All stakeholders from employees to members to customers want to know that an organization is successful and investing in its future.    Public anniversary promotions for your members or customers usually focus on the organization’s experience and stability.  Reasons to celebrate an anniversary might include…  

• Highlight awards or accomplishments that the organization has received.
• Celebrate the opening of facilities, branches or locations.
• Celebrate the offering of a particular service, technology or program.
• Commemorate the number of years of having supported a charity or social cause.
• Commemorate the birth of the organization and its mission.
• Highlight changes within the brand over the years.

These campaigns can speak to your organization’s vision of the future.  And, they can recognize stakeholders for their participation in the organization’s overall success. 

Within your organization anniversary campaigns can motivate, offer a positive diversion from day to day challenges, and inspire loyalty.  These campaigns can…

• Celebrate years of service or membership, or years since graduation.
• Recognize the attainment of health and wellness goals.
• Recognize safety achievements or organizational best practices.
• Recognize having made environmentally-friendly changes within the organization.

The theme of an anniversary campaign does not just have to be the number of years.  It can couple the number of years being celebrated with an equal number of facts, ideas, prizes or savings for added impact. 

Incorporating promotional products into anniversary campaigns can substantially increase the branding opportunity for the organization.  Making them memorable is the key to getting the most brand reinforcement possible for the investment.   No matter whether you envision a traditional approach like lapel pins and plaques, or a more personal approach with items for everyday use choosing the right promotional product for your audience is critical.

Please contact TheMarketPro when you are considering promotional products and decorated apparel so that we can provide the information you need to make the best possible purchasing decisions.  TheMarketPro can be reached at 800-905-0073 or sales@themarketpro.net .  Additional articles can be found at www.TheMarketPro.net in our “Going Green with Promotional Products” and “Coffee Break Reading” sections.

Source:  Kimbrough, Tonia Cook, “Advantages University: Get Mileage From Milestones”.  Advantages, Advertising Specialty Institute, November 2011, pages 84-85.

Author:         Connie King

Published:   February 2012