in this edition of marketingedge magazine...
The September 2025 edition of marketingedge magazine delivers bold insights for brand builders and merch pros. Explore how fashion layering elevates brand storytelling, discover a curated seasonal gift guide to finish the year with impact and start strong, and dive into the power of co-branding with local heritage to forge deeper connections. Designed for marketers who value standout promotional merchandise and apparel, this issue blends strategy with style—helping you inspire, engage, and grow. Whether you're planning campaigns or refreshing your product line, marketingedge magazine is your go-to creative companion.. Featured products from Stormtech, DML Custom, CapAmerica, PCNA, Trimark Sportswear, Koozie Group, HPG Brands-Debco, Martini Vispak, NC Custom, Fashion BIZ, St Regis Group, and more!
Contributors: Joshua Paxton, Steve Whigham
Cover photo: Souvenir to Statement, an Ai-created image
I hate the term
"trinkets and trash".
As an industry professional who has spent multiple decades providing companies of all sizes with custom branded solutions my passion for our industry runs deep. Many years ago that slang was used as I entered a meeting and I knew it was time to make a change.
marketingedge was born from a desire to position ad specialties in a new light, taking inspiration from high fashion and other industry publications to showcase how promotional products and branded apparel can have purposeful messaging and meaningful impact through creative design.
Since 2008, the marketingedge team have worked to evolve the "swag" conversation, striving to present relatable topics and case stories that inspire suppliers, distributors, agents and buyers to re-think the way they select, decorate and share their branded promotional products, uniforms, awards and more.
Our mission statement is "to elevate promotional products in the marketing mix".
We value innovation, creativity and brand engagement. Thank you for sharing your time with us.
We hope the information and inspiration we share is of value to you.
- Steve Whigham, founder/publisher
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