On Show, on Hand … on the Desktop

Sad, I know, but most of us office types spend the majority of our working time sitting at a desk and staring into a screen. I don't know about you, but the top of my desk is pretty full, so for me to choose to put another item on there, it's got to be either very useful, very unusual or very attractive.

That said, with so many of us spending so much time at our workstations, it's an obvious place for suppliers to want to have a presence and keep their brand message at the forefront of our minds on a daily basis.

So, the challenge is to come up with something that is useful, unusual or attractive and that carries a salient message, and with that in mind, my researchers and I have trawled the websites, catalogues and exhibition stands to find a few items that fit the bill.

THE USEFUL
As Malcolm Fritschy, MD, Oldeani Ltd, an establsihed supplier of desk accessories, watches and clocks says, "The web revolution has given rise to a new era of hi-tech gifts for the desk top." Oldeani supplies a wide range of USB hubs.

The Voyager comes with a world time clock and alarm function. It's finished in aluminium and available in a selection of colours. Three more popular four-port hubs, are the Manta Ray, Tower and Quattro. These stylish hubs divide a single USB port into four allowing you simultaneous access to your favourite devices. A large print area provides the ideal stage from companies logo's.

www.oldeani.com

For a more traditional, but highly individual, desktop accessory, my vote goes to the 'i name it', personalised calendars. As Tina Brown of 'i name it', part of the Prime Print Group Ltd, says, "These are the perfect solution for companies who wish to engage their clients on a personal level. A recent survey of the best promotional desktop items, conducted by Source-E (April 2007), revealed that calendars were the most likely product to remain on a client's desk throughout the year. "

The process for producing these calendars is simple. 'i name it' design your front cover and add your details throughout the calendar. All you need to provide are logos, a list of client names and your 12 favourite images chosen from the extensive image library. Your client names are then individually incorporated into each image and added to your corporate branded calendar. www.inameit.co.uk. (I've got one on my desk and I love it! You can even have a greeting added on the recipient's birthday date. Ed.)

From EIC comes the USB flexible, washable keyboard. For a visible and durable desktop branding opportunity this provides the perfect solution. Offering practicality and comfort the keyboard protects against all spills and mishaps.

Bendable and lightweight it's an ideal travel companion, perfect for the clumsy employee and havoc reeking kids; providing the ultimate low cost solution to display your brand at work, at home or on the move. Price approx £4.67, minimum order 500, lead time 12 weeks. www.the-eic.co.uk.

However, with all this technology and innovation, there's still room for the 'Classic Desktop Set' from the Corporate Merchandise Company (CMC) www.cmc-uk.net. The Classic collection includes: a hard top PVC mouse mat; two hard top PVC coasters; and an A6 note pad containing 50 sheets of white paper. All elements of the set can be branded in a co-ordinated fashion. (Guide price: 250 at £2.27 each).

Other 'ready-made' desktop sets include CMC's Promotional Set A, which includes: one calico ball pen; one midi ad fob; and one A7 sticky note containing 50 sheets of white 80gsm paper (Guide price: 250 at £2.25 each) and Set B comprising: one calico ball pen; one insert coaster; and one flexi ad fob for keys (Guide price: 250 at £2.33 each).

Pod Packaging's Organic Screen Cleaning Kit is an innovative yet practical desktop accessory solution, ideal for use on laptops, PC's, PDA's and even your eye glasses!

This stylish lifestyle pack contains an organic screen cleaning spray housed in a brushed aluminium container and is accompanied by a cotton cloth, presented in a zipped bag, which can be personalised with debossed message on the bag, with a woven label or presented in a stylish gift box with a branded lid. www.podpackaging.com

THE UNUSUAL
Special EFX's has a recently expanded its range of chrome desk accessories. Capturing the elegance of times gone by, Special EFX's stunning chrome-finish dual-function paperweights and magnetic paperclip holders bring a touch of period style to the most modern of desks.

Suitable for permanent personalisation by laser engraving, the collection includes a classic 1930's racing car, aeroplane and dragster, a helicopter with rotor blades that double as a pen and paperknife and this sailing boat with pen sail.

The paperweights cost from £7.00, personalisation extra.

Melanie Osborne, Sales Director of Special EFX, said, "Traditional classic themes are dominating the desk accessories market at the moment, with a strong demand for metal accessories that combine period good looks with modern functionality. People now want accessories that they can use without fear of them breaking, that are durable and that add a notable touch of distinctive elegance to their desks. Classic good looks from the past are a strong feature of today's offices." www.efx.co.uk

THE ATTRACTIVE
This stylish desk clock is 75mm high by 55 x 11mm. Your message or logo can be engraved on the satin or polished surface, print area 20 x 15mm.

Available on a 5 day express from Promotional Solutions. www.promotional-solutions.com.

Crystal impressions produce some pretty stunning awards as well as desktop accessories. The company has grown quickly from a small start-up in 1996 to an established leading corporation worldwide. You can also find Crystal Impressions in over 5,000 retail stores all over the world, so you know there styles are bang up to date with high street trends. And, having used this company for an individual award, I can confirm that their service is personal, efficient and speedy.

In the desktop range there's a pen holder, business card holder and letter opener. All are made from optical crystal glass, which is totally free of impurities. They can all be deep laser engraved with a company logo or simple text. The products are all crafted in the company's own factory and all hand polished. They can turn these items around in 3-4 weeks depending on the quantity. They can also make totally bespoke crystal products designed specifically to your requirements, just perfect for a special occasion or company anniversary. www.3dcrystalart.co.uk.

Fulfilling two categories, the useful and attractive is this spinning clock and thermometre from Procurement International.

Spin the dials and they revolve together, so it's also interactive and just the thing to fiddle with when you are seeking inspiration.

Speaking of inspiration, we hope this round up has inspired you, but if not, search this site and you will find literally hundreds of other great ideas for promotional product. And if you find one you think should be mentioned in our next feature … just let me know.

Carole Bull
Editor.

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