Phone: (604) 744-3909

Showroom by Appointment Only

Search

-
Go

Your Brand is Our Business!

The physiological change of state that results from being handed a branded promotional product combined with a powerful creative message can be defined as Sudden Impact.

Sabrina Carpenters Coffee Shop Pop-Ups Have Experiential Marketing Takeaways fo

The “Espresso” singer teamed up with Cash App for three branded events in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

The best-case scenario for a brand is for their end-users to be thinking about them every night. Isn’t that sweet? I guess so.

For those who have lived under a rock since the summer, that’s a reference to Sabrina Carpenter’s enormous hit “Espresso.” And for everyone who knows the song, congratulations, it’s now stuck in your head, too.

Sabrina Carpenter performing on stage

The joke will make sense in a second. Walk with me here…

Carpenter, through a partnership with Cash App, is hosting three pop-up events in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, where her team is leaning into the theme of coffee and “Espresso” to create “Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet Café,” borrowing the title of her hit 2024 album.

This idea of a pop-up shop, complete with branded merchandise, for a pop star isn’t new. Olivia Rodrigo, for example, just partnered with Spotify for a branded experience in New York to commemorate the release of her album GUTS. And it’s not just musical artists – TV shows and streaming services get their own pop-up treatments, too.

However, what sets Carpenter’s campaign apart is the savvy angle of tying in the coffee pun with the coffee shop idea, bringing in another trend in experiential marketing. When you think of your local coffee shop, what do you picture aside from baristas in cool clothes and a display of baked goods? You can probably picture the merchandise for sale and branded packaging – things like T-shirts, mugs, tote bags, thermoses and packaging for coffee beans or tea.

A coffee shop lends itself nicely to merchandise, which is why the likes of Ralph Lauren has used it as a marketing medium in luxury getaway locations across the world.

By tapping into the coffee universe, Carpenter and her corporate partners find themselves at an intersection of different marketing avenues and seem to have accomplished everything you’d hope a branded pop-up of this nature can do. Those include wins promo pros working on experiential marketing initiatives can try to engineer for their clients too, such as:

Build the Brand’s Reach

The main goal of any branded campaign is to spread brand awareness. Thinking just of the promotional products space, you can see that the Carpenter team did that through things like drinkware, T-shirts and various print products.

The merchandise table works very much in the same way it would at a concert, but this way the brand –Sabrina Carpenter – comes to the fans rather than forcing them to pay any price of admission.

Drive Online Engagement

In an age where everything is online, tactile promotional products and experiences should be designed to have an extended life through social media sharing. There needs to be something that drives people to leave their homes and potentially wait in long lines for something. The opportunity to post fun pictures on social media can be significant motivation.

When done well, every conceivable photo angle in a pop-up experience is a good one. There are printed displays to be backdrops and walls, and plenty of eye-catching branded items within view or to be used as props for photos. There are QR codes aplenty. There are dedicated hashtags.

For sure, there should not be any forgetting whose event you’re at.

Strengthen Partner Brands

This café pop-up is, ostensibly, for Sabrina Carpenter. Still, it’s also for Cash App, which harnessed Carpenter’s social capital at the moment to gain some hip points with would-be users.

And of course, let’s not forget the actual coffee shops that transformed into this branded vehicle temporarily. They put their normal brands on hold for a minute, but it was a smart move: Crowds of people, many of them potentially first-time patrons, have experienced sitting in the café and could come back again.

In New York, Carpenter and Cash App took over Partners Coffee. In Chicago, it was Happy Monday. This week, Angelinos can visit Verve Coffee in West Hollywood.

To add to the Cash App integration, customers who use a Cash App Visa card to buy stuff will receive a 30% discount on their purchase – up to $40, according to Sprudge.

The music marketing landscape has changed drastically as a result of streaming, social media and the COVID-19 pandemic. Artists are meeting their fans in new ways. And, after all, an artist is a brand at the end of the day, and fans are customers. It sounds crass to put it so transactionally, but it’s the truth.

Looking beyond the music world, any brand can take a piece of their identity or their brand story, expand on it, and create a memorable experience out of it. If they can meet their customers and potential customers where they live, shop and eat, that’s even better. Finally, sparing no detail through print products, promotional giveaways and catchy design can turn something that feels like a sales pitch into a fun day out with memories to last a lifetime – both in their hearts and on their social media feeds.

Read More

End-Buyer Research: Ages 55

End-buyers ages 55+ say they spend a quarter of their marketing budget on promo.

ASI’s exclusive research reveals client buying habits in eight markets and across multiple demographics.

ASI Research is wrapping up our new series profiling the people distributors work with most closely: end-buyers. Each week we released a new data set that spotlights one of eight markets and looks at end-buyers through demographics such as age, gender, region and company size.

This week, our research focuses on promotional products end-buyers ages 55+, the last of several age demographics surveyed throughout the United States.

The percentage of older Americans, particularly those older than 65, who hold a job today has nearly quadrupled since the mid-1980s, a Pew Research Center analysis found – meaning that this demographic is becoming a more important segment to consider in the corporate gifting market. According to ASI’s 2023 Ad Impressions Study, some of the most influential promotional products for consumers ages 55+ include outerwear, umbrellas and performance wear.

ASI’s 2024 end-buyer research reports that end-buyers in this demographic value a distributor that offers comprehensive services, with half naming “doing all the work” as an important distributor benefit – more than any other end-buyer segment surveyed. Additionally, promotional products end-buyers ages 55+ are the most likely age demographic to give promo to prospects and to pay a premium for Made-in-the-USA products.

Infographic

Read More

Product Of the Day

Industry News

What Our Clients Think of Us

  • I just wanted to thank you for your great service. The jackets and toques look terrific. I was impressed by your professionalism from the start and the way you handled the (small misprint), but you took it seriously and Grace and I appreciate that. We are looking forward to continued business with Sudden Impact. I have passed your name to some colleagues and you are welcome to use this e-mail for a reference.

    - Tim Godard, Godard Roof Repair Service Ltd.

  • Warren and his team provide an exciting resource to TAG for all its promotional items. The proficient manner in which the group at Sudden Impact has been taking care of our promotional purchases since 2002 has always been very much appreciated and we do not hesitate in recommending this bold, energetic and professional company!

    - Diane Grant, Office Manager, TAG Construction Ltd.

  • For three years SI has been the sole supplier of all our company's promotional products. Prompt, courteous and personalized service coupled with an unparalleled variety of competitively priced marketing items eliminates Toscana's need to source other promotional product suppliers.

    - Dean R. Jensen, Vice President Business Development, Toscana Capital Corporation

  • Sudden Impact has done more for Design Roofing than simply supply great products at great prices; they've played an important role in building the Design Roofing Brand. We take pride in servicing our customers and staff with quality products, Sudden Impact gives us original ideas to make this happen.

    - Adam Knipfel, Design Roofing & Sheet Metal Ltd.

  • Sudden Impact's service is phenomenal. A dynamic company with out standing service. By far the best promotional company I have had contact with in the twenty years I have been ordering promotional goods.

    - Maureen Bzowy, Vice President, Marketing, E.B. Horsman & Son

  • We have been dealing with Warren Kindellan and Sudden Impact since August 2005 and have been completely satisfied. Warren's enthusiasm for his customers makes the whole experience enjoyable. They have helped us set up an extensive Safety Program for our 100 employees, complete with laminated posters and rewards, including name brand clothing and the latest handy gadgets. We would definitely recommend Warren and Sudden Impact to anyone looking for promotional products.

    - Kelley & Trish, Kingston Construction Ltd.

  • When dealing with Warren & Sudden Impact, I know that I will be dealing with friendly and knowledgeable staff, which is always willing to go the extra mile. They make sure that the customer, whom ever they might be, gets what they need, when they need it. When I mostly have my staff looking after everything these days, Warren & Sudden Impact is the one business that I like to be continually involved with, and feel confident in doing so. That speaks loudly about how easy Warren & his team make it to deal with Sudden Impact.

    - Andy Maynard, Direct Equipment

  • Even though my orders are late; Sudden Impact always meets my deadlines and make me look great.

    - Rhonda Lee, Marketing Coordinator, ADI-Burtek

  • Team Sudden Impact has been providing Pazzo Racing with promotional items for 3 years now. In this short time period, Warren and his team have helped us achieve brand recognition on a global scale. Fast, reliable and friendly service is the norm at Sudden Impact. We here at Pazzo Racing appreciate all the hard work they have done for us. Sudden Impact is our sole promotional product supplier and will continue to be just that. No one else even comes close.

    - Markus Selje, President, Pazzo Racing Inc.

  • Warren has always found the perfect items for my business and my volunteer organization. Whether it’s beach balls for 8,000 for a Girl Guide sleepover, or branded flash drives for my business, the customer service and product quality from Sudden Impact have been excellent. Warren is very knowledgeable about available products and always comes up with great suggestions.

    - Cathy Cook, Executive Director, BC Municipal Safety Association

  • The items I ordered have arrived and they look great. Thank you for the fantastic service. Even though I put this order in very late you bailed me out and were able to get the order to me in time for my trade show. Anyone I come across that needs help with their promo items will get your name. Thank You.

    - Al Romeyn, Tri Tech Information Systems

  • Recently I placed a T-shirt order with Sudden Impact for a Girl Guide Camp of just over 400 people. Because I live miles away, I had to do all the ordering online. Michelle was great. She helped with the sizing, cresting, ordering and even packaging of the shirts. She answered emails promptly and made the extra effort to change the order to comply with the last minute camp changes. The t-shirts were correct for numbers and quality. They were a big hit at camp. I wouldn't hesitate to place an order with Sudden Impact again. Thanks everyone for all your help!

    - Joy

  • Warren, THANK YOU for everything you've done. I have never received such a wonderful response from a crew. They LOVED the jackets. Every person. Your efforts won't be forgotten. We'll be doing business for a long time!

    - Micah Gardener, True Justice

  • We have been working with Shannon at Sudden Impact since December and she has always gone above and beyond for our company! They are always quick to respond to our orders and happy to answer any questions we have. Whether it's t-shirts, hoodies, or safety clothing, they have always been on time and professional!

    - Savannah at WaterTec Irrigation LTD

  • We love working with Sudden Impact at Old Yale Brewing! Their systems and offerings have made developing and maintaining our Craft Beer Merchandise program in our Tasting Room and through our Online Store easy and effective. Whether we’re outfitting our team or looking for the next best Crewneck or unique merch item, Shannon Roth and her team at Sudden Impact are always willing to “shop” for us to find the best item to suit our needs and we’re always thrilled with the finished product and their quick timelines. We highly recommend Sudden Impact to any business that is looking for branded materials and apparel!

    - Marketing Manager, Heather Perdue at Old Yale Brewing in Chilliwack

  • Our organization has been working with Sudden Impact for many years now and have always been so great to work with. The variety of items they have is amazing, and the quality is always top notch. The best thing about Sudden Impact is the Customer Service – Shannon is so great to work with, she responds immediately to any requests we have and provides such great input and suggestions, she makes me look like a star to my organization!

    - Renee at Roofing Contractors Association of BC

  • The Sudden Impact Team is amazing, from their personal friendly service, to order management. Prompt responses, timely invoice turn around and fantastic quality products. They ensure their customers are treated as priority 1, with great communication and updates. Shannon Roth is brilliant, she really listens and gains an understanding of what you are looking for, and goes above and beyond to pair you with the items that fit your needs. The SI team works together so well to make things appear smooth & effortless from the client’s perspective.

    - Crystal at ESC Automation

  • After many years, the level of service we are provided by Shannon at Sudden Impact is always second to none. Her and the team’s response to ensure that our orders are delivered on time and under budget is always professional and timely, and if problem resolution is required we know we can count on Shannon to correct it and look after us. The whole process from the beginning of an idea to receiving the final product is always seamless and stress-free, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with Sudden Impact for years to come!

    - Petcurean Pet Nutrition

  • Sudden Impact has been our “go to” supplier whenever we need any promotional giveaways or apparel for customers and employees. Whenever we have ideas for possible items, Shannon Roth is the first person we contact to see what is available and to get the latest insight on what is trending. We here at BD Diesel sell all across North America which Shannon has a clear understanding of our needs to meet international customs regulations, and, is able to offer us the right product to meet our requirements to efficiently ship to our customers in the USA. We are always pleased with the selection and quality of product that Sudden Impact has to offer.

    - Ron at BD Diesel Performance

  • Sudden Impact has some of the best customer service we have ever encountered with customizable swag items. Shannon Roth has been an incredible help numerous times in sourcing all of our product needs, she will answer any and all questions in a timely manner and ensure everything is shipped properly and on time! I highly recommend them to other businesses.

    - Emily Bucyk at Delta Controls

  • After bouncing around trying a variety of different promotional goods companies over the years and never being overly satisfied in our dealings with any of them, we decided to try Sudden Impact. From the initial meeting With Shannon, it became almost immediately clear that this was going to be a very different experience. The time spent in the Showroom was invaluable. Shannon showed us what we asked to see but also outlined several additional ideas and products that we had not even thought about. Since working with the team at Sudden Impact, our costs have come down on promo goods as their team has consistently been able to leverage their years of experience in relationships in the industry to drive our costs down. They have been able to work within and hit extremely tight deadlines for us and always provide a high-level of customer service. Anytime we call, nights and weekends included, they are always there to take our call and more impressively, get right to work for us. Perhaps the most important factor is that they have taken the stress out of what previously had always felt like an incredibly stressful experience. I highly recommend Sudden Impact to anyone needing promotional materials, you will not be disappointed.

    - Mark, COO at Green Planet Wholesale