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5 Trends That Will Transform Your Marketing Game in 2025

This post is based on a topic covered in one of our Friday Flashback newsletters. Friday Flashback is a weekly newsletter from Kaeser & Blair Director of Sales Liza Sachs. Each edition contains valuable insights and updates for the promotional products industry.

Buckle up, brand builders and marketing mavens – I just got back from ASI Orlando, and let me tell you, the future of promotional products is WILD.

The Inside Scoop from ASI Orlando

1. Environmentalism Goes Next-Level

Remember when “green” meant a recycling logo? Those days are OVER. In 2025, sustainability is about living the message. Imagine:

    • Business cards embedded with wildflower seeds
    • Bamboo and sugarcane pulp drinkware
    • Journals crafted from recycled and sugarcane materials

These aren’t just products – they’re statements.

2. Cannabis & Beyond: The New Frontier

The marketing world is getting bold. With cannabis industries booming, dispensaries and grow operations are untapped gold mines for promotional products. Approach these potential clients by highlighting compliance-focused solutions:

    • Packaging that meets strict regulatory requirements
    • Child-resistant containers with branded designs
    • Custom tracking and identification materials for seed-to-sale tracking

3. Direct-to-Film: The Print Revolution

Custom printing just got a major upgrade. Expect mind-blowing detail and quality that’ll make your brand pop. Rather than screen printing hundreds or even thousands of items with the risk of ending up with dead stock, DTF allows for quickly decorating items to meet demand. Sell DTF to clients seeking high-quality, low-risk customization. Ideal for:

    • Small businesses with limited inventory budgets
    • Brands requiring intricate, photo-quality designs
    • Companies wanting quick turnaround on branded merchandise

Pitch: “DTF transforms your printing from a cost center to a profit generator – no minimum order, zero waste, maximum impact.”

4. Packaging That Tells a Story

E-commerce has a new favorite, it’s called kitting! Kitting is a common practice in ecommerce fulfillment that has many applications. Think subscription boxes like BarkBox and Blue Apron that send an assortment of themed items on a regular basis. These items need packaging that fulfills the same excitement as what is inside. Offer clients a full-service kitting design experience:

    • Custom packaging consultation
    • Thematic item curation
    • Brand storytelling through unboxing design
    • Scalable solutions for subscription boxes and corporate gift sets

Example: A tech startup could receive a welcome kit with branded tech accessories, personalized welcome note, and interactive product guide – all packaged to create a memorable first impression.

5. Surprise Factor: Scratch-Offs Return

Interactive, unexpected, fun – marketing that actually makes people smile? Yes, please. Perfect for clients like:

    • Real estate agencies generating leads
    • Car dealerships running promotional campaigns
    • Local businesses wanting to boost customer engagement

Scenario: A car dealership uses scratch-off cards offering prizes ranging from free oil changes to significant discounts, driving foot traffic and collecting customer data via QR codes.

Pro Tip from the Trenches

Promotional products are the ONLY advertising medium where people actually say “thank you”. Let that sink in.

Want to be ahead of the curve? Stop thinking about products. Start thinking about experiences.

Unlock Your 2025 Marketing Strategy

P.S. These trends aren’t just cool – they’re your competitive advantage. Ready to dive in?

Liza Sachs

Liza Sachs is the Chief Revenue Officer at Kaeser & Blair. In her role she oversees all sales, marketing, publishing, and supplier relations for the 130-year-old Company. Liza, a 28-year industry veteran, has an extensive background in the promotional products industry. Prior to this role she has led several top 40 sales organizations with suppliers and distributors in the promotional products industry and has been a member of the ASI Counselor Power 50 list. Liza loves to help the sales organization with new ideas and examples to expand their portfolio and doesn’t feel her day is complete unless she has made a helped someone’s day be a bit brighter, so she strives to find value in all around her.