Circus Mashimus, the circus-themed lounge at SXSW, is outfitted with silk yellow and red drapes, a human-cranked old-fashioned popcorn machine, a fridge full of cold drinks and bar tables to talk business.
But the best part is they hand you a form when you come in; you staple your business card and they ask you to pick a t-shirt from three outstanding circus-inspired designs. (I was hemming and hawing between the mermaid and the mullet, but the mermaid won.)
The traditional school of thought is that giveaways should be as cheap and cheerful as possible, e.g. the logo'd ballpen that lights up; the pocket fan; baseball caps. I prefer ordinary objects taken to a level that makes people stop in their tracks, desire them and, once acquired, keep them.
The Circus Mashimus tee is retail-worthy. Vintage wash; tissue-thin fabric; perfect length, silhouette and neckline. The logos for Cafe Press, giiv.com, Mashery, Best Buy and programmable web have been integrated well into the illustration. Nothing jumps out at you but the vintage circus poster design. Hell, I'd wear it. And I've sworn off company swag for years.
Forget the fishbowl begging for cards for some vague raffle. Just give away something -- immediately -- that is functional and beautifully designed, on the same level as a collector's item. You make your prospect feel like a thousand bucks. And he or she will think of your brand as the kind of hip, with-it company they'd want to work with.
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