Keith, Director of Marketing at Compass Promos, joined Landon for a timely conversation around one of the biggest brand moments of 2026: America’s 250th birthday. Compass is a promotional product supplier specializing in outdoor lifestyle goods- think pocket knives, multi-tools, flashlights, and blankets partnered with retail brands your customers already know and trust.

The conversation covers a lot of ground. Compass holds the official Zippo license for America 250 co-branded merchandise, meaning you can put your logo on a Zippo lighter that also carries the official U.S. semiquincentennial mark. That’s a collectible, keepsake-quality piece that says something about your brand. Beyond the 250th, Landon and Keith walk through the full Made in USA lineup at Compass: Leatherman, Maglite, Buck Knives, Duluth Pack, Rumpel blankets made from recycled plastic bottles, and more. There’s a Cedar Creek house brand for budget-conscious orders and a Thermacell mosquito-repellent line for clients whose people spend time outdoors. If you’re building a holiday gift program or sourcing for an outdoor-aligned client, this episode is the reference guide.

The best branded products are the ones people actually use. Zippos get kept. Duluth bags last decades. When your logo is on something that earns a permanent place in someone’s life, that makes a big impact. Watch the replay and then reach out to the Goodson team to talk mockups, samples, and lead times.

Watch The Episode

Key Takeaways

• The official America 250 logo requires a license and not every supplier has it.
• Zippo co-brands go through legal review; plan for a four-week lead time.
• Retail brands in promo need a supplier partner.
• “Made in the USA” and “made well” are not the same.
• Cedar Creek is the move when budget matters but quality still counts.
• Duluth Pack is one-piece, program-ready after a single setup fee.
• Knives and lighters sell across industries from construction to law firms.
• A Zippo is a collectible. Design it like something worth keeping forever.
• Rumpel blankets are B-Corp certified and made from recycled plastic bottles.
• Most Compass items ship in 7–10 business days. Start holiday sourcing now

Chapters

• 00:00 Landon introduces Keith and the America 250 theme
• 01:38 What Compass Promos does and its two core niches
• 03:42 How the official America 250 licensing system works
• 05:18 Zippo’s America 250 license and the co-brand process
• 07:12 Decorating the Zippo lighters: print, placement, and legal review
• 09:27 Transitioning to Made in USA and the full brand lineup
• 11:10 Cedar Creek: Compass’s house brand as a budget alternative
• 13:50 Duluth Pack: handmade, one-piece, lifetime guarantee bags
• 15:23 Use cases for knives and lighters across industries
• 20:06 Rumpel blankets, Thermacell, and emerging outdoor brands