The founders of Activate drinks were tired of taking daily supplements in giant pill or unappealing powder form—something we can all mostly likely identify with. Through research they found that vitamins and other nutrients lose their potency as they sit in water, making vitamin-enriched waters less effective. So they developed this clever bottle that stores its nutrients in the cap until it is mixed just before drinking. The naturally sweetened drink contains only 5 calories and is available in a variety of flavors with different health benefits—vitamin, immunity, energy, antioxidant and workout.

www.activatedrinks.com

By looking at last year’s trends, experts have analyzed the future outlook for various segments of the global bath and body care market. Here are some of the major findings according to GCI Magazine:

• Although the global economy is showing signs of recovery, consumers will continue to be attracted by budget products.
• There was a marked decrease in footfall in specialty stores and department stores in 2009, which had a negative impact on sales of premium-priced bath and body care products.
• Globally, growth of liquid soap rose from 7% in 2008 to 13% in 2009, driven by consumer demand for products with anti-germ and antibacterial properties.
• The male body wash segment presents substantial growth opportunities and has proved to be relatively resilient to trading down.
• A major factor behind the decline in sales of anti-cellulite products was a lack of notable success stories in key Western markets.

When you hear Francis Ford Coppola’s name you probably think of The Godfather trilogy, Apocalypse Now or even his Academy Award-winning daughter Sophia. You may not initially think of a passionate wine maker. However he and his family have been making wine since purchasing a vineyard in California in the 1970’s. For the recently released Francis Coppola Reserve, a very colorful label was created for the limited edition wine. For more images of these unique wine labels, click here!

How do your customers access your products? A recent article in GCI Magazine takes a look at the various channels for the beauty industry. While each channel has proven successful for different companies, consumers tend to use a variety of options. With mass, specialized and online retail options available, most women are using at least two avenues for their products; some are using all three. And most buyers look online to begin their information search. So are your customers looking up product information online but then buying the product at a brick and mortar location? Or are they trying out a hair product at a salon and purchasing online? These are keys to knowing how to get your message to the customer at key points in the buying continuum from research to purchase to use.

For more on how various companies have found success in specific channels, read the full article here!

I’m always so impressed by some people’s ability to envision and create one thing from another. Take this simple packaging creation from Panasonic for example. I’ve looked at headphones a million times, but never thought about contorting them to look like a music note. Then again I’m not creating their packaging design. It’s so simple and yet conveys so much meaning. Feel free to share any other creative designs you may have come across! And for more images of the Panasonic Note packaging, click here.

Green Giant recently announced a promotion with FarmVille that will give buyers of actual Green Giant products Farm Cash to use on the number one application on Facebook for the last year. If you’re like me, you probably have no idea what this means and wish that you could simply stalk people’s real lives through your live feed rather than their latest computer game update. But I can’t deny the great marketing tactic considering the 65 million worldwide players and 20 million daily users of FarmVille. It’s a fitting partnership best explained by Green Giant’s president Jamie Strachan:

"The sense of accomplishment we feel when we harvest a Green Giant Fresh field, the importance of community, and the stewardship of our land are values that Green Giant has represented for more than 100 years," Strachan explained. "By rewarding customers with FarmVille Farm Cash, we can share our real-life farming experience and become a supportive part of their FarmVille online community."

Launched just last week and making its debut at Cosmoprof North America this week, Barista Bath and Body is the first line of beauty products with organic coffee as its key ingredient. Coffee, and caffeine were chosen because they:

• Feature a pH balance similar to the human body, meaning that it cleans better than ordinary soap or shampoo
• act as a gentle exfoliant
• perform as an effective astringent
• promote the appearance of smoother-looking skin, especially in cellulite-prone areas (http://www.b3products.com)

The products are also paraben-free, phthalate-free and sulfate-free and range in price from $4.50 to $28.00 for individual products and $22.50 to $150.00 for gift sets. The company is already being touted for its unique products and understanding of the market.

Have you ever sat around with your girlfriends and debated on which Disney Princess you are? Our female audience may be the only ones who can identify with that, but how about choosing your inner Disney Villain? Coming in September, you will be able to show off that inner villain with MAC Cosmetics’ new line of Venomous Villains cosmetics line. It will include lipsticks, eye shadows, nail polish, blush, and beauty powder for evil characters Cruella De Vil, Maleficent, Snow White’s Evil Queen and Doctor Facilier at prices ranging from $12 to $30. 

“I’m sure every woman in the world has a little villain in her somewhere, whether she wants to admit it or not!” says James Gager, senior vice president and creative director of MAC Cosmetics, “It comes out from time to time in all of us. So I don’t think it will be too difficult to relate to at least one of these characters, if not all of them.”

My question is, where are Ursula, Cinderella’s step-mother and step-sisters, Jafar and Captain Hook? And just in case you were curious, Stacy is Tinkerbell and I’m Cinderella.

Within the last few years you have probably caught wind that drinking red wine actually has health benefits that come along with its more obvious pleasantries. It’s because of somthing called resveratrol. It’s a phytoalexin that was first discovered in the 1940’s and can be found in the skin of grapes. Most of the information I have found claims that there has not been enough research into the long term benefits for humans. However the testing on animals and insects, as well as human cells in Petri dishes, showed some hopeful results in the following areas:

Heart disease: Resveratrol helps reduce inflammation, prevents the oxidation of LDL "bad" cholesterol, and makes it more difficult for platelets to stick together and form the clots that can lead to a heart attack.

Cancer: Resveratrol is thought to limit the spread of cancer cells and trigger the process of cancer cell death (apoptosis).

Alzheimer's disease: Resveratrol may protect nerve cells from damage and the buildup of plaque that can lead to Alzheimer's.

Diabetes: Resveratrol helps prevent insulin resistance, a condition in which the body becomes less sensitive to the effects of the blood sugar-lowering hormone, insulin. Insulin resistance is a precursor to diabetes. (webmd.com)

While red wine is seen as the best way for the body to absorb resveratrol (because it is absorbed in the mouth and is least susceptible to oxidation), there are many supplements on the market capitalizing on the new-found, super-compound. They come in pill, powder, tablet and liquid forms. So while the jury is still out on the definitive benefits, resveratrol has the potential to be a very powerful substance.

Just in time for summer, take a look at Forever Sunshine—the latest fragrance collection from Bath & Body Works. Key fragrance notes for the line include golden apricot, pink peonies and a hint of praline. The bright colors, sketched graphics and fun text plays perfectly to the young, hip crowd it is marketed to. This summer special still stands out from their recently redesigned signature collection.

When you think of Bruce Willis you probably think of a decent action scene with a few one-liners thrown into the mix. You probably never thought of a fragrance… until now. The modestly named men’s fragrance is already being called “the manliest scent in the world” by one individual. It is said to include scents of grapefruit, pepper and vetive. As for the packaging: “[It] plays on the actor’s macho image — a heavy, square bottle boasts an offset metal label with trompe l’oeil rivets and a solid cedar cap, sourced from sustainably harvested wood.” Keep an eye open for this new product that debuted this week. Let us know what you think!

When I came across a small image of Paco & Lola’s Raspberry Liqueur I thought I was looking at perfume packaging. The stylish, unique and feminine design took home several packaging awards at this year’s Los Angeles Wine & Spirit Awards. It took home gold for Overall Package, Special Boxed Set and Best of the Show; Container.

The wine packaging design follows suit, and both are reflected in the design of the company’s website. The company also brings the black and white polka dots everywhere they go, which just since the beginning of this year includes exhibits in Ireland, New York, Miami, and several cities in their home country of Spain.

This morning I came across the redesign of Justin’s Nut Butter. Ironically, yesterday Stacy and I were just enjoying a squeeze pack of the almond nut butter. We must admit, it’s pretty good stuff. And this is what the dieline had to say about the redesign:

Justin's Nut Butter, a line of small-batch, natural and organic nut butters, was recently redesigned to increase distribution in fine food outlets (e.g. Dean &DeLuca, Whole Foods, Crystal Farms) without jeopardizing existing sales at lower-price supermarkets (e.g. Kroger, Safeway, King Sooper.)

With a focus on their environmental impact, the owner and creator of the product line explains in his blog that he is in search of a biodegradable pouching material for the squeeze packs (apparently while riding his bike).

Have you ever set out on an afternoon picnic with a bottle of wine only to have overlooked the need of a corkscrew? Unless you have some amazing MacGyver skills, you’re probably out of luck. However, if you’re in the Oregon area, you may be near a retail location to find Copa di Vino: individual glasses of wine ready for your on-the-go lifestyle. In practical terms the company has created packaging that now provides the same convenience as beer and pre-mixed drinks. And it wasn’t easy. Developing a seal without the heat or pressure that could damage the wine took quite a while. The 100% recycleable plastic container also features a resealable lid. The packaging has received considerable attention (including a silver DuPont award), and the company currently offers merlot, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, and pinot gris varietals.

With online media taking the world by storm over the last few years, the future of print has frequently been questioned. In GD USA’s 47th Annual Print Design Survey, readers commented on their print usage and the outlook for print. Some interesting results included the fact that 91% of the respondents design for print for everything from brochures to packaging, and the use of digital print has skyrocketed. 51% of those surveyed are buying more digital printing than in the past for its quick turnaround and customization, not just a focus on price. For all of the survey results, check out the June 2010 issue of GD USA here!

Although it’s not required by the USDA that non-food products certify their organic claims, Whole Foods is insisting on it for the sake of their customers. By June 1, 2011 all personal products and cosmetics claiming to be organic or made from/including organic ingredients must be certified. According to GCI Magazine, companies have until August 1^st of this year to submit their compliance plans to Whole Foods:

• Under the new guideline, all products making an “organic” product claim (e.g. “organic shampoo”) must be certified to the United States Department of Agriculture National Organic Program (USDA NOP) standard, the same standard to which organic food must be certified under U.S. law.
• Products making a “made with organic ingredients” claim must also be certified to the NOP standard
• Products making a “contains organic ingredients” claim must be certified to the NSF 305 ANSI Standard for Organic Personal Care products, a consensus-based industry standard accepted by the American National Standards Institute and managed by NSF International.

“Private Label Beauty Packaging Poised for Growth” from Beauty Packaging Magazine took a look at the recent success of private label products in the health and beauty industry.

No doubt about it: The recent recession has spurred growth in the private label beauty market segment, say industry analysts. Private label players agree the economy is showing signs of a rebound, and they are optimistic that private label brands are gaining traction in the brand beauty market.

“Overall, private labels have done really well during the economic downturn,” says John Wright, head of retailing research at Euromonitor International. “Consumers have looked to save money as much as possible, and retailers have reacted to this by promoting their private label ranges.”

While they only capture 2% of the global beauty market, private label products are expected to continue to grow as consumer perception of quality for these products rises as well. The article also interestingly points out that during the recession consumers turned to less expensive indulgences like beauty products rather than the extravagant purchase of vehicles or homes, again contributing to their increase in sales.

For more on the success of private label beauty products, click here!

With the 2010 FIFA World Cup in full swing, we come across more products and advertising campaigns from around the world. My favorite is the t-shirt in support of the Dutch team. Click here to see more of the extravagant marketing for one of the world’s largest sporting events!

This is the redesigned packaging for the me4kidz products that has yet to hit the shelves. The medical kit and on-the-go size kits definitely appeal better to its diverse customers in 14 countries outside of the U.S. The multicultural kid-friendly graphics are a huge improvement, but I’m not sure about the white line running through the monkey on the medibag. What do you think? You can find the newly designed kits at Target, Babies R Us and Toys R Us in July!

When I bought my sofa a year ago, lugging it to my apartment in the back of a truck was about as exiting as watching paint dry. But for those purchasing the Oi Sofa, the surprise is actually on the outside of the box. The pods are shipped in a cardboard box that is not for the straight-laced individual. The packaging is just as unique as the product itself—the pods can be swapped around to create various seating arrangements. You can read the details of the packaging case study here, as well as images of more tidbits of suggestive humor on the packaging. Enjoy!

GCI Magazine recently took a look at the influence of sustainability in the beauty industry. They broke down the three stages to implementing green practices:

1. Demonstrate leadership: An executive of the company should develop a vision for the company’s environmentally-friendly objectives which includes tangible goals and employee rewards
2. Address core impacts: Figure out your company’s biggest environmental impact and make changes in the areas of energy, manufacturing and office waste, water consumption, packaging and shipping, and supply chain and logistics.
3. Communicate: Let the important people know how you’re helping: your employees, suppliers and customers.

Need to address the environmentally-friendly packaging aspect? Request eco-friendly label samples here!

And for all of the details from the article and how beauty companies like Tom's of Maine and Burt's Bees are already implementing these practices, click here.

The packaging for TrueCoffee’s new product offering of hot dogs was just too adorable to pass by. TrueCoffee has locations throughout Asia, and the design was created by Bangkok-based Subconscious. The packaging is meant to reach out to the teenagers visiting the shops, but it’s interesting that sometimes marketing and design can be cross-cultural. No need to segment here—I think the packaging would be equally appreciated here in the U.S.

We’ve scoured all of our resources to bring you the best of World Cup-inspired and commemorative products and packaging! I’ll even be worldlier in using the term football. Here they are:

The “Hospitality Pack” contains the most important item for football fans: their tickets. Capturing the essence of anticipation, the slider pack provides a clever and playful opening experience, creating intrigue and a sense of novelty to complement the exciting nature of receiving World Cup tickets. With the games officially now underway, the high quality format of the Burgopak design further encourages fans to retain the pack, lending itself as a keep-safe of World Cup memorabilia.

Gillette’s World Cup-inspired shaving gel and antiperspirant and deodorant cans creatively resemble a football and shows off their sponsorship.

These bracelets were made by over 400 women in South Africa for fans of the Dutch team. The orange color is the national color for the Netherlands and the assortment of colors represents the South African flag.

SAB Miller developed a can that could also function as a cup.

Special World Cup Packaging for Carlsberg beer featuring England’s team manager Fabio Capello and team players David James, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard and Jermaine Defoe.

England’s team received more support when Umbro commissioned the painting of the players’ numbers in their hometowns, even for manager Capello in Italy.

Coca-Cola’s commemorative cans feature French players in celebration and come in a box with a CD from K’Naan.

Miller Light cans are laser-etched with famous players captured doing their signature moves.

Please share if you’ve come across other promotional or commemorative products or packaging!

A few months ago we featured McCormick’s seasoning-made-simple product, Recipe Inspirations. Now they’re bringing the fun to social media with a creative, interactive contest. By participating in the Recipe Inspirations application, not only are you able to have a little fun by designating your friends to various spices, but you also have a chance to win a trip to the Rachel Ray Show in NYC and other prizes. So hurry and figure out who adds that zing of paprika flavor to your life! Just be careful who you tag as dill weed. Contest ends July 12^th!

This is the square design concept for Coca-Cola packaging done by student Andrew Kim that you’ve most likely seen on a variety of design sources. The idea to radically change a very traditional packaging design was brave, but Kim’s design comes with many extras. The entirely plant-based bottle has an offset opening said to ease drinkability, and a smaller cap which decreases waste. The bottle is designed to collapse easily and to a smaller size to increase the likelihood of recycling. Most importantly, there is a cavity at the bottom of the bottle that allows the bottles to stack. The square design combined with the stackability means that more bottles can be sent in each container- an estimated 3,949 bottles. Pretty impressive! This is an exciting concept from a young designer.

For more on Kim’s design, click here!