By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

Some collaborations turn into real friendships. This one did.

Working with 🦬 Joseph Cope, M.Ed. – The Empathy Guy, we got to witness what fierce empathy truly looks like in action. Joseph brings heart, strength, and authenticity to everything he does. If you ever get the chance to meet him, take it—you’ll understand what we mean by “real.”

The Vibe: Fierce Empathy in Every Thread

Every phrase in this custom merch drop comes from real moments—breaking down, getting back up, and choosing to grow through it. These are the core themes of Joseph’s speaking and coaching practice: empathy as courage, growth as resistance, and vulnerability as strength.

What the Merch Says

Empathy isn’t soft—it’s strong.
It’s the courage to keep your heart open, even when things get hard.

That message runs through every piece in this collection. The designs, typography, and tone were built to reflect what real empathy feels like—raw, resilient, and grounded in connection.

The Merch Move: Brand Storytelling You Can Wear

When your branded merch reflects what’s real to you, it naturally sparks connection. People see it, ask about it, and feel your values woven right in.

That’s the secret to great brand storytelling through custom apparel—when your audience doesn’t just wear your logo, they wear your mission.

Your merch becomes a conversation starter, a brand amplifier, and a reminder of what you stand for.

Why It Matters

In an era of overdesigned products and surface-level branding, authenticity cuts through the noise. This merch collaboration isn’t just clothing—it’s a wearable story about empathy, leadership, and growth.

If empathy had a uniform, this would be it.

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

Your brand, looking at that new merch idea like Taylor looking at Travis. 👀💍
Let’s retire the junk swag era.

The End of Forgettable Swag

A foam finger? A plastic water bottle?
A stress ball that’s been stress-ing since 2014?

It’s giving “Reputation (Corporate Edition).”

For too long, branded merch has been treated like an afterthought — mass-produced stuff that ends up in a junk drawer or landfill faster than you can say “brand awareness.” But your logo deserves better.

If your promotional products aren’t designed with intention, they’re not building your brand — they’re clutter with a logo.

Skip the Filler. Keep the Feeling.

“Maybe they’ll use it” isn’t a strategy.
“Maybe they’ll love it” is.

Great branded merchandise should make people feel connected to your story — not just handed another tote bag at a trade show.

When you create custom merch that aligns with your values, aesthetics, and audience, you transform swag into strategy. The result? Brand recognition that lasts long after the event ends.

Trends Fade. Taste Lasts.

Sure, trends drive attention. But taste builds loyalty.

If your merch can’t outlive a TikTok sound, it’s not strategy — it’s static.
Choose branded apparel, eco-friendly merchandise, and design-led promo items that reflect who your brand is, not just what’s trending.

Because the best merch isn’t about keeping up. It’s about standing out — beautifully, intentionally, and authentically.

The Love Story Between Design and Brand Devotion

Great merch should be like that ring: timeless, intentional, built to last.
A Love Story between good design and brand devotion. 💅

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

Playing it safe is how brands disappear.

“Safe” is the logo slapped on every stiff t-shirt, pen, and notepad.
The same tote, printed the same way, year after year.

That’s not safe — it’s invisible. 👻

No one falls in love with something as stale as last year’s candy corn.
“Safe” is how good brands fade into background noise.

Why Playing It Safe With Your Branded Merch Doesn’t Work

Too many companies treat branded merch like a checkbox:
Pick a promo item, print the logo, hand it out, hope for the best.

But in 2025, custom merch is an extension of your brand story.
When your swag looks (and feels) generic, it tells people your brand is, too.

Strong Brands Take Intentional Risks

The most memorable brands aren’t reckless — they’re intentional.
They take small, creative risks with their swag and promotional products that reflect what they stand for, not just what they sell.

• They design merch that sparks emotion, not clutter.
• They use sustainable materials and unique designs that align with their values.
• They create pieces that make someone pause and think:
  “That’s actually cool.”

The best merch doesn’t blend in — it stands out, sparks conversation, and deepens brand connection.

From Stale to Standout: Redefine Your Swag Strategy

If your branded merch strategy hasn’t evolved in years, it’s time to rethink it.
Focus on creating custom merchandise that builds brand love — not landfill.

Start small:

• Experiment with limited-edition drops tied to campaigns.
• Collaborate with local artists or creators for unique designs.
• Use print-on-demand to test bold ideas with zero waste.

Because “safe” doesn’t get remembered — but authentic and bold always does.

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

The #1 question I get before every trade show:
“What should we print for giveaways?”

And 90% of brands start here for the wrong reason.

Before you choose anything, ask this instead:
👉 Are you chasing brand recognition—or actual leads?

If your goal is just brand recognition, sure—print the pens, the mints, the sticky notes.
They’ll get tossed into tote bags and maybe used once or twice.

But if you want real leads (not just logo exposure), it’s time to make your branded merch do the work.

How to Turn Branded Merch Into a Lead-Generation Machine

Here’s a strategy that gets attention and grows your audience:

1️⃣ Create a print-on-demand shop featuring your branded tees, totes, or mugs.
2️⃣ Hand out QR postcards with a gift code to claim one item for free.
3️⃣ When visitors check out, they’ll join your email list automatically—no scanning badges or typing emails required.

Why It Works

This approach:

• Converts one-time booth visitors into engaged leads
• Reduces waste and leftover inventory
• Creates a better brand experience—people actually want to use your merch
• Costs less than bulk printing and random giveaways

Instead of hoping someone remembers your logo, you’re giving them a reason to connect—and stay connected.

Final Thoughts

Trade show success isn’t about how many pens you hand out.
It’s about how many conversations you start and how many relationships you nurture afterward.

So before your next event, skip the swag that ends up in the trash—and invest in branded merch that builds your audience.

Go To Market Studio helps brands design smarter promo strategies that generate leads, not landfill.
Let’s make your next event unforgettable.

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

When two Atlanta icons team up, you know it’s going to be good. Spanx and Delta Air Lines just redefined what branded merch can look (and feel) like.

Two brands built on comfort.
Two definitions of confidence.
One very stylish takeoff.

This collaboration proves that corporate swag doesn’t have to be loud to make an impression. It can be soft, elevated, and irresistibly wearable.

Quiet Luxury, Flight Edition

The Spanx × Delta collection is all about quiet luxury—those small, intentional details that make something feel instantly premium.

Think:

• Soft neutrals and timeless silhouettes
• Subtle branding (a Centennial emblem or a tiny Delta widget on a zipper pull)
• Spanx’s signature cozy fabric that works for red-eyes and runways

This isn’t your typical airline merch—it’s marketing with taste.

Why Small Brands Should Take Note

You don’t need a huge budget to create premium branded merchandise. You just need intention, restraint, and great design.

When your company merch feels more like lifestyle apparel and less like a giveaway, it becomes something people actually want to wear. That’s the secret to branded swag that builds loyalty instead of collecting dust.

So whether you’re designing custom apparel, employee swag, or a client gift, remember: subtle always stands out.

This Isn’t “Just Merch”—It’s Strategy

Great branded merch isn’t about logos—it’s about lifestyle. The Spanx × Delta collection nails that balance between comfort and brand storytelling. It says: We get you. We travel like you. We live like you.

That’s the kind of merchandise marketing that turns heads (and earns repeat customers).

👇 What’s your airport uniform?

A) Athleisure and a Stanley Cup
B) Business casual with emotional support sneakers
C) Pajama legend (already asleep before takeoff)
D) “Red-eye couture” — pure Spanx × Delta energy
E) 1950s glam traveler — pearls, heels, and high bun

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

When it comes to branded merch, the best pieces tell a story — and this one starts with photographer Rashmi Gill, who sees the world through light, emotion, and timing.

We designed a custom notebook for Rashmi that captures her creative philosophy and turns it into something tangible. The result: a piece of personalized branded merchandise that feels like it was made for you, too.

The Inspiration: “Capture Positivity”

Every project in our Merch Lab begins with a vibe check, and Rashmi’s was clear: quiet confidence, everyday beauty, and light in the in-between moments.

The phrase “Capture Positivity” became the heartbeat of this design—a gentle reminder that every frame, every note, every thought holds a story worth keeping. It’s not just a line on a cover; it’s a mindset.

Just like Rashmi’s photography, this notebook invites you to pause, reflect, and see the beauty that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Why People Reach for It First

This is the kind of branded swag people actually want to use. It feels human, not corporate. Authentic, not overproduced. You can tell it was designed by someone who knows how to hold a moment still.

When your company merch feels personal—like this one does—it stops being a giveaway and starts becoming a keepsake. That’s the difference between ordinary promotional products and meaningful branded merchandise.

Steal This Move: Make Your Swag Personal

Want your next swag drop to actually resonate? Take a cue from Rashmi.

Instead of centering your logo, center a feeling. A phrase like “Capture Positivity” doesn’t just decorate the notebook—it sets the tone for what goes inside it. That’s how you create merch that connects, not just merch that markets.

👇 Camera’s out—who are you?

The sunset chaser, the selfie pro, the accidental photobomber, or the forgot-to-take-the-photo friend?

Whichever you are, here’s to capturing something good.

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

I’ve loved personalized gifts since I was a little girl.

My mom had a thing for names.

She’d light up when she found a mug, keychain, or sweatshirt with mine or my brother’s name on it — her vacation specialty.

But the real thrill was finding a personalized gift for a family member with a less common name: a license plate, a shiny keychain, a glittery pencil, even a snow globe. She was always on the hunt, and that tiny discovery made her day.

She taught me to notice the joy in things that feel personal — the small magic that makes someone feel seen.

That feeling is exactly what great branded merchandise should create.

When I help a company design custom swag that feels like it was made just for someone — a team member, a client, a customer — I think of my mom and that sense of being known. Personalized merch isn’t about slapping a logo on a product; it’s about connection. It’s about making someone feel valued, seen, and part of something bigger.

So whether it’s custom apparel, employee onboarding kits, or a client gift box, the most successful branded items are the ones that capture that same personal touch my mom loved so much.

How easy was it to find your name on those souvenir racks growing up? (And did you care?)

P.S. The photo here is of a square of “Amanda” wrapping paper my mom got for me over 30 years ago — proof that good design and personalization never go out of style.

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By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

Your branded merchandise is like a Tamagotchi.
If no one touches it, it dies. 💀

For anyone who missed the 90s craze—Tamagotchis were tiny digital pets you had to feed, play with, and care for. Ignore them, and… well, they didn’t make it.

Your company swag works the same way.

Generic Swag = Dead on Arrival

When merch lacks heart, it doesn’t stand a chance.

☠️ No personality
☠️ No love
☠️ Dead in a drawer

Too many promotional products end up forgotten because they were designed to please everyone instead of connecting with someone.

The fix? Create custom branded merch with taste, timing, and truth—something that captures your brand’s energy and invites people to engage with it.

Great Merch Thrives When People Care

When your corporate swag feels personal, people keep it alive.
They carry it. They wear it. They show it off.

That’s when your merchandise stops being a marketing expense and starts being a brand experience.

Think of it like feeding your Tamagotchi—every time someone uses your merch, your brand earns a little more love (and a lot more visibility).

Keep Your Swag Alive

Make your branded merchandise something people actually want to interact with:
💥 A hoodie that sparks compliments.
💥 A tote that tells a story.
💥 A sticker that makes someone smile.

Because when your swag feels alive, your brand does too.

Just for Fun: Name Your Brand’s Tamagotchi 🐣

So, what would you name your brand’s Tamagotchi?

Pick one (or add your own):

• Swaggie
• Logo-chan
• Pixel Pete
• Drip Jr.
• Lil Logo
• Promo Sapiens

Mine’s named Merchie, obviously. 😎

The Takeaway

Branded merch isn’t about slapping a logo on stuff—it’s about creating something that connects, delights, and lasts.

Feed it with creativity.
Care for it with strategy.
Watch it thrive in the wild.

Because good swag doesn’t die—it lives in the hands (and hearts) of your biggest fans.

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

Some branded merch doesn’t just sit in a drawer—it sparks conversations.

We created this drop for our client Femina Physical Therapy, a women’s health brand that’s smart, cheeky, and completely unafraid to talk about what others won’t.

This isn’t your average giveaway tee.

This merch shows up at Pilates, pops up in Instagram stories, and gets mentioned in five conversations before lunch.

The Vibe Check: Empowered, Unfiltered, and Unapologetic

The Femina Physical Therapy collection blends clinical credibility with cultural confidence.

The standout piece?
A tank top that proudly declares:

“Hot girls do pelvic floor therapy.”

It’s bold, funny, and deeply affirming—because taking care of yourself is hot. 🔥

That’s what makes this custom branded apparel so powerful. It’s not just something to wear—it’s something to say.

The Branding Lesson: Turn Taboo into a Talking Point

Here’s the move every marketer should steal:
💡 Turn vulnerability into voice.
💡 Take the taboo and make it talkable.
💡 Blend purpose with personality.

The best branded merchandise doesn’t feel like marketing—it feels like belonging.

When your merch has a message, it becomes more than swag. It becomes a movement.

Make Merch That Starts Conversations

Want company swag people actually love (and wear)?
Design it around what your audience cares about, not just what your brand sells.

Give your people something they’re proud to wear—and can’t wait to talk about.

👉 Be honest—if you saw someone wearing this tank, would you ask where she got it? Would you strike up a conversation?

(🙌🏻 Huge shoutout to Femina’s founder, Heather Jeffcoat, PT, DPT, for leading with authenticity and confidence.)

The Takeaway

The next time you plan your branded merch drop, think beyond logos and slogans. Think about emotion, connection, and courage.

Because the best swag doesn’t just advertise—it empowers.

By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

Chiquita made a backpack that basically turns you into a walking banana—
and honestly, it’s a-peeling. ☠️

They took that tiny blue sticker we all know and turned it into fashion:
cheery, cheeky, and completely impossible to miss.

This yellow drop from Chiquita is giving big banana energy—
bright, bold, and wearable joy.

Turning a Brand Cue into Iconic Swag

What makes this branded merchandise so good isn’t just the design.
It’s the storytelling.

💥 Simple but unmistakable
💥 Emotional, not just functional
💥 A tiny brand cue turned into a whole identity

Chiquita didn’t just put a logo on a backpack—they turned their smallest brand asset, that iconic fruit sticker, into collectible custom merch people actually want to show off.

That’s how a brand transforms from background noise into something cult-level recognizable.

The Lesson for Marketers and Brand Builders

More brands should be asking:
👉 What’s my Chiquita sticker?
👉 How can I turn it into something people chase, collect, and love?

When you treat corporate swag as a creative canvas, you unlock connection.
The best custom branded merchandise doesn’t whisper—it shouts (in the friendliest, most joyful way possible).

Sometimes, subtlety isn’t the goal.
Sometimes, going bananas is the move. 🍌

Swag That Sparks Emotion

The most effective promotional products tell a story that’s emotional, memorable, and instantly recognizable. Whether it’s a playful sticker, a bold backpack, or a small detail that becomes legendary—great merch makes people feel something.

That’s the power of design with personality.

Tell me—fruit stickers: secret art supply or straight to the trash?
No wrong answers—just proof of your personality type.
(Me? I’m always dreaming up my next art project.)