Brandology 101
Our insight into the latest trends in branding, employee engagement, marketing strategy and more.
April 2, 2020
SPOTIFY PLAYLIST: Greats in ’88
Ah yes, a nostalgic mix of the best songs from the year INM was born. There is a wide variety...Read More
March 27, 2020
Experiential Marketing – Part Three: [Virtual] Engagement
Well, this seems a bit awkward – talking about engaging experiences during a time of social distancing. Many people are...Read More
March 12, 2020
Coronavirus Update and Your Marketing Strategy
It’s time. Time to discuss how it’s affecting your marketing strategies and events, and various ways to continue strengthening your...Read More
March 2, 2020
SPOTIFY PLAYLIST: Get Creative
Our first Spotify post…ever. No product here. No virus or tariff crap. Just some tunes for your listening enjoyment. Our...Read More
February 27, 2020
Transforming Lives Through Promotions
If you’re reading this, you most likely use promotional products within your marketing strategy. We just love that about you!...Read More
February 21, 2020
Experiential Marketing – Part Two: 5 Key Components
Experiences. We’re talking marketing events that radiate a WOW factor. These experiences are super hot right now because they engage...Read More
February 13, 2020
Coronavirus: The Impact on Promo
We won’t get into the specifics of the physical virus because, well, we’re not doctors (you’re welcome). What we ARE...Read More
January 30, 2020
Experiential Marketing – Part One: What is it, and why is it important?
There is a ton of uncertainty and turmoil in our society these days, so it’s no wonder we need a...Read More
January 9, 2020
Best Practices: Marketing and Branding
Branding and marketing are equally important to all companies, large and small. As “marketers,” we forget that most people refer...Read More
January 3, 2020
4 Steps to Maximize Your Marketing Spend
It’s a new year, which typically means a new spending budget for most of us. HALLELUJAH! While budgets give us...Read More
December 12, 2019
The Modernization of App Icons
We are in the branded merchandise business, so we understand the value that a simple logo can hold and how...Read More
November 26, 2019
An Analogy: Do You Trust Me?
In the film Finding Nemo, children learn how the clownfish is immune to the sting of the sea anemone and...Read More
October 30, 2019
Brand Integrity: A Critical Component of your Business
Your brand is a promise to your customers. Protect it. Promote it. Ensure that every marketing dollar you spend only...Read More
October 22, 2019
20 Ways to Say “Thanks”
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, which means turkey, football, pumpkin everything, and family. It’s the perfect time to show...Read More
October 4, 2019
Holiday Inspiration: Downloadable Gifting Guide for 2019
The holiday season is officially upon us, and now is the time to initiate your corporate gifting strategy – whether...Read More
September 26, 2019
Seven Products to Keep in Your Promo Closet
If you’re in the marketing biz, you probably have a specific place to store your promotional giveaways. Sometimes it’s in...Read More
September 18, 2019
Cause: It Just Makes Sense
Raise your hand if your marketing plan was developed with an increased ROI in mind. Now raise your hand if...Read More
August 29, 2019
Employee Faves: August 2019
Ever ask the waiter which menu item they recommend? More often than not, they know the entire menu selection, and...Read More
August 16, 2019
SWAG: The Art of Customization
How do you like your steak? Do you prefer a chef or Caesar salad? Steak. You never order a steak...Read More
August 6, 2019
Product Spotlight: Best Recognition Award, Like Ever
There are no words to explain the fabulousness of these recognition awards: which can also be used for corporate anniversaries,...Read More
July 26, 2019
The Nutritional Value of…Plastic
You know those nutritional facts on {most} food and drink packages? Those don’t include EVERYTHING that we’re eating. Because if...Read More
July 10, 2019
Employee Engagement: Maslow’s Theory in Today’s Digital Age
Okay, fun stuff aside, let’s get serious and talk about our needs and feelings for a minute. If you ever...Read More
June 25, 2019
The Inevitable Shift to Customer-Centricity
Our toddlers are coding electronics. We’ve gone from a blizzardous Winter to a sopping Spring. We are constantly connected to...Read More
June 5, 2019
Maximum {BRAND} Exposure
It’s a proven fact: showcasing your logo on merchandise can positively affect your brand image – just be sure to...Read More
May 24, 2019
Reinventing Your Brand: Part One
Rebrand… depending on your role, this can either fill you with excitement or dread. But rebrands or brand refreshes don’t...Read More
May 8, 2019
Branded Uniforms: Top 10 Reasons To Engage
Athletic teams are doing it. Airlines are doing it. Restaurants are doing it. We all know that Flo is doing...Read More
April 29, 2019
The Prom Dress Budget
Budgets can be brutal. But they should always be flexible. While your operations and accounting teams may not agree, sales...Read More
April 22, 2019
Some of our Favorite {Local} Things
We’re pretty proud of our metro – and with everything from cattle herding to contemporary gourmet dining, why shouldn’t we...Read More
April 10, 2019
This is Us
Have you ever wondered what we really do every day? We’re often asked, so we thought we’d put it out...Read More
April 1, 2019
Why Digital Marketing Campaigns Still Benefit From SWAG
Marketing has always been about targeting the right people at the right time. In this digital era, it’s getting much...Read More
March 22, 2019
The Significance of the Plastic Straw
The plastic straw. “It’s just one straw.” “Why don’t we focus on bigger things.” “That ONE straw that I used...Read More
March 17, 2019
Social Media: Influencers and FOMO
Merriam-Webster claims that the first known use of the phrase “FOMO” was in 2004, but make no mistake – the...Read More
February 13, 2019
RFID Technology and Emotional Branding
Over the past few years, you’ve likely heard some buzz in the news about RFID, but what exactly is it,...Read More
January 25, 2019
The Colors Behind a Brand
When you hear the name John Deere, what color comes to mind? How about UPS? Target? If you said green,...Read More
January 24, 2019
Branded Apparel 301: Vector vs Raster Logo
We hear it often – “Can’t you just use the logo that’s on our website?” Yep, we can. But we...Read More
December 21, 2018
Branded Apparel 201: Decoration Techniques
Apparel items offer so many creative ways to showcase your brand through embellishments (aka decoration techniques), and each individual technique...Read More
November 29, 2018
Branded Apparel 101: Graphics Real Estate
Once you’ve decided that branded apparel is the route you want to go for your next marketing campaign, there are...Read More
November 16, 2018
Branded Apparel Series: Intro
Do me a favor. Check out the shirt that you’re wearing right now. Does it have some sort of corporate...Read More
October 8, 2018
Nonprofits Need Swag Too
While all Marketing teams desire to get the best bang for their buck, no one quite understands the significance of...Read More
September 21, 2018
Investing in a Corporate Holiday Gifting Program
With the holidays quickly approaching, it’s a good time to start planning how to thank those who make your business...Read More
August 28, 2018
Minimizing the Impact of Tariffs on Promotional Apparel
We continue to monitor the impact of the recently imposed tariffs within the promotional products industry. In the meantime, we...Read More
August 8, 2018
Common Conversations in Promo
Let’s be honest. Our industry is awash in companies racing to the bottom, selling the same old stuff, and positioning...Read More
July 5, 2018
The Importance of Brand Confidence
Brand confidence is knowing what your business has to offer, how you want to appeal to clients/prospects, and having a...Read More
June 3, 2018
The Importance of Employee Engagement
Profit and Loss – Why your most valuable asset isn’t on your balance sheet. More than a buzzword, employee engagement...Read More
May 1, 2018
Employee Engagement: Ambassador Plan
You’re Attractive, Smart, and Your Employees Like You Too! We’ve previously explained how engaged employees tend to be happier, more...Read More
April 19, 2018
Employee Engagement and Change Management
Ever have one of those days when you feel like the rug got pulled out from under you because something...Read More
March 28, 2018
Corporate Social Responsibility and Employee Engagement
Corporate Social Responsibility, or CSR. Sounds a bit scary, I know, but it’s basically just a self-regulated strategy to encourage...Read More
December 20, 2017
Employee Engagement: Part 4 – Recognition
It’s a proven fact that companies with solid strategies to recognize team members enjoy stronger engagement, increased employee morale, better...Read More
December 8, 2017
Use Generational Marketing to Maximize Your Marketing Campaign’s Reach
One of the golden rules of marketing is to always target your message to your audience. That means clearly defining...Read More
November 17, 2017
How to Have a Unique Brand Personality and Be Creative in a Conservative Industry
The digital age has created more opportunities for you to connect with your customers than ever before. A recent report...Read More
November 9, 2017
Employee Engagement: Part 3 – Company Culture
What do you think when I say Google, Zappos, and Southwest Airlines? Aside from a wealth of information, shoes for...Read More
November 1, 2017
Financial Services Industry: How can you attract customers your business?
The intangible services of the financial industry can be difficult to effectively market. It’s a large, competitive industry that demands...Read More
October 20, 2017
Employee Engagement – Part 2: Onboarding
Imagine it’s your first day at a new job. Maybe your dream job. You show up bright and early Monday...Read More
October 9, 2017
Employee Engagement – Part 1
We’re kicking off a new, four part series this week on the importance of Employee Engagement. In the coming weeks,...Read More
September 8, 2017
Making the Most of Your Sports Partnership
So you’ve read our post on why to participate in corporate sports partnerships and now you’re ready to dive in....Read More
August 17, 2017
Get In the Game: Corporate Sports Sponsorships
Since 2000, an average of 60% of Americans describe themselves as sports fans. It’s easy to understand why – the...Read More
August 9, 2017
The Great Shirt Showdown: Standard Promo vs. Retail Quality
Over the last several years, our industry has been trending away from basic cotton tees and moving toward softer, retail...Read More
June 30, 2017
Making The Most of Seasonal Summer Branded Merchandise
Summer… the season where the sun is hotter and so are the branded merchandise opportunities. When possible, supplementing seasonal merchandise...Read More
June 28, 2017
Summer Content Series: August – What Makes a Brand Relevant?
Let’s talk first about relevancy. What does it mean to be relevant? rel·e·vant ˈreləvənt/ adjective adjective: relevant closely connected or appropriate...Read More
June 7, 2017
Red, White and Coca-Cola
Me: “I’ll have a coke.” Waiter: “What kind?” Me: “Dr. Pepper.” According to Interbrand research in 2015, Coca-Cola ranked #3 in the...Read More
May 24, 2017
What Is Experiential Marketing?
“Experiential Marketing”…you’ve probably heard that buzzword around the water cooler, but what exactly is experiential marketing? Experiential marketing can refer...Read More