Most Popular Promo Products by Category

For this section, respondents were asked to provide up to three promotional items they had received in the last 12 months. Promotional items were defined as items that include pens, T-shirts, mugs, calendars, or any items that have a logo or message from an advertiser on them; they are usually given away for free to consumers in hopes of positively influencing their purchasing preferences or their attitudes toward the advertiser.

As the chart below reveals, writing instruments were the items most commonly cited, as nearly one-half (49%) of promotional product recipients reported getting at least one in the last 12 months. There are also significant differences by country, as revealed on the chart.