LSN : News : Stat: Consumer packaged goods innovation faces historic low amid economic challenges

Bodyform rebrands women’s health with Never Just a Period campaign

Never Just a Period campaign by Bodyform, UK

UK – Bodyform, in partnership with advertising agency AMV BBDO, has unveiled its compelling Never Just a Period campaign. The initiative aims to shed light on the prevalent confusion surrounding women’s health education. The launch coincides with the celebration of a decade-long collaboration between Bodyform and AMV BBDO, known for its ground-breaking ads like Last Lonely Menopause and Viva La Vulva.

Recent data indicates that more than half of menstruators (an inclusive term encompassing cisgender women, trans men and non-binary individuals) feel they were inadequately informed about their periods and intimate health. This alarming statistic underlines the necessity for better education in this critical area.

Bodyform and AMV BBDO emphasise that despite previous efforts ‘there’s still a long way to go’. The campaign features two new ads that strive to engage audiences in meaningful conversations about women’s health issues, encouraging transparency and education – ultimately saying that this topic is much more than just a period and deserves more coverage.

Find more insights on what’s new and next in this field in our Future of Women’s Health report.

Strategic opportunity

Menstruation should not be a taboo subject any more; consider developing comprehensive educational platforms or partnering with existing educational institutions to offer workshops and online courses focused on women’s health, covering topics from menstruation to menopause

Samsung unveils Hershey’s collection crafted from recycled wrappers

Hershey’s Collection by Samsung, US

Global – Combining licensing hook-ups and regenerated materials, Samsung Electronics has launched a new accessories collection for its Galaxy devices in collaboration with US confectionery brand Hershey’s.

The Samsung Friends initiative is designed to convey eco-friendly messages and support the use of new materials. With the 12-piece Hershey’s collaboration, Samsung has used proprietary tech to transform plastic packaging waste from iconic confectionary like Kisses into phone cases and watch straps for devices including the Galaxy Z Fold6, Z Flip6, Galaxy Buds3 series and Galaxy Watch7. A Gangnam pop-up store in Seoul, South Korea (29 July–11 August) to celebrate the collection also offers customers the chance to taste limited-edition Hershey’s-themed beverages.

The collaboration is the fruit of Samsung’s Future Generation Lab, a group of young Samsung employees that fosters authentic conversations about the activities of upcoming generations. ‘We will continue to expand our value offerings by developing products that highlight our eco-conscious values and innovative technology,’ said the Lab’s head, Jongmoo Lee.

Strategic opportunity

As we previously highlighted in our Innovation Debrief 2023–2024, successfully re-inventing waste using tech and innovation can offer new value – and appeal to younger mindsets

Manchester City launches official Fortnite experience

The Ladder [Man City] Fortnite map by Manchester City, UK

Global – Premier League football club Manchester City has become the first British football club to launch an official Fortnite gaming experience.

The Ladder [Man City] is a Fortnite creative map inspired by Manchester City’s ‘glyphs’, a series of symbols representing the club’s heritage. The map challenges players in intense one-versus-one matches where winners ascend to higher arenas and losers descend. The ultimate champion is crowned in the final round.

Developed with support from gaming studio Karta, players were able to access the map from 20 July 2024. The launch coincided with the men’s first team pre-season tour in the US, with special content and activations planned around their match against Celtic in North Carolina.

Manchester City’s presence in Fortnite reflects a broader eSports strategy, in which the club has created bespoke experiences and tailored engagement opportunities across eSports content channels.

In our Why Gaming is Your Next Brand Touchpoint report we explored how brands are tapping into the metaverse to build worlds around their culture and strengthen brand identity.

Strategic opportunity

Entertainment businesses should use platforms like Fortnite to craft interactive and immersive experiences that foster stronger fandom and deepen audience connection

Stat: Consumer packaged goods innovation faces historic low amid economic challenges

Landless Food by Malu Lücking, Embassy of Food, Dutch Design Week, The Netherlands

Global – A perfect storm of rising ingredient costs, raw material shortages and reduced product portfolios is stifling creativity in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) sector. According to a recent Mintel report, only 35% of global CPG launches in the first five months of 2024 – spanning food, drink, household, health and beauty industries – were genuinely new products. This marks the lowest innovation rate since Mintel began tracking new products in 1996.

The decline in innovation is most pronounced in North America and Latin America, with only 29% of CPG launches in the US being new products compared to the global average of 35%. The food and drink sector has been hit hardest, with just 26% of new products between January and May 2024 being truly innovative, down from 50% in 2007.

Mintel attributes this downturn to the complex supply chains, low margins and stringent temperature control requirements in the food and drink sector, which create significant barriers to innovation. As consumers tighten their spending amid the ongoing cost of living crisis, the CPG industry faces a critical challenge: the ongoing innovation drought could threaten future profitability and the survival of established players.

Strategic opportunity

As consumers seek maximum nutritional value at minimum cost, consider developing innovations with long shelf lives, including frozen products, snacks and cupboard staples