Ad Specialties by Ken | Promotional Products and Apparel | Brand Marketing | Ken Waller

A Marketer's (Tiny) Guide to Promo at Trade Shows

Jun 12

Trade show season is quickly approaching, and standing out in the sea of booths can feel like a daunting task. The competition is fierce, and capturing attention amid the hustle and bustle of the e...

6 Stuffed Animals to Cuddle Your Way to Happiness

Apr 6

Almost everyone had a favorite stuffed animal growing up. They were a friend that you confided your deepest secrets to, a friend that could keep you company when thunderstorms rolled through the ni...

8 Graphic Design Mistakes to Avoid

Mar 8

From social media graphics and website layouts to creating a cohesive grouping of promotional products, there are plenty of opportunities to flex your creative muscles and grow your business at the...

Reusable vs. Disposable Items

Feb 21

Disposable products are a common part of everyday life for most folks - think single-use items like plastic cutlery, paper plates, shopping bags from the grocery store, napkins, the coffee cup from...

6 Products to Welcome Students Back to School

Dec 9, 2025

"Don't you just love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address." Tom Hanks said it bes...

What’s Up With Unboxing Videos? The Trend You Must Try

Oct 11, 2025

We all enjoy that element of surprise (well, most of us!). User-generated unboxing videos have popped up more and more on YouTube and other social media platforms, adding a surprising value to prod...

Case Study: Hay, Where'd You Get That Tote?

Apr 13, 2025

Description: Large Boat Tote Industry: Sports / Fitness What it was purchased for: Horse show giveaways How it was distributed: A local horse show needed gifts for their major contributors. A ...

Branding 101: Let’s Talk Logos

Mar 1, 2025

A logo is often a company's first impression and it can impact a customer's perception, purchase decisions and overall attitude toward your company. A logo is a symbol or graphic element that repre...

Branding 101: What Makes a Brand Powerful

Dec 5, 2024

A powerful brand is more than just a great logo and a mission statement (although those certainly lay the groundwork for any brand.) We live in a time where competition rises up on every corner, an...

Yes, There's a Difference: Everything You Need to Know About Pens

Nov 21, 2024

Even as much of our world goes digital and paperless, the pen remains an essential tool in both office and home life. With so many different types of pens, choosing the "write" one can be a lot har...

How to Put Together an Onboarding Kit

Nov 14, 2024

Employee engagement starts the second a new employee walks in the door, so it's important for companies to make a good impression on their first day! The onboarding process shouldn't just be about ...

Our Top 10 Favorite Eco-Friendly Products

Oct 23, 2024

Sometimes it's good to take a moment and get in touch with Mother Earth. Not only are these products great for printing your company logo or message, but they also serve dual purposes. The products...

Lead a Healthier Lifestyle With These 6 Promotional Products

Sep 24, 2024

Eating healthy. Weight management. Working out five times a week. There are many health-related resolutions we set at the beginning of a new year. But, do we follow through with them? Many times, t...

Take a Hike! 6 Products to Help you in the Great Outdoors

Aug 19, 2024

Did you know that between the United States, Mexico, and Canada, there are 15 different ecological regions in North America? Right in our own back yard, you can go from the frosty tundra of far nor...

It's Party Thyme: 7 Products for Plant Lovers

Aug 5, 2024

In recent years, home gardening has gone from a small hobby to a full-blown trend. Houseplants aren't just beautiful home décor- they're actually good for your health! Owning indoor plants c...

6 Hot Sauces Sure to Blow Your Socks Off

Apr 18, 2024

Finding a new, good hot sauce nowadays is almost like when Indiana Jones triumphantly grabs the idol at the beginning of Raiders of the Lost Ark. It may have taken you traversing through the aisles...

Relax and Unwind With These 10 Promo Products

Nov 15, 2023

Like that classic Beatles song, sometimes it can feel like your working eight days a week. Maybe you've had back to back meetings or you've had a stressful travel week. Whatever the case, nothing h...

Craft the Perfect Trade Show Swag Bag

Oct 31, 2023

Virtual tradeshows are definitely here to stay, and that isn't a bad thing! Not only are virtual tradeshows a lot more cost-effective for the organization hosting them, but they're also cheaper for...

Generation Z vs. Millennials: What’s the Difference?

Oct 24, 2023

We're all familiar with the stereotypes that characterize the millennial generation- avocado toast, "killing" chain restaurants, and being social media obsessed. But what actually defines a millenn...

Graphic Design Terms Everyone Should Know

Oct 9, 2023

It can be hard to communicate with a design team on a project when the designers speak their very own language. That's why we have a rundown of words you may come across frequently that can save yo...

5 Fail-Proof Ideas for Your Business Instagram

Aug 26, 2023

What generates over 95 million photos and videos each day, 4.2 billion likes daily and has 700 million active users? You guessed it - Instagram. This photo and video sharing social platform have re...

These Are the Tech-Savvy Promotional Products You Are Looking For

Aug 11, 2023

Technology advances exponentially. By the time you finish reading this article, you might be actually be reading it in some virtual reality café where Elvis is serving you a strawberry daiqu...

12 Perfect Pediatric Products for Babies

Jun 6, 2023

Oh, babies! What a joy to welcome. Bringing a new baby into the world is so exciting (but also stressful and frequently sleepless). New parents know that there's a lot to procure and prepare before...

What Makes Gen Z Tick?

Mar 25, 2023

It's 2020, and Generation Z is growing up. The generation includes people born between 1995 and the 2010s, putting the group's eldest squarely in their mid-twenties. Chances are that you may work a...

Case Study: Keep it Cooler

Mar 18, 2023

Description: Dual Compartment Cooler Bag Industry: Corporate / Fortune 500 What it was purchased for: An annual company picnic for employees and their families. Each year they give thei...

Using Customer Profiles to Find the Perfect Promo Products

Jan 20, 2023

When business owners are asked about the customers they serve, many times, their response is: "Well, we serve everyone..." If a company served everyone, it would be impossible to build a successfu...

6 Fun Products for Keeping Kids Occupied at Home

Sep 1, 2022

Since the coronavirus outbreak has forced many schools and daycares to close, millions of children are experiencing a major disruption in their daily lives. Parents working from home may be struggl...

6 Products to Show Your Support for Breast Cancer Awareness

Aug 17, 2022

Suppose you're looking for a cause to support to make sure that your business is responsible and giving back to the community. In that case, breast cancer awareness is an excellent choice because i...

Top 3 Color Trends for 2022

Aug 9, 2022

Your promotional products color palette plays a significant role in the decision-making process. One of the biggest reasons colors influence consumer behavior is that individuals want to stay on-t...

Your Guide to Drinkware

Apr 13, 2022

Mugs, tumblers, and bottles...oh my! There is an abundance of variety available when it comes to promotional drinkware, which can make it difficult to decide what is the best choice for your brand....

Case Study: This Promotional Product is in the Bag

Oct 12, 2021

Description: Laundry Bag Industry: Financial What it was purchased for: A credit union wanted to target college students and offer them an incentive to open a new account. They chose a stock desi...

How Promo Products Can Tell Your Brand's Story

Aug 30, 2021

Stories are powerful. From sharing stories around the campfire to writing fictional novels, storytelling has connected people together for thousands of years. But, have you ever considered storyte...

Take it To-Go: 8 Restaurant Takeout Essentials

Jul 25, 2021

The way restaurant patrons experience dining out has changed immensely since coronavirus cases have begun popping up in the U.S. Restaurants that were once packed to the brim with happy diners are ...

5 Products That will Send you Over the Moon and out of This World

Jun 25, 2021

For the first time since Neil and Buzz took those first steps on July 16th, 1969, there hasn't been a more exciting time for space exploration than right now. Just recently, we landed another rover...

How to Create Buzz Around a Launch With Promo Products

Oct 31, 2020

So, you're launching a new product or service? Congratulations - what an exciting time for your business! We understand that your next step is to develop your action plan to make this launch overwh...

Take 5 of These Promotional Products for the Medical Field, and Call Me in the Morning

Oct 16, 2020

It can be tough for people in the medical field to get their names out to new patients. If you own a restaurant, you can have your cool mascot show up at a local sports game and toss out t-shirts. ...

6 Purr-fect Promo Products for Cat Lovers

Sep 3, 2020

Everyone knows that dogs are man's best friend, but did you know that cats have been living alongside humans as companions since at least 7500 BC? In 2017, cats were one of the most popular pets by...

6 Retro Products That Are a Blast From the Past

Jul 28, 2020

No matter what decade you think of when you think of "retro products", you can bet there's a customizable product perfect for your next event. Using nostalgia to promote your business can resonate ...

5 Invaluable Marketing Books to Help Grow Your Brand

Jul 7, 2020

In the world of business, marketing trends are always evolving and it's easy to be overwhelmed. Sometimes you take one step forward only to be knocked two steps back. Luckily, there are endless res...

6 Things You're Missing out on by Not Using Promotional Products

Jun 15, 2020

Promotional products aren't just for niche industry operations. Whether you are a small organization looking to grow your business, or an established company wanting to reach a new market, a produc...

Sustainability & Environmental Responsibility: Why it Matters

May 10, 2020

As the reality of our planet's changing climate is becoming more and more apparent, being committed to sustainability has become a business imperative in the eyes of consumers. According to a 2018 ...

6 Products to Include in Every Holiday Gift Basket

Apr 12, 2020

It's always a good idea to get those gifts planned out and ready to go before the holiday chaos begins, and that includes client appreciation gifts. But, what do you get them? Put in extra thought ...

A Quick Guide to Promotional Bags

Jan 30, 2020

Whether you're at a tradeshow, school, office, or even the grocery store, chances are that you're going to see a promotional bag. Bags are one of the most ubiquitous promotional products - and for ...

10 Tweetable Quotes for Motivation

Jan 1, 2020

People love quotes. That's probably why 30% of retweets on Twitter are quote-related. You can tap into that trend by posting engaging and entertaining quotes on your company's account. However, quo...

Your Brand Is Your Business - Market It!

Dec 24, 2019

As a marketing professional, you understand better than anyone the importance of establishing a distinct brand presence for your company. People gravitate to those they identify with and can trust ...

6 Things You're Missing Out on by Not Using Promotional Products

Oct 13, 2019

Promotional products aren't just for niche industry operations. Whether you are a small organization looking to grow your business, or an established company wanting to reach a new market, a produc...

16 Ways Color Affects Your Branding and Marketing

Aug 17, 2019

Substantial research shows why color matters in branding and how it plays an important role in how we experience marketing. These 16 facts give you a glimpse into how you can use color to your adva...

4 Steps to #Winning Social Media

Mar 19, 2019

Social media is one of the fastest growing and ever-changing media platforms in existence. What began as an online community for the younger generations, now encompasses billions of people across t...