Jeremy Walker, head of Jeremy Walker + Associates publicity firm, this year issued a "Swagifesto" asking his clients not to give in to the lure of corporate gifts. In the open letter, he writes about clients and staff missing appointments because they were too busy out gathering freebies.

"At the risk of sounding shrill, those and other incidents over the years have led us to determine that swag is not only a pain in the ass; it is, like cocaine, evil," he wrote. "We’ve watched swag, like cocaine, turn nice, smart, humble, creative people into monsters. Like cocaine, swag produces a giddy high of self-importance and supreme confidence. As with cocaine, once tasted, the consumer of swag instantly wants more. When people see other people doing swag, they want to do it, too. And, like cocaine, once it's out in the open, swag permeates the culture, and it's all anyone can talk about."

Over the phone, Walker told The Tribune that preparing his clients for the onslaught of swag offers is part of his job; it's like preparing them for photo shoots and interviews. Most, he says, have been very receptive. One of them is former U.S. Congressman Dick Gephardt, who was in Park City to support the movie "For the Bible Tells Me So."

"Everyone had the information they needed to decline swag on his behalf," Walker said.

Here's a link to the Swagifesto.