Today I received a great gift from an executive at Accenture. He brought me in to speak to his leadership team a few weeks ago. His gift, a silver serving tray from Neiman Marcus, was special because it lacked one thing: his company's brand.
When you get a "gift" from a business aossiciate that has his company's logo on it, you have just entered a quid-pro-quo marketing execution. You get a piece of swag and by wearing it or using it publicly, you are a marketing agent. On a scale of 1-10, you might feel a 5 when you get a branded gift. Absent the brand, especially if its thoughtful, you will feel and 8 or a 9 most likely.
The birth of unbranded gift-giving in my life:
A few years ago I was visiting Italy on behalf of Yahoo. I brought some nice sweaters for my hosts, complete with the Yahoo logo emblazoned on the front. When I presented these as gifts, I was schooled in the church-and-state line that a true gift doesn't cross. My host kindly said, "is this a gift I give to you, this free advertising?" I got it. From that point forward, I offered Yahoo branded items as "swag" with the understanding that it was a win/win exchange -- not a gift. When I gave gifts, I bought things that I thought they would like and included a simple card.
In the end, the best marketing for your company is delivered when you create an emotionally engaging experience, using the platform of the holidays (their birthday, a milestone, etc.). When the cake, the shirt, the tray or the pen set has your company's brand on it, you decrease the chance of creating that surprise and delight that comes in receiving true gifts.
So be careful if you are about to raid the swag (stuff we all get) closet at your company for last minute gifts. You might be better advised to visit a chocolate shop or even Best Buy.
Thank you Tim, I got this very helpful to read.
Posted by: coban | March 06, 2011 at 04:37 AM
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Posted by: Rachael | January 14, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Great insight Tim, I have spoken with many real estate professionals about this and my personal coaching clients have found this absolutely changes everything relationship wise. Branded gifts are a form of advertising and not a heartfelt gift that shows you truly care about a person. Heartfelt thoughtful gifts however are valued because of the way they are delivered, the thought behind them and how they make us feel , warm and fuzzy !Love your blog, by the way
Posted by: Karin Hanna | September 01, 2007 at 09:50 PM
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Posted by: Mark Vane | June 22, 2007 at 02:07 AM
brilliant insight.
Posted by: dane | May 25, 2007 at 08:36 PM
I couldn't agree more too! I wrote a post about this a while ago. Check it out http://marketingmonster.wordpress.com/2006/07/21/trade-show-promotional-items-ruined-by-obtrusive-corporate-logos
Posted by: Michael Morton | May 25, 2007 at 12:36 PM
Tim, I could not agree more. I was just speaking about this to someone here at our office. On Sunday night I attended a fundraiser for a Bible Translation company (http://www.theseedcompany.org) They gave us some of the nicest gifts and NONE of them had their logo on it. One was a beautiful golf shirt that I wore yesterday. No logo on it just a very nice gift that said Thank You.
Bill Hampton, Executive VP
The Dave Ramsey Show
Posted by: Bill Hampton | May 25, 2007 at 12:08 PM