Promotion Playbook

Promo Punks

Welcome to Promotion Playbook, your ultimate destination for expert insights into promotional products, custom merchandise, and brand marketing. Hosted by industry leaders Pascal and Will, this podcast is your go-to source for everything related to swag, giveaways, logo apparel, screenprinting, embroidery, and branded merchandise. Dive deep into the world of promotional strategy with us as we break down real campaign results, unpack the ROI of popular products like tote bags and mugs, and share practical insights from the frontlines of running a successful promo business. Whether you're a marketer, event planner, business owner, or merch maker, Promotion Playbook delivers the tools and tactics to help you grow your brand through high-impact, tangible marketing. Join our community of brand strategists, corporate gift buyers, and promotional product enthusiasts as we unpack the power of tote bags, pens, mugs, lanyards, keychains, stickers, notebooks, and more. Subscribe on Spotify to stay ahead of the curve with the best practices in custom merch, giveaways, and promo product strategy. Let’s turn your brand into something people wear, carry, and remember.

  1. 7/01

    #036 - 10 Years In Promotional Products…Here's What They Don't Want You to Know

    Get your free custom merch quote in 30 minutes 👉 https://promopunks.com.au/collections/all-10-000-products 🔗 TAKE ACTION: Browse 10,000+ branded products: https://promopunks.com.au/collections/all-10-000-products Four dirty secrets the promo industry doesn't want you to know. ◼️ Hidden fees suppliers conveniently forget to mention ◼️ Quality bait-and-switch: what you order vs. what arrives ◼️ Minimum order quantities designed to trap small businesses ◼️ Cheap offshore manufacturing risks your brand reputation ◼️ BONUS: How to spot supplier scams and save thousands Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:15 - The Hidden Fees Suppliers Don't Tell You About 00:01:53 - The Quality Bait and Switch Problem 00:03:00 - The Minimum Order Quantity Trap 00:03:55 - The Risks of Cheap Offshore Manufacturing 00:05:12 - How to Protect Yourself From Supplier Scams 00:05:37 - Why Transparency Matters in Promotional Products Follow Promo Punks: https://www.facebook.com/promopunks https://www.instagram.com/promopunks/ https://www.tiktok.com/@promopunks https://www.linkedin.com/company/promo-punks-co/ DISCLAIMER This content is for educational and informational purposes only. While we share industry insights and best practices, individual results vary based on supplier selection, order specifications, and market conditions. Always verify supplier credentials, request samples, and review contracts carefully before placing orders. Promo Punks and the hosts are not liable for supplier performance or outcomes of individual purchasing decisions.

    6 min
  2. 23/12/2025

    #034 - How to Convince Your Boss to Invest in Merch

    In this episode of Promotions Playbook, Pascal break down why your boss is wrong about merch. They reveal how welcome kits boost retention, client gifts drive loyalty, branded items create free visibility, and smart merch lines generate revenue. You’ll see why a $30 water bottle outperforms a $1,000 Facebook ad, and why ignoring merch is a competitive disadvantage. This is a practical playbook for leaders and marketers who want stronger teams, loyal customers, and new revenue streams without wasted spend. Join thousands of marketers and business owners who trust Promo Punks™ for custom merch that elevates. Get your FREE custom quote in 30 minutes; discover branded products that don’t just promote, but transform your events, engage your team, and level up your brand experience: https://promopunks.com.au/collections/all-10-000-products Follow Promo Punks: https://www.facebook.com/promopunks https://www.instagram.com/promopunks/ https://www.tiktok.com/@promopunks https://www.linkedin.com/company/promo-punks-co/ Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:16 – Why Your Boss Thinks Merch Is a Waste 00:01:54 – Employee Retention and Culture 00:03:30 – Customer Loyalty and Lifetime Value 00:04:42 – Brand Visibility and Awareness 00:05:34 – Turning Merch Into a Revenue Stream 00:06:16 – Competitive Advantage 00:07:05 – Recap of the Five Reasons 00:07:41 – How We Can Help You Build a Merch Strategy

    8 min
  3. 17/12/2025

    #033 - We Designed a Merch Line for a Real Business in 10 Minutes

    Join thousands of marketers and business owners who trust Promo Punks™ for custom merch that elevates. Get your FREE custom quote in 30 minutes; discover branded products that don’t just promote, but transform your events, engage your team, and level up your brand experience: https://promopunks.com.au/collections/all-10-000-products Most businesses think merch is expensive, slow, and complicated. In this episode of Promotions Playbook, Pascal prove the opposite by designing a complete merch line for a real local café in under 10 minutes. Using a coffee shop called The Daily Grind as the case study, they break down how to fix an unprofessional team look, turn disposable cups into a profit and marketing engine, and create retail merch customers actually want to buy. You’ll see how simple uniforms build trust, why a $10 reusable coffee cup can outperform a $1,000 Facebook ad, and how lifestyle-driven merch turns customers into walking billboards without feeling salesy. This episode is a practical, step-by-step playbook for local businesses who want better branding, more word-of-mouth, and extra revenue without massive budgets or long lead times. Follow Promo Punks: https://www.facebook.com/promopunks https://www.instagram.com/promopunks/ https://www.tiktok.com/@promopunks https://www.linkedin.com/company/promo-punks-co/ https://medium.com/@UC7LgXddjlT_hb3XbLgCok2Q Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:51 - Why most businesses overthink merch 00:01:34 - The three goals every merch line must achieve 00:02:03 - Fixing staff uniforms to build instant trust 00:03:19 - The $10 coffee cup that beats $1,000 ads 00:04:26 - Turning sustainability into a profit centre 00:04:34 - Why logos alone don’t sell retail merch 00:05:06 - Designing merch around identity and community 00:05:52 - The complete merch line built in 10 minutes

    7 min
  4. 10/12/2025

    #032 - The Genius Behind Qantas Merch (And How to Steal It)

    In this episode of Promotions Playbook, the host break down the genius behind Qantas’ merch strategy and why it’s one of the most sophisticated brand plays in Australia. They unpack how Qantas turned a century of heritage into a competitive advantage, why their sold-out limited drops spark viral buying frenzies, and how manufactured scarcity has created a thriving secondary market for everything from 747 drink carts to business-class pajamas. He also dive into Qantas’ strategic partnerships, showing how co-branded collabs expand reach and elevate brand perception. Finally, they explain the most important part of the entire playbook: Qantas doesn’t sell merch, they sell a lifestyle that taps into travel, identity, and the Australian spirit. This episode gives you the four exact principles Qantas uses and shows you how to apply them to your own business so your merch becomes more than a product. It becomes something people are proud to own. Join thousands of marketers and business owners who trust Promo Punks™ for custom merch that elevates. Get your FREE custom quote in 30 minutes; discover branded products that don’t just promote, but transform your events, engage your team, and level up your brand experience: https://promopunks.com.au/collections/all-10-000-products Follow Promo Punks: https://www.facebook.com/promopunks https://www.instagram.com/promopunks/ https://www.tiktok.com/@promopunks https://www.linkedin.com/company/promo-punks-co/ https://medium.com/@UC7LgXddjlT_hb3XbLgCok2Q Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:49 Why Qantas merch works it’s identity, not branding 00:01:46 The four principles behind Qantas’ merch success 00:02:13 How Qantas leverages heritage to create nostalgia 00:02:37 Manufactured scarcity and why exclusivity drives demand 00:03:32 The frenzy behind bar carts, pajamas and first class kits 00:04:32 Strategic partnerships and how co branding boosts credibility 00:05:12 Selling a lifestyle instead of products the real Qantas advantage 00:06:18 How to apply the Qantas playbook to your own merch strategy

    7 min
  5. 03/12/2025

    #031 - What To Actually Get Your Employees For Christmas

    In this episode of Promotions Playbook, Pascal react to real-world examples of brands winning big with eco-friendly, high-impact corporate gifts. They break down how Sephora, Kohl’s, and Poppy use pop-up experiences and personalised merch to win over Gen Z, and what you can steal from those tactics for your own brand. Then they react to Lauren’s breakdown of the top 5 eco-friendly corporate products employees actually want, and unpack why sustainability, practicality, and thoughtful presentation make the difference between a gift that gets used daily and one that goes straight in the bin. You’ll learn how to use your merch budget wisely, why eco products are a second layer of brand messaging, and get simple, practical ideas for gifts that genuinely fit your team’s lifestyle, from desk sets to gym-ready bundles. Join thousands of marketers and business owners who trust Promo Punks™ for custom merch that elevates. Get your FREE custom quote in 30 minutes; discover branded products that don’t just promote, but transform your events, engage your team, and level up your brand experience: https://promopunks.com.au/collections/all-10-000-products Follow Promo Punks: https://www.facebook.com/promopunks https://www.instagram.com/promopunks/ https://www.tiktok.com/@promopunks https://www.linkedin.com/company/promo-punks-co/ https://medium.com/@UC7LgXddjlT_hb3XbLgCok2Q Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:55 - Reacting to Sephora and Kohl’s sorority rush pop-ups 00:01:41 - Custom Poppy cans and the power of personalised merch 00:02:24 - Why employee gifts must be genuinely useful and valuable 00:03:05 - Lauren’s “5 eco-friendly corporate goods" 00:03:20 - Eco desk gift box example 00:04:26 - How to use your budget wisely 00:05:01 - Practical eco-friendly gift ideas

    6 min
  6. 26/11/2025

    #030 - What Your Employees ACTUALLY Want for Christmas

    Join thousands of marketers and business owners who trust Promo Punks™ for custom merch that elevates. Get your FREE custom quote in 30 minutes; discover branded products that don’t just promote, but transform your events, engage your team, and level up your brand experience: https://promopunks.com.au/collections/all-10-000-products In today’s episode of Promotions Playbook, Pascal break down why most Christmas gifts fall flat and how smart presentation, quality items, and thoughtful curation can turn a simple $20 product into something your team genuinely values. They share new data on what employees actually want, why presentation matters more than most people think, and exactly how to build gift packs at every budget that create real impact. If you’re looking to avoid another forgettable corporate gift this year, this episode gives you the cheat sheet. Follow Promo Punks: https://www.facebook.com/promopunks https://www.instagram.com/promopunks/ https://www.tiktok.com/@promopunks https://www.linkedin.com/company/promo-punks-co/ https://medium.com/@UC7LgXddjlT_hb3XbLgCok2Q Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:03 - Why presentation is everything 00:01:48 - Rule 1: Invest in quality 00:01:57 - Rule 2: Choose something practical 00:02:37 - Rule 3: Modern, ethical, sustainable 00:03:20 - Rule 4: Make it personal 00:04:49 - Premium items employees would buy themselves 00:05:41 - Gifts reflect culture and appreciation

    6 min
  7. 19/11/2025

    #029 - Steal This Swag Strategy For Your Ecommerce Store!

    Join thousands of marketers and business owners who trust Promo Punks™ for custom merch that elevates. Get your FREE custom quote in 30 minutes; discover branded products that don’t just promote, but transform your events, engage your team, and level up your brand experience: https://promopunks.com.au/collections/all-10-000-products In this episode of Promo Punks, host Pascal explores strategic ways to leverage custom promotional products and branded merchandise for both e-commerce and retail stores. He breaks down actionable tactics that go beyond simply giving away core products, focusing instead on how complementary merchandise can create emotional connections, increase order values, and drive revenue without devaluing your main offerings. From surprise gifts that build customer loyalty to exclusive limited editions that generate urgency, listeners will discover cost-effective strategies to transform their promotional approach and create memorable brand experiences. Follow Promo Punks: https://www.facebook.com/promopunks https://www.instagram.com/promopunks/ https://www.tiktok.com/@promopunks https://www.linkedin.com/company/promo-punks-co/ https://medium.com/@UC7LgXddjlT_hb3XbLgCok2Q Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:42 - Episode Overview: Merchandise for E-Commerce & Retail 00:01:03 - Strategy #1: Surprise Gifts for Emotional Connection 00:01:45 - Strategy #2: Increasing Average Order Value 00:02:31 - Strategy #3: Building Product Bundles 00:02:56 - Moving Slow-Selling Inventory with Freebies 00:03:24 - Strategy #4: The Upsell Effect 00:04:11 - Increasing Core Product Value with Complementary Items 00:04:57 - Strategy #5: Limited Edition Promotional Events 00:05:46 - Creating Urgency Without Discounts 00:06:03 - Strategy #6: Loyalty Program Integration 00:06:34 - Protecting Core Product Revenue

    8 min

Sobre

Welcome to Promotion Playbook, your ultimate destination for expert insights into promotional products, custom merchandise, and brand marketing. Hosted by industry leaders Pascal and Will, this podcast is your go-to source for everything related to swag, giveaways, logo apparel, screenprinting, embroidery, and branded merchandise. Dive deep into the world of promotional strategy with us as we break down real campaign results, unpack the ROI of popular products like tote bags and mugs, and share practical insights from the frontlines of running a successful promo business. Whether you're a marketer, event planner, business owner, or merch maker, Promotion Playbook delivers the tools and tactics to help you grow your brand through high-impact, tangible marketing. Join our community of brand strategists, corporate gift buyers, and promotional product enthusiasts as we unpack the power of tote bags, pens, mugs, lanyards, keychains, stickers, notebooks, and more. Subscribe on Spotify to stay ahead of the curve with the best practices in custom merch, giveaways, and promo product strategy. Let’s turn your brand into something people wear, carry, and remember.