From Frosty to Festive: Branded Apparel with BAMKO
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, and All Through the Kitchen…Hot Pockets were cookin’, but something was missin’!
In a move that surprised Hot Pocket enthusiasts everywhere, Hot Pockets ditched their iconic microwave sleeve in June 2024. Citing enhanced flavor and a commitment to sustainability (bye-bye, 5,000,000 pounds of waste!!), the brand boldly embraced a “sleeveless” future.
But change can be hard, especially when it comes to our favorite snacks. Some fans found themselves lost without the familiar cardboard crutch. That’s when they enlisted BAMKO, to cook up a clever merch idea that would thaw those frosty feelings towards the “sleeveless” Hot Pockets.
Our solution? A festive holiday sweater featuring zippered, removable sleeves, a clever nod to the Hot Pocket’s own shedding of its cardboard coat. This unique branded apparel was a huge hit, reinforcing Hot Pocket’s sustainable rationale for ditching sleeves while acknowledging their fans’ concerns in a lighthearted and engaging way.
A Sleeveless Success Story
Navigating this project was no walk in a winter wonderland. Sourcing, production, and delivery all had to be executed overseas in under two months. Despite this restraint, BAMKO expertly navigated the complexities of international branded apparel production, reaching out to multiple vendors and securing the best pricing without compromising on quality or speed.
The sweaters were a massive hit. The initial release sold out in under 24 hours, and each subsequent drop disappeared faster than you could say “happy holidays.” The campaign was such a success that Hot Pockets decided to add more drops throughout December, making the sweater a must-have item.
The takeaway? Even when faced with a “sleeveless” dilemma, creativity and BAMKO ingenuity can turn a little frustration into a whole lot of fun.
We truly sleigh-ed it.
