Awards and More by Academy | Awards and promotional products

Case Study: Attract New Customers

May 08

As part of their new corporate wellness program, the company wanted to stress the importance of healthy nutrition to its employees. Along with literature, discount memberships at a local health club a...

Top 5 Promo Products for 5Ks and Marathons

Apr 24

Hosting your next 5K? Running out of ideas for what to giveaway at your next marathon? If so, check out these great promotional products. These items are proven to get people talking and will make a l...

7 Fitness Promotional Products to Help You Stay in Shape

Apr 09

Exercise is an important part of our overall wellness and many companies are using wellness initiatives to promote healthy choices like regular exercise. Whether your company is encouraging physical f...

6 Stuffed Animals to Cuddle Your Way to Happiness

Mar 26

Almost everyone had a favorite stuffed animal growing up. They were a friend that you confided your deepest secrets to, a friend that could keep you company when thunderstorms rolled through the night...

12 Coolest Squeeze Products to Relieve Your Stress

Mar 12

Admit it, when you get a goodie bag full of promotional products, or you see a booth at a trade show - you immediately gravitate towards the stress relievers. Stress relievers have evolved well beyond...

Your Guide to Promo Hats

Feb 26

A hat is a hat, right? With so many different styles available, it’s easy to get confused. With this quick guide to promotional headwear, you’ll learn the differences between the various s...

Mask Mania!

Jan 28

It’s safe to say that the humble face mask is one of 2020’s most popular products, and it isn’t difficult to figure out why. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Con...

5 Promotional Products That Will Have Your Clients Dreaming

Jan 13

There are a lot of branding opportunities that go unnoticed in a world of t-shirts and coffee mugs. In fact, there’s an entire industry that spends every waking hour thinking of ways to help you...

Case Study: A Cheese-y Promotion

Dec 30, 2021

Objective: A restaurant was looking for a unique way to deliver custom printed coupons to their guests to attract more repeat business. Product: Coupon Gatefold Photo Folder Personalization: Rest...

Case Study: Insuring Happy Employees

Dec 16, 2021

Item: JAFFA® Round Zinc Coaster Purpose: End of year gifts for employees Audience: Insurance firm employees An insurance firm had a particularly prosperous year and wanted to give employees end...

8 Corporate Gifts for Your Employees

Dec 02, 2021

The employees are the backbone of every company. And when your employees have been working hard all year to bring in tremendous results, nothing conveys your appreciation more than a corporate gift. A...

Case Study: A Golfer Giveaway

Nov 18, 2021

Objective An event organizer wanted consistent branding for everything from their tournament save the dates to golfer giveaways. Products Custom Tri-Fold Calendar, A2 (4-1/4" x 5-1/2") Folded Print...

6 Budget-Friendly Products to Drive High-End Sales

Nov 03, 2021

Are you looking for a marketing campaign that is not only successful but budget-friendly? Good news! You don’t have to break the bank to find promotional products that get the job done and leave...

Your Graphic & Web Design Cheat Sheet

Oct 20, 2021

The world of graphic and web design is complicated and there is a lot of terminology out there to learn. To help you out, we’ve put together a cheat sheet with answers to some of the top graphic...

Case Study: It Takes a Village

Oct 06, 2021

Objective: A village needed an easy way to let residents know when there were issues with their water meters. They wanted a faster method of communication than mailing letters, and something more di...

Our Top 10 Favorite Eco-Friendly Products

Sep 22, 2021

Sometimes it’s good to take a moment and get in touch with Mother Earth. Not only are these products great for printing your company logo or message, but they also serve dual purposes. The produ...

Case Study: Rock out on the Run

Sep 08, 2021

Description: Earbuds With a Wristband Industry: Marathon What it was purchased for: A sponsor was looking for an item or items that runners/walkers could be given at the race that they could use dur...

6 Reasons You Need a Company Store

Aug 25, 2021

As more and more companies turn towards e-commerce, shopping online has never been easier or more enjoyable. Ordering branded products is no exception! Company stores give you a convenient and complet...

Case Study: The Write Way

Aug 10, 2021

Item: WideBody® Message Pen Purpose: Inform people about range of services Audience: Clients and general public A chiropractic office wanted to inform clients and others about their range of...

6 High-Tech Promotional Products

Jul 27, 2021

It seems like there are new cutting-edge gadgets coming to market every day. It’s getting hard to keep up with what is really going to make your life easier and what’s just hype. We&rsquo...

Case Study: Keep it Sweet

Jul 13, 2021

Vertical Market: Hospitality Product Use: Employee Appreciation Promotion: A nationally known hotel chain gifted their staff the Everyday Sweet and Savory Gourmet Carry Caddy for Employee Appreciati...

Case Study: This Event Needs More Cowbell

Jun 29, 2021

Description: Cow Bell Industry: Trade Show / Convention / Events What it was purchased for: A charity marathon coordinator wanted a giveaway that spectators could use to cheer on their runners. ...

6 Mood-Boosting Promo Products to Beat the Winter Blues

Jun 15, 2021

Winter can be a hard season for lots of people. Between the colder weather, shorter daylight hours, and increased social isolation this year, many folks will feel the winter blues. Also known as Seaso...

6 A+ Products for Online Education Courses

May 31, 2021

Classrooms have looked very different this year. Who agrees? Notebooks have turned into laptops, desks have turned into dining room tables, and students have kept their distance by learning and study...

Why You Need Promotional Products

May 17, 2021

In a world of ever-changing advertisement trends, there is one marketing solution that never grows old – promotional products. Studies show promotional products were ranked as the highest advert...

9 Useful Apps for Sales & Marketing Professionals

May 03, 2021

Your phone’s ringing off the hook. You’ve got three meetings back to back. Emails are piling up in your inbox. And when you have a moment to book your next business trip, you wonder how yo...

Case Study: Bake in Business

Apr 19, 2021

Description: Set of 4 Measuring Cups Industry: Hospitality / Tourism What it was purchased for: A casino in the Milwaukee area wanted to spice up a "normal giveaway" with a theme. They had come to t...

Case Study: Computer Repair At Your Fuzzy Fingertips

Apr 04, 2021

A computer repair store attended a local home show and wanted something useful but unique to attract attendees to their booth. They also wanted something that would keep their name top of mind when th...

Get in Gear With These Automotive Promo Products

Mar 21, 2021

Branding these car-accessory promotional products for a campaign will drive more customers to your business! In the U.S., the average daily work commute is 26 minutes and Americans spend around 38 hou...

Case Study: Success on Campus

Mar 07, 2021

A large university needed a useful tool to promote its school app to students and faculty because it wanted to use the app to communicate important college news and upcoming events. Since most student...

5 Out of the Box Promotional Products We Love…and You Will Too!

Feb 21, 2021

We’ve all been stuck in the same rut while trying to come up with some original ideas to appeal to customers. Are you in need of some extra product inspiration? If so, here’s a little e...

5 Back to College Products for a Safe School Year

Feb 07, 2021

The 2020-2021 school year is almost here, which means staff is preparing for an influx of students on college campuses. Due to health concerns this year, colleges are doing everything to heighten safe...

6 Promotional Products That Put Safety First

Jan 24, 2021

Whether it’s on a construction site, warehouse, or a laboratory, it’s always important to help your workers stay safe. Encourage your employees to make safe choices all year long with thes...

The Power of Promo: Why People Love Freebies

Jan 09, 2021

Getting free items can feel like winning the lottery. Whether it’s a free sample at the grocery store or a free trial of your favorite streaming service, it is always exciting to get something f...

It's Party Thyme: 7 Products for Plant Lovers

Dec 26, 2020

In recent years, home gardening has gone from a small hobby to a full-blown trend. Houseplants aren’t just beautiful home décor- they’re actually good for your health! Owning indoor...

Case Study: Hay, Where'd You Get That Tote?

Dec 12, 2020

Description: Large Boat Tote Industry: Sports / Fitness What it was purchased for: Horse show giveaways How it was distributed: A local horse show needed gifts for their major contributors. A VIP...

Case Study: A StuPENdous Promotion

Nov 27, 2020

Description: Dart Pen Industry: Technology What it was purchased for: A data storage company wanted an item they could put on their company store website in which branches or divisions could purchas...

8 Promo Products That Will Kick Start Your Goals

Nov 13, 2020

We all want to live healthier, sleep deeper, and work better. These motivational promotional products will help kickstart goals and increase your brand visibility! Exercise Band Let's get physical...

Case Study: Good Deeds for Kids in Need

Oct 30, 2020

Item: Landscape Mesh Tote Purpose: Fundraising Gala gift bag Audience: Kids in Need Foundation supporters The Kids in Need Foundation Gala is one of the organization’s largest fundraising ...

Swing, Batter! The Best MLB Promotions

Oct 16, 2020

Looking beyond the peanuts and Cracker Jacks, there are some creative new promotions heading to major league baseball stadiums this season! The tradition of these MLB giveaways dates all the way back...

Here Are Our Votes For The Best Political Promotional Product Staples

Oct 02, 2020

Whether you are right or left, red or blue, or somewhere in the middle, if you’re in need of political promotional product staples, we've got some great candidates for you! Yard Signs ...

Case Study: Charity Fundraiser

Sep 17, 2020

The organizer of a charity fundraiser wanted to add an element of fun and excitement to their door prize giveaways. As each guest arrived, they were given a Mardi Gras Jubilee pen and instructions to ...

5 Promo Products That Are Bright, Light, and Ready to Excite

Sep 03, 2020

Looking for some promotional products to outshine the competition? Need some LED magic to illuminate your brand? We’ve got you covered with this selection of super fun promotional products th...

5 Awesome Recreational Wearables

Aug 20, 2020

Did you know that wearables are the #1 best-received promotional product? Add your logo to these fresh wearables and make your brand a walking advertisement with innumerable impressions all year long!...

6 Snap-Worthy Products for Every Photographer

Aug 05, 2020

Do you know what bokeh means? Aperture? That’s ok if you don’t, but many of your clients may know these terms if they are avid photographers! Whether they enjoy taking a flat lay shot of t...

Case Study: A New Way to Do Cross-Promotions

Jul 22, 2020

Clever Meets Subtle: A New Way to Do Cross-Promotions Organization: Department Store Product Featured: Lanyard with Vinyl Pouch Goal of Promotion: Promoting Store Sales Description of Case His...

Take it To-Go: 8 Restaurant Takeout Essentials

Jul 08, 2020

The way restaurant patrons experience dining out has changed immensely since coronavirus cases have begun popping up in the U.S. Restaurants that were once packed to the brim with happy diners are now...

How to Work Smarter, Not Harder

Jun 23, 2020

Do you ever find that no matter how hard you're working, you're not getting the results you want? You put in the long hours at the office, you answer every email, you skip lunch, and yet you're still ...

6 Promotional Signs to Let Customers Know You’re Open For Business

Jun 09, 2020

As restaurants, salons, retail stores, and more begin reopening the doors, many business owners are trying to think of bold ways to visually attract customers to their businesses. From curbside food p...

Case Study: College Fair Giveaway

May 25, 2020

Description: 4" Mini Plush Buddies Frog with Shirt Industry: Education What it was purchased for: A community college was looking for a giveaway item to have at their booth for the upcoming college ...

Case Study: Happy to Hang Around

May 11, 2020

Description: Standard Door Hangers Industry: Automotive What it was purchased for: A collision center wanted to increase the number of customer satisfaction survey responses and boost online appoint...

Case Study: The Write Stuff

Apr 27, 2020

Description: Rumba Pen Industry: Automotive What it was purchased for: An automotive supplier wanted to make their name visible in automotive stores around the country. How it was distributed: Pens...

Lead a Healthier Lifestyle With These 6 Promotional Products

Apr 13, 2020

Eating healthy. Weight management. Working out five times a week. There are many health-related resolutions we set at the beginning of a new year. But, do we follow through with them? Many times, the ...

Drink It In: 6 Drinkware Products to Quench Your Thirst

Mar 30, 2020

What better way to put your money where your mouth is than to add your logo to some stylish drinkware? We have six unique picks to inspire your next drinkware order! Moscow Mule Gift Set Cheers to...

Case Study: Jot It Down

Mar 15, 2020

Description: Mini Flip Pad Jotter Industry: Financial What it was purchased for: An investment firm wanted to promote their new financial blog to their existing customers with a memorable branded it...

Case Study: Guess the Flavor Lip Balm

Mar 01, 2020

Guess the Flavor Lip Balm Organization Health Insurance Organization Product Featured Lip Balm & Lip Balm Sleeve Goal of Promotion Generating positive reinforcement with sales reps De...

Case Study: Keep it Cooler

Feb 16, 2020

Description: Dual Compartment Cooler Bag Industry: Corporate / Fortune 500 What it was purchased for: An annual company picnic for employees and their families. Each year they give their empl...

Top 10 Promotional Products for the Health and Wellness Industry

Feb 02, 2020

Now, more than ever before, people are focused on enriching their lives with healthy habits and wellbeing practices. In fact, the health & wellness industry has seen exponential growths over the past ...

5 Steps to Achieving Your Goals

Jan 19, 2020

If you’ve ever watched a TED talk or listened to any of your teachers in school, you’ll know that setting goals are the stepping stones to getting where you want to be in life. You watch o...

Case Study: Life of the Mardi

Jan 04, 2020

Market: Hospitality Objective: With their event scheduled close to Mardi Gras, event planners wanted to provide a themed goodie package for attendees with giveaways from event sponsors. They w...

Case Study: Where Has Your Pen Been?

Dec 21, 2019

Products Javalina Splash® Pen Industry Technology Application Contest An internet company created a branded website for a promotion called “Where has your pen been?” ...

8 Elegant & Engravable Promotional Products

Dec 07, 2019

The promotional products industry has become so successful for one reason: people like free stuff. It’s true! So, how do you know which of the millions of products you want to be associated with...

Yes, There's a Difference: Everything You Need to Know About Pens

Nov 23, 2019

Even as much of our world goes digital and paperless, the pen remains an essential tool in both office and home life. With so many different types of pens, choosing the “write” one can be ...

7 Promotional Products Perfect for Weddings

Nov 09, 2019

Adding names, monograms, or wedding dates to wedding favors is a great way to increase the wow-factor of any event. After everyone leaves the reception, these personalized gifts are there to help them...

How to Juggle Work and Life Balance Like a Boss

Oct 26, 2019

Sometimes life gets hard. You don’t have to work a night shift from Monday to Sunday to agree with that statement. Even the most effortless of jobs, those we believe to have truly mastered, can...

Case Study: Don't Run from this Promo!

Oct 11, 2019

Description: Running Belt Fanny Pack Industry: Sports / Fitness What it was purchased for: A nationwide gym chain was looking for an item to give away with the purchase of yearly membership...

16 Ways Color Affects Your Branding and Marketing

Sep 27, 2019

Substantial research shows why color matters in branding and how it plays an important role in how we experience marketing. These 16 facts give you a glimpse into how you can use color to your advanta...

5 Unique Rainy-Day Promotional Products to Keep You Covered!

Sep 13, 2019

Unpredictable weather is a shared experience in life. No matter your age, geographical location, job, or personality, it will always rain. These unique and functional promotional products are sure to ...

7 Promo Products That Will Get the Party Started

Aug 30, 2019

Do you remember the birthday parties you went to when you were a kid? And the party favors you received at the end of the festivities? Sometimes, those parting gifts were the highlight of the party. B...

8 Fall Promo Products

Aug 16, 2019

As the weather cools down, we’re having dreams of color changing leaves and all the fall themed events and promotions to come. From Halloween parties to homecoming football games, there are ple...

Case Study: A

Aug 01, 2019

Organization Tanning Salon Product Featured Polyester Lanyard Goal of Promotion To create new clients for salon Description of Case History A tanning salon wanted a creative way to give out a...

5 Easy Ways to Achieve a Positive Outlook

Jul 18, 2019

One of the most powerful things you can do to set yourself up for success is practice the art of positive thinking. It's easy to let the struggles of everyday life control your attitude. But by practi...

7 Ways to Instantly Make Your Website More User-Friendly

Jul 04, 2019

With more and more people preferring to conduct business exclusively online, a user-friendly website isn’t just desirable, it’s required if you want to be successful. These seven tips will...

Graphic Design Terms Everyone Should Know

May 23, 2019

It can be hard to communicate with a design team on a project when the designers speak their very own language. That's why we have a rundown of words you may come across frequently that can save you f...

Why You Should Be Having More Fun at Work

May 08, 2019

In the past, the words “work” and “fun” were two very different concepts that could never be caught in the same sentence. The old school rationale taught us that if you are enj...

9 Promotional Products for Tech Wizards

Apr 24, 2019

Did you know that American consumers own, on average, at least three connected devices? Add your logo to these top tech accessories and your company will become a part of your customers’ daily l...

Case Study: Employee Appreciation Gift

Apr 10, 2019

A company with many sales representatives needed an item for their top sales performers. Since their sales staff has both men and women, they needed an item that could be used by either gender. They c...

Graphic Design Terms Everyone Should Know

Mar 27, 2019

It can be hard to communicate with a design team on a project when the designers speak their very own language. That’s why we have a rundown of words you may come across frequently that can sav...

6 Things You're Missing Out on by Not Using Promotional Products

Mar 27, 2019

Promotional products aren’t just for niche industry operations. Whether you are a small organization looking to grow your business, or an established company wanting to reach a new market, a pro...

25 Insane Facts About Promotional Products

Mar 27, 2019

You don’t have to work in the field of promotional products to notice the impact they can have on any organization’s marketing efforts. As the most effective medium of advertising across a...

Case Study: Look, Ma, No Hands!

Jun 20, 2019

Description: Auto Air Vent Magnetic Phone Mount Industry: Technology What it was purchased for: A technology business was looking for a giveaway item that was unique but also fit within their budget...

How One Hour Can Determine Your Success

Jun 06, 2019

After working a long, tiring day, all you want to do is plop down on the sofa and watch TV. The thought of laying on the couch spending hours of mindless activity is tempting to most. In fact, the ave...

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