FATHER’S DAY. A day for eating steak and watching sports? Definitely*. Is it also a day full of potential for promotional products? We’re pretty sure that’s a yes**.
It’s a scientific fact that dads like stuff. Fancy stuff, simple stuff, basically any kind of stuff that can be put in a garage or sit on a work bench is usually okay with the man of the house. This is great news for promotional marketers, since it’s been rumored for a while now that garage- and workbench-branding is going to be the big marketing trend of 2012***.
We know what you’re thinking. “But Promo Marketing, Father’s Day is like two months away! Why are we worrying about this now?” The answer lies within our favorite fatherly aphorism: “Son/daughter, there’s two things I’m sure of in life: It pays to plan ahead, and you should always listen to Promo Marketing magazine because it’s pretty great.” So listen to Dad and check out our 10 best product ideas for Father’s Day promotions below.
10|A well-stocked promotional first-aid kit for all the times Dad tries complex D.I.Y. projects like hanging a shelf or changing a car’s oil.
9|The TomTom GO 740 LIVE from Incentive Concepts is ideal for helping Dad avoid breaking father commandment #1: Never stop and ask for directions.
8|A stress ball or two to help him through all those magical parenting moments, like when his son comes home drunk for the first time or when his daughter’s new boyfriend is a 42-year-old guy named “Snakegrease.”
7|New dads only: A dad-friendly diaper bag. Something shaped like a Harley that can also read off sports scores and carry on an incredulous conversation about the weather would probably be best.
6|Forget the “World’s Greatest Dad” mug, and celebrate fathers in style with a classy award from Crystal D instead. We recommend the Mova Globe 11″, which will fascinate any father for hours, given their genetic obsession with tiny maps and shiny, spinning things.
5| A subscription to Promo Marketing‘s Threads newsletter, because seriously, the black-socks-with-sandals move has to stop.
4|Some kind of tropical-themed tie, decorated with palm trees, parrots and maybe a sunset. Cosmic truth time: every dad needs to own a tie like this.
3|Bay State Speciality Company’s Jumbo Square Jar Opener: Helping dads keep moms impressed in the face of advancing pickle jar-sealing technology.
2|A gift card to Lowes or Home Depot. Just make sure to set a low cash amount, lest all households involved end up with grills that play CCR’s “Bad Moon Rising” while flash-grilling a steak in under 45 seconds.
1|A 60″ plasma TV. Why? Because the increased size makes yelling at a favorite under-preforming athlete that much more enjoyable.
* This is not entirely true. Vegetarian dads celebrate Father’s Day too, they just watch way more sports to compensate.
** By “yes” we mean, “Uh, maybe?”
*** By “big marketing trend” we mean that footnoted jokes are a great comic device and never really get old.
