Corporate Client Gifts: How Sun Life Converted Insurance Clients into Retirement Clients
Why Client Gifts Cut Through the Noise
Let's be honest: we're probably all pretty comfortable ignoring the background noise of daily emails and phone calls. On the other hand, say a gift personally addressed to you arrives on your doorstep is impossible to ignore. It grabs your attention, sparks joy and builds connection instantly. Receiving gifts is thrilling. It stops you in your tracks. It cuts through the noise.
That's why Garrett Robinson from Sun Life Financial reached out to us. He wanted a corporate client gifting campaign to strengthen relationships with his existing clients and gently introduce clients to his retirement planning services.
Sun Life’s Client Appreciation Gift Campaign
Like elves in Santa's workshop, we set out to do our good work! Gift giving is a standout, personal, and joyful complement to the classic outreach campaign. Before the Canada Day long weekend, Garrett surprised and delighted clients with a gourmet s'more kit and a cheeky little message: "Let's plan s'more together!"
The results? Clients were surprised and delighted by the unexpected gift! Suddenly, that next email from Garrett wasn’t just another message in the inbox, it was a continuation of a warm, positive experience and they were more prompt book a follow up meeting with him.
At Gray Jay Gifts, we found that the power of client appreciation gifts transform routine outreach into memorable connections, it's the way gifts keeps on giving.
Hiding the message in small-batch marshmallows: How Personalized Gifts Drive Customer Conversions
Bear with me for a moment while I make a ridiculous analogy. Our pets are often reluctant to take their medication, even when it's important to their health, but they can be convinced if it's concealed by something delicious. Similarly, people aren't usually gung ho about being marketed to, even when it's important to their future, but they can be receptive to messages that are handsomely presented in other words, delicious.
That was our gifting strategy with Garrett's client appreciation campaign. We paired an important message “The person who sold you insurance can also help you plan for retirement.” with something delicious. In this case, "something delicious" was a collection of local, premium, and enjoyable summer-themed goodies.
A genuine, personalized gift was the way to go, allowing Garrett to deliver custom-made cards with info on his other services, creating an opportunity to increase customer awareness and convert existing clients and leads, all while strengthening relationships.
Think about it: if you received a beautifully packaged box first, wouldn’t you be more likely to open the next email that followed? That’s the advantage of financial advisor gifts and other corporate client gifts can deliver.
According to Forbes, corporate gifting is a proven way to strengthen professional relationships and improve client retention.
On-Brand Packaging
For Sunlife’s campaign, the presentation was just as important as the products inside. Instead of a standard box, we used reusable cooler bags as the foundation of the gift — practical, memorable, and perfect for summer. Each was finished with a yellow ribbon and a custom branded gift tag, tying the look back to Sunlife’s recognizable brand identity.
Inside, clients found a gourmet s’more kit featuring premium, locally sourced treats designed for sharing around the campfire. To make the experience even more personal, each gift included a branded notecard with the playful message: “Let’s work s’more together.” Alongside this, the card highlighted Sunlife’s other services, creating a seamless way to move the conversation from insurance into retirement planning.
By pairing on-brand packaging with thoughtful, shareable products, Garrett created a gifting experience that not only delighted his clients but also reinforced his professional expertise and encouraged meaningful next steps.
The Small Businesses Behind The Gift
This experience- based Sun Life summer kit wasn’t just delicious. It was designed for sharing and connection (we don't often sit around the campfire alone) creating yet another opportunity: By gifting items that naturally pair with gatherings, there's increased potential for existing connections to share your info within their circles and that leads to more business growth.
That’s the beauty of corporate gifting ideas that are both delicious and shareable, they create conversations that extend beyond the recipient.
The Sweetness Bakeshop
Newfoundland Chocolate Company
Hasty Coffee
Laid Back Snacks
Branded cooler bag
Ready to Build Stronger Client Relationships?
At Gray Jay Gifts, we specialize in creating corporate client retention gifts that go beyond the ordinary. From financial advisors to corporate teams, our goal is to help you cut through the noise, build lasting connections, and drive real results.
Want to wow recipients with thoughtful client gifts like Garrett? Start Your Client Gifting Campaign and ensure your message makes it into their hands—literally.
Client Gifting FAQs
Seasonal moments (think summer holidays such as Canada Day and Thanksgiving) or personal milestones (birthdays, anniversaries, contract renewals) are perfect opportunities to surprise and delight.
Yes. Personalized gifts build trust, make advisors stand out, and increase the likelihood that clients respond to follow-ups or referrals.
On-brand, useful, and personalized gifts create the strongest impact. These gifts make clients feel valued, while also reinforcing your company’s services and expertise.
Absolutely. Thoughtful gifts paired with clear messaging can introduce additional services and spark follow-up conversations that naturally lead to retirement planning engagements.
Explore our corporate client gifting packages today and start turning appreciation into opportunity.