Comment, opinion and Soap Box blogs

Is it fair to hate clamshells?
Posted 9 December 2009
Packaging News editor Josh Brooks questions a survey claiming that parents can’t stand clamshell packaging on their children’s toys.

Packaging reduction goes out of the window at Christmas
Posted 9 December 2009
Incpen director Jane Bickerstaffe turns her thoughts to Christmas shopping – and questions our attitudes to packaging in the festive period.

Thinking outside the bottle
Posted 2 December 2009
Packaging News news editor Simeon Goldstein takes a look at some concept wine bottles from O-I and urges more firms to look at different-shaped packs.

Packs should adapt as consumers change
Posted 2 December 2009
Rexam marketing manager Ann Bonner says developing the right packaging is all about understanding consumers’ needs at various stages in their lives.

The red cups are back
Posted 25 November 2009
Packaging News features editor Jill Park ponders the merits of customers’ food-service packaging after a festive trip to her favourite coffee house.

 How taking time to boost staff morale can increase productivity
Posted 25 November 2009
Vision in Print director Richard Gray looks at the importance of building relationships with the workforce in developing a successful business.

The potential of special editions isn’t limited
Posted 18 November 2009
Packaging News production editor David Elliott looks at quality drinks brands that are investing in special-edition packaging to give their brand the edge, and marvels at the effort and innovation on display.

There’s no sense in sending metal to landfill
Posted 18 November 2009
Steve Kelsey of PI Global considers a second generation of the Courtauld Commitment and says aluminium is too precious a resource to send to landfill.

When bag-in-box aims for the stars
Posted 11 November 2009
Packaging News editor Josh Brooks tests a new bag-in-box wine pack from the world’s biggest winemaker. But will it tempt him away from the traditional glass bottle?

Farmers’ markets – more nostalgia than the organic dream?
Posted 11 November 2009
Incpen director Jane Bickerstaffe regularly shops at farmers’ markets. But in this Soap Box Blog, she questions her own motives and whether these markets live up to the dream of supplying organic, fresh and local produce.

God bless America
Posted 21 October 2009
Packaging News features editor Jill Park is wowed by the dazzling array of clashing colours and unfamiliar names adorning packs she found during a recent sojourn in The City That Never Sleeps.

Lots of big talk – now invest in the people
Posted 21 October 2009
Martin Hardwidge, who runs MHA Marketing Communications, a PR agency specialising in the Packaging Industry, and is Chair of The Packaging Society East Midlands, tells Packaging News why training remains important in retaining a highly-skilled workforce.

It ain’t so grim up north!
Posted 7 October 2009
Simeon Goldstein, Packaging News news editor, visits Coca-Cola’s booming Wakefield plant, PPMA and Labelexpo and finds many reasons for the packaging sector to be optimistic.

It’s time for a national recycling strategy
Posted 7 October 2009
Last week, environment minister Hilary Benn called on the Labour party conference to back more packaging recycling. But what we really need, says Closed Loop Recycling managing director Chris Dow, is a coherent national recycling strategy.

Is the customer always right, and does that mean brands should listen?
Posted 30 September 2009
After a spate of design U-turns sparked by consumer pressure and more companies looking to social networking for feedback, Packaging News production editor David Elliott asks if there is a downside to listening to the customer.

It’s time to recognise packaging’s true value
Posted 30 September 2009
Steve Kelsey questions the expectation for new packaging designs to be cheaper simply because they are lighter.

Put your comfy shoes on it’s PPMA time

Posted 23 September 2009
Packaging News features editor Jill Park prepares for the PPMA show in Birmingham.

A balanced bag debate
Posted 23 September 2009
Andy Steavenson, director of bag manufacturer and supplier Crazy Bags, discusses both sides of the plastic bag debate.

Nation building with a cheese label
Posted 14 September 2009

After a visit to the birthplace of Camembert in France, Packaging News editor Josh Brooks shares some of the great labels to grace the iconic cheese.

Last orders for alcohol advertising?
Posted 9 September 2009

Packaging News news editor Simeon Goldstein considers how a ban on alcohol advertising would affect the packaging sector.

Maoam’s packs may be fruity but ‘food porn’ is nothing new
Posted 2 September 2009

Jill Park, Packaging News features editor, looks at the recent storm surrounding images on Haribo’s Maoam range and argues that salacious food packaging is something of a mainstay on supermarket shelves.

Would classic album art have survived under a green regime?
Posted 26 August 2009

David Elliott, Packaging News production editor, asks if the great album sleeves could have flourished under environmental pressures.

Why you should keep your customers close
Posted 19 August 2009

Stephen Bentley, chief executive of contract packing firm Granby Marketing Services, explains why you should keep your customers close and your suppliers closer.

From reassuringly expensive to ‘recyclage de luxe’
Posted 19 August 2009

Packaging News editor Josh Brooks says that more brands should follow Stella Artois’ lead and promote their packaging’s green credentials to the public.

Food policy takes us back to the future
Posted 12 August 2009

Government plans to get rid of best before dates and encourage us to buy British are all very well – but it’s all just a bit boring, says Packaging News reporter Simeon Goldstein

My manifesto to evolve the Packaging Society
Posted 12 August 2009

Keith Barnes has just become chairman of IoP: The Packaging Society. In this blog, he sets out his manifesto for reviving the organisation’s local networks – and making the world excited about packaging.

Old timers are the best
Posted 5 August 2009

Packaging News reporter Jill Park reminisces over some of packaging’s more nostalgic packs – and warns anyone off her Yorkshire Tea.

Rethink recycling: an open letter to the LGA
Posted 5 August 2009

Steve Kelsey of PI Global asks the Local Government Association to explain its real attitudes towards packaging waste.

Preparing for questions over the small matter of nanotechnology
Posted 5 August 2009

Nano-particles are everywhere – including in packaging. Faraday managing director Walter Lewis says that the industry should be prepared to answer some potentially difficult questions on the issue.

Ask the right questions and you will keep your customers sweet
Posted 5 August 2009

Stay close to your customers’ opinions of you if you want to perform at your best, says Vision in Print director Richard Gray

Protect your brand, because you’re worth it…
Posted 5 August 2009

Francesca Fellowes, a solicitor specialising in intellectual property law, comments on L’Oréal’s recent trademark infringement case and argues it could change the game for packaging design.

Packaging’s most innovative ideas? It’s all a matter of judgement…
Posted 5 August 2009

Des King argues that imaginative design is alive and well, whether it makes you burp with contentment or retch with frustration.

Big hitters’ exploration of the acquisition trail will forge a new landscape in the industry
Posted 5 August 2009

Packaging News editor Josh Brooks argues that Bemis’ acquisition of the Alcan Food Packaging Americas business could herald a wave of big M&A this year.

Time to put up or shut up for brands’ recycling claims
Posted 29 July 2009

Chris Dow, managing director of Closed Loop Recycling, says that brand owners must show real action if they are to live up to their bold environmental statements.

The bottle-can: odd couple or innovative hybrid?
Posted 29 July 2009

David Elliott, Packaging News production editor, asks if the bottle-can – or the weird cockatrice, for that matter – should be hailed as inventive and exciting or consigned to the history books.

Why we should all be making material choices
Posted 22 July 2009

Andrew Barnetson, CPI corrugated sector manager, argues that companies are missing a trick if they don’t reassess their use of modern materials.

Can sandals ever be fun?
Posted 22 July 2009

Packaging News features editor Catherine Dawes asks if food brands will succeed in attracting shoppers to their products with packaging that’s both functional and fun.

How to combat copycat packaging – on a budget
Posted 15 July 2009

Francesca Fellowes, a solicitor specialising in intellectual property law, shares some tips on how to deal with the vexatious issue of copycat packaging.

Harry Potter and the emerald chest
Posted 15 July 2009

Packaging News reporter Simeon Goldstein is moving house, and dreading having to battle with a new waste collection system. But would Harry Potter fare any better with the magical world of recycling

Time to buy a bag for life?
Posted 8 July 2009

Packaging News reporter Jill Park considers the benefits of the plastic bag – but decides it’s time to move to a bag for life.

The problem with Defra’s packaging strategy
Posted 1 July 2009

Steve Kelsey, strategic innovations director at design agency PI Global, welcomes Defra’s packaging strategy but says there is still much work to be done.

A better way to use the knowledge that exists in the supply chain
Posted 1 July 2009

Poor communication across the supply chain means that chances to innovate are being lost, says Faraday Packaging Partnership managing director Walter Lewis

If you need to improve your margins, then look to your purchasing
Posted 1 July 2009

Huge cost savings can be made – just look at your purchasing department, says Vision in Print director Richard Gray

Off-trade sales offer opportunities in alcohol
Posted 1 July

Changes in how – and where – alcohol is consumed are leading to exciting opportunities in drinks packaging, says Jon Davies, managing director of Holmes & Marchant

Why a little imagination could prevent us from becoming boxed in
Posted 1 July

Packaging can excite kids – just let them make trains out of it. They might even learn something, says Des King

It’s been a difficult 12 months, but Power 50 demonstrates the industry is in safe hands
Posted 1 July

If you can get past the gloomy headlines, our industry has a lot to be proud of, says Packaging News editor Josh Brooks

Why design agencies should be buying British
Posted 25 June 2009

Dan Einzig, managing director of London-based design agency Mystery, calls on his fellow designers to support UK manufacturing and – where possible – buy British.

Packaging must learn from Cullen’s administration
Posted 18 June 2009

In this exclusive comment piece for Packaging News, Liz Mackay, the administrator for Robert Cullen & Sons, reflects on the business’s problems – and lessons for the rest of the industry.

Invest in your brand to secure its future
Posted 7 May 2009

Paul Castledine, chairman and chief creative at brand design agency Boxer, argues that all brands, even long-established ones, should rest on their laurels at their own peril in this difficult economic climate.

Why outsourcing can save cash as the recession bites
Posted 30 April 2009

Stewart Oxley, sales and marketing director at contract packer and services provider Granby Marketing Services, argues that marketers should rethink their views on outsourcing as the downturn takes hold.

If you would like to write a Soap Box Blog for our Wednesday news bulletin, we’d love to hear from you. Just email packagingnews.editorial@haymarket.com

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