What if your brand felt collectible, not forgettable? We sat down with Wendy Lee and Christina to unpack why small, personality-packed items—plush keyrings, blind boxes, stickerable mini gadgets—can beat traditional ads on both attention and long-term visibility. Instead of asking people to watch, we give them something to wear, clip, and show off, turning backpacks and laptops into living billboards.
Christina explains the Gen Z formula: cute characters, pop colors, and customization that invites self-expression. We dig into the surge in custom plush and why off-the-shelf merch underperforms next to bespoke designs that carry cultural meaning. From Hong Kong snack plushies to campus mascots, we explore how local cues make global campaigns feel intimate, and how surprise mechanics like blind boxes drive repeat engagement, trading, and social buzz.
Wendy brings the operator lens from Cubic Promo: how a well-placed bus ad can seed aspiration that social media amplifies later, why “sale” still triggers action for time-poor parents, and how smart brands treat merch like a product with versions and updates. We talk about the tiny functional camera keyring paired with branded sticker sheets, a modular idea that turns a giveaway into an evolving platform. Along the way, we spotlight Aussie labels building heat across offline and online touchpoints, plus practical tactics to measure success beyond impressions—think dwell time, bag sightings, and user photos.
Looking to turn swag into signal? Hit play for a clear blueprint on design choices, cultural storytelling, and channel strategy that make people proud to carry your brand. If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe, share it with a marketer friend, and leave a review with the one piece of merch you’d actually keep.

Follow our speakers:

Charles Liu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-liu-042b9124/

Wendy Li: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-li-424821161/

Find out more and visit our website: https://www.cubicpromote.com.au/