You may scoff at ketogenic diets and sensory deprivation tanks, but don’t underestimate the health and wellness industry. The numbers are on its side. In October 2018, the Global Wellness Institute reported that the wellness market is now valued at $4.2 trillion, having grown 12.8 percent in the past two years.

Among the 10 top buyers of promotional products, the health care industry is No. 5, according to the PPAI 2017 Sales Volume Study. This category—which includes pharmaceuticals, medical devices, laboratories, veterinary clinics, hospitals, independent practitioners and family planning centers—accounted for 7.1 percent of the $23.3 billion sales total in 2017.

Brands use health-related promotional products for their campaigns in a number of different ways. A company with a corporate wellness program might give pedometers to employees who participate in a fitness or weight-loss program. A hospital may decide to distribute hot/cold packs at a health and wellness fair. A doctor’s office could give patients pocket-sized bottles of hand sanitizer to promote good hygiene. Health-focused promotional products could also be used for cause-related awareness and fundraising campaigns. For instance, a nonprofit could sell logoed water bottles at a fundraising event to earn money toward a goal and help keep participants hydrated.

“Health promotional products is a very broad category,” says Kathy DiFrancesco, outside sales manager for West Jordan, Utah-based supplier SnugZ USA. “You can accomplish a lot of education through these kinds of promotional products, which encourage people to look at different aspects of their health.”

Gwen Brey, marketing coordinator for New Ulm, Minnesota-based supplier Beacon Promotions, says health promotional products can be used by any market that is concerned with promoting good health. “The promotions are unlimited, as this subject matter can be tied into many different themes, causes or events,” Brey says. “An apple slicer could promote healthy eating, a cooling headband for promoting walks or runs. These items let the recipient know that the advertisers care about them.”

Christopher Duffy, MAS, director of marketing for Saint Louis, Missouri-based supplier Ariel Premium Supply, says the typical clients who buy health products are those who run corporate wellness programs, along with insurance companies, hospitals, fitness centers, charities, doctor’s offices and rehab centers. “Many of the promotions are for employees or members who are participating in a group event,” Duffy adds.

DiFrancesco agrees that corporate wellness clients are the most popular type of client that purchases health promotional products, along with health care clients. “Corporate wellness is so top-of-mind now,” DiFrancesco says. “Sitting is the new cigarette. There are all types of campaigns that use promotional products that try to encourage, remind and reinforce this message that we’ve got to move.”

Wellness incorporates not just physical health, but also mental health. “Mental wellness is very important now,” DiFrancesco adds. “There is a very large market for that. You’ll also see health care products being used a lot for awareness-type campaigns.”

What types of health promotional products are trending right now? Duffy has seen a rise in tech-inspired items in this category. “Digital fitness trackers are replacing traditional pedometers, and performance fabrics like copper-infused cooling towels trend better than cotton towels,” Duffy says. “Also, personal-care products like lip balms and sanitizers are including more organic ingredients than ever before. And hot/cold packs are being developed with more unique materials like a pliable clay.”

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More than two-thirds of people surveyed said they regularly experience physical symptoms caused by stress and 73 percent regularly experience the psychological symptoms of stress, according to 2017 stats from the American Psychological Association. Brands can show how much they care by providing promotional products that help alleviate stress such as the Heart-Shaped Stress Ball. It’s the perfect giveaway for healthy New Year’s resolutions or at the start of a new diet or healthy lifestyle.

Chocolate Inn   /   PPAI 111662   /   www.chocolateinn.com

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Combatting germs in the environment is a critical component to maintaining good health. Thus, the CleanZ Pen Sanitizer makes the perfect giveaway for end users who want to sanitize their surroundings. The pen’s barrel holds approximately 80 sprays of disinfectant containing 62 percent alcohol. Clients who want to promote cleanliness and good hygiene should “sign off” on this pen sanitizer.

SnugZ USA   /   PPAI 112982   /    www.snugzusa.com

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When accidents happen, a Plastic Bandage Dispenser is the perfect promotional item for everyday first aid. This plastic bandage dispenser includes five latex-free, translucent sterile bandages with adhesive. It’s portable and refillable, so your client’s logo can gain many more brand impressions in the future. Great for health care fairs, hospitals and doctor’s offices.

Chocolate Inn   /   PPAI 111662   /   www.chocolateinn.com

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For people who take multiple daily medications or supplements, the Capsule Pill Holder Key Ring a great way to keep your brand top of mind. Both practical and convenient, this pill holder and key ring combo is a convenient solution when taking medication on the go.

Dard Products   /   PPAI 113923   /   www.dardproducts.com

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Perfect for the medical and pharmaceutical industries, the Extra Strength Note & Clip Dispenser offers multi-functionality as a dispenser for notepaper and paper clips. Open the giant pill-shaped containers on top to reveal paper clips and press on the containers to dispense a sheet of notepaper. Attractive and fun to use, this note and clip dispenser is a great way to give consumers a dose of your brand.

Dard Products   /   PPAI 113923   /   www.dardproducts.com

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Skin needs to be protected year-round from the sun and this Broad Spectrum Formula Suncreen shields both UVA and UVB rays, reducing the risk of sunburn, skin cancer and premature skin aging. The formula meets FDA requirements and comes in a frosted glass bottle with an easy-to-use pump.

Hit Promotional Products   /    PPAI 113910     /    www.hitpromo.net

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While end users enjoy a good book, they’ll also appreciate this convenient listing of health and fitness tips printed on the Staying Fit & Healthy Bookmark. Every time a reader picks up a book, they’ll associate your client’s business with these helpful ways to stay healthy and enjoy optimal wellbeing.

Fields Manufacturing   /   PPAI 111951   /   www.fieldsmfg.com

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Workers who use a computer all day will be grateful to look down at their keyboard and see your imprint on this Stretching for Your Health Keyboard Wiz. This health guide provides stretching exercises and ways to prevent common desk-based injuries right at your fingertips. Users simply place the Keyboard Wiz above the top row of keys for an always-in-sight promotion of your business and tips for staying ergonomically fit. It’s a great item for employee appreciation campaigns.

Fields Manufacturing   /   PPAI 111951   /   www.fieldsmfg.com

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Ideal for health and wellness companies that sell nutritional supplements, the Oval Pill Box is a convenient pill container for on-the-go use or at home. It features a lightweight and durable plastic design and it comes equipped with three compartments. Additionally, the broad box top lends itself to a sizable imprint.

Dard Products   /   PPAI 113923   /   www.dardproducts.com

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Get The Message Out About Prevention And Protection

The onset of the cold-and-flu season makes winter the perfect time to promote awareness about health and wellness. For brands that want to promote a message of prevention and protection, health-related promotional products are the ideal medium for educating the public.

“During the cold and flu season, ‘get your flu shot’ might be the message,” says Kathy DiFrancesco, outside sales manager for West Jordan, Utah-based supplier SnugZ USA. “Hand sanitizers play very well to this message. A hand sanitizer is a preventative measure.”

Hand sanitizers tie in well with companies that want to emphasize how their business protects customers, DiFrancesco says. “It could be any kind of client, even a financial services client who wants to emphasize they offer protection,” she adds.

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Playing It By Ear

Because hearing is such an important sense, consumers understand they need to protect it, starting at a young age. A manufacturing facility wanted to promote safety and prevent hearing loss among their employees who worked on the production floor. To encourage employees to use ear protection while working, the company gave their employees promotional ear plugs made from thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The TPE material makes the plugs flexible, so they adapt to the contours of the ear canal, providing a snug fit. The ear plugs, distributed at a team meeting, were imprinted with the tagline, “Because we care,” along with the company’s logo. The promotion served two purposes: to establish good will among employees and to physically protect their hearing—making the item a great way to “plug” the company.

Source: Beacon Promotions

 

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Clearing The Air

To raise awareness among the general public about the importance of clean air, the American Lung Association (ALA) held a clean-air seminar during National Clean Air Month in May. To drive the message home, a car air purifier was given to each seminar attendee that was imprinted with the ALA logo and web address. The air purifier, which can be used to counter air pollution while driving in the car, kept the importance of clean air at the forefront for consumers.

Source: Beacon Promotions

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Brittany Glenn is a Dallas, Texas-based writer and a former associate editor of PPB.