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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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Inspired by Goodnight Moon, this cautionary merch tale hits a little too close to home for companies still clinging to outdated […]

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 […]

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert When it comes to branded merch, intention is everything. If you’re ordering swag without a clear goal in mind, you’re not building brand equity—you’re just building a closet full of regrets (and a landfill of leftover tees no one wanted). It’s time to shift how […]

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert Most branded merch strategies start—and end—with slapping a logo on a mug, tote, or pen. But let’s be real: That’s not strategy. That’s clutter. Too many businesses are still stuck in the outdated swag cycle: Here’s the truth: If your branded merchandise doesn’t reflect your […]

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert Let’s talk about an old-school swag habit that needs to be officially retired: 📞 Printing your phone number on promotional items. We get it—it used to make sense. But in today’s digital world, it’s basically the equivalent of slapping a fax number on a hoodie. […]

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert At exactly 11:59 AM, I was emotionally prepared to become someone who wears a solid gold macaroni necklace. By 12:01 PM, it was sold out. And yes—I’m still thinking about it. 😭 Why? Because it was more than just a necklace. It was a masterclass […]

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert Let’s talk about that box. You know the one—tucked in the corner of your office or storage closet. Overflowing with branded merch that no one asked for, no one wants, and no one knows what to do with. You guessed sizes. You ordered in bulk. […]