Incentive - January 2008 - (Page 67)

AWARDS TIMING Watches and clocks convey By Marc Boisclair IS EVERYTHING style and pizzazz in any program artist, with a style worthy of the person receiving it.” But even without a famous name behind it, though, a sharp design can provide memorable returns. At this year’s annual awards luncheon for the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, special events manager Amy Beaulieu gave out engraved crystal clocks for honored board members, donors and special volunteers. “I wanted something that would fit nicely into an office environment that people would notice and remember,” says Beaulieu, who chose clocks that came mounted in blue, felt-lined display boxes for all to see. “The reaction was amazing—everybody really liked them,” she says. “One person was so overwhelmed that he didn’t realize it was a clock at all.” for the time—they’ve got cell phones, iPods and Palm Pilots to do that,” says Adrienne Forrest, assistant vice president of special markets for Bulova. “Instead, they’re wearing jewelry that happens to tell time.” And increasingly, people are using watches to make a statement about themselves along the way. “The best timepieces are not ubiquitous; they’re unique and exclusive,” says Milton Pedraza, CEO of the Luxury Institute in New York City. “It’s not by accident that they have very complex mechanisms and movements and are beautifully designed.” Pedraza voices a similar pitch for high-end clocks. “If watches have become jewelry, then clocks have become collectibles, works of art that are valued by executives receiving them as incentives,” he says. “The way to go is with a designer brand or modern ith the recent holidays barely put to rest, 2008’s hot new products are already heating up the incentive market. From Vegas to Orlando, trade shows are humming with hip new gift items: cool art, jazzed jewelry, fancy foods and a seemingly endless supply of must-have electronics among them. That said, when the occasion calls for something trendy but backed by style and elegance, a classic timepiece can still fit the bill nicely. W Tu r n i n g Ti m e Into Art In less than a generation, watches and clocks have evolved from simple timekeepers into fashionable accessories and works of art. “Nowadays, people, especially young people, don’t need a watch Photo: Denise Asaro A C re a t i ve E n e r g y That said, manufacturers are putting plenty of thought into designing products and presentations that will click with planners and clients alike. “We have a special team incentivemag.com | January 2008 | Incentive | 67 http://incentivemag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Incentive - January 2008

Incentive - January 2008 Contents Editor’s Note: Out of SITE In The News Cover Story: Include a Meeting, Improve Morale Case Study: DHL Delivers Recognition Incentive Primer: How To Use Promo Products How Bob Nardelli Rallied Chrysler’s Dealers Incentive Interview: Ken Blanchard Says Be Nice TV’s Extreme Makeover Motivates Giving Pre-Employment Motivation The Daycare Dilemma Happy Employees Shouldn’t Mix with Sick Employees Incentive Research: Consumer Promotions Report In Her Shoes: Winning Approval Of Flextime Travel News Field Report: Barcelona Field Report: Bermuda Golf: Follow The Pros potentials Here and Now Watches As Jewelry Awards: Online Gift Cards Tech Gadgets for 2008 Last Word: Stanley Bing Bashes Bully Bosses

Incentive - January 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.