeframe of just one week to curate, imprint, and package the products in the custom box.

Solution

Leveraging its unparalleled expertise, GiftAFeeling's in-house research lab, The Shared Secrets Lab, delivered the following solutions:

  • A unique desk clock which also works as a wireless charger. The bank’s logo was imprinted in full color on the top, merging utility with brand visibility.
  • Customized hoodies, with a radiant full-color logo imprinted in various sizes, ensuring the fit and comfort for all attendees.
  • A premium custom aluminum pen exuding quality and class. A pen that people will actually keep and not toss out.
  • Personalized water bottles with name tags for each attendee, fostering a sense of belonging and acknowledgment.
  • All items were meticulously packaged in an aesthetically pleasing custom gift box, imprinted and created with precision.

Below is a glimpse of the products and how they were packaged carefully at GiftAFeeling's production facility:

Results

  • The event was a resounding success, with attendees expressing their admiration through pictures showcasing their use of the gifted products.
  • A testament to the items' quality and utility, they are still in use today after more than a year.
  • The bank registered the highest conversion and lead generation in its history from a single promotional gifting campaign.
  • Commitment to punctuality was evident as the products were delivered precisely at 10:17 AM, well within the specified timeframe.
  • The product quality and imprint clarity stood out, emphasizing the attention to detail and commitment to quality.

Customer's Comments

"In the business of event management, we often find ourselves working against the clock, trying to achieve perfection. Our recent collaboration with GiftAFeeling was a masterclass in efficiency, customization, and quality. The Shared Secrets Lab's recommendations were spot on, fulfilling our goals greatly. We were particularly impressed with the timely delivery, despite the tight schedule. It's not just about giving gifts; it's about crafting memories. GiftAFeeling truly understands that. Our client was ecstatic, and the event was a grand success. We look forward to more collaborations in the future."

- Sarah T., Manager, Events & Conferences -

#2 - Corporate merch that brought together employees from all divisions together for innovation!

Client Profile

A manufacturing titan with over 50 years of industry leadership, priding itself on its annual pre-Christmas event that celebrates its dedicated workforce from all departments.

Objective

A product, or rather a symbol, that would not only level the playing field but would elevate assembly line workers, encouraging interactions and enhancing their image.

Challenges

While the yearly event was anticipated with much excitement, there existed a palpable divide between the corporate echelons and the assembly line workforce. Previous gifting efforts aimed at fostering unity inadvertently widened the gap. The assembly line workers, donning their orange safety vests and work attire, often felt out of place amidst their suit-wearing counterparts. The company sought not just to bridge this divide but to encourage cross-departmental communication, fostering innovation and operational efficiency.

Previous attempts to bridge the gap fell flat. Last year’s premium hats and shirts, intended for the assembly line workers, didn’t resonate as hoped. They faded into the background, with departments sticking to their cliques.

The company knew the magic that could spark from cross-departmental exchanges – the birth of innovation, streamlined operations, and novel approaches. For over a decade, this potential remained untapped. Traditional methods like HR surveys barely scratched the surface.

Solution

A Psychological Approach: The Shared Secrets Lab at GiftAFeeling, armed with the psychology of gifting, conceived a design that cleverly and aesthetically spelled "assembly".

  • Design with Intent: A subtle yet impactful design spelling "assembly" was created, encapsulating both the function and the essence of the assembly line team.
  • Elevating the Branding: This design wasn’t merely printed; it was intricately embroidered in 3D puff on premium apparel brands like Hugo Boss. Leather patches Adidas hats, and bags showcased the design in 3D PU cutouts, seamlessly blending quality with identity. Not only did it emphasize the importance of the assembly line but made it a badge of honor.

Below is a glimpse of the products and how they were packaged carefully at GiftAFeeling's production facility:

Results

  • Centre of Attraction: The moment assembly line workers stepped into the event room, a palpable buzz arose. Admiring glances and whispers of appreciation flowed as they became the showstoppers of the evening. The assembly line workers, with their newly-acquired ensemble, became the undeniable stars of the event. Compliments flowed, sparking conversations and breaking the ice. 
  • Perception Transformation: The innovative design shifted perspectives, making interactions feel less like departmental exchanges and more like collaborative brainstorming.
  • More than Just Products: The assembly team took immense pride in their gifts, using them even outside of work events, a testament to the sense of value they felt.
  • A Surge in Ideas: The event concluded with a flood of fresh ideas, with over 113 actionable suggestions pouring in, signaling a clear shift in collaborative thinking. Over 100 fresh, actionable ideas emerged, astonishing upper management accustomed to a mere 10-12 annually.
  • A Relationship Cemented: Impressed by the impact, the company now collaborates with GiftAFeeling annually, ensuring every employee feels seen, valued, and interconnected.

Customer's Comments

In our half-century legacy, we've been privileged to collaborate with various partners, but our association with GiftAFeeling stands out distinctly. Faced with a longstanding challenge of bridging the divide between our departments, we turned to them in hope. Not only did they understand the depth of our needs, but they also translated it into a tangible, impactful solution.

The thoughtfully crafted designs were not just gifts; they were conversation starters, pride symbols, and bridges to collaboration. The attention to detail, quality, and the sheer innovation in their approach were commendable. Beyond the tangible results—which were beyond our expectations—it was the intangible shifts, the newfound camaraderie, the spontaneous brainstorming sessions, and the renewed sense of belonging among our assembly line workers that truly astounded us.

GiftAFeeling didn't just deliver a product; they crafted an experience, weaving threads of unity across our vast workforce. As we move forward, we do so with a heightened sense of appreciation for partners like GiftAFeeling who understand that the real value lies not just in the gift itself, but in the feeling it evokes.

- Greg C. Smith, SVP -

#3 - Artistic corporate gifts for boosting employee morale

Client Profile

A vibrant new-generation animation studio, bustling with talent and creativity, was eager to reward its team with unique corporate gifts. Their ethos: art isn't just about what hangs on the wall but is ingrained in everyday life.

Objective

To design and deliver unique, durable, and practical corporate gifts for a new-generation animation studio that not only resonates with the artistic ethos of its employees but also serve as brand ambassadors, amplifying the studio's identity, while fostering a deeper connection and sense of belonging among the team.

Challenges

  • Celebrate Artistic Flair: Offer something uniquely artistic, resonating with the creative pulse of the team.
  • Practicality First: The studio wanted to avoid adding clutter, seeking utility over mere aesthetics. The artists already had their paintings, pictures, crafts, etc. that sat on their desks.
  • Brand Ambassadors: They were looking for gifts that employees wouldn’t just appreciate, but would also be proud to display, amplifying the studio's brand.
  • Enduring Value: The gifts needed to have longevity, avoiding wear and tear from everyday use.

Solution

Guided by the insights from our team of psychologists at the Shared Secrets Lab:

  • Custom Illustrations: Caricatures and animated illustrations were crafted, capturing the essence of the animation studio's spirit.
  • Everyday Art: These personalized designs were imprinted onto daily utility items such as laptop sleeves, water bottles, and iPhone covers.
  • Fine-Tuned to Perfection: Recognizing the studio's quest for perfection, GiftAFeeling's production team engaged in collaborative iterations to determine the ideal imprint size and design placement by showing them multiple imprinted samples with different sizes. This is something that no one else in the industry does. 

Below is a glimpse of the products and how they were packaged carefully at GiftAFeeling's production facility:

Results

  • Personal Pride: Employees felt an immediate personal connection to the items, viewing them not just as corporate gifts but as reflections of their identity.
  • Walking Billboards: The utility items, especially the iPhone covers and water bottles, turned into conversation starters outside the office, enhancing brand visibility.
  • More than Just Products: The assembly team took immense pride in their gifts, using them even outside of work events, a testament to the sense of value they felt.
  • Durability: Months after distribution, the items continue to resist wear and tear, bearing testimony to their quality.
  • Strengthened Relationships: More than the tangible results, the initiative strengthened the bond between the employees and the animation studio, fostering a deeper sense of belonging.

Customer's Comments

We wanted something special for our team, and they delivered. Every time I see our crew using those custom items, I’m reminded of how perfectly they captured our studio’s vibe. The gifts are practical, cool, and have our touch all over them. Super happy with how it turned out. Big thanks to the GiftAFeeling team!

- Jason Gomes, HR Director -

#4 - Rebranding a tech giant with corporate merch

Client Profile & Objective

A globally renowned tech company, on the cusp of a transformative shift similar to Facebook into Meta. As the company pivoted towards AI, they recognized a pressing challenge: realigning the mindset of their vast employee base. Before reaching out to the world, they knew they had to inspire internal change. Their quest? A subtle reminder of the company's new direction, without overwhelming their workforce or altering their office aesthetics.

Solution

Our specialists at GiftAFeeling’s Shared Secrets Lab dove deep into understanding not just the company's transformation but the psychology behind ingraining change. We believe that transformation is most effective when it's woven into everyday routines rather than enforced. Leveraging this philosophy, we recommended high-quality Bugatti laptop backpacks - an everyday accessory for every employee. The true magic, however, was on the inside. Instead of flaunting the company logo externally, we imprinted the company's new mission statement on the inner lining. Every time an employee opened their backpack – whether at the start or end of their workday – they were subtly reintroduced to the company's evolving ethos.

Results

  • Subconscious Reiteration: As employees accessed their backpacks daily, the new mission statement continually reinforced the company's fresh direction, seamlessly integrating into their daily routines. 
  • Organic Conversations: The backpacks became more than just carry-ons; they turned into conversation starters. Employees began to articulate the company’s objectives in line with its renewed vision.
  • More than Just Products: The assembly team took immense pride in their gifts, using them even outside of work events, a testament to the sense of value they felt.
  • Boosted Morale: The quality and utility of the Bugatti backpacks served as a reminder of the company's commitment to its employees, fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
  • Unified Vision: The consistent, gentle reminders led to a significant alignment in how employees perceived and communicated the company's objectives and mission, setting the stage for a collective drive towards their new goals.

Unfortunately, to keep the brand's name and mission hidden, we won't be able to disclose the images of this order, but below is the backpack that was decorated. 

Customer's Comments

It was a huge challenge for us because even a single step in the wrong direction can mess things up significantly so we needed to be very careful with our branding and message. We needed a way to gently steer our team towards our new vision without making it feel forced. The backpack idea was genius. Not only did our team love them, but the inside imprint made sure our new direction was always top of mind. Now, our folks talk about our company's goals just the way we hoped. Brilliant solution, thanks to the GiftAFeeling team. They really understand branding (and rebranding) - we are now working with their lab to find more such ideas to change our company image in our customers, stakeholders and prospects minds.

- Alex J. Riley, Vice President -

Read more success stories and case studies here.

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