Why do people keep their promotional products
and what do they do with them if they don't?

Note the chart above showing how long people generally keep promotional products. Why do they hold onto them for so long? The study found:

• 75.4% thought the item was useful.
• 20.2% thought the item was attractive.
• 1% refer to the item for information.
• 3.3% had other reasons for keeping the item.
  

Pass-along exposure -- Participants in the study were also asked what they do with promotional products they do not plan to keep. Their responses indicate the possibilities of pass-along exposure.

• 26% reported they give the item to someone else
• 45% file the item away
  
• 30% throw the item away of they do not plan to keep it
  

The 26% who give the product to someone else clearly provide ample pass-along exposure to the advertiser, not unlike magazine advertising.