On November 19, 2025, Magellan hosted Building Fans, True Impact: Unlocking the Power of Merch in Higher Education, a webinar led by Bobby Lehew and Michael Wolaver that explored how branded merch has evolved from a promotional afterthought into a powerful driver of connection, culture, and engagement. Drawing on examples across media, retail, sports, and higher education, the conversation revealed why merch now plays a central role in how organizations build fandom, and why colleges and universities are especially well-positioned to benefit from this shift. Here are three of the

Apparel decoration isn’t just about putting a logo on a shirt anymore. Today, the decoration technique you choose can determine whether branded apparel feels memorable or forgettable. custom apparel decoration techniques While embroidery and screen printing still have an important place in branded merch, expectations have changed. Across campuses, there’s a growing demand for apparel that feels elevated, intentional, and worth wearing beyond the moment it’s received. Decoration has become part of the design strategy, not just a final production step, helping apparel feel more like something you’d buy than

Over the past few months, we exhibited at several collegiate conferences. At our booth, certain products consistently stood out to attendees. Two key themes emerged: interactive products and self-mailers. For those who couldn’t attend, here’s a closer look at some of these standout solutions. Interactive Products Interactive products invite participation. These products invite students, donors, and alumni to engage, customize, or build something themselves, creating a more memorable brand experience. Pen Bar. Live activations are trending, and our Pen Bar fits perfectly. Attendees assembled pens from six pieces, with three