Will promotional products be the real winner in the Scottish referendum?

Both sides of the YES and NO debate for Scottish independence have turned to promotional merchandise to push their message out to voters. The promotional products have been clearly visible around Scotland with flags, badges and stickers on public display.

The campaign has led to some enormous promotional merchandise requirements from both sides of the debate over the last 12 months. Products ordered by both sides of the YES/NO debate from Scottish based promotional gift company Creative Promotions Ltd include approximately 400,000 button badges, 100,000 pens and ad flags, 50,000 balloons, self cling stickers and confectionery items, 40,000 keyrings and 5,000 stress balls.

In addition to the hundreds of thousands of low cost items there are many other ‘must have’ items such as hoodies, T-shirts; sweaters, beanie hats; caps, travel mugs, coffee mugs, golf items and, unique to the YES campaign, solid gold 18ct cufflinks for £400 a pair, which are made to order by a local jeweller in the region.

Of all the items supplied it’s of no surprise that the most popular item is the button badge, which has prominently carried both brands, in varying sizes and suitable for all age groups.

Gordon Glenister, Director-General of the British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA), commented: “Like many organisations it’s very interesting to see that both the YES and NO campaigns are using promotional merchandise to help them put their message across. Nobody watching any of the TV coverage could have missed seeing the logos on a whole range of products.”

Creative Promotions Ltd is one of the members taking part in Promotional Products Week which takes place during the 15th – 19th September and is being run by BPMA. As well as Creative Promotions, nearly 600 members will be taking part in activities including open days, events and hospitality, new product launches and special offers. The BPMA Student Design Innovation Awards, which is run in conjunction with Brunel University, will also be held during PPW.

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