Monday 21st June:
Back to our roots
Art in the Age revolves around the philosophy of organic produce. Their first product is ROOT, a spirit which is incomparable to anything on the market today, and the first true American liqueur in nearly 100 years. (A big thank you to entrepreneurial junky, Elliot).
Art in the Age has turned back the clock to recreate a true pre-temperance alcoholic Root Tea; the original root beer was created as an non alcoholic alternative for hard drinking Pennsylvanian miners. A truly interesting and contemplative quaff, it’s certified organic (since back then, everything was organic) and is a genuine experience rooted in history and the American landscape.
Via http://www.artintheage.com/spirits/about/
Tagged with: Authenticity, Drinks, Spirits
Monday 26th April:
The authentic ‘real thing’
Bolivia’s Coca-Colla hits the shelves soon. And no it’s not a typo. Named after the indigenous Colla people from Bolivia’s mountain regions, Bolivian president, Evo Morales, recently approved the production and sale of the soft drink, which contains extracts from coca leaves, the raw ingredient used to manufacture cocaine.
Many in the political realm have labelled this as ‘a socialist-tinged affront to western imperialism’, despite the fact that the ingredient has long been used as a recreational stimulant, medicine and ritual drug in the country’s Andean culture. As many may know, the original recipe for Coca-Cola also contained the coca extract, but was removed from the company’s product in 1929.
Ref. http://www.psfk.com/2010/04/the-real-thing-bolivias-coca-colla-hits-shelves.html
Tagged with: Authenticity, Food and drink
Thursday 21st January:
Starbucks in disguise
The trouble with success and turning into a big business is that punters start to think your coffee tastes a little too corporate. Starbucks is making an attempt to look less yuppie-ish to urban hipsters and more countrified for more rural folk. They’ve launched ‘Coffee and Tea’ cafes with rustic hardwood floors and a distinct lack of the eponymous green siren roundel. That said, Coffee and Tea still promises to deliver your favourite latte, just how you like it.
Ref. http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coffee-and-tea
Tagged with: Authenticity, Food and drink, Retail
Wednesday 9th December:
The Museum of Everything
The building was once a dairy, later a recording studio. Now it’s a museum. Not just any museum, mind, but The Museum of Everything. Founded by James Brett, it’s a showcase for what he calls ‘Unintentional Art’, art that’s created for the love of it rather than as a professional pursuit. He’s been collecting it for almost a decade and now feels it’s time to show some of it off. James has asked people like Ed Ruscha, Annie Morris and Jarvis Cocker to help him curate.
The exhibition, which is affiliated with Frieze Art Fair, has been winning rave reviews. It’s well worth heading down to the corner of Regent’s Park Road and Sharpleshall Street in Primrose Hill to see it if you get chance. Here’s how they describe Exhibition #1 on the website: ‘In tiny crevices and under dusty beds, there lies a secret creativity by the unknowns of society. Unexpected, delicate and profound, this democratic work has inspired the world’s greatest artists. In Exhibition #1, the museum presents over two hundred drawings, paintings, sculptures and installations, selected by leading contemporary artists, curators and cultural figures. Come see their discoveries revealed for the very first time – at London’s only public space for art by the untrained, unintentional and unseen creators of this, our modern world.’
Ref. http://www.museumofeverything.com
Tuesday 3rd November:
GRRRooming for ‘real’ men
Male grooming brand, Bulldog, is biting back. Their 100% masculine products provide an answer to those stripped down ‘for men’ versions of female brands. Bulldog’s affordable range also aims to provide men with a new, natural and pioneering alternative to the chemically over-laden grooming sector.
Packaged with strong but simple branding, Bulldog clearly knows its market: men who care about their skin but who aren’t interested in fussy lotions and potions. Simple and reasonably priced, it does the trick without the girlie frills – just right for these credit crunch times. (A big thank you to Lee for this.)
Wednesday 14th October:
Fast-food farmers
In a world wrapped up in complex supply chains, small farmers are in a catch-22. Should they sell to the supermarkets and get less cash? Or spend a lot more time and effort trying to sell directly to customers? The public, meanwhile, are torn between loyalty to local businesses and the convenience of those established supply chains.
But German farm, Peter-und-Paul-Hof, has found a solution – in the form of vending machines. After collaborating with manufacturer, Stuewer, the specially designed vending machines are in action and currently selling fresh milk, eggs, butter, cheese, potatoes and sausage in 13 German towns and communities.
Peter-und-Paul-Hof had initially been delivering milk to their customers but this was time-consuming. So they encouraged their customers to come and collect their milk from fridges on the farm. The idea worked and this was then followed up by the vending machine idea.
The Regiomat vending machines can be placed outdoors all year round as long as they’re under a roof (some have even been placed alongside hiking trails in Switzerland), effectively giving locals a 24-hour farmers’ market – and farmers a lot more free time. This modernising of the traditional farm stall benefits both farmers and local-loving consumers. And by cutting out the middleman, the system also offers potential savings over retail stores.
Ref. http://www.springwise.com/food_beverage/regiomat/
Tagged with: Authenticity, Food and drink, Retail
Wednesday 12th August:
Staying local
Many local newspapers are struggling just now but some are showing real resilience. What’s their secret?
Tindle Newspapers owns over 200 local papers and is Britain’s tenth-largest local-news publisher. It’s run by Sir Ray Tindle, an octogenarian who believes that local news should be, well, local.
When Tindle Newspapers took over the stricken West Wales Observer, Sir Ray changed its name back to The Tenby Observer. He made sure its journalists only covered things that happened in and around Tenby itself. This focus on truly local news, politics and happenings has seen it go from strength to strength.
Ref. http://www.economist.com/world/britain/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14085662
Tagged with: Authenticity, Publishing
Monday 27th July:
The new authenticity
45s are back. iTunes is going retro with the launch of the new ‘D45’ – a throwback to the old days of the two-song 45 rpm vinyl record. The D45 section on the iTunes Store features discounted prices on packs of two digital song downloads. Just like old 45s, the D45 selection includes a popular single accompanied by a B-side song. Prices range from $1.49 to $1.99. (A very big thanks to Ben and Tim.)
‘iTunes is bringing this concept to a new age with D45s – two great tracks at an equally great price,’ the iTunes Store reads.
Music company EMI announced that the release of D45s marks the 60th anniversary of the 45 single record. The digital bundles will be sold exclusively by iTunes through July 27. After that, they will be available for purchase from ‘all major digital service providers’.
‘More than 35 digital singles will launch the campaign,’ the EMI press release states, ‘including original 45 single A-sides and B-sides, and top hits by Coldplay, David Bowie, R.E.M., Poison, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dean Martin, Duran Duran, Nat King Cole, Blondie, and Billy Idol among others.”
Ref. http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/07/14/itunes_goes_retro_with_digital_45s.html
Tagged with: Authenticity, Music, Retro, Technology
Monday 22nd June:
Kindness never goes out of fashion
Members of Hyatt’s Gold Passport loyalty program already enjoy numerous benefits when they visit a Hyatt hotel. Soon, however, they’ll also benefit from a new Hyatt initiative – to deliver random acts of kindness.
Hyatt’s mission is to provide ‘authentic hospitality’. CEO, Mark Hoplamazian, defines it as “making a difference to the lives of those we touch.” As part of a new effort to take better care of its Gold Passport members, Hyatt will soon lavish these guests with pleasant surprises designed to delight them during their stay. In a recent blog post, Hoplamazian wrote, “Don’t be surprised if Gold Passport picks up your bar tab, comps your massage or treats your family to breakfast. It’s part of bringing authentic hospitality to life and making you feel more than welcome.”
Not only does the effort stand a good chance of boosting the authenticity of Hyatt’s service delivery, it’s also a shining example of the kind of corporate generosity increasingly being sought by disillusioned consumers, and offered by clued-in brands.
Ref. http://www.springwise.com/tourism_travel/hyattgoldpassport/
Tagged with: Authenticity, Hotels, Leisure
Tuesday 2nd June:
How can you help people re-slice the familiar?
Think like the US beef industry who’re rolling out new cuts in response to people’s desire these days to make more of their own dinners, and seek out relatively cost-effective ways to enjoy a good steak.
The beef industry spent five years and $1.5 million studying the chuck roll, the area under the shoulder blade that’s normally turned into moderately priced steaks and chuck roast — and came up with five new products. Country-style Chuck Ribs are boneless and best braised, like a short rib. America’s Beef Roast can be roasted in the oven and makes a great sandwich. The Denver has lots of marbling and is best cooked to medium-rare. The Sierra is similar to a flank steak and needs to be marinated for several hours before grilling or broiling. The tender Delmonico steak is best grilled or broiled.These new cuts will cost people as much as $4 more per pound than traditional cuts from the shoulder area, but still less than premium cuts.