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Creative promo ideas to grab attention using branded mugs

Branded mugs have incredible promo potential. When people keep a promo product for more than five years, 75% say they do so because the item is useful. And what’s more useful than a mug? Also consider that promotional drinkware can generate an average of 3,000 impressions opens in new window over its lifetime. A mug is often part of people’s everyday life, which means it can rack up thousands of impressions and be useful for any audience. Let’s look at creative promo ideas that embrace the power of the mug.

75% of people who keep a promo item for more than 5 years do so because it's useful.

Camp Mug

Use a promo mug as a container

A mug can be more than what it seems. It isn’t only good at holding coffee, tea and other beverages. It can be a useful vessel for delivering small gifts. Turn a value coffee mug into a container to show appreciation for community partners. Fill the mug with a Hot Chocolate Pouch and snack mix for a winter theme. Or add pens, stickers and other useful supplies for a practical approach.

Welcome new employees or volunteers with a gift pack that includes a Stainless Steel Travel Mug. Roll up a T-shirt and tuck it inside. Place in a small bag or box with tissue paper, add a button and a mouse pad, and it’s a brand promoter starter pack!

Make a branded travel mug the centerpiece

Choose a more substantial mug and make it the focus of your client gift pack. Build a basket around a Stanley® mug by surrounding it with fresh fruit or drink mix packets. Slip a gift card to a local restaurant or grocery store inside to complete the presentation. For a recipient with a sweet tooth, fill a Camper Vacuum Mug with candy. Tuck a few sweet treat recipes inside or add a bag of coffee to the package to supercharge your gift.

Branded travel mugs make useful keepsakes from an annual fundraiser or networking event. A nonprofit might place a travel tumbler at each place setting or as a table centerpiece for a luncheon. The mugs can be imprinted with the year or be customized specifically for the event, and filled with flowers, balloons or other decorations.

Incorporate mugs into games or contests

There are countless creative promo ideas to make your booth the place to be at a trade show. Games and contests are a great starting point. Challenge attendees to toss a small ball into one of many strategically placed camp mugs. If they hit the mark, they keep the mug—and give your brand repeated impressions in the future.

Create a Plinko®-style game where the dropped disc or coin can land in several spots, including a metallic travel mug. If it lands inside, it’s theirs to keep. Make the most of your promo by asking attendees to register for a newsletter, view a product demo or connect on social media in exchange for a turn.

Provide mugs as special souvenirs

Connect your promotional giveaway to an occasion to add sentimental value. For example, a business might imprint Glass Mugs to celebrate a milestone anniversary or expansion. An athletics program might toast a championship or the retirement of a legend using commemorative Beer Steins. Or an organization might want to remember a holiday or meaningful happening by giving Mason Jar Mugs to employees, clients or customers. Include the date in the imprint to ensure the giveaway resonates.

Cheers to your next marketing promotion

Mugs carry a lot of promotional power. Creative promo ideas—including using mugs as containers, gift centerpieces, prizes and keepsakes—you can give your audience something special that gets eyes on your brand, round after round. Cheers!

PLINKO is a registered trademark of FREMANTLEMEDIA NETHERLANDS B.V., Pieter Braaijweg 1, Amsterdam-Duivendrecht NETHERLANDS 1114AJ

Stanley is a registered trademark of PACIFIC MARKET INTERNATIONAL, LLC, 2401 ELLIOTT AVENUE 4TH FLOOR, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON UNITED STATES 98121

Mittica, C.J. “ASI’s 2023 AD Impressions Study: Powerful Stats on Promo’s Top Products.” Advertising Specialty Institute, 27 Apr. 2023, asicentral.com/news/web-exclusive/april-2023/2023-asi-ad-impressions-study-powerful-stats-on-promo-s-top-products opens in new window.

“New PPAI Research Shows Why Consumers Take And Keep Promo Products.” Promotional Products Association International, 30 Nov. 2021, ppai.org/media-hub/new-ppai-research-shows-why-consumers-take-and-keep-promo-products opens in new window.

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