Look into a few case studies that show how we have helped our clients solve challenges and develop strategies for growth
The Challenge: IDENTIFYING WINNING CULTIVARS
Through identifying and releasing better and different PVR protected cultivars, a global leader in the kiwifruit category was looking to further extend their leading portfolio of branded kiwifruit and drive global category and brand growth.
The approach: SENSORY SCREENING TO MEET MARKET DEMAND SPACE TARGETS
We provided sensory screening to identify winning new cultivars at every stage of the new cultivar development program, while assessing experience fit with consumer needs, drivers, and specific market demand spaces, and against clearly defined benchmarks and action standards.
The outcome: NEW SUPREME VARIETIES IDENTIFIED AND LAUNCHED
The launch and meaningful positioning of award-winning new varieties that complement and replace existing products in the portfolio.
The Challenge: ESTABLISHING FOCUSED BREEDING PROGRAM TARGETS AND ACTION STANDARDS
A leading global apple marketer saw an opportunity to refocus their innovation investment to target clearly defined and differentiated value opportunities with prioritised traits, and to set clear performance standards to enable faster identification of winning cultivars.
The approach: IN-DEPTH QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DEMAND SPACE RESEARCH AND QUANTITATIVE SENSORY SCREENING
Through in-depth qualitative research, and quantitative modelling we developed a global consumer needs framework and identified clear and differentiated demand space and innovation breeding targets. Cultivars from the breeding program were then screened against these targets to identify winning candidates with a very clear competitive market role
The outcome: COMPETITIVELY SUPERIOR MARKET RELEVANT CULTIVARS FASTER.
Identification of new cultivars with verified value against competitor benchmarks and linked to market opportunities.
The Challenge: ENSURING APPROPRIATE FRUIT QUALITY, TO SUPPORT BRAND DEVELOPMENT AND PREMIUM PRICING
A leading fruit brand identified the opportunity, through advanced post-harvest science, to link consumer experience to grower practices affecting fruit quality. They needed to create a mechanism to incentivise good practices and quality by rewarding growers for prioritising quality over volume.
The approach: SENSORY ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT OF QUALITY ATTRIBUTES ON CONSUMER LIKING AND PURCHASE INTENT
We designed and managed sensory trials to measure and model the impact of grower practices on consumers’ sensory experience, liking and purchase intent.
The outcome: GROWER INCENTIVES LINKED TO QUALITY STANDARDS
Development of a payment system that considers measurable fruit quality attributes in relation to the consumer benefits these provide, to incentivise growers for produce better fruit for consumers to enjoy.
The Challenge: ENSURING BRAND EXECUTION IS OPTIMISED FOR THE CHINESE MARKET
An organisation representing New Zealand’s red meat farmers wanted to ensure their Origin story and messaging were optimised for the Chinese shopper/consumer. The marketing objective was to elevate awareness, demand and value for the New Zealand origin within red meat and provide higher visibility and a strong demand platform for individual New Zealand producer brands.
The approach: IN-DEPTH DEVELOPMENTAL QUALITATIVE RESEARCH, AND ONLINE QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
Building on work we did in the development of the global origin brand, we collaborated with design partners to develop alternative concept options, which played on the original direction, yet improved the execution, to maximise impact and relevance for the Chinese consumers. Through iterative testing, using qual and quant techniques, we identified the best campaign direction and execution.
The outcome: STRENGTHENED NEW ZEALAND ORIGIN AWARENESS AND PREFERENCE IN THE RED MEAT CATEGORY
Identified how to adapt an existing campaign to a new market, culture, and language, while respecting the overall strategy and direction.
The Challenge: ESTABLINSHING A STRONG FOCUS FOR ACTIVATING VALUE AND VOLUME GROWTH IN A PLATEAUING MARKET
A government agency wanted to gather insights to support the New Zealand wine sector to maintain growth and elevate value in an important international market. The purpose was to understand market and category drivers to develop targeted growth strategies for the industry.
The approach: CATEGORY DEEP DIVE – QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
A customised research solution designed by us, identified market specific drivers, barriers, demand space opportunity, and focus for growth for a specific New Zealand wine varietal. Our approach included a quantitative phase to measure the relative traction of value drivers, and key factors impacting change. This was followed by a qualitative research component, to better understand how to optimise investment focus and execution of market growth initiatives.
The outcome: MARKET VALUE AND DEMAND GROWTH PILLARS IDENTIFIED
Identified and sized key growth drivers, to inform and support the New Zealand wine category and individual brand growth initiatives.
The Challenge: STRENGTHING DEMAND AND BRAND THROUGH IN- STORE PACKAGING OPTIMISATION
A leading dairy business in the Australian market identified the opportunity to refresh their packaging range. They wanted to better align with changing consumer needs and ensure high in-store visibility and distinctive brand execution.
The approach: QUALITATIVE EMPATHY CO DESIGN PLUS VR SALES TRIAL SIMULATION
We collaborated with designers and creatives to develop and evaluate alternative packaging concepts. We also looked at the refreshed point of sale material that aligned with the overarching brand strategy yet delivered to the latest consumer and shopper requirements. We conducted focus groups during the developmental phase, followed by central location sales trials VR simulations. This was to measure the effectiveness of the alternative packaging options and POS material.
The outcome: CO-DESIGNED OPTIMISED PACKAGING AND POS LAUNCHED
Identified the optimal range of formats and packaging options, alongside the supporting POS that would generate the highest growth, in terms of value and volume share for the brand within the category.