McChange

Chances are there is a new dark ‘Hunter Green’ McDonalds near you by now. As a response to negative market research, critical city centre planning authorities, declining sales and fierce competition from the likes of Starbucks, the famous bright red frontage has been replaced by green in order to communicate to customers that McDonalds had changed some of its much publicised unethical ways. McDonalds appears now more of a restaurant than the petrol stations they frequently cohabit. The interiors too are less brash and feature modern art and subtle lighting showing that McDonalds understands the masses have become more discerning and sophisticated.

Star Mart Star Man

Caltex’s Star Mart was in need of refreshment having warn the same red/turquoise wave identity for at least 14 years. The designers Hulsbosch rightly claim that the new logo shows “Warmth, personality and fun” is which is befitting of an offer which makes no great claim over and above providing speedy refreshment for the motorist. But whether the new ‘Star Man’ identity is truly contemporary as declared by the designers remains a question according to comments posted on the Australian media website mumbrella.

The new world of Marks and Spencer retailing

I bought a pack of canned draught Guinness in a supermarket this week. Not, I grant you, earth-shattering information usually worthy of sharing with the world. Except when I tell you that the supermarket was a Marks and Spencer food store. M&S is one of the most interesting brand case studies around because, almost uniquely amongst retailers, they only ever in the past sold products under their own brand names. So until recently had I bought a Guinness-type beverage in an M&S shop it would have been rebranded something like “M&S Irish Stout” and there would have been no mention of Guinness (or Murphy’s etc.) anywhere on the bottle or can.

Sir Terry Leahy's Environmental Credentials

Sir Terry Leahy, environmentalist extraordinaire or tough CEO of a global fortune 500 company driven by increasing shareholder value? Listen to Sir Terry's speech at the Politics of Climate Change Conference ahead of the Copenhagen Earth summit in Nov 09 you may think the former option. Look at Sir Terry's track record at managing cost at Tesco you would think the second.

Cooly efficienct eCube

Whilst many energy efficiency devices may require significant investment, there are some which don’t.

The eCube for example is a simple device that reduces the amount of electricity used by refrigerators and can according to the manufacturers ELS, savings between 15% and 35% can be achieved. The device is straight forward to fit, requires no maintenance and may even outlast the host refrigerator and most importantly pay for itself within one year.

McDonalds japanese ad

Dor Alon iPhone app

Out of gas? Need a break? Find the nearest fuel station of Dor-Alon according to your location and easily navigate yourself to it. You can also plan your travel in advance locating the Dor-Alon’s fuel stations on the way Customers may fill up at Dor Alon stations across Israel with the Speedomat, automatic refueling system. Get the stations’ full contact details and exclusive offers, designed for your needs.

source from: CENT
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Wild Bean Cafe

Design by Minale Tattersfield

Wild Bean Cafe is now located on four continents, providing fresh coffee, pastries, baguettes, sandwiches and subs in addition to many local favorites. Check out your local Wild Bean Cafe.

illy

Minale Tattersfield Client

Convenience Stores - Partner Brand or Own Brand?

In developed countries, the traditional petrol station shop has suffered as a result of out-of-town supermarkets offering petrol alongside their other goods. Traditional petrol stations have been limited to mainly automotive-related products and have responded to this new competition by upgrading to fully-fledged, separately branded convenience stores. This separate branding was necessary as the brand of a traditional oil company was not credible to operate the new C-stores under. The first question for many oil companies is how to run such an operation which seems such a radical departure from their core experience in the oil indsutry. In reality, selling fuel and selling grocery products are both forms of retail and rules apply to both - notably "give the consumer what they want in the most comfortable environment!".

Talk the talk for a Chinese walk

Word of mouth and brand heritage are more important than advertising in China. This is vital knowledge for designers eyeing the market.

 As Western designers, it is easy to make assumptions about the East. We think we know what they need - better communication, more emotional engagement, less decoration. But is this right?