Aurora Travels with Ted

Soft-toy specialist Aurora will arrive in Cannes this year with its extensive range of own-brand and licensed plush for children and young adults including a new concept called Travelling Ted which is exclusive to the global travel retail channel (Green Village K67).

     

“Travelling Ted is absolutely perfect for all travel retail channels of distribution; it ticks all the boxes,” says Aurora travel retail sales manager Garry Stoner. “Firstly the concept is travel themed with each lovable bear sporting a scarf and carrying his own suitcase. Even more appropriately, the suitcase and the scarf can be personalised for the individual retailer; so that could include the name/logo of an airline or ferry, a country or regional destination, or with a specific seasonal message. This creates ‘double exclusivity’ both to the channel and the operator.”

The perfect companion for travelling children, 20cm Ted is available in various quanitities and is made of super-soft plush meeting all safety requirements.

“Teddy bears remain a top selling plush item for retailers and creating a travel-related option is a win-win for all,” continues Stoner. “Travelling Ted is an ideal impulse purchase item as a gift for children and young adults of all ages and we’re expecting him to be travelling all over the world with retailers on the ground, in the air and at sea over the coming year.”

Mentos Connecting Tin launch supported by exciting promotion in Copenhagen Airport

Last month Perfetti van Melle (PVM) introduced its new product, the Mentos Connecting Tin, which was supported by a major promotion at Copenhagen airport. The tin is featured alongside Perfetti van Melle’s bestselling Mentos Jumborolls in a colourful display at a high traffic location in Heinemann Duty Free.

During the promotion shoppers were invited by a promotor to get their polaroid taken in front of the Mentos photo wall, with fun signs to hold such as ‘Smile I am at Mentos’ or the word ‘Hello’ in different languages. The pictures could either be added to the magnetic photo wall or taken home as a souvenir. This proved to be a fun way of getting shoppers to interact with the Mentos brand and introduce them to the Mentos Connecting Tin.

The connecting tin was developed based on the knowledge that 50% of confectionery products in airports are bought as a gift, and that the confectionery category is very impulse driven with over 60% of purchase decisions made at the airport or in the store. Since the category is so impulse driven, and interaction with the shopper and great visibility are very important, the connecting tin is launched in two vibrant colours - yellow and pink - to catch the eye of the shopper.

The tin and the fruit flavored candies inside it feature the word ‘Hello’ in more than 30 languages, for each greeting there is also an iconic landmark of the specific country to go along with it, both are printed on the tin and candies. These different languages and landmarks are easy conversation starters helping people to connect around the world.

Says Femke Van Veen, PVM’s Brand Manager Global Travel Retail: “This was a really great promotion to support the launch of the Mentos Connecting Tin. Travellers were certainly drawn in and inspired to try out the product – the polaroid wall proved very popular with both children and adults - and Heinemann were certainly very pleased with the results; as were we!”

Largest US Monkey Shoulder activation in ‘full swing’ at JFK

JFK Terminal 4 is currently host to the first ever large-scale Monkey Shoulder activation in US travel retail. The ‘Monkey Mixer’ is running in partnership with DFS Group, the world’s leading travel retailer - with smaller versions also taking place in LAX and SFO.

The activation - originally just running throughout May and June but now extended throughout July and August due to the highly successful results - is supported by GWP promos in all three locations: Buy 2 bottles of Monkey Shoulder and receive a free tote bag. JFK takes the promo one step further, however, with an out-of-lease-line tasting activation.

The bright orange cement mixer display is disruptive and memorable – running 4 evenings per week during peak hours for departing international passengers (notably flights to Europe) – and perfectly coincides with the idea that Monkey Shoulder is 100% malt whisky that’s ‘made for mixing.’ The activations focus on allowing passengers to enjoy two hero serves, the OMG (Orange/Monkey/Ginger) and the Lazy Old Fashioned – delicious serves that can easily be recreated at home. The activation is helped by an excellent promotor who has been handing out postcards featuring the OMG serve and drawing in travellers to give them a taste. The serve is also highlighted on the large graphic backdrop behind the tasting area.

Says Richard Bush, Regional Marketing Manager of William Grant & Sons: “The activation has so far proved very popular with travellers in all three locations. We’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response and I’d say that Monkey Shoulder has definitely garnered some new fans. It really is a testament to the overall effectiveness of activations – definitely a worthwhile venture!”

“DFS is proud to partner with William Grant & Sons on the engaging Monkey Shoulder promotion. We look forward to offering our traveling customers at DFS access to this product and dynamic experience,” said Brooke Supernaw, DFS Group Senior Vice President Spirits, Wines, Tobacco, Food and Gifts.