RSS Feed
Twitter
Hello world!
6 months ago
9/30/10
At $42,000, Dan D'Agostino’s Momentum amplifier is petite and green
Breguet unveils the exquisite Classique Grande Complication Reveil Musical Alarm timepiece
Now back to the timepieces most interesting and appealing feature, the musical alarm. As mentioned before, this is achieved by a patented application of a music-box mechanism principle. The traditional music-box cylinder is replaced by a disc carrying the pins which alternately acts on the 15 metal teeth of the comb.
A metallic glass membrane engine-turned by hand amplifies the frequencies required to emit the tune, while numerous openings drilled in the gold case protecting the membrane ensure optimum sound transmission. The watch plays its tune when the user presses a push piece positioned at 10 o’clock, or at a given time that is pre-set by the alarm function.
The Alarm on/off indication is located in a circular window between 9 and 10 o’clock on the dial while the power reserve indication is visible through an aperture at 3 o’clock. The watch plays its tune either by the user pressing a push piece positioned at 10 o’clock, or at a given time that is pre-set by the alarm function.
A beautiful timepiece, it has definitely hit the right chords with me.
Fendi Calf Hair Peekaboo Tote for sophisticated style
2011 Lamborghini Sesto Elemento concept is real eye candy
Some of the concept cars that the luxury car giants come out with are not just resourceful but also are stunning to see. So after Lamborghini Madura and the 2020 Lamborghini Minotauro earlier this year the luxury car makers have finally launched the Sesto Elemento concept car. Weighing in at 2,202 lbs the carbon fiber based car features a V10 power unit and a permanent all-wheel drive. Lamborghini has mastered the entire CFRP process through an assortment of technologies, including its 3D design through simulation, validation, production, and testing. The car can hit speeds of 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds flat and can race up to high speeds of 186 mph. The lightweight carbon-fiber structure features the front frame, exterior panels, and crash boxes which are made with the CFRP technologies. The car also comes with carbon-fiber floors, roofs, doors, cockpit centre console and suspension components with Pyrosic tailpiples.
Chinese billionaire’s averse to philanthropy and decide to skip Bill Gates and Warren Buffett’s luxury dinner party
Deep Blue Sea is touted to be one of the most expensive hats ever sold at auction
UK joins space tourism as the first seats sell for £250,000 per head
This will be followed by a manned launch test on the 70ft 'Starchaser 4 off Morecambe Bay, Lancashire, to be followed by the biggest rocket launched in Britain ever. A successful in-flight test will ensure tests with at least three-to-five passengers on board. While the plans seem in place, Bennett is still short by £20,000 to launch the 20ft LES rocket test flight, but he plans to raise another £200,000 by next year. Two secret tourists have already booked their seats by paying £250,000 per head for the first seats. The other seat can be procured by paying £98,000 and taxes. In the last eight years Steve and his boys have managed to raise a staggering £4million for their dream runs.
9/23/10
Bell & Ross Watches Now Available For Purchase Online In America
At this time, most luxury watch brands do not allow online sales. Bell & Ross' approach to this was to sell online themselves, and use their retailer network for order fulfillment purposes. A few years ago it would have been heresy to suggest to major European brands to sell watches online. Now you can enjoy e-commerce solutions for brand such as Cartier, Longines, Bell & Ross, and more. Payment options at this time are only credit card (so you better be able to put $5,000 or more on your card in a single day). According to Bell & Ross, the US e-commerce model is the same that is being used in Europe - so it goes to show that the model Bell & Ross was experimenting with in Europe worked out well.
Google, IBM, Apple--world's most valuable brands
Google is the world's strongest brand for the fourth straight year, according to a study released Wednesday by research firm Millward Brown Optimor.
Analyzing the world's strongest brands, the fifth annual "BrandZ Top 100 report" examined consumer opinions and market data on brands to assign each one a certain value and then translated that value into dollars to rank the top 100.
Tech companies took the top four spots with No. 1 Google followed by IBM, Apple, and Microsoft.
Google, IBM, and Apple all grew in brand value from 2009, noted Millward Brown, even amid a recession. Overall, the tech sector was one of the few business categories to show growth from 2009, rising 6 percent based on continued spending from both companies and consumers.
The top 10 most valuable brands in the world
(Credit: Millward Brown Optimor)"In the past, many companies were quick to cut their marketing spend during a down economy," Millward Brown CEO Joanna Seddon said in a statement. "A new trend has emerged in the wake of the recession as more companies realized the importance of maintaining and even increasing budgets to support brand loyalty and engagement."
In deciding loyalty, consumers take into account several factors, the study asserts. Sustainability, social responsibility, and trust were among the key concerns in driving brand loyalty. The ability to personalize a product was another factor--and one that played a role in brand value for tech companies. Examples cited in the study: Google users can create personalized home pages, and Apple iPhone users can customize their phones by downloading apps.
Among other tech brands on the list, Hewlett-Packard came in at No. 12, RIM's BlackBerry was No. 14, Amazon.com was No. 15, and Oracle was No. 19.
Some tech companies dropped in brand dollar value from last year, including Nokia (No. 43), which sunk 58 percent; Intel (No. 48), which declined 38 percent; and eBay (No. 76), which fell 28 percent. But other major tech brands, such as Verizon (No. 20), AT&T (No. 22), SAP (No. 21), and Sony (No. 94) all rose in value. Samsung (No. 68) outshone all companies with the highest gain, showing 80 percent growth in brand value from last year.
Social networking figured into Millward Brown's study. Although it didn't make the top 100 list, Facebook debuted in the tech sector for the first time with a brand dollar value of $5.5 billion. Beyond that, the study found that social media itself was a growing trend among companies looking to build brand awareness.
Millward Brown, which is owned by advertising and communications giant WPP, generates its BrandZ Top 100 report by interviewing more than a million consumers worldwide and analyzing each company's financial and business performance.
Fan of Spatini Speaks Out
This week, we were alerted to the Spatini brand, a dry seasoning mix to help make spaghetti sauce. Apparently, its only sold to restaurants, though there is a website devoted to the brand, which apparently is owned by McCormick.
Writes our BrandlandUSA reader Erica of Blackwood, N.J.
I understand it was only sold in the Northeast. Jarred sauce like Ragu ismuch easier, but Spatini had a unique flavor so I kept looking for the boxes in supermarkets for years.
It seems to have a real cult following.
We couldn’t find out any more history; we would love it if anyone could help us find out more info on the brand, and how it came to be. Find out more athttp://www.spatini.info/
Canada Dry Wink Fans Please Speak Up
Are there still Wink fans?
Wink was the grapefruit-based soft drink by Canada Dry. It had a grown up taste, and seemed to be only purchased by grandparents when children came to stay for the weekend. You see, in earlier but forgotten eras, children came down at 5 p.m. and sat with the older generation for something called cocktails. Children would drink these soft drinks such as Wink, and then leave and mess about until dinner time.
In this advertisement, Canada Dry is marketing it to the sassy generation.
Does anyone else miss Wink?
Sweet ‘n Low Rebuilds a Classic Brand
The original brand of saccharine sweetener, Sweet ‘n Low, is doing a major push to rebuild its brand in the wake of newer sweeteners such as Equal and Splenda.
Sweet ‘n Low dates from 1957.
The approach is a good one for an older brand. Above, a full page back inside cover from New York magazine. The ad just positions the product, and makes it look cool. The correct approach for an older, well-known icon like Sweet ‘n Low.
It will be a challenge, however, as most have stayed away from the sweetener twice. The first time, people moved to Equal, because many thought it tasted better. And then, folks moved to Splenda because it tasted even better.
The campaign is by Mother New York for the Brooklyn, NY-based Cumberland Packing Company, which also makes that classic, Sugar in the Raw.
Samsung shares ‘real life’ tips through online TV strand
Samsung Electronics has launched an online TV platform with ‘real life’ families sharing household problems and tips.Smartnsimple.tv shows videos of London based families solving various home based dilemmas. The site also allows users to post their own video tips and experiences.
The initial burst includes four 5-minute episodes hosted by actress Ginnie Watson, and includes advice such as how to spend less time on household chores, and features Samsung products such as the H-series Side-by-Side Refrigerator and the robotic“NaviBot” Robot Vacuum Cleaner.
Andrew Jones, Samsung’s marketing manager, said: “We wanted to create an innovative multi-channel experience that bridged the gap between what brands can typically offer people, and which we could also use as a means of communicating information about our range of home appliances.”The episodes are being shown on smartnsimple.tv and Dailymotion.com, and will be promoted through Facebook and Twitter.
The site also features a competition for users to win a Navibot, by uploading videos revealing their own ‘smart’ housework tips.
Inès van Gennip, Samsung’s senior corporate marketing manager told Marketing Week in June that the company’s recent growth could be due to women spending more on electronics products, and that it was focused on developing products and campaigns to target them.
IPC Media in talks over further sales
IPC Media is said to be in discussions regarding the sale of some of its niche titles.The publisher is said to be in talks with 207 Investments and Tri Active Media regarding IPC titles Superbikes, Hi-Fi News and Prediction, reports The Guardian.
Last month it was reported that IPC Media was also talks with Vitality, partners of 207 Investments and Tri Active Media, over the sale of lads magazine Loaded.
A spokesman for IPC Media said: "I can confirm that arising from the strategic review of IPC's specialist titles, we are in consultation with staff on a number of brands.”“But the consultation is about an intention to sell, not the completion of any sale and we will not be confirming any information about brands or prospective purchasers until and if deals complete."
IPC Media showed a total circulation of 5,738,111 for all its titles at June’s ABCs, a 2.6% year-on-year drop.
In April, the publisher announced it was to embark on a strategic review of the specialist and niche titles in April.
Chief executive officer Evelyn Webster stated that in order to develop “multi-platform offerings” it might sell smaller titles “where they would have a stronger strategic fit and will therefore benefit from greater focus.”
IPC Media’s Look magazine has announced it is to launch a shoe in collaboration with high street retailer Office, to coincide with London Fashion Week.
Vitality currently owns gay magazine Attitude and Women’s Fitness, and has recently acquired Hair Now, Perfect Hair and Hair & Beauty. Since acquisition the publisher has been quick to exploit digitally opportunities for its new titles, launching branded iPhones and iPads apps.
Wilkinson Sword launches ‘biggest ever’ marketing drive
Wilkinson Sword is raising the competition in the male grooming market with the launch of its Hydro range in the UK, backed by a £20m marketing push.The launch of Hydro follows Procter & Gamble’s launch of its Gillette Fusion ProGlide series in the UK earlier this month.
Wilkinson Sword claims that the launch is a “world first” putting “skin care at the heart of shaving”.
The “revolutionary” shaving range includes five and three blade versions, which the razor maker says offers men “a good alternative at a value price point”.The Hydro range also includes Wilkinson Sword’s first entry into the pre and post shave skincare category with four shaving gel products and one after shave balm.
Wilkinson Sword says that the £20m marketing push is its biggest ever support package for a UK launch. It will include television, print and digital activity.
Very to sell X Factor merchandise through ITV site
ITV and FremantleMedia, producer of The X Factor, have struck a deal with online department store Very, which will see branded merchandise sold from the fashion section of the talent show’s website.Very will host an area of the X Factor site from which visitors will be able to view exclusive weekly fashion content related to the show and buy branded merchandise including clothes and household items such as duvet covers.
The Very section of the site will go live in late September and include a weekly video of the latest fashion trends shown on the programme.The X Factor finalists will also take part in a fashion shoot in the contestants’ house to model clothes from Very’s autumn/winter collection. They will also work with Very designers to create a series of t-shirts which will be sold through very.co.uk.
Mark Rosenegk, FremantleMedia’s VP of brand partnerships in the UK, said, “This is the first time we’ve had an official fashion partner for The X Factor and we couldn’t have found a better one than Very. This deal allows for all parts of its business to benefit and these benefits will be passed on to its customers.”
The companies will run an integrated marketing campaign including online, social media, print and PR.
This story first appeared on newmediaage.co.uk
McDonald’s new VP of marketing outlines his vision
Having lead the development of some of McDonald’s highest performing campaigns in the UK as marketing director, Alistair Macrow now takes over the reins from Jill McDonald as vice president of McDonald’s UK marketing.Here he outlines seven pointers he will follow in his new role to build the McDonald’s business and its brand.
- Continue to put the customer at the centre of everything we do and remember the role we play in their lives. Our approach has to be grounded, realistic and honest, and should always be fun.- It’s important that we are always in touch with our customers and we must always evolve to recognise how customers are changing but our pace of change must match our customers. Moving too fast will see us lose relevance just as much as moving too slow.
- Listening to our customers is critical, we need to understand the risks that could undermine enjoyment of our brand and address them.
- I’m passionate about ensuring every communication adds value to the brand. We must always ask ourselves not just how will this contact with customers drive our business, but also how will it drive our brand.
- Never underestimate the importance of execution. More strategies are likely fail due to a lack of focus on execution than strategic weakness. In a business with 1,200 restaurants, over 80,000 people and serving 2.5m customers a day, executional detail is quickly amplified and can cause the best plan to fail.
- The experience which matters to our customers is the one that happens at our restaurants. Opinions of the brand will be formed most strongly when our customers step through the door or drive through the drive thru lane – the decor, the cleanliness, the length of the queue, the friendliness of the greeting and the quality of the food. All marketing activity needs to remember and support this.
- As a marketing leader, I believe my most important job is to secure the future of our business by developing the talent in our people. It’s important to empower them to employ their talents, support them to realise their potential, encourage them to take managed risk and trust them to deliver.
Nokia confirms replacement for Loughran
Nokia has confirmed that Sami Lehtinen will take over from Mark Loughran as general manager for the UK and Ireland at the beginning of next month.Lehtinen is currently Nokia’s head of retail and will take over as acting general manager from 1 October, when Loughran leaves to become president of new business at TV set-top-box maker Pace.
Lehtinen will head the Finnish company’s bid to boost sales of its flagship N8 and C7 handsets, which it unveiled at Nokia World last week, in the run-up to Christmas. The UK reshuffle follows recent moves in Nokia’s boardroom which saw Stephen Elop take over from Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo ad CEO amid other changes.
This story first appeared on newmediaage.co.uk
Sky grabs share of golf’s Masters in 3D
Sky Sports has acquired the rights to share coverage of the Masters Golf Tournament, ending the BBC’s 25-year domination of the championship’s coverage. The sports channel will broadcast live coverage of all four rounds of the Masters, plus the Par-3 contest, in high definition and in 3D from 2011.
The news comes ahead of the launch of Sky’s 3D channel on 1 October, beginning with its golf coverage of the Ryder Cup.
Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis says: “3D coverage of the Masters will give a unique view of the Masters and really capture the contours of the stunning Augusta National course.”The first two days of the Masters will also include an extra hour of live coverage when it begins on Thursday 7 April 2011.
The BBC, which has shown the tournament since 1986, will continue to deliver live coverage of the tournament over the weekend for the final two rounds.
Earlier this year US network CBS broadcast the Masters in 3D in the US for the first time. It has been shown in HD there since 1993.
Sponsors IBM, AT&T and ExxonMobil pay for exclusive rights to the TV advertising during the coverage. It is unclear whether similar deals will be replicated for Sky’s coverage in 2011.
Among the other golf tournaments Sky acquired coverage rights of the Ryder Cup in 2003, and BBC Sport and Sky Sports have shared live coverage of golf’s BMW PGA Championship and The Barclays Scottish Open since 2009.
Sky has been marketing its sports channel heavily over the last few months.
Last month it launched a press campaign promoting its Sky Sports News channel’s new HD and widescreen format, and in July it launched an Eric Cantona fronted campaign highlighting the variety of its sports service.
Aviva joins forces with The Big Issue to drive CSR
Aviva is partnering with The Big Issue to launch its first ever cause related marketing activity.The insurer is launching a one-off edition of the weekly charity publication under the title The Little Issue.
The initiative aims to raise awareness of Aviva’s Street to School scheme, in partnership with chid homelessness charity The Railway Children.
Street to School is part of Aviva’s five-year global commitment to “make a positive difference to 500,000 children”.Aviva will distribute 100,000 copies of The Little Issue from 27 September. Half will appear as a 16-page A5 size supplement within issues of The Big Issue while the other half will be distributed to Aviva staff, customers, and business partners.
The insurer says the programme will be integrated into its “key communication channels” including advertising digital and direct mail activity and its athletics and rugby sponsorship programmes.
Gary Price, Aviva marketing director says it is joining forces with The Big Issue to get its corporate responsibility message across in a “more engaging and creative way”.
STA Travel targets older travellers
STA Travel, the youth focussed travel agency, is launching a sub-brand aimed at older travellers.Bridge the World will target the growing market of travellers over 50 taking advantage of free time that comes with retirement.
STA Travel says its new proposition aims to provide travel that “offers the opportunity of new experiences not just the traditional desire to escape purely to relax”. As well as a high street travel agency presence offering advisors and guidance, Bridge the World says it will have a “strong” online business to facilitate travellers researching their plans.
James Herbert, Bridge the World commercial director, says: “The new 50+ traveller has much more in common with STA’s core younger travellers than you might expect. They value independence and new experiences but they want different service and environments.”
The Bridge the World brand proposition, identity and website have been created by digital creative agency Albion.
BlackBerry maker to take on Apple's iPad
BlackBerry manufacturer RIM will unveil a tablet device at the company’s developer conference next week, according to reports.The device, dubbed the BlackPad, is expected to be similar to the iPad with a touchscreen display, two cameras and WiFi connectivity.
BlackBerry users will be able to connect to the internet via 3G with their mobile phone connection, unlike the iPad, which requires a separate data subscription.
The device is also expected to use a new operating system built by RIM-owned QNX Software, instead of the recently launched BlackBerry OS6 that powers most of its latest handsets, such as the Blackberry Bold 9800.Reports claim the device is scheduled to launch in the fourth quarter and will be officially unveiled next week at the BlackBerry Developer Conference.
Speculation over RIM’s intention to launch a tablet device kicked-off when it emerged that the company had bought the internet domain name blackpad.com in July.
The tablet market is set to heat-up in the run-up to Christmas with manufacturers such as Samsung poised to launch devices using the Android operating system.
Apple debuted its iPad earlier this year. It had to delay its international launch due to high levels of demand in the US and eventually claimed that it sold 3m of the devices inside 80 days.
This story first appeared on newmediaage.co.uk
Morrisons and BK sign up to Lowe’s new retail offering
Morrisons and Burger King have signed up as UK clients of the newly launched retail activation network Open.Open is a multi-country network launching this week from Lowe & Partners. The UK arm is headed up by managing director Niki Cook and newly appointed executive creative director Kevin Frost.
Open is set up to deliver “big retail ideas, fuelled by a better understanding of how today’s shoppers choose between brands”. The network will help clients position their brands within in-store environments and handle projects from promotion mechanics to signage and point of sale.
Angus Maciver, group marketing and communications director at Morrisons, says: "We are always looking for ways to link up above the line and below the line communications to ensure we have maximum impact with our customer messages. We are excited by the opportunity of having DLKW Lowe expand into in-store marketing thus opening up the possibility of us doing this even better in the future"
Morrisons is to trial smaller store sizes and online shopping next year.
The UK arm of Lowe recently merged with DLKW to become DLKW Lowe and Cook has already worked with Burger King in her role of head of promotional marketing for DLKW’s direct marketing arm, Dialogue DLKW.
Frost has joined Open from Arc and has 20 years of retail experience at agencies including Tequila and Triangle working on brands including Procter & Gamble, Morrisons and Diageo. Cook’s experience includes retail and promotional roles at PurchasePoint, Interfocus and The Communications Agency.
Morrisons and Burger King are currently clients of DLKW Lowe.
Open has launched in London, Shanghai, Prague, Bangkok, Jakarta and Sao Paolo this week.
Sir Paul in digital deal with HP
Hewlett Packard is to digitise the entire back catalogue of Sir Paul McCartney.The deal with MPL, McCartney’s company, includes images, artwork, paintings, film and videos, as well as Sir Paul’s music library spanning his time in the Beatles to more recent solo work.
This is first time HP has collaborated with an artist in this way.
The ex-Beatle says: “I’ve always been interested in creative ideas and new ways of reaching people, so this is a really exciting initiative for me.”
“I hope it will allow people who might be interested to access parts of our archives they might otherwise not be able to,” he adds.
Hewlett Packard’s involvement in the project includes digitising the content and creating a content management system. The content will be stored in a private cloud environment, and be co-managed by HP and MPL.
Cloud computing allows the sharing of resources, power and information on web, rather than the users computer.
Tom Hogan, executive vice president sales and marketing at HP,says: “Paul McCartney has always been a trendsetter in the music industry and HP has been at the forefront of technology innovation,”
“We are proud that he turned to HP as a trusted partner to help him preserve his legacy and set a new vision for the industry.”
PricewaterhouseCoopersWasALongName
The clearest picture I have of what PricewaterhouseCoopers does is of two dudes in tuxedos holding a briefcase with the envelopes that announce the winners at the Oscars. But, clearly, with 163,000 employees in 151 countries they do more than that. They are one of the “Big Four” professional services firms — the three others are Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Ernst & Young, and KPMG — and boast gross revenues of 26.2 billion USD (fiscal year 2009). Officially, they “provide industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to enhance value for their clients.” Yesterday was the official announcement that PricewaterhouseCoopers would be changing its name to PwC, keeping the mouthful of a name as the full name of the global organization for legal purposes. PwC also introduced a new identity created by the London office of Wolff Olins.
Textile Exposé
Established in 1973, Hemtex is the leading store of home textile products in the Nordic region with 189 stores in Sweden (where it has the most at 143), Finland, Denmark, Norway and Estonia. Hemtex produces, designs, and/or commissions most of its products, while others are carefully selected from existing inventory. Its range spans everything from towels, to pillows, to curtains in playfully minimalist patterns and simple color palettes. Hemtex recently introduced a new identity designed by Stockholm Design Lab.
Shepherd Neame to raise £100,000 for forces
Shepherd Neame is hoping to raise £100,000 for Help the Heroes and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.
Spitfire: raising money
The Kent-based brewer will donate 10p per pint of cask Spifire sold for the charities to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
The scheme has been running in Shepherd Neame's tied, managed and free trade pubs from 6 September and will run until 17 September.
It will also run across national pubco accounts for a two week period before the end of September.
Pubs taking part will receive a point of sale kit.
New Heineken glass for a perfect pour
A new glass for Heineken has been designed to ensure the beer is served with a continental style big head.
Heineken: over-sized pint glasses
The new glass is larger than a pint, with the pint level clearly marked for barstaff, following customer research which found a demand for “authentically served premium beers with the correct head size,” Heineken brand manager Julia
Rodger said.
The glass has been designed to retain the head for longer and, like the glassware for sister brands Foster’s and Strongbow, also carries alcohol content information to promote responsible drinking.
“Branded glassware is immensely important to both the brand and licensees because it optimises in-outlet quality and significantly enhances the consumer experience in a pub,” said Rodger.
The brewer is also investing in a training programme for barstaff called Glass Act, which it hopes will re-ignite the trade’s passion for perfect pouring techniques and glass care.
Posters in outlets will highlight the benefits to consumers.
Aussie Spirits trio promotes purity
The Aussie Spirits company is launching three new drinks into the UK market, following success in its homeland.
American Spirits line up
Vodka O, Tequila Blu and Kinkylux rum are being positioned as a high quality, but reasonably priced, alternative to mainstream brands.
Founder Julian Moss also claims that each of the spirits have lower levels of chemical impurities than their rivals and, therefore, have a better, smoother taste.
Moss founded the company six years ago with a chemical engineer in a bid to create spirits with low levels of impurities.
“Our passion for purity has been well received in Australia by consumers who seek the best and we look forward to introducing this to UK consumers in the coming months,” Moss said. “We want to shake up the UK market with our high quality, reasonably-priced products.”
Vodka O is made from whey and Australian water. It’s distilled four times and charcoal filtered.
Tequila Blu is distilled from the Mexican blue agave and aged for up to six months in oak, which gives it a rich, smoky flavour.
Kinkylux is a white rum made from sugar cane grown in Trinidad and Tobago. It is aged in oak for two years to create a smooth, mellow and refreshing spirit.
The company will be increasing brand awareness in the UK with a strategy of sampling at events such as Taste London and the Relentless Boardmasters surfing festival in Newquay, as well as celebrity endorsements.
Rare whisky duo launch
Two rare Japanese whiskies are set to hit UK shores this autumn. Both are available only as limited editions at around £70 to £80 a bottle.
Yamazaki: £70 to £80 a bottle
The non-age Yamazaki Puncheon single malt has been aged in American white oak and is non-chill filtered.
It is said to have aromas of red berries and sweet red berries on the palate.
The second, Hakushu single malt, is heavily peated and was distilled at the Suntory-owned Hakushu distillery.
Aromas include carbolic soap and in the mouth it is said to be salty and smoky.
High hopes for low-ABV wine range
Customers who don’t like the taste of alcohol now have another option.
Botany Creek is a lower-alcohol fruity wine made by Halewood International.
Targeted at women aged 25 to 45, the 7.5% ABV wine comes in two flavours —white with a hint of citrus & tropical fruits, and rosé with strawberry flavours.
“We’ve created a great-tasting wine that appeals to the original generation of RTD consumers, as well as women looking for an alcoholic drink without a strong alcohol taste, and consumers looking for a lower-ABV product,” said head of innovation, Richard Clark.
“We believe that Botany Creek bridges the gap between light wines or RTDs and traditional, higher-ABV wines.”
Diageo launches Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange
Diageo is launching an ambitious new initiative for its Smirnoff brand, in a bid to create buzz and excitement around the vodka globally.
Smirnoff Nightime Exchange: swap events
The Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project, aims to identify the best elements of a night out in 14 different countries and then take those elements to a different country to create a night out with a difference.
All of the swap events will take place on the 27 November this year but which countries will swap with each other remains a secret until late in October.
In the UK the company has enlisted the help of DJ Zane Lowe to help compile the best of a UK night out from suggestions made by consumers — ideas can be anything from music to cocktails to a fashion trend.
Brand ambassadors will be touring the UK to collect ideas in the next few weeks and consumers filmed as part of the tour will get a chance to star in the TV campaign which is launching this week to help promote the initiative.
The 14 countries taking part include the US, Brazil, India, Germany, South Africa, Poland and the UK.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
