Project Spotlight: Tactive Keep It Real Kit

April 23, 2026

At Tactive, we believe the most impactful marketing lives in the (real) world.

Our 2026 Keep It Real customer appreciation 3DDM was dreamed up as a response to digital overload and the constant stream of notifications, ads, and content competing for attention. This concept focused on slowing things down and creating a tactile moment that recipients could truly experience. Plus, it’s always a good time to thank some of our best customers… and show off our capabilities.

The Idea

The idea for this kit started with a trend we were already seeing take shape. In our 2026 trends report, we called it “anti brainrot” – a shift away from constant scrolling and digital overload toward slower, more intentional experiences. As feeds get noisier and attention gets more expensive, we’re all looking for ways to step back and engage with something that feels human. That insight became the foundation for the kit.

The visual direction followed with a modern-retro aesthetic and a 70’s vibe that introduced a sense of nostalgia. From there, the concept of the five senses came into focus. We wanted to create something recipients could only engage with in person: through sight, sound, scent, taste, and touch.

The Design

The packaging was engineered to create an unboxing experience that unfolded gradually. The exterior kraft box featured die-cut text in the lid, which allowed the back of a personalized letter to peek through before the box was even opened. We chose a kraft material corrugated cardboard for the box to give the kit an organic, warm feel, then, decorated the outside of the box with a clear ink pattern for a subtle look throughout. The only visible color on the outside of the box were the words “real.”

Inside the box, the structure was simple and intentional. A base insert stabilized each product so everything shipped securely. On top, an insert with flaps guided recipients through the unboxing experience, decorated with line art symbols that represented each of the five senses. As each flap was opened, a new item was revealed – almost like five little unboxings in one.

The Content

Each item in the kit represented one of the five senses and could be used in an office or workplace setting by our target customers: busy marketers.

👂 Hearing:

TerraTone™ wireless headphones made from recycled faux leather and recycled plastic, designed to blend modern functionality with a more sustainable build. The over-ear style and built-in wireless capability made them suitable for focus, calls, and everyday listening.

👃 Smell:

Custom reed diffuser with lavender-scented oil, a bamboo lid, and five scent reeds. The set was packaged in a gift box and designed to introduce a steady, calming scent into a workspace over time. We added additional custom branding with a matching sticker application on the box.

👅 Taste:

Silipint® clear rocks glass paired with Bittermilk Old Fashioned cocktail mixer. The silicone-based glass offered the look of traditional glassware with added durability and sustainability benefits. The mixer was included as a ready-to-use pairing, creating a simple, intentional moment. Cheers!

👀 Sight:

Custom mini pennant produced by Oxford Pennant in Buffalo, NY. Each piece measured 4 x 9 inches and included a stitched Oxford Pennant tag on the reverse side. The design referenced vintage sports signage and acted as a visual anchor within a workspace, adding personality and color in a compact format.

👆 Touch:

Custom 5-panel unstructured corduroy hat with a curved brim and soft, textured finish. The material choice created a lived-in feel from the start, while the unstructured build made it easy to wear in everyday settings. The corduroy fabric added depth and tactility as the primary sensory driver.

The Impact

This kit was a reminder that attention is earned through experience, one that has the potential to continue well after a box is opened. Each item in this package was chosen to live in a “real” workspace, creating small sensory interruptions throughout the day.

The response? Almost immediately, customers began reaching out to identify materials, vendors, and production details with the intent to recreate elements of the kit within their own programs. For Tactive, it helped reinforce our philosophy of experience-led marketing and positioned the kit as something our customers could point to, break down, and build from in their own work.

Now the only question is what we’ll bring to (real) life next. We’re ready when you are.

Bring your brand to (real) life.