Merchandise as a media channel how brands use products to influence buyer behaviour - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
Briefly

Merchandise as a media channel how brands use products to influence buyer behaviour - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
"As digital advertising becomes increasingly competitive and expensive, brands are reassessing how they communicate, influence, and remain memorable. In B2B environments especially, where purchasing decisions are complex and trust-driven, traditional digital channels alone are no longer sufficient. This shift has positioned merchandise as a powerful and often underestimated media channel. When used strategically, B2B promotional products are no longer simple giveaways. They become physical brand assets that support visibility, credibility, and long-term influence on buyer behaviour."
"Merchandise has evolved from a tactical add-on into an owned media channel. Unlike paid advertising, physical products remain present long after the initial interaction, delivering repeated brand exposure without recurring media spend. In B2B sales cycles, where decisions involve multiple stakeholders and extended evaluation periods, this sustained presence is particularly valuable. Branded products for lead generation help brands stay top of mind throughout procurement discussions, internal approvals, and supplier comparisons."
"Branded products for lead generation work because they combine relevance with utility. When recipients genuinely use a product, the brand becomes part of their daily environment rather than a one-off message. This is especially effective at trade shows, corporate meetings, retail partnerships, and account-based marketing activations. A physical item creates a natural reason for follow-up and reinforces recall long after digital interactions have faded."
Digital advertising has become more competitive and expensive, prompting brands to reassess communication and influence strategies. Merchandise has emerged as a powerful, owned media channel that delivers repeated brand exposure without recurring media spend. In B2B environments with complex, trust-driven purchases and multi-stakeholder sales cycles, high-quality branded products sustain visibility throughout procurement, approvals, and supplier comparisons. Branded items combine relevance and utility, integrating brands into daily environments when recipients use products. Physical products create natural reasons for follow-up at trade shows, meetings, and account-based activations, and establish tangible connections that strengthen trust, professionalism, and long-term buyer influence.
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