Perspectives
Carnival, Cologne and Confections
Adopting a wai of the world
Editor-in-Chief Bernie Pacyniak tells of his adventures in Thailand, including a trip to the Jelly Belly Candy Co.
Clipping coupons? There will be apps for that.
A new report from Juniper Research has found mobile coupon’s global redemption rate will average more than 8% by 2016 — an eightfold increase over the best paper coupon campaigns. Associate Editor Crystal Lindell looks at what this could mean for candy companies.
Reading 2012 tea leaves
As we plunge into the second full week of 2012, freed of holiday burdens and buoyed by resolutions, it’s tempting to speculate what the winds of fortune will bring to us all. And while there are plenty of stats regarding election-year tendencies, all I can say is there’s one editor who will be happy once the campaigning concludes come Nov. 6.
Embrace candy’s pleasure, ignore the guilt
New Year’s resolution season may seem like the time to give up candy, but it should be just the opposite.
¡Felicitaciones, Pedro!
Editor Bernard Pacyniak tours Valor Chocolates’ manufacturing facility in Villajoyosa, Spain with Pedro Lopez Lopez, the company’s ceo and managing director and winner of the 2011 European Candy Kettle Club award.
Pop Rock the Vote
Alas, the Republican presidential primaries have finally brought us some candy-related news. But, when 18-year-old Chloe Thomas asked presidential hopeful Mitt Romney about Pop Rocks, it wasn't just the topic that was off base, but the entire request.
The Sűßwaren express, Part 2
Editor-in-chief Bernard Pacyiak shares more highlights of his confectionery tour through Germany, including stops at Christkindlmarkt, the Galeria Kaufhof department store, Lemke, Viba Nougat-Welt Die Erlebnis-Confiserie, Ritter Sport and Rubezah.
The Sűßwaren express
Editor-in-chief Bernard Pacyiak shares highlights of his confectionery tour through Germany. So far he’s stopped at Coppenrath Feingeback, Hachez, Niederegger and Ragold.
Blowing bubbles for success
Finally, the stars are starting to align for all the students out there wishing they could just pop a piece of watermelon gum during history class. Glee Gum pointed me to new research from the National Center for Biotechnology Information, that shows chewing gum five minutes before cognitive tests improved performance.
‘Gimme BrandShelter’
Leo Burnett’s “BrandShelter” study about American’s view of the economy and the future shows a serious mood change amongst consumers. According to the study, 70% of those polled believe that the recovery is at least two years away. Bernie Pacyniak explains why confectionery companies should take now.
Lots to be anti-grateful for this Thanksgiving
I don’t think I could call myself a journalist if I missed the Thanksgiving news peg. Oh, you know, the time of year when each of us is required to make a list of all the things we should be thankful for. But, looking back on the year, it wasn’t hard to find a cornucopia of anti-praises.
Creativity abounds at New York Chocolate Show
What better way to kick off Chocolate Week in the Big Apple last Wednesday then with a chocolaty catwalk? The glitzy parade of models donning Broadway-themed haut couture at the Chocolate Fashion Show Nov. 12 appropriately inaugurated the 14th annual New York Chocolate Show, which featured 65 exhibitors and the Food Fête media event.
Sweetening coffers, not improving health
Earlier this week I came across a headline that suggested candy taxes don’t inhibit caloric intake. The report, dubbed “Overreaching on Obesity: Governments Consider New Taxes on Soda and Candy,” drives home the notion that mandating a healthier public through sin taxes isn’t effective.
The $211B advertising problem
If there were any confectionery companies out there having doubts about marketing to youth, there’s now 211 billion reasons to do so. New research from the 2012 Harris Poll YouthPulse (SM) study estimates that American youth (those 8 to 24 years old) will have $211 billion dollars to spend in 2012. And yes, that’s billion — with a B.
Forecasting the future
Many years ago I covered commodities for a weekly bakery newsletter known as “The Orange Sheet.” It was so named because the four-sheeter actually was printed on bright, Halloween orange paper, the publishers reckoning that the background would prevent anyone from photocopying the contents and passing it on without subscribing.
Dealing with climate change
I’ll admit it, I was initially skeptical about the impact of climate change on the world. No doubt, it stemmed from my cynical and contrarian nature, one that prevents me from immediately joining a bandwagon.
Getting customers to ‘like’ you
If you sell candy and you’re not on Facebook yet, then I have really bad for news for you — the world has passed you by while you did not pass Go and did not collect $200. But don’t take my 20-something word for it, just look at the data.
Sugar reform’s record ― neither sweet nor savory
Recently, the existing U.S. sugar program has been getting much more scrutiny by not only those paying higher prices ― consumers as well as the confectionery and baking commodity buyers ― but from our politicians as well. Oh wait, is there an election coming up?
ECRM in the Sunshine State
I just returned from the ECRM Candy Annual Planning EPPS event, held Sept. 18-21 at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Fla.
Looking for the candy bar that tastes great, saves the world
Wanted Ad: Single white female seeks chocolate company that pays fair wages, uses organic ingredients and shares bliss. Willing to buy candy bar if needs are met.
Eating well, eating to survive
Last week, I came across two food stories that made me stop and think about what role confectioners have in the “grand scheme” of things. The great “candy’s role in the diet and nutrition” question came about as a result of seeing Time magazine’s cover story (Sept. 12, 2011 issue) on “What to Eat Now” as well as watching a news clip on Plumpy’Nut being produced by Edesia in Providence, R.I.
Spanish for 'Candy Land'
When you walk into Dulce Landia, you can’t help but feel an intense urge to find a bat and swing it as hard you can — at the pinatas. Dulce Landia, which roughly translates to “candy land,” is a Chicago area-based chain of confectionery stores that specializes in products imported from Mexico and other South American countries.
A ‘Classy’ Transition
I’ll never forget how Larry Hassler described Pearson’s Salted Nut Roll to me when I visited the company back in June 2007. “It’s like eating a salad,” he smiled, noting that the peanuts, nougat center and caramel provided similar components found in a salad (legume, dairy product, sweet dressing). Although peanuts are technically a legume, I don’t think even Hassler could get away with a labeling change, even if he were to call the famous Salted Nut Roll “salad-like.”
Facing up to facts
On the surface, it seems like the Hershey protesters from Change.org have finally found the one issue that’s black and white. But, of course, no issue is black and white, and this one in particular is more of a cocoa brown color.
Solomon strikes
The news broke early in the morning. I was just taking another sip of coffee and flipping through the sports section of the Chicago Tribune (one has to have priorities in the morning) when I heard about Kraft Food’s decision to split its business into two separate entities, snack and grocery.
Sweet relief from all that bickering
Mars Chocolate North America recently released data from a poll that will promptly be filed under “obvious” — Americans apparently want more chocolate, vacation and sleep, but less celebrity gossip, reality TV and bickering politicians.
Wonka whimsy
One of the first lessons about the confectionery industry I learned upon taking over the editorial reins of Candy Industry 10 years ago involved the inherent mission of anyone producing candy, be it a sugar, chocolate or gum confection. In brief, it’s about bringing joy to the consumer.
Holiday fireworks
There’s nothing like being on a holiday break to get away from the headlines, deadlines and lines in general. More often than not, that’s when companies prone to making headlines like to release their announcements.
Digital media ads aren’t all junk
It’s not a great day to be in the treat-making business. Everyone is all bent out of shape about being out of shape, and confectioners — with their sugars and their fats and their indulgent nature — seem to make such a sweet target.