Merchandise
YSTV has inspired numerous members to produce their own items of station-branded merchandising over the years.
The earliest on record (although no doubt not the earliest in existence) are the crew of Election Night Live 87 wearing sweatshirts branded with the programme's computer-generated logo. Throughout the 90s various t-shirt and sweatshirts appear to have been made, some of which are still held in the YSTV archives, including at one point a YSTV baseball cap.
In recent years the pattern has been for there to be an annual order of branded clothing, usually around the Spring term so they arrive by the time of Election Night. For a number of years, in common with other societies, there was the option to personalise the t-shirt or polo shirt with a name of nickname ("Web Monkey" in the case of Gemma Dadley).
Finally, the colours of the clothing have changed a lot over the years. Grey appeared to be in vogue in the 90s, followed by black since the 2000 logo was adopted, and since 2005 a variety of colours.
In addition the YSTV logo has made it onto a variety of items such as pens, plastic carrier bags and mouse mats.
A few merchandise items from over the years:
- 1997 - T-shirts, sweatshirts, and an assorted range of merchandise including boxer shorts featuring the 'worm' form of the Cube logo. This year's supplier was a little unusual in that the large portion of the logo was screen printed on the back and the small logo on the lapel (plus optional name) embroidered.
- 2002 - YSTV-branded carrier bags. Around 1000 of these were bought to put Freshers' Fair goodies in, and the supply ended up lasting five years.
- 2003 - Black t-shirt with logo on front and logo/URL on back. No personalisation.
- 2004 - Black t-shirt with logo on front. Personalisation was available, however upon receiving the t-shirts the lettering was discovered to be in a rather large, Fisher Price-style font that made the t-shirts somewhat "in your face" to look at. Due to the extra cost of adding personalisation the back logo was dropped to save money. One member had asked for their full name and officership on the shirt - given the size the text ended up being it was probably a good job there was a character limit!
- 2005 - Light blue t-shirt (with optional fitted girlie version) with logo on front, logo/URL on back. The colour was changed this year on suggestion from the growing female active membership - and of course it gave people a reason to buy a new one each year. A "t-shirt social" was held at Ziggy's to celebrate the arrival of this batch.
- 2005 - Banner, for use at live events and big outside broadcasts.
- 2005 - YSTV-branded pens, one of the things placed inside the 2002-vintage bags at Freshers' Fair. Whether they actually worked or not is a matter for debate...
- 2006 - Royal blue t-shirt (as 2005).
- 2006 - Maroon hoodie (again as 2005).
- 2006 - Mouse mat, given away with the Freshers' Fair goody bag (still going from 2002). Bearing the logo, URL and the slogan "do something interesting with your computer".
- 2007 - a variety of colours and clothing items including hoodies, jackets and t-shirts. This has pretty much been the norm since.
- 2007 - YSTV40 t-shirt, offered to those attending the 40th anniversary celebrations.
- 2012 - More pens. They didn't work either.
- 2014 - New banner to replace the one lost in 2011. Freshers goodies came in the form of branded bottle openers. Individual purchases included a baseball cap, and a pair of boxer shorts.