Promo Insiders: Seasonal Sweets & Q4 Sales Tips
In this episode, ASI Media editors sample fall goodies and break down their top sales tips for promo pros this holiday gifting season.
Fall means cooler weather, pumpkin spice everything – and seasonal nostalgia that creates prime opportunity for successful branding and promo campaigns.
In this episode of Promo Insiders, ASI Media Editors Theresa Hegel, Sara Lavenduski, Tara Lerman and Hannah Rosenberger taste-test a variety of fun treats – including pumpkin whoopie pies and passionfruit Snickers bars – while offering their best sales tips for the season.
In addition to tapping into nostalgia to drive consumer engagement, the editors suggest leaning into subtle, seasonal branding – like with these fun jack-o’-lantern caps created by Cooley Group (asi/168125) for a major farmers market. Leveraging personalization and targeting campaigns for specific audiences, like runners and cyclists, are also crucial strategies for the season.
“You have to know what’s nostalgic for a given group,” says Lavenduski. “It’s only going to resonate or have traction if it’s actually impactful for the person receiving it.”
Key Takeaways
• Hosts Hannah Rosenberger, Sara Lavenduski, Theresa Hegel and Tara Lerman shared personal reflections on the fall season, emphasizing its nostalgic appeal. From comfort shows to cozy fashion, the hosts agreed that autumn can evoke strong emotional connections to influence consumer behavior.
• Fall is also a prime time for creative seasonal promo products. Hegel highlighted jack-o’-lantern-themed dad hats from a farmers market, Lerman mentioned pumpkin-shaped stress balls and Lavenduski discussed how companies like Burger King and Netflix are embracing Halloween aesthetics to promote products and media.
• For distributors looking ahead to Q4 promotional strategies, Hegel advocated for Advent calendar-style campaigns and sensory-driven products, while Lerman emphasized utility-based swag tailored to specific audiences like runners and cyclists competing in fall races.
• Lavenduski and Rosenberger stressed the importance of personalization, especially in holiday gifting campaigns, citing examples like dietary-specific gifts and name accuracy to enhance recipient experience and brand goodwill.