Published articles and papers 2010

Marmite XO launches this week and Social Media is at the forefront of its launch strategy. Will Food and Drink brands to embrace this new media channel and make it work better than mainstream advertising?

The social media campaign behind the launch of Marmite XO invites participants to upload a film, poems or photos to www.marmarati.org to prove their love of Marmite. The initial 200 members have been rewarded with a limited edition, hand-crafted commemorative jar filled with Marmite XO. Demonstrating their love for the new product is part of the engagement and sales strategy, which could demonstrate the way forward for other FMCG brands. More

Fairtrade fortnight, which started on the 22nd February, is aiming to encourage customers through its Big Push to switch to those products which are recognised as complying with ethical trading values.

The increased prominence of Fairtrade over recent years reflects the importance that brands are now placing on its ethical credentials. And with sales up 12% in 2009 just how important is Fairtrade for your brand? More

This week Hovis have announced the start of their biggest ever media campaign to promote using 100% British wheat in its range of breads.

With an increasing number of brands moving to 100% British ingredients, does this reflect a way to promote the heritage and quality of a brand through being British as well as a means of long term investment in the British farming industry and potential cost savings from imported ingredients? More

Within food and drink the importance of packaging cannot be stressed. It needs to communicate and resonate with customers, increase the brands awareness levels and ultimately drive sales. Above all a new design should make a statement and strive to strengthen the brands identity or should the need arise change its identity.

This week’s edition of The Grocer focuses on how packaging revamps help to distinguish a brands identity and ultimately drive sales but it also notes the increasing importance of green credentials in any new packaging development.

Here at The Oxford Research Agency we are increasingly finding that recent pack designs are placing an emphasis on improving a brands green credentials. More

As we near the end of January 2010 a number of brands have already launched new products, doing their best to win over customers and develop their brands.

Competition to deliver new and exciting products to the consumer or simply stay ahead of the competition with your current range has never been more challenging but we believe we can offer an integrated approach to research to ensure your brands future success. More

This week Ariel has enhanced their complete product range through the launch of a new stain removal product – Actilift.
Whilst technology plays an important role in FMCG, its targeting and use is different for food and drink. More
 

After an uncertain 2009 for consumers and brands alike, The Oxford Research Agency predicts that 2010 will see an uplift in consumer confidence providing opportunities for brands to take a positive approach for the year ahead. More