Happy Thanksgiving!

I think Spice Islands may be on to something.

The spice manufacturer is returning to television for the holiday season with a message about their high quality standards, which includes distributing their products in glass bottles.  (Lukovitz, 2013)

If ever there was a campaign targeted to an educated audience this is it.  I cringed last month when I read about the FDA report which said that 12% of US spice imports are contaminated with bug parts, rodent hairs, and most disconcertedly salmonella.  (Christensen, 2013)

And, I switched to glass and threw out all my plastic in 2008, when the studies about the harmful effects of BPA’s in plastic were released. (Parker-Pope, 2008)

While I reminded myself when I read the report about the spices that I usually consume only fresh herbs and spices from local organic farmer markets and my own roof garden, I did take a moment to consider what I would do if I couldn’t find a particular spice through those sources, and had no easy answer.  Well now I do.  And just in time for my holiday turkey.  Sounds like a winning strategy to me.   

Lukovitz, K. (2013, November 19) Spice Islands Returns To TV Advertising.  mediapost.com. Retrieved November 22, 2013, from http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/213772/spice-islands-returns-to-tv-advertising.html?edition=67075

Christensen, J. (2013, October 31) What’s in your spices?  Bug parts and rat hair.  cnn.com.  Retrieved November 22, 2013, from http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/31/health/bugs-in-spices/

Parker-Pope, T. (2008, April 22) A Hard Plastic Is Raising Hard Questions.  nytimes.com. Retrieved November 22, 2013, from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/22/health/22well.html?_r=0

Can a recipe-centric website turn us all into bakers?

Duncan Hines has redesigned its website to place an emphasis on user generated recipes and an easy to use search function that allows people to search across categories such as a particular holiday, color or ingredient.  The goal is to provide both inspiration and an opportunity for baker recognition. 

So far the results have been impressive, with time spent on the site up by 50%.  And, while sales results have not been shared, the company says popular recipes for fruit fillings are inspiring new uses for the products. (Lukovitz, 2013). 

When I worked in the category, I told my clients it was all about the recipes.  So what do you think?  Are you inspired to take out the mixing bowl?

Lukovitz, K. (2013, November 14) Duncan Hines Site Breaks The CPG Mold.  mediapost.com.  Retrieved November 15, 2013, from http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/213500/duncan-hines-site-breaks-the-cpg-mold.html?edition=66930

Will sponsoring the US Ski and Snowboard Association help Goodyear sell more tires?

Goodyear Tires are now the “official tires” of the US Ski Team, US Snowboarding and US Freeskiing.  Goodyear GM Gary Melliere says it’s a natural fit because both partners excel at performance in challenging winter weather.  (Greenberg, 2013)

Interesting.  Since tire sales pick up starting in late third quarter, the timing is certainly right.  But what do you think?  Will this sponsorship be effective? 

Greenberg, K. (2013, November 5) Goodyear Straps On Skis with USSA.  mediapost.com.  Retrieved November 8, 2013, from http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/212786/goodyear-straps-on-skis-with-ussa.html

Will Big Bird be able to convince kids to eat their veggies?

In support of First Lady Michele Obama’s “Let’s Move” initiative, the Sesame Street Workshop agreed to waive its licensing fees for two years and allow its characters to be used for in-store signage and labels on fruit and produce items, as part of a partnership with the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) and Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA).  (Lukovitz, 2013)

The most recent successful effort targeting children was the Bird’s Eye’s Gen Veg campaign, also in partnership with the PHA, which featured a tie-in with iCarly and an invitation for kids to create their own veggie combinations.  The result?  A two-month increase in sales while the campaign ran and plans to continue the effort for two more years with a budget of $4 million.  In addition to new advertising, the program will also include the introduction of new products based on the recipes submitted by the kids.  (Wayne, 2013)

Here’s the blog I wrote about that effort.

http://pjlehrer.blogspot.com/2012/05/genveg-is-idea-whose-time-has-come.html

But, back to Big Bird and his pals.  What do you think?  Will this partnership be a success as well?

Lukovitz, K. (2013, October 31)  Sesame Workshop To Help Market Fruit, Veggies To Kids.  mediapost.com.  Retrieved October 31, 2013, from http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/212478/sesame-workshop-to-help-market-fruit-veggies-to-k.html?edition=66372

Wayne, A. (2013, March 7)  Birds Eye Vegetable Sales Mark Progress in Obesity Fight.  Bloomberg.com.  Retrieved October 31, 2013, from

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-07/birds-eye-vegetable-sales-mark-progress-in-obesity-fight.html

Will you pay $35 to advertise Coke on your t-shirt?

Coke, which is currently under attack by the LGBT community for its support of the Sochi Olympics and various health organizations for its role in the obesity crisis has apparently decided the solution is to sell a high-end Coke vintage fashion line.

According to the company Coke branded merchandise generates more than $1 billion in retail sales annually.  And it is bought mostly by consumers outside of the U.S.  With t-shirt prices from $35 - $50, and jackets costing $1,650 they certainly are pricing these items as a luxury item.  But to what end?  (Heine, 2013)

In the long run, Coke needs to sell more beverages to make money.  Will branded clothing help?  Or is it simply another distraction from their core mission?  What do you think?

Heine, C. (2013, October 23)  Coke Debuts High-End Fashion Line Inspired by Old Branded Clothing.  adweek.com.  Retrieved October 23, 2013, from  http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/coke-debuts-high-end-fashion-line-inspired-old-branded-clothing-153327

Will a new app make you want to do your holiday shopping at Macy’s?

Macy’s has announced that they are positioning their new mobile app as a digital personal assistant for holiday shoppers.  It will help them view Black Friday specials, create customized shopping lists, and navigate the stores. Of course the lists can be edited and shared with friends.

QR codes are out – downloads were disappointing.  But a new technology will allow people to view product videos by just waving their smart phones in front of a billboard. 

The emphasis, as always, will be on deals, only now they will be delivered via mobile.  And stand by for more emails.  (Tode, 2013)

So what do you think?  Will this strategy work?  I have to admit I never had trouble finding my way around the store until they replaced the easy to read signs they had with a lousy 3D floor plan that may work with apps, but doesn’t do much for me.  It makes me wonder how many Macy’s customers are really using mobile apps.  How about you?

Tode, C. (2013, October 16)  Macy’s makes app linchpin in Black Friday shopping experience.  mobilecommercedaily.com.  Retrieved October 17, 2013, from 
http://www.mobilecommercedaily.com/macy%E2%80%99s-makes-app-linchpin-in-black-friday-shopping-experience