As if price-conscious shoppers needed more convincing, a new study published in the October issue of Consumer Reports magazine states "store brand products can compete with their name-brand counterparts and save shoppers more than a thousand dollars a year on grocery bills." According to Tod Marks, senior projects editor for the magazine, "The study reaffirms that store brands are worth a try."

Five supermarket chains were evaluated and prices for private-label or store-brand vs name-brand items were compared for 30 everyday items. Consumer Reports found the average savings with store brands was 30%, while its researchers found nutrition similar for most of the tested products.

Yet, shoppers need coaxing to trust some store brands — many, ironically, created by big name brands.Continue reading...

For years, Ball Park placed second in the hot dog category. But times have changed. Known for its easy-to-cook frankfurters, the Sara Lee-owned hot dog brand has finally pushed its top competitor, Oscar Meyer, out of the number one beef frankfurter spot. And now Ball Park is ready to capitalize on its success by upgrading its traditional campaign strategies.

Ball Park’s marketing efforts, for example, are focusing on a new demographic: moms and their sons. The brand conducted consumer research and discovered that its sales primarily come from teenage boys and their mothers, and not adult males as had been assumed. This realization helped CMO Philippe Shaillee to redirect promotional efforts. Shaillee explained that the target mom was “really looking for a hearty solution for her teenage son and husband,” and not “just a lower quality snack or that would get them into this mindless eating behavior, but something that was solid, yet still fast and convenient.”Continue reading...

Text messages aid in Haitian philanthropy efforts. [WSJ]

Gotham hired to take over 1-800-OK-CABLE creative duties. [Brandweek]

FocusDriven created to prevent texting while driving. [Consumerist]

Japanese cosmetic brand Shiseido to buy Bare Escentuals. [NY Times]

New Oscar Mayer campaign isn't just about hot dogs. [NY Times]

Layoffs hit the music industry: 50 fired at Universal Music Group. [LA Times]Continue reading...