CSR Study : Crunch could reduce corporate social responsibility

In a poll by Echo Research , 36 per cent of senior professionals said they believed the number of corporate social responsibility programmes would fall ...

Novartis Study

Omnibus Survey, Echo Research, April-May 2008. [2] Ezzati et al. Selected major risk factors and global regional burden of disease. The Lancet. ...

Jolly Good Fellows with a Purpose

by David Michaelson, Echo Research.
 
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004

What the Papers Say


February 23, 2005
Smarties – New Packaging

Organisation: Nestlé


Click here for full-size graph

Analysis and commentary by Echo Research.

"Smarties Reach the End of the Tube,"lamented The Scotsman (18/2 ). "Quite simply, the worst catastrophe to befall modern man. Don't do it, Smarties!!"begged Helen (bbc.co.uk, 18/2). But Nestlé chiefs stood firm on Friday 18th February, the day on which, for Smartie lovers the nation over, the only colour that could possibly exist in the new 'hexatube'was black.

"We don't change something this famous just because we feel like it,"asserted Neil Ducray, Nestlé Rowntree's marketing director (Sky News, 18/2). Extensive research had shown the appeal of a "tactile"(Sun, 18/2), spill resistant (Retail Bulletin, 18/2) and "interesting"(thisisBournemouth.co.uk, 19/2) new packet design.

Research, however, did not apparently highlight the nation's nostalgic attachment, not only to brightly coloured sweeties, but the multi-functional packaging that contained them. The same nation that would be buying sweeties for their offspring, asserted that hexagonal boxes were no use as tank engine funnels, neo-classical pillars, nor did the proposed flip-top lid give the "satisfying report"of a "plastic Smartie cap shooting across the playground"(Guardian, 18/2).

There were alarmist calls concerning "Square Polos"(Stuart, Netherlands, bbc.co.uk, 18/2) and "white marmite"(Val Oliver, bbc.co.uk, 18/2). But the message was clear, "Not such a smart move for Smarties"(www.just-food.com, 18/2).

MESSAGES VOLUME
Positive
Launch of six-sided "hexatube" 19
In favour of new design 17
Brand must be kept fresh and interesting for kids 14
Plastic cap to be replaced by cardboard flip-top 11
Colourful - eight colours to remain same 10
Top selling brand / popular 10
Change made in response to research 8
570,000 tubes made a day / 307 tubes eaten per minute in UK 8
Only Smarties have the answer - Strapline 5
New boxes just as multifunctional as tubes 4
Tactile feel with lots of edges 4
Lids to have "quirky messages, stickers or images" 4
Spill-resistant 4
Negative
Against new design / not as good 50
Break with tradition - 68 yrs of the Smartie tube 24
Tubes & caps multifunctional, fun, educational 23
Tubes & caps iconic / classic / beloved 22
Distress / sad / disgrace / outrage / anger 19
Nostalgia / don't like or want change 15
Caps were collectors items, spelling / reading aids 13
Indifferent to new design 11
New design "pointless" / no need for change 8
Smarties have brand association with tube 6
Marketing men mad / Nestlé making huge mistake 6
Likened to rebranding of Marathon & Opal Fruits 6
Tubes used for charity collections 4

<< See All Press Releases
 
Copyright 2006 Echo Research
 
 

PR Week Echo Columns