Incentive - April 2008 - (Page 72)

CAMERAS AWARDS PicturePerfect Gifts cameras are truly memorable By Christopher Munden From pocket-size to high-end, these kets for Canon U.S.A., points out, digital cameras often have a “trophy value” in excess of their actual cost. “If it’s a really nice camera,” says Markwart, “people will see you with it and say, ‘Wow. That’s a really nice camera. Where’d you get that?’ And you begin to tell the story: ‘Well, my company gave it to me…’ Then you start telling how you won the sales contest or made a really good suggestion.” The high perceived value of digital cameras makes them ideal gifts for an incentive program. When they were first introduced in the late 1980s, digital cameras retailed for many thousands of dollars. Each year brings less expensive cameras with higher photo resolutions. When picking a digital S 72 | ince the earliest days of fragile daguerreotypes, photographs have been an invaluable way to capture and preserve memories. Camera technology has improved considerably since Louis Daguerre—almost every month, a major manufacturer introduces a new, better, more colorful personal digital camera—but in today’s world of continual innovation, cameras retain a universal appeal that transcends age and professional background. Because of their wide appeal and the constant introduction of new products, cameras work extremely well as incentive gifts. And as Terry Markwart, director and assistant general manager for special marIncentive camera for an incentive program, Dave Peer, vice president of client services at Chicago-based Hinda Incentives, suggests sticking with one of the top brands like Canon, Nikon or Fuji. “The lines like Fuji and Canon are setting the pace for us,” he remarks. The wide market range of cameras makes them suitable for any incentive program. High-end cameras make great luxury items; disposable cameras are great additions to gift packs. Industry insiders like David Monteith, president of Southern Marketing Incentives and a manufacturer’s representative for Nikon, points to colorful mid-range digital cameras like Nikon’s Coolpix L18 as the hottest items for today’s incentive programs. Markwart confirms that “the most popular Canon models are usually in the colorful Elph series,” which have retail prices beginning at about $250. The Coolpix L18 is a recently announced entry in the world of colorful digital cameras. Available in the stark colors of navy | April 2008 | incentivemag.com http://incentivemag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Incentive - April 2008

Incentive - April 2008
Contents
Editor’s Note: Publicity-Shy Pharmaceuticals
In The News
Cover Story: AstraZeneca on Incentives and Giving Back
Incentive Interview: Hotelier Stephanie Sonnabend
Case Study: U.S. Cellular Celebrates Coming of Age
De-Stressing the Workplace
Incentive Primer: Social Networking On the Job
Original Research: Incentive Merchandise IQ Report
Travel News
San Diego’s Gaslamp District Gets Hotter
Voluptuous Vienna
potentials Here and Now
Make A Splash With Water Sports Awards
Zoom In On Digital Cameras
Gift Cards: Resellers Add More Than Choice
Advertiser Index
Off The Cuff: Secrets of the Mayflower Spa
Special Supplement-Las Vegas Incentive Planners Guide

Incentive - April 2008