StampaTech Intelligent packaging innovation available free until December 31st

StampaSud S.P.A., Mottola (near Taranto), southeast Italy

Earlier this month, Italian printing company StampaSud   S. P. A. launched StampaTech, an intelligent packaging innovation that lets users access unlimited amounts of information from a product's label.  It can connect to data on everything from point of origin, current location, ingredients, quality and freshness indicators, instructions for use, shopping and social media sites, satisfaction surveys, and other marketing collateral.  Besides increasing consumer trust, it offers a huge potential to facilitate operations like delivery tracking, quality monitoring, supply analytics, mass recalls, counterfeit detection, sales, and marketing of food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and many types of consumer goods.

StampaSud's Commercial and R&D Director, Tony Calo, stated:  "We wanted something that allowed digital systems to work at 360 degrees on a platform of print that is in reality the basis of most communication.  There was currently nothing in the market that had the ability to do this, so we built one ourselves"

Mr. Calo is especially happy that StampaTech places print in what he believes is its primary role of leading digital communication; it is easy enough for every brander, agency, print buyer and manufacturer to use and afford; and that it works with all hand-held media.

He also notes that it offers more appeal and interactivity than NFC and QR codes (but can be incorporated with them as needed), plus it is more environmentally friendly, less expensive, and requires no post-printing finishing work in contrast to RFID or security tagging solutions.

Mr. Calo’s unorthodox marketing techniques for StampaTech have included a product launch during a 6-day gathering on Italy's Mediterranean coast of select international guests whom Calo met on social media (see http://vicg8.blogspot.ca/2013/08/back-to-future-first-international_14.html).

Sauce label employs StampaTech technology

In an upcoming issue of PrintAction I will be devoting an entire column to StampaTech, complete with working samples and case studies as the technology becomes more widespread and more examples become available.

Meanwhile, to launch the product onto the market, Mr. Calo has announced that his company will provide a free introductory package to all manufacturers and branders who register before 2014.  To receive further information, please visit www.smartlabitalia.com  and leave your details in order to be re-contacted.

Recent media coverage of StampaTech includes:

http://www.graphicdisplayworld.com/categories/labels-a-packaging/2359-stampasud-announce-possible-game-changing-printed-packaging-technology

http://www.packagingnews.co.uk/news/stampsud-launches-revolutionary-track-and-trace-development/

http://www.pr-inside.com/smartlab-launches-stampatech-a-revolutionary-new-intelligent-packing-innovation-r3800182.htm

http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/Packaging/Tech-enables-easy-access-to-intelligent-packaging

http://www.aipia.info/news_215_printer-creates-intelligent-packaging-system.php

http://whattheythink.com/news/65344-smartlab-launches-stampatech-revolutionary-new-intelligent-packing-innovation/

The English portion of StampaSud S.P.A.’s Website is available at: 
http://www.stampa-sud.it/website/en/

Prince George's birth proves yet again: Nimble = Profitable – Prepare your business for your next big local event-related windfall

Before and after the birth of His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge in London on 22 July 2013, commentators have enjoyed an international field day (pro and con) over the explosion of limited-edition sales and merchandise that have accompanied the royal birth.  

Instead, my congratulations go out to all the printers and their creative teams around the world who have proven themselves astute, organized, and agile enough to capitalize on this temporary windfall--an opportunity comprising such diverse products as advertising and marketing collateral, books, labels, packaging, signs, and point-of-purchase displays--which forecasters have conservatively valued at around 3 billion pounds for the British national economy alone.

Clearly, even if you missed the royal-baby boat, now is the time to consider what similar new time-limited opportunities for printers are coming up next:  the Glasgow (Scotland) 2014 Commonwealth Games, the Toronto (Canada) 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games, or Canada's 2015 federal election, perhaps?

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/Royal-Baby-Merchandise-Round-Up-Kate-William-Boy-Birth-216473561.html
http://www.thedrum.com/news/2013/07/23/how-brands-celebrated-birth-royal-baby-oreos-magnum-confusedcom-charmin-visitbritain
http://www.adrants.com/2013/07/14-examples-of-royal-baby-realtime.php
http://www.2oceansvibe.com/2013/07/24/the-royal-baby-is-worth-r7-billion-to-the-british-economy/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2013/07/22/royal-baby-memorabilia-sales-could-top-royal-wedding/
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/05/20/2015-election-trudeau-harper-mulcair_n_3294797.html
http://www.biscuiteers.com/shop/personalised-royal-baby-tin
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-and-wine/cheddar-thats-fit-for-a-prince/article13379199/
http://www.unilever.co.uk/media-centre/pressreleases/2013pressreleases/comforpersilroyalheirpack.aspx
http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/article/1189658/unilevers-comfort-persil-gear-royal-baby-mania
http://www.packaging-int.com/news/unilever-release-royal-commemorative-packaging.html

http://fashionista.com/2013/07/crazy-royal-baby-merchandise-expected-to-generate-243-million-in-sales/

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/royal-baby-news-prince-george-2090769

http://www.retail-week.com/stores/in-pictures-royal-baby-fever-ms-mamas-and-papas-and-liberty-cash-in/5051359.article

http://news.uk.msn.com/royal-baby-memorabilia-due-for-sale

http://www.retailgazette.co.uk/articles/32241-the-royal-baby-and-how-retail-can-benefit

http://www.redonline.co.uk/red-women/blogs/marks-and-spencer-royal-baby-biscuit-tin

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Royal-themed-products-help-celebrate-birth-future/story-19560071-detail/story.html#ixzz2bOEFVkL9

http://www.packagingnews.co.uk/news/ms-unveils-limited-edition-royal-baby-biscuit-tins/

http://www.bestdaily.co.uk/food/news/a489597/royal-baby-fever-hits-ms.html

http://www.bestdaily.co.uk/food/news/a501291/ms-marks-the-birth-of-prince-george-with-limited-edition-tin.html







    

Why new Del Monte labels but not safer cans?

It seems that The Del Monte Corporation, doing business as Del Monte Foods, has its hands full. According to its own Web site, the San Francisco-based company is one of the United States of America’s largest and best known producers, distributors, and marketers of branded food and pet products for the American retail market, generating about $3.7 billion in net sales in fiscal 2010.  In an article dated 15 June 2013, Packaging Digest confirms that Del Monte is the largest player in the category.

The latest news is that the company has just come out with extravagant new packaging designed to convince a suspecting public how safe, wholesome, and “natural” their canned products are.  Since last year its marketing agents have also been generating a storm of spin along the same lines.

Yet if the Internet is any indication, it seems that these days Del Monte’s worst publicity nightmare centres on the fact that their can liners have been proven among the worst offenders on record for their concentrations of BPA (Bisphenol-A--a hormone-disrupting chemical that leeches into foods and that research has linked to heart disease, diabetes, cancers, obesity, reproductive problems, and other medical horrors.)   Last year, in response to consumer concerns, soup giant Campbell's already announced its plan to make its canned products BPA-free.

Under these circumstances, from a humanitarian standpoint, does it really make sense that Del Monte’s recent massive marketing impetus has focused solely on the appearance of their labels and how the contents are processed, instead of dealing with the potentially dangerous substance of their packaging?

Or am I missing something?

Additionally, four days ago on 13 June 2013, The Wall Street Journal reported that “Del Monte Corp. is exploring a sale of the canned-food business that made it a household name, said people familiar with the matter, as the company increasingly focuses on products for dogs and cats.”

In this event, until further notice, you’ll probably want to start keeping a closer eye on the BPA levels in whatever you’re feeding to Fluffy and Fido.

http://www.packagingdigest.com/article/523424-Del_Monte_freshens_up_its_produce_labels.php

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324688404578543732512595260.html

http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-del-monte-stop-using-hormone-disrupting-chemicals-in-can-linings

http://news.discovery.com/human/canned-food-bpa.htm

http://www.forbes.com/sites/amywestervelt/2012/03/05/under-pressure-from-parents-advocacy-groups-campbells-goes-bpa-free/

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/del-monte-fights-perceptions-canned-131003322.html

http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/facts/bpa-canned-foods-best-and-worst-brands-out-there.htm

http://www.inspirationgreen.com/bpa-lined-cans.html

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/del-monte-solves-fresh-can-problem-150129

http://www.delmonte.com/about.aspx

Tour of Steam Whistle Brewing in Toronto offers packaging and branding insights

About a year ago I wrote a cover story for PrintAction detailing how Steam Whistle Brewing and other craft breweries are revolutionizing beer branding, packaging, and consumption in Canada.  https://www.box.com/shared/itl5i0n4k46v2crcz8ob

Since then I have watched half a dozen Guinness-loving beer connoisseurs from Belfast, who have visited me socially at various times, marvel over the product quality and packaging innovations created by our local microbreweries—not to mention the fact that their products are uniquely Canadian (whereas all of Canada’s major mainstream breweries are owned by foreign interests.)

Now I see that PAC – The Packaging Association has organized a group tour on Wednesday, April 10, 2013, to give packaging professionals a glimpse of Steam Whistle Brewing’s brand new bottle-washing, filling and packaging line. 

I’m sure readers will find a visit to the brewery in downtown Toronto as enlightening as I did, either as part of PAC’s tour or the tours the brewery regularly runs for the public.

http://www.steamwhistle.ca/

http://www.steamwhistle.ca/tour/tourInfo.php

http://www.pac.ca/index.php/ePromos/pac0378_steam_whistle_tour_ep

Canadian Celiac Association develops standards, safety seal, and video to protect Canada's 7 million consumers of gluten-free products

With funding support from the federal government, the Canadian Celiac Association has spent several years to develop a voluntary Gluten-Free Certification Program (GFCP), comprised of safety standards and a trademarked seal of approval (shown at left) to appear on products meeting those standards.  The program will interest food, drug, and pharmaceutical manufacturers of gluten-free products and their packaging, as well as the 7-million-strong-and-growing number of Canadian consumers who buy gluten-free products. 

The informative promotional video for the GFCP includes a guest appearance by professional hockey player Tom Kostopoulos, spokesperson for both the GFCP and the association.  http://www.glutenfreecertification.ca/the-gluten-free-certification-program-the-right-to-safe-food/

I am indebted to my LinkedIn contact Paul D. Valder, President of Allergen Control Group Inc. (Milton, ON), for bringing this recent development to my attention.

http://www.glutenfreecertification.ca/

http://www.celiac.ca/index.php/about-the-cca/certification/

http://strategyonline.ca/2012/11/19/brands-go-gluten-free/

http://www.foxinthekitchenblog.com/blogpost/2013/01/review-gluten-free-expo-vancouver-2013/

Growing opportunities in toner and inkjet packaging

About a year ago, I interviewed Simon Healy (right), chairman of Mediaware Digital (Dublin, Ireland), about his company’s early adoption of Xerox’s toner-based Gallop production line to produce short-run folding cartons in multiple languages for Microsoft software (below left). 

In my resulting article, he explains how toner packaging provides multiple solutions for the manufacturer’s needs, including small orders for new global niche markets and introducing new brands, inventory micromanagement, and agile on-demand Web-to-print applications.

https://www.box.com/shared/gvt86mmjmo

http://www.mediaware.ie/

Now Mr. Healy is scheduled to be a featured speaker at a February 28^th workshop in Mississauga, Ontario, sponsored by Xerox for PAC - The Packaging Association:        

http://www.pac.ca/index.php/ePromos/pac0353_xerox_workshop_epromo

The event provides another opportunity among many to investigate the growing multitude of technologies and opportunities in inkjet and toner packaging—which also include:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LKQC9MRKMg
http://www.myprintresource.com/article/10875740/high-performance-packaging-on-the-upswing

http://graphics.fujifilm.co.uk/library/press-releases/b2-inkjet-digital-press-for-folding-package-printing

http://www.myprintresource.com/article/10829310/large-format-graphics-a-package-deal

http://www.printaction.com/Vendor-Wire/20121218-esko-epson.html

http://www.printaction.com/News/20120313-hpindigo10000.html

http://www.printaction.com/Vendor-Wire/20120228-drupa-fujifilm.html

Elaborate new Campbell’s campaign vaunts Andy Warhol and the "Art of Soup"

In 1962 Pop artist Andy Warhol’s first solo exhibition in Los Angeles immortalized the Campbell’s soup can and turned Warhol into an overnight sensation.  This fall, 50 years later, the Campbell Soup Company is returning the favour by launching four different limited-edition Warhol-inspired tomato soup cans at Target chain stores in the U.S.A.

Adweek notes:  "The cans, produced with the approval of (and a license from) The Andy Warhol Foundation, will be sold exclusively at Target, for 75 cents each, starting Sept. 2.” Simultaneously, Campbell's is also sponsoring “Regarding Warhol: Sixty Artists, Fifty Years”, an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York that opens to the public on September 18^th, and plans to launch a Facebook app that turns users’ photos into Warholesque portraits as part of its month-long on-line “Art of Soup” celebrations.

More details on the company’s commercial campaign can be found at:

http://www.juxtapoz.com/Current/campbells-soup-limited-edition-andy-warhol-soup

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1b4f03d6-f5b0-11e1-bf76-00144feabdc0.html#axzz25bgjRNIY

http://www.printaction.com/News/20120904-warhol-campbells.html

http://www.facebook.com/campbellscondensedsoup

For links to the Pop art world, try:

http://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2012/regarding-warhol

http://www.christies.com/features/2010-october-andy-warhol-campbells-soup-can-tomato-1022-1.aspx

http://www.albrightknox.org/collection/collection-highlights/piece:100-cans/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=C0L-6JWadDA

Bill C-311 will expand Canadian wine market--and packaging opportunities for printers--even further

Several of my recent columns for PrintAction have discussed the growing markets for wine, beer, and alcoholic spirits in Canada and the innovations in packaging that are both helping to drive them and creating new opportunities for printers. This week another development signals further commercial growth for wine:  Bill C-311--a private member's bill ending the restrictions on carrying wine across provincial borders for personal consumption--passed third reading in Canada’s House of Commons with unanimous support.  Now it heads to the Senate, where it is also expected to pass.

The bill was introduced last October by Conservative MP Dan Albas, who represents the federal riding of Okanagan-Coquihalla in the heart of British Columbia’s wine-producing territory.  "We should be trying to take down these barriers to make it as easy to sell to someone in Alberta as it is to sell to someone in China," Albas told CBC News after the bill passed Wednesday night.

Since the prohibition-era Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act, it has been illegal in Canada (with a few exceptions) to carry alcohol across provincial borders.  The new bill would allow people to do so, although only for personal use, as well as allow Canadian vineyards to ship wine by post or courier to customers in other provinces.  Small wineries have long complained that the current interprovincial barriers prevent people from legally taking home a few bottles from their favourite vineyards out of province.  

Although wine can already be shipped between provinces for commercial sale, the shipments are only permitted through the provincial regulatory and marketing bodies for alcohol, such as British Columbia’s Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB) and the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO).  Thus many smaller vineyards say they are left out of the process because they don't produce enough product to interest the provincial regulators.

While passage of Bill C311 will help alleviate small wineries’ concerns, it won’t eliminate all provincial restrictions.  For example, regulators in British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and the Yukon still limit the amount of alcohol their residents can bring from other provinces for personal use to:  one case of wine, four bottles of spirits, and a combined total of six dozen beer, cider and coolers.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2012/06/07/bc-interprovincial-wine-law.html

http://news.sympatico.ctv.ca/home/canadian_wine_soon_to_flow_freely_between_provinces/248ee5b1

https://www.box.net/s/155447311a71831eea34

Packaging updates

"Pack Balancing Act", my October-2010 column in PrintAction, reports on the latest developments in packaging in Canada--including the recently implemented PACSecure food safety certification program. https://www.box.net/shared/8xzv4kk0tn

Regrettably, I just noticed a typo in the October issue (paragraph 4, page 32), which erroneously states:  "Already PACSecure has certified a dozen or so progressive Canadian packaging companies ...".  Instead, it should have read "half a dozen or so".  In fact, as recently as PAC's 27-Oct-2010 recall and traceability workshop in Toronto, the number of companies to have become certified under PACSecure was exactly 6.  The program is that new!  Additionally, my November-2010 column reports that Deco Labels and Tags is poised to become Canada's first label company to achieve certification under PACSecure. https://www.box.net/shared/lx31eionez

Prior to the publication of both these columns, I was delighted to have begun exchanging news with several international packaging contacts via LinkedIn.  Now or in future, I'd welcome further feedback on the complex and urgent demands being placed on packagers regarding food safety, environmental sustainability, and other topical issues, in Canada, the U.S., and other countries around the globe.