Listen up: Household Name

While I was painting my bedroom for the 2nd time is a week (color woes!) I had a pretty much had a whole day to listen to podcasts. I was able to check out a few episodes of a great new series called Household Name. If you're looking for something to listen to I highly recommend it.

Each episode tell the story of a well-known brand, but not the story you already know. The Disney episode told a really interesting story about social groups that formed at Disneyland and have been confused with (and a bit influenced by) gangs. Like motorcycle gangs. At Disneyland. With vests, patches, glitter and everything.

I think the Amway episode will be next on my list, since I'm already obsessed with this podcast about MLMs. 

Enjoy!

Brand Brief: Allbirds

An article titled "How Package Design Can Give Brands an Edge on the Competition" popped up in my news feed today. You might think this insight is coming from a designer or an agency, but it's not. It was one of the topics from the Footwear Trade Distribution & Customs Conference (who knew?). The article linked above expands a bit on the role of packaging in creating an experience for the customer both in store and as part of the online shopping boom. They also highlighted Allbirds for the experience they create for customers.

You know, those cute shoes that keep popping up in your Facebook feed. Starting out as an online brand, Allbirds "reimagined shoe packaging, using 90% post-consumer recycled cardboard that serves as a shoebox, shopping bag, and mailer all in one." That's kind of amazing. And the design of this is beautiful to boot. Check out Allbirds unboxing video which really gets to the experience they've created with their package.

And as we're seeing with the online brands launching online, Allbirds just opened their first permanent store last month. I guess no matter how good your photos are online or how fast your product ships, some people still want to try on their shoes before they buy them.

Brand Brief: Why did the chicken cross the road?

To chase the millennial, of course! This morning, Perdue announced an update to their packaging, only the fourth major change to their brand design in 50 years. 

OLD

NEW

With customers of all ages being more conscious of what they feeding their families the brand moved in a cleaner more friendly approach. Interestingly, Purdue notes that they are particularly trying to attract millennial customers with the "playful illustrations and vibrant colors" as well as the "trusted product attributes like no-antibiotics-ever, 100 percent vegetarian fed, no animal by-products, [and] raised cage free."

And in case you're wondering, the chicken's name is Pearl.