The Internet’s evolution and increasing popularity of social media has allowed companies to get closer than ever to their consumers. Now, they can even reach them through these mediums in the store.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Some guidelines in reference to beverages include reducing intake of sugar-sweetened beverages, monitoring intake of 100 percent juice for children and adolescents, and consuming soy-fortified beverages.
Beverage companies are taking on new strategies in regard to the goals of their recycling initiatives. One would be hard pressed to find a beverage company not involved in recycling, but the industry continues to expand existing recycling programs. Craft brewer Boulevard Brewing Co., Kansas City, Mo., had to expand its recycling efforts in order to become a zero-landfill facility in January. In 2009, Boulevard’s Founder and President John McDonald, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Krum and Technical Director Mike Utz became co-founders and principals of Ripple Glass, a glass recycling company, to help close the loop in the brewer’s glass bottle consumption.
One of the six pillars of The Coca-Cola Co.’s 2020 Vision is dedicated to sustainable goals organized under its Planet initiative. The company aims to attain global leadership in sustainable water use as well as industry leadership in packaging, energy and climate protection.
The economy and the environment are at the top of many minds lately. Consumers don’t simply want to save a buck, but they also want to feel like they’re doing some good in the process.
There are certain things you’ll see in most beer commercials on TV: attractive women, endearingly lunkheaded guys, streams of golden brew. And there’s one thing you’ll see in commercials for Miller Lite, Coors Light and other MillerCoors products: A reference to the packaging. “In all of our commercials, you will see a package featured,” says Curtis Babb, MillerCoors’ director of packaging materials and development. “It’s not just talking about the brand esoterically. It talks about the brand with the package, specific to that particular communication.”
Whatever the package type a beverage company chooses, primary packaging can help a product standout from the competition. In a crowded marketplace, uniqueness is the name of the game.