From toy-box favourites evolving to become more inclusive to AI breathing life into still images, here are some things that made us say “That’s Interesting” in the studio this week.
So, we see brands innovating and adapting to cultural shifts like veganism and inclusivity, celebrating heritage and iconicity with bold pack designs, and harnessing the power of AI to bring history to life.
Modern spuds.
Toy-making giant Hasbro is joining the gender neutral movement! They have just announced that the beloved Mr. Potato Head brand, which has been part of many families since 1952, is getting a refresh, ditching the male honorific and becoming simply Potato Head. The toy itself and the characters of Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head remain unchanged, but the move aligns the brand to a less prescriptive and patriarchal idea of family, allowing children to imagine and create their own Potato Head family with more freedom. Equality, inclusivity and diversity are key values that absolutely need to be upheld and built into all brand offers. How can heritage brands with more ties to tradition and conservative mindsets do so credibly and constructively?
New potatoes here
Green support.
With consumers experimenting more with their diets and many switching to veganism, wholesaler VEDGEco saw an opportunity to help restaurants stay relevant by trying more plant-based products. Independent and small restaurants are among the businesses most impacted by the pandemic. While in “survival” mode, trying out new suppliers and staying ahead of the trends is probably not on their radar. Therefore, VEDGEco created a system based on a 125 USD store credit, which restaurants can spend on its vegan range, allowing them to experiment, evolve and be ready for brighter days ahead, risk-free. Trends move fast – especially these days – so how can innovative brands support each other and find ways of future-proofing their offer even in times of crisis?
Plant-based alternatives here
Living nostalgia.
If you thought that finding your genealogic roots was cool, MyHeritage – an online platform that offers DNA tests that tell you all about where you came from – is about to take things to the next level! They just launched a new feature, Deep Nostalgia, which uses AI technology to animate faces from old photographs… A bit like the magical moving photos and portraits from the Harry Potter series! This gives a whole new perspective on family history, as it can produce realistic depictions of how a person could move and what they would look like if they were captured on a video. At a time of distance and disconnection, reconnecting with one’s roots is an exciting avenue for discovery. How can technology help brands engage with consumers in these new dimensions?
Have your “wow” moment here
The new Zero.
Coca-Cola Zero sports a brand new all-red look in its latest makeover, with a new recipe to match! The soft drink brand just unveiled the new design of its Zero Sugar SKU, which moves away from the unified packaging strategy launched back in 2018. The new Zero celebrates the original, iconic and super characteristic colour palette of Coca-Cola that we all love and recognise. And it also embodies the energy and emotion of its new campaign – Open That Coca-Cola – which expresses and explores the “indescribable” and “beyond words” experience of drinking Coke. A bold, impactful packaging rejuvenation that truly leverages and brings to life the brand’s most iconic and ownable assets.
Taste the feeling here