Packaging News You Can Use

August 19, 2010

What started out as a fun experiment had an outreach of 40,000+ readers. Between the participants and the tweeters a large segment of the packaging community and interested parties was touched (tweeted) making the 1st annual Packaging Jingle Contest a social success.

Thank you peeps who took time to create a packaging jingle (packaging is 3rd largest US industry)

The jingles represent an awesome display of creative talent @ http://is.gd/e2uKothe

Over 60 packaging jingles were submitted for the 1st annual competition. So it was hard for our judges to decide who’s jingle was the best but they did pick a winner.

And the Twitter Packaging Jingle winner is @eheebs Elizabeth from tailfordmitchell.com

You can learn more about her @ http://www.tailfordmitchell.com/pdf/Elizabeth.pdf

and Paul Bernard from tailfordmitchell.com

Her jingle was judged to be the most creative to the point and exactly 140 characters.

Drum Roll please:

A package ain’t just a bag or box, to hold your nuts or sell your socks. It must make friends in the store, so people want your product more

and the Twitter Packaging Jingle award goes to Elizabeth for use for 1 year.

Honorable mentions include #41 Cheri Allbritton, Twitter ID @ArveyColumbus #46 Todd Gasparik Twitter ID @smartplanettech and Amrik Tatla #47, all of which can be read at @ http://is.gd/e2uKo

Some jingles were really good but they exceeded the amount of characters allowed by Twitter. Also some people didn’t have a Twitter ID so getting publicity for their participation was moot.

But in any case special thanks to all packaging jingle participants for making the 1st annual packaging jingle contest a success.

Our judges Brad Shorr Director of Content Marketing for Straight North, blogger, and packaging industry marketing specialist Brad Shorr.  More about Brad can be found @ http://www.straightnorth.com Twitter ID @BradShorr

Mark Spaulding editor of The Converting Curmudgeon Blog, 25+ years of packaging journalism, package-printing industry bon vivant…and dog lover.  Twitter ID @CnvCurmudgeon

Award designer Miguel Elasmar Twitter ID @24KLogos

More about Miguel: Miguel E. Elasmar is a results-driven, creative consultant, designer and branding strategist located in the Orlando Florida area, serving the continental U.S., Canada and Latin America.

So until next year keep those creative thinking caps on and keep tweeting.

Now that packaging is in the news every day (most of it not very positive) take some time to reflect what packaging means to you and your business. Think about where we would be in a world without packaging. I know some people do it but for the vast majority of us packaging is integral to our daily lives.

Create your own packaging jingle that reflects what you feel about product packaging.(If you hate then include that too) I will tweet to the 10,000 people who follow me on Twitter interested pro or con in product packaging.  Remember it needs to be 140 characters or less.

Here’s my 1st attempt to get you started creating your own packaging jingle.

Toothpaste squeezes, eggs aren’t cracked, pizza delivered, headache’s better, beer anyone? Packaging a love affair U never knew U had.

So lets see who has the best packaging jingle. Who knows you may win a prize!

July 9, 2010:

I am proud to announce as a Twitter Packaging Jingle judge the Director of Content Marketing for Straight North, blogger, and packaging industry marketing specialist Brad Shorr. More about Brad can be found @ http://www.straightnorth.com Twitter ID @BradShorr

Check back for notice on the prize!

July 15, 2010

I’m happy to announce a second judge for the Twitter Packaging Jingle Contest:  Mark Spaulding editor of The Converting Curmudgeon Blog, 25+ years of packaging journalism, package-printing industry bon vivant…and dog lover.  Twitter ID @CnvCurmudgeon

July 27, 2010

I’m pleased to announce our Packaging Jingle Award will be created by Miguel @24klogos
More about Miguel:
Miguel E. Elasmar is a results-driven, creative consultant, designer and branding strategist located in the Orlando Florida area, serving the continental U.S., Canada and Latin America.

Miguel’s goal as a consultant and as an avid problem solver is to eliminate the “static” between businesses and their target-market’s purchasing decisions.

Miguel’s goal as a designer is to create stunning yet relevant artwork, where solid results can be quantified, and yet delivered by beauty and an impeccable organization of information.

So get busy with your submissions to win this prestigious award for your website.

Tags: Advertising, branding, business, competition, consumer, contest, DIY, eco friendly, eco packaging, entrepreneur, green, Indie, innovation, marketing, media, microbusiness, online community, package design, packaging basics, packaging design, packaging expert, packaging help, packaging innovation, packaging insights, packaging tips, packaging trends, product development, Rebranding, retail, Small Business, smallbiz, smallbusiness, social media, sustainability, sustainable packaging, Twitter

via Springwise.com
Makes you think doesn’t it?
The question is Does Simple Packaging Sell?

---

via Inhabitat

Why hasn’t anybody thought of this before?

Green Is No Longer On The Fringe and using renewable resources is just one way to be more eco-friendly with your packaging

---

Via ScanLife

Is social media on packaging becoming mainstream?

My favorite social media is Twitter. But What has Twitter Got To Do With Packaging?

---

via Merkury Innovations
This is such a cool use for old packaging.  Just one of many upcycled packaging products from Terracycle. Planning on going greener?  6 steps make it easy  in Ebook Is It Green Or Garbage

Got some interesting packaging to share? Send me a quick email.  I’d love to know what innovative packaging you’ve come up with. As always if you don’t have time to comment just “like” my post please.

Tags: Advertising, branding, business, competition, consumer, DIY, eco friendly, eco packaging, engagement, entrepreneur, green, Heineken, Indie, Inhabitat, innovation, LifeBox, marketing, media, Merkury Innovations, microbusiness, online community, package design, packaging basics, packaging design, packaging expert, packaging help, packaging innovation, packaging insights, packaging tips, packaging trends, product development, QR codes, Rebranding, repurpose, retail, ScanLife, Small Business, smallbiz, social media, Springwise, startup, sustainability, sustainable packaging, Terracycle, upcycled

• Kids Think Food Tastes Better From Cartooned Packaging CPG @ http://bit.ly/cc6MvC . We all know kids are easily swayed to want you to buy something. Cartoons on packaging is one of the more recent methods. Despite the inducement to kids It’s Moms that make the purchasing decisions. Find out How To Package Your Products For MOMS
• Kellogg’s cereal recall due to smelly packaging @ http://is.gd/d3TTw The interesting point about this problem that all the packaging naysayers are blasting packaging for leaching toxic chemicals into the food chain.    But the reality according to an independent analysis is that its only the packaging that’s bad not food itself @ http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/Packaging/Packaging-is-tainted-no-hazardous-material-in-food-Kellogg But smelly packaging can be a good thing too.  Find out why in Does Your Packaging Smell.
• Remember its’ all about consumer perception. It can be bad or good so U must know what your consumer truly wants fm your packaging and its important to find out: Who Are You Packaging Your Product For Anyway?
• Packaging inspiration can come from unusual places. Don’t get so entrenched in your own niche you miss potential opportunities. Make this a part of your marketing strategy and Outpackage The Competition Before They Outpackage You
• Lastly get a reality check before introducing new packaging. What looks good on paper may not work in real life. I’ve seen lots of great concepts fall flat on their face because all the factors were not taken into account.  For a more in depth explanation read @ How To Package Your Products On A Tight Or No Budget?

Think some other tips related to this week’s news are important?  How about your comments on these insights? Please let me know what you think and how we can turn packaging tips into packaging success.

At the very least show me that you care about packaging by “liking” this post please.

Tags: Advertising, branding, business, competition, consumer, DIY, eco packaging, engagement, entrepreneur, globalization, green, Indie, innovation, Kelloggs, microbusiness, olfactory packaging, online community, package design, packaging basics, packaging design, packaging expert, packaging help, packaging innovation, packaging insights, packaging tips, packaging trends, product development, product recall, Rebranding, repurpose, retail, scratch and sniff, Small Business, smallbusiness, social media, Steelecase, sustainability, sustainable packaging

This week there was a cereal recall because of smelly components in the product packaging. Smelly, as in the bad kind and in this case potentially a health hazard.  More @ http://blogs.consumerreports.org/safety/2010/06/kelloggs-recalls-corn-pops-fruit-loops-honey-smacks-apple-jacks.html

I’m not talking about that type of packaging I’m talking capitalizing on one of the 5 underused senses.

Some the latest and most interesting packaging innovations are packages that smell. They give those olfactory glands a workout. Packages sporting “fragrances” such as chocolate vanilla and coffee.  Just think of all the calories saved by smelling the package and not even eating the product. Weight watchers should love it this concept! Consider all of the applications of tricking your stomach into thinking you have eaten (after all

the smell of food is as important as the taste, well almost).

The lid contains the fragrance of the product within

This is a great concept: Using your nose to sell products. The “smelly” package. I can see both the pros and the cons of using this innovation. First, let me tell you I have some samples of
fragrance encapsulated in plastic and believe me they are still strong enough to knock over a horse. The encapsulated fragrance does not truly represent the “essence” it is supposed to, but it does have an odor that works.  I’m sure other essences are more “true” in fragrance to the real product they represent. It is especially long lived too, e.g., never dilutes. In fact, the scent is so
strong that I had to move the samples out of nose region for sanity sake.

Consider all of those smells that equate to the good things in life. Did you know the number one fragrance that appeals to men is vanilla? Apple pie, mom and all those homey smells are wrapped up in the analysis of that one fragrance. I am not sure I want to smell like a vanilla bean but it is a very popular fragrance in its appeal to women too.  Vanilla fragrance has a multitude of
applications useful in product packaging.

What about all the products manufactured that use a little “home cooked” smell? The opportunities are endless. While she is walking down the supermarket isle, delicious odors wafting about that are reminiscent of “home cooked” goodies. Even if she never uses the product, it could just sit on her shelf and smell as if she did. Forget fragrance candles. My toaster does it for me.

The scratch and sniff label application has been around for a while. It has always been prevalent in the cosmetic and toiletries industries but even toothpaste is using scratch and sniff now. How else could you discern your cinnamon toothpaste purchase from the bourbon flavored (just kidding)?

What about the coffee maker that emits the essence of fresh brewed Starbucks coffee?
Cha ching! Think about the sales you could capture in this successful marketplace by using an appropriately dispensed fragrance on your product (essence de cappuccino).  Anyone ready for coffee?

Let’s face it. Marketers are looking for angles to get our attention in this sensory overload environment.  Creating products emitting savory odors wafting down the shopping isles “Smelly” packaging could be just one more way to entice her to pick your product up off the shelf.

So think smells (the good kind that is).

But seriously how do I keep up with all the packaging innovation and technology? I read, research, speak, and write about it. Twitter is my new best friend for the latest news. If you want to tweet me I’m packagingdiva on Twitter.

How do you keep up?

Let me help you keep abreast of new technology and concepts such as smelly packaging that can impact your career or your business. Do you want me to know about your new product? Send me a quick email.

I’m currently researching:
Packaging Design Innovations
Packaging Patents
New Product Development

So let me know about your latest packaging innovation so I can share it with the thousands that follow my advice.

Tags: Advertising, branding, business, competition, consumer, Consumer Reports, DIY, eco packaging, encapsulation technology, engagement, entrepreneur, globalization, green, Indie, innovation, Kelloggs, marketing, media, microbusiness, mompreneur, olfactory packaging, online community, package design, packaging basics, packaging design, packaging expert, packaging help, packaging innovation, packaging insights, packaging tips, packaging trends, product development, product recall, Rebranding, repurpose, retail, scratch and sniff, Small Business, smallbiz, smallbusiness, social media, startup, Steelecase, sustainability, sustainable packaging, Twitter

Wow. What a concept! Just think how happy this innovation will make environmentalists in addition to all the packaging material that won’t be going into landfills. Seriously, here is an announcement about edible packaging wraps. <<Scientists at the US Department of Agriculture’s research agency (ARS) have developed 100 percent vegetable and fruit-based wrapping similar to nori, the seaweed strip traditionally used for sushi. >>

I know all the food science colleges are dabbling in this technology but consider the ramifications if this becomes mainstream. How is this going to affect the food industry?  Consider all the wonderful new products. Heat and eat the entire thing and nothing goes to waste!

It’s technology and innovation that’s driving the packaging industry to new dimensions.
And it’s so difficult to keep up with the new innovations. Every day I hear of something new and wonderful that I need to know about for my clients. It’s innovation that’s driving packaging growth too.

Just last week there was some great news about Steelcase a Michigan-based office furniture company growing mushrooms to create packaging for their own use from a start up company called Ecovative Design.

The plant-based packaging foam is made up of agricultural byproducts (seed husks, cotton burrs) and bound together naturally with mushroom roots. “It has the consistency of a rice cake with a brie exterior”

Sounds tasty!

But seriously how do I keep up with all the packaging innovation and technology? I read, research, speak, and write about it. Twitter is my new best friend for the latest news. If you want to tweet me I’m packagingdiva on Twitter.

How do you keep up?

Let me help you keep abreast of new technology that can impact your career or your business. Do you want me to know about your new product? Send me a quick email.

I’m currently researching:
Packaging Design Innovations
Packaging Patents
New Product Development   So let me know about your latest packaging innovation so I can share it with the thousands that follow my advice..

Tags: Advertising, blogging, branding, business, competition, consumer, DIY, eco packaging, Ecovative Design, engagement, entrepreneur, globalization, green, Indie, innovation, marketing, media, microbusiness, online community, package design, packaging basics, packaging design, packaging expert, packaging help, packaging innovation, packaging insights, packaging tips, packaging trends, plant-based packaging, product development, Rebranding, recycle, reduce, repurpose, retail, reuse, Small Business, smallbiz, smallbusiness, social media, startup, Steelecase, sustainability, sustainable packaging