By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert “Guess how much I hate this mug,” said the employee.“This much,” her coworker replied, pointing to the office sink—overflowing with sad, unused company swag. It was cheap.It was ugly.The logo was off-center. And worst of all?It was completely forgettable. Why Bad Swag Hurts Your Brand […]
Author: Amanda Hofman
Why I Bring My Whole Self to Every Swag Strategy
By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert I don’t believe in separating who you are from what you do—especially when it comes to building a brand. In the world of branded merch and swag, authenticity is your secret weapon. Real connection creates real results—and that starts with being honest about the human […]
Why Swag Without Strategy Is Just… Stuff
By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert Just like owning a treadmill doesn’t automatically make you fit, owning a box of branded merch doesn’t magically build your brand. Yes, swag can be fun. But branded merchandise without strategy? That’s just stuff in a sad box. To actually drive ROI, grow brand awareness, […]
T-Shirt Gun Energy with Amanda Hofman of Go to Market Studio
By: Molly Kunth In one of the most energizing and idea-packed episodes of The Found Podcast to date, I welcomed back Amanda Hofman of Go To Market Studio — and this time, we got tactical. If you remember Amanda from her first appearance back in Episode 157, we dove into her journey from her very first startup in NYC to founding […]
The Very Hungry Brand Manager: A Cautionary Tale of Swag Burnout
By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert If you’ve ever felt like your week is just one long merch request after another—you’re not alone. Inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar, this is the story of every brand manager buried under endless swag demands. It starts innocently enough… but quickly turns into full-blown […]
No Samples, No Apologies: What Morgenstern’s Can Teach Us About Branded Merch
By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert New Yorkers aren’t rude—we’re just efficient. (If you were hoping for small talk, you should’ve flown to Ohio.) That’s the kind of unapologetic attitude that defines great branding and Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream gets it. This beloved NYC ice cream shop has never offered samples. […]
What the Pope Can Teach You About Branded Merch
By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert Pope Leo bobbleheads. “God’s Team” tees. Sprinkle cookies with his face.No, this isn’t your Sunday school gift shop—it’s a full-on merch movement. Right now, Chicago is treating the Pope like the next great streetwear icon, and honestly? It’s working. What started as a religious visit […]
Why Most Company Swag Misses the Mark—And How to Fix It
By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert We’ve all been there. You attend a conference, onboard with a new company, or join a team retreat—and you’re handed a tote bag or t-shirt with the company logo splashed across it. You smile politely, but inside you’re thinking: “I’m never wearing this.” And that […]
Goodnight Corporate Hoodie (Nobody Wore): A Cautionary Tale of Bad Branded Merch
By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert In the fluorescent glow of a long-forgotten supply closet…Stacks of stiff hoodies sit untouched, tagged, and totally unloved. Welcome to the branded merch graveyard. Inspired by Goodnight Moon, this cautionary merch tale hits a little too close to home for companies still clinging to outdated […]
Your Business Has Evolved. Why Hasn’t Your Swag?
By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert Let’s be honest: Your business isn’t where it was in 2022. So why does your branded merch still look like it is? Your company has grown, pivoted, launched new services, expanded into new markets—yet your swag strategy is stuck in the past. It’s time for […]