Dress codes are out. Drink codes are in.

Remember dress codes? Those carefully crafted policies about “business casual” and “no flip-flops”? They’ve gone the way of the communal coffee machine and Monday morning meetings that could have been emails. In our work-from-anywhere world, the only piece of office attire that consistently shows up on camera is sitting right there on your desk: your branded mug.

While we’ve all gotten comfortable with the “professional on top, comfy in ” approach to video calls, something interesting has happened. That company tumbler you’re sipping from has quietly become the most visible piece of corporate identity in the hybrid work era. It’s brand recognition for the laptop-on-kitchen-table generation.

The psychology of visible branding

When we see someone’s branded Drinkware on a video call, our brains make instant associations. A sleek Water Bottle signals a company that cares about wellness and quality. A well-designed Mug suggests attention to detail and employee experience. It’s subtle, but it’s working on us whether we realize it or not.

Branded objects in our peripheral vision create what’s known as ambient branding — unconscious impressions that build familiarity and trust over time. And it all adds up: a $10 insulated travel mug can deliver over 3,000 impressions in its lifetime, costing as little as one-third of a cent per impression. Every sip during that client call is a micro-moment of brand exposure.  

And when your team genuinely loves their branded water bottle, they become walking (or sitting at their desk) brand ambassadors without even thinking about it.

The ripple effect

Your logo doesn’t need to spark deep conversations to make an impact. It just needs to exist in people’s peripheral vision, building familiarity one sip at a time. Marketing psychologists call this the “mere exposure effect”: people are more likely to trust and prefer a brand after just 6–7 encounters. 

And the numbers back it up: premium drinkware is kept for an average of 8+ months, with 63% of people still using it after a year. Unlike digital ads that can be skipped or traditional marketing that feels intrusive, branded drinkware just exists in people’s daily routines, creating positive brand associations anywhere, anytime.

Beyond the home office

The remote uniform doesn’t stop at video calls. Think about all the places your team takes their coffee cups and water bottles: coworking spaces, coffee shops, client meetings, conferences, and even just walking down the street. Each location becomes a potential touchpoint for brand visibility. 

Drinkware can extend your brand’s reach into spaces traditional advertising could never access. This is where partnering with premium drinkware brands makes all the difference. When you customize products from trusted names like Owala® or Fellow, you’re associating your brand with quality and innovation that people recognize and respect.

Make it count

The hybrid work era has changed how we think about professional presence. Your company’s stainless steel Water Bottle might just be the new corner office – a subtle but constant reminder of who you are and what you stand for, visible to everyone who matters. That’s why it’s so important to choose drinkware that reflects your brand values while enhancing daily routines. 

With 62% of consumers saying a company’s values influence their choices, the details matter: whether it’s the perfect coffee temperature, a leak-proof design, or simply a bottle that looks good on camera. When those details align, your drinkware becomes a trusted signal of your brand identity.

Get the best in branded drinkware 

From MOO’s own collection of mugs, tumblers, and water bottles to premium partners like Owala®, Hydrojug, Fellow, LARQ, and Ember, your Drinkware can showcase your brand every single day.

Give your team products they’ll love to use (and be proud to be seen with), and watch your brand travel further than any dress code ever could. Explore our full Drinkware range now.