Keep Your Socks On!
By Brian Roman
Impatient and eager for an excellent promotional idea? Keep your socks on!
Socks are not a new idea. They hav
e been around for almost as long as shoes. However, in the last 25 years, socks have become really popular as a promotional product.
It may have been Admark360's creativity that brought socks to the forefront.
In the late 90s, Subaru asked us to develop a new unisex promotional product they could use throughout their organizational sponsorships. We came up with socks, and they were a massive hit with our clients at Subaru. Socks quickly expanded through their sports and corporate sponsorships such as IMBA (mountain biking), Leave No Trace, US Skiing,
canoe/kayak and rowing. Even their events got the sock treatment, such as the Flower Show, Gorge Games, rally events and regattas held all over the United States. The socks are enormously popular and well thought of, affectionately known as "Subaru-Socks" to those who received a pair. They quickly became and continue to be a coveted SWAG item for Subaru.
It seems, from that point, socks evolved to become a popular staple within the SWAG industry.
Socks, Really?
We admit it; socks may sound like a
strange promotional product. They're unlike traditional promotional goods. And believe me, they are a hard sell to a client, but once I get them to try, socks win time and reorder again. But think about it, who doesn't wear socks? Yes, there might be a few loafer wearers out there who don’t were socks, but practically everyone in existence owns and wears socks.
Socks showcase the power of both word-of-mouth and visual branding. Give a pair of our patented ankle sports socks, and your brand will be seen competing in a 10K, maybe a triathlon, in the gym, on the trails for a weekend hike or driving the fairway on a golf course some summer day. Give a pair of our ultra-comfortable casual socks, and the wearers will be lifting their trouser legs proudly showing off your logo and asking their peers, "Did you get a pair of these socks from so and so? They are so comfortable!”
If you give someone a quality, comfortable and unforgettable pair of socks, they'll happily express their enjoyment with others. Therefore, socks make for ideal SWAG. Here are some ways to try socks in your business marketing and promotions.
· Fundraisers
· Tradeshows and conferences
· Event giveaways
· HR/Employees (new hires, incentives, appreciation gifts, etc.)
· Potential or current clients
Socks can indeed be given in lots of circumstances. However, when considering socks, quality, comfort, and uniqueness are key. Your socks need to genuinely "WOW" the receiver.
Immense Versatility: Yes, you heard that right
If you’re reading this far, I'm sure you've started thinking about the branded socks you can create. Don't think traditional crew socks; there is a vast array of socks from which to choose.
Top Types of Socks:
· Casual Socks
· Formal Socks
· Crew Sock
· Knee Socks
· Ankle Socks
· No-show socks
Socks are used in various environments: sports, business, day-to-day, construction, and more. Each of these situations requires different socks designed and manufactured uniquely to support that need.
Because of this, you have the option to choose between dress socks, crew socks, knee socks, and ankle socks, to name a few. Having the option to select from such a vast number of variations allows you to cater to multiple customer types.
Socks are affordable
In addition, socks aren't the most expensive promotional items you can choose. Whether you purchase these in small or large quantities, the prices aren't remarkably high. Therefore, it makes for an excellent gift for businesses of all sizes.
In Conclusion:
We guarantee, Our Socks Don't Stink. But don't take our word for it:
"As Director of Marketing Programs at Subaru, I challenged AdMark360 to come up with a quality Subaru branded giveaway for event attendees. The only requirement was to go beyond the t-shirt! AdMark360 came up with the best solution I have taken with me to multiple clients now as an agency partner. What? You may ask, Custom socks!
They are unisex, one size, and of great quality. People love them and often ask where they can buy more. Over the years, we have given away over 50,000 pairs of socks, and it is my go-to SWAG. The one caveat that has been constant over the years is that I use AdMark360 because they were able to source product from the USA, plus the quality and value cannot be beaten."
Tim Bennett - Founding Partner Tribury Productions
