Forward Thinking

African Innovation: The world’s fastest growing continent

This week the Economist has a special report on Africa which suggests that “Celebrations are in order on the poorest continent... Its economy is flourishing. Most countries are at peace…record n...

7th March 2013   |   3 minute read

Forward Thinking

Cool Innovation in FMCG #6: BluePrint Cleanse

We're not quite sure of the exact moment when pasteurised juice brands of the Innocent Smoothie and Tropicana clan were demoted to canned soup status, but the mainstreaming of the 'cold-pressed juice'...

6th March 2013   |   3 minute read

Forward Thinking

Innovation for the Ageing Consumer #1: Nintendo Wii

In looking at the world of the Ageing (60+) Consumer, the team at Brand Genetics were struck by how many ideas could  appeal to the older consumer if only they were given a bit more thought. Creatin...

5th March 2013   |   3 minute read

Forward Thinking

Cool Innovation in FMCG #5: P&G Tide Pods

Did you know that every lorry load of washing detergent sachets contains 650kg of plastic packaging waste?  Not launched (yet), here's a cool waste-free innovation from designer Aaron Mickelson for ...

1st March 2013   |   3 minute read

Forward Thinking

Innovating for the Ageing Consumer

Over the last few weeks we've made the case for why the age of the ageing consumer is upon us - a growing and wealthy generation with specific needs - represent a huge, but untapped opportunity for in...

1st March 2013   |   3 minute read

Forward Thinking

Cool Innovation in FMCG #4: Fiji Water Straws

Why did it take so long?  Forget sports water bottle cap tops unless you're Lance Armstrong or Alenka Bika wannabes, every lipstick-tastic water-sipping hipster in da club needs a straw. Pommery's P...

27th February 2013   |   3 minute read

Forward Thinking

Cool Innovation in FMCG #3: Diet Coke Marc Jacobs Limited Edition (video)

Whatever you think of the industry trend of recruiting celebrity designers and artists to become creative directors for your brand (Alicia Keys (Blackberry), Justin Timberlake (Budweiser), Lady Gaga (...

26th February 2013   |   3 minute read

Forward Thinking

Encouraging Serendipity: the Chance Route to Innovation

Serendipity noun: the occurrence & development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way (Oxford Dictionary Definition) In his excellent book, Where Good Ideas Come From, one of the seven...

25th February 2013   |   3 minute read

Forward Thinking

Cool Innovation in FMCG #2: ABSOLUT Unique (Video)

The essence of innovation is simple; it's all about creating new customer value in order to capture customer value; producing something new of value in order to generate revenue. And no where is in...

22nd February 2013   |   3 minute read

Forward Thinking

Cool Innovation in FMCG #1: Evian Smart Drop

There's more to innovation in FMCG than re-labelling, repackaging and variations on the ingredient/flavour theme.  Here's the first in our series showcasing cool FMCG innovations; today the Evian Sma...

21st February 2013   |   3 minute read

Forward Thinking

The Changing Nature of Ageing

The most watched Superbowl advert this year was Taco Bell's 'Viva Young' (see the video above) featuring a group of old folks sneaking out of a retirement home for a wild night on the town. Funny - y...

19th February 2013   |   3 minute read

Speed Summaries

Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth and Happiness [Speed Summary]

Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth and Happiness Author: Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein Publisher: Yale Publication: 2008 The Secret to Successful Innovation Want to know t...

13th February 2013   |   3 minute read