How One Distributor Turned a College Deal Into Repeat Business

Items like USB drives have been popular for clients in the education world.

Colleges and universities love making their incoming students feel welcome and at home, and one way to do that is through promotional products. Many of us likely remember arriving at orientation and receiving items like T-shirts, school supplies and tote bags. Linda Mellin, owner of American Printing & Promotions, Eastvale, Calif., remembers a promotion that was such a hit at one college that it led to similar promotions in the future.

Promo Marketing: Can you tell us about a promotion you think was one of your best?

Linda Mellin: We put together a vinyl pouch for a local college that included a custom printed 8GB USB drive, a ruler, five pencils, two pens, a sharpener, an eraser, a triangle highlighter and a stapler. We branded the logo on all the items and the college gave them to incoming students. The USB drive, pencils and pens were done in their school colors. They loved it and have referred us to other departments within the college.

PM: What did you like about this particular promotion?

LM: We liked that we could take this concept and
apply it to other colleges, changing out the colored items to match each school’s colors.

PM: Did you run into any trouble in this promotion? If so, how did you overcome the problem?

LM: No roadblocks. [We] just [had] to add extra for the extra work in coordinating everything, and either kitting the items ourselves or paying one of the suppliers to do it. There were additional costs for shipping to get the items to the one supplier who ended up kitting it.

PM: Do you have any advice for distributors looking to do a similar promotion?

LM: My advice would be to add an extra percentage to cover any hidden costs that may come up in kitting the item.