Heinz PlantBottle

PlantBottle

I was eating at Applebees last night and I noticed that the HEINZ Ketchup bottle was a PlantBottle. PlantBottles are made of up to 30% plant materials and are still 100% recyclable. Coca-Cola was the first one to make PlantBottles. For more information visit http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/plantbottle

NEW Four Poco Loko

Four Poco Loko

"Poco Loko is available in 16-ounce cans at 8 percent alcohol by volume, and comes in four unique flavors: Green Apple, Black Cherry, Mango and Lemonade; most of which are not available in 23.5 ounce cans. The product, which will be available in four packs and in single cans, is being introduced in order to meet consumer demand for additional products and flavors, and to continue diversifying the Phusion Projects line of products." - Phusion Projects Press Release 

I think that Four Loko is disgusting when it comes to taste, but you most certainly do get the best bang for your buck in terms of alcohol content and price. Due to teenager deaths from the use of Four Loko, they have taken out the parts of the drink that give you energy. "As with all Phusion Projects products, Poco Loko is a flavored malt beverage that does not contain caffeine, guarana or taurine."

The Poco Loko name makes me think of El Pollo Loco...the Crazy Chicken, a Mexican fast food restaurant from California.

El Pollo Loco

Honest Tea - First Taste, New Bottle

Old Honest Tea Bottles / Labels

In my new quest for finding healthy brands I started with Honest Tea. I have always wanted to try Honest Tea, and I think today was the perfect day to do so. I chose the Organic Honey Green Tea flavor. I am not a fan of drinking tea in the first place, but I heard lots of great things about the Honest Tea brand and I want to start becoming a fan of brands that are good for your body. I paid about $2 for the tea and it instantly made me feel better because I wasn't buying a sugary, carbonated soda. At first sip I think I made a bitter Tea face, but I kept sipping and thinking in my head that this is good for me. I think that green tea is an acquired taste and that people can acquire any taste if the outcome is better than the process of actually consuming. For instance, do people really like the way beer tastes, or is it just the way it feels? It makes people feel good temporarily, which then makes people think that they like the taste of beer (go ahead and criticize me). I will be purchasing Honest Tea again and be working it into my new "Healthy Brands" page. I do like the new PETE Plastic bottle below, but I think they destroyed some of the essence and brand recognition of the older design. Specifically, when I think of Honest Tea, I think of the black bands at the top and bottom of the logo. I also liked how they used all caps (HONEST TEA) and I disapprove of the lower case "tea". I do enjoy the rest of the design though. Just keep the HONEST TEA black bands and stick to your roots and tradition please.

NEW Look and PETE Plastic Bottle

New Chicken Flatbread Sandwich Taco Bell

Failed First Attempt

I went to Taco Bell last night because my dad said something about them having a new Chicken Flatbread Sandwich. When we arrived at our local Taco Bell we were presented with this sign - "We apologize but due to the chicken flatbread promotion we are temporarily out of chicken as well as chicken items. - Mgmt". At first reaction a normal consumer would be upset that they couldn't try the new product. I took a deep breath, and then thought...Good for you Taco Bell, Good for you. Their new promotional product worked so well that they ran out of the product. So I give them a pat on the back instead of getting mad at them. The hardest part of releasing a new product is predicting the future demand. How would they know how much chicken to carry? I ended up going with my standard order of 2 Cheesy Gordita Crunches, No Lettuce. I think that Taco Bell is the best in the industry when it comes to new products. You know you are a good salesman when you can sell to a salesman. AKA I know how to sell products and I am aware when I am being sold to, so if you can convince me you have done one hell of a job. I have literally tried every new product that Taco Bell releases. The most memorable being the Black Taco, which tasted just like a mini Cheesy Gordita Crunch (That's probably why I liked it, plus their commercials were ridiculous and we got a free Black Taco on Halloween). Good memories. If you look at the Taco Bell website, the new Chicken Flatbread Sandwich reminds me of a Chicken Quesadilla, just with a thicker Flatbread instead of the Tortilla. Comment or post video reviews to this product. I would love to hear what you think.

New Chicken Flatbread Sandwich, Taco Bell

"Litter Marketing"

McDonalds Litter

I picked this photo to prove a point. It's a topic that I like to call "Litter Marketing", and it's not something you will learn at college, or in a textbook. When you think about all the ways that you are Marketed, and Advertised to, do you think of garbage as one of them? How many times have you seen a McDonalds bag on the side of the road and then instantly craved a Big Mac? Do you think companies like McDonalds realize the potential number of cheeseburgers they can sell if their packaging is obnoxiously large and bright colors? Call me crazy, but I think they do. We have had the "Go Green" revolution and companies have tried things and then faded them out. Take Sun Chips for example. They made the world's first fully compostable, environmentally friendly chip bag. Genius right? Well when consumers complained about how much noise the bag made they eventually took it off the market. Whatever happened to doing things because it is the correct thing to do, or at least a good thing to do? Has money blinded our morals? Think of all the money the world could save if companies where not allowed to print colors on their packaging, and maybe reduce the size of their bags so that they don't become mini billboards for the kids that walk by. When is the last time you actually thought about Fast Food portions? They outlawed the SuperSize only to rename it as a large and get rid of the smallest size. I'm not saying that I don't eat fast food. I'm just paying attention to what I see, hear, and eat. I always order smalls because I'm just a little guy and I can't handle large amounts of food (nor does my stomach like anything that tastes good). Packaging is huge and in-your-face with colors and designs. Yes, I've bought into it because I write about great packaging, logos and design. Just realize that the next time you see litter on the side of the road and it gives you a craving for that product, it might just be on purpose. If your bottle or can doesn't recycle it gives it that much more opportunity to circulate in the environment.

GoGo Squeeze Applesauce

GoGo Squeeze Applesauce

The first thing that attracted me to this product was the unique packaging and design. Then I realized that it was actually applesauce that travels with you. No Spoon Necessary. It reminds me of how they would eat in space. Squeezable packets with a built in straw. I had to try these, so I picked up the Apple Cinnamon flavored and waited for that day when the applesauce cravings kicked in. The packets are very easy to open and the apple sauce travels flawlessly through the thick straw-like opening. At first I did not enjoy the taste, and then I realized it was because there was no sugar added. All of the applesauce that I have eaten in my life must have tons of sugar because the GoGo Squeeze tasted, well... REAL. Besides having no added sugar the GoGo Squeeze has no artificial flavors and qualifies as gluten and dairy free. They are also Kosher Certified. If you are not satisfied with the information I have given you so far, you can also take your used GoGo Squeeze packages and recycle them through a program with Terracycle. GoGo Squeeze is a product of France and is Imported by a company in Morristown, NJ. That's where I was born! I am really glad I tried this product. Lot's of positive things to talk about. They market their products to kids, but aren't we all kids on the inside?

Wódka Vodka from Poland

Wódka Vodka

I had the chance to try Wódka Vodka last night for the first time (thanks Farmer Bob!). At first look the bottle gave me the feeling of what it would be like to grow up in Poland around the time that Vodka was invented and popularized. The label has parts written in polish, and has a rustic, hand stamped look to it. No fancy logos or designs here, just a straight up stick-to-your-roots product. You can get a 750ml bottle for around $10 bucks depending on where you go. Alcohol content is 40%. Don't let the price scare you though. Here I am writing the next morning with a clear head and no hangover. We tried the Vodka straight for our first drink. It packed a hefty punch, like most vodkas do. It didn't burn on the way down, but the smell and taste is pretty intense and not recommended for the weak drinker. We then tried the Wódka and Soda and Wódka Wed Bull. (That got me thinking that they should go after Elmer Fud for a spokesperson). I recommend this vodka as a mix drink rather than a shot. When I make my drinks I like to taste the alcohol and this vodka mixed really well. I actually had to keep adding more vodka to get the kick that I like. With most hard alcohol, it gets easier to drink as the night goes on. If you are looking to get the best bang for your buck, I would definitely tell you to try this. We had 3 people drinking on the 750ml bottle and it went a lot quicker than I thought it would.
Wódka Vodka is located in New York, New York, and the vodka is imported from Poland. I would like to see them add a link on there website to locate Wódka Vodka to purchase at retail locations. If you have any questions about the Vodka you can contact "Farmer Bob" at FARMERBOB@WELOVEWODKA.COM or friend his unique personality on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/farmerbobwodka. They are also on twitter @RealWodkaVodka. Make sure to check out their zany website at http://welovewodka.com/.
Might have some edited photos in a few days from Dirty Jerz. We did take some video, but it got a little goofy. I guess you just have to taste Wódka Vodka and experience it for yourself.

Introducing Planters Peanut Butter

Let me know if you have tried this new Peanut Butter!

Coca-Cola Freestyle

Coca-Cola Freestyle

Have you seen these machines in action? They have a touchscreen that allows you to choose from over 100+ flavors. Coca-Cola Freestyle has flavor cartridges that are able to make a custom drink to your taste. I think this idea is genius. They also keep track of the flavors and combinations that consumers use for future products and marketing. I might have to take a trip to Syracuse, NY in order to see one work in person.

Anheuser-Busch Canned Water

Anheuser-Busch Canned Water

In the wake of natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina, and now Irene, Anheuser-Busch produces, stockpiles, and donates canned water to people in need. I would absolutely love to have one of these cans for my brand collection (filled or not). To send me a can, please contact me at: becksbrands@gmail.com

Krispy Kreme Twitter Logo

Krispy Kreme Twitter Logo

f you don't follow Krispy Kreme on Twitter (@krispykreme), then you are missing out on this great doughnut twitter logo combination.

Oscar Mayer Fully Cooked Bacon

Oscar Mayer Fully Cooked Bacon

Has anyone tried this? The first time I saw it in the grocery store I was pretty grossed out. I don't think I will try this product at all. Let me know if you have!

DiGiorno Pizza and Cookies

DiGiorno Pizza and Cookies

Nothing goes better with pizza than cookies right? Seems like a very odd combination to me. Let me know if you feel any different. Sometimes two things that are good, are not good together. Don't get me wrong, I love DiGiorno Pizza. Just hold the cookies please. DiGiorno Pizza is by far the best frozen pizza I have ever had. Good try on the Co-Branding, but Chips Ahoy with Reese's got it better:

Chips Ahoy! with Reese's

New Budweiser Bowtie Can

New Budweiser Bowtie Can

Budweiser Can Evolution

Co-Branding

Eggo and Fiber Plus Co-Branding

Due to the recession and always having an overall food fight for your money, companies and brands have come up with creative ways to make you notice and purchase their products. What's better than one brand in a box? Having two brands in a box of course! At the top is Eggo Waffles infused with Kellogg's FiberPlus Calcium. Hopefully this co-branding alliance will increase sales for both brands involved. This creates a win-win situation for the brands and parent company involved. Here are a couple more examples to tingle your brain:

ARIZONA tea with Poland Spring Water

FritoLay MUNCHIES with Doritos Cheese