At conferences and conventions, field and event marketers are constantly looking for new ways to make an impression. Between the booths, the panels, and the networking happy hours, everyone is competing for the same attention. And when it comes to corporate swag, the options all start to feel pretty basic pretty fast: pens, notebooks, keychains. Yes, people take them. But does anyone actually go home and talk about the brand that gave it to them?
That’s the question worth asking. Because swag that genuinely sparks a conversation differs from swag that people accept. At Mobile World Congress 2026, SES Satellites debuted Orbie, and it’s a powerful example of what intentional brand marketing can look like.
What is Orbie?
Orbie is SES’s new mascot, brought to life as a tiny, plush toy that can be clipped onto backpacks or bags. It’s a fun and creative way for SES to market their brand while sparking curiosity at events, giving people something memorable that represents who they are as a company. And right now, plushie collecting is genuinely having a cultural moment. From Jellycats flying off shelves to Labubu blind boxes, adults are collecting plushies in a big way. Instead of ignoring this wave of collectibles, SES embraces it, and the result is a piece of swag people actually want to keep and carry with them.
What Really Stands Out
What makes Orbie stand out beyond just a fun item to give away is the mission behind it. SES has partnered with the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI), a nonprofit organization founded by international artist and humanitarian Forest Whitaker that aims to empower youth and rebuild communities in conflict-affected regions. Every Orbie came with a QR code that can be scanned to activate a donation from SES to WPDI’s community learning centers in Uganda and South Sudan. These centers serve as community anchors where youth can gather, learn, lead, and build lasting peace in places where access to education and digital connectivity can genuinely change the trajectory of a life.
The idea itself carries weight. Orbie is more than just a mascot; it’s a spotlight on a broader mission to expand connectivity and opportunity to communities that need it most.
The Takeaway
Effective event marketing focuses on resonance rather than volume, Orbie blends cultural relevance, brand identity, and tangible social contribution into one small object, creating sustained brand affinity built through impact.