Present Perfect: The Art of Corporate Gifting

A well-considered corporate gifting program can help celebrate employees for a job well done, establish and enhance your customer and vendor relationships, and promote activities that benefit the overall business. 

When choosing the perfect gift for your corporate gifting program this year, we put together our top three things to start thinking about before the flurry of activities hits the holiday season:

High-End or Budget? 

Even if you are the most generous person in the world, you are still operating a business within a budget. Whether you go luxury, conventional or somewhere in-between, don’t think you have to choose a high-end gift just because it costs more. Do it because you think that’s the gift the other person will appreciate. If luxury is the route you choose and budget is a concern, narrow your recipient list. 

There is an array of gifting options that fit budgets of all sizes. The hard part is finding one that speaks to your recipient.
There is an array of gifting options that fit budgets of all sizes. The hard part is finding one that speaks to your recipient.

Company Logo and Customization.

To logo or not to logo, that is the question. For many businesses, customized gifts keep the company name in the minds of recipients. When the item is practical and likely to be used every day – such as a calendar, pen, coffee mug, or tote bag – this amounts to free daily advertising. But there’s a tackiness quotient to consider. 

That being said, keep in mind that you can minimize the size of your logo and still have your brand printed but in a more subtle way. Second, customization does not have to come in the form of a logo. For example, you can personalize the gift by adding the recipient’s name. 

Adding your recipient's initials on their gift is a subtle and unique way to personalize the gift.
Adding your recipient’s initials on their gift is a subtle and unique way to personalize the gift.

Packaging.

We call this the unboxing experience. The unboxing experience triggers emotions and senses when the recipient opens the gift. The packaging, the gift wrap, the ribbon all matter. When done right, it can improve the way the recipient feels about the actual product because first impressions matter.

First impressions matter. A memorable unboxing experience can turn your gift from good to remarkable.
First impressions matter. A memorable unboxing experience can turn your gift from good to remarkable.

Hollywood Ready: This Gift Bundle Reaches the Stars

The high-octane action-thriller, John Wick 3, enjoyed a successful opening weekend that far exceeded critics’ expectations. In fact, the movie took the top spot at the box office only 10 days after its release in May. 

The cast and crew celebrated as the film was crowned most successful box office entry among the franchise. In addition to the esteem, the actors, producers and film crew received some remarkable gifts. Among them, a high-impact, fully customized tech bundle with the latest Apple devices:

Highly visual artwork from the movie is printed on the back of each iPad Pro. Inside the tablet is a designated app featuring the film’s images and videos.
Highly visual artwork from the movie is printed on the back of each iPad Pro. Inside the tablet is a designated app featuring the film’s images and videos.
Every iPad Smart Cover is personalized for each member of the film cast and crew.
Every iPad Smart Cover is personalized for each member of the film cast and crew.
The customized Apple Pencil is a replica of the gruesome tool as seen in the film.
The customized Apple Pencil is a replica of the gruesome tool as seen in the film.
The design of the Apple AirPods captures the essence of the movie.
The design of the Apple AirPods captures the essence of the movie.

Customized by FUSION OF IDEAS, each product was designed with stunning artwork from the movie exclusively for the recipient. And the movie’s key art pieces were used on the iPad Smart Covers. The vibrant artwork on each device is permanently printed and bonded with UV so it will not fade, chip or scratch. 

We also developed a dedicated John Wick 3 application for the iPad that housed posters, clips and images from the movie.

The film's posters, videos and images are loaded into the dedicated movie app.
The film’s posters, videos and images are loaded into the dedicated movie app.

The stunning cinematography of the movie helped deliver the striking images that were used to create this ultra-sleek gift experience. Ultimately, these gifts were presented to the film’s actors, producers and key members of the crew.

These Schools Have an A+ in Branding & Technology

Technology is driving change not just in corporations and private businesses, but also in the education sector. Many schools are taking learning outside the classroom with online programs that allow access to educational materials on mobile devices.

Others are using mobile technology as an incentive or form of recognizing students when they complete a program or hit a milestone. When technology is coupled with a marketing strategy that adds the school brand on the devices themselves, it creates visibility for the school and adds a personal touch for the recipient of the device.

Here are a few schools that have strategically used custom-branded technology to offer a unique value proposition.

Harvard Business School

Harvard University’s business school customized two Apple Watch bands in two colors to give as rewards within its online program. The school’s “VERITAS” shield is etched on both sides of the watch band, and the phrase “HBX Live” is etched on one side of the band as well as the back of the watch itself.

Customized Apple Watch bands for Harvard Business School
Customized Apple Watch bands for Harvard Business School
Logo etched on Apple Watch for Harvard Business School
Logo etched on Apple Watch for Harvard Business School

The Decorating and Staging Academy

The Decorating and Staging Academy used customized Apple iPad Air tablets to enhance the learning experience for its students. iPads are preloaded with specific industry-related apps and protected with a custom Smart Cover printed with the Academy’s logo for brand recognition. A custom branded sleeve encloses the device to create a one-of-a-kind unboxing experience.

Customized iPad Smart Cover and device sleeve for The Decorating & Staging Academy
Customized iPad Smart Cover and device sleeve for The Decorating & Staging Academy

Avenues: The World School

Avenues New York, the first campus of Avenues: The World School in the heart of Manhattan, gives away customized Apple AirPods at special school events. A school that touts bringing together the best of tradition and innovation, it created a design for the branded AirPods that speaks to both the school’s brand and its diversity. The AirPods are used as part of its marketing strategy to garner more brand awareness for the school.

Apple AirPod designed and customized for Avenues New York
Apple AirPod designed and customized for Avenues New York

South Kent School

A private boarding school for boys in Connecticut, South Kent School customized Apple Watch bands with its logo and showcased the watches as part of a presentation at a regional event. The logo, etched on bands in the school’s two colors, helped bring more visibility to the school.

Apple Watch band etched with school logo for South Kent School
A red Apple Watch band etched with school logo for South Kent School
Customize Apple Watch band in black for South Kent School
Customize Apple Watch band in black for South Kent School

When it Comes to Gaming, It’s All About the Experience

In Vegas, playing casino games has its perks. Besides the potential of winning cold, hard cash, members of players clubs get free hotel stays, discounted meals, concert tickets, golf rounds, among other rewards. And when it comes to tournaments and casino events, there are even more benefits just for playing.

A number of Vegas casinos have included customized tech gadgets as part of the benefits for participating in a special event. These giveaways serve as reminders of the event after the players have left the casino floor.

Here are a few that FUSION OF IDEAS got to work with:

  • Amazon Echo smart speakers customized for Park MGM’s special eventCustom branded Amazon Echo for Park MGM
  • Custom-branded Apple AirPods for a blackjack tournament at The Cosmopolitan of Las VegasCustom branded Apple AirPods for The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
  • Apple iPad Pro with MGM Grand logo etched on the back for one of the casino’s blackjack eventsCustom branded Apple iPad Pro for MGM Grand

Off the strip, MyVegas, an online gaming app by Playstudios, gifted its top players with a customized Apple iPad Pro.

When it comes to casino tournaments, special events, and even online casino gaming, the “wow” factor sells more than the game. It’s all about the player having the best and most memorable experience.

A Raffle Prize Worth Putting For

The GOLFWEEK Amateur Tour, with 50 regional tournaments, was founded to give amateur golfers a chance to compete in a nationwide series of stroke-play golf tournaments. Open to men and women, young and old, the tournament – now in its 25th year – uses some of the best championship golf courses and concludes with a National Tour Championship, which awards the final winner among the top players in each flight.

In addition to a day on the greens, the winner of each flight is awarded a crystal trophy and each participant is entered into a tournament raffle. At the El Paso, Texas/Las Cruces, N.M. tournament, customized Apple AirPods served as one of the top prizes for the event raffle. As one of the hottest tech accessories, it was a highly sought-after prize for the 60+ participants of the event.

Additionally, Apple iPad Pro tablets with customized Smart Keyboard Folios were used to check the golfers in at each tournament and serve as a live score board. As we have seen in this event, and others, cohesive branding can significantly add value and experience for all attendees and participants involved.