Our home products expert, Tom Kraeutler, is the Host, Founder and Chief Home Improvement Evangelist of The Money Pit. He is a hands-on home improvement broadcast journalist and the kind of guy homeowners want to call at midnight when their basement floods. He first earned his home improvement stripes as a professional home inspector, amassing over 20 years experience learning how houses are put together, and how they fall apart!
Here are his selections for the Most Memorable New Home Product Launches of 2012:
These windows are an excellent choice to replace old, drafty windows that are hard to open or require frequent scraping and painting. Andersen has made it so that installing these windows couldn’t be easier. The 400 Series Tilt-Wash Double-Hung Insert Window is custom sized to fit inside an existing window frame. Just remove the top and bottom sash and insert the new window. It’s a great DIY project that requires only basic skills and no special tools. Plus, you can install the window from inside your home, making it easy to replace even second-floor windows. The tilt function makes it easy to clean them, and the low-maintenance exterior eliminates the need for paint. Plus, the high-performance Low-E4 glass provides superior energy-efficiency.
Every once in a while a company comes out with a truly unique innovation that completely takes me by surprise. Gyro is one of those products — the world’s first motion activated power screwdriver. It’s really cool and fun to use. Here’s how it works: the trigger is on the back of it, so when you squeeze the Gyro you engage the power switch. To turn it on, you rotate it to the right. It starts very slowly, and the more you turn, it goes full throttle. To slow it down you simply turn it back towards neutral or center, wherever you started with it. And then to reverse the direction, you simply turn it to the left. Gyro was developed by Black & Decker to give users more control over the application, both in speed and direction. And at a suggested retail price of $39.99, it’s both innovative and inexpensive!
The age-old problem of leaving lights on in empty rooms is solved with the Maestro Occupancy Sensing Switch from Lutron. It can detect motion so that it turns lights on when you enter a room and off when a room is empty. This hands-free technology makes life easier when you’ve got an armful of laundry or groceries, and it’s great for a household with kids who might not always remember to turn off the lights when they leave a room. It’s also convertible to manual on/off vacancy sensors for use in bedrooms and homes with pets. You can install it in 15 minutes or less, and it works with all types of light bulbs, including LED, CFL, tube fluorescent, halogen and incandescent. And by replacing just one standard light switch with a Maestro Occupancy Sensing Switch, you can save up to $25 in energy costs.
This $10 million prize-winning light bulb is an answer to our energy future that’s here today – selected by the U.S. Department of energy as the most energy efficient-alternative to the standard 60-watt incandescent bulb. Philips 10-watt LED bulb lasts 30 times longer – up to 27 years!! – and can save you up to $165 in energy costs over the life of the bulb. Wave goodbye to the hassle of changing bulbs frequently and pat yourself on the back for choosing a bulb that’s smart for the planet AND your wallet. Philips 10-watt LED bulb is fully dimmable and provides soft white light with virtually no UV in the beam, so it won’t fade fabrics. And it’s designed in a traditional bulb shape that will fit right into your existing fixtures.
As a nation, we flush away billions of gallons of water every day. You can be part of the solution by improving a water-wasting toilet in your own home. Fluidmaster’s Duo Flush is an innovative system that converts any toilet into a high-efficiency, water-saving dual flush toilet that saves you money to boot. It provides up to 50% water savings with every flush, and can knock your water bill down by more than $120 a year per toilet. It’s easy to install – takes just 20 minutes – and easy to use: Just lift the handle up for a half flush and push it down for a full flush. You’ll be reducing your annual water usage by more than 15,000 gallons, and the planet will thank you.
Our Beauty Expert Kelly Logan Gould, is best known as the editor of Gouldylox Reviews, which was ranked one of this year’s Top 50 Best Beauty Blogs by iFabbo. Kelly also contributes to Lock & Mane and She Said Beauty. Here are her picks for the five most memorable beauty products of the year!
Sarah Potempa Beachwaver — The Beachwaver will save you time and leave you looking like you just left the red carpet! Sarah and her sister Erin worked on developing this innovative rotating curling iron for over two years. The technology is unsurpassed (with customized extra-long barrel, digital temperature control, and Left/Right control buttons), the idea is simple, and your hair will look fabulous. Guaranteed! – This is the best iron I’ve tried this year. It takes the guess work out of the perfect beach waves, EVERY TIME.
Garnier BB Cream — Skin concerns, such as discoloration, dullness, blotchiness and dryness can come from a number of different sources. It’s hard to find just one product that addresses them all. Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector B.B. Cream immediately and effectively fullfills your skincare expectations with just one multi-benefit product that combines intense moisturizing skincare + immediate skin perfecting coverage for skin that looks naturally more even, radiant and smooth.
Sally Hansen Real Polish Strips — It wears like nail polish because it IS nail polish. No dry time, so you’re ready to go. This is so easy to apply, it wears for more than a week when topped with clear polish and looks fantastic with no nail damage.
Knockout Nails — This revolutionary new system will take your nails from short and brittle—to strong and beautiful. By strengthening the nails with its unique hardening ingredients, cured in the UV light, KNOCKOUTnails prevents the nails from chipping and breaking. Your nails are completely dry in 2 minutes, so you can go right back to your daily routine, no matter how strenuous. Knockout Nails protects and strengthens your natural nails so they become longer, stronger, and more beautiful. You can use any of your favorite polishes on top of KNOCKOUTnails. This is like a gel manicure that allows you to change your polish color whenever you want. Your nails are always clear, strong and lovely!
Too Faced 3 Way Lash Lining Tool — A triple-tip lash-emphasizing tool that fills in spaces between lashes, giving the natural impression of thicker, more luscious lashes. This innovative 3-in-1 design makes lash emphasizing dots, tight-lining and traditional lash-lining easy. Great for cat eyes! This looks incredibly gimmicky, BUT WORKS and makes everything so easy!
What beauty products did you find most memorable this year? Are there any you’re eager to try? Let us know and keep checking back as we count down to the results of our annual Most Memorable New Product Launch survey!
Amanda Shih, our pet expert and dog trainer, walker, groomer and boarder created her blog, Doggie Product Review, to provide other dog owners with helpful, easy to understand product reviews. Based in Chicago, she reviews toys, treats, food and general tools. Here is her list of the top Five Most Memorable 2012 Pet Products.
Absolutely New’s Treat Launcher™eliminates getting doggie drool on your hands and makes feeding time fun! Simply pull the trigger and a single piece of food is launched into the air. Not only is this a great way to give your dog exercise, it also feeds your dog at the same time.
The DogGone Smart Pet Bed is the latest high tech product to hit the market for dog beds. The truly amazing water-resistant Dog Gone Smart Pet Bed leaves your dog’s bed clean without compromising on fabric feel or comfort.
Bionic Toss N Tug Toyfloats, flies, and is guaranteed to be chewed and not break or Bionic will give you a new one for free! The demo video for this cool toy shows how it can survive a blender and still look like new.They also have models that can be filled with treats to provide hours of safe fun for your pooch.
Frosty Bowlzhas a freezable insert that will keep your pet’s water ice cold for up to 18 hours! A must for hot summer days.
Pet Paintis just that: safe, non-toxic, and veterinarian approved paint for your dog. The first-of-its-kind, this product is sure to leave a lasting memory when you paint on your team’s colors. Imagine the looks your dog will draw at parades, social events, and parties all painted up and ready to show!
The year 2012 has introduced us to many new pet products. What do you think is the best new product? Which would you be most likely to try? Make sure to check back toward the end of the year, when we will be revealing our Most Memorable New Product Launch survey final results.
For the second year in a row, About.com Food and Beverage expert Domenick Celentano covered the MMNPL survey webinar and gave his thoughts on some food product launches in his recap. Celentano discussed the concept of co-creation for new products in the early stages of development through social media, and the importance of word-of-mouth, noting “New product launches in food will never be the same.”
In Dom’s full review of the Webinar, he provided additional highlights about some of the most memorable food launches of 2011 such as Reese’s Minis, Philadelphia Cooking Crème, Baileys Coffee Creamer and DiGiorno Pizza and Cookies. Dom also discusses noteworthy statistics from the survey pointing to the changing landscape in food product development and launch, such as the huge increase in the use of Facebook as a source of information on new products.
Make sure to read the recap as well as Celentano’s full review of the MMNPL New Product Launch 2011 survey!
A snapshot of the 2011 MMNPL survey results was featured in the January 18 edition of USA Today. The USA Today Snapshot, titled “Most Memorable Product Launches of 2011,” displays the top product launches of last year. The survey conducted by research partner Sentient Decision Science polled a national sampling of consumers who named the Kinect for Xbox 360 as the most memorable product launch of 2011, with Nintendo 3DS and the Chevy Volt (tied), and Wendy’s Natural Cut Fries rounding out the top three spots.
To read more about the 2011 MMNPL survey, Click Here.
Wendy’s made headlines this year when they launched their first fry redesign in the company’s 41-year history. Check out our video to see why Wendy’s Natural Cut Fries with Sea Salt launch campaign just might be spudtacular enough to be one of 2011′s Most Memorable New Product Launches.
With thousands of new food and beverage launches each year, new consumer packaged goods enter an extremely competitive market where it’s difficult to create a memorable impact on passive consumers. One of the recurring trends that we are finding in the CPG industry is using to catch consumer’s attention is the promise of simplification and convenience.
Food marketing expert Phil Lempert, the force behind SupermarketGuru.com, is a pioneer in news information media, specializing in consumer behavior. Here, he offers up his top five nominations for the 2011 MMNPL survey.
Aunt Jemima Frozen Breakfast
With five new microwavable breakfast foods (pancakes, waffles, entrées, sandwiches and French toast), Aunt Jemima is providing consumers with simple solutions for busy weekday mornings from a brand they already know and associate with a tasty breakfast. Calling on the slogan “Just Add Warmth,” these homemade tasting items can be prepared in just minutes using a toaster or microwave.
David’s Jumbo Sunflower Seeds
America’s favorite in-shell sunflower seeds are delicious and fun to eat anytime, anywhere, but the launch of their Jumbo Seeds is accompanied by a variety of new flavors, including Bar-B-Q, Ranch, and Chili Lime. It also exhibits new, portable packaging for convenient on-the-go enjoyment!
Dole Mixed Fruit Bowls
While most other fruit bowls contain fruit in syrup or other artificial sweeteners, Dole’s Mixed Fruit Bowls offer a healthier option, with all-natural fruit in 100% fruit juice. Awarded the 2011 Chefs Best Award for Best Taste, Dole’s Fruit Bowls are the perfect choice for a quick, healthy snack at home, in the office, or on-the-go.
Orville Redenbacher Pop up Bowl
The unique design of Orville Redenbacher’s Pop up Bowl demonstrates innovation at its finest: a microwave popcorn bag that opens on the side and morphs into a perfect popcorn bowl. By cutting out a buttery bag that only causes a greasy mess, this product has addressed the strong consumer need for convenience and simplification, ultimately revolutionizing your typical popcorn-eating experience.
Velveeta Cheesy Skillets
To address hectic family schedules during the back-to-school season, Kraft launched a new line of just-add-meat dinner kits that grant parents convenience and ease in the kitchen, allowing them to whip up a non-microwavable meal in no time. It solves the problem of wanting a home cooked meal, but not having a lot of time to prepare it. A pouch of Velveeta to mix in the meal is easier than mixing in powder, milk and butter, making this a quicker and easier option over other boxed meal kits.
People say that you can’t judge a book by its cover, but many products are judged by their packing. The right wrapper can help make a product a success. In the past year, new designs were launched for products and Pauline Hammerbeck of Brand Packaging has chosen a few she thinks could be* in Schneider Associate’s 2011 Most Memorable New Product Launch Survey.
Baby Carrots
In the Fall of 2010, Bolthouse launched a new marketing campaign for their Baby Carrots snack. The campaign, “Eat ‘Em Like Junk Food,” used brand packaging resembling that of “junk food” you usually find in a vending machine. With a crinkly plastic bag, bright colored labels, and characters on the packaging geared toward children, Baby Carrots caught the attention of many. This new packaging dispels some of the stigma surrounding healthy snacks, and allows it to compete with chips and candy.
Starbucks Logo Redesign
With its debut this past January, Starbucks redesigned the look of their logo for the third time in their 40 year history. Keeping the green iconic Siren, the company has dropped the circle around her that read “Starbucks Coffee.” Although the change has spawned some backlash from loyal Starbucks consumers, the company sees it as a marking of a milestone in their history. The Siren has stayed with the company since they first started out as a small coffee shop in Portland, Oregon, but as the company grew, it was time to update the logo with a more clean and modern look.
Diet Coke Limited Edition Can
Marking the 125th anniversary of Coca-Cola, it was a no brainer that the company was going to come out with a redesigned can. This September, Coca-Cola launched a new limited edition Diet Coke can. Although the temporary design keeps the traditional bare aluminum background, the letters D and K are blown-up so the lettering bleeds off the can, which has a sleek, clean, and modern look. Although they are a limited edition, it is unknown how long they will be available in stores.
Kraft Mac & Cheese Redesign
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese has come out with a new, happier packaging and marketing strategy with the “noodle smile.” At the beginning of this year, Kraft rolled out the new boxes that feature the smile along with updated typography, shapes, colors, and patterns. Although the redesign is a drastic change from their previous box, Kraft still retained the key elements that consumers associate with the brand, which research showed to be happiness, smiles, and joy. Kraft also wanted to create packaging that unified the different macaroni and cheese products. As a result, the noodle smile was born.
Puma’s Clever Little Bag
Puma is out to change the world with its revolutionary “clever little bag.” Puma has created a way to package their shoes without using any boxes at all. It’s a known fact that shoeboxes account for millions of tons of waste each year. Puma’s goal was to find a way to create a shoe package that was environmentally friendly. Twenty-one months and 40 prototypes later, Puma unveiled the new clever little bag – recycled paperboard box-like inserts, which are held in place by a 20 percent polypropylene bag. According to the Puma website, the reusable bag contains 65 percent less paper and reduces water, energy, and diesel consumption during manufacturing by over 60 percent a year. Puma claims the design will save 8,500 tons of paper per year, millions of liters of water and fuel, and 275 tons of plastic a year. Smart move, Puma.
Sharpie Redesign and Rebranding
Last summer, Sharpie announced their decision to rebrand itself with a new campaign that promotes self-expression. New commercials and ads feature Sharpie fans using the markers to make their own artistic creations. Sharpie has also redesigned their website and their packaging, showcasing funky artwork created with Sharpies, unlike the previous packaging that looked very utilitarian and clean cut. With 15 types of markers in an assortment of colors, Sharpie’s new campaign strategy is an effective way to reach an audience of creative people looking for a way to express themselves.
*Not all products chosen by the MMNPL expert panelists are guaranteed to be included in the MMNPL survey due to our rigorous criteria for selecting new products.
Schneider Associates (SA) is a full service public relations firm that specializes in Launch Public Relations®. SA launches products, services, companies, and communities for clients ranging from entrepreneurial firms to the nation's largest corporations. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
Sentient Decision Science
Sentient Decision Science was created to bring the visionary advances from the behavioral sciences to the business community in a practical and accessible format in order to move global business forward. Sentient's mission is to become the most sought after resource for behavioral insight by providing unrivaled business advantage to their clients and advancing human knowledge on the drivers of behavior.CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
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Marking the 125th anniversary of Coca-Cola, it was a no brainer that the company was going to come out with a redesigned can. This September, Coca-Cola launched a new limited edition 
