Incentive and Motivation Magazine – Jan/Feb 2010

TUI plans branding boost

TUI UK, parent company of Thomson and First Choice, is introducing a new promotional products strategy for 2010 and has appointed branding consultancy Brandinc to create, design and manufacture branded merchandise for a range of consumer promotions for Summer 2010. Brandinc will produce dedicated promotional merchandise for each of TUI UK’s leading holiday brands – including Thomson, First Choice, and Simply Travel.

The bespoke promotional items will include adult and children’s T-shirts, polo shirts and caps for First Choice, First Choice Holiday Villages and Thomson’s premier brand Thomson Gold – as well as hats and T-shirts for TUI UK’s travel-only package holiday brand Simply Travel.

TUI UK is also underlining its emphasis on family holidays by asking BrandInc to create a new range of branded items for children of all ages – from babies to teenagers. These items will feature distinctive branding for each of the resort-based Kids Club sub-brands operated by both Thomson and First Choice, including Tots, Little Stars, Team, Tribe, Wavelength and the Thomson Family Club.

BrandInc will also design and produce a Rookie Lifeguard T-shirt which will be awarded to 8 to 15 year olds when they pass a lifesaving and water safety course at their Thomson or First Choice holiday resort.

Jill Cunningham, Brand and Customer Communications Manager at TUI UK, says: "We are delighted to be working with Brandinc on developing our range of promotional merchandise. We’ve changed our strategy on promotional products, shifting the focus from producing materials that were primarily used during customers holidays to materials that will be used on their return home. It adds value to the items and increases our brand awareness to a wider market."

Adrian Ferrand, general manager of BrandInc and a board director of the British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA), says: "TUI UK have asked us to create an exclusive promotional product range designed to help build brand awareness and convey the core values of the brands. All of the branded products are completely functional, so they are more likely to be used and retained by recipients as a permanent reminder of their holiday."

We have appointed Carol Ingram as our senior sales manager, a newly created role within Brand Inc.

Based in Brand Inc's London office, she will be responsible for developing and managing the consultancy's relationship with blue-chip brands across a wide range of industry sectors, including fmcg, leisure, media, telecoms and technology.

Ingram joins Brand Inc from marketing agency Insight Promotions where she was a senior account manager and worked on brands such as BP, Sony Playstation, Cisco Systems, First Direct, Hewlett Packard, Sony Ericsson, O2 and Gillette.

After gaining the Chartered Institute of Marketing's professional qualification from Reading University, Ingram also spent four years as marketing coordinator at design and marketing agency Viva Design.

Marketing Week - 14 January 2010 - 2010 Predictions

View from Adrian Ferrand – General Manager, Brand Inc

"I expect a move back to quality premiums for added-value promotions – with gift-with-purchase offers leading the way. Despite the growth of online and mobile-based digital promotions, I believe people still like to see, touch and feel a promotion."

Sales Promotion – December 2009 – Travel

TUI UPDATES BRANDED MERCHANDISE

TUI UK has appointed promotional products company Brand Inc to design and produce a new range of branded merchandise for its Summer 2010 holiday promotions.

TUI, the parent company of Thomson and First Choice, is introducing a new promotional products strategy and has commissioned Brand Inc to create, design and manufacture a completely new collection of branded merchandise for each of its holiday brands, including Thomson, First Choice, and Simply Travel.

Bespoke promotional items will include adult and children's T-shirts, polo shirts and caps for First Choice, First Choice Holiday Villages and Thomson's premier brand Thomson Gold, as well as hats and T-shirts for TUI UK's travel-only package holiday brand Simply Travel.

TUI UK also wants to emphasise its family holiday offerings through a new range of branded items for children of all ages, from babies to teenagers.

Sales Promotion – November 2009 – Ethical Incentives

Adrian Ferrand, general manager of branding and manufacturing consultancy Brand Inc, says: "Ethical production is a very important part of our business model, and why we have already been rewarded with ISO9001, ISO14001 and Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (Sedex) accreditation.

Sedex is a membership organisation for businesses committed to continuous improvement of the ethical performance of their supply chains.

Ferrand adds that the factories the company does business with "are regularly checked to ensure fair trade and we require certification to prove that they are fully compliant. Where possible, we also look to source organic or sustainable products."

Brand Inc has also teamed up with award-winning carbon-offsetting organisation co2balance.com to offer what the partners claim is the UK's first range of CarbonZero-certified promotional clothing. Significantly, this carbon-neutral clothing cost promoters no more than traditional items because the full cost of carbon offsetting is met by Brand Inc, Ferrand asserts.

Carbon-based

The climate impact of manufacturing and distributing the merchandise has been negated through investment in carbon-saving projects. Co2balance calculated Brand Inc's ‘carbon footprint' after taking into account factors such as production, machine usage, shipping, printing and distribution. The organisation then provided advice on how to minimise the carbon emissions, while Brand Inc offset the unavoidable carbon dioxide (CO2) residue by investing funds in new woodlands in Devon – thus making the clothing Carbon Zero.

Sales Promotion – October 2009 – Travel Related Promotional Items

Adrian Ferrand, general manager of branding and manufacturing consultancy Brand Inc, says that travel-related promotional items are highly effective: "Functional and highly appropriate products such as beach towels and hammocks are synonymous with enjoying great summer weather and relaxing while on holiday. A beach towel is also an essential item, so it is likely to be retained and used on other holidays."

For example, as part of a 'Corona Summer' promotion, Foster's asked Brandinc to create a range of branded giveaways that it could use to reward purchasers of its Corona Mexican beer brand with and that would add to the enjoyment of their holiday, while also promoting Corona in a beach environment.

Brand Inc produced bespoke, highly-colourful beach hammocks and beach towels which were designed to stand out on the beach. Both products featured extensive Corona branding.

Ferrand adds: "Ideally, branded travel-related merchandise should include items that people can take home with them, so that they are constantly reminded of their holiday and the great times they had. Linking branded promotional products so closely to holidaymakers' memories of a great summer holiday can also create warm feelings about the brand. And when they see the brand in-store, it may remind them of the good times they had on holiday."

AEG Charity Golf Day.

Held at Woburn Golf Club in October, this charity golf day was in support of the British Music Experience and the Demelza House Hospice. The BME provides music programmes for young people and encourages them to increase their passion for music and the Demelza House Hospice supports children with life-limiting illnesses and their families across Kent, East Sussex and South London. Brandinc was proud to be supporting these charities by supplying branded clothing for all the competitors and participating in the auction and raffle which raised over £20,000.00 for the chosen charities.

Brandin© reports 15% increase in annual sales

Brandin© tells us that while a recent survey revealed that the UK promotional merchandise market has fallen by between 20-30%, the company (a design-led branding and manufacturing consultancy) reported a 15 per cent increase in sales over the past 12 months.

Brandin© believes it is managing to beat the market decline because it is continuing to invest heavily in new systems to meet clients' increasingly tight lead times, as well as meeting clients' demands for ethical and socially responsible manufacturing.

Brandin© has recently secured further business from major clients such as Diageo and TUI UK.

Marketing Week articles: Special Report in Marketing Week: Promotional Merchandise - 30th July 2009

Case Study on the Johnnie Walker Masterbartender produced for Diageo

"... The Diageo Master Bartender scheme aims to give its suppliers the skills and knowledge to make a well-mixed drink and preserve the heritage of the brand.

In Africa, the scheme has recently been supported by promotional merchandise created by Brandinc@copy;. This takes the form of Johnnie Walker-branded items such as a shirt, apron, bag, bottle-opener, mixing utensils, shaker and strainer.

"When we devised this project we wanted to create premium items to match the premium quality of Johnnie Walker," says Mark Barrett, senior trade marketing manager at Diageo.

See the current issue of Marketing Week for a full write up, including further comments on our bespoke and environmental range.

Press release from PromotionalMerchandise.org - July 2009

http://www.promotional-merchandise.org.uk/news/brandinc_to_produce_merchandise_for_diageo

Brandin© to produce merchandise for Diageo - July 2009

Leading drinks group, Diageo, has appointed Brandin© as an approved supplier. Brandinc's first project is to design and produce a range of promotional merchandise for Diageo's Master Bartender scheme - a staff education initiative for stockists of Diageo brands, such as Johnnie Walker®, across Africa.

Merchandise will include Johnnie Walker®-branded shirts, aprons, bags, bottle-openers, mixing utensils, shakers and strainers. Brandin© will also produce promotional rewards aimed at middle management and senior level business customers across Africa, including branded ties, cufflinks and USB sticks.

London-based Brandin© is a design-led manufacturing consultancy specialising in building brands and customer loyalty using bespoke branded merchandise.

Branding specialist Brandin© continues international growth with launch of Brandin© Hong Kong and Brandin© Australia - July 2009

Brandin© - the design-led manufacturing and branding consultancy - is continuing its international expansion with the launch of a wholly-owned company in Hong Kong and the opening of Brandin© Australia in Sydney.

Brandinc's UK clients - including Diageo, Global Brands, TUI UK and The O2 - are set to benefit from lower prices for high-quality promotional merchandise following the launch of Brandin© Hong Kong, which will be headed by Crystal Wong.

The new operation - located in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong - will be able to deliver large volumes of merchandise at a lower unit cost because of greater economies of scale and the ability to set prices in US dollars.

Sales Promotion Magazine – Electrical Incentives Feature - July 2009

Adrian Ferrand, general manager at design-led manufacturing consultancy Brandinc@copy;, says: "Because almost everybody has a need for a USB memory stick, USBs have become a very popular promotional item – and a valuable tool for promoting brand awareness."

However his company can offer more than just a standard USB stick with a corporate logo on it: "a bespoke promotional USB stick can be specially designed to replicate a company's logo, brand identity, or a sponsorship deal – making it even more valuable as a branding device."

For ING, which sponsors the Renault F1 team, Brandin© created a metal USB stick in the shape of a Formula 1 Car, in a custom-coloured box displaying the ING/Renault logo.

International Football Star David Beckham Inspires People to Write Out Loud!™ with Sharpie® Permanent Markers - July 2009

Long recognised as the celebrity autograph marker of choice, Sharpie® brand is partnering with one of the world's most recognisable celebrities, global sports star David Beckham. Beckham, whose autograph is among the most sought-after in the world, will become Sharpie's global ambassador in a fully integrated global marketing campaign.

Sharpie, a flagship brand of Newell Rubbermaid, will leverage Beckham's status as an international sports star to increase awareness of Sharpie not only as the preferred autograph marker, but also its many creative uses.

Contact us for free samples of the Beckham endorsed Sharpie Pens.

Brandin© to design and produce merchandise for Diageo's Master Bartender initiative in Africa - June 2009

Diageo - the world's leading premium drinks business - has appointed Brandin© to design and produce a complete range of promotional merchandise for Diageo's Venture Africa division. As an approved supplier, Brandin© will be responsible for designing and producing merchandise for Diageo's innovative Master Bartender scheme – a staff education initiative for stockists of Diageo brands, such as Johnnie Walker®, across Africa. Brandin© will also produce Johnnie Walker®-branded promotional rewards aimed at middle management and senior level business customers across Africa. Mark Barrett, Senior Trade Marketing Manager, Johnnie Walker® Africa, says: "When we devised this project we were under pressure to create premium items to match the premium quality of Johnnie Walker®. Having worked with Brandin© on many occasions in the past - and having found that they continually deliver on quality, time and service - I knew they would be able to help us create a high-quality professional kit that will play a big part in the programme."

Promotions Buyer – May 2009

Adrian Ferrand, Director of Brandin© says: "A bespoke branded tennis ball could be cut in half and a branded mirror displaying the beauty company's name inserted. The event and date would be pad-printed on the ball. This could be used as an invitation, a functional gift or as a date memento.

"It would be sent out in packaging that could be printed with interesting facts about the company. The mailing piece could also include some of the beauty company's own products – perhaps a sunscreen."

BPMA Academy Graduation - May 2009

The bpma held its first Academy Graduation Ceremony at the House of Commons on the 22nd April, with 65 guests attending the special occasion. John Greenway MP has supported the bpma and particularly over the Academy, proudly presented the 43 students with their certificates alongside Adrian Ferrand bpma's Director of Education and Gordon Glenister, Director General of the trade body.

The Academy Certificate in Promotional Merchandise was launched by the bpma in September 2008 and underlines the associations ongoing commitment to drive best practice through staff development ensuring quality of service to clients is maintained to the highest possible standard. Brandin© is proud to announce that two employees on the course both passed with distinction, with another employee enrolled on the next course.

BPMA Academy Article

Promotional merchandise qualification is an industry first

UKSG - August 2008
Brandin© not only designed, supplied and equipped each team attending the games - including athletes, trainers, support staff and volunteers - we also produced a range of memorabilia items which were sold at a variety of venues throughout the competition.
read more >>

Carbon neutral cotton - Stand Out magazine – July 08

Brandin© has teamed up with carbon offsetting organisation co2balance.com to launch the UK's first range of CarbonZero-certifi ed promotional clothing. Brandin© has introduced a range of Carbon Zero-rated T-shirts as the first step in a major initiative to create a complete range of carbon neutral promotional clothing for UK companies. The new carbon neutral T-shirts do not cost companies any more than traditional items because the full cost of carbon offsetting is being met by Brandinc@copy;. Brandin© has offset the unavoidable carbon dioxide (CO2) residue by investing funds in new woodlands in Devon.

Carbon Offsetting - Sales promotion magazine – May 08

Brandin© has focued on carbon footprints for 2008, introducing carbon zero-rated T-Shirts at the end of April, with the intention of creating a complete range of carbon-neutral promotional clothing by teaming up with carbon offset provider, Co2 Balance. The T-Shirts will cost the same as their traditional counterparts because Brandin© is taking on the cost of carbon offsetting rather than passing it onto its customers. "Research does point to the emergence of 'low carbon' consumers who tend to look more favourably on brands that are taking positive action to tackle climate change," explains general manager Adrian Ferrand.
"Our factories are checked to ensure fair trade and, where possible we look to source organic or sustainable products".

Cyw - May 2008

The Cheeky Face of S4C's new children's service

"A new chapter in children's broadcasting is announced today (Tuesday, 27 May) with the official launch of Cyw, S4C's ground-breaking Welsh language service for younger viewers.

This summer, as part of a special bus tour travelling across Wales, youngsters were given the chance to meet ‘Cyw' (the Welsh word for chick, pronounced like the letter "q"), the friendly face of S4C's new Welsh language nursery service.

"Brand Inc provided S4C with a range of branded children's products, including a range of t-shirts and hats to help promote the new service."

QUALIFIED FOR SUCCESS - Promotions Buyer magazine – May 2008
Adrian Ferrand is the Director of Education at the British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA). He is one of the elected board of directors that lead the BPMA, the UK's leading industry body dedicated to promoting best practice in the Promotional Merchandise industry, and as such Adrian has been a large influence and driving force in the development of the BPMA Academy that was launched in April 2008.
read more >>

Countdown to Zero – Promotions Buyer magazine – April 08

Brandin© general manager Adrian Ferrand explains why going carbon neutral is a smart move for promoters shipping, printing and distribution. They provided advice on how to minimise the carbon emissions and Brandin© then offset the unavoidable carbon dioxide residue by investing funds in new woodlands in Devon, making the clothing carbon zero. co2balance.com manages the woodland to ensure that it has absolute control over the plants, all of which are native broadleafed trees. Once the woodlands are completed and matured, they will be turned into a community woodland, so that the local area can benefit. read more >>

Photo: www.globalcool.org

Global Cool - July 2007

Global Cool approached Brandin© to supply a range of sustainable and organically sourced t-shirts to drive awareness for their climate change campaign. Working across a range of four designs, the ladies and men's t-shirts are woven from bamboo yarn which is light, almost translucent and softer then cotton.

Sienna Miller can be seen here wearing just one of the six designs produced during the awareness campaign trip in India.

Photo: James McCauley / Lovebox 21st- 22nd July 2007

Rizla - July 2007

Exposure promotions set a comfortable example when they approached Brandin© to supply them with a range of branded deckchairs and parasols for Lovebox, Connect and Bestival. Exposure knew they wanted Rizla to have the right design solution, so asked us to supply them with the quintessential British summertime accessories.

Haymarket Business Media football kits produced for the National Advertising Benevolent Society (NABS) tournament in July. - July 2007

"Brandin© rescued us from a challenging situation when our suppliers pulled out 3 days before our order was due. Not only were they able to produce corporate branded football kits for a tournament at such short notice, but they managed to produce them to the highest quality. The helpful guidance they provided in ensuring our media brands were replicated as accurately as possible and the excellent quality customer service offered as a result made Brandin© a pleasure to do business with. I would definitely do business with Brandin© again".

Rebecca Nolan.
Haymarket Business Media and www.blueboomerang.com