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.

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!

The DuPont Award winners for 2010 were just announced at the end of May, continuing the virtual forum format from last year. The winners proved breakthroughs in packaging with innovative developments, cost/waste reduction and improved sustainability. Diamond winners proved excellence in all three areas while Gold winners demonstrated excellence in two criteria. Silver winners were selected for their breakthrough innovation, and notable honorees were given recognition for innovative problem solving. 

Only two submissions were given the prestigious honor of a Diamond DuPont award: the GREENBOX reusable thermal management system, a sustainably-produced container used to transport sensitive medical supplies, as well as Exal Corporation’s “Coil to Can” (C2C) recyclable aluminum bottle.

To see all of the award-winning packaging innovators, click here.

Sustainability is a frequent topic on Dion’s blog. However we rarely look at the pressure that may be behind a company’s decision to implement sustainable efforts. This article from Brand Packaging takes a look at a few companies that have been targeted by green activists. When I say “activist” you may think of wild paint-throwing PETA rallies. But beyond the grassroots approaches, the strategy explained in the article that I found interesting is that activists may choose far more business-like tactics. Many have a voice because they are actual shareholders in the corporations they are trying to sway. By rallying votes on issues at shareholder meetings, activists are able to not only voice their concerns, but actually be heard by executives as their percentage of votes on an issue increases. To see how their influence has translated into more eco-friendly practices at some of the best known companies in the world, click here!

In case you weren’t aware, Iron Man 2 comes to theaters tomorrow! A few weeks ago we looked at various health and beauty products that paired with pop culture and the powerful sales opportunities that came along. So far for Iron Man, I’ve come across both Burger King and Diesel getting in on the action. The pairing of burgers and film is a bit far reaching, but The King seems to be going after boys with the promotional action figures in kids meals. Diesel’s fragrance, Only the Brave, has very creative packaging, but we’ll see if men are as fanatical about Iron Man as tween and even grown women have proven for all things Twilight.

While the eco-friendly movement continues to grow, there’s no denying there are still quite a few non-believers out there. It’s often difficult to envision how green efforts really help the environment, but as we like to say at Dion, “We cannot change this world in one day, but day by day we can help change this world for the better.”

A recent article in CRM Magazine mentions a few companies that agree. From Proctor & Gamble to Wal-mart, these companies have undertaken sustainability efforts that have resulted in significant environmental savings. Clearly they did not back down on the challenges that developing eco-friendly initiatives created for their businesses. These companies have collectively built and financed solar power buildings, reduced packaging waste, recycled materials and rainwater, and reduced electricity usage. For all of the details and to get inspired, click here, and here to see why Dion is “Proud to be Green”.

So the bad news first: my donut creation was not chosen as a finalist for this contest. I would say that I’m bitter, but as a true New Englander, I don’t think I could boycott Dunkin Donuts even out of spite (she says while sipping her caramel iced latte). On the up side, one of these inventive creators is one step closer to a prize package for developing Dunkin Donuts’ next donut. Click here to see the dozen finalists and cast your vote!

If you’re a fan of shows like Ace of Cakes, Cake Boss, or the various Food Network Challenges, you’ll appreciate the chocolate shoes we came across. Often creative creations such as these look too good to eat, but chocolate lovers that can’t settle for “chocolate air” will be quick to devour these treats. The creator is not limited to shoes: take a look at potential gifts for everyone from car enthusiasts to guests at wedding and baby showers.

Recycling is one thing, and it’s obviously a trend that has yet to grow in the US at the rate it should, but packaging that can be decomposed back into the earth it once came from is on another level. Initially launched to our more eco-friendly neighbor, Canada, Frito-Lay’s 100% compostable bag packaging for their delicious SunChips snack was brought to kick off Earth Month in domestic Los Angeles. The packaging should become available nationwide by the end of next week (April 22^nd to be exact), and takes 14 weeks to break down in an active compost bin.

The company has teamed up with the U.S. Composting Council and Earth 911 to educate their consumers as well—a highly necessary initiative in a country with a far too low recycling rate to begin with. So here’s a quick debriefing on the basics of composting: of course you begin with the “feedstocks”—your scraps. The unpleasant thought of collecting your leftovers (and empty SunChips bags), however is slowly turned back into nutrient-rich soil through aerobic activity that requires those scraps, moisture and oxygen. So why bother composting? Here are some of the it gives back to our recourse-deprived Earth:

• creates rich, dense, porous, nutrient-rich soil
• reduces erosion and runoff
• creates a lot of organic matter and beneficial microorganisms
• improves soil pH
• can bind and degrade some pollutants (U.S. Composting Council)

For more on Frito-Lay’s eco-friendly efforts, click here!

A few weeks ago we showed off the label redesign for Campbell’s soup and explained the research behind their design choices. Since then, neuromarketing has created even more buzz. Take a look at a light-hearted video that explains the technology (scroll to about 2:20 to see how it’s used for marketing purposes):

As opposed to surveys or focus groups, the highly scientific research eliminates human response error. Unfortunately, as this article explains, getting that research isn’t exactly cheap. The companies, like Campbell utilizing the technology typically have big dollar advertising budgets to begin with. It will be interesting to see if budgets will be allocated towards truly getting into consumers’ heads.

The Chiquita Banana label is pretty iconic, and here’s a look at how the company is giving their bananas even more personality:

Here’s some company history you may not know:

In 1944, we introduced Miss Chiquita ® and became the first company to brand a banana. In the early years, we experimented with putting our name and Miss Chiquita on a paper band and wrapping it around hands of bananas. The idea of sticking labels on bananas came in 1963. Today, more than 40 years later, we still carefully place each sticker on by hand. Machines are just too rough and can bruise the delicate fruit.

To see all of the designs, click here!

While we’re thankfully heading out of flu season, a stomach flu can strike at any time of the year. And if your taking care of a child, sometimes you can feel helpless in your attempt to make them feel more comfortable. That’s exactly how the founders of Organic B.R.A.T. felt when their little ones had the flu, a diagnosis to eat only Bananas, Rice, Apples and Toast, and most importantly, avoid milk. Their website explains:

When I returned home from work that day both of our children were lethargic and unhappy. My husband, looking frazzled, explained that both of our children repeatedly expressed their need for milk throughout the day. The B.R.A.T. Diet’s order of no dairy escalated an already stressful situation since drinking a “milk – like” product is comforting to a child. He wondered why there weren't any non-dairy alternatives specifically made for sensitive tummies. This inspired us to create a product which not only provides “tummy” comfort for children, but also nutrition and re-hydration. We incorporated the tummy-settling principles of the B.R.A.T. Diet by using organic brown rice as the base along with banana puree and apple puree, and then added an electrolyte-balanced ratio of vitamins and minerals.

I noticed the company at Expo East this past fall (where it won the Most Innovative Product award, by the way), but I can’t say I took the plunge to try the product (I was pretty stuffed from all of the samples). However, assuming that you aren’t allergic to the few basic ingredients, this product appears to be very worthy of its award.

We’ve written quite a bit about the growing competition of private label products. So what’s the big deal? For so many years established national brands stood untouched across various markets until retailers realized the opportunity to undercut their prices with comparable products. At first they were perceived as the lower-cost, lower-quality option, but as consumers switched their loyalty, retailers invested more in their own brands. Besides the obvious ability to choose preferential retail space within the store, they also developed their packaging and marketing strategy. This was the shift from the copycat “private label” to an altogether new “private brand”. The recognized threat to national brands is evident in their subsequent rebranding efforts. Rather than picking up the identical Tide bottle that your grandmother purchased for years, you can pick up a different Pepsi can every month.

A great example of a successful private brand is Via Roma from NJ-based supermarket chain A&P. We featured the packaging design when it first created a lot of buzz back in July. The design for the product line is a far cry from the private labels I remember in the 1990’s (not to mention the stigma of mom sending you to school with your classroom party contribution of generic soda). In this article from Packaging World, A&P’s vice president, Doug Palmer discusses the growing market for private labels, and why it won’t be slowing down any time soon.

Articles we’ve recently written about private labeling:

• National and Private Label Brands Face Off
• The Battle Continues
• National Brands vs. Private Label Brands

I’m not a completely ignorant person, but I did recently admit to Stacy that I thought that pomegranates were a newly discovered fruit. It seemed like everywhere I turned I heard something about pomegranates—from news briefs about their health benefits to recipes for Oprah’s favorite pomegranate martinis (which are delicious, by the way). This is just one example of the whirlwind that can be created by the discovery and marketing of the benefits of everyday foods and food components. There is a nation-wide audience more aware than ever about what they are eating—hence the growing organic and natural market.

The latest "discovered" food: fiber. Dietary fiber was the most sought-after beneficial food component according to a poll by the International Food Information Council last year, which means that consumers are reading their nutrition facts. As we all know, adequate consumption of fiber is important to stay, er, regular, but more it has also been said to lower cholesterol, control and prevent diabetes, reduce the risk of some cancers, aid in weight management and promote a healthy digestive system. Unfortunately, with a recommendation of 19 to 38 grams of fiber a day, combined with a metaphorical comparison of eating fibrous foods to eating cardboard, many companies were not able to capitalize on the opportunity… until recently.

Many new products have emerged to address the "cardboard" issue, such as Fiber One and FRITO-LAY’s catchy SMARTFOOD campaign. Others are showing their feathers, so to speak, about their already existing high-fiber content, like Kashi’s GOLEAN Crunch! and Quaker oatmeal. And how do they do this? Right on the packaging, of course. In order to attract consumers to read your nutrition facts, they must first be enticed by what the front of your packaging has to say. So make sure your product’s features stand out, and if you’re doing this with a label, let us help!

It’s not often that you see single-serve ketchup packets redesigned; in fact, the often frustrating packaging has been around for 42 years! The new design allows consumers to utilize either the squeeze or dip feature, and it holds three times more product than its ancient predecessor! This means we won’t have to hide as many packets from our colleagues in our secret stash!

We’re not the only ones complaining about the packaging. After a packet explosion incident while on a road trip, 22-year-old Matt Kurtz started an anti-ketchup packet group on Facebook aptly named "Prop 57". For two years he has drawn in a few hundred members. Dave Ciesinski, vice-president of Heinz Ketchup concedes, "We created the packet in 1968. Consumer complaints started around 1969."

A recent press release from Heinz explains more about their redesign:

A true packaging breakthrough, the Heinz Dip & Squeeze dual-function package gives ketchup lovers two ways to enjoy Heinz Ketchup: either peel back the lid for easy dipping, or tear off the tip to squeeze onto favorite foods. The new package holds three times as much Heinz Ketchup as the traditional packet.1

Ironically as I posted the battle of the brands blog, I came across this article link on packagingdesign.com. The private label vs. national brand debate is clearly a hot topic. While our last post gives an objective analysis of the packaging aspect, here we see how passionately the proponents for each side feel, and for good reason. National brands realize what’s at stake as store brands have become major competitors.

2009 marked the first full year for Dion’s blog, so we decided to take a moment to reflect on some of its highlights. With almost 200 entries this year we had a lot of options for choosing our favorites! Here are the top blogs we selected:

Products we’ve blogged about and tried:

"Neuro Brand Beverages": Stacy and I were lucky enough to receive samples all the way from the west coast of this product line. We loved everything from the product itself to the unique bottle design.

Colgate Wisp Blogs: Stacy likes these blogs, because not only were she and Karly able to write about these new products, but they also took the time to try them and decide how the design of the product actually had a functional purpose: the cool blue dot in the middle held the brush-able tasty liquid that helped clean our teeth, the fancy swish at the end acted as a toothpick.

• "Colgate Wisps: Hit or Miss?"
• "Brush on the go!"

"The Dear Hunter": This blog was near and dear to my heart not only because I love the design of the case but I’m also a huge fan. I also surprised myself with my respectable amateur photography skills.

Blogs highlighting good causes:

"October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month": Incorporating so many elements related to one important cause made this blog special. Non-profit organizations, products, television, celebrities, and even the world of dance came together to show support for breast cancer awareness.

"Labels Raise Awareness": Provided insight to companies that utilize their labels in raising money (and increasing sales) to help fight a disease. It’s a unique way of using labels. Some tell a story, some have funky shapes and designs… and some help save lives!

Some lighter moments:

"Sunscreen is no laughing matter!": This blog also falls into the above category, but funny man Will Ferrell always brings a little something extra. (You may have recently seen his engagement photo "crash" in the New York Times). They say that getting someone to laugh and then giving them important information helps them to retain the message. Ferrell certainly gets our attention on sun protection.

"Update on Blue Q": Once we quieted our giggles over the new humorous products from Blue Q, we stumbled upon the videos of their sales team and were off again. We’re not sure about you, but the leg lifts get us every time!

The most highlighted rebranding failure of the year:

Tropicana Blogs: The blogs about the whole Tropicana debacle is cool because it shows why packaging is such a key component of selling a product. From a marketer’s point of view, it also explains why so much research needs to go into brand changes to increase (not decrease!) sales.

• "PepsiCo and Carbon Trust Unite"
• "Out with the new, In with the Old?"

What were your favorite moments?

We hate to be pessimistic, but we wanted to give you a chance to say goodbye to some products, companies, stores, etc. that have either already closed or plan to stop production during or before next year. Either way, you won’t be seeing the following in 2010:

• Heading to the Ben & Jerry’s flavor graveyard: Chocolate Almond Nougat (formerly: The Gobfather), Vermont Python, Strawberries & Cream Light, Ginger Snap, and Coconut Almond Fudge Chip
• Max Factor makeup in the U.S.
• Prescriptives skin care and makeup from Estee Lauder
• Kodak Kodachrome film
• Hershey’s Cacao Reserve and Starbucks chocolate
• Nivea’s facial product line
• Kraft’s South Beach Diet frozen entrees
• Pillsbury Perfect Portions biscuits
• Kraft Roka Blue cheese spread
• Aparts and Joose (caffeinated alcoholic beverages) from Anheuser-Busch & Miller
• Harley-Davidson’s Buell Motorcycles
• Abercrombie & Fitch’s brand Ruehl
• Smith 7 Hawken garden stores
• Virgin Megastores
• Circuit City
• Microsoft Money & Encarta
• 300 different coins from the U.S. Mint
• 140 American banks (only 25 closed in 2008)
• GM’s production of the Pontiac brand ended, and Saturn vehicles will end in October
• Speaking of halted vehicle production, Toyota Solara, Dodge Durango, Mercury Sable and Honda S2000 will be no more.
• Magazines: Gourmet, Southern Accents, Metropolitan Home, Vibe, Nickelodeon, Travel & Leisure Golf, National Geographic Adventure, Blender, Domino, and Portfolio
• TV shows (some not so surprising): ER, Guiding Light, MADtv, Monk, According to Jim, Battlestar Galactia , Deal or No Deal, Everybody Hates Chris, Without a Trace
• Retired sports figures: John Madded, Bobby Bowden, Tony Dungy, Alonzo Mourning, Curt Schilling, Oscar De La Hoya, Tedy Bruschi, Lisa Leslie, Amelie Mauresmo

We’re trying to hold in our disappointment for some things on this list, too. Hopefully an upswing in the economy will bring even better things. For the complete list, click here.

We frequently feature packaging and brand redesigns, but did you know that 20% of redesigns lead to sales slumps? Only 10% of them actually result in increased sales. Packaging World Magazine recently analyzed the effects of revolutionary redesigns—ones that change at least two primary design elements. Even though these designs have the highest risk, they have the highest potential for return if you can be a part of that 10 percent.

One of the key features of winners on the shelf is that they stand out visibly. Now this may seem like common sense, but getting consumers to reconsider your brand gives you another change for a purchase. These designs stand out because they are in contrast to their competitors, usually in structure rather than graphics.

Failing redesigns typically occur because of a decline in shopability. Sales fall because consumers are left saying either "Is this my brand?" or "Where is my product?". This hesitation leads them right to the competition, usually stemming from changes in brand identity (such as the logo) and/or changes in versioning (product names, treatment, or placement on the package).

Ultimately, it is important to make a significant packaging change that stands out on the shelf for potential new customers while ensuring that your already brand-loyal customers have no hesitation about the redesign. Keep Domino Sugar and Baked Lay’s in mind; both products proved that revolutionary redesign can be successful so long as they maintain brand identity.

For the full article, click here!

Although the introduction of the new, digital-looking Sunmaid raisins girl took place in 2007, the trademark icon is being heavily scrutinized even on the front page of the search engine Yahoo! Perhaps it’s just a slow news day, but it’s intriguing to find packaging design news on such a website, bringing it to the general public’s attention. It’s evidence once again that consumers are keenly aware of branding, and have strong opinions about their favorite brands. The current attention to Sunmaid may be due to recently released commercials featuring the modernized icon, which has been compared to "a Barbie Doll in Amish attire" or "as if Julia Roberts decided to don a red bonnet and start picking grapes." Traditionalists and feminists alike have scorned the new image for its drastic change from the simple, original watermark created of Lorraine Collett Petersen in 1915. Sunmaid asserts that the updated girl introduced almost three years ago reflects the changes in society and the modern woman focused on health and nutrition. Although it’s true that the model could use a makeover, the highly digital-looking image does remind me quite a bit of a Barbie computer game that I had when I was a kid. What do you think?

I once had a roommate with the most gorgeous skin whose mother always said her stunning complexion came from the olive oil running through her veins, passed down from her Italian descendants. Obviously the literal explanation is a bit of a stretch, but in theory the antioxidant-rich nature of olive oil is actually great for your skin. So it seems only logical that organic olive oil producer McEvoy Ranch launch a line of body care products. Aptly named 80 Acres for the original amount of land they first planted Tuscan olive seedlings on their ranch in Northern California, McEvoy developed lip balms, soaps, lotions, body washes and other organic olive oil enriched products in their signature "verde" (green) scent. One of the publishers for coolmompicks.com recently blogged about her first-hand experience with the product; to read her rave review, click here!

As a huge fan of novelties, I can’t help but spotlight Blue Q products. With products such as “Cat Butts” air freshner, “Mullet” magnet sets, “Instant Irish Accent” breath spray, and “We Met on Facebook” gum, it’s hard to not find a great gift for someone with a sense of humor. And the products are not all simply a joke. Shopping bags made of recycled material, BPA-free stainless steel water bottles, and dish towels meant to replace the use of paper towels show the company’s commitment to sustainability. It’s easy to meander the company website for hours checking out products. Take a look at the highly amusing “about us” page where you can see the company’s personality shine even more. Hopefully this recommendation will bring you a happy day!

The first annual Dieline Awards have just been announced. Thedieline.com is a constant source of new and innovative design, and it only seems fit that they announce an international design competition in partnership with the FUSE Conference 2010. A total of 30 winners from 10 different categories will be chosen, along with a best of show winner. A panel of industry experts will judge submissions from the following categories: Food, Non-Alcoholic Beverage, Wine & Spirits, Bath, Beauty & Health, Home Care & Pets, Books, Office & Art Supplies, Electronics, Technology, Movies, CDs, and All Other Categories. Winners will be features on The Dieline and at the FUSE Conference, and the top 11 winners will receive a prize package reportedly worth over $4500. For more information on The Dieline Awards, click here!

The 2009 packagePRINTING Excellence Awards were announced and featured in their recent publication. Receiving an award in the digital label category was Dion for the Antipasti Tuscani label! This was the 23rd annual print competition for the packagePRINTING Excellence Awards giving awards for categories ranging from wine labels, labels, flexible packaging, folding cartons, and corrugated materials, as well as a new category for sustainability. A total of 82 awards were announced to various winners.

The first National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) took place in October, 1985, making this month the 25th year for the program. With other organizations such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the American Cancer Society on the Board of Sponsors, attention continues to grow for breast cancer awareness. Due in part to the collective efforts behind NBCAM, there has been a 2% annual decrease in breast cancer death rates since 1990. The increased survival rate is inspirational, but the fight continues.

About 192,370 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in American women in 2009. In 1975 the incidence of breast cancer was 107 per 100,000 for white women and 94 per 100,000 for black women. Thirty years later in 2005, the number of new cases per year had risen to 126 per 100,000 for white women and 114 per 100,000 for black women.

As you go about your normal shopping habits this month, notice the various promotions to support breast cancer. Susan G. Komen for the Cure alone has over 150 corporate partners that make generous donations (proudly, some are customers of ours), which include percentage donations based on sales. For example, every pink Yoplait lid mailed back to the company contributes 10 cents to Susan G. Komen. Or if you’re in the market for a new car, Ford will donate $20 for each Ford, Mercury or Lincoln vehicle test driven at a Ford dealership – up to $1 million until December 31st. For a full list of corporate sponsors and how your purchase can help, click here.

As huge "So You Think You Can Dance" and "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" fans, we also wanted to share this video in celebration of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The product comes in the flavors of chocolate, raspberry & chocolate, and mint & chocolate, and is currently on a world tour of various trade shows. Each device contains about four puffs of chocolaty taste, and the device can be opened and closed to spread out the product use. The concept seems to be stretching the idea of counting calories a bit too far, but if you want to be one of the first to try Le Whif, a pack of 6 can be purchased online for €9.95 and shipped internationally.

Here are a few images of the redesign for Kraft cheese products. There are some mixed reviews thus far; however the design is streamlined across product lines, giving the brand a more cohesive appearance. The transparent area to view the product is smaller (as is the company logo), but the text now shows that this is a natural product. The design team, Spring Design Partners, explains more about their concept:

Our Design Insight Research™ uncovered an opportunity to change consumer perceptions through the positive, nostalgic memories and "real" experiences consumers associate with the Kraft brand. By leveraging classic Kraft equities and showcasing fresh off the block natural cheese that is cared for by people, not machines, we rejuvenated a timeless brand.

About a week ago we wrote about cause marketing. Brand Packaging Magazine has also focused on this topic as its cover story in their August publication. The article elaborates on the topic and gives great examples of companies utilizing cause marketing, as well as tips on how to engage consumers in their efforts. One such example is Tide’s Loads of Hope. Often times individuals and families are not able to make financial donations to causes they support, but it is undeniable that they need products such as laundry detergent. Charitable donations through purchasing products are the perfect solution. For every bottle of Tide sold, ten cents is donated to the program which helps victims of natural disasters get clean clothes. So far the program has washed 30,000 loads of laundry via their mobile laundromats. While the company has done a great job with their TV advertising campaign, what really makes this product stand out on the shelves is the label. Consumers can easily identify that their purchase supports a good cause. For more examples of successful cause marketing, read the full article here!

Cause marketing programs are taking on new significance in this economy, as brand owners strive to broadcast their corporate principles, create closer relationships with consumers and offer the idea of greater brand value.

Recently, DuPont announced the winners of their 21st annual awards for "packaging innovations in enhanced sustainability and performance". The winners were "chosen for their demonstrations for innovative products and processes resulting in breakthroughs in sustainable packaging." The event was held through a global virtual forum for the first time. Click here for a link of the results!

The winners:

• Aveda™ Vintage Clove Shampoo from The Estee Lauder Companies – U.S.
• Whole Foods Baked Goods in Sealed Air’s Renew-A-Pak™ compostable bakeware from Biosphere Industries – U.S.
• Ecolean Group’s Lightweight Packaging - Sweden
• Healthy Choice Trays from ConAgra, Developed and Produced by Associated Packaging Technologies – U.S.
• Invisible Case Polyouters from Procter & Gamble – Belgium and Turkey
• All Days Pads in Tray and Hood Carton from Procter & Gamble – Germany and U.S.
• Bertolli® Pasta Sauce Pouches from Unilever and Amcor Flexibles – U.S.
• Prilosec OTC Pack from Procter & Gamble and Alcan Packaging – U.S.
• Pangea Organics Holiday Gift Boxes – U.S.
• Easy Pour Barrier Containers from A&C Packers - Australia

In today’s market, products that give back are important to consumers. This is true not only of eco-friendly products, but also socially-conscious ones. Brands associated with a charity or cause in particular reach out to women—and more specifically—moms. A 2008 Cause Survey from Barkley found that 86% of women and moms say it is important for companies to support a cause. Sixty-nine percent of moms stated they will try a brand because it supports a cause, and 58% will actually pay more for a brand that supports a cause she cares about.

Pampers is a great example of successful cause marketing. Their "1 Pack= 1 Vaccine" campaign has diapers flying off the shelves because purchasing the product gives the cost one tetanus vaccine to the UNICEF fund. A friend of mine actually incorporated this into her baby shower, giving a raffle ticket to each guest that brought a pack of Pampers for her daughter-to-be. Moms across the nation helped the Pampers-UNICEF partnership provide 31 million vaccines.

If your cause marketing campaign utilizes an awareness month, take advantage of digital printing for your product label. The short-run printing method allows you to incorporate your cause marketing right on the label of the product, creating awareness at the point of purchase. For more on the benefits of Dion Label Printing’s digital printing capabilities, click here!

Via Roma is a producer of traditional, authentic Italian products ranging from pasta to desert cookies. The design of the packaging was done by United*. It features photographs of real people living in the region of Tuscany, capturing an authentic visual of everyday, Italian life. Paired with an elegant company logo and soft blue text, these products are sure to stand out on the shelf.

The design team explains, "There are 3 million people in Tuscany. All different & all unique. This authentic Italian brand shows their true character, expression & emotion, in a way that has not been seen before in U.S. retail design."

Pitchmen is a new show on the Discovery Channel that follows infomercial talent Billy Mays and Anthony Sullivan as they search for useful products that can be sold through direct response marketing. Inventors pitch their ideas to Billy and Sully. If the duo feel the invention has a large market and serves as a solution to a common problem, the products are then field tested to gather people's opinions. If the the field test is a success, the two hosts move on to shoot an infomercial. It's exciting to see the new products that may come to market as well as all the time, money and effort these inventors invest in their inventions.

Dion Label Printing, Inc. was recently featured in the January/February 2009 issue of Label and Narrow Web Magazine. Check out our article by clicking here!

Have you ever sipped your Starbucks venti iced caramel macchiato and thought to yourself, man I wish this was an ice cream? Starbucks and Unilever just announced they will be introducing a new line of premium ice cream based on the flavors of Starbucks signature drinks. Caramel Macchiato, Mocha Frappuccino, Java Chip Frappuccino, and coffee will be available in grocery stores everywhere starting in early spring. Starbucks was first introduced in 1996. The new Starbucks licensing line (announced September 2008) will be marketed, manufactured, and distributed by Unilever this spring. It will be made with all natural ingredients. I don’t know about you but I know I’ll be hitting up my local grocery store once I see ads for this. I’ll be sure to try that Mocha Frappuccino, with coffee and chocolate ice cream all swirled into one, what’s not to love! 

Recently Frito Lay has entered the nut category with the addition of True North, a snack free of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. Snackers looking for a natural healthy treat have found what they have been searching for. With whole nuts, nut clusters, and nut crisps True North certainly isn’t lacking variety. True North snacks are kosher, vegan friendly, and gluten-free (except the nut crisps). You can find these nutty creations on shelves nationwide.

"While consumer demand for the nut category continues to be positive, the options have been limited and uninspiring,"

A new organic popcorn company based out of San Francisco, CA is making a splash with their inventive flavors and sophisticated urban packaging. I’m talking about 479 popcorn. With flavors such as Fleur de Sel Caramel, Ginger Sesame Caramel, Madras Curry Coconut & Cashews, Vietnamese Cinnamon Sugar, Alderwood Smoked Sea Salt, and Black Truffle & White Cheddar you can’t go wrong. 479 popcorn is bringing high end gourmet food into your average snack, making an unstoppable, crave-able pair. Did you know that 479 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal temperature for popping corn? That’s what Jean Arnold, the founder of 479 popcorn, discovered and immediately knew that would be the name of her company. While the name is simple, it always pays tribute to the fact that she pays careful attention to the quality of her products. To get yourself some of this delicious treat, check out the website here.

This Valentine’s Day, consumers are projected to spend 4.8 percent less this year than in 2008, according to IBISWorld. Valentine’s Day greeting cards and candy are the only items projected for an increase in sales. "Valentine's Day is more of a discretionary occasion than Christmas and birthdays, which means it will be hit particularly hard by the current economic climate," explained George Van Horn, senior analyst with IBISWorld. "Tightening household budgets will make it difficult to justify splurging on loved ones this year, especially for couples with children who have just had to budget for the Christmas holiday."

Some companies are getting creative and offering special Valentine’s Day packaging for their products.  For example, Dreamworks Animated has released Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa in limited edition Valentine’s Day packaging. This DVD will be gift-wrapped in bright pink packaging, creating perfect gifts. If you love the Valentine’s Day candy conversation hearts, you’re in luck! Necco Company has decided to expand their brand this year and will be making sweetheart candies for more then just Valentine’s Day. Taking advantage of the cult phenomenon Twilight, Necco will be introducing Twilight inspired sweetheart candies with book related phrases. Also, Necco will also be introducing their Memorial Day line this year with red, white, and blue conversation hearts.

Have you ever wanted to create your own coffee blend? Dean’s Beans allows you to name and create your own blend via their website. All you have to do is register your email address and you are on your way to customizing your own certified organic, free trade coffee roast! After designing your roast, you get to use your creativity to name your roast and customize the label accordingly. Dean’s Beans is a wholesale coffee roaster based out of Orange, MA. It features certified organic, fair trade, kosher beans. Dean Cycon, the owner of Dean’s Beans, wants the company to remain socially and environmentally responsible. Mr. Cycon is a founding member of Cooperative Coffees, Inc. and is also an active member of the Fair Trade Federation.

Fair Trade is about offering quality affordable ingredients to the public. It also makes huge advancements in suffering communities, offering them health care coverage, school coverage fees, and helping them meet all nutritional needs. Dean’s Beans takes great pride in being an active member in the Fair Trade Federation and helping underdeveloped companies. Not only does Dean’s Beans offer Fair Trade coffee, their beans are also organic too! Organic coffee is grown using methods that aren’t harmful to the environment; in fact, the organic production system actually maintains and replenishes the soil’s fertility. Coffee must be certified organic by the U.S. standards put forth by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The gherkin pickle has been the main attraction on the Heinz ketchup bottle since the early 1890s but early this year it will be replaced by ketchup’s main ingredient: tomato. Heinz is known for their pickles and pickle pins, which still is one of the most coveted Heinz product. "With all due respect to the pickle, which has served Heinz dutifully since the 19th century, we are shifting the spotlight to the tomato," Chairman and CEO William Johnson said in a statement.

Why the change you ask? Heinz wants people to know that the freshness and great taste of Heinz ketchup comes from their own vine-ripened tomatoes. Not only will the vine-ripened tomato represent Heinz’s own tomatoes but will also fulfill consumer’s need for more wholesome and nutritious food. If you’re a fan of the gherkin, no need to worry, the ketchup label is the only Heinz product making this change.

In our current economic state, convenience is a huge driving factor for consumers. Not only has this impacted the customer but packagers have to reconsider packaging designs and materials, as well as their transportation and distribution processes. Consumers are becoming more environmentally conscience and are demanding eco-friendly products and packaging. They are turning more and more to packaged food and beverages that are allowing them convenient, healthy alternatives to going out to eat.

Sargento Potato and Salad Finishers are a perfect example of restaurant style quality at home in an affordable package. These two lines are available in stand up pouches that are functional and have sustainable benefits, all while meeting the consumer’s requests. Another example of this would be Diageo’s Value Added Packaging gift packs that were across shelves this recent holiday season. These gift packs featured 100% recyclable materials and were paired with popular brands such as Jose Cuervo, Crown Royal, VO, and Captain Morgan. The new design of the gift packs featured recycled PET rather then the old polyvinyl chloride film. The change in the packaging materials is in direct response to consumer’s desire for sustainable products.

Baby Boomers make up a third of the U.S. population and spend $2 trillion each year, and they are spending their money on products that meet their desires. Consumer convenience is an essential need for the consumer’s hectic lifestyle and packagers have begun catering to their needs.

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