Blog categorized as Branding

The most powerful ROI from branded merch doesn’t live in spreadsheets. It lives in conversations, pride, and moments that compound into real brand equity.

Most companies treat merch vendors like ATMs. Send a request. Get a quote. Place an order. Done. This is why your merch ends up in donation bins or, worse, landfills.

Most companies waste their entire merch budget not because they pick bad items. Because they add merch like it’s an afterthought. Something to throw in because “everyone does it.”

Kate Trumbull, Domino’s CMO, had a problem most CMOs dream about. Her brand was printing money. Thirteen straight years of growth. Nearly $20 billion in sales. Digital orders up 85%. They’d beaten Pizza Hut so badly it wasn’t even close anymore.

The guy on the phone sounded friendly enough. “We need some cheap swag for a trade show next month. What’s your best price on tote bags?”