CUSTOMER STORIES
From Brief to Bespoke: Developing Custom Merchandise for Nike EYBL Finals
How a time-sensitive Nike EYBL Finals brief inspired a custom three-charm keyring concept, and how our in-house design studio helps agencies turn big ideas into production-ready plans.
Great merchandise starts with a good brief.
When an experiential marketing project calls for memorable branded merchandise, there is often a lot to coordinate in very little time. The creative needs to look right, the product needs to feel special, and the ideas must be realistic to manufacture at event scale.
We were approached with an urgent enquiry about custom merchandise for a large US event connected to the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) Finals. The starting point was a request for phone charms, but the conversation quickly opened up into something more interesting: how could we create a piece of merchandise that brings the event identity, Nike branding and a collectible feel together?
For our team, the first step wasn't to push a single off-the-shelf product. It was to explore what might work and help shape a clear direction.
A range of ideas, not just one option.
Our first response was to share examples from across our merchandise range, giving the creative team a starting point for materials, shapes, styles and fittings. This is where an agency partnership can really benefit from having a knowledgeable production partner involved early.
From conversation to custom artwork.
Once we had explored the possibilities, our in-house design studio developed a bespoke multi-charm keyring concept using the EYBL Finals artwork and Nike identity.
Rather than putting all the branding onto a single acrylic shape, the design separates the elements into three individual charms: an event-inspired motel-style key tag, an EYBL Finals logo charm and a Nike-branded rectangular charm. A silver split ring and connecting chains bring them together as one accessory.
The concept gives each part of the artwork room to stand out while creating a layered, collectible finish. It also shows how a relatively simple product category can be adapted into something more distinctive for a large branded event.
Details that make the difference.
The proposed design used double-sided printing on clear acrylic, with a silver split ring and chain fittings. The initial specification included a larger motel-style charm and two smaller supporting charms.
With an agency brief, a proof is more than an artwork check. It helps creative teams understand scale, proportions, construction and how the finished merchandise could look before committing to production.
We also reviewed whether adjusting the supporting charm sizes could improve the overall balance and help manage costs, exactly the kind of practical input we aim to provide alongside the design work.
The Finished Design: Bringing the EYBL Keychain to Life
With the artwork refined and the individual charms brought together, the final design showcased how a simple promotional keychain could become a distinctive piece of event merchandise.
The finished concept featured three custom-shaped acrylic charms, each bringing a different element of the Nike EYBL Finals identity to life.
The larger, motel-inspired charm formed the centrepiece, featuring bold EYBL Finals branding, basketball graphics and striking pink, black and white artwork. Two smaller charms complemented the design, incorporating the Nike Swoosh and additional EYBL Finals branding.
Creative support with manufacturing knowledge built in.
For design and experiential agencies, bringing a merchandise manufacturer into the creative process early can save valuable time and open up new possibilities. Product ideas can be developed with real materials, fittings, quantities and production methods in mind, without compromising on creativity.
For the Nike EYBL Finals project, our team moved quickly from an initial conversation to exploring a range of merchandise options, sharing relevant product examples and developing bespoke artwork through our in-house design studio.
We brought these ideas together in detailed digital proofs and realistic product visualisations, supported by material recommendations, manufacturing specifications and indicative pricing across several event-scale quantities.
Partnering with Zap! Creatives
The project demonstrates the value of working with a creative manufacturing partner who understands both design and production. From exploring the initial brief to refining individual design elements, our team can manage the entire development process, helping agencies turn ambitious ideas into practical, production-ready merchandise concepts.
Whether you're planning event merchandise, branded giveaways, promotional accessories or something completely bespoke, Zap! Creatives combines creative expertise with manufacturing knowledge to help bring your ideas to life.
