Instead of bulky gift bags, planners are turning to virtual swag. At the recent TED Conference in Vancouver, a "gift cave" included a section for gifts that were redeemable online. Guests could pick up everything from a $200 gift card to Zappos.com to an online course taught by Tim Brown, the C.E.O. of IDEO.
And 2:0: The New Media Party, which was held in Washington during the White House Correspondents' weekend, Event Farm had a "digital gifting wall" that let guests tap badges to receive personalized gifts over email. According to Brian Pesin, marketing manager of Event Farm, using virtual swag is "a good opportunity to deliver value and create a longer-lasting relationship between sponsors and your guests," who may choose to receive sponsored content. Here's a look at three new ideas for gifts that are redeemable online.
With Event Farm's Digital Gifting Wall, guests can have offers emailed to them by tapping a badge. Gifts include coupon codes, music files, and digital content.
Through SugarWish, the sender picks a SugarWish gift and e-card, and the recipient picks four candies from options that include sugar-free gummy peaches and regular M&M’s. The boxes, from $16.50 to $95, are then immediately shipped out and can be sent throughout the United States and Canada. The company recently launched a corporate platform where companies can send customized e-cards with logos and personalized messages.
GCI is a digital gifting company that has a dedicated "Gift Card Shop." The site allows users to "wrap" gift cards, which are redeemable online, with personalized photos, videos, text, music, and sounds. Cards can be redeemed at retailers such as the Gap and Lowes; they can also be redeemed at spas.
