An undertaking of this magnitude definitely calls for changes in all parts of life. I am finding myself eating MUCH healthier. I would like to say it is because I set my mind to it and it is happening naturally, but in all honesty, the more I run, the more my body is craving GOOD stuff to where the bad stuff almost makes me sick to think about it. Water is one of my new best friends. Smart Water by Glaceau is my favorite. I also CRAVE Grapefruit Juice. I believe if I was on a Deserted Island and could have one thing to sustain me, Indian River Grapefruit Juice would be my choice. 

Sleep is more valuable than ever. I love my rest, and really LOVE my sleep!!! (Come to think of it, that has always been). The other big change is the amount of clothes I go through during a day of running . My back porch now doubles as a make shift clothesline. 

Clothesline or Deck Furniture?

All of these changes are for good reason. All of us at the Gateway YWCA want to help change lives for the better. The Gateway Run of the Mill 168 is being held to bring awareness to the growing  problem of Childhood Obesity. We plan on raising enough money to offer programs and scholarships for children and their families to get them involved in a healthy lifestyle to develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime!! If you would like to help/donate, please let me know at marcusl@ywcaws.org. Check out the official event website at www.gatewayrunofthemill168.com. Thanks,Marcus

This was an interesting production.  During one of my last classes at Full Sail University, we had the option of producing a spec commercial.  It was completely up to each student if they wanted to embark on the producing side of production.  Though reluctant at first, I decided to take the challenge and began to piece together a unique visual story.  I wanted the atmosphere to be ethereal and to showcase a different world than ours.  A world where one woman indulges in the pleasurable taste of a Vitamin Energy beverage.  I had several concepts at the beginning that didn’t work out in After Effects, so I had to formulate the story around the effects that I could produce.  The end result is something that I’m proud of and that I can call my own.   Please view the spec and feed me some of your thoughts!

You can view the spec commercial on vimeo.

Thanks alot!

@dcpickett

Cast:

Ardor (Woman in the Purple Dress)  - Teri Bilewitch

Credits:

Producer, Director, Visual Effects Artist and Editor  -  Daniel C. Pickett

Director of Photography  -  Kraig Swisher

1st Assistant Director  -  Byron Peck

Make-Up Artist  -  Tanya Lee

Camera Operator  - Mauricio Vega Casso

RED One DIT  -  Lee Thongkham

Production Assistant  -  Michael Trilling

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A sneak preview of the new Glaceau brand building in Hong Kong.
The city is being taken over by Glaceau….but I guess that is the power of Coca Cola. …what is happening is obvious; “stock your store with Glaceau or lose all the coke brands”

A couple of weeks ago I blogged about “Glaceau Vitamin Water” and parts of their strategy to launch this product in Belgium. I actually considered it to be my first ‘real’ post (to read it: click here). Now I have some other news about Glaceau’s Vitamin Water.

Vitamin Water &… New Moon?

‘The ‘Twilight Saga‘, 4 books written by Stephenie Meyer and often described as a cultural phenomenon, were a humongous success and have reached readers all over the world, creating a very impressive fanbase. A fact that didn’t go unnoticed by Summit Entertainment. The studio saw a huge franchise potential of this remarkable Romeo and Juliet story and decided to take this new project in. Their predictions were right.

The movie Twilight, starring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, proved to be an enormous success as well. Today, less than a month before the release of New Moon, the second installment in the saga, several companies have tried to cash in on this as well.
For those who thought Burger King’s tie-in with New Moon was rather strange, here’s one who’s even more peculiar. Glaceau’s Vitamin Water has just launched a New Moon commercial on TV and Facebook.

I’m a huge fan of Twilight and Glaceau’s Vitamin Water, but this has got to be one of the stranges product endorsements I have come across in the past year and I think its pretty ridiculous. Its quite obvious Twilight doesn’t need any more attention than it already has so, to me, this makes Glaceau’s Vitamin Water come across as pretty desperate for attention. Which, let’s be honest, is kind of sad.

Also, I have tried to come up with a link – a connection – between Twilight and the Vitamin Water, but I can’t find any. Maybe fans are supposed to believe that the Volturi drink Vitamin Water to gain more energy… Ruling over all vampires must be pretty tiring, after all. Or perhaps its the Wolf Pack, trying to build up some power while the Cullens mind their anti-oxidant protection.

Facebook

With the advert came a Facebook page, hosting exclusive photos, movie trailers and the spot shown above. It isn’t the first time the brand use Facebook as part of their communication strategy. Earlier on they launched their new “Flavor Creator” competition via Facebook asking the fan’s support and input to create a new flavor for their Vitamin Water.

Friday, May 25, 2007.  The Coca-Cola Company, who had been looking into expanding its water and energy drink portfolio, anounces that they are going to buy Vitamin Water maker Glaceau.

Today, more than two years later after said fact, they are launching this product in Belgium. Part of their strategy are the ‘Pop-Up Shops’ popping up in Flanders’ most important cities. Brussels being part of the cities housing one of those ‘Pop-Up Shops’ gave me the perfect opportunity to be one of the firsts to discover this product.

So… One day – after school –  I stopped by the ‘Pop-Up Shop’ to check it out, try out the new vitamin water on the market and ask a couple of questions (because I’m just curious like that).

After Brussels there’s only two more stops to go for the ‘Pop-Up Shops’: Antwerp and Ghent. As before, the ‘Pop-Up Shops’ were to reside in each city for a week before moving on.

Right now, Glaceau’s Vitamin Water can be bought at several smaller shops in the cities visited by the ‘Pop-Up Shop’. However, soon they will be available in supermarkets as well. But, this will only be for a period of 1,5 – 2 years. No longer. So… Enjoy it while you can!

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The Product

Glaceau Vitamin Water offers a variety of 15 unique blends of nutritients to help you get through those awfull days where you wish you would have just stayed in bed! They are presented in bottles, that are easy to handle – which is not unimportant when you’re experiencing a stressful day – and in 15 different colors.

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What makes this vitamin water different from others? Don’t all vitamin waters contain… well… Vitamins? And… Water? And a fruity flavour?  All put together in a nice bottle?

According to me the difference can be found in the communication. Glaceau’s Vitamin Water is profiled as an ‘active lifestyle’ beverage. It’s hip, it’s trendy and this argument will only be reinforced when taking into account the different locations of the ‘Pop-Up Shops’. The Dansaertstraat in Brussels, the Kammenstraat in Antwerp… Need I say more? Both streets are known as trendy and hip ‘fashionstreets’.

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Packaging

Let’s take a look at the bottle itself (for those who didn’t know –> packaging is also part of communication). I have to be honest and say that I’ve seen prettier bottles. It’s rather simple but, as I said before, very handy! What is it then, that makes it special? It’s the text on the bottle and the way the product introduces itself. Let me give you an example. The example below is the text that can be found on the bottle of one of the vitamin waters. I chose defense because that is the first one I tried (and I liked it!).

if you’ve had to use sick days because you’ve actually been sick then you’re seriously missing out my friends. see, the trick is to stay healthy and use sick days to just um, not go in. and the combination of zinc and fortifying vitamins can help out with that and keep you healthy as a horse. so drink up.

remember, don’t overdo it on the coughing and sniffling (big rookie mistake). just stick with the ever elusive “24-hour bug”. the symptoms are vague and people will actually encourage you to stay home.

vitamins + water = all you need

Need I say more?

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Website

Next step: the website. It’s hip, it’s trendy and it provides the necessary information. What more do you need? There’s also lots of pretty colors and animations. Who doesn’t like that? The same use of language as on the bottles can be found, which is also very appealing. Don’t believe me? Take a look for yourself and click here: Glaceau Vitamin Water

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Pop-Up Shops

Let’s talk about the ‘Pop-Up Shops’ next because they are, after all, an important part of the strategy to launch this product in Belgium.
An empty building is rented for a week and decorated  for Glaceau Vitamin Water. Simple, yet colorful. For a week it becomes a meeting place for everyone who wants to discover the new vitamin water and for people stepping inside out of pure curiosity of what this new shop represents.

But not just that, it’s more than all of the above. Yoga sessions, knitting lessons, … are also given in the Glaceau Vitamin Water ‘Pop-Up Shops’. It turns, what could be a simple product launch, into an experience. It’s what makes people remember it and makes a lasting impression. At least… That’s what happened with me…

No surprise here. Glaceau, the parent company behind Vitamin Water, is tapping into social media again with a new flavor creator application for facebook. Make sure to try it out. And tell your friends.

Hey there!  Can you say JACKPOT?
Get your hump on over to Fry’s before Wednesday, 7/21/09, as they are having another 10 for 10, Mix and Match Mega Event!  When you buy 10 items in their Mega Event, you get $5 off at the register.  They do this about once/month..or so.  With this $5 deal, these items are FREE:

Glaceau SmartWater, 1L Bottle:  These are on sale for $0.49.  Coupon in Week Z (Week 26) of the SmartSource Insert is for $1.00, so pick up two of these for FREE!
Kraft Salad Dressing: Currently on sale for $0.99.  Coupon is in Week Y (Week 25) of the SmartSource Insert for $1.00, making it FREE.
Sunny D Smoothie: These are on sale for $0.89.  Coupon is in Week V (Week 21) of the SmartSource Insert for $0.55.  Since Fry’s doubles the coupon, this is….FREE.
Yoplait Fiber One:  These are on sale for $1.99.  Coupon is at www.bettycrocker.com for $1.00.  Go to www.cellfire.com, and download another $1.00 coupon to your Fry’s card….this will be FREE.
Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Mix:  Okay…this is the best mix out there.  I made two batches of these and took them to a cook out last week, and everyone thought they were from scratch.  BIG HIT with adults as well as the kids.  Currently on sale for $0.88 each.  Coupon is in Week Z (Week 26), for $0.75 on TWO.  This coupon doubles to $1.00.   Go to www.cellfire.com and download ANOTHER $0.75 coupon to your Fry’s card…it won’t double, but if you do the math, both of these mixes with then be FREE.

Okay…so we’re up to 7 items…and so far, they are all FREE.  You need 10 (total) to make the above prices count…so here are three more deals to get you there:

Kleenex Anti-Viral, Lotion, or Ultra: These are currently on sale for $$0.99 each.  There is a coupon in Week B (last Sunday’s coupons) Week 28, for $0.50 off  TWO.  This will double to $1.00.  You’ll pay $0.49 for each box.
Quaker Rice Cakes:  These are currently on sale for $0.49.  There isn’t a coupon, but these are a great deal..put some peanut butter on them, and they are a yummy, healthy snack.  If rice cakes don’t float your boat, then…..
Quaker Fiber and Omega-3 Granola Bars: Grab a box of these….they are currently on sale for $1.49.  Use the coupon from Week Y (Week 25) for $0.55…it will double up to $1.00.  You’ll pay a whopping $0.49 for the entire box!!

 FOR ALL 10 ITEMS YOU WILL ONLY PAY $1.47+TAX…PROBABLY LESS THAN $2.00 TOTAL!

Find out how I do all this!  Enter our Summer Sizzlin’ Survey contest…get a free copy of my book and enter to win $100.00 Restaurant Gift Certificate!

Enter our Sizzlin’ Summer Survey Giveaway! All completed surveys will be entered to win $100 Dining Gift Certificate from Restaurant.com!
Here is the link: Cathy’s Survey Link to the Sizzlin’ Summer Survey Giveaway!!

Look for SYNC the Next Time You Shop!

Go hit up the grocery store because Glacéau has a brand new flavor of Vitamin Water that, in end, pays for itself. The new taste is called “Sync”, and what you get under the cap will refresh you in more ways than one. With every bottle of Vitamin Water Sync you purchase, you receive a code for one free download via Amazon music! It’s a great promotion – reminds me of the time Starbucks and Apple teamed up for the first time, thus releasing Starbucks gift cards that, when loaded with credit, allowed you to redeem three whole songs of your choice on iTunes! Anyway, that is all. I’m on my… um… fifth bottle now? So get going!

The Actress KRISTIN DAVIS (Charlotte in Sex and the city) launched GLACÉAU VITAMIN WATER party last night July 6 at  Customs house with a little Red Carpet in Sydney to launch the renowned Australian photographer Russell James‘ exhibition.

This outdoor exhibition will be open only for two days only (July 7 and 8)  at Customs House Square forecourt.

Advertisements are pretty stupid almost by definition, but this is one of the stupidest. I mean, “Enhanced hydration for the uninhibited”!!!! It’s some kind of flavoured mineral water for affluent people who definitely don’t need extra vitamins. And why is it “for the uninhibited”?

It’s for sad people who feel the need to affirm their identity through their soft drinks. Idiotic.

But it’s further proof that the recession is extremely patchy and there are vast numbers of people whom it hasn’t hit at all, or a company wouldn’t be launching such a product at this time. Which isn’t to say that there aren’t also plenty of people aren’t losing their jobs and are having a very hard time, they just aren’t the target demographic for this particular product.

The advert is unmissable at the Old Street roundabout, London N1 if you want to go and throw rotten eggs at it …

VitaminWater: fine tuning your body may or may not need. Photo: vitaminwater.com

by Eli Altman

Today I want to give a Tip of the Hat to VitaminWater. Since the first flavors were introduced by Glacéau in 2000, VitaminWater has built a strong and clear brand that continues to grow year after year. Here are a few things that they have done particularly well:

Functions not flavors:
VitaminWater was one of the first companies to popularize naming their drinks after functions instead of flavors. While the names themselves aren’t anything special, the concept is genius. You’re not getting lemon-lime, you’re getting energy. You’re not getting kiwi-strawberry, you’re gaining focus. With VitaminWater, you can go to the corner store and leave with the illusion of great balance or more power or 13 other specific upgrades. It’s a little like boosting your stats in a video game.

It’s brilliant really. When you see someone walking down the street with a VitaminWater, you can start to piece together a back-story. If a girl is holding a Revive on a Saturday morning with big sunglasses and sweats on, she’s probably nursing a hangover. If some guy is drinking a Focus on the way to work, maybe he has a big presentation. While these assumptions might be totally inaccurate, you can definitely infer more than you can when you see your co-worker drinking a Diet Coke.

Packaging and writing:
VitaminWater actually has very well-designed packaging. The type is clean and the labels are simple and elegant. The different ‘flavors’ look great next to each other and the overall effect is bright and colorful. This insures that VitaminWater is instantly recognizable in any liquor or grocery store. They aren’t too bad at writing either. Here’s what the label for Revive says:

“if you woke up tired, you probably need more sleep. if you woke up drooling at your desk, you probably need a new job. if you woke up with a headache, on a ferris wheel at the Idaho state fair, wearing a toga, you probably need answers. not to mention this product. it’s got potassium and b vitamins to help you recover and feel refreshed—kinda like in those old irish spring soap commercials…”

Targeting the G:
Not too long ago, VitaminWater decided to take aim at Gatorade. While Gatorade simply replenishes what you lose when you sweat, VitaminWater’s functional flavors offer much more targeted help. (Who knows if it actually does anything, but the placebo effect is not to be underestimated.) They also made some very smart partnerships with very popular athletes like David Wright and most of the US Olympic Basketball team (Kobe, LeBron, D-Wade, Melo, Chris Paul and Deron Williams.) I’m sure this wasn’t cheap, but it certainly appears to be getting under Gatorade’s neon-colored skin. Pepsi, the owner of Gatorade, tried to fire back with Life Water under the SoBe brand, but I don’t think I’ve seen a single person actually drinking Life Water in public. Either way, it’s nice to finally see a suitable challenger to Gatorade’s dominance. Since Coke owns VitaminWater, this should prove to be an interesting new battleground for the sugar water giants.

The commercials for VitaminWater10 are pretty funny too—although the concept of drinking VitaminWater10 instead of water is slightly sickening. While the health benefits are trivial at best, the naming and branding are great. These guys definitely know what they’re doing, and for that, we tip our hats.

Danica Patrick reveals that beneath her racing car driver’s jump suit, is a hot bikini body too on the cover of Shape Magazine. Here in Hollywood here’s 10 hot entertainment and celebrity news posts right now:

1. KIRSTEN STEWART BRUSHES UP ON HER GUITAR SKILLS

2. CONCERNED TOO ABOUT RISING HATE CRIMES IN AMERICA? SHARE THIS BOOK!

3. KEITH LEWIS & CARRIE PREJEAN CREATE: GUESS THE CELEBRITY IMPLANTS GAME

4. TRUE BLOOD’S SEASON 2 TRAILER IS HOT!

5. DAVID CARRADINE DID NOT COMMIT SUICIDE, SECOND AUTOPSY REVEALS

6. ANNA PAQUIN IS A STRONG CONTENDER TO LEAD TRUE BLOOD TO EMMYS GLORY

7. 6 STORIES OF DAVID BECKHAM, EMPORIO ARMANI

8. FIDDY HAS GOT FRAGRANT POWER

9. PARIS DUMPS HER HOLLYWOOD POSER’S ADVICE ONTO SUSAN BOYLE… AS WELL AS DUMPING DOUG REINHARDT

10. MEGAN FOX: HER PLAN TO SAVE THE EARTH

He’s ranked in between Barack Obama and Brian Grazer/Ron Howard, coming in this year as  the 50th most powerful celebrity for 2009! Wahoo, nice job!

Rapper 50 Cent is coming out with a new fragrance, called Power. Why should we believe that Fifty Cent is powerful enough to offer us his version of spray on power?

Here’s why: “Last year’s highest-earning hip-hop star has seen annual pay fall from $150 million to $20 million. Reason: Last year, he brought in a one-time, $100 million windfall after VitaminWater’s parent, Glacéau, was bought by Coca-Cola for $4.1 billion. His steep drop in earnings makes him look like a crashing bank stock, but the Queens-born rapper might survive future stress tests better than most. His portfolio also includes the popular G-Unit clothing line and record label, plus films, videogames and a slew of platinum albums. His fourth album, Before I Self Destruct , is set for release later this year.”

And there you have it. If he was truly powerful, 50 Cent would think of the little people and offer small bottles of his fragrance… for… 50 cents (of course), as a brilliant marketing idea of the fragrance. All proceeds of the 50 cent costed editions of Power, could go to a development fund that discovers new rapper kids for entertainment. Let’s wurq Fiddy! Hollar, from Horiwood.Com!

Depending on what part of the country you’re in will depend on which of the above stores you’ll visit for these freebies.  I think I mentioned a few of these coupons before, so if you used the coupons, you’re SOL on those items, but most of them are new items on sale to head out and grab!

Doublemint, Big Red, JuicyFruit, Wrigley’s Spearmint or Winterfresh Slim Gum- Get your free pack of gum by clipping the coupon found in Week K (Week 11), SmartSource insert.  The coupon is good for up to $1.19 for a pack, and the sale/retail price is $1.19, making it FREE. 

Glaceau VitaminWater — This is also on sale this week at Walgreen’s and Fry’s, but since you’re heading to Safeway, add it to your list.  Price in the store is $0.88.  Coupon is for $1.00, making it FREE.  The Dragon-something-or-other flavor is my favorite.  Mighty tasty.  Coupon location is Week N (Week 14) right on the inside of the first page.

Kraft Salad Dressingis FREE this week.  Sale price is $1.34, and coupon is $1.50, making it FREE.  Coupon location is Week S (Week 19), SmartSource Insert…first or second page in.   If you use this coupon for the Kraft Salad Dressing at Albertson’s, you’ll pay $0.17…get it here for FREE.

Come have fun with me and start telling ME about the items you get for free every week.  My EBook on how to shop sensibly in these economic times is a MUST HAVE, and makes a great, fun gift for anyone interested in saving money.  Find it at www.shopsensibly.com.

~CouponCathy

Okay..long post on this one.  If you have a Fry’s Grocery Store in your state, you need to stock up on everything.  It’s QUADRUPLE coupon week at Fry’s (up to $1.00 in value), and they are giving away a ton of goodies.

Glaceau VitaminWater– Price is $1.00.  Coupon is for $1.00, making it FREE.  Coupon location is Week N (Week # 14), SmartSource Insert…right on the inside of the first page!

Weber Grill Creations Seasoning  Price is $1.00.  Coupon is $0.50, when “quadrupled” up to $1.00, it’s FREE. Coupon location is Week T( Week 20), SmartSource insert towards the back.

Quaker Quakes Rice Snacks Price is $1.00.  Coupon is for $0.50, when “quadrupled” up to $1.00, it’s FREE.  Coupon location is Week M (Week 13).  Note..you might have used this coupon when I posted this deal back a few weeks ago.

Dial Liquid Hand Soap–Pick up TWOof these FREE this week!  Coupons are for $0.35 each, and are located in Week J (Week 10), Smart Source Insert, and Week T (Week 20), SmartSource insert.  When “quadrupled” up to $1.00, it makes them both FREE.

Angelsoft 4-pack toilet paper– Price is $1.00.  Coupon is $0.50, located in Week P (Week 16), RedPlum Insert, a page or two in.

Trans Ocean Crab Classic– Either the flakes, legs, or chunks.  Doesn’t sound appetizing, but I’m sure in dip it’s great (?)  Price is $1.00, and there is an Internet Coupon for Week T from www.coupons.com) for $1.00 making it FREE. 

Not only does my EBook have great grocery shopping methods, but I also show you how to save money online shopping for all your office supplies as well!  Visit www.shopsensibly.com to learn more.

Happy Shopping…CouponCathy

 Rash talk. A reverse forecast. A Puzzle after the fact.

The Heron Report for Monday: a short walk: a hop, skip and a jump and a jumbled rainy Monday morning if there ever was one. Hung a right instead of usual left, and walked east along the creek. Brief.

    At an elbow shaped bend discovered a heron standing in the water, facing away from me toward the bank that faced it. Sometimes the white spot on their heads resembles a peeled hard-boiled egg and I found this was the case. About 20 feet away stood a Canada goose, facing the opposite bank, in my direction. Next was a goose lying down, nesting on the mud flat area, another 20 feet to a fisherman. And that was that. All around the bend. The heron, looking trim and smooth and tall at first, shook and ruffled its feathers and totally changed character, shape, and form in to a hunched and scruffled “S.”

   Along the way, it was revealed to me that Glacéau vitamin water has an internal feature called Trash Talk, information which was delivered in the form of an off hand gesture – of trash. The label had been ripped from the plastic bottle (MIA) and crumpled dropped off to the side. Neither the spontaneity of this act nor the label’s magenta black and white band could  escape my eagle eye and the grasp of my hand, given the penchant I have for picking up things.  It is a remarkable feature of advertising to let no inside of a label go unused, to maximize the coverage area. And it works!

NOTE: Well, it did.

Rain all day and after midnight until 2 a.m. Heavy at times. Try it.

I made some ownership charts to accompany Andrea Whitfill’s excellent Alternet piece, “Burt’s Bees, Tom’s of Maine, Naked Juice: Your Favorite Brands? Take Another Look — They May Not Be What They Seem.”  Corporate ownership can be very convoluted (especially when dealing with international corporations,) so I’ve found it’s helpful to post the corporation logos to aid in memorization. I tend to instantly forget company names, but I’ll remember their respective logos for years. 

Many organic brand names are owned by huge conglomerates with questionable human rights and environmental records. Believe me, I was not happy or smug constructing this chart. I love Puffins cereal. The peanut butter Puffins? C’mon, I’m only human.

So to all my hippy friends, trying their best: I’m sorry.

Note: Corporations aren’t inherently evil. However, they are very large businesses that have large quotas, so the emphasis is always placed on speed, efficiency, and consumption – not human rights, the environment, and morality. Hence, corporations are prone to immoral behavior, and sometimes, human rights violations. 

There are way more checks on corporations now than there were in the past. That’s not to say corporations are perfect. Far from it. In fact, some are still quite evil (Coca-Cola: I’m looking your way.) But, many corporations are trying to enter the Green Zone because their consumers are demanding they clean up their environmental records. Clorox and GM are two examples of corporations that have tried to mend their environmental records.

As consumers, it’s important not to let the occasional corporate environmental endeavor distract us from a business’s larger model. Some corporations put out one green product to provide cover as they pollute or violate human rights in other sectors of their business. I’m not accusing Clorox or GM of doing this, but it’s important to remain engaged consumers and not blindly yank products off the store shelf without giving thought to where the products come from, who makes them, and what toll they take on the environment.

Also, don’t drink Coke. Coca-Cola is evil. 

this is how i often buy my milk, yogurt, and labne. a lovely man from a nearby village comes to my neighborhood every morning with his donkey. he shouts “laban” and you know he is here (there is a helpful echo that means his voice carries through the buildings). as a part of boycotting i try to support local farmers as much as possible. this means that i always ask questions about where the food is grown–the exact village–before i buy it. unfortunately, this means the huge fruit and vegetable market in downtown nablus is off limits. most of their food is from the colonizing israelis. but there are fruit and vegetable stands in the old city of nablus who only sell baladi produce. finding baladi food is not difficult, it just means entering into conversations with the merchant. but, of course, i always prefer to buy local. to support the fellaheen as much as possible.

my friends anne and jesse who live in shefa amr have a great new blog about living in 1948 palestine. they, too, work really hard to boycott israeli colonial products even while living in their midst–a difficult task to be sure, but one they have found ways around. it is worth reading their whole post, but here is the part relevant to what i’m talking about:

We are continuing to look for ways to eat locally produced food in Palestine. Of course because it supports farmers and the local economy and tastes better, but also because we spend less money on Israeli products. There is one Israeli dairy company, TNUVA, which accounts for 70% of the dairy products bought in Israel. Milk, eggs and cheese. All commodity production. All grain feed. Full of hormones and antibiotics. Imagining a cow’s stomach twisting around its other organs in order to digest corn feed, all while living in a CAFO is not the dairy industry I want to support. When we first arrived, we simply avoided milk and bought cheese from a small Palestinian producer in a nearby village. Then we discovered the ease to which we could find Helib Baladi (literally, milk from the country) at a nearby butcher. So every week we pick up a few liters of fresh sheep’s milk. We get to know the butcher and circumvent the Israeli commodity system.

this is the sort of thing we need to be focusing on: buying local. of course, i have a hierarchy when i shop. 1) local palestinian products; 2) palestinian products from companies; 3) arab products; 4) european products; 5) american products. living here, i never have and have never needed to buy anything from israeli colonists. there are people working on boycott at the institutional level, and while i support these efforts, i remain suspicious given that all the big palestinian businessmen have interests in the palestinian authority. but here is some news about organizing in qalqilia from ma’an:

The Palestinian Popular Committee for boycotting Israeli products visited the West Bank city of Qalqiliya to promote its renewed campaign.

The campaign recently redoubled its efforts in the northern West Bank, in hopes of convincing 50 localities to participate in the boycott. The strategy of the boycott is to deprive the Israeli occupation of economic support by refusing to buy its products.

Members of the Committee visited offices of the ministries of Religious Affairs and Education. They met with director of the Ministry of Education office in Qalqiliya, Yousif Uda and agreed with him that schools organize activities to explain about divestment.

They also visited the union of pharmacists and met with its head Raed Wilwil. Another visit was paid to the union of physicians. According to members of the committee, all expressed willingness to cooperate with the campaign.

Representatives of the Palestinian People’s Party (PPP) in Qalqiliya welcomed the campaign and applauded the organizers from represent six local organizations:

1 – Agricultural Relief represented in the campaign by Khalid Mansour.
2 – Youth Development Society represented by Walid Jibreel.
3 – Union of farmers represented by Amjad Omar.
4 – Union of Savings and Loans Societies represented by Wafa Juda and Basima Shawahna.
5- Rural women development society represented by Nihaya Abu Ruweis and Raghda Sabri.
6 – Agricultural Charity represented by Ammar Huwari and Mahmoud Younis.

the educational aspects are so essential and i cannot stress this enough. i went to a market near the university after school because i often buy my groceries there during the week. the market has way too much stuff from israeli colonists for my liking and i comment on that every time i go. but they also have unique stuff i cannot find anywhere else like masafi juice, which i love because it has no sugar in it. normally the water is just palestinian water. i don’t drink bottled water so i don’t usually focus on it when i shop, but today i noticed they had two new brands: ghadeer from jordan and an israeli colonial water product. i don’t really see why we need to be importing jordanian water given that there are two palestinian companies bottling water. (and in general i don’t see the point of drinking bottled water here in the first place.) but i was so pissed when i saw the israeli colonial water. i asked why they added this product to their stock and the clerk told me, “it’s not israeli, it’s from a settlement.” mish ma’oul! as if that is somehow better?! i was so shocked i didn’t know what to say.

the other day pulse published a video on their blog from europalestine about a new french initiative that should be duplicated in every city–including here in palestine! watch the video below and see this amazing demonstration:

Viva la France … EuroPalestine activists take it to the supermarket aisles. The solidarity whistling of this boycott army will put a smile on your face. Never mind not understanding French. The actions are loud and clear.

but i want to just say that this philosophy of buying local is not specific to palestine. it is something that people should do everywhere for health reasons, for economic reasons, and yes, for political reasons. trying to stay away from corporate, capitalist greed by any means necessary is always the best way of operating in every situation. here is an article by andrea whitfil on alternet that is important reading for american socially and environmentally conscious consumers. it seems that many of the brands that we know and love have been gobbled up by bigger corporations. her article should be read in full, but here are the main disturbing findings:

Needless to say, I was shocked when I recently found out that Burt’s Bees is now owned by Clorox, a massive corporate company that has historically cared very little about the environment, but whose main industry is directly associated with harmful chemicals, some of which require warning labels for legal sale.

Clorox; yes, that’s right — the bleach company with an estimated revenue of $ 4.8 billion that employs nearly 7,600 workers (now bees) and sells products like Liquid-Plumr, Pine-Sol and Armor All, a far cry from the origins of Burt….

Well, no more. My bathroom assessments will never be the same. Tom’s of Maine is owned by Colgate-Palmolive, a massive, tanklike company with an estimated 36,000 employees and revenue of approximately $11.4 billion. Its big products include: Ajax, Anbesol and Speedstick….

In the dairy section sit many flavors of Stoneyfield Farm Yogurt. I knew its socially conscious CEO, Gary Hirshberg, had created major organic brand recognition to become the No. 1 seller of organic yogurt in the United States, but since then Danone, the French conglomerate (which also owns Brown Cow), acquired a majority holding in Stoneyfield. This is the same Danone that had to recall large quantities of its yogurt in 2007 after it was found to contain unsafe levels of dioxins. (In an interesting twist, the still-active Hirshberg sits on the board of Dannon U.S.A. Unlike most of the early entrepreneurs, who took the dough and left the scene, Hirshberg is still involved. )

Meanwhile, I learned that Horizon Organic milk was bought out by the largest diary company in the U.S., Dean Foods Co., in 2005.

Next I ventured to the juice section. Drinking Odwalla juices was an expensive habit I had justified for years because of its healthy California brand. The ubiquitous refrigerators in thousands of stores should have given it away that Odwalla wasn’t the small company it once was. It is now owned by Coca-Cola. Almost as soon as Coca-Cola bought the company, back in 2001 for $181 million, it stopped selling the fresh-squeezed OJ that had made Odwalla famous and popular among the healthy set. With its massive distribution system, fresh squeezed wouldn’t last the days and weeks the juices are in transit or on the shelf.

Not to be outdone (although it took it a while), Pepsi bought Naked Juice in 2006 for $450 million, in order to compete with Odwalla. Smuckers, the brand we are told is the “brand we can trust”, grabbed several juice mainstays from the health food store shelves: After the fall — R.W. Knudsen and Santa Cruz Organic.

Turns out that Coca-Cola also owns Glaceau, the company once known for its “fresh new approach to bottled water that is inspired by nature and enhanced by science.” Glaceau is the maker of Vitamin Water, Fruit Water, Smart Water and Vitamin Energy — all bottled waters that are adorably marketed and loaded with sugar. It’s no wonder Coca-Cola was slapped with a lawsuit in 2006 for making deceptive and unsubstantiated health claims in its Vitamin Water marketing strategies; they are selling glorified sugar water….

And as Michael Blanding notes on AlterNet, “In fact, many times bottled water is tap water. Contrary to the image of water flowing from pristine mountain springs, more than a quarter of bottled water actually comes from municipal water supplies. The industry is dominated by three companies, who together control more than half the market: Coca-Cola, which produces Dasani; Pepsi, which produces Aquafina; and Nestle, which produces several “local” brands, including Poland Spring, Arrowhead, Deer Park, Ozarka and Calistoga. Both Coke and Pepsi exclusively use tap water for their sources, while Nestle uses tap water in some brands….

Over in the breakfast aisle, my friend was a bit apoplectic when we learned that the “super healthy” Kashi cereals, the favorites of millions of healthy breakfast eaters, was bought in July 2000 for an “undisclosed sum” by Kellogg’s, the 12th-largest company in North American food sales, according to Food Processing. I picked up a box of Kashi’s “Go Lean Crunch” and searched every word; not one mention of the fact that Kellogg’s owns them. That change was rally below the radar. In 2004, Kraft Foods, known for processed cheeses and Kool-Aid, bought the natural cereal maker Back to Nature. Kraft is a subsidiary of Altria, which also owns Philip Morris USA, one of the world’s largest producers of cigarettes….

A little more digging shows that General Mills owns Cascadian Farm; Barbara’s Bakery is owned by Weetabix, the leading British cereal company, which is owned by a private investment firm in England; Mother’s makes it clear that it is owned by Quaker Oats (which is owned by PepsiCo); Health Valley and Arrowhead Mills are owned by Hain Celestial Group, a natural food company traded on the NASDAQ, with H.J. Heinz owning 16 percent of that company.

After the Kashi news, I wondered what was next? I didn’t have to go any further than the organic chocolate aisle of my favorite deli to find Green and Black’s organic chocolate was taken over in 2005 by Schweppes, the 10th-largest company in North American packaged-food sales. And even more surprising to chocolate lovers is that Dagoba Chocolate, which had a little cult chocolate following for a while, is surprise, surprise, owned by Hershey Foods….

just a reminder: many of these american products should be boycotted because they heavily invest in israeli terrorism. those companies, which have now swallowed up companies many progressives and radicals may purchase, should be added to the boycott list. kraft (phillip morris, malboro cigarettes), nestle coca cola, pepsi, all bolded above.

one other interesting tidbit on the level about the way that israeli colonialism infests the palestinian economy. a friend told me today that a friend of hers who is a tax inspector was looking at a shipment on a truck. that shipment had on it products made here in nablus and was heading to some unknown israeli colonial location. what was on this truck? the uniforms for israeli terrorists. yes, that’s right, it seems that at least some of those uniforms are sewn right here in nablus.

and it seems that the israeli colonists are trying to be clever now as they grow more aware of the boycott here. those of us working on the boycott got our university cafeteria to stop using israeli colonial ketchup. they switched to a brand from oman. however, this week there was a new brand. it had hebrew writing on it so i complained. they told me, “no, this is from ramallah.” so i looked at the back and sure enough, in english, it said it was made in bil’in, a village near ramallah. today my friend and tried calling the numbers–both a land line and a cell phone line–to see if it is really made in palestine, or just packaged here, or what. neither number works.

Rencontre avec Sofie Van de Putte
Entretien réalisé pour le lancement de Glacéau Vitaminwater

La gamme de Glacéau Vitaminwater

Florence Bohyn : Pour quelle entreprise travaillez-vous et quelle est votre fonction au sein de celle-ci ?

Sofie Van de Putte : Je travaille pour The Coca-Cola Company en tant que Project Manager pour le lancement de Glacéau Vitaminwater.

F.B. : Quel était le produit de la dernière campagne promotionnelle qui a été réalisée ?

S. VdP. : Glacéau Vitaminwater est une gamme de 6 boissons vitaminées, rachetée par Coca-Cola en 1997 et développée en 2000 à New-York. Chaque variante a son propre goût et son propre petit atout de vitamines et de minéraux pour aider les gens à s’hydrater de façon optimale dans la vie active quotidienne, mais aussi pour avoir le plaisir du bon goût. « Essential » au goût d’oranges, par exemple, contient de la vitamine C et du calcium. C’est idéal pour commencer la journée. Ou encore « Restore », avec autant de potassium qu’une banane, est idéal pour se réhydrater après une soirée de fête (ce qui est très important pour les étudiants).

F.B. : Combien de temps a-t-il fallu pour réaliser ce produit ? (du concept à la production)

S. VdP. : Le concept existe depuis 2000 à New-York. En Europe, Glacéau Vitaminwater a été lancé à Londres l’année passée, et cette année à Paris et Lisbonne. Pour Bruxelles, Anvers et Gand, nous avons pu réaliser ce lancement en 3 mois.

F.B. : Quelles ont été les différentes étapes pour effectuer le lancement du produit sur le marché ?

S. VdP. : – Organisation de l’équipe
- Développement du business case
- Commercialisation du produit (emballage, production, autorisations, …)
- Recrutement d’agence marketing (relations publiques, field marketing, matériel point de vente, …)
- Recrutement d’agence de vente (force de vente externe)
- Développement et exécution du plan de lancement
- Production du produit
- Lancement officiel

F.B. : Pouvez-vous donner une description de la démarche publicitaire adoptée pour la promotion du produit ?

S. VdP. : Non, c’est confidentiel… Disons que vous ne trouverez pas de grands budgets d’investissements média dans les rapports officiels dans les mois à venir. Nous préférons entrer en dialogue individuel avec nos consommateurs.

F.B. : Pourquoi avoir choisi cette démarche plutôt qu’une autre ?

S. VdP. : C’est un choix stratégique en rapport direct avec la personnalité de la marque.

F.B. : Avez-vous utilisé les réseaux sociaux dans le cadre de cette promotion ?

S. VdP. : Ah oui ! Nous sommes en 2009. C’est là entre autres où nous trouvons notre cible. Vérifiez notre fan-page officielle sur Facebook et suivez-nous sur Twitter.

F.B. : Quelle était la cible que vous souhaitiez atteindre ?

S. VdP. : C’est confidentiel, mais disons que Glacéau Vitaminwater est là pour toutes les personnes qui désirent s’hydrater de façon responsable… et avec plaisir.

F.B. : Êtes-vous satisfaits des résultats de la campagne ?

S. VdP. : Pas de commentaires officiels un mois après le lancement. Mais nous sommes « en ligne » par rapport au plan.

F.B. : Envisagez-vous déjà de lancer un nouveau produit sur le marché ?

S. VdP. : En Belgique : pas de projet officiel… Mais les marketeers chez The Coca-Cola Company essaient tous les jours de trouver des innovations pour encore mieux hydrater et rafraîchir les consommateurs.

Pour Glacéau Vitaminwater : le produit est lancé à Hong-Kong cette semaine et là aussi, ils l’aiment beaucoup !

Merci pour votre intérêt pour Glacéau Vitaminwater. À bientôt dans un des points de vente à Bruxelles, New-York ou ailleurs dans le monde !

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