| Whilst 2009 was another good year for the ever | | | | only defined b y your imagination. Historically price was |
| popular branded and promotional USB memory stick | | | | a limiting factor because the factories that produce |
| the key trend to emerge from 2009 was the growth in | | | | then were reluctant to accept small runs of less than |
| the sale of custom flash drives. Unlike standard | | | | 500 pieces and even when they did the set up costs |
| memory sticks that are overprinted (and typically use | | | | were horrendous. But, in 2009 as competition for |
| "factory designs") a custom memory stick is, as the | | | | business increased and manufacturing and set up |
| name suggests unique to the client. Its a fully bespoke | | | | processes improved the barriers to entry reduced |
| 2-D or 3-D shape that is fabricated to include a USB | | | | dramatically. Today the price of a custom memory |
| connector and flash memory. | | | | stick is on a par with a standard printed flash drive and |
| The beauty of custom USB flash drives is that they | | | | in most cases the factories are now absorbing the |
| can be produced it a shape or design that is either a | | | | origination and mould costs themselves. It's also |
| facsimile of your brand or logo or in a shape that | | | | possible to get small runs of 100+ custom sticks |
| represents the product or service you are promoting. | | | | produced for only marginally more than a standard |
| For example if you are an automotive company and | | | | printed stick. |
| you want to promote the launch of a new model to | | | | The winner from these changes during 2009 was the |
| your dealership or existing customers then you could | | | | end customer, particularly smaller companies that |
| get a custom flash drive manufactured in the shape of | | | | wanted a relatively small quantity of custom flash USB |
| the new car. This in turn can be attached to a branded | | | | drives. The only thing to bear in mind when considering |
| keying and the custom memory stick can be | | | | custom memory sticks is a slightly longer lead time. |
| pre-loaded with all of the sales data sheets, | | | | Because the factories will have to produce a mould |
| performance reviews and media files showing off the | | | | and physical sample the lead time extends from a |
| car. | | | | typical 10 days to 21 days so plan ahead. |
| Similarly if you're a pharmaceutical company and you | | | | Custom memory sticks deliver a real "wow" factor |
| have a new drug to announce/launch then you could | | | | and done well they can create a "viral" type of buzz |
| commission a bespoke USB flash drive in the shape of | | | | as word goes around about the sticks. The visual |
| the drug/tablet and distribute these at the press launch | | | | impact coupled with the functionality ensures a much |
| and any subsequent conferences or seminars. Again | | | | greater likelihood of any marketing or advertising |
| the on-board flash memory can be pre-loaded with | | | | messages getting across to target audience and just |
| data sheets on the product, its target market, pricing, | | | | as importantly for that message to be repeated over |
| availability and any supporting presentation files or | | | | and over again with the continued use of the bespoke |
| media files. | | | | flash drives. |
| With custom memory sticks the limitations are really | | | | |