Sometimes there will be a fad that explodes onto the scene and in the blink of an eye fades back into obscurity. The ice bucket challenge, planking, the Harlem shake and dabbing are all examples of fun fads that ended as fast as they began.
Join us on this journey back through time to have a look at some promo fads that swept the country. And if any are still popular today.
Fidget Spinners
A fairly simple product that had been around for years already to help people with ADHD, anxiety and autism as an outlet for releasing nervous energy.
It suddenly exploded in popularity in 2016 now being used by everyone and their dog as a stress relief toy. The virality amplified by Youtube, social media and word of mouth.
As retail trends influence the promo world and promotional fidget spinners tick all the right boxes for a great giveaway item they were quickly picked up and sold out nearly everywhere.
But just a year later just as quickly as it’s rise to fame it was quickly pushed out of the limelight and demand plummeted. They still exist today and will occasionally see use, but it’s miles from where it once was.
Selfie Sticks
With the rise of social media and sharing photos of ourselves online, it was only a matter of time before a product like the selfie stick exploded in popularity.
Promotional selfie sticks were no exception with many different styles emerging and being used as a marketing tool for organisations.
However, this fad soon started to fade when people started to realise how annoying tourists armed with this device became. In fact, many top destinations around the world started banning selfie sticks and enthusiastic tourists were forced once again to ask strangers to take photos for them.
Charity Wristbands
Popularised in the 2000s by cyclist Lance Armstrong and his Livestrong brand set in motion a trend for charities and supporters to utilise silicone charity bands to raise money and awareness for their cause or charity.
They are still used today and are a great product, but it’s doubted the custom silicone wristbands will ever rise again to their former glory.
Power Banks (Pokemon Go Era)
Those kids and their damn Poke-mons.
Pokemon Go was an augmented reality mobile game that combined both the real world and the nostalgia of Pokemon to become an instant viral success in 2016.
This became an obsession to many, but there was a big limitation. Phone batteries would drain quickly while playing. The solution? Having a couple of charged power banks handy to top up the phone without having to return home was the mobile gamers go-to choice.
Savvy marketers quickly clicked that this would be a great opportunity and thus branded power banks were the hot tech gift for the year.
Although Pokemon Go is not nearly as popular any more, power banks are still practical for travel and as an emergency backup to ensure you can always make a call.
Reusable Coffee Cups
A fad that we love didn’t fade away.
The ABC’s “War on Waste” program put the magnifying glass on the amount of waste generated from single use plastic coffee cups.
The solution? An Australian company called KeepCup quickly became synonymous with reusable coffee cups and cafes started encouraging patrons to bring their own cup (even giving discounts).
The promo scene quickly adapted with many styles of promotional reusable coffee cups being launched at a much more affordable price and with better decoration capabilities. A fantastic reusable product that generated many impression of your logo.
We don’t see this trend going away any time soon, branded coffee cups are still one of our best sellers.
Summing Up
Promotional products because of what they are will always mirror retail trends and get influenced by fads.
The question you need to ask yourself for new fads is: have you missed the wave or is it a red hot opportunity. There can be a fine line between looking out of touch and trendy.
Fortunately for you, we’re always looking to be “in the know” so can advise you on the best options for your brand. Save yourself the trouble and get in touch with us today for immediate assistance.
Matt has spent over eight years in Australia’s promotional products industry. As part of the Promotion Products marketing team, he manages product catalogues and content, keeping brands up to date with what’s new and what works. A contributor to the APPA Magazine, Matt brings practical insight into how quality merch helps businesses stand out.