This issue of the Promotional Products Report from Insight Resource Group focuses on Youth Appeal. Generation Y is an emerging segment in our population and represents a large marketing opportunity.
We are a company dedicated to the design, manufacturing and distribution of custom made promotional products and print pieces. This newsletter is designed to highlight innovative marketing ideas to grow your business. Please contact us if you have comments, questions or would like more information on the featured products. We appreciate your feedback. Scott Mollahan President |
| New Kid in Town
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| A new generation has emerged in the workplace and in society. USA Today says "they are young, smart, brash. They may wear flip-flops to work or listen to iPods at their desk. They want to work, but they don't want work to be their life." Generation Y is defined as the more than 70 million Americans born 1977 to 1990. This is now the fastest growing segment of the work place.
 The workplace will see a profound change as this group makes its mark. Raised in the electronic age, Gen Yers have a high comfort level with technology. This generation like no other before it has been "pampered, nurtured and programmed with a slew of activities since they were toddlers" meaning they are motivated to achieve at work and in their personal lives. They have a no-holds barred, speak your mind mentality that has lead them to be called Generation Why. This group inspires a marketing opportunity and strategy.
We have chosen a few items to appeal to this group, whether they are employees you are trying to lure or keep, or clients you are hoping to attract.
After all, who doesn't love new useful and fun products to spice up their desk at home or work? That is appealing, no matter your generation.
USA Today Nov. 2006 |
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Give it a Rest
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As the most plugged-in generation in history, Gen Y has logged a lot of sofa time gaming and watching their favorite shows from the DVR. Offer them a mini version of their favorite piece of furniture. The  miniature sofa in a desktop-appropriate size comes in stylized leather and gives the electronics a place to rest. Cell phones, iPods and even old school business cards are right at home on the brightly color leather sofa. Spin the sofa to the back and it becomes a unique picture frame. A 2" x 2" slot for a photo makes it personal. |
| Charged Up
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Like your leather a little more masculine? Here is another way for your employees and clients to control the electronic clutter on the desktop and get them charged at the same time. This top grain leather display box works double duty; it is stylish and functional. Three compartments easily cradle a cell phone, iPod and digital  camera while hiding the wires beneath the upscale finish of leather. The English inspired houndstooth patterned front compartment runs the full length of the box and lends a dignified air. The spot is the perfect storage area for pens, USB drives and loose change for the vending machine when the 3:00 PM snack attack hits.
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| Namaste
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While the products that keep everyone "plugged in" are charging, take  the time to recharge mind and body with an office yoga kit. Attractively packaged in a natural cotton desk organizer, the Office Yoga Kit includes the Office Yoga Book with clever illustrations to teach effective exercises designed to energize and unwind in the privacy of even the smallest office cubicle. A wooden massager hits pressure points on the feet and helps relax the hands and fingers overworked from all the Gen Y de rigueur text messaging. A one ounce bottle of de-stress lotion and two packs of herbal green tea complete the relaxation theme. |
| When Worlds Collide
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 Gen Y is defined by being able to maintain a work-life balance. (We might all learn a lesson from them!) The two worlds merge happily with the desktop digital picture frame. This improved version has a digital display screen, and LCD alarm clock, a thermometer and a 4" x 6" insert slot for a photo. Best of all your Gen Y employees and clients can transfer their digital photos onto their desktops and create a slide show of up to 63 digital photos.
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| Need An Opener? |
 Finally, we would be remiss if we didn't address the footwear uniform of the Gen Y group -- the flip-flop of course. Since this high achieving group excels at multi-tasking so should their shoe. This flip flop with a built-in bottle opener won an award recently as one of the best new products last year. Available in a myriad of colors, the bottle opener is located on the sole portion of the shoe but doesn't interfere with walking or foot comfort. Of course, the flip flop can be branded with your company name on the footbed and the strap.
This is a great premium for a youth oriented or other outdoor promotion.
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