The first ever in-depth independent national survey into the power of promotional merchandise in the UK questioned businessmen and women about their behavioural trends and preferences for different promotional gifts.

One of the most significant findings of the survey is that promotional merchandise can deliver a higher ROI than radio and outdoor advertising and a ROI that is equal to TV and print advertising.

The cost per impression for a mug is £0.001, a mid-range pen £0.001, a calendar £0.004, a USB stick £0.005 and an umbrella £0.003. With an average cost per impression of £0.003, these figures compare extremely favourably with the cost per impression of other media with TV coming in at £0.008, radio at £0.003 and advertising hoardings at £0.003.

Stephen Barker, BPMA board director, says: "These figures show that promotional merchandise is a highly cost-effective form of promotion which gives a ROI that is higher or equal to all other forms of media. While radio and advertising hoardings have a relatively comparable cost per impression, they have a higher cost of entry than promotional items, requiring far larger sums to be spent to achieve this cost per impression.”

The survey also examined how much the respondents opinion changed after receiving a promotional item, giving a measure of how such products can affect feelings, perceptions and buying activity. Over half (56%) of respondents said they felt more favourable towards the brand/company. When asked how much more or less likely they were to do business with the company in the future after receiving the promotional item over three-quarters (79%) said they were more likely.

When asked what types of promotional gift they found most useful 64% stated a USB stick, 61% a writing instrument and 54% a mug.

18% of respondents stated that they had kept a mug for the longest period of time, 15% a USB stick and 12% a pen, with around one-third indicating they had kept an item for between one and two years and 30% between three and four years, highlighting that around 87% of recipients had kept a promotional item for longer than 12 months.

The impact of promotional merchandise on the recipient is shown by the items that respondents remember receiving in the last 12 months, with 44% recalling receiving a pen, 34% a mug and 31% a calendar, with USB sticks and stationery coming in at 22% and 18% respectively.

Stephen Barker concludes: "The results of the survey unequivocally demonstrate the value that should be placed on promotional products as a key part of the marketing mix. Not only do promotional products make positive impressions on all those who see them, but the message is reinforced every time the product is used and contributes to the user's needs.

“The findings also provide information that can help marketers tailor their promotional products even more specifically in order to make their promotional spend still more effective."