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New Articles for December 7, 2006

Controversial Packaging Topics Make Great Media Fodder

Packaging is in the news almost every day. Not in the obvious sense where the package is the focus, but behind the scenes playing an integral role in the story. The problem is most people aren't aware of packaging component and don't understand the importance of its function.

Are You Wanted by the Packaging Police?

I finally had to speak out. The packaging industry is under attack by the packaging police. There have been dozen of backlash articles about it in the news recently. To tell you the truth I'm sick of all the articles talking about freeing Barbie from her packaging prison and how may people went to the hospital because they injured themselves trying to open a plastic clamshell and other esoteric packaging adventures. These issues about packaging have been beaten to death and then some. And don't forget the Blogs. Some of the worst venting about packaging appears on personal Blogs under the I've had a bad day column.

Launching a Brand at the Super Bowl with Dreadful Packaging

I picked this up on the news this week and was interested to hear Ad Age critic Bob Garfield's take on the Super Bowl ad for American Home Health. Although he loved the ad, he hated the packaging and in most cases the packaging is what will sell the product -- maybe or not.

I Hate Packaging

It's that time again (the holidays) when packaging will be getting top media coverage by its detractors. Those would be the people looking to complain about product packaging because it's too difficult to open or there is too much of it or they think it doesn't do its job properly.

Has Your Packaging Gone To The Dogs?

Whether it's for Fido or for Morris, the market for pet products in nontraditional outlets (specific to retail outlets outside the traditional pet store venue) should reach nearly $4.2 billion by 2010, according to Market Trends.

Package Design Trends That Connect With Consumers

How can you utilize packaging design trends to connect with the consumer?

How To Make Your Product Packaging Newsworthy

Recently mainstream media coverage of the packaging industry is more in-depth than usual. I see several articles about packaging every week. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the news articles deal with negative perceptions of packaging and its influence on society. In fact, dozens of articles were recently written in response to the Consumer Reports Oyster Awards with such titles as: Today's Packaging Can Drive The Mild-Mannered To Rage and Open UP. Most of what was written in these articles did not bode well for packaging.

9 Packaging Trends That Will Connect You With Consumers

Today's consumer is a moving target. Choosing the right consumer and the right demographic to target is an important decision. Monitoring what is hot and what's not can dramatically influence a package design's success or failure. Package design is an integral way to connect with your customer. But do you clearly understand the needs and wants of these elusive markets? Understand the customer is critical. The problem today is that one package may not satisfy the needs and requirements of all buyers.

10 Tips For Packaging That Sells Products To Boomers
By JoAnn Hines

Boomers are a prime and growing target audience. Does your product speak to them? Does your product's packaging compel them to buy it? If not, you are missing a very important market segment. According to Rick Adler, founder of The Senior Network: Simply based on population growth trends, if a product is marketed to the 50-plus audience and maintains its market share, it should increase in sales by 35 to 50 percent in the next 20 years. Conversely, a brand targeted at the zero to 50 age groups will be flat in sales.

Earth Day Battle: Packaging vs The Environment
By JoAnn Hines

This is the week we celebrate Earth Day. Each year there is plenty to talk about besides global warming, although in this case the packaging lids are doing the talking. This from Stonyfield Farms-On April 22, the 36th Earth Day will be celebrated around the world. We're excited about it here because the Virtual Global March on Washington will conclude.

It's Easy Being Green: Packaging Your “Green” Brand
By JoAnn Hines

Last week, I wrote about packaging and the environment. Since then I have been flooded with a host of interesting new packaging and product introductions. Surprisingly much of the packaging innovation is coming from outside the U.S. than from our own national companies.