In the promo industry, we often talk about the long-term impact of a well-designed promotional product — but today, I want to share a more personal perspective. These are real-life examples from my own promo journey that prove just how long-lasting and meaningful great promo can be.
Companies that utilize quality strategic promotional products have the potential to stay in people’s lives for years beyond the day they receive them. I’ve seen this firsthand through several items that have stuck with me — not just physically but emotionally as well. Promo products aren’t just giveaways; when done right, they become part of our routines, our spaces and our stories.
Wartburg College Coaster
I received this during student orientation my first year of college. Eager to display school pride for my chosen college, I proudly placed it on my desk in my dorm room. At the time, it was just a coaster — practical and small with the college logo printed boldly in the center.
Little did I know the sentimentality of the piece would stick with me long after I received my degree. Now, on my work-from-home days, that same coaster sits on my desk as a quiet reminder of the friendships, long nights and personal growth that happened during those formative years. It moved with me from dorm to dorm and eventually from apartment to house. It’s a small item, but it carries a story — and it proves that putting your logo on something as simple as a reusable coaster can create a lasting emotional connection.
The Takeaway: Promotional items can serve as time capsules linking brands to cherished life moments/chapters. When a product resonates emotionally, it earns a permanent spot in someone’s life.
Lincoln Savings Bank Letter Opener
Growing up in my small-town Iowa community, Lincoln Savings Bank was the only bank for miles. It was a proud day when I walked in, opened my very first savings account and learned the importance of saving for the future. As I got older, needed a checking account and eventually started navigating the waters of adulting, I never once considered going elsewhere.
I don’t remember exactly when I received the letter opener — it may have been during a bank event or just an everyday visit — but I knew instantly I’d keep it. It’s sleek, useful and solid. It’s traveled with me from job to job, city to city and remains a staple in my desk drawer. Sure, I don’t open nearly as many letters these days; but when I do, it’s nice to have that trusty tool.
The Takeaway: Functional items have staying power. When a product fulfills a practical need and is built to last, it earns its place in the recipient’s everyday toolkit and keeps your brand top of mind for years.
Baxter Comfort Solutions Lunch Cooler
A more recent acquisition is my favorite lunch cooler. In 2021, my husband and I had to replace our furnace and air conditioner — one of those homeowner investments you never want to make but has to be done. Baxter Comfort Solutions (BCS) had helped us the year before during a surprise A/C failure, and their professionalism made them our top choice.
After the installation was complete, we received a package in the mail — a thank-you kit from BCS. Inside was a branded insulated lunch cooler filled with snacks and sweet treats. At the time, I hadn’t yet started working in the promotional products industry, but I was thoroughly impressed by the gesture. It made us feel appreciated, and it cemented our positive experience with the company.
Since then, I’ve received many other coolers — especially now working at The Vernon Company — but I always come back to the BCS one. It’s the perfect size, easy to clean and reminds me that thoughtful promo goes a long way.
The Takeaway: Follow-up appreciation gifts turn transactions into relationships. Promotional items used as customer appreciation tools leave lasting impressions and encourage brand loyalty.
Why Promo Works
Looking back, these three items — each simple and practical in their own way — have proven the true value of quality promotional products. They weren’t flashy or expensive, but they were useful, meaningful and well-timed. That’s the magic formula.
Here’s why good promo lasts:
- It’s tangible. In a digital world, physical objects still carry powerful meaning. Holding and seeing something creates a sensory memory that sticks.
- It’s functional. A useful item like a cooler, coaster or letter opener becomes part of someone’s daily life — often for years.
- It’s emotional. When tied to a meaningful experience — like starting college, opening your first bank account or improving your home — these items become reminders of important life milestones.
- It tells a story. Each item becomes a quiet ambassador for the brand, telling a story every time it’s used or seen.
When companies invest in quality strategic promotional products, they’re not just handing out swag — they’re planting seeds for long-term brand affinity. And if my desk drawer and kitchen shelf are any indication, the right promo doesn’t just last. It thrives.
If you’re ready to create meaningful brand connections that stand the test of time, visit www.vernonpromotions.com or reach out to your Vernon rep today.
___
Written By Pam Pratt, Digital Content Specialist.