Ryanair are looking at the possibility of charging £1 to use the toilet on their flights. The customer would most likely argue that Ryanair is using its captive audience to exploit the customer and make a ‘fast buck’. Ryanair would argue that this helps to keep prices down and make air travel more affordable to all consumers.

A similar example of exploiting a captive audience could be excessive charging for cinema popcorn.

Again cinemas would argue that the rationale is that this enables them to keep the prices at a level which maximises the number of people who can afford to visit the cinema. If they were to reduce the price of popcorn and as result, slightly increase the cost of watching the film, this would price certain customers out of the cinema.

This is actually a Lego business card. What a great way for Lego to use their brand. It suits their playful nature and makes use of the iconic status the plastic toy has. I read that they match each one to the employee it is for: gender, hair and glasses. Mind you, it could prove a pain carrying round a handful to give out if you work for Lego.

The biggest trend in consumerism since 2008 is the rise of the Frugalista, a term which has been created to describe a person who lives a frugal lifestyle but stays fashionable and healthy by swapping clothes, buying secondhand and growing their own produce.  Euromonitor International describe the Frugalista as ‘a cash-poor, thrifty woman that is still keen on stylish consumerism and staying healthy.  Frugalistas think of savvy ways of still being stylish and providing for themselves and their families.’

Are British women using the economic turndown to reassess themselves? That is what Andrew Barton, Hairdresser of the Year, seems to be suggesting. Sales of his blonde products are up 67%. “I don’t believe it is purely a coincidence that there’s been a huge sales rise in blonde hair products during these tough financial times.” says Barton. He suggests that such a change of colour was the perfect antidote to the credit crunch.

Within CPB we already consider Next Life© on all the structural briefs we work on. How is the consumer going to use the packs after they’ve finished the product – a vase, a storage box, a decorative tin or even a table leg. It’s really about taking a new look at sustainability and encouraging ‘self-cycling’.

Howies, the Welsh clothing brand, have also hooked up to this thought with clothing specially designed to be handed down. Their range of hand-me-down clothing is guaranteed for a minimum of 10 years. For them it’s about using the best quality products, with every stitch, zip and little feature considered. The weakest points made strong. Then, and only then, do they believe that they have fully understood the responsibility of making something.

Is this something that all packaged brands should consider more closely? Rather than simply reducing the weight and volume of their packaging, perhaps we should truly be considering the self-cycling option and placing much greater emphasis on its Next Life©

http://www.howies.co.uk/

http://hmd.howies.co.uk/

 As I saw our receptionist walk towards my desk carrying a large brown box, my heart instantly began to flutter and my mouth water: it could only be a package from parents.  As I violently ripped apart the box I quickly beheld the contents . . .

So there actually is a school of life…

Based in Central London, this intriguing place sets out to give you ‘Ideas to live by’. It offers everything from urban gardening holidays through to 6 week courses in love. Book in to their ‘Bibliotherapy’ and through indepth discussion they help find books to suit your lifestyle. Attend one of their ‘Sermons’ to be enlightened on topics from seduction to punctuality. Some notable speakers are lined up, Alain de Botton has an upcoming ‘Sermon’ on Pessimism and perhaps worth a visit, on 28th June, Alice Rawsthorn will be talking about Good Design.

Have a look. What on first impressions seems like a joke, could well be a valuable resource for self improvement. Or, just a drain on money that could be better spent experiencing real life?

Veuve Clicquot are an example of a brand who embody luxury.  With a distinct colour palette, monogram and attention to detail, a Veuve product is instantly recognisable amongst a sea of bland competition.

Often a bottle of Veuve will be cracked open at a celebrity party or two and we ourselves have been known to consume a few bottles of the good stuff here at CPB.

However there are times when even the greatest examples of luxury branding can take it a step too far and I think the time may of come for Veuve Clicquot….

Take a look for yourselves at the Veuve Clicquot Bentley.

Most celebrity chefs nowadays love to champion this idea of supporting the local community. Buying locally sourced produce to create locally inspired dishes whilst encouraging the community to eat at local independent restaurants. It’s all about the local.