From potato milk to poo-themed coffee, here are some things that made us say “That’s Interesting” in the studio this week.
A potato thirst.
Milk alternatives is a category that’s grown tremendously. Over the past decade or so, we’ve had soy, oat, almond, coconut, hemp, and even pea. But British supermarket Waitrose doesn’t believe this consumer thirst for plant-based milks is quenched – as evidenced in its recent decision to stock Dug, a Swedish brand that makes milk from potatoes! Though it claims to be the most creamy, delicious and sustainable alt-milk, only time will tell whether the market has appetite for yet another alt-milk. Brands using novel plant-based ingredients can convert people to alternatives through product claims and persuasive marketing. Are there any other food categories beyond meat and dairy that could be targeted?
Try it out here
Bloody ketchup.
Ketchup is the go-to blood mimicking substance. Perfect for Halloween. Heinz, a brand synonymous with ketchup, is capitalising on this connection by releasing a limited-edition Tomato Blood Costume Kit that includes a ketchup bottle, vampire fangs, face paint and more – enabling revellers to create spooky (and possibly smelly) costumes. A dedicated Heinz Halloween website is likewise encouraging people to share their costume creations. Limited editions are a great way for brands to build equity and awareness in festive seasons.
Get bloody here
Flying on wheels.
Minor inconveniences are expected when traveling, but these are nothing compared to the challenges faced by people who rely on power wheelchairs. Most airlines have a policy to store motorized wheelchairs in the cargo hold, where, unfortunately, they’re often damaged. But design is here to save the day. ‘Air 4 All’ is a new solution that aims to fix that problem by enabling people to stay in their power wheelchair during the flight. The solution is simple: front row seats fold back to make room! It’s surprising airlines haven’t done this before. Accessibility is crucial to design. What else could be made more accessible?
Get onboard here
Giving a crap.
Premium bamboo-based toilet paper brand, Who Gives a Crap, has launched a complementary coffee blend – aptly named ‘Blend No.2’ and aptly described as providing a ‘satisfying finish’. Being built on a promise of donating half its profits to better global sanitation, the idea underpinning the activation is that the more people who do number two, the more toilet paper it sells and the more its charities benefit (so coffee can only help). PRable activations are a great way to build brand personality and story. Who says appeals can’t be funny?
Strain (your coffee) here