Three Shopping Tips to Find Branded Items Members Love

Once you’ve been in the utility world for a bit, you tend to accumulate branded kitchenware, nightlights and lots of reusable shopping bags. Utility Pioneers often ask us for useful, outside-the-box giveaway ideas. 

“Branded gifts should be something that drives consumers to come talk to you,” Pioneer Director of Accounts Sarah Lancaster says. “You want something special, reliable and useful to hand out as goodies.”

Since spring is member meeting time for many Utility Pioneers, we asked Pioneer’s storytellers (and branded item collectors!) to share the best branded gifts they’ve seen. Based on their collections, branded items with long shelf lives are useful, food related and keep the whole family in mind.

1. Be Useful 

Sometimes simplicity is a good policy. When we asked staff what branded gifts had staying power, useful household items topped the list.

“I’ve gotten swag that I was more excited to receive, but I’ve never, ever gotten something that I use on a daily basis (in the summer) like the flyswatter from Foothills Communications,” Assistant Editor Jen Calhoun says. “I got it in 2019, and it’s a member of the household as far as I’m concerned.”

“Obviously, pens are nothing new. But GOOD pens? I will run you over on my way to pick up a quality pen,” adds Assistant Editor Jennifer Paton.

“My favorite from FTC was a blanket. I use that thing all the time!” Publications Production Manager Elizabeth Beatty says. “Sand Mountain Electric also did galvanized buckets one year, and that was a hit.”

Buckets – including buckets with car wash materials or filled with bulbs – are both helpful around the house and recognizable (the team at Carroll EMC in Georgia have given away branded buckets at their meetings for more than a decade).

“Five-gallon buckets are always a huge hit,” Pioneer Studio Lead Kerry Scott adds. “NCTC did a knife set with their logo etched on it too, and that was very nice.”

While a bucket might not carry water at your office, a cooler bag was another popular and useful gift.

Editorial Director Mike Teegarden got a soft-sided, insulated bag from the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives 25 years ago. He packs his lunch in the bag and brings it to the office almost every day.

“We always take an insulated cooler bag along on road trips,” Publications Coordinator Matt Ledger adds.

Not enough in the budget for insulation? Canvas bags are handy and tend to stick around, too.

“I still have a nice canvas bag from FTC that I got in the 1980s or 1990s,” Assistant Editor and Writer Lisa Savage says.

Usefulness often predicts gift value for consumers. Always keep your audience in mind!

2. Factor in Food

The way to a members’ heart is through their stomach? Maybe not, but food-related gifts deliver memorable branding.

“I’ve seen co-ops work with local coffee roasters to create a special blend to celebrate an anniversary,” Brand Storyteller Megan McKoy-Noe says. “We did that for Pioneer’s members a few years back; we mailed welcome kits with coffee cups and a bag of local co-op coffee beans. We also gave away locally sourced chocolate one year, with our brand on the wrapping. That drew EVERYONE to our table.” 

Food might go stale, but Pioneer’s staff often brag about long-lasting kitchen swag. 

“I still have one of those rubber jar grippers from a Missouri co-op from the mid-1980s,” VP of Digital Content Melissa Shaw says. “It still works!”

“I love cooking items,” Editorial Assistant Kathy Denes says. “I know I’d knock people out of my way for a decent oven mitt, and wouldn’t it be fun to say, ‘See what your co-op is cooking up for you?’” 

“Some of my fav co-op swag is a wooden cooking spoon, a grill spatula and a cutting board,” Photographer Melissa Gaines adds.

Food-related items can create memorable experiences away from the home, too.

“It is also about the experience and how your branded gift ties ideas together,” SVP of Member Solutions Anne Harvey adds. “If you give out ice cream at your booth to get them there and then give away an ice cream scoop too, make a connection.”

Cullman Electric Cooperative and East Mississippi Electric Power Association each worked with Pioneer to brand ice cream scoops when the utilities launched broadband initiatives.

“There are so many ways to create a memorable experience,” Anne says. “Too cold for ice cream? Give seeds or garden tools and have materials that talk about growing your business or how your roots run deep. Use promotional items to add a new and fun layer to your story!”

3. Consider Mini Members

Much like other types of marketing, the best gifts keep the user in mind. Assistant Editor Chasity Anderson has worked in the co-op world for more than a decade, giving away her fair share of branded items.

“Thinking as a parent, consider neat kid items,” Chastity says. “Many people like to bring small items back from conferences to surprise their kids. These types of giveaways serve a dual purpose, since they’re great for festivals and other community events, too.”

“I think a Beanie Baby-like item, a bright little stuffed animal, with a branded tag from the utility would be fun,” SVP of Content Leon Espinoza suggests.

“​​I loved the cut-out bucket trucks some folks give out — like paper dolls, but bucket trucks! Clallam PUD sent me one for my daughter and she loved it,” Megan recalls. “Matchbox bucket trucks are cool, too. Baldwin EMC and Owen Electric Cooperative both gave those away a few years ago.” 

It’s easy to find thin plastic utility hats to brand with your logo. Give them away on school tours and at a lineworker photo opp booth at your next consumer meeting.

We’ve pulled together a list of swag our staff have helped Utility Pioneers brand for marketing campaigns and community events. Need more ideas? We’d love to work with you! Schedule time with brainstorm with us!

Brandable Gifts List

What gifts have your consumers loved? Send your ideas (with pictures!) to hello@pioneer.coop.