Some companies use merchandising to create awareness. Other organisations use it to raise funds, and some use promotional items as a way of thanking customers. Netflix is about to use promotional products and licensing of TV show imagery in a serious approach to raise some much-needed revenue.

Top Businesses

There are a few companies in the world that do merchandise so effectively, that they make up a core part of their business. The most prominent example has to be Disney Land. Hands up if you have ever seen a Star Wars tee shirt or toy. Perhaps a Frozen cartoon-themed item? Yep, all of these are officially licensed products, whose revenue finds its way back to the Disney brand.

The effort by Netflix to Increase Revenue

The TV streaming service Netflix is spending billions on creating great TV shows and movies. That process means a lot of the money it earns, is being re-invested. So as part of its revenue earning process (Netflix posts low profits in most quarters, relative to its revenues), it has decided to enter into merchandising big time.

Starting with the hit TV show Stranger Things, Netflix hopes to create its own $1 billion TV franchise. With licensing and self-made products such as:

• Nike Shoes (collaboration)
• Schwinn Bikes (collaboration)
• Coke Softdrinks (collaboration)
• Printed Tee shirts
• Branded Backpacks
• Promotional Caps
• Promotional Toys
• Personalised Apparel

Expect to see Stranger Things, as the first of many titles that go extremely serious into branded products. How do we know this? Well for starters, Netflix has hired the product development executive Guru from Disney. Her name is Christie Fleischer, and she will be heading up Netflix's consumer product line.

The Benefits of Merchandising

Let's have a yarn about merchandising and how it can benefit your business. It's not just about making dough - you can also foster brand loyalty, boost interest from customers, and even perk up morale in the team with use of branded swag.

Netflix knows this too - they're investing big bucks into creating awesome TV shows that resonate with their audience. But they've sussed out that there's still money to be made by selling stuff related to their hit series', starting with Stranger Things.

The streaming giant has hooked in a product development wizard from none other than Disney (Christie Fleischer) who'll be heading up Netflix's consumer merchandise line. They're planning collaborations with Nike for shoes, Schwinn for bikes, and Coke for drinks; plus offering self-made products like printed tees, backpacks and toys.

Promotional Products Ideas for Businesses

If your small business is looking to step up its game when it comes to marketing strategies like merchandising (take a leaf outta Netflix's book), then consider wowing potential customers with cool goodies such as customised mugs or water bottles...or embroidered beanies...printed bags or hoodies....even stress balls! By using these promotional products smartly and effectively, you'll increase visibility of your brand while building positive associations at the same time.

Conclusion

So there you have it - some wise words on how one of the biggest players around uses merchandising as an essential part of their modern enterprise strategy. Don't get left behind – embrace branding merchandise yourself today!