Sample Packaging Success Through Innovative Distribution

At Xela Pack, we occasionally ask our customers to contribute by giving us testimonials about our packaging, or by answering questionnaires that help us better understand and serve them. One thing I’ve noticed is that the companies that profess the greatest enthusiasm for our packaging are also usually the ones that do the most creative things with the samples we provide.

This summer, Xela Pack produced samples for Pure Science and their Jack Black Authentic and Original product line. The products were then distributed in a kit that Xela Pack helped design, produce and secondary package for the customer. The kit was called the Race Day Set, and it was distributed to bike racers at races that were sponsored by Jack Black. Response to the promotion was great, and the company even sells the kits online. They were smart to create a giveaway for the special event that was also something they could sell to customers browsing their online store. Great marketing.

Another great promotion that we recently learned about was from the Caldrea Company and their Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day products. Mrs. Meyer’s teamed up with Ghirardelli Chocolates for an event being held in San Francisco. Balloons containing Mrs. Meyer’s products in Xela Pack samples were placed in a fountain that was made to look like a kitchen sink with soap bubbles in it. Event-goers were able to take a balloon “bubble” from the fountain, and for every balloon taken from the fountain Mrs. Meyer’s donated $2 to the San Francisco Clean City Coalition. More than $3000 was raised, and thousands of Mrs. Meyer’s samples were distributed as well. I spoke with Mrs. Meyer’s about this awesome promotion, and they said they are planning more events in the near future. Can’t wait to see what they do next! To learn more about the project, check out this video Mrs. Meyer’s posted on YouTube.

Some of the most successful projects we’ve heard of are those that offer a sample as a gift with purchase. Sometimes it is as simple as a Xela Pack sample attached to the neck of a full size retail bottle. This helps companies promote new products, or new variations of a product like a new scent or flavor, to customers who are already comfortable enough with the brand to make a purchase. Xela Pack offers several different types of neck tabs or bands that can be used for such a purpose, and we can help companies decide which is best for their particular project.

Other times, the gift with purchase is more complex. Recently, we’ve been working on some jobs for ACDelco. ACDelco is distributing their ACDelco Sample Cleaning Kits with some new GM cars. This kit includes four different ACDelco cleaning products packaged in Xela Pack samples. So, some new car buyers are getting the ACDelco Sample Cleaning Kit with their new GM car, which not only is a great way of getting the cleaning products to people who could use them (new car buyers!), but also the cross-promotion helps lend extra credibility to the cleaning products as well. Again, this is an excellent promotion.

There are scores of other great companies that distribute their Xela Pack samples in interesting ways. We’ve had our Xela Packs handed out at the Rose Bowl Parade and at awards shows in Hollywood. It’s always exciting to see where they will pop up next. But one thing is for sure — the level of “pop” is often a direct result of the way that samples are distributed. So let’s get creative and let’s sell some product!