product – KCW Global Research

cha-cha-cha-changes…

i am not always great with change.

sometimes it really hurts.

especially when you mess with my favorite comfort foods.

example 1: my blue box kraft mac and cheese

let’s get right to the brass tax. i think they have shrunk the noodles.

i was so shattered at the prospect that i took this picture with the fork in the bowl (albeit a large bowl that maybe holds the entire box of mac and cheese) so i could create some context for future reference. i know it doesn’t help.

chicago, illinois 7.2014

this is…errr was one of my favorite treats on the planet. i will spare you the rant that i did write and delete because we are focusing on the potential of smaller noodles and not my rocky relationship with kraft blue box as i work towards a healthier lifestyle. i have not purchased or consumed any blue box since this discovery because A) healthier lifestyle dictates i steer very clear and B) the fact that they might have changed it is just too much for me to bear….

anyone else noticed this? was this a one time bit of personal confusion?

that is what i thought with example 2…but the scenario has repeated itself.

example 2: my stouffer’s french bread pizzas – deluxe

why ohh why would you stop cutting the pepperoni into quarters? now i have to hand shred them. sure i was always interacting with the pepperoni making sure that they were evenly distributed across the pizza but that doesn’t make your hands greasy. shredding the pepperoni does. it happened a few weeks ago and i prayed it was just a random mistake but then it happened again this week and i think this might be the way of the future… (candidly, i did get better pepperoni coverage but too much work. please see an au’ natural look beside a hand shredded option…

opelika, alabama 12.2014

example 3: mcdonald’s egg mcmuffin muffin

(okay, so i get that my choices of comfort foods might qualify me for a food intervention but please note that i am working to train myself to really like fruits and vegetables….very slow road…and feeling a bit of food shame right now.)

at this point i suspect that they have only switched the mcmuffin in the alabama market. “research tastings” in airports across the country and on ashland avenue in chicago appear to still match the original recipe but we might have a switch-a-roo on our hands. in alabama i have experienced a less bread like mcmuffin that does not really toast as well and doesn’t seem to have the same binding characteristics as

am i alone on these? have you noticed these changes or others in the products you buy and eat? please share them in the comment section below…

to a new year of magic!

so typically when one celebrates the new year they drink some bubbles. and today i have the story of an amazing bottle of bubbles!

i would like to introduce you to andre’ clouet 1911 grand cru classe.

one of my favorite parts of this product story is in the number 1911. this represents how many bottles of this champagne that are bottled per year. you are currently looking at bottle #1045 de la cuvee’ 36 that was bottled on 2.5.2014.

that story alone has me swooning! but then you see the packaging and i am practically speechless!

chicago, illinois 12.2014

yes, that is straw tied around the bottle with twine which is covered in a white wrap with an informational packet neatly nestled close to the bottle’s bosom. the unwrapping of this bottle felt like some sort of ritual which helped generate even more excitement about the actual bubbles contained.

and the bubble were….GLORIOUS! the insanely unique packaging, the gorgeous bouquet of flavors contained in the bottle, and the spectacular company that shared in this experience with me put this bottle in another class.

many thanks to mark for this most special present – and for sharing in the magic of its drinking!

i wish you all a 2015 full of magical surprises, unexpected connections, abundant health, and boundless joy and happiness!

can you think of a product that has a story that helps it stand above the rest? or just a story that stands out to you? please share it in the comments sections below.

and just in case you are interested in a bit more about the wine itself here are some extra pictures that give a bit more detail…

packaging / product / unique fun - 01/04/2015

wait…. a dry spf?

okay, i am currently experimenting with a new line of facial care products.

(do not worry guys! stick with me here….)

the brand is eminence and they are a handmade organic skin care made in hungary since 1958. overall, the package design is pretty simple across their line. umm so kate, why are you telling us this?

WELL… then i was shown (and easily sold) a powdered spf sun protection product. yes. you read that correctly. it is a powdered spf. all you do is push the button on the top, it releases some powder, and then you apply it like a regular powder brush on your face, neck, arms…wherever you need.

brilliant. no more oily sunscreen (i hope). now i can enjoy (i hope) spf in its purest form. how this will work when it is 90 degrees out and we are “glistening” (read: sweating) i am not sure. but i must say i am excited at the prospect. i cannot wait to see how well it works.

chicago 12.2014

so now let us get to the other bit of excitement here: the packaging. not only is the primary package different with the telescoping brush which is crazy interactive fun BUT the wooden box is a stunner and really highlights its more organic and natural product feel.

facial care/cosmetic packaging can be and feel really lux, similar to spirit/alcohol packaging (as seen in my previous post ooooooh…. texture).

there are lots of reasons why this could be but here are two ideas i have that i would like to contribute to the conversation…

– you are typically interacting with the package one or more times in a day and if the package feels quality then it will help you feel better about using it as well as the possible effect

– often you are spending a LOT of money for a very small amount so the package is a way to reinforce the sense of value

can you think of other reasons why facial care/cosmetic companies invest more to create lux packages? can you think of other categories where companies invest more money in the packaging in hopes of catching your eye? please share them in the comment section below….

ohh and are you following me on twitter yet? follow me at @kcwglobal

are you following me on Facebook? like me at KCW Global Research

please join the conversation – it is happening all over!

packaging: structure / product - 12/15/2014

WowZa!

this past week i had the pleasure of traveling to new orleans for the qualitative research consultants association (QRCA) annual conference. and yes, i am geeking out over some of the cool nuggets i got that i cannot wait to start implementing on monday….but i digress…after enjoying an amazing bowl of chicken and andouille gumbo and a…wait for it… deep-fried break pudding po boy at ye olde college inn in the airport, i was making my rounds in the hudson news and discovered this amazing NEW gem of a package………..

new orleans airport, 10.2014

as i was standing at the gate i carefully opened the outer package with incredible anticipation. i sort of felt like ralphie from “a christmas story” when he was working to decode his weekly little orphan annie secret message.

some notable points on the package include: stickers with product information (suggesting this is an international product trying to meet our regulations), that this is a new tictac offering all together with crystals (read = “xylitol”), and that it is “exclusive to travelers” (and with travelers misspelled with two l’s – oops!).

once i had carefully opened the outer package and removed the second thin plastic layer my enthusiasm had grown – as had my audience as i started my own little focus group regarding the package while waiting to board – and this is the magic that i found!

shush up is right! it has a slide door for picking out the product and a flip top as well for pouring! the package is a bit big for your pocket but is definitely new and interesting….so of course i went back into the hudson news and bought all of the flavors in fear that i might not find this package again.

not sure on the verdict on the product itself…sadly, more of a candy versus a proper mint but i guess that is the tictac way. my new friends at the gate appeared to like it but candidly, i was so excited that i might have biased them (or just in general, freaked them out).

SO, what are your reactions to this package? have you seen any other candy packages that stand out as notable? share it in the comments below… and be sure to come back and check the comments as there are some really amazing packages that are being shared….

and just because i know you all wanted to know what a deep-fried bread pudding po boy looks like…

i am not sure my body will ever recover from the new orleans culinary delicacies i enjoyed on this trip. in fact, i think it is still trying to catch up from the minnesota state fair adventure of 2010….

hits / packaging: structure / product - 10/19/2014

show me the goods!

there are some products that we just do not need to see.

imagine seeing potato chips in a clear bag. i did not think that would be a popular option….although it would certainly help me step away from the bag.

the increased popularity of real people canning and pickling over the last 5 or so years is now being visually captured in your local grocery store…and i think it is beautiful!

picture it, 20 minutes early for a brunch with my mom and i see a little local grocery store in a strip mall near by. my very patient boyfriend indulges my request – – but probably more for the air conditioning than the joy of going aisle by aisle through a local grocery store. towards the top of the aisle i see the following jars of fruit. i might have scared him a bit. i got pretty excited.

i am hoping that the pictures do the fruit proper credit but just in case i will describe what made me a bit giddy…. imagine a perfectly cut pear pieced together, like those orange chocolate break apart balls that are around during the holidays, so that it almost does not look cut. this coupled with the clear label and the glass jar had me swooning! the peaches were not quite as successful but i was still really impressed with the sense of freshness conveyed through the package design.

birmingham, alabama 4.2014

onto pickled goodness… sometimes i leave my cell phone, read: camera, in the car. that pretty much guarantees that i will see a package that i need a picture of. this next one alluded me twice but third time was a charm! well, umm, my neighbor had her phone so i was able to capture it for you…

chicago 8.2014

shush up. here vlasic is working it! the product itself looks so beautiful with the vibrant colors represented, it looks like my super green thumbed neighbor actually canned it at home, and i just feel like it will be the freshest and tastiest dill and bread&butter pickles ever. the simplicity of the label design in terms of size, coloring, and font style works so well with the canning type lid. i heart this package.

how are they doing in market? in the spirit of full disclosure, i did see these products in the clearance section. not sure why they were there but i am hoping that it does not mean that the product line is going away. this package makes me really wish i was big into pickles.

and just because…. here is an example of some super fun pickle packaging in budapest (say that 3 times fast!)…and yes, the jar IS looking back at you….

budapest, 4.2014

any packages that stand out to you as beautiful in the way they highlight the actual product contained? i would love to hear about in the comment area below.

branding / packaging: graphics / packaging: structure / product - 08/08/2014

sweet packaging in budapest

so i have been back from budapest for sometime now but there were two purchases of the sweet variety that are still moving around my home. the chocolate is so delicious and special that i want to be able to make it last forever and the candy is just so pretty that i am not sure i could ever actually eat it.it is just that beautiful.

don’t believe me? take a gander…

budapest, hungary 4.2014

amazing right? not only are the candies handmade but they are a mix of flavors, and therefore colors, and presented in a test tube. beyond the gorgeously simple presentation that just highlights the uniqueness and beauty of the tasty candies, we have the flavors themselves.

you might see a pink and green candy and associate that with watermelon but it could be cotton candy or cherry. the colors mean nothing in terms of flavor. to the US consumer this would be like having a bowl of jelly belly jelly beans where the colors mean nothing. crazy mind-blowing. again, the colors mean nothing. i feel like this would be a cute novelty for US consumers for about 5 minutes and then they would insist a map to decode the flavors.

i bought a big mix bag, small bag of one flavor, and a couple of test tubes (just in case one broke in transit), and honestly, i am nervous to try them. it is almost too much excitement and wonderment for me. but let’s not make any mistake, the candies in the bags are to eat and the candies in the test tube will be with me till my final breath…

so these candies are the star of this tiny off the beaten track in a tiny little shop called cukorka. please enjoy the little bags which are merchandised beautifully against a red wall with its simple red and white branding. (for those who may not know me: i LOVE the color red…my car is red, couch is red, toe nails are red, thermos is red, ink for writing my to do list is a red fine point sharpie, my company color is red, one office wall is red…net: i am a bit of a red whore and this brand’s use of red makes me happy to my core.)

with none of the labels having any english on them i am not even sure which individual flavor i bought. thinking i might save that as a special treat for a dinner party…

and look at how beautiful the individual pieces are…just like edible fimo beads!

seems that in all my excitement i never quite got to the dazzling delicious and beautiful chocolate. consider this the first of many memories of budapest…

branding / merchandising / packaging: graphics / packaging: structure / product / travel - 07/15/2014

huh?

okay, so one thing that has become abundantly clear in my qualitative research career is that i am not the norm.

i can look at the proposed package designs, advertising campaign directions, and new product concepts and know with a high degree of certainty that the one i like, is not the one that will be carried through to next steps. (side note: a client once told me they could save millions of dollars by having me taste potential products…knowing that if i liked it, it would fail in the US. yep, quite a feather in my cap!)

i would like to point out that this does not mean i am bad at my job, as i am not hired to guess what the consumers will like, but it simply reinforces that i am so very often not their consumer target.

why this long winded introduction? because i am about to share some products that i just do not understand…because i am not their target (she types diplomatically).

huh #1: mac and cheese loaf

not sure there is much to say on this one. i love my starches probably more than the average bear but this feels like it might be taking the joke too far. would you add this to a sandwich? is this to be thick cut and served as a side? i am now feeling a little regretful that i did not buy some at the time or ask more questions. anyone have any insights on this? please?

portland, maine 8.2013

huh #2: jack link’s jerky chew, original (shredded beef jerky)

this was found in a candy store. it was sitting beside a wide variety of innocent fun kids sugary treats. sure when i was a kid we had both sugary and gum candy cigarettes (remember how the gum ones would even give a puff of smoke? and the candy ones had the red coloring at one end to represent the fire?)…but now i am going be a hypocrite because this just felt so wrong to me…and somehow different from those other tobacco interpretations.

do i have qualms about big league chew? pretty much trying to mimic the same thing but in a soft foldable pack and gum not shredded beef jerky…i have no problem there either.

lakeview neighborhood, chicago, 2013

as i am typing this my hypocrisy on this is starting to irritate me. so i decided to open it. give it a taste see how it is.

it looks nothing like i expected it to (although i am not positive what i really did expect). it has the texture of a fine saw dust. and tastes like aged raw hide saw dust.

ok, so i think it comes down to my lack of love for chewing tobacco in general. i cannot think of another reason for this almost physical negative reaction. the packaging is typically used for chew and when that was combined with its flavor and texture this game ended quickly for me. sugary cigarettes had a melt to them that made them way way fun. big league chew offered an awesome grape flavor and even fun sugary original flavor. ultimately, earthy tasting saw dusty looking beef jerky is just not within my ideal target product set (but i am still being a hypocrite because chewing tobacco is not my thing). but for every product, there is a consumer….right?

merchandising / packaging: graphics / product / travel / unique fun - 07/02/2014

keep calm and summer on!

now that i have your attention, let me tell you a little about my girl summer. may 15th she posted this picture on facebook with the following caption:

“Well in princess crazy world, when you brush your newly grown back hair and it comes our in large chunks you have 2 choices you can let it ruin your day or turn yourself into a human potato head and try facial hair selfies. I chose the latter.”

she epitomizes beauty and love and has been fighting breast cancer with inspiring grace and unbelievable humor.

have you known someone who has fought an epic battle? do you recall feeling a sense of helplessness? it seems that we are not alone.

so what does one do when they feel helpless? well, in the teachings of my girl princess crazy, we work hard to put more love and kindness into the world.

i challenge all of you to do two things…

start looking for occasions when you can practice a random act of kindness and DO IT! offer someone else who looks exhausted your seat on the train/bus, pay for the person in line after you in the drive through, give a stranger a card wishing them a most spectacular day or even just say it and mean it! the options are endless…

pass this on. encourage others to take a moment in this crazy fast paced world to step back and share a smile or jump on an opportunity to do something unexpected and nice for someone else.

there is no real way for me to properly convey the strength and awesomeness of summer. she lives in bloomingdale, il and the city has designated this friday, june 6th as “Keep Calm and Summer On” Random Act of Kindness Day.

to learn more about our tenacious summer and to join the facebook movement for this event this friday, click on summer’s RAOK event ! feel free to share your random acts of kindness with me or with summer as we are working to compile a book for summer that includes the myriad of gestures made in her honor across the globe. be a part of the magic!

i think amy said it best…

“Please join the movement of random acts of kindness for my dear friend Summer. For those that haven’t had the pleasure of knowing her, think of the best person you know and that’s her. It would mean so much to her if all over the country and world people were doing nice things for other people in honor of her life. Keep Calm and Summer On.”

keep calm and summer on princess crazy! with boundless love….

branding / communication / fishing / hits / packaging / packaging: graphics / perspective / pigeon fun / product / Uncategorized - 06/05/2014

yep. i am that american.

or am I?

did I go to McDonald’s while in budapest? yes.

was it because I was too afraid to eat tongue, goose skin, horse sausage, black sausage, and liver sausage? heck to the no. (although I consider the box checked for some of those options so I do not need to eat them again.)

it was because their McDonald’s serves FRIED APPLE PIES.

budapest, hungary 5.2014

even if I am alone in this adoration for this delicious treat, I do not care! it was, rather they were (full disclosure), downright heavenly. c’mon, you know right now you are remembering the crispy of the outside and freakishly hot apple goodness contained inside and how together they are perfection…

I actually try to visit McDonald’s on all of my travels in hopes of finding the magical and rare fried apple pie. I am so happy to report that the introduction of the healthier “baked” apple pie has not yet made its way to every corner of the world!

and if you are a lover of the McDonald’s fried pie like me, you can also find them in egypt (2009), hawaii (2010), philippines (2009), but no for china, argentina and france.

do you have any other McDonald’s to add to the “have” and “have not” fried apple pie list?? please share. this may have broad implications on my future travel plans…..

product / travel - 05/05/2014

stopped me in my tracks!

(so the last pig post was a little disturbing so i wanted to lighten things up a little with this stunner of a package…)

in chicago we have a relatively new food market called plum. they are like whole foods in their more natural food but they also have a pretty broad selection of international brands and products…and a cheese selection that can bring a cheese lover to their knees!

while shopping for a variety of cheeses for the annual christmas tree party, a package on a shelf near the end cap caught my eye.

it was true love at first sight.

i couldn’t take my eyes off of it.

it exuded a sense of quality through its branding and old school, almost vintage material and design.

i had to have it.

did i know what the product actually was? i kinda read the label but i did not care and it did not matter what it said. probably strawberry related and who does not like strawberries?

then i looked at the price. this led me to re-read the product description because i assumed it is a strawberry related product due to the package but there must be more in there at this price point. are they diamond encrusted strawberry fruits in syrup? a caviar and strawberry fruit and syrup mixture? alas, it was just 21 ounces of fabbri strawberry fruit and syrup. but for true love there was no dissuading me from my purchase.

chicago, 12.2013

beautiful right? i will let you take a moment to fully grasp the beauty of this package. i do hope that the density and quality of the material is coming through in the photo (otherwise i might sound a little more off than usual).

i still have yet to try it. i am not sure what i am saving it for exactly but i am optimistic that it will be the best “strawberries in heavy syrup” that i have ever consumed!

it is not often that a package will stop me in my tracks. but when it does, the wonderment around the power of a successful package just makes me smile!

curious as to the price? i could just tell you but think it might be more fun if you try guessing in the comment box below (and no cheating!)…

hits / packaging: graphics / packaging: structure / product - 04/22/2014