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THE SITUATION

Vineyard Vines has established itself as a premier lifestyle brand, known for its iconic whale logo and strong presence at high-profile events.

As a lead sponsor for the Kentucky Derby and other major events, the brand needed a way to maximize its visibility and engagement through promotional merchandise.

Sponsorship and activation efforts were critical in ensuring Vineyard Vines stood out in a competitive retail landscape. 

CTR-7475 Site Images_The Situation

THE CHALLENGE

To make the most of its sponsorships, Vineyard Vines needed a strategic merchandise solution that would:

  • Reinforce brand identity through high-quality promotional items. 
  • Enhance brand visibility at high-profile events. 
  • Create exclusive, limited-edition merchandise that encouraged participation and excitement. 
  • Streamline fulfillment and logistics to ensure seamless distribution. 

 

CTR-7475 Site Images_The Challenge

THE SOLUTION

We developed and executed a sponsorship and activation merch strategy that elevated the brand’s presence at key events.

  • Custom Event Merchandise: Designed and produced high-impact promotional items, including: 
    • The famous Pink Whale hats
    • Sunglasses, koozies, bottle openers, and coasters for the Kentucky Derby 
    • Limited-edition swag with exclusive designs to create excitement and exclusivity. 
    • Branded giveaways for the annual Newport Regatta and other high-profile events. 
  • Strategic Activation Planning: Leveraged scarcity marketing by creating exclusive items that attendees could earn through participation (e.g., regatta giveaways for competitors only). 
  • Logistics & Fulfillment: Managed bulk production, storage, and distribution to ensure all event locations had the right merchandise, at the right time. 
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THE RESULTS

Stran’s expertise in sponsorship activations helped Vineyard Vines: 

  • Strengthen brand recognition at major events like the Kentucky Derby and regattas. 
  • Increase customer engagement through exclusive, sought-after event merchandise. 
  • Streamline fulfillment, ensuring smooth distribution and timely availability.
  • Enhance brand loyalty by providing high-quality, event-specific promotional items. 
CTR-7475 Site Images_The Results

Get in touch with us today to explore creative solutions to boost your brand!

THE SOLUTION

Dealer loaders are designed to be used as sales incentives for both retailers and distributors. A key factor that drove the ideation process was developing product concepts that retailers would want to keep post-display with the belief that this strategy would accelerate product sales. Stran performed extensive brand research to develop concepts that fit the brand’s message of living an overachieving lifestyle. Stran then developed product decks full of innovative dealer loader items for Essentia to choose from. Essentia loved the product offerings and placed an order. Following production, 1,200 of these products were drop-shipped to more than 30 locations nationwide.

Essentia CS LP Assets_The Solution