Jimmy Donaldson’s Post

Innovation can spark from a moment of playfulness. Spritz Society was just having some fun last year when they introduced a pickle juice beverage as an April Fools joke. But sometimes a joke or plain having fun can turn into something brilliant. Customers were contacting Spritz Society almost daily, requesting a pickle juice beverage. So, in partnership with The Kraft Heinz Company and Claussen Pickles, they are delivering a new beverage.🥒🥛 It reminds me of an exercise I perform during innovation workshops; push the envelope TOO far. I think of a really dumb idea (that's easy for me), and I share it with the group. Soon after, everyone else didn't feel like their idea was dumb as mine, and they shared it with the group. And that's when a flow of creativity and fun sparks new ideas and amazing innovations. Sometimes when we permit ourselves to think dumb, we remove our filter on judgment, and our best ideas flow through. How do you get to your most creative ideas? #creativityunleashed #facilitation #themindfulinnovator #cpgbrands #innovation #innovationculture #pickles https://lnkd.in/esBudyHq

🍾 Big News: DRINKS has just sold our DTC arm, Wine Insiders, to Full Glass Wine Co.! As we zero in on driving tech-led innovation in the alcohol space, this move couldn't be more timely. 🚀 Kudos to the Full Glass team—eager to see them amplify the potential in the DTC wine space. Thrilled that our former DTC team, led by Louis Amoroso, Michael Rogers and Josiah Gordon will continue their journey under Full Glass. It's awesome to have Full Glass as a pivotal platform partner, harnessing our PAIR AI technology and WaaS (Wine-as-a-Service) solutions, along with our cutting-edge RegTech capabilities, as they continue to scale their operations. After nearly a decade of growing Wine Insiders and the DTC business, this moment is bittersweet for all involved, but it paves the way for DRINKS to be a laser focused technology-first disruptor, committed to redefining how alcohol is bought and sold at large. I'm super stoked as we usher in this new era, our eyes are set on nothing less than democratizing participation in the booming $285B alcohol market. Get ready, because we're not just raising the bar—we're reinventing it. 🥂 Here’s to the future—Cheers!! 🥂 #DRINKS #AI #FullGlass #Ecommerce #RegTech

Insights in Action - NPD in the beer category The challenge was clear: to help craft a drink that not only tastes great but also stands out in a really competitive market. We reached out to the true enthusiasts—the brand’s regular patrons—with a simple proposition: help us make our drinks even better. We recruited a rapid response panel and organised casual but structured tasting sessions, where their candid feedback was welcomed. It was a gathering of minds and palates, where each comment was a step towards excellence. Their cumulative insights were invaluable, shaping the recipes to not just meet but exceed consumer expectations. This collaborative effort was more than just about refining a product; it was about building a drink that speaks to its audience. The result? A line-up of beverages fine-tuned to perfection, ready to make a splash in the market and drive business success. Together we set the stage for a launch that’s poised to capture attention and satisfy taste buds. 🍻 Now we'll say CHEERS to that 🍻 More thirst-quenching insight stories here ➡ https://lnkd.in/edt8KKNG #drinksinnovation #fmcginsights

BevNET Live Winter 2023: Exploring The Fluid Relationship Between KeHE and Beverage Brands: BevNET Live Winter 2023 will feature a discussion with top KeHE retail executives around the fluid relationship between the retailer and beverage brands. #polimexsnapshot #bevereagenews

While presentation is important, what truly matters is the tasting phase.

When it comes to beverages, usually you want to avoid splashes - but in the expansive realm of the industry, particularly when it concerns your brand, encouraging your team to make a splash is what it's all about! Inside this Beverage Industry Product Guide, you'll find everything that you will need to really stand out. #Proforma #Brandedmerch #beveragemerch #Beermerch #Sales #Marketing

Do you have a beverage brand or product that deserves recognition? Enter the Best of BevFluence® awards today! This year, we have more categories, more judges, and more creators than ever before. Registration ends October 31st. #BestOfBevFluence #BeverageAwards #BeverageIndustry #BeverageMarketing #BeverageBranding #BeverageInnovation

Sometimes we forget about the basics. Koozies are a beverage industry promotional tool that never goes out of style and is always needed. With summer in full swing and tailgate season approaching, now is the perfect time to get your order in and really promote your brand. Also, did I mention our Koozies are on sale for the month?!? Cheers! [email protected] #KoozieSale #BeverageIndustry #Summer #TailgatingSeason

This Summer we have been in the streets testing, watching, listening and learning on all things System Seltzers. If total beverage innovation was easy, everyone would do it. What a continued insightful ride it has been. Wait, The First Non-Alcoholic Hard Seltzer™️? Isn’t that just a regular seltzer? What’s the deal with this?⁠ ⁠ Great question... let us share what it really means... Inclusivity Without Compromise. ⁠ ⁠ The First Inclusive Drinking System™️ includes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options with cohesively refreshing taste and flavor profiles. ⁠ ⁠ This creates a space where everyone feels welcome, with or without alcohol. ⁠ ⁠ More info coming on when, where and how to request System 0% at your local bar or retailer for 2024. ⁠ #innovation #insights #learning #growth #alcoholfree #sobercurious⁠ #new #sales #newproduct #inclusion