Thunder Road Brandworks: The Official Partner of Pro Sports in Charlotte

Chocolate: The great tasting promotional item!

2009-04-16T09:38:00.001-04:00

Is chocolate the best treat ever? Well that’s arguable, but I would place a bet that most people enjoy most kinds of chocolate to its full deliciousness.

But Andrew, you may ask, how does this relate to promotional products? Well since you asked, I shall tell you the answer… Chocolate is a promotional item. As you notice from the picture, pretty much any design or logo is able to be crafted onto the chocolate. Large, small, medium size…all are applicable.

The company that produces this masterpiece of chocolate design is called Chocolate Inn. So besides the innovative and creative idea to slap your logo on chocolate and give people something they rarely see, what’s the best part? It tastes great. I did not say less filling! But who doesn’t smile when they get chocolate!

Basic marketing principles include the 4 P’s. Well, above all, you need a quality product. And delicious chocolate is a good product to me. The chocolate is also very economical and cost efficient. This idea isn’t just good on paper either… it sells!

Can we Jump through Hoops for you too?!

2009-03-27T10:51:00.007-04:00

Horses, Jumping, and Emeka Okafor... What do they have in common??

They play in the same arena.

Okafor is there a bit more often, but on April 10-12, the premier equestrian event in the Carolinas is coming to Time Warner Cable Arena. That's right ladies and gentlemen, it is time for the Charlotte Jumper Classic!

For those who do not about this event, it is a 3 day competition featuring 10 different classes. The riders and horses will compete for $585,000 in overall prize money. The big event is Sunday at 1 pm, which is the $450,000 Grand Prix of Charlotte.

The Charlotte Bobcats made a smart move, they asked Thunder Road for their help in promoting this event for their game Saturday March 28th against the New York Knickerbockers.

So what did we do? How about coming up with 200 buttons for the WOW staff to wear to let patrons know about the event. How about doing this in, I don't know, 24 Hours?!

How is that for jumping through some hoops? Bring on the Grand Prix!

Another reason why Thunder Road goes Green

2009-03-23T14:31:00.005-04:00

If you were able to make it to the St. Patricks Day show last Tuesday the 17th at Bobcats Arena, you were able to walk away with not only a collection of ideas, products, lists, samples, a stomach full of food and beverage, but you were able to come home with your own gift bag. (And if you weren't able to get one, send me an email, andrew@thunderroadbrandworks.com and I'll be sure to get you one soon!)

Now this isn't any ole gift bag you may receive at any other event you go to. These gift bags are made from Norwood and Prime and are completely eco-friendly! The great looking colors may draw you in, as well the overwhelming feeling of support you will feel holding the bag with goods in it... but it's the not the true reason we have it.

Did you know that each year the United States uses 84 billion plastic bags?! That is also a significant proportion of the worldwide usage of plastic bags (500 billion); and for just 1 nation! These bags are not biodegradable, and are making their way into our oceans.

Our tote bags are stronger, inexpensive, and reusable!

Want to make a real lasting impression that your clients will really appreciate? Go Green. Go tote bags. Go Thunder Road.

Other Non-Thunder Road ways to "Go Green":

Use both sides of the paper
Turn off computers at night
Take shorter showers
Recycle old cell phones
Fly with an e-ticket

Spring Show: Huge Success!

2009-03-18T16:06:00.002-04:00

March 17th. St. Patricks Day. Green. Bobcats Arena. Gift Bags. The opportunity to effectively brand your company and have lasting effects with customers.

Which one of these does not belong?

The answer is none. They're all correct.

This was the scene at Bobcats Arena on Tuesday March 17th. A collection of vendors with a variety of product lines were present to show off their goods to well over 100 guests. And I think they all came away pleased with what they saw. No matter what your favorites were, we are here to help make those ideas become reality. Please contact Thunder Road to let us know how we can best serve you and have those products in your hand as soon as possible!

Thanks again to everyone who came out and we look forward to speaking to you soon!

1 Hat Start-to-Finish in a Snowed In Queen City: 19 hours

2009-03-13T17:22:00.004-04:00

Here’s a situation:

It’s 1 pm on a snowy Monday in Charlotte and you’re considering changing the name of your tournament. There is a big presentation on Tuesday morning at 8 AM in order for this to happen. You want 1 sample hat with the logo of the potential new mark embroidered on the hat and ready to go for the meeting. If things don’t work in this meeting, the idea may go to another agency. What do you do?

YOU CALL THUNDER ROAD BRANDWORKS!

In an outstanding 19 hour turn around, when the Wachovia Championship golf tournament was renamed to the Quail Hollow Championship, Thunder Road produced this hat. After receiving the name and logo, Thunder Road had this highly secretive imagery produced and rushed for 8 am delivery.

Good things can happen when you use Thunder Road. So when you’re in a pinch, who is always going to be there to deliver and get the job done on time? We are.

The Spring Show is Just Days Away

2009-03-12T14:22:00.004-04:00

With only 5 days left until Thunder Road's Spring Show at Bobcats Arena on March 17th, there is much to be excited about. Not only will there be a St. Patty's Day Flavor (Green Beer, corned beef, Green Bagels, Painted Green Monkeys) but we will also be featuring many of our "Green" eco-friendly product lines!!

Every guest will also receive a free t-shirt and become instantly eligible to win one of our many Door Prizes... at least 1 every hour! Lets recap: free stuff, free food, free green beer. I'd say it's a winning combination.

Parking: Reid's Lot, enter at 7th street and first 90 min is free!
Enter Bobcats arena off the 5th street entrance.

Here is a list of a few brand names that you will be seeing on Tuesday! See you there!

Ahead
Fairway and Greene
Sun Dog Eye wear
Sharpie
Parker
Paper Mate
La Coste
Nike
Tommy Bahama
Adidas
Tiger Woods Collection
Page and Tuttle
Munsingwear
Jockey
Cutter and Buck
Bridgestone Golf

Lunch Sack: A Practical Promotion

2009-03-09T11:17:00.006-04:00

I'm going to be honest, because we are an honest company. The economy is not where we'd like it to be.

Nevertheless, the show must go on. So during budget meetings and you're sorting through what you want to do, and what you need to do... I've got a product for you that can be very practical! How to build brand loyalty while remaining budget conscious? Check this out.

Instead of going out to lunch, many are more likely to bring their lunch to work. Take a look at a Lunch Sack Gift Set. This could be a great promotional item that is economically and environmentally friendly! So don't go "brown bagging it" anymore because it's the little things that can go a long way to help branding your identity. And this product can be used EVERY DAY.

Want to know more? Email me: andrew@thunderroadbrandworks.com

Have you seen Andrew? Have you received a goody bag?

2009-03-05T13:06:00.004-05:00

Have you seen Andrew? Have you received a goody bag?

If the answers to these questions are yes then you have probably had either met me (Andrew) or have had this glorious gift waiting for you on your desk. If you're confused because you have no idea what I'm talking about, then I will make my next visit be to you.

The contents from the goody bag are:

Soccer Ball
Magic 8 Ball

Sticky notes
Pens

I make stops all around this Queenest of Cities nearly every working day. But the real question is, where will I go next? Thanks to a working automobile and a gas card, I could be visiting you in the near future.

Probably sometime in the afternoon, lets say 3.. 3:30ish? I'm not sure yet, but I'll see you there. On the plus side you can take a break from what you're doing and ask the 8 ball if you should play golf this weekend. (All signs point to yes).

Until then,

Have you seen me? Do you want to? email me: andrew@thunderroadbrandworks.com

Supplies are limited. But can be replenished.

Weekend Explorer Grill + Cooler Delivered

2009-02-24T16:20:00.013-05:00

On Monday February 23, Thunder Road began delivering the Weekend Explorer Grill + Cooler to Carolina's Medical Center. The small object may look ordinary, but it is actually a tailgaters dream. Spotted at our Trade Show at Panthers Stadium in the Fall, CMC has picked up on this versatile product! The front contains the company logo, while the top half holds the cooler. Underneath the cooler, a small grill is able and ready to go! BAM! Let's tailgate!

March 17th "Swing into Spring Show" at Bobcats Arena!

2009-02-23T10:24:00.004-05:00

Here at Thunder Road, we are eagerly awaiting the March 17th Swing into Spring Show that will be held at Bobcats Arena from 11 am to 3 pm. There will be all kinds of different products in attendance and are great ideas for corporate gifts! So mark the 17th of March on your calendar now and stay tuned for more information. We look forward to seeing you there!

2,000 tee shirts in 3 days! No way!

2009-02-20T11:05:00.009-05:00

2,000 tee shirts in 3 days! No way!

On Monday February 9th, Thunder Road Brandworks successfully delivered 2000 custom imprinted T-Shirts to the Charlotte Bobcats in time for the game! The t-shirts were part of a Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Month promotion that the Bobcats held and gave a shirt to each of their Season Ticket Holders at the game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

The shirts involved a complex multicolor 3 location imprint as shown here in this blog and were couriered to the arena in time for same day game distribution! The shirts were considered a success and the Bobcats came away with a huge 94-73 victory that night as well!

Vantage Apparel

2009-02-18T09:26:00.009-05:00

On Tuesday morning, the staff of Thunder Road was greeted to a fantastic presentation by Regional Sales Representative Kent Davis of Vantage Apparel.

It was fascinating to learn the nuances of embroidering and decorating apparel with logos and the different ways to do it! One of cool aspects offered by Vantage is their laser when they add in the logo. Kent showed us samples of exactly how precise the laser can be on the fabric as well as the many different locations the logo can be placed on the article of clothing.

Oh also, Vantage provided us with latest in different types of clothing such as golf shirts, fleeces, t-shirts, button down/woven shirts, and jackets! The part of Kent's presentation that I came away most impressed with were the amount of stitches used in each decoration or embroider. Vantage uses 3 times the amount of stitches compared to other competitors. While some use either 5,000 or 11,000 stitches... Vantage uses an astonishing 16,000! The result looks amazing! Take my word for it, HUGE difference.

Needless to say, we are happy to be associated with this ever-growing company! If you want to check out their catalogue for yourself:

http://vantageapparel.com/Default.aspx

Feedback and Testimonials

2009-02-17T16:46:00.005-05:00

At Thunder Road, we love feedback and responses! Please post a comment about anything you'd like! Preferably we'd love to hear about different experiences you've had and some of our products and promotions.

So just leave a comment letting us know how we're doing from any previous experience you've had with us. It is much appreciated!

Also, check us out on Facebook! Name: Thunder Road
And Twitter: ThunderRoadBW

If you'd like to write more than comments and to to be a contributor to this blog, please e-mail andrew@thunderroadbrandworks.com

The Beginning

2009-02-16T15:20:00.000-05:00

At Thunder Road Brandworks, we stand out in a world of 21,000 promotional product companies by serving as marketing consultants, not mere product providers. Anyone can show up at your office, spread out a stack of catalogs and ask which hat or pen you want to slap your logo on.

Instead, we show up with our brains, our notebooks and plenty of ideas about extending the reach of your brand. We assist in strengthening your identity through promotional marketing concepts, corporate gifts, reward and recognition programs, direct mail programs, and unique approaches to trade shows and special events.

Sure, we have hats and pens and mugs and everything else that follows the straight and narrow of corporate marketing. Yet by offering the unexpected item at exactly the right time, or by coordinating an event that takes everyone by (pleasant) surprise, we add more than value to your marketing efforts. We add the spark and spontaneity that keep the most successful brands alive and kicking.