When you're operating (or hoping to operate) in an already crowded field with competition providing similar products or services, it can be tough finding a point of difference to help elevate you above the crowd. As we're in the business of promotional merchandise, we know the struggle all too well.

Take for example sports teams -- no matter where you're from you've probably seen a football team called the "Tigers" or a baseball team named after a bird. When the town of Madison, Alabama launched their own minor league team this year, they decided to stand out from the crowd immediately.

Playful Approach to Marketing

How did the Madison team decide to broadcast their point of difference from their formation? By naming the baseball team the "Rocket City Trash Pandas", that's how. Here in Australia, an equivalent name would be to call your cricket team the "Bin Chickens". "Trash Pandas" are actually raccoons, animals native to America that are known to be prolific scavengers.

You can often find a racoon going through rubbish looking for its next meal. When the previous Madison baseball team (the BayBears) folded, the new team decided to embrace the quirky and meme-worthy native animal known to wander local streets; and thus the Trash Pandas were born.

Why Does This Name Stand Out?

In an industry full of very formally named sports teams, ones with long and illustrious histories, naming your team after a local pest animal is an immediate point of difference. Locals found the name funny, but also worthy of pride -- it was unique, just like the city. Once the name hit the internet people across the world similarly felt admiration for it even though they weren't from the area and the first question on everyone's lips was; WHERE IS THE MERCHANDISE? The people wanted to own a piece of trash panda history!

Unique Team with Unique Merchandise

The team's name might have been a point of difference, but the moment the merchandise launched online it became apparent that the team mascot and even the team's logo itself would break the mould. Fully embracing the trash panda motif, the team's mascot is a raccoon launching itself in a trash can rocket named Sprocket.

It is absolutely as ridiculous as it sounds, but also oddly endearing. This name was chosen by fans of the team dubbed the Trash Panda Nation and they were very eager to invest in promotional sports uniforms, headwear, and novelties featuring the little guy. Some of the goodies available include;

• Branded Sports Tees
• Logo Decorated Caps
• Kids Custom T-Shirts
• Branded Plush Toys
• Pet Leashes, Bandannas, and Accessories
• Team Colour Backpacks
• Temporary Tattoos
• Nail Files
• And more!

What's Your Point of Difference?

You might be an accounting business or a school and using a silly name isn't appropriate to convey what you do to the world. That's OK because your point of difference can be anything. Perhaps it is the way in which you provide your service (guaranteeing a callback, visiting after hours) or maybe it is the packaging in which you supply your product (recycled materials) or even the product itself (handmade chocolate, an accounting package that's easy to understand).

The important thing is to not be afraid of embracing what's unique about who you are and what you do. Embracing that uniqueness in daily life and in your promotional products can really help boost your image -- it worked for the Trash Pandas, after all!