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Corporate Gifting for the 2020 Holiday Season

As the 2020 holiday season approaches, companies may be thinking about how they will be connecting and showing appreciation to employees and clients in meaningful ways.

Large celebrations and holiday events have become challenging due to the pandemic. And some of the more traditional holiday gifts may not fit the bill. 

One way of giving employees recognition and showing customer appreciation is a premium gift that is timeless, meaningful and practical. 

The benefit of a good gift

When you think of the last time you received a gift you loved, you probably gleamed with excitement. You couldn’t wait to show or share it with others. If it was an item you can wear or use, you probably took the product out to try it on or use it. You felt appreciated, thought of, and most importantly, special.

Conversely, as the person giving the gift, there is a great sense of satisfaction when you see the expression on the face of someone you’ve given a great gift to. The way that the recipient reacts to your gift reinforces the appreciation you intended to give.

When it comes to business gifts, the product(s) you choose for your corporate gifting strategy represents how you want your company to be perceived. According to a 2019 Business Gift Satisfaction Survey by Knack, corporate gifts can support – or hurt – business growth. Specifically, 57 percent of respondents in the survey said that “gifts can impact their opinion of a business both positively and negatively.” 

The benefit of a good gift is the value it brings, to the recipient and to the relationship. It strengthens the relationship between the gifter and the recipient, as it demonstrates thoughtfulness and the importance of the relationship to the gifter.

The value in a tech gift

Tech products are no longer just for gadget geeks. Technology has become a part of our everyday lives, at work, at home and in school. Furthermore, tech accessories – such as wireless chargers, phone accessories and speakers – are just as popular since they power and enhance the many devices we use.

The value for companies in choosing technology as a gift is that it is practical and it can be used year-round. Tech products are the new go-to corporate gifts with more employees working from home and relying on technology for work and home.

What matters are the details

The first thing your recipient sees when receiving your gift isn’t the gift itself; it’s the wrapping. A  great gift deserves a  great presentation. Thoughtful gifters pay attention to details, including how their gifts are wrapped. The unboxing experience creates the first impression and it is just as important as the gift itself.

Another detail not to be overlooked is personalization. Personalization comes in different forms – a handwritten note, a personalized tag to the recipient or even customized packaging. These details are all important in creating the overall gifting experience.

Consumers gravitate toward brands they associate with positive emotions and memories. When they have a positive experience, consumers develop a deeper connection with the brand, which helps to increase brand credibility, loyalty and value. 

At the end of the day, gifting is an opportunity to let a person know you have thought about them and how much you appreciate them. The practice of thoughtful giving offers a wealth of benefits, particularly when it is practical and personal.

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Salon Talk: An Immersive Brand Experience for Social Dry Lounge

Social Dry Lounge (SDL) is a Southern California luxury, full-service hair salon with six locations that offer hair blowouts and professional make-up services. The professionals at Social Dry Lounge aim to make every visit a first-class experience from the moment the customer walks through the doors with comfortable seating, complimentary refreshments, digital entertainment, and professional services. The salon is known for going above and beyond by providing guests with an iPad for personal use throughout their stay. 

For the grand opening of one location, FUSION OF IDEAS partnered with the salon to elevate the brand experience through technology. The back of each iPad used for guests was printed with the salon’s logo along with a stylish silhouette in the background. This imagery was created using tones of white, grey, and blue that match the natural aesthetics of the iPad. 

Additionally, the FUSION OF IDEAS creative team designed a customized digital home and lock screen for the iPads. The devices were also installed with digital content including images of hairstyles offered by the salon, applications that provide users with access to the latest fashion magazines, and social applications like Facebook and Instagram. 

Now used to entertain customers and further enhance the VIP experience Social Dry lounge, these customized devices with digital content are an excellent way to extend an experience into the customers’ hands by providing content that interests both the company and customers. 

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A Winning New Look for Vegas Golden Knights

NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights announced broadcasting talent changes in the fall and most recently, revamped the look of their in-studio mobile technology. 

FUSION OF IDEAS worked with the Golden Knights to refresh the devices used by the new broadcast team by creating a custom design for their Apple Macbook Air laptops and iPad Air. The new artwork features the team’s logo in full color and is adhered to the laptops and iPad using FUSION OF IDEAS’ heat-bonded protective film, StealthArmor.

Fans can watch the Golden Knights on all regionally televised AT&T SportsNet game broadcasts. AT&T SportsNet, the official TV home of the Vegas Golden Knights, will produce and televise 76 games during the 2019-20 regular season.

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A Customized Experience in NYC: 53rd Annual International Achievement Summit

More than 80 aspiring young scholars, scientists, entrepreneurs and public servants recently gathered in New York City to meet with some of the world’s most outstanding leaders in the arts, sciences, business and public service.

The program, 53rd Annual International Achievement Summit, hosted by the American Academy of Achievement, welcomed recipients of the Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize, Justices of the United States Supreme Court, and members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

Guests at the 53rd International Achievement Summit. Photo source: American Academy of Achievement
Guests at the 53rd International Achievement Summit. Photo source: American Academy of Achievement

The highlight of the program was the Banquet of the Golden Plate where 34 guests of honor were inducted into the Academy and presented with the Golden Plate Award.

Some of this year’s guests of honor included: Two Nobel Peace Prize laureates, Leymah Gbowee and Nadia Murad; American blues guitarist and singer, Buddy Guy; Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Brett M. Kavanaugh; The Who’s Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey; musical theatre composer Andrew Lloyd Webber; and designer Thomas Heatherwick.

Attendees at the event used iPads that contained preloaded content, including an app that directs the guest to the event’s agenda, as well as iBooks and podcasts created by the Academy. Each tablet was protected by a smart cover printed with a custom design artwork for the event. All of these services, including the kitting of the iPad packages, were serviced by FUSION OF IDEAS.

“We plan all year for our International Achievement Summit and it’s important that we create the best experience for our guests,” said Ethel Terrado-Lowe, Academy of Achievement Director of New Media and Design. “The FUSION OF IDEAS team understood our mission and were not just order takers, they were partners with us in creating a complete brand experience for our program guests. The team was timely, responsive and knowledgeable, which made working with them a seamless experience.” 

The American Academy of Achievement is a nonprofit organization that brings together the most accomplished people from diverse fields around the world to encourage and inspire the next generation. The organization was founded by Brian Blaine Reynolds, a photographer known for his contributions to Life magazine and Sports Illustrated, in order to bring aspiring young people together with preeminent achievers, who excel in their chosen professions.

Attendees used iPads with a custom-printed smart cover. Inside the iPad, there was a preloaded app directed the guest to the event’s agenda.
Attendees used iPads with a custom-printed smart cover. Inside the iPad, there was a preloaded app directed the guest to the event’s agenda.
Leymah Gbowee of Liberia, the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, addresses Academy delegates and members at the Summit. Photo credit: American Academy of Achievement.
Leymah Gbowee of Liberia, the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, addresses Academy delegates and members at the Summit. Photo credit: American Academy of Achievement.
Some of the guests of honor at the Summit included: Anthony M. Kennedy, retired Justice of the United States Supreme Court, and Steven Tyler, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer and songwriter. Photo credit: American Academy of Achievement
Some of the guests of honor at the Summit included: Anthony M. Kennedy, retired Justice of the United States Supreme Court, and Steven Tyler, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer and songwriter. Photo credit: American Academy of Achievement
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Apple Watch, Your Way

Personalization is the way of the future, at least according to Apple. At the Apple event earlier this week, the tech giant launched Apple Watch Studio, which lets you mix and match Apple Watch casings and straps to get the exact look that you want.

Taking it a step further, add your company logo or a custom design opens a branding opportunity for your business. It’s a gift-giving opportunity for your employees or a way to say “thank you” to a vendor or client.

Custom branding options on the Apple Watch:

  • Company or recipient name on the blank side of the case
  • Logo or design on the Watch button
  • Custom design or logo etched on the Sport Bands
  • Color logo or design on the charger

Being able to choose the material, style and color of your Apple Watch case and bands, there are over a 1,000 different watch customization options. Being able to add your own logo or design, the possibilities are endless. There is truly a watch for everyone.