5 most iconic company merchandise ideas from big brands
Not all company merchandise ideas are created equal. Some items (sadly) find themselves forgotten in junk drawers or donation bins, while others become so coveted that people fight to get their hands on them. We're talking about merch that commands premium prices on resale markets, becomes a badge of identity, and turns everyday items into conversation starters.
So, how do you leap from cringe corporate swag to cultural currency? Here are the five company merchandise ideas that show how thinking outside the catalog can become a brand’s signature.
Google's rainbow Noogler propeller hats
Propeller hats are usually reserved for kids’ birthday parties or theme park gift shops, but somehow, Google turned them into one of the most recognizable pieces of corporate merch in tech.
Since the early 2000s, every new “Noogler” (new Googler) has received a rainbow-striped propeller hat as part of their welcome kit. With Google’s acceptance rate lower than Harvard’s, what started as a playful nod to the company’s quirky culture has become a Silicon Valley status symbol. Just search “Noogler” on LinkedIn and you’ll see hundreds of first-day photos featuring the hat front and center.
The takeaway: Google’s propeller hat works because it’s playful, unexpected, and tied to a clear moment in their culture (welcoming new hires). To get there yourself, choose one product category and make it unmistakably yours by infusing it with personality. Commit to it long-term so it becomes instant shorthand for your company or organization.
YouTube's Creator Award plaques
They’re not merch you can buy, but in the world of branded items, YouTube’s Creator Awards are some of the most coveted.
Silver for 100,000 subscribers, gold for one million, and diamond for ten million, these plaques are status symbols in the creator economy. People frame them, feature them in videos, and post elaborate unboxings. For many creators, getting one is the moment they feel like they’ve “made it.”
The genius here is that YouTube took what could have been a forgettable digital milestone – a badge on your profile or a “congrats” email – and turned it into a physical, heavyweight object worth showing off. Every time a plaque appears in a video or on a livestream wall, it’s an organic YouTube ad wrapped inside someone else’s success story.
The takeaway: If you want your merch to live on desks, walls, and social feeds for years, consider making it something people have to earn. Achievement-based swag for milestone customers, top referrers, or event award winners creates bragging rights people are eager to show off.
Disney's Mickey ears
Mickey Mouse ears are probably the most successful piece of branded headwear ever created. What started as simple black felt circles on a headband in the 1950s has evolved into an entire merchandise category with seasonal designs, limited editions, and collaborations that sell out within hours. People plan entire outfits around their ears, coordinate them with friends, and treat new releases like sneaker drops.
Disney has mastered the art of making the same basic piece of merch feel fresh and collectible. You’ve got everything from character-themed designs for new movie releases and food-inspired ears to limited edition designer collabs like Vera Wang’s bridal-inspired headband and The Blonds’ crystal-clad versions.
The ears also work because they're functional. They're comfortable to wear for hours, they don't interfere with rides, and they make every photo more distinctly Disney. More importantly, they create serious FOMO. Imagine walking through the park and seeing everyone with a themed headband except you – it doesn’t take long before you find yourself ducking into the nearest merch store to fix that.
The takeaway: A simple, functional product can become a merch ecosystem if you give people a reason to collect it. This could mean creating a base product – a hat, a tote, a bottle – and launching fresh, limited designs that customers want to hunt down and show off. For more inspo, check out our guide on trending corporate merch items.
Supreme's branded brick
We’re throwing it back with this one. In 2016, Supreme took the concept of “we could put our logo on anything and people would buy it” to its absolute logical extreme: they released a standard brick with their logo on it for $30. And not only did it sell out, but nearly a decade later, people are still auctioning these bricks for $160+.
The product itself was nothing special, but that was the point. Supreme had built such an obsessive following that it could sell construction materials. Limited quantities made it even more potent – owning one proved you were fast enough to win a drop, connected enough to know about it, and committed enough to buy anything the brand released.
The takeaway: Figure out what your audience comes to you for (whether that’s creativity, rebellion, sophistication, or fun) and brainstorm company merchandise ideas that amplify that trait in a way only your brand could pull off. That’s when it stops being just a product and becomes a piece of your brand identity that people want to own.
Salesforce's golden hoodie
Salesforce’s golden hoodie isn’t something you can buy, and that’s exactly why people want it. This special-edition metallic hoodie is only awarded to Salesforce Trailblazers who’ve achieved something extraordinary, whether that’s outstanding results, leadership, or living out the company’s values in a big way.
What started as an internal recognition item has become one of tech's most coveted pieces of corporate merch. Recipients post unboxing photos, wear them to industry events like a badge of honor, and treat them like career milestones.
(Funnily, Salesforce has an identical black version in its merch store, but that’s like buying yourself a “World’s Best Boss” mug. If anything, it just underscores how special the golden one is.)
The takeaway: Internal merch can double as a career status symbol. By tying certain items to clear, meaningful achievements, you create something employees actually aspire to earn – and when they do, they’ll wear it proudly. It’s recognition, motivation, and culture-building rolled into one (and far more visible than an award gathering dust on a shelf).
Create something iconic with Wayo
From Noogler hats to Mickey ears to golden hoodies, there’s a clear lesson here: memorable company merchandise ideas start with a product that makes sense for your brand or organization, designed in a way nobody else could pull off.
With Wayo’s AI sourcing agent, Nory, you can skip the generic catalog and produce custom products that feel just as unique. Our platform will help you source merch that’s true to your brand – so whether you want to celebrate milestones, reward employees, or make a splash with your customers, you can create items they’ll want to keep and show off.
Ready to create your brand’s next iconic merch moment? Start sourcing with Wayo today.
