Writing Instruments to Show You Care

Research from US based advertising specialtyfor a new product launch.
institute last month (November 2008) revealed thatFor instance, the Senator Super Hit is a high
writing instruments are the most popular type ofperformance retractable ballpen that is suited for DM
promotional merchandise with consumers with 54 perand events, with a large barrel for prominent display
cent of respondent saying they used one, well aheadof promotional messages and a wide range of
of promotional shirts, caps, and bags. This is matchedcolours. For customer retention, the Lamy Pico is
in UK by figures from merchandise specialist sourcingflawless and stylish sleek pen, with a lift mechanism
city, which receives more enquiries about pens thanthat transforms it from pocket size to writing size in
any other type of product. The great thing aboutone action.
pens is that you can use it any environment in a wayProdir's pens combine Swiss design with ample
that you can't with other items.opportunities for messages. In January 2009 Prodir
Melissa Chevin, marketing manager of Senator Pens,will unveil the second generation of its DS4 range of
explains the ubiquity of the promotional pen stemsballpoint pens which not only features a new push
from it being "practical, portable, cost-effective andmechanism but also offer nearly 20 per cent more
frequently used, more often than not by severalprinting space, chiefly because of it's lateral cap. What
`owners`". She believes that, with budgets undermatters is that type and style of pen should be in line
pressure, pens hold up as being mightier than sourcingwith the objective of the promotion and incentive.
other products. "Can you think of a moreWhen used as a thank you for signing up to or
cost-effective way of putting yourself in front ofresponding to a particular promotion- as some of the
your target market audience on a daily basis frommajor insurance companies do - the pen represents a
anywhere between two and 12 months? In adgift and so needs to be perceived to be rather more
speak, the opportunities to see (OTS) ratio must beupmarket, preferably in a branded presentation box.
highest in the advertising world, albeit an anathema toCross pens are well known top end brand, but it is
any above-the-line-purist, which explains its continuedalso a significant player in the promotion sector,
presence at the top of promotional marketing'sunafraid of having other companies names added to
best-seller lists."its products. Customisation options are more subtle
Pens are still the biggest seller among our thousandsthan other suppliers to maintain the value of the
of promotional ideas. Sales of all writing instrumentsCross brand, including a line of engraving on the cap
for the year will top five million units. The choice ofor putting a company logo at the top of the clip as a
pen depends very much on how it is going to behigh quality emblem. This type of branding and
used and the profile of the recipients. Whenbusiness gifting using a premium brand can certainly
perceived value is the crucial element, such ashelp to build a brand's reputation and support the
rewarding loyalty, a recognized pen brand is acompany message.
reassuring choice. They come gift-boxed, and bothBuyers of promotional pens have an idea of what
box and pen can be customized, right down to thethe product should cost and they generally perceive
individual recipient's name.it to be even higher then it really is. The same is true
Senator Pens` are writing instruments can be usedis of the recipient, whether a staff member,
for a variety of campaign objectives, from simplecustomer or prospective client, who experiences a
branding for customer retention to a strong aestheticreal wow factor when opening the gift box and
for product awareness to maximum print exposureconsequently feels values by the giver.