Meet Andy Murphy – Business Development Manager, Stacked Merchandise
Great branded merchandise starts with understanding what a business wants to achieve. That’s where Andy Murphy comes in. As Business Development Manager at Stacked Merchandise, Andy works with both new and existing clients to turn ideas into merchandise that has a real purpose. From understanding the audience, objectives and timelines to recommending the right products and overseeing the process through to delivery, Andy is focused on creating merchandise that people genuinely want to keep and use. Working closely with clients, our purchasing team and trusted supplier network, he helps ensure every project delivers quality products, strong brand visibility and a great customer experience.
1. Can you tell us about your role as Business Development Manager at Stacked Merchandise and what a typical day looks like?
Firstly, I help bring new opportunities into the company while ensuring our existing clients, regardless of which part of our business they work with, I ensure they receive a high level of service from start to finish.
A typical day is a real mix. It could involve business development through LinkedIn or our outreach campaigns, managing client relationships, or supporting the rest of the team in exploring merchandise opportunities with their existing clients. From there, it’s about understanding each client’s needs, objectives, and timelines, preparing proposals and quotations, and then working closely with our internal purchasing team and trusted supplier network to ensure every order is produced and dispatched to the high standards our clients expect.
Ultimately, my role is all about building strong relationships, solving problems, and helping Stacked Merchandise continue to grow by delivering quality products alongside an excellent customer experience. In a nutshell
2. How did you get into the branded merchandise industry, and what attracted you to this career?
To be honest, I didn’t choose sales, sales chose me. Anyone who knows me knows I genuinely enjoy helping and chatting to people, and that’s probably what attracted me to this type of role in the first place.
What I love about the branded merchandise industry is that no two projects are ever the same. It’s constantly evolving, with new products, trends, and client requirements, so it really keeps you on your toes. Every client has a different challenge, objective, or idea they want to bring to life, and that’s what makes the job so enjoyable.
I also love a good challenge. When a client says, “I don’t know if this is possible, but…”, that’s the part I enjoy most. I’ll explore every possible avenue to find a solution because, for me, “no” is never an answer. I like finding creative ways to make things happen and exceeding clients’ expectations wherever I can.
3. What do you enjoy most about helping businesses choose the right promotional products?
The part I enjoy most is actually speaking with clients after everything has been delivered and hearing how happy they are when they see their ideas come to life. It gives me a real sense of satisfaction in knowing We’ve helped create something they’re genuinely proud of.
I also think it’s our responsibility to help clients choose merchandise that will deliver the best results for their business, not just sell them a product. Sometimes that means taking a step back, understanding what they’re trying to achieve, and recommending something different that will give them greater brand visibility and a better return on their investment, rather than just another promotional item.
So I like to call it “merch with a purpose” products that people are going to actually use and brand visibility long after the initial promo campaign or event!!
4. What are the biggest mistakes companies make when ordering branded merchandise?
That’s a tricky one because I don’t really like to call them mistakes. Every business has different budgets, deadlines, and priorities.
If I had to pick one, it would probably be choosing products based purely on price. I see it quite a lot, whether it’s on LinkedIn, at conferences, or when clients show me merchandise they’ve ordered in the past. The reality is that every branded product represents your business. When someone receives that item, the quality of the product is often the first impression they have of your brand. If it feels cheap or disposable, that’s the impression they’ll associate with your company.
The other big one is leaving merchandise until the last minute. I completely understand that deadlines move and things come up, but when the brief becomes, “We’ll take anything you can get to us by next week,” it limits what’s possible. I much prefer having the time to understand the client’s objectives and recommend products that genuinely fit the event, campaign, or audience, rather than simply choosing what’s available at short notice.
For me, branded merchandise works best when it’s chosen with purpose. The right product can create a lasting impression, spark conversations, and keep a brand in front of people long after the initial interaction. That’s always the goal.
5. How can businesses make sure their branded merchandise leaves a lasting impression rather than ending up in a drawer?
I genuinely think it comes down to putting thought behind the merchandise rather than simply picking something random or going for whatever is cheapest.
If there’s a specific target audience, event, campaign, or objective, even having a quick conversation with the client can make a huge difference. It allows us, as a team, to understand what they’re trying to achieve and then suggest merchandise that’s going to be relevant to both the brand and the audience. That’s how you avoid creating what we call a “throwaway item” that ends up at the bottom of someone’s bag or in a drawer.
One of the things we love most is following up with a client a few weeks after their merchandise has been delivered and hearing that everyone loved the products or that they really went down a treat. That’s when you know you’ve got it right.
I think people often see the finished product and don’t necessarily think about the thought and process that went into choosing it in the first place. For us, that’s where we really add value. We want to make sure the merchandise has a purpose, feels right for the brand, and ultimately creates an experience that people remember.
6. Have you noticed any trends in branded merchandise that businesses should be paying attention to this year?
I think one of the biggest areas we’re seeing movement in at the moment is technology. With how integrated technology has become into our everyday lives, we’re seeing a real demand for more useful, better-quality tech products rather than the traditional promotional gadgets.
Power banks are a great example. We’re seeing better quality options coming through, as well as really clever charging cables that can incorporate illuminated branding. These are products that people are actually going to use, which makes them much more valuable from a branding perspective.
We’re also seeing a growing interest in health, wellness and fitness merchandise. One of the really interesting products we’ve recently been able to offer is a smart ring that tracks a range of health data and feeds that information back into an app, while still being able to be branded for a business. It’s a great example of how quickly the branded merchandise space is evolving.
Sustainability is another area that continues to be important. Clients are becoming much more conscious of what they’re putting their brand on and are looking for products that are reusable, responsibly sourced and have a genuine purpose, rather than something that’s simply going to be used once and thrown away.
I think that’s actually one of the most exciting things about working in merchandise. The industry is constantly changing. Products and trends that you might see in the wider consumer market can very quickly become opportunities within branded merchandise. Because of the range of suppliers and sourcing capabilities we have at Stacked, we’re often able to find those products, have them branded and bring them to our clients before they become yesterday’s trend.
Ultimately, I think businesses should be looking at merchandise in the same way they look at any other part of their marketing. It needs to be relevant, useful and aligned with their brand. Our job is to keep our finger on the pulse of what’s new and help our clients stay ahead of the curve, rather than simply giving them the same promotional products that everyone else is using.
7. Can you share a memorable project or campaign you've worked on and what made it successful?
Ah now, I can’t single out one — I think that’s unfair! Every campaign I get involved in or work on for our clients is memorable in one way or another, and we don’t really do unsuccessful projects here at Stacked!
It’s something we pride ourselves on. For me, the projects that tend to stand out are the ones where there’s a real challenge involved. Tight deadlines, unusual requirements, or being told, “Nobody else can get this done in time — can you?” are probably some of my favourite briefs.
I think that’s because those are the projects where you really get to see what we can do as a team. It’s about thinking outside the box, exploring every possible avenue, working closely with our suppliers and purchasing team, and ultimately finding a way to make it happen.
For me, a successful campaign isn’t just about getting the merchandise delivered on time. It’s about understanding what the client is trying to achieve, finding the right solution, and then hearing from them afterwards that it exceeded their expectations.
So while I couldn’t pick one particular campaign, I’d say the most memorable projects are always the ones that initially seem like the biggest challenge.
8. What advice would you give to a business that's investing in branded merchandise for the first time?
My biggest piece of advice would be: don’t start with the product, start with what you’re trying to achieve.
Before choosing anything, think about who the merchandise is for, where it’s going to be used, what you want the recipient to do with it, and ultimately what you want it to say about your brand. Once we understand those things, we can then work backwards and recommend products that actually make sense.
I’d also say don’t be afraid to ask for advice. There are so many products and options available now that it can be quite overwhelming if you’re approaching it for the first time. A quick conversation about your budget, audience, event and objectives can completely change the recommendations we’d make.
And don’t automatically assume that cheaper is better. Your merchandise is an extension of your brand, so it’s worth thinking about the quality and longevity of the product and the impression you want it to leave.
Finally, give yourself as much time as possible. The more time we have, the more opportunities we have to explore different products, source something a little more unique and make sure everything is right rather than simply going with whatever is available.
Ultimately, I’d say don’t think of branded merchandise as just putting a logo on a product. Think of it as another opportunity to market your business and create a positive experience with your brand. If you get that right, the merchandise can do a lot more for you than simply being a giveaway.
Bring Your Brand to Life with Stacked Merchandise
The right branded merchandise is more than simply putting your logo on a product. It’s about choosing something that reflects your brand, connects with your audience and continues to make an impression long after the initial campaign or event.
To work with Andy and the Stacked Merchandise team on your next project, get in touch with us today. Whether you have a clear idea in mind or need some inspiration, we can help you find merchandise that fits your brand, budget and objectives.
