The Psychology of Swag: The $6 Billion Waste Problem

About this episode

Eric and Crissy discuss the hidden costs of promotional products and how to turn them into meaningful brand experiences.

What if the biggest branding opportunity your company has is quietly ending up in the trash? 🗑️ Eric and Crissy unpack the hidden emotional, financial, and environmental costs behind the billions spent on promotional products each year. Together they challenge the idea that branded merchandise is just a giveaway, reframing it instead as a powerful people-first experience that can shape trust, loyalty, and identity. From cultural missteps that lead to wasted budgets to the surprising science behind creating a product someone actually loves, Crissy shares actionable frameworks leaders can use to turn "brand filler" into meaningful brand equity. If you've ever questioned whether swag really matters, this conversation will change how you think about connection, strategy, and the objects that live in people's everyday lives. 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: Promotional waste costs companies nearly six…

People in this episode

Host: Eric

Guest: Crissy

Topics covered

• promotional products
• branding
• emotional connection
• waste management
• brand equity
• marketing strategy

Keywords

• swag
• promotional waste
• brand loyalty
• emotional connection
• marketing strategy
• brand equity
• merchandise

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Robertson Marketing, PeopleForward Network

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