In addition to getting paid oodles of dough for doing the things they love (acting, singing, reality-showing), celebrities are always getting s.w.a.g which stands for souveniers, wearables and gifts or as my celebrity friends tell me “stuff/s*&% we all get”. The “we” does not usually include the common man or woman. In sum, various brands, designers and labels love to throw free products at celebrities because of the instant marketing and promotions they’d get if the celebrity is photographed wearing the product or pushing their child in it, (as in the case of strollers and buggies, for example)
Naturally, being fascinated with celebrities like most Americans and others are, folks covet what celebrities have and want to rush out and get the same thing. It’s a no brainer for a brand to get their stuff in one of these bags.
Often times, when celebrities agree to attend a charity event, or are selected to present at an awards show or perform, they get these enormous very valuable gift bags as a thank you. Sometimes, companies actually have to bid or compete to get their products in the bag. Imagine, having to hire a publicist or agent to get your company’s product in a bag of items to be given away for free! Companies like Jewels and Pinstripes, for example, assemble bags for various events and then scan print and websites for “sightings” of the celebrities actually using the product they got in a bag. What comes next? The brand gets that photo out there and the rest is history, as they say.
Pregnant celebrities and parents also get parenting and children related swag at various gifting suites that are open during and pre major events like The Grammys, The Oscars, The Sundance Film festivals etc. During these events, select brands send representatives to showcase products (its almost convention style) and often times they give away free samples! Sometimes they permit the celeb to rent the item or wear it for an event with the expectation of returning it. That is usually the case for gowns and dresses for major events the celeb would likely wear only once anyway. For smaller, less expensive items, celebrities are allowed to keep the items! Woweee!
If you are fortunate enough to be the baby of a celebrity, the perks start when you are born!
Check out a gift bag (above) that Girls in Tinsel Town gave away to the babies of new celeb moms like Christina Applegate, Emily Procter and Samantha Harris.
The bag contained: Gift certificate for custom Isabelle Grace Jewelry mommy necklace, Gift certificate for Kokopax classic carrier, Gift certificate for Kokopax Diaper Bag, The Patchwork Bear baby clothes bear box kit, Ladybugs and Lullabies boutique hair clips and gift certificate, Diapees and Wipees shoulder bag and signature bag, Gift certificate for personalized Label Out Loud™ Essentials Combo by Mabel’s Labels, Pirose luxury nursing scarf by Reno Rose, Blackout blind for prams and strollers by Snoozeshade, Beba Bean Knit Poncho, Robeez Ballerina Bear slip-ons, Gift certificate for personalized Name Your Tune cd, BooginheadSippiGrip and PaciGrip and an issue of Pregnancy and Newborn Magazine. (Retail Value: $900.00)