About this episode

This episode introduces The Psychology of Swag series, exploring the impact of branded merchandise on company culture and relationships.

A cheap pen or a lasting symbol of belonging. In this special kickoff to The Psychology of Swag series on Working Forward, Eric Bransteter sits down with branded merchandise strategist Crissy Manwaring to unpack why the physical artifacts companies send say more about their culture than they realize. Drawing from decades of experience, Crissy reveals how thoughtful merchandise can move relationships from transactional to meaningful. Together, they explore the hidden psychology behind why some branded items become trusted favorites while others end up forgotten or discarded, and how leaders can use intentional gifting to strengthen connection across the employee and customer journey. If you care about building people-first cultures, this conversation reframes swag from a marketing afterthought into a powerful strategy for belonging, loyalty, and long-term impact. Additional Resources: Learn how to build your strategy to swag! Connect with Crissy on LinkedIn Learn more about Robertson Marketing Connect with Eric on LinkedIn Subscribe to PFN's YouTube for more insights like this! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Branded…

People in this episode

Host: Eric Bransteter

Guest: Crissy Manwaring

Topics covered

• branded merchandise
• company culture
• employee engagement
• intentional gifting
• psychology of swag

Keywords

• swag
• branded items
• company culture
• employee journey
• strategic gifting

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: PeopleForward Network, Robertson Marketing

More episodes of Working Forward

• The Psychology of Swag: From Transaction to Transformation · April 27, 2026 · 29 min
• The Psychology of Swag: The $6 Billion Waste Problem · April 20, 2026 · 29 min
• The Psychology of Swag: Why We Keep What We Keep · April 13, 2026 · 35 min
• Building Real AI Value with Wes Bender and Mikey Ames · April 7, 2026 · 1h 22m
• Creating Practical AI Strategies with Beth White · March 3, 2026 · 1h 4m
• Reimagining Company Values for Modern Times With Steve Sorenson and Jordan Lindstrom · February 3, 2026 · 1h 13m

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