Distributors in the promotional merchandise field help their customers meet their goals and achieve their dreams. The resourceful, creative programs and campaigns they produce are the right fit for clients’ and end users’ needs. Their work is celebrated in the 2024 PPAI Pyramid Awards, sponsored by Pacesetter.

First presented in 1958, the PPAI Pyramid Awards represent the pinnacle of achievement and honor the long-standing, collaborative partnerships between the PPAI family of members that differentiate strategic promotional marketing from the buying and selling of products.

The PPAI Pyramid Awards have stood the test of time and continue to advance the awareness and prestige of the industry’s talented companies and individuals. The awards recognize promotional products businesses and help shine a spotlight on the collaborative business model unique to the industry.

Here, we take a closer look at 17 winning entries in this year’s competition for client programs, created between April 1, 2022, and April 1, 2023.

Business-to-Business Programs

Gold Winner
Imagen Inc.

Imagen Inc. demonstrated unparalleled success through their outstanding work creating sales funnel kits for its client, Jacuzzi Group. The strategy aimed to engage high-value targets – potential Jacuzzi Group brand dealers – effectively, move them through the sales funnel and grow the dealer network. The program, which remains in continued use, resulted in an impressive 80% engagement rate – a significant improvement of the previous success rate of 15% from cold calling and email marketing – and helped the client establish themselves as a leader in the industry.

Imagen Inc. distinguished itself through a meticulous blend of brand-specific messaging and carefully selected promotional items, communicating the unique value proposition of each of Jacuzzi Group’s brands and creating a lasting impression. The promotional kits, unique for each brand, featured a range of items including wine glasses, French press coffee makers, popcorn poppers and hydration bottles. To simplify the process, it also created a custom ordering site with direct fulfillment services for the client.

Silver Winner
Brand Blvd.

Brand Blvd.’s Avocado Summer campaign aimed to provide its clients with an unexpected experience, highlighting custom-made items and direct import services the distributor offers. The program, which the company spent just over $18,000 on, targeted approximately 1,000 clients across Canada who had spent more than $10,000 with it in the past, as well as certain prospective customers. Addressing challenges posed by the pandemic, the initiative featured unique avocado pool floaties symbolizing rejuvenation after two challenging years. Managing the process from design to delivery, Brand Blvd. emphasized personal touches and reported impressive results. The campaign generated $97,000 in opportunities for the company, of which it booked $61,000.

Client Branding Programs

Gold Winner
Brand Fuel

Brand Fuel orchestrated a successful rebrand for the American Cancer Society by creating a kit, designed for the global board of directors and executive team, that included a range of branded products, including an NFC-enabled water bottle that served as a donation vehicle. By adopting an “inside out” approach, Brand Fuel aimed to engage stakeholders and make them feel significant.

The achievement extended beyond the $24,000 in netted donations and made a meaningful return to the community. American Cancer Society reported receiving numerous grateful messages from recipients and the online storefront Brand Fuel built to support the organization’s fundraising has driven more than $240,000 in sales since the brand reveal.

Silver Winner
BAMKO

BAMKO orchestrated a lucrative Valentine’s Day promotion for Fancy Feast with Valentine’s Day Cuddle Kits. Targeting cat-loving customers, the promotion transformed the notion of spending Valentine’s Day alone with a cat into a heartwarming and Instagram-worthy brand building opportunity. The Cuddle Kit featured a custom cat hoodie, toys, gold embellished spoon, a cat dish, embroidered socks and an imprinted wine glass, creating a purr-fect experience aligned with Fancy Feast’s “love is in the details” branding. The campaign generated extensive media coverage, including features in People and Better Homes and Gardens. The kits sold out within hours, marking it as Fancy Feast’s most impactful promotion in nearly a decade.

Consumer Programs

Gold Winner
BAMKO

BAMKO led a groundbreaking marketing campaign for Burger King in Brazil linked to SpongeBob SquarePants. This 360-degree integrated experience featured a themed store, special SpongeBob King Jr. combo meals and eight character minis as giveaways. With a budget of more than $2 million, the program included securing licensing rights for the SpongeBob character. The strategy drastically increased sales and foot traffic, setting records in the first week across 900 participating Brazilian stores. The themed store witnessed unprecedented lines and records sales, with children’s meal purchases soaring by over 300% and the stores themselves registering a revenue jump of approximately net 30% across all channels during the promotion period. This success stands as one of the most impactful giveaways in Burger King’s history.

Silver Winner
Arid Zone

Arid Zone shined in its Super Bowl LVII Activation campaign for Coors, where strategic planning took center stage. Collaborating with Good Drinks Australia, Arid Zone navigated challenges in transitioning distribution rights to deliver remarkable results. The product lineup, featuring replica NFL helmets, trucker caps and jerseys, was meticulously crafted to stand out in a competitive landscape. The push, activated in 193 venues nationwide, resulted in over 105,000 schooners (Australian beer glasses) of Coors consumed. The campaign exceeded expectations with a 114% increase in venue activations and a remarkable 157% overall increase compared to 2022. The program’s gift-with-purchase aspect and visibility items increased sales, generated interest and resulted in a new local record of Coors consumed in a day – up 92%.

Educational Programs

Gold Winner
Imagen Inc.

Imagen Inc. helped instill a passion for knowledge and skill development among students and interns through its work on the INROADS Conference Engagement incentive program. Going beyond expectations, educational pursuits were incentivized, resulting in 86 Hall of Fame kits, 15 MVP kits and 59 All-Star kits awarded. Doubling the course units from the previous year, participants unleashed positive change, promising a brighter future resonating within communities, schools, families and future employers. Imagen Inc.'s strategic approach incorporated INROADS branding into everyday items, fostering lasting brand affinity.

Silver Winner
Arid Zone

Working with the Department of Education and Training in the state of Victoria, Australia, Arid Zone delivered a new, improved custom-made Kinder Kit that is child-safe and inclusive of the state’s diverse communities. Designed to encourage continued learning at home, it serves as a multi-use activity case that is both robust and light enough for a 3-year-old to carry independently. The kits, provided free to approximately 60,000 3-year-old children and their families enrolled in one of the 2,900 funded kindergarten programs throughout Victoria in 2023, includes washable markers, an animal magnet puzzle and more. Sustainably sourced, the kits were produced in consultation with a panel of experts, Sustainability Victoria and the Climate Active Council.

Employee Incentive & Recognition Programs

Gold Winner
HALO

HALO created the Wawa President’s Club Welcome Box to augment the associated experience as Wawa’s President’s Club returned after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 226 President’s Club inductees were presented with an interactive congratulatory gift box. From the whimsical surprise of wind-up butterflies upon opening to the personalized video message from the CEO, every detail was thoughtfully curated, leaving a lasting impression on the recipients. The box itself included a custom polo, a canteen shaker set, a custom luggage tag with a lost-and-found feature, a bottle neck tag, rocks glasses and rum.

Silver Winner
BAMKO

BAMKO spearheaded Etsy’s Seller Incentive Program, driving seller engagement in a crucial survey. Etsy aimed to incentivize valuable feedback, and BAMKO created an exclusive redemption scheme featuring an Etsy-branded mobile device holder. Carefully chosen for maximum impact, more than 7,000 kits were distributed nationwide. Every single reward was redeemed, with the program achieving a 75% redemption rate within the first 24 hours. The collected data exceeded expectations, influencing significant investments in UI and UX enhancements. BAMKO’s program not only met its goal but exceeded expectations, providing Etsy with a data-driven foundation for strategic decisions.

Internal Communication Programs

Gold Winner
Concepts & Associates

Concepts & Associates transformed McGriff Insurance’s onboarding of interns and new hires through personalized welcome boxes, exceeding goals and elevating retention rates. Over a one-year period, 334 welcome boxes were produced featuring carefully curated items – a branded journal, phone stand, water bottle, mints and playing cards – aligned with McGriff’s culture. As interns and new hires came onboard at various locations nationwide, the welcome boxes were then shipped out to their respective destinations. All 26 interns who received the boxes came onboard and seamlessly transitioned to full-time roles, showcasing the program’s achievement. Strategic supplier choices were pivotal, establishing a benchmark for fostering enduring connections and driving employee retention within McGriff.

Silver Winner
INM Marketing Group

INM Marketing Group worked with the Polsinelli law firm to create an internal communications program that introduced a new tagline to employees nationwide. With the primary goal of fostering enthusiasm and embracing the new tagline, INM Marketing Group employed QR codes printed on cookie canisters distributed during reveal events, offering employees a choice in their gift selection at an online shop.
The program exceeded the client’s expectations with a 77% redemption rate – out of the 1,700 employees the law firm had at the time, 1,300 orders were placed. Additionally, the tagline’s launch at ice cream and cookie socials further enhanced brand visibility and employee engagement, marking the program’s success.

Not-For-Profit Programs

Gold Winner
IICON Creative Strategies

IICON Creative Strategies, in collaboration with YW Kitchener-Waterloo, a nonprofit empowering women in downtown Kitchener, Ontario, launched an initiative to enhance participants’ confidence and teach marketing skills. The project partnered with a woman-owned seed paper company, using unique wildflower and herb sprouting kits complementing the program’s “In Her Shoes” theme. Custom seed paper labels featured vibrant drawings symbolizing a collaborative journey. The project facilitated collaborative experiences, teamwork skills, public interaction and confidence-building opportunities, fostering personal and professional growth for women.

Social Responsibility Programs

Gold Winner
The Dunstan Group

Choate Construction entrusted The Dunstan Group with crafting a holiday gift expressing gratitude to clients while demonstrating ongoing support for autism. In two years, Choate’s “BuildStrong” event supporting Autism Strong raised nearly $1 million, and sourcing from suppliers sharing Choate’s mission and values brought the project full circle. The Dunstan Group bundled top-shelf bourbon with leather-bound rocks glasses and a custom-scented candle, both from companies employing individuals on the autism spectrum and others with special needs.
The program’s holistic approach earned positive feedback, highlighting Choate Construction’s commitment to meaningful gestures with assistance from The Dunstan Group’s expertise. Connecting the client’s passion to their purpose energized the customers they work with, inspiring them to not only participate in future BuildStrong events but also to commit to sponsoring the next year’s event, raising more than $600,000 for children and families with autism.

Silver Winner
Arid Zone

Arid Zone’s Kinder Kits, a not-for-profit initiative by the Victoria State Government, showcased an award-winning approach to early childhood education. Crafted for 3-year-olds, the kits were evaluated for safety and engagement. Arid Zone’s commitment to sustainability is evident in the environmentally friendly, recyclable case, achieving a 10% reduction in carbon emissions. Beyond education, this supports local businesses, aligning with the Victorian Government’s “Local Jobs First” policy.

Tradeshow/Exhibit Traffic Programs

Gold Winner
Concepts & Associates

Concepts & Associates stands out for their carefully crafted strategy to create an immersive experience at the Consolidated Pipe & Supply booth, encouraging discussions on rural water best practices. The strategically placed and inviting booth led to meaningful conversations, resulting in a notable $1.2 million water meter project. This achievement highlights Concepts & Associates’ expertise and excellence in generating interest and engagement at exhibitions, helping their clients set a promising path for future endeavors.

Silver Winner
Six Twenty Six, an iPROMOTEu Affiliate

iPROMOTEu affiliate Six Twenty Six showcased their creativity in corporate contracting with a booth at the WBENC National Convention in Nashville. Tasked with a professional booth featuring CEO Success Community branding and 15 CEO member companies, Six Twenty Six crafted a sustainable exhibit, entirely recycled and free from drayage or reship fees, using custom-corrugated materials. The unique setup engaged spectators, leading to meaningful interactions. The booth’s success translated into tangible business outcomes, securing two requests for proposals within a week and generating potential speaking opportunities.