It has long been a tradition for the Government to distribute goodie bags to extend this celebratory mood beyond the parade platform. In retrospect, Singapore keeps it fresh each year – constantly innovating and featuring different themes, designs and items.

See Singaporean promos from last year - Board games etc..

Re-Use, Recycle, Reflect

This year, the NDP fun packs are going green – the promotional items in the goodie bag are made reusable to keep up the fun packs’ environmentally friendly theme. Items like the sun visor are made from recycled materials and others like the maracas which doubles up as a container have dual functionality for reuse purposes.

There are 4 different versions of the NDP Fun Pack – showcasing iconic elements of Singapore and the designers’ interpretation of the NDP 2011 theme.

To encourage the NDP audience to reuse the fun pack even after the parade is over, the tote bag has more compartments to offer more utility in carrying items such as laptops. The bag is also biodegradable and water resistant.

Contents of the Fun Pack include:

Reuse & Recycle

• Mr Bean Maracas – an interactive item used to generate sounds to add to the festivity
• Mini Singapore Flag – a mainstay in NDP funpacks through the years; this year it comes with a flag stand to act as a desktop decoration and a name card holder
• Light Stick with interchangeable Panels and a customized base
• Sun Visor
• Milo Hand Fan

Reflect

• Stories of the Singapore Spirit – A collection of short stories
• Reflections Card
• Collectible NDP 2011 Lapel Pins

Other Items

• Mini Mobile Phone Screen Wiper
• “Singa” Courtesy Campaign Lion Pen
• Postcards
• Cash Card Holder
• Poncho
• An Assortment of Snacks & Drinks

The items featured are all cost effective solutions yet not compromising on the message delivered. It is always interesting to unveil each year’s surprise and see what Singapore has in store to commemorate this festive occasion.

For an inspiration on what to include in a goodie bag you are planning, this is a perfect success model right here.

Items ODM suggest:

• Innovative Handheld Mist Fan - always refreshing for the hot weather in Singapore
• Collapsible Water Bottle
• Commemorative Coins  - for local banks like DBS
• Microfibre Towels with custom local design

This promotion increases the brand image of Hoegaarden as a premium beer brand, justifying its higher prices relative to other beer brands. The brand image of being a traditional European beer is enforced by offering this beer glass which is typically used by Europeans when drinking this beer – Hoegaarden keeps its traditional roots even as it exports its beer worldwide.

The glass provides utility to the customer as beer enthusiasts may relish using a proper beer glass over normal glasses or to drinking straight from a bottle. The Beer glass hosts the Hoegaarden logo, which demonstrates the long them benefits of offering such a promotional item as the customer is always reminded of Hoegaarden beer even when he pours a different brand into the glass.

This case demonstrates through usage of a simple promotional gift how companies improve brand image build sales and impress their culture on customers.

• Attract the attention
• Convey simple, yet direct messages
• Recognized by all

Those are exactly the attributes sought after by companies seeking to promote their brands / products.    Why not use promotional mini road signs as an alternative for your next Promotional Campaign?

Easily customizable, these Mini signs are able to communicate a wide range of messages, depending on your need or wants.

Stop, Danger, Give Way are some examples of signboards that can be diverted from their primary purpose.

One could also think of speeding signs as an alternative to the ususal “50% off on merchandise”.   As mentioned earlier, the possibilities are endless.   Additionally, such promotional materials will be noticed by your audience regardless of its location. You will thus be able to reuse them anywhere.

ODM remains at your disposal for any ideas or request you may have and would be more than happy to accompany you in your next “Road Sign” promotional campaign.

See also our blog ideas on..

• Promo Bumper Signs for head
• Safety Theme Promos
• Car Decoration Promos

Held in Marina Bay since 2007, participants at the event can expect a myriad of music, military parades and fireworks. Furthermore, free goodie bags are given out during the event (see blog).

ODM innovations, the invention incubator and Singapore office of the ODM Group will be closed for a public holiday. Please do not hesitate to contact ODMasia in Hong Kong for any urgent matters..  (See other ODM holidays for 2010)

Unlike the past, goodie bags this year come in 7 different attractive designs in the shape of tote bags.   This is a great case study in providing nice customised gifts for events.

Biscuits, drinks, ponchos are nicely packed into a box.  The box itself doubles up its utility with 4 different simple board games.  This will keep people occupied before the parade and during intervals.

Games incorporate important messages, sending across cultural values and Singapore’s history. ODM has developed several board games like Hana Deka board game, South African board game to name a few.

A Collar/Lapel pin is also offered and 5 different symbolic designs of Singapore to collect.  These use eproxy printing – butterfly closing on the pins allow them to be attached onto pencil cases, bags, etc.. , showing loyalty to the country. Such pins are small and portable, good to be given away to spread a message.

A poncho and mini plastic fan are given, respecting Singapore‘s hot and unpredictable weather. Both offer good logo positioning, allowing branding to be seen from afar. Good form of advertising and products are cheap and useful too.

In addition, a light blinking clapper is also included in the bag. Shaped like the Singapore flag, this clapper is best suited for this joyous occasions. This dual function clapper is suitable for many uses, from concerts, to sports matches and even festivals like Halloween, Christmas, etc.. You could also choose from other noise makers are like Clapping banners, inflatable shakers, etc..

A postcard can be found in the bag too.   Printed in the same 7 different designs as the goodie bags, Singaporeans can send this postcard to friends abroad, sharing this nations joyous celebration. A hangtag/luggage tag available in 6 different designs comes attached to the bag.   These are good giveaways along with travel products, allowing people to label their bags for easy recognition and spread your message worldwide..

If you are planning goodie bags it is interesting to bear in mind the key national holidays and other special cause days.

Wing Feh Hui, MD of our Singapore office, is pleased to have been selected as a judge for this competition.  Judges are highly experienced people from the start-up community, including successful entrepreneurs, VCs, business angels, finance/legal professionals and educators specialized in the study of entrepreneurship.

Over the past 10 years, the success of the competition depended heavily on the input from the competition judges and the 11^th year will be no exception.   ODM continue to promote the importance of well thought out business plans for our inventors – they are a key to taking a product from concept to market.

Singaporeans celebrate NDP as a symbol of liberation and independence from Malaysia on 9th August, 1965. A public holiday in Singapore office, all workers enjoy a day off to commemorate this important event. The celebration will consist of a parade of the Total Defence in Singapore and aesthetic performances. Rainbow fireworks colour the skies at the finale. (promos for parades)

Since the NDP is a national event, it is a wonderful opportunity for promotions and advertisement. In conjunction with this event, there are many promo gifts that revolve around Singapore’s mascot, for promotional products. Some regular gifts include plushes and figurines.