capabilities integrated into the products.” As a result of technology means even the simplest widgets evolve and the market is introduced to talking stress balls, anti-bacterial lanyards and LCD scrolling name badges. It’s building the better mousetrap, all over again.
Lindsay Hoylman, marketing specialist for Leed’s noted, “Higher-end tech items are not directly replacing the old standards in promotions, but with so many companies competing for the attention of the same customers, higher-end gifts generally have become popular in that arena.” The appeal of such products was confirmed by Billie Reise, marketing communications manager at Maryland Heights, Missouri-based Incentive Concepts, a company that specializes in technologically forward products. “Incentive Concepts offers trophy-value merchandise for awards, rewards, and prizes for incentive and promotional programs. Recipients’ perceived value should be considered when picking merchandise; magnets and pens have [one] perceived value, while LG electronics televisions and TomTom navigation devices have another,” she said. Furthermore, when taking advantage of technology to create a lasting promotion, distributors need not box themselves in with