Published : 03/13/2019

The Pin: a promotional item that has left its mark on the communications sector

- Categories : Children's goodies

The history of the pin

Example of a Roland Garros badge

The birth of the pin is marked with the badge, its ancestor, in the 18th century. The pin has been around since the First World War, when it first appeared as a decoration. In France, in 1956, the radio station Europe 1 attempted to use the pin as an advertising item, but failed.

It was thanks to the 1987 Roland Garros tennis tournament that the pin became popular. Created by Arthus-Bertrand, the Roland Garros pins were a hit and launched a real fashion trend.

The badge's finest hour

From the late '80s onwards, the pin became a fashion accessory and a concrete, reliable means of communication for companies. At the beginning of the 90s, exchanges were set up, books and catalogs were written on the subject, and the rarest ones were collected at a high price. Part of the reason for its success was a change in fastening: a simple spike is inserted through the fabric and locked in place with a "butterfly".

As a result, they appear en masse in everyday life, and are used by commercial brands and music groups alike. They are also used at commemorative events and as gifts and prizes. Pin production exploded right up to the 1992 Albertville Olympic Games.

From the mid-90s to the present day, the evolution of Pin's

However, after the Olympic Games, the popularity of this object gradually waned, and today it concerns practically only informed collectors. Today, the pin is a collector's item still firmly rooted in people's memories, enabling companies and organizations to play with the vintage image it carries.

Companies generally use them at sporting or cultural events to communicate their logo and image.

Even today, it remains a landmark item of the 90s, with its own fans! There are also fairs for collectors, such as the one at Champeaux in Seine-et-Marne. The Internet has provided collectors with an ideal medium for sharing and exchanging their collections.

Nowadays, it may be associated with nostalgia and a vintage image, but it's no less effective! As an advertising or promotional item, it's ideal for reinforcing a brand's identity. They are often manufactured using a process known as "Doming", in which a transparent resin is deposited, giving the pin exceptional volume and brilliance.

Need to awaken a sense of nostalgia, melancholy or the "good old days" in your customers or employees? If so, the pin is ideal, whether as an advertising object, promotional item or goodie!

At Marketing Création, we have the expertise to help you communicate. We know how to work the emotions. Customize your badge to reflect your brand's image. A pin that reflects who you are and with which you can communicate your company's raison d'être. Create a collection of customized pins in your own graphic style.

Don'thesitate to contact us for further information or a quotation:
contact@marketingcreation.com or 04 42 26 23 07