Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Competitor Scan Nov 2018 (AB InBev (AB-InBev-_-100+-_-Twitter-Cards-_-Goal…
Competitor Scan Nov 2018
AB InBev
AB InBev won the 2018 Excellence in Reusable Packaging Award for its innovations that reduced CO2 impact. The Reusable Packaging Association found its preventative maintenance programme for reusable kegs and a pallet redesign impressive, as it centralised heat treatment and palletisation to one location.
In October 2018, AB InBev unveiled its fully-automated warehouse in Magor, Wales, capable of holding 23 million pints of beer. Its operation will reduce 605 tonnes of CO2 emissions from the brewery. The system has three large robotic arms delivering pallets of beer to waiting lorries.
In October 2018, Anheuser Busch InBev (AB InBev) reintroduced its popular Michelob Ultra beer in the UK, as appetite for low alcohol beer continues to grow 20% year-on-year among British consumers. The beer has been reformulated to contain fewer calories and is targeted towards health-conscious consumers.
SAB and parent company AB InBev have pioneered a savoury snack made from locally-grown grain, labelled Castle Lager Better Bites. The proceeds from sales will go to emerging farmers, supporting community development initiatives. This forms part of the breweries' Public Interest Commitments (PICs) following their merger.
In June 2018, Belgian brewing company AB InBev, in collaboration with marketing company Kiip, has introduced a blockchain-based ad campaign. The campaign will use Ethereum’s blockchain technology. AB InBev expects the use of blockchain technology to provide accurate and meaningful customer insights.
Pernord Ricard
By collaborating with London-based design company SharpEnd, Malibu and Kahlúa brands manufacturer Pernod Ricard has opened a new technology demonstration and rapid prototyping space in Stockholm, Sweden. The facility will be used to develop new technologies like smart packaging and voice-enabled apps to offer better customer experience.
Pernod Ricard has translated its Kahlúa coffee liqueur brand to a ready-to-drink (RTD) espresso martini can that is fitted with a nitrogen widget. The brand taps into the demand for high-quality cocktail experiences at home, the global coffee trend — and now, the convenience segment, too.
To celebrate Manchester United's European Cup victory in 1968, Chivas released four bottles of limited-editing 50th Anniversary The Icon Scotch — each bottle representing a goal scored by Manchester United during the game. In August 2018, it announced a three-year sponsorship deal with Manchester's football club.
Pernod Ricard confirmed it will invest USD $175 million in increasing whiskey production operation for Jameson, to keep up with the brand's global demand. Its investment will upgrade and expand the distillery and the main bottling facility, as well as develop new maturation warehouses nearby Dungory.
During the 2018 London Cocktail Week in October 2018, Pernod Ricard launched Asolut's Porn Star Martini Townhouse — an activation that included a bubble-filled maze and a mist-filled 'vanilla forest'. It highlighted Absolut Vodka’s role in the Porn Star Martini, which continues to grow in popularity.
Heineken
Sol’s new global marketing campaign, Taste the Sun, embraces the sun’s positivity and reflects Mexico’s passion and vitality. It has been a brand motif since it began when the original brewer saw a ray of sunlight hit the beer and baptised it 'El Sol'.
The head of digital transformation at Heineken, Ghislaine Prins-Evers, claims online shopping is an important marketing opportunity for the alcohol industry, with most not grasping its potential. The new channel allows marketers to see what is being bought and measure the impact of online marketing campaigns.
In February 2018, Dutch brewer Heineken announced its FY2017 results. Its sales volume rised by 4.5%, growing in all regions except Asia Pacific. Heineken 0.0 — a no-alcohol lager with 69 calories per 330ml bottle launched in May 2017— aided the brand's presence in European markets.
Increasing demand for premium beer offerings in China has caused increasing competition in the segment, and Heineken’s new strategic partnership with China’s largest beer manufacturer indicates the Dutch brewer’s intent to participate. Heineken bought 40% of China Resource Beer (CR Beer) in August 2018.
In October 2018, Heineken launched its alcohol-free lager in Australia. The brand’s move into the alcohol-free category is in response to the rising consumer demand for moderate consumption. Heineken's share of the UK no-alcohol beer market increased from 2.5% to 10.4% in a year.
Diageo
In November 2018, Diageo unveiled the fifth and last Scotch whisky from its annual limited-edition John Walker & Sons Private Collection, a 28-year-old Midnight Blend. The spirit clocks in at 42.8% ABV and comprises liquid sourced from Caol Ila on Islay and Strathmill in Speyside.
Diageo launched a four-day activation starting from the first of November 2018. Held at its Guinness brewery in Dublin, Ireland, the company released the Guinness Stoutie — a pint featuring selfies of the participants on the head of the stout — exclusively for the programme.
In March 2017, Diageo introduced a Mandarin & Pink Grapefruit flavour to its Smirnoff Cider range. The launch coincided with the introduction of a new format of 330ml cans for the line. According to the company, the new format makes the range more compelling for retailers.
In October 2018, Diageo increased the conversion rate of online whisky shoppers by almost one-fifth (18%) after teaming up with supermarket chain Asda, to overhaul the UK supermarket’s e-commerce pages, ensuring consumers stay on Diageo's pages longer than they do on pages for other spirit brands.
In November 2018, Diageo-owned Scotch brand Mortlach introduced its 'spiciest' whiskey to date — Alexander’s Way — exclusively on travel retail. The whisky has been made using distillery’s unique 2.81 distillation process that gives it a very intense character and complexity, according to the company.
Molson Coors
Beer giant Molson Coors is preparing to launch cannabis-infused beers in Canada after sales of cannabis-infused products in brick-and-mortar stores is legalised. According to the company, they will be one of the first to launch as soon as the Canadian market opens up in April 2019.
Molson Coors posted revenue of USD $2.93 billion in 2018, exceeding expectations with an increase of 1.736%. Globally, brand volume fell 1%. It's in line with the companies First Choice strategy. Consumers favouring Mexican imports, craft beers, wine and spirits is threatening major American beer producers
Molson Coors' CEO, Mark Hunter has expressed dissatisfaction with the advertising of Coors Light, saying the focus had not been on selling the beer. To address the issue, the company's global creative account was moved away from the agency who held the account for 8 years
In August 2018, Molson Coors announced a joint venture with Canadian cannabis producer HEXO to develop non-alcoholic, cannabis-infused beverages. CEO Mark Hunter claimed the market could be worth between USD $1.4 and $3 billion, and the company had taken the stance as ‘participant, not a spectator’.
Constellation
Constellation Brands brewery Funky Buddha released its annual salute to greatness, Undefeated Saison. It pays tribute to the 1972 Miami NFL team — the only team to be undefeated and unmatched. Said to 'drink like a Champagne', it's barrel-aged and offered in a 750ml Champagne-style bottle.
Constellation Brands has reported a 10% increase in its second-quarter sales to hit USD $2.3 billion. Constellation’s additional investment in the cannabis market has been praised as a significant growth opportunity. The company’s 'innovation pipeline' has reportedly driven growth for its wine and spirits brands.
Constellation Brands expects the global cannabis market to be worth north of USD $200 billion in 15 years' time. After its major investment in cannabis company Canopy Growth Corp, the beverage company believes the industry will continue to expand — and it wants to capitalise.
Growing demand for Mexican beer in the US has increased sales of imports to 8.4% within a year, 70% of imported beer being from Mexico. Constellation Brands owns rights to popular Mexican brands, including Corona Extra and Modelo Especial, and hopes to build upon increased popularity.
In November 2018, New York-based drinks company Constellation Brands finalised its CAD $5 billion (USD $4 billion) investment in Ontario-based cannabis producer Canopy Growth, following the legalisation of recreational marijuana in Canada the previous month. The biggest cannabis-based deal yet increased Constellation’s ownership of Canopy Growth to 38%.
