So along this theme I decided to reprise an earlier article Has Your Packaging Gone To The Dogs?

Whether it’s for Fido or for Morris, the market for pet products in “nontraditional” outlets (specific to retail outlets outside the traditional pet store venue) should reach nearly $4.2 billion by 2010, according to Market Trends. This area is expected to grow as pet products move into the luxury and “lifestyle” category such as diamond studded collars or designer duds for your pet. Companies like as Eddie Bauer and Louis Vitton are making luxury pet accessories and “must have” pet products. After all, your pet is the most important part of the family. (Just kidding!) But seriously, there is more money spent on things for pets than on babies – a lot more.

Remember when I asked “What’s In You Bottle?” Well, it turns out that dogs have special bottled water too. “PetRefresh® is the only water available today that is specifically designed for the daily hydration needs of pets.

Innovative Bottled Water

Not a treat, but a core nutrient for better health.” Also a new water product for dogs, OOH’s “Pup Cups”, is water in a cup for dogs on the go. They got great brand recognition by donating water to the Humane Society for Hurricane Katrina canine victims.

Portable Packaging

I just love this one: K9 Water Co., a Valencia, Calif.-based company, is selling a line of vitamin-enriched bottled waters for dogs over the Internet.
http://www.k9waterco.com/. A four-pack comes in four flavors — Toilet Water (chicken), Gutter Water (beef), Puddle Water (liver) and Hose Water (lamb).

via pamperedpuppy

The humanization of pets is more than just as part of the family; they are living longer and healthier lives. There are all kinds of innovations in pet “goodies.” The list of packaged things for your dog is endless. In fact, there is even a new word coined, pupperware, to describe this niche. Pupperware n. Dog accessories and toys, particularly ones demonstrated and sold at in-home parties. [Blend of pup and Tupperware.]

Clever Take on Tupperware

via Doggonegood

But just innovation and being trendy doesn’t tell the whole story. People are concerned about a dog’s health too. Vitamins and minerals for Fido present a huge new segment. The big thing in “packaging” is ease of dispensing and use for DIY pet medications. There are a lot of new DIY products offered for when you can do it yourself instead of carting your dog to the vet. Just remember make the instructions simple and easy to read if you want people to buy your product.

Recently “Greenies” (a top selling dog treat) got in trouble with consumers because purchasers claimed the product packaging was not informative enough about the potential choking problem. I don’t know the outcome but its important to note that the consumers blamed the package labeling as part of the problem.

Affluent boomers and other empty nesters are looking at Fido as an integral part of the family. They have money to spend and plenty of it so look for an influx of products geared towards this audience. A good example is Harley Davidson. They see money in the 50+ generation and have developed the companion dog products too.

Think about this unique marketing and packaging application too. Prepared meals for dogs, sounds good enough for humans to eat.
“BENEFUL® ELEVATES PET FOOD TO NEW HEIGHTS WITH
INTRODUCTION OF FIRST-EVER PREPARED MEALS™ FOR DOGS
The difference is visible, as Beneful Prepared Meals showcase the eight, mouth-watering varieties and real food ingredients in clear, ready-to-serve, re-sealable plastic containers – a new packaging innovation in pet food. The new product is being launched regionally in 2006 in 50 percent of the U.S.”

Read To Eat Packaging

via PetSmart

I just had to use this example, Bow Wow Breakfast Cereal for Dogs. It is a new line of dog food intended for morning consumption. The company that makes it claims it’s specifically formulated to meet a dog’s needs in the morning. The thing is pets don’t buy this stuff; people do. So keep that in mind as you develop your product packaging. First, you have to appeal to the “human” side of the dog owner.

Human Food Packaging For Pets

At the Marketing to Women conference at which I recently spoke, I used an example of packaging dog food that appeals to women. Pedigree Dog Food just implemented a reclosable zipper, something SHE will buy. So think “people” when packaging your products for the dogs. You have to first persuade the owner to pick your product up off the shelf. Make sure that in addition to your packaging “going to the dogs” it’s attracting the people too.

Need more recession proofing tips for your business? Read How To Recession proof Your Packaging @ http://bit.ly/aCKEWX
For more insights on what is hot and what is not in packaging contact the Packaging Diva via phone at 678-594-6872 or via http://packagingdiva.com

Packaging Tips:

• Sometimes creative packaging ideas can be a stretch. Don’t assume your customer can make that leap. Here’s a good example of how packaging designers for Tropicana missed the mark
• The word “packaging” encompasses many things. Be sure of the definition as it applies to your business. I get so many pitches that have nothing to do with product packaging. If I’m confused so are consumers. Try to clarify in your core message what your packaging is all about.  When Packaging Is In The News, Capitalize On It
• Just got a press release I would have tweeted but no picture of the packaging was with it. If you want me to see, review or talk about your packaging don’t make me work for it!
• One company says make it bigger other says make it smaller. Consumers want value and trust in product packaging regardless of size. Don’t get caught like these companies in
  Oh Where Oh Where Has My Packaging Gone?
• When there are two sides to same packaging story what’s a peep supposed to do? More research of course and follow Twitter and LinkedIn packaging peeps for help. But just in case here are some insights in
  There Are Two Sides To Every Packaging Story

Packaging Hot Buttons:

• eBay Box an idea who’s time has come??? Lots of online competition @ http://is.gd/eTmkA The returnable packaging business has been around for a while. Does it take someone like eBay to get it noticed? Here are some innovative packages capturing the publics eye
• Packaging makes it possible.
  Baby carrots take on junk food with hip marketing campaign @ http://is.gd/eM3ep Will this carrot packaging change the way and what you buy? Read what happens with toothbrush packaging.
• More packaging tips to share in Key Elements For Great Packaging Makeovers
• Who Picked Your Veggies? Using Pkg 2 Recognize Farmer http://bit.ly/amH1Tk Great idea-making packaging connect. Want more ideas? Here are some tips in   Packaging That Sells Product, Or Not
• Why is vodka packaging so avant garde? Long answer for @ http://wp.me/pIbS2-fb
  I’ve always been fascinated by vodka packaging. The bottles are so creative as you can see in examples
  here, here, and here
• Nine West is 1st company 2 use JAGTAGs on product packaging @ http://bit.ly/deUQgU I predicted in my 2010 annual packaging trends we would see more of this inter active packaging. You can see other examples of packaging of the future in Your Packaging Does What?

If there is an issue you would like to know more about or not sure how to navigate the muddled waters of product packaging? I can help.

Just drop me a line with your specific question.

Competition is tough and package designers are struggling over how to differentiate there products from the others. Some times in the creative wars it might get a little far afield.

I’ll be the first to admit that I am a sucker for great packaging design. Package design is one of the ways to capture the consumer’s interest. But designers can also lose their perspective when trying to create something new, different or unique. It’s definitely and uphill battle.

There are many niche markets out there so perhaps these examples are specific to them.

In any case I find them bizarre, weird and packaging.

Who remembers all the novels or literature they read in school? One needs to be well educated to make these connections with this packaging. And this is perfume packaging. Oh my!

Bizarre Packaging

via Packaging Of The World

I guess this company thought that cigarette packaging would make their books more appealing.

Kind of strange now that smoking is on the wane. Most countries are now relegated to plain cigarette packaging too.

Strange Packaging

via Huffington Post

I guess in some countries this is considered appealing. Purple pink don’t make it in my book, especially for pizza.

Weird Packaging

via PackagingNews

The alcoholic beverage industry has fierce competition. While the aesthetics are nice who wants to go to all this trouble?

Weird Packaging

via Core77

I used this example before in packaging examples using skulls. This might be all right for Halloween or Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) but who wants this in their liquor cabinet?

Weird Packaging

A collagen ball to eat and the green too! This is plain Yuckk!

Bizarre Product and Packaging

via kidcrave

The King himself is very strange. Just watching him on TV gives me nightmares (LOL)

But can you imagine allow your kids to play with this?

Strange Packaging

via the DieLine

Got some strange packaging you want to share? Drop me a line, I’m always interested in learning how bizarre, strange or weird packaging can help you build your brand and how to capitalize on creativity.

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/e2uKo

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.

I’ll be the first to admit that I am a sucker for great packaging design. Package design is one of the ways to capture the consumer’s interest. But designers can also lose their perspective when trying to create something new, different or unique. It’s definitely and uphill battle.

There are many niche markets out there so perhaps these examples are specific to them.

In any case I find them bizarre and weird packaging.

This tops my list of bizarre. But what makes it even stranger as it’s sold out at a hefty price tag too

A £500 a bottle super-strong ale is to be sold inside the bodies of dead animals.

Photo: Universal News And Sport

Kind of clever but also strange. I guess it appeals to the younger generation.

via Popsop

I know who this appeals to but how big is this market?

What’s in a name? Clearly this is a marketing gimmick. Would you want people knowing you wear Konvict cologne? I guess in some circles its considered cool.

This is a little too “cutsie” for my taste. It might make a fun gift but its still strange.

via Trendhunter

This package fascinates me. A two-headed bottle. What’s the point?

Even better how does it stand up?

via thedieline

This is too weird “beer pouches” and a little suggestive too. I guess that’s akin to the wine bra.

Last but not least this lascivious packaging is intriguing but it’s supposed to be candy for goodness sakes.

Got some strange packaging you want to share? Drop me a line, I’m always interested in learning how bizarre, strange or weird packaging can help you build your brand and how to capitalize on creativity.

• When the Package Is Part of the Product @ http://is.gd/dlxOr. Just think of all the products that couldn’t exist with out the packaging. My favorite two examples are eggs and potato chips (I use these with students and small the hell out of them as an example) of why we need packaging.
• But Santa knows too that Packaging makes the world go round
• Packaging Reduction Can Do More Harm than Good http://bit.ly/9mtxF5 Food waste is a huge issue. Without proper packaging it would be even worse. In fact in some countries in the world food rots because they have no way to successfully packaging it.
  But if you are considering reducing your product packaging you might want to order my ebook 6 Steps To Greener Packaging. It contains and 18 point carbon footprint checklist
• Heinz Australia vows bisphenol A phase out in baby food packaging @ http://is.gd/dkqxD. Health risks come in many ways and new studies appear all the time.  Some pro some con for every controversial aspect of product packaging. he key is to understand what packaging issues may impact you and your products. On point and a little bit of a spoof is “Fear Factor Packaging” email me for a copy.
• Packaging inspiration can come from any where. The key is to know it when you see it and which comes first in Packaging innovation the chicken or the egg
• Burger King’s packaging draws inspiration from Andy Warhol’s Pop Art @ http://ow.ly/280AG Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and what appeals to one consumer may not appeal to another. The key question is who are your packaging your product for

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.

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.

Look through this gallery and see ways to capitalize on the world’s most popular sporting event though creative product packaging. Think how you can incorporate into your brand.

via Food & Innovation Network

This can was designed and introduced just for the World Cup. New full aperture (opening) end, the first in the world, allows entire can lid to be removed, turning the can itself into a drinking cup and removing need for glassware and draught installations.

As collections go Coca-Cola leads the pack with its signature designer cans. On the occasion of the FIFA World Cup 2010, Coca-Cola is going to edit 12 collectors cans representing players of the French team celebrating a goal.

What’s the World Cup without beer? Miller Lite is unveiling limited-edition packaging to celebrate the summer of soccer as fans prepare for South Africa 2010.

via Food & Drink Innovation Network

Team support can be shown in many ways.

Mars Bar changes its packaging in time for the world cup in a bid to show support for the England team in South Africa. For the first time in its 78 year history, the iconic black packaging will be replaced with a new red and white strip inspired by the St Georges Cross and the England kit, which features the famous Three Lions crest.

via Talking Retail

The football themed gums and jellies have received a World Cup 2010 makeover with special limited edition packaging in national colours, featuring the brands much loved Goldbear character.

Move over Starbucks. This yogurt was created especially just for the World Cup and its first time playing in the country of Africa and hence the name.

via Fresh Plaza

Even fruit gets into the picture. Turkish Fresh Produce export specialist Aksun has made an effort to connect to the World Cup soccer championships this season creating special promotional labeling.

Via CoolHunting
Limited Edition World Cup Tic Tacs
“Shake Some Noise for the England Boys” campaign, Tic Tac created a cherry-orange edition in red and white, encouraging fans to make videos showing how they support their team.

But my personal favorite is the singing sandwich.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Hard-to-resist World Cup item, we promise: Tesco’s singing sandwich.

Ole, ole, ole, ole. Capitalizing on greeting card technology.

So take a cue from some of these designs and think how you can use global events to build your packaging brand.

If you have a favorite be sure and share the link.