We were featured in Counselor’s 2025 State of the Industry Report
If you’ve been around emblm for a while, you know we’re not in the business of handing out junk. So when Counselor Magazine reached out about their 2025 State of the Industry report, specifically around growing negative attitudes toward promo, we had thoughts.
And they quoted us on it. 🙃
Here’s the truth: we hear it all the time from new clients
“We’re not doing swag this year.”
But what they really mean is:
“We don’t want to waste our budget on things people throw away.”
Honestly? We get it. The old model of filling conference totes with cheap pens and stress balls doesn’t cut it anymore. People are more intentional now. They want their brand to stand for something and so do we.
So, what’s the fix?
It’s not about ditching promo. It’s about doing it better.
At emblm, that means creating custom merch that:
- Actually gets worn, used, or kept
- Tells a story about your brand
- Makes the recipient feel like, “Whoa… this was made for me”
Whether it’s a cozy hoodie that becomes someone’s go-to, or a perfectly timed welcome kit that makes a new hire feel instantly part of the team — we believe great merch is about emotion, not excess.
We’re proud to be part of this shift in the industry and proud that Counselor included our perspective in this year’s report.
And if you’re one of those brands saying “no more swag,” let’s talk. You might just mean “we’re finally ready to do it right.”
Ready to make better merch?
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