May, 18, 2021, By: Michael Stone, Chairman and Co-founder Of all the current monikered generations, Gen Z (born between 1995 and 2010) is the most stressed out, according to an abundance of data. Their search for stability and trust in an unstable world, opens a unique window of opportunity for brands to hear their voices, entangle with this cohort and, in the process, perhaps, gain brand loyalty. But that loyalty must be earned, their trust must be won.
Read MoreNovember 11, 2020: By: Michael Stone, Chairman and Co-founder of Beanstalk As everybody knows, the world has become a different place in 2020. We are living, consuming and thinking differently in fundamental ways. Consumers have reacted by decidedly changing their purchasing habits and their attitudes towards brands.
Read MoreSeptember 16, 2020: By: Michael Stone, Chairman and Co-founder of Beanstalk
Brand equity is created over a period of time. The brands that have the strongest staying power have equities that have withstood the test of time. But strong equities, with staying power, don’t emerge overnight. Frequently, the equities of the brand are embedded in the founder’s vision.
Read MoreJune 23, 2020: By: Michael Stone, Chairman and Co-founder of Beanstalk
Companies that own Aunt Jemima pancake mix, Uncle Ben’s rice, Eskimo Pies ice cream bars, and many others, will be “retiring” brand names and visual identities that are considered offensive to many is just one more reminder of how “entangled” brands and consumers have become.
Read MoreMay 7, 2020: By: Michael Stone, Chairman and Co-founder of Beanstalk
Recent research reveals that how brands act today, during the pandemic, will have an effect on consumer loyalty and purchasing behavior when we are in a post-pandemic world. Yet there is an opposing viewpoint: the market has a short memory and actions by brands today won’t make a difference tomorrow. But brands matter and the coronavirus pandemic is revealing just how strong brand equity really is. Who ever thought that finding a 12-pack of Charmin or a six-pack of Bounty at the local supermarket would feel like winning the lottery?
Read MoreFebruary 9, 2020 | By: Michael Stone, Chairman and Co-founder of Beanstalk
For years, companies, including consumer products enterprises, paid little more than lip service to sustainability issues (with some notable exceptions). Today, that’s changing, at a reasonably fast clip. Giant companies have set themselves ambitious targets to cut carbon emissions, reduce water usage and recycle plastics and other materials.
Read MoreJanuary 23, 2020 | By Michael Stone, Chairman and Co-founder of Beanstalk
Right now, Harry and Meghan are probably the world’s most bankable couple. Speculation is rife that they could become a billion dollar brand. Young, glamorous, aspirational, determined to do things in their own way—the British prince and his American TV star wife are celebrity A-Listers with enormous popular appeal. The question is: can they find a route to financing their new life without demeaning themselves or the Royal family with inappropriate or crass product partnerships?
Read MoreAugust 12, 2019 | By: Michael Stone, Chairman & Co-founder of Beanstalk
This is the final installment of a three-part series about product categories that have recently re-invented themselves due to cultural, societal, technological and political trends. Categories where the economics intersect with the trends. Part One in the series examined the plus-size fashion category. Part Two examined cannabis. Part Three examines esports.
Read MoreAugust 5, 2019 | By: Michael Stone, Co-founder and Chairman
This is the second of a three-part series about product categories that have recently re-invented themselves due to cultural, societal, technological and political trends. Categories where the economics intersect with the trends. Part One in the series examined the plus-size fashion category. Part Two examines cannabis.
Read MoreJuly 29, 2019 | By: Michael Stone, Chairman & Co-founder of Beanstalk
If you live long enough, you see a lot of products and, indeed, entire product categories come and go. In the present time, much of this change has been driven by technology. CD players are gone; Spotify is here. Filofax disappeared, and we now have calendars and notes on our phones. Who needs paper maps when there is Google maps?
Read MoreJanuary 28, 2019 | By: Michael Stone, Co-founder and Chairman, Beanstalk
We are living in a time of radical transformation as the retail ecosystem continues to change at an accelerated pace (that shouldn’t surprise anyone). Where, when and how consumers buy goods is changing and we all need to keep up with the trends that are already having an impact if we want to succeed. So, what macro trends already affecting brand marketing and consumer behavior should we be paying even more attention to in the new year?
Read MoreNovember 12, 2018 | By: Michael Stone, Co-founder and Chairman, Beanstalk
FAO Schwarz is re-opening in mid-November. It sure is interesting observing the toy category these days. Toy sales are robust (although slightly down from last year), an iconic retailer liquidated, retail brands are rising from the dead, new retail formats are being tested, online and offline sales are blurring, and there’s disruption everywhere in the category. It’s been a while since I had so much fun with toys!
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