An industry veteran of nearly 20 years, Katie Bauer has become an integral partner with Bloomingdale’s marketing team, incorporating her promotional expertise into the retail giant’s loyalty program.

Bauer, the VP of sales at New Jersey-based Blank2Branded (asi/141113), seeks out unique, meaningful and custom premium gifts that Bloomingdale’s can offer its customers. Some of the most popular gifts include champagne bottles filled with jelly beans to help ring in 2019, Bluetooth speakers to ensure all customers have heard about the loyalty program and cookies designed as iconic street signs and a heart symbolizing that Bloomingdale’s is the “heart of New York City.”

Her contributions have increased enrollment and shopping frequency, which has factored into Bloomingdale’s decision to continue the premiums program throughout the next year. “We provide great value by establishing a creative and consultative environment with our clients rather than the standard client/vendor relationship,” Bauer says. “With internet companies on the rise and consumers shopping based on price, we constantly strive to demonstrate our value other than just cost and product.”

With her finger on the pulse of the latest trends, Bauer scours Instagram and Pinterest for fashion designs and popular color schemes. “I really love being a part of a campaign or event and seeing the return on investment that makes promotional products such a key component to elevating the brand,” Bauer says. “Creating the perfect product to meld with an event and seeing its success motivates me to continue coming up with the next hot product.”