Promotional Incentives celebrates 25 years in business
From customized, embroidered apparel, clever promotional campaigns, award and recognition gifts to branded office and household items, Promotional Incentives’ Lucy and Jack Costa have been behind some of the region’s most recognizable companies’ branding efforts through highly tangible media promotional products.
Launched in 1990 as a young recently married couple, the duo set up shop in its Cape Coral office where they still work servicing clients throughout Southwest Florida, the state and beyond. They divide duties with Lucy handling sales and client service and Jack logistics and financial management.
A leader in the promotional products industry in Southwest Florida, Promotional Incentives employs a staff of three and a network of local vendors and resources to keep pace with often high demands of promotional product fulfillment.
“We see great things for Southwest Florida business,” said Lucy Costa. “It is rewarding to be part of promoting the brands of businesses, stay top of mind, create awareness of non-profit organizations and celebrate the achievements of outstanding leaders, organizations and corporations.”
The company has seen great growth in business and in the local economy over the years. For example, Promotional Incentives is a longstanding supporter of the now Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida creating early keepsakes such as telethon T-shirts, donor gifts and plush renditions of its manatee mascot. The company provided the Boston Red Sox Charity Classic with player duffel bags, and it has been the source of Lee Building Industry Association’s Pinnacle and Summit Awards for over 20 years.
“Promotional Incentives consistently keeps pace with industry trends,” said Claudine Lger-Wetzel of stock development. “We have relied on their creativity and sensibility for quality corporate gifts and homeowner closing gifts such as the popular food and beverage coolers with the built-in radio that we gave to new home buyers, before the iPod, of course.”
Keeping up with technology is always a struggle for small businesses. When Promotional Incentives became a first in the industry to develop a commerce website, it put the promotional practice into action and announced to clients that it is “On Lion,” with a plush lion in a Promotional Incentives T-shirt sitting in a tiny shopping cart, delivered to clients at the launch of the website.
In a continued effort to be socially conscious, Promotional Incentives worked hard to transition to a paperless, eco-friendly office. That’s when the Costas tapped the assistance of 1950-60s Claymation character Gumby. Gumby is not only retro, flexible and “green,” it offered a unique way to promote Promotional Incentives’ services and products to a baby boomer target audience who valued “green” environmental products.
Gumby quickly became a Promotional Incentives staple and social media icon providing a familiar voice to the prospective promotional item buyers.
“Over the last 20 years, Lucy consistently offers creative solutions within our budget and always delivers on time,” said Carolyn Rogers, vice president of development for the SWFL Community Foundation. “We might have an idea to start with, but Lucy knows what will work best and how to maximize the messaging opportunities. She is very knowledgeable and brings that expertise and experience to the process.”
Hundreds of charity events and causes have relied on Promotional Incentives for innovative products to spur on support. It provided the Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest with wine glasses and guest lanyards, premiums for membership drives for WGCU public media, shrink-wrapped compressed T-shirts in the shape of a race car for the FGCU President’s Welcome Back gifts, a customized bookmark for Tom Brokaw’s book signing and keynote for the Uncommon Friends Foundation, and much more.
“Promotional Incentives is an important part of the stature of the Horizon Council’s Industry Appreciation Awards,” said B. Pat O’Rourke, business development specialist for the Lee Council Economic Develop-ment Office. “Lucy knows how to distinguish award winners with high-impact recognition items. Our signature awards signify the high level of achievement and display beautifully in the board rooms and offices of our honorees.”
As the recipient and co-recipient, Promotional Incentives has been recognized for numerous outstanding communication tools, client promotions, and self-promotion marketing and sales campaigns from the SWFL Advertising Federation, the Florida Public Relations Association, and the Lee BIA.
“My plan for the future is to continue getting results for our clients by positively reinforcing their brand image and helping recognize the success of others.” said Costa.
For more information on getting results-oriented promotional marketing, contact Promotional Incentives at 239-549-2555, or visit www.PromotionalIncentives.com.