Want New Products That Get Noticed? Change the Process†

Bad Call: Results From a New Survey Show Marketers Are Reluctant to Financially Invest in True Innovation

Advertising Age, October 1, 2007 — The media are always looking for new "darlings," and every now and then a sensational new product emerges, whipping them into a frenetic state. Swiffer, the iPod, TiVo, Crest Whitestrips, Red Bull — all are products that had the industry gushing about their features and benefits. Part of what drives these stories is the fact that there are so few wildly successful new products — especially in comparison with the number of products launched.

Gatorade Takes a Gamble With Its Heritage by Heading Off Field†

While a Light Version Fizzled in 1990, Beverage Giant Has Learned Its Lessons Since Then (Think Propel)

Advertising Age, July 30, 2007 — PepsiCo's Gatorade owns a commanding 80%-plus market share of the $4 billion sports-drink category it created in 1967. But that also works against it, as its immense market share allows for little in-category growth. And with its sales recently lagging, Gatorade has little choice but to grow through new products — and new reasons to drink them.

Wrigley bets on the box for new brand

Crain's Chicago Business, July 29, 2007 — Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. wants young chewers to judge its newest product by the cover.

5, which began hitting checkout aisles this month, is the first new gum line Wrigley has introduced since 2001. The company hopes it can help hold off Cadbury Adams USA LLC, which has made inroads into Wrigley's historical dominance of the U.S. gum business.

The sugarless gum is also the first U.S. brand to emerge from the company's Goose Island innovation center.

Deere's Revolution On Wheels

Harvesting cutting-edge technologies, an old-economy business is rolling out one of the biggest advances in farming in half a century

BusinessWeek, July 2, 2007 — A lifetime ago, Deere & Co. (DE ) was leading the revolution in American farming as its iron machines replaced man and animal in the field. Today, concedes Deere Chief Executive Robert W. Lane, the 170-year-old company is often dismissed as "a museum piece."

The Vacuum Man Takes On Wet Hands

James Dyson moves beyond cyclonic vacuums to bring the world a better hand dryer

BusinessWeek, July 2, 2007 — This test of James Dyson's latest invention is anything but scientific, but it's pretty convincing. You immerse your hands in water, shake them, and then dip them into the curvaceous opening at the top of a sleek, gray hand dryer mounted on the wall that looks like some sort of high-tech fingerprint reader. Infrared sensors trip the "on" switch, and intense jets of air squeegee the moisture off your hands as you slowly draw them out. Elapsed time: 12 seconds, less than half the time taken by conventional machines.

Are You Innovating Everywhere?

More Than Just Products Need Your Attention

CMO Strategy by AdAge, June 20, 2007 — More often than not, talk of innovation relates solely to products. In my experience, such a phenomenon misses some of the most important elements of this critical business quality. I've learned that the most effective strategies foster the discipline of innovation everywhere — including every component of a healthy brand: positioning, product, pricing, marketing mix, sales channel strategy, supply chain, finance and management processes.

Vacuum leader Dyson sets sights on hand dryer market

USA Today, June 17, 2007 — Dyson is about to enter rare air. Not satisfied with its wild success in turning the mundane vacuum cleaner into a high-tech, high-style, high-priced device, Dyson on Monday will announce plans to try to do the same in the USA with commercial hand dryers. Next month, the upstart British company whose vacuums costing up to $599 quickly became top-sellers in the USA, will roll out the $1,400 Dyson Airblade hand dryer.

Miller Gives Lime-and-Salt Beer a Shot at Boosting Sales†

Wall Street Journal, June 12, 2007 — Miller Brewing Co., known for its conventional slate of American beers, is hoping a brew with a Mexican twist can help pull it out of a sales slump.

A Smoothie You Can Chew On

To appeal to diners as well as drinkers, Jamba Juice is adding heft to its concoctions

BusinessWeek, June 11, 2007 — known for staples including Banana Berry and Strawberries Wild, Jamba is busy bulking up its menu as part of its bid to become the Starbucks (SBUX ) of the smoothie

How Innovation Can Be Too Much of a Good Thing†

Reducing the Number Can Speed Introduction of New Product Lines

Wall Street Journal, June 11, 2007 — Avery-Dennison Corp. loves to innovate. In recent years, the adhesive-label maker has expanded into areas such as stick-on automotive trim and heat-transfer inks to label clothing. But Avery executives grew vexed a few years ago at how long it took to turn ideas into products. Schedules were slipping. Customers were chafing.