Brand Noise

Disenfranchised Young Brits Lead to Societal Migraines

Britons are frightened of their own young, reports Time Magazine. On any given Saturday night, in any town center across Britain, it's easy to see why. "It usually starts outside McDonald's — that's the hot spot," explains one London youth. "You might go with one mate, then you get a phone call. Give it an hour, there'll be 10 people there, with nothing to do. Intimidating people is something to do, a way of getting kicks. Like, 'Oh my God, did you see how they ran?' "

Compared to other cultures, British kids are less integrated into the adult world and spend more time with peers.

Meantime, The Independent reports that a 15-year-old boy, Brendan Harris, was convicted of kicking and stamping to death a young   woman in Stubbylee Park, Bacup, because she was dressed as a Goth. Harris had denied the murder charge but pleaded guilty to causing grievous   bodily harm to Mr. Maltby after drinking two litres of cider, a bottle of   Stella Artois lager and "quite a lot of" peach schnapps.

Interestingly, the solidarity kids everywhere find in Goth culture alleviates the disconnection. It's when kids can't find a connection and begin following a ring leader that the troubles begin.

(Photo: Fathers' Protest Sign.)

In Russia, Miller Explores Beer as Healthy Alternate to Cheap Vodka

Graham Mackay, chief executive of SABMiller, is targeting expansion in the Russian beer market as the country’s rapid economic growth creates greater affluence, and drinkers switch from cheap vodkas to beer.

Russia has become an increasingly attractive market for brewers as sustained economic growth creates opportunities to market beer as a healthy alternative to cheap brands of vodka. SABMiller is expanding organically in Russia but it is also likely to consider acquisitions.

Read more.

The question to look at: What do Russians consider healthy? They're exploring lifestyle issues now.

Swedish Vodka Shift Is Absolute-ly Right

After trading in its print-based campaign tied to the shape of its bottle for a global multimedia approach last year themed, "It's an Absolut world," the Swedish vodka brand saw its sales spike.

When Absolut entered the U.S. market in 1979, it essentially created the superpremium vodka category, and its ads -- which merged its iconic bottle with equally iconic art-world figures -- were ideal for the brand's upmarket image.

Even so, the marketer was reluctant to end one of the most celebrated campaigns in the history of alcohol marketing, no matter how irrelevant it had become.

Veteran spirits-industry consultant Arthur Shapiro, a former Seagram executive, said Absolut has succeeded in reconnecting with consumers who may have dabbled in upstart brands. "America has had this love affair with high-priced vodka for a few years, but Absolut is the brand a lot of people grew up on," he said. "Those consumers are coming back to their senses."

Read more.

Tate Gallery Distributes Ltd. Ed. Cains Beer

The man who created the Sgt Pepper album cover has designed a beer bottle label to celebrate Liverpool's Capital of Culture year. The label by artist Sir Peter Blake features a Union Jack with his signature, and is featured on Cains' Best of British lager bottles. Cains Beer, based in Toxteth, Liverpool, plans to produce 250,000 bottles. The specially-labelled beer will be available until December. It is available in the Tate Britain and the Tate Modern galleries as well as supermarkets.

Read the whole story.

Lime for You, Lime for Me, With A Twist

Having watched rival Miller Brewing Co. take its fledgling, lime-and-salt flavored Miller Chill brand national last year, A-B is launching a lime-flavored version of flagship Bud Light.

The memo said the brand's "consumer target" were light-beer drinkers ages 25 to 54 who prefer a "sweeter" beer, as well as "trendsetters and aspirers." A Wikipedia page states Miller Chill’s design is to appeal to young males in both American and Latino cultures in the United States.

Read the whole story.

Svedka_Girl on the Election Bandwagon

To ensure that No Cocktail is Left Behind, Svedka_grl and her inner circle will host exclusive invitation-only, election results viewing parties in New York City with comedy news site 236.com at Merc Bar as well as in Washington D.C. on Super Tuesday, February 5, 2008. Additionally, post-voters in New York will be invited to "Join The Party" up close and personally on Svedka_grl's Straight Shot Express bi-partisan campaign party bus. Svedka_girl was introduced a few years ago.

Animation Bliss: Smirnoff Signature

Mad Men Catches Heat Over Product Placement

A new AMC TV series Mad Men set in a New York advertising agency in 1960 has drawn complaints from a consumer group, alleging that the show's sponsor — Jack Daniels — is violating liquor industry standards by mixing sex, irresponsible behavior and alcohol. Phil Lynch, vice president of corporate communications for Brown-Forman, parent company of Jack Daniels, said AMC had offered to place three references to Jack Daniels in the 13-week run of the show as a gift for its general advertising commitment on the network.  Read more

Victoria Bitter Trys to Keep up with a Changing Aussie Male

Victoria Bitter has been synonymous with the no-frills, blue-collar Aussie bloke with a hard-earned thirst. But that Aussie bloke, it seems, is changing his ways. Where once he reached for a full-strength beer on any occasion, these days he increasingly seeks something a little lighter. And increasingly, in a worrying trend for the makers of VB, the new-look Aussie male has been turning to different brewers for his mid-strength fix. Read more

Trend Report: Rethinking Libations

Here is a summary of our new trend report on the new trends in libations.  You can read the full report here.

Rethinking Libations (excerpt)
The new James Bond could care less whether his martini is shaken or stirred, yet the clever turn of phrase in its new form catches us.

It reflects our desire for the return of ritual. Libations and ritual have always gone hand in hand. Yet here we are today with a lot of mixed drinks, but no social rites.