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We Are PPAI Proud

FUSION OF IDEAS is now a member of Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), the world’s largest not-for-profit trade association of the promotional products industry. 

For more than a decade, we have committed to helping our clients create powerful brand experiences to mobilize and grow their businesses. We do this through our laser etch, full-color direct print and StealthArmor branding solutions, as well as custom device packaging. 

Additionally, we are proud to hold the ‘Product Safety Aware’ status in PPAI’s Product Safety Awareness Program. This means we have met or exceeded the PPAI product safety training and education requirements.

Maintaining this status is an ongoing effort we are committed to. We are dedicated to continuing education on all matters related to product safety and compliance in an effort to increase the value in the service that we deliver.

Founded in 1903, PPAI has a long history of leadership in the development of training and education programs meant to enhance safety programs in the promotional products industry. The Association is the world’s largest and oldest not-for-profit trade association for the $18.5 billion promotional products industry and is the leading provider of promotional products safety and compliance training and education with more than 50-years of professional development and certification.

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Laser Etching Your Company Devices

Laser technology has been around since the 1900s. Used in industries from healthcare to manufacturing, it is among the most versatile inventions of modern times because of its precision. 

While we are not experts in all things laser, we do know a thing or two about laser etching on mobile devices. By blending the technical process of laser etching with a creative eye, we have transformed countless mobile devices from something out of the box to extraordinary. 

What is Laser Etching?

Laser etching is a laser-guided method that creates a detailed and precise imprint onto a hard material. It works best on coated metals, anodized aluminum and hard plastics. The strength and heat of the laser are determined based on the material it is cutting.

Why Businesses Opt for Laser Etching on Company Devices

  • Security and Tracking – Businesses use laser etching to secure company devices by imprinting an ID number or company logo to deter theft. Particularly for enterprises with a large number of remote employees, marking company devices allows for easier identification and tracking. 
  • Brand Recognition – Putting your company logo and name on customer-facing products is the best way to build brand recognition. Using a branded device for a business function or as a business gift, are easy ways to keep your brand visible in the marketplace.

Laser Etching vs. Laser Engraving

Laser engraving is a different technique from laser etching. The main difference between the two is the depth of the marking. While both offer a permanent solution, laser engraving is not suitable to use on mobile devices. Here’s why:

During the laser etching process, the top layer of your material is vaporized, producing little to no depth but rather, a high-contrast marking. The depth of the mark doesn’t go any deeper than 0.001 inches, which is why it’s ideal for thinner materials.

Laser engraving, on the other hand, vaporizes some of the base material with cone shape indentation. Engraving works well for harder materials like wood, rubber, and acrylic. If laser engraving is done on a fragile material, like the back of a mobile phone or tablet, it can disfigure the device, or worse, ruin it entirely.

The Results

Laser etch is a great way to outfit your devices with a detailed and permanent impression of your brand. Here are some examples:

Secure your company devices by adding your company logo or a custom design using laser etch.
Secure your company devices by adding your company logo or a custom design using laser etch.
Laser etch is the process of using a laser beam to precisely cut an image or pattern into a hard material.
Laser etch is the process of using a laser beam to precisely cut an image or pattern into a hard material.
Custom laser etch on Otterbox Elevation 20 tumbler
Custom laser etch on Otterbox Elevation 20 tumbler
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The Richard S. Fusco Foundation: Enhancing Lives, One iPad at a Time

Like many cystic fibrosis patients, Richard Fusco spent most of his life in the hospital. In the last three years of life when his health started deteriorating, Fusco depended on an iPad to communicate with his family, stay in touch with friends, and keep himself entertained with movies, books, videos and games.

Fusco’s father, Ralph Fusco, saw how this multifaceted mobile device enhanced the last few years of his son’s life and was inspired to provide the same opportunity with technology to other cystic fibrosis patients. This was the beginning of The Richard S. Fusco Foundation.

The mission of the Foundation is to help children with cystic fibrosis stay connected with loved ones and school through mobile technology. Since it was founded in 2013, the Foundation has formed partnerships with six children’s hospitals across the country to give iPads to their young cystic fibrosis patients.

The first iPad recipient from The Richard S. Fusco Foundation at MassGeneral Hospital for Children.
The first iPad recipient from The Richard S. Fusco Foundation at MassGeneral Hospital for Children.

Inspired by his son’s zest for life and positive attitude, Fusco partnered with FUSION OF IDEAS to design a vibrant image for the iPad Smart Cover and a second image for the device sleeve. Prior to each delivery of iPads, the images are printed and packaged up to create a surprise and delight moment upon receiving the device.

FUSION OF IDEAS also uses its proprietary laser etching process to customize the device itself with the Foundation’s name on the back.

Each iPad is custom branded with the Foundation's colorful brand.
Each iPad is custom branded with the Foundation’s colorful brand.

“It is pleasure doing business with FUSION OF IDEAS to produce these colorful covers and packages for the iPads that we hand out,” said Ralph Fusco, founder of The Richard S. Fusco Foundation. “More than just a beautiful package, it is a memorable experience for the children when they open the devices for the first time. The joy we see in their faces and the appreciation by their families is what keeps us going, and we hope to provide that experience to young cystic fibrosis patients nationwide.”

For more information about The Richard Fusco Foundation, visit https://www.richardsfuscofoundation.org/

Every iPad given by The Richard S. Fusco Foundation is hand delivered by the Foundation's president, Ralph Fusco.
Every iPad given by The Richard S. Fusco Foundation is hand delivered by the Foundation’s president, Ralph Fusco.
iPads not only allow the patients to communicate with friends and family during long hospital stays, but they also offer an opportunity for the patients to stay on top of their school work.
iPads not only allow the patients to communicate with friends and family during long hospital stays, but they also offer an opportunity for the patients to stay on top of their school work.

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5 Ways to Make Your Brand Stand Out

Companies like Apple, Nike or Disney can put their name or logo on any product and customers will flock to it (then keep coming back for more.) But what if you’re not a Fortune 100 company or a well-known brand? In a crowded marketplace, how do you make your brand stand out?

The good news is, you don’t have to be a company at that caliber to have brand recognition. Here are 5 ways that can help your business rise above others:

  1. Create interesting content. Interesting also means original and sincere. If your content is cliché or too sales driven, or if you attempt to mimic another brand, people won’t have a compelling reason to choose your company over the other brand. Also, be bold in your content. When it comes to making a name for yourself, risk often leads to rewards. 
  2. Know your customers. Ultimately, your brand is what your customers say it is, not what you think it is. Know who your customers are and form a connection with them. That connect is based on trust by meeting their expectations. 
  3. Be good at one thing. Don’t try to be everything to everyone. When you think of In-N-Out, you think of burgers. The Southern California chain does burgers well and they stick to what they do best. In the same manner, know what you do best and be good at it. Your customer will remember you for it. 
  4. Deliver on your promise. Having brand integrity is key to a successful business. This is part of building trust with your customers. Nordstrom promises a no-hassle return policy and the company delivers on this promise every day. Their customers are loyal because they know that if they need to make a return, there will be no questions asked. 
  5. Visibility is key. In marketing, it is said that a customer must see your brand seven times before the customer remembers it. Leverage different opportunities to diversify the visibility of your brand to help with brand recognition. Perhaps you surprise and delight your hotel guests by using laptops with your brand at your new guest lobby. Or you donate raffle prizes with your company logo at an industry event. Or you send your clients a custom-branded tablet to help them track your services. There are infinite ways to put your brand in front of your customers.

In the race to get your brand to stand out in a crowded marketplace, it takes a clear objective and a deep understanding of your business, your customers and the marketplace.

Once you have established your brand, let us help you take it to the next level by making it known to your customers, partners and stakeholders. Contact us to get a complimentary mockup of what a custom-branded device looks like with your company logo.

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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.