Nothing Bundt Cakes’ Post

Awards aside (and who doesn't love recognition, especially in a sea of over 5,000 entries?), this is a stellar example of 'working to the brief', responding to client objectives and avoiding agency 'house style' syndrome. This is why Affinity Creative Group just marked a successful decade in business--helping clients of ALL TYPES stand out, build brands and connect with consumers, to CREATE DEMAND regardless of wine style, price point or target demographic. A huge shoutout to PAUL HOBBS WINES, Acidity Trip Wines, and all of our clients; for entrusting us with the creative stewardship of their brands. From established franchises to bold new innovations, we are grateful for their trust and confidence in Affinity to create a 'story on a label,' that grabs attention, prompts a smile and gets purchased. Here's to Affinity's next 10 years, now operating as oneteam™ in partnership with kabookaboo. I have a feeling there's going to be even more clients, more awards and more brands to celebrate. #oneteam #packaging #packagingdesign #wines #winelabel #design #designagency

Fascinating read via The Washington Post and M. Carrie Allan centered around how celebrity-fueled tequila brands are shaping the landscape of the wider agave industry, both for the better and for the worse some may argue… While opinions on celebrity involvement in the tequila category vary, one thing is unanimously clear: it's crucial to preserve the ages-old heritage and culture of tequila making amidst the category's evolution. We also shared own perspective on four key elements as to what makes a celebrity spirit brand collaboration successful by way of the following Fast Company article: https://lnkd.in/gkfka8gH #speakeasyco #celebritytequila #wineandspirits #dtc #agave #tequila

As many know by now, yesterday, Sazerac announced that it would acquire the hot, multi-base, distinctly spherical shaped RTD brand, @BuzzBallz. Talk about a multi-hyphenate: Founder Merrilee Kick has the only woman-owned owned distillery, winery and brewery combo in the United States. As we reported this morn via our Wine & Spirits Daily sister pub, BuzzBallz spirit-based cocktails are consistently growing double digits in Circana-measured channels, up nearly 30% in the latest week to March 10. We’ve been saying all along that more brands should do exactly what this brand has – forge their own category with truly differentiated packaging. Not as easy as it sounds, of course. The downside is that lacking a “plug and play” format can be challenging (to break into retail infrastructure). The giant potential upside, however, is cutting the line to consumer awareness and loyalty in an age of so much clutter. Brands that have made the approach work for them include Red Bull (the first to popularize slim cans), 5 Hour Energy (whatever you call that format), BeatBox (one of the few/first bev alc single serve Tetras), Clase Azul (whose bottles double as fine art). Note that most of those brands are c-store and single serve centric. Speaking of c-stores, from the Sazerac side, it obviously offers a new way to build out their convenience presence (like they’ve been doing with Fireball). It’s also notable that trendy BuzzBallz seems a very different kind of acquisition for the whiskey-centric company, which in the last 10 years has been acquiring for a decisively different demographic: They’ve purchased Canadian Mist, Paul Masson and Southern Comfort, for example. (Fun fact, I was introduced to Southern Comfort right out of college, when my dad bought me a bottle. Sometimes it was the only thing to eat in my apartment. So, I drank it sometimes.) More in tomorrow's BBD. 

In a world driven by innovation, it's easy to overlook the charm of more traditional designs. Classic-labeled wine represents more than just a beverage; it embodies a connection to tradition, history, and craftsmanship.   Numerous studies attest that consumers, amidst an inundation of #innovation, often gravitate towards timeless designs. And this is precisely what we've accomplished with the #Albades family. These products evoke feelings of trust and familiarity while also being renowned for their #quality, thereby fostering greater confidence in both the brand and the product.   Undoubtedly, it's a reliable choice for consumers. Multiple studies support that they frequently favor timeless designs. And this is precisely what we've achieved with the #Albades family. 💡 How about you? What instills confidence in your product choices?  

It's National Wine Day - are you up for a bottle of red or a bottle of white? Have a favorite brand? #remaxtrendsrealty #nikkifanizzi #realtor #realestate #akronrealtor #newhome #home #nikkisells #yourrealtor #marketlisting #greatinvestment #listwithme #realestateexpert #realestateagent

What a great innovation from my favourite Scotch whisky brand – and former colleagues at Pernod Ricard! The Glenlivet launched two ready to serve cocktails with a Twist and Mix cap.   It’s such a great innovation because it overcomes many consumer frictions: ☑ Packaging technology (by Vessl®) used in a very simple, intuitive way adding a new exciting proposition to spirits category. ☑ Worry free cocktail making: Always the right ratio with a balanced drink, everyone can do it. ☑ Hassle free cocktail making: no left-overs, no need for extensive ingredients shopping. ☑ ‘Twist and mix’ adds a little ritual and experience to the drink. ☑ Unlock a new consumer pool with more accessible whisky drinks. ☑ Available in smaller bottles, so the bottle will be emptied in one moment with friends. No downsides at all? ➖ Well, a little one… it’s only available in the US   I expect to see a rise in the upcoming years for this kind of concentrated / dosing / flavour-adding solutions in many categories. 🕐 Recently, I met up with the people from Weener Plastics Group who developed the CIF EcoRefill system https://lnkd.in/dbKZrwdy. This is more or less the same solution used in a completely different way: it’s a sustainable alternative for at-home refill of detergent sprays. With this product, only the 90% smaller refill bottle needs to be made and shipped.  This solution saves tons of plastic and water being transported.   🌟 Curious about the opportunities this might hold for your brand or products? Whether you're in the #softdrinks, #spirits #juices, #dairy or any other liquids category, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to help with your innovation challenges.   #readytoserve #cocktails #sustainability #refill #innovation #happytohelp 

There’s nothing quite like introducing a new whisky to true connoisseurs — it’s the thrill of sharing a passion project that’s been years in the making. The Art of the Blend isn’t just another bottle on the shelf. It’s an exquisite fusion of three Speyside single malts from Craigellachie, Glenrothes, and Aultmore, all aged in first fill Oloroso sherry casks for their entire maturation. No shortcuts, no “finishes”.  Our first release in the series, crafted by none other than whisky legend Max McFarlane, represents over 46 years of whisky-making mastery. When I get the chance to tell our story to whisky lovers in person, you can see the spark of understanding light up. This is whisky stripped back to its essence—no recipes, no rules, no celebrity gimmicks — just a whisky maker, their vision, and the freedom to create something extraordinary. And for those of you wondering, the ages are no secret: Glenrothes is 16 years old, while Craigellachie and Aultmore are both 10 years. But the real magic? It’s in the artistry of cask selection, in how these distinct malts come together to create a symphony of flavors that you simply can’t replicate. While other brands chase trends, The Art of the Blend honors whisky’s true heritage, cutting through the noise with one-off releases that focus on the craft. This isn’t just another bottle; it’s a whisky with a soul. It’s for those who appreciate whisky as a journey, not a destination. Here’s the thing—no two casks are the same. That’s the beauty of what we do. Every release of The Art of the Blend is a singular masterpiece, never to be repeated. The complexity and depth of flavor come solely from malted barley aged in wood, with each cask lending its own unique personality. What you’re tasting isn’t just whisky — it’s the craftsmanship of a master, the story of a cask, and the art of blending. #whisky #startup #creativity #passion #brand #label #limited

We continue to be impressed by the meteoric rise of Uncle Nearest, Inc., a Black-owned and women-founded spirits brand that has become a global phenomenon. Not only is it the top-selling Black-owned spirits brand worldwide, consistently earning major awards and accolades, but it is also on its way to achieving unicorn status 🦄. In a significant power play, Uncle Nearest has now become the largest Grande Champagne vineyards owner, one of the most sought after areas of land in Cognac, France, further solidifying its position as a powerhouse in the industry. This accomplishment is a testament to the brand's commitment to excellence and its dedication to crafting exceptional spirits. Named after Nathan "Nearest" Green, the master distiller who played a crucial role in helping Jack Daniels refine its recipe, Uncle Nearest's CEO, Fawn Weaver, continues to shape the brand's narrative and build upon its rich history. With a compelling vision for the future, Weaver is not only preserving the legacy of Nathan Green but also pushing the boundaries of innovation within the spirits industry. The recent announcement of Uncle Nearest's ownership of the largest Grande Champagne vineyards marks a pivotal moment in the brand's journey. It not only reflects its commitment to quality but also showcases its global impact and influence. As Uncle Nearest continues to make strides towards becoming a unicorn, it remains a symbol of the power of women entrepreneurs. #sispreneurs #sispreneurstories #womeninbusiness #businesswomen #blackwomenentrepreneurs #blackwomeninbusiness #spirits

Awfully Chocolate sale up to 60% at their cosy new outlet at One Holland Village! . Wanted to buy some gifts for friends overseas and ended up buying lots of chocolate for the family! 🍫🍫 . Fan-boy moment to see Lyn, the founder the business at the counter serving customers and packing up the shopping! . As a fellow #entrepreneur, very inspired to be reminded of these timeless lessons in business: 🥇Nothing beats interacting first hand with your customers. You get instant feedback from the horses’ mouth, not from reports put together by the team, who may tell you what they think you want to hear. I heard an auntie before me telling her why she chose 45% chocolate instead of 60%. No right or wrong, but it’s valuable to hear which products resonate with different segments of customers. 🥇Be down in the trenches when things get busy. Lyn often goes to the retail outlets on weekends or on launches like these to help the team out. Even if we as bosses may not do what the team is specialised to do as well, at least we experience first hand the challenges, distill the lessons and open our eyes to opportunities. 🥇Local businesses and SMEs can too develop to be a well loved and household brand. She probably had her fair share of naysayers when she started the business more than 25 years ago, leaving a cushy and prestigious lawyering career. Never let others define what you can or can’t do. We write our own rules, and our own story in the process. What do you love about awfully chocolate? What’s your favourite item? Their cakes, chocolate bars, or truffles? Comment below! By the way, as with any business, there are its own set of challenges. In this case, the outlet opening was delayed, but lucky us, this means you can still enjoy their launch promotions and discounts today and tomorrow! Don’t miss it! ☺️#awfullychocolate

What sells the first bottle? What small brands like Penrhos don't have that big brands have in bucket loads: ➡ Brand equity. Everyone knows Gordons but who knows Penrhos? What is the first brand that comes to mind if I say gin? Not Penrhos but could be. ➡ Trust. We are pack animals and if everyone is buying Gordons then they must be right? Lets buy a Gordons, it is safe. ...So how do we get the first bottle into a consumers basket? ➡ Emotion. Why is emotion so important? Emotion is an instant response to how you feel, emotion is the reason to do something quickly. Buy our gin and don't look at other brands. How does Penrhos Spirits create emotion? ➡ Being the first to create a 100% ♻ aluminium that is 91% less Carbon than our glass bottle. Consumers want to choose sustainable options if they can. If a consumer was faced with a wall of gin brands maybe not all will be triggered by the emotion of helping the planet, maybe they might be triggered by the emotion of trust or the feeling of getting a bargain? But first we need to make sure the consumer knows the benefits of our bottle in order to trigger the emotion we want. ...and maybe then just a few will think Penrhos is worth trying because they are offering an extra benefit to me? Two Drifters Distillery capture all their carbon. Does the consumer know how good their rum is? Probably not yet but their emotions will instantly be signaling to choose the small brand over say Captain Morgan because they are doing something that resonates with consumers that the bigger brand might not be offering. What will sell the second bottle? The liquid and so it must taste bloody good because they will not come back for the repeat purchase. And that is why we talk about our bottle because we need to trigger an emotion at the point of sale that will get our first bottle sold. Lets hope we get a different emotion during the Euros. #recycle #reuse #refil #travel #retail