Bruce Lee x Johnnie Walker Blue Label Whiskey

I just caught the new Johnnie Walker Blue Label ad on TV last night, featuring none other than the legendary Bruce Lee! Apparently it took 9 months to create this rendition of him in CGI. While it does look very cool, I am not sure Mr. Lee would be to thrilled about it as he was in to clean living and NOT a whiskey drinker. I guess somebody got paid A LOT. 

The script is taken from an interview he did in the US in the 70's I think. According to director Joseph Kahn: "The video is not about drinking, or an advertisement with Bruce Lee doing condoning it.'s A short inspirational sponsored by the brand. Analogy between water and alcohol is wrong. The last thing want to be that alcohol is water.'s a metaphor for life.'s his metaphor in his own words. spent a year living and breathing the story of this man, thinking of him daily. for me, it's not an ad.'s, its an celebration of the man. "

Mobile Phone Case with Bottle Opener

Another new product to hit our catalogs this year is a compete range of mobile phone cases with integrated bottle openers. This is a great promotional product for beverage brands and we have sent some out to our favorite bars already. Constructed from metal and PC resin, this case has been developed for iPhone 4/4S/5 and Samsung as well!

You can order customized cases with either embossed or silk screen printed logos of your brand or company. 

Can Simple Package Design Be Too Simplistic?

This is a question our designers at PAE grapple with on a daily basis. How simple is too simple? With our attention focused on Africa we follow different trends than the US and Europe but we have also found that simple design concepts are very effective. But is there a line where we leave brand identity and recognition behind?

I came across a great article on www.brandpackaging.com that shed some light on the subject.

'A prominent trend has been to contemporize packaging by making it simple. Clutter isn’t desirable, but in the haste to keep it clean, is packaging being oversimplified? To the point that it’s starting to look generic? Is this causing more problems than it solves? Are important brand drivers omitted to the detriment of sales and profits because it doesn’t communicate enough to the consumer? Finally, is this hampering otherwise strong brands from becoming category leaders?'

Read the rest of this article here...

Source: Brand Packaging

PAE-EM15 Computerized Embroidery Machine 12-15 Colors

One of the biggest problems our clients face when placing orders of promotional materials for new customers is meeting the minimum order quantity requirements set by Chinese manufacturers. In order to remain competitive most reliable factories only accept quantities of 3000 pieces and above for various embroidered garments. At PanAsia we believe in supporting growing brands and want to make high quality marketing materials available to all market players. We have installed our computerized embroidery machines with several of our distributors in Africa so they can  provide their clients with a variety of high quality promotional items despite working on a slim budget.

Our easy to operate system is compatible with USB and also WIFI for your local area network.




● 3.6" Color LCD display showing real time stitching USB port
● Manual,Semi-auto, Auto Color Change
● Function keys including Menu, Speed up and slow
● Multi languages available
● Frame-moving keys, Manual Trimming
● Dot ket to return to 100 degree● Start, Stop, and emergency Stop
● Embroidery Status (Page Up/Page Down), USB Input,
● Parameter Settings, Clear, ESC, Enter, etc.
● Numeric keys for selection of needles






This simple embroidery machine is ideal for branding logos with up to 15 colors on a variety of garments ranging from shirts and caps to neck ties and socks. The PAE-EM15 come with a variety of hoops and frames to accommodate embroidering on shirt pockets, collars, and sleeves. We also provide attachments to accommodate embroidering on cap rims and visors.

Check out this video to see firsthand the smooth operation of our computerized embroidery machine and how easy it is to operate. Do not let high quantity requirements hold you back from getting your brand name out there and competing with the bigger players in your market. Contact PAE to find out more about how we can help you stay one step ahead of the game.

The Evolution of Soda Can Designs (1950-2013)

When is the right time for you to update the design of your brand? Are you afraid to loose customer loyalty by making changes to a design that your consumers are well connected with? When is the right time to move forward and what are the challenges you will face when keeping up with the latest trends? These are all very difficult questions to consider as a brand manager, but you can look to the giants of our industry and take a page out of the history books for reference. 

Classic brands like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, 7-Up, and few others have been on shelves around the world since the early 1950's. They understand the need to redesign their appearance every couple of years, to stay fresh and yet not loose their distinguished credentials. It is the most difficult challenge to take that step forward without drawing too far away from your last appearance. Check out some pictures below of how these iconic brands have evolved over the last 60 years. 

PEPSI

DR.PEPPER

COCA-COLA

CRUSH

7-UP

Get in touch with our team at PAE to find out more about how you can keep your brand image up to date without compromising consumer recognition. Stay ahead of the game and keep your competition in check at all times.

Packaged Coconut Water Growing More Popular

Packaged Coconut Water is no longer just a fad and is now, competing for supermarket shelf space. Health benefits of drinking coconut water include "lowering cholesterol, preventing diabetes, and boosting your metabolism and immune system".

Source: LAX Magazine (http://s.tt/13uTe)

Check out this comparison of 5 american brands:

"This potassium-rich beverage has been consumed in parts of the world with tropical climates for ages, though usually from fresh coconuts. The ubiquitous varieties in the States comes boxed or bottled with the juice (and sometimes chunks of coconut meat), extracted from imported young coconuts. But which brand is best? We tasted 10 brands of coconut water to see which top our list flavor-wise. Nutritionist Sandra Frank then helped us figure what three brands are the best for you. Find our winners after the jump."

Read More http://www.bonappetit.com/blogsandforums/blogs/badaily/2010/09/supermarket-standoff-coconut-w.html#ixzz1bfc9VuHj

Vita Coco appears to be the most popular brand with Madonna and Rihanna amongst thier celebrity spokes people.

Vita Coco® is the brand that started America’s craze for fresh coconut water. In the U.S.Vita Coco is sold at over 20,000 retailers including Whole Foods Market, GNC, Kroger, Publix, Ralph’s, Stop & Shop/Giant, Costco select Wal-Mart stores and many chain and independent groceries. It is also sold in most major U.S. airports and university campuses, as well as online at Amazon.com.

Innovative Design x Construction Technology

Product design is not just limited to food and beverage packaging, or products for the general consumer market. Construction Technologies Australia (CTA) recently teamed up with War Design.

"War worked with CTA to develop a brand architecture and identity across their corporate brand and product ranges. The objective is to reflect the new level of professionalism and technical advancement in their fields of expertise. The end result shows a bold, strong and forward thinking company on the verge of greatly impacting the Australian & New Zealand market place.”

Source: Lovely Package

Salve Water x Social Business

“I will not spend the money for myself. I will rather spend it in special business on a no-profit-no-loss policy.” – Muhammad Yunus

The quote from Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Prize laureate and the developer of the term “social business”, summarizes well the process which guided the concept behind Salve (”Save” in Portuguese), a product conceived and branded by À La Carte Design and developed in joint with Acqua Incorp.

We’re living in an era in which philanthropy, eco-consciousness and well-being are increasingly present in each aspect of our daily lives. And the “Generation G” – G for “generosity” –, as pointed out by Trendwatching website, moves and is moved by this urge in doing the good, not only for the self, but for everyone else. And is precisely in this desire to do the good that “Salve” makes a call, turning the simple act of buying a bottle of water into a collaborative movement that helps to transform lives.

The identity follows this concept, of collectiveness, compounded by a mosaic of icons representing positive attitudes which, albeit small, form a greater picture; the importance of small acts that realize great things together.

And to kick off this project, Instituto Criar will be the first institution to be benefited through the “Salve” water, with your donation. Take an action, take “Salve”.

Source: Lovely Package

9000 Years Dagu Glacier Spring Water

I stopped in at a convenience store in Guangzhou (CHINA) yesterday and came across this bottle of mineral water. The first thing I noticed was the foil pack. The print claims the introduction of this new outer packaging seals of light and prevents the introduction of electromagnetic waves that would effect the water quality.

Dagu Glacier Spring Water is Nine Thousand Six Hundred and Ten years old. The company pledges that all their products are bottled at source and even go as far as to offer a 1 Million RMB (US $147,000) reward to anyone who can offer proof that the company has manufactured and filled the product in a plant outside the place of origin or any engagement in contract production to produce and bottle the product.

While most 500ml PET water bottles are priced around3 RMB, this bottle of Dagu Glacier Spring Water was selling for 10 RMB (US $1.47). This is the first time I am seeing this water in the market which makes me curious as to how effective their marketing campaign will be. Chinese consumers are generally quite conservative and I can't imagine too many people would pay over 3 times the price of competitors brands to enjoy the purity of 9000 year old glacier water, no matter how good it tastes.

The bottle design is simple, yet attractive. They have utilized a 1.9g HDPE 30/25 water neck closure and a 19.5g preform. It is refreshing to see that they have not gone for a heavy preform simply to make their bottle feel more expensive as some artesian brands do, but the foil pack does seem quite wasteful.

Ashley Greene x SoBe Life Water

Ashley Greene, gorgeous star of the super famous 'Twilight' TV series franchise recently posed naked for SoBe Lifewater, a spread that will feature in the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. SoBe Lifewater boasts zero calories and now a semi-nude Ashley Greene to make their product all the more attractive. You gotta love celebrity endorsements.

COCO Organic Coconut Water

“Brazilian scientist Dr Antonio Martins invented a revolutionary new way of extracting coco juice so that it is left as pure and untouched as it is in the coconut.

His brief to us was to craft a new identity that linked his coco juice, coco milks and indulgent coco cream, and to create packaging that also communicated the various health benefits and taste characteristics of the different products.

Our brand overhaul managed to pull off Dr Martins’ various demands and had a dramatic effect on sales, securing the brand an award at an international exhibition and a prestigious launch at Harvey Nichols.”

Green Coco Europe appears to have a great business model where they source only organic coconuts from local co-operatives. They also try to invest directly in education charities passing on Dr. Martins patented extraction technology. They got a pretty good assortment of products with mixed flavors including pineapple and banana. One of their goals is to expand their range using all parts of the coconut (water, flesh, and husk).

Source: Lovely Package

Minute Maid NEW Package Design

Coca-Cola sells over 1,200 juice products all over the world, with over about 120 brand names in their portfolio. Thier most poplar brand in the US is 'Minute Maid' and they have just enjoyed a long awaited design overhaul.

Duffy & Partners were contracted for the job, taking over what they set in motion back in 1995 with the initial Minute Maid package design. It seems Coca-Cola is taking a fresh approach to product packaging all across the board with design and raw material process. Check out the new Minute Maid designs ready for launch in the US December 2009!

Coca-Cola Going Green?

Check out the new concept packaging for canned Coca-Cola. Developed by Ryan Yoon and Harc Lee, this plain metal finish promises to reduce production cost for Coca-Cola and also the cost of recycling. I cant imagine that too many brands could follow suit, but this is a small step in the right direction.

“A convex logo substitutes colorfully sprayed can. Naked can help to reduce air and water pollution occurred in its coloring process. It also reduces energy and effort to separate toxic color paint from aluminum in recycling process. Huge amount of energy and paint required to manufacture colored cans will be saved. Instead of toxic paint, manufacturers process aluminum with a pressing machine that indicates brand identity on surface.”

NEURO DRINKS

Here is a another new product to hit the enhanced beverage shelves. Neuro Drinks have launched 7 varieties of flavored and vitimin enhanced waters that aim to boost energy, increace alertness, improve quality of sleep, and even quelch hunger pangs.

The disign of the bottle although being heralded by some as innovative design is actualy almost a coarmon copy of the Watson's water avaialabel in Hong Kong and China. The label design and overall family concept for the brand looks pretty cool though, and this is just another example of how many directions beverage packagers can move in.

Out of the 7 varieties of beverage offered by Neuro Drinks, the one that most tweaks my interest is NEUROGASM, designed to increace sexual desire...

Source: Neuro Drinks

Q Tonic - A Superior Tonic Water

Check out the new packaging for Q tonic water, targeting the more sophisticated pallets of gin drinkers. If you are going to drink premium liquor then why dilute with lesser quality mixers. I would like to see this concept spread accross the board with innovaative mixers being manufactured for the whole spread of premium alchohols from Patron Taquila to Grey Goose Vodka and more. Cheers!

Source: Lovely Package

Fosters - Nelson

Fosters has just released a new brand of beer under the title 'nelson'. Check out the original label design and the unique hand tag. Allegedly this design is attracted a fair amount of attantion down under.



Via: The Taboo Group