Asian Consumer Intellegence

Nissan will add noise to its new electric car, the Leaf, to make it sound like cars in the cult movie Blade Runner. The sound makes the cars safer, so pedestrians can hear them coming, but will also act as a powerful marketing too, making the vehicles instantly recognizable, even if they are out of sight. i.e “That sounds like a socially responsible, trend-forward driver!”
[pinktext IDEA POTENTIAL:] Nissan has taken what was a dull safety problem and turned it into a fascinating opportunity to brand the leaf as a futuristic vehicle that will garner interest from anyone it passes. A true lesson in sensory marketing.
Nissan Leaf, due for release in Japan/US/Europe in 2010. http://www.nissan-zeroemission.com

Among the flavor palette of new beverages released for the Japanese summer is Limon & Nada, a Minute Maid import that promises a taste of “pressure-free” Mediterranean living.
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Nestle has released a new KitKat item, with a lemon juice nuance. Released ahead of Valentine’s Day, copy on the package encourages buyers to “give it to someone special.”
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In time for Valentine’s Day, Häagen-Dazs Japan has released limited editions of premium chocolates, made with couverture chocolate supplied by Belgian maker Barry Callebaut.
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In time for Valentine’s Day, Japanese wine maker Mercian has released a new sparkling wine in its “Cafe de Paris” series, which a chocolate flavor complemented by a slight caramel nuance.
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Lotte and Suntory have collaborated to release a chocolate bar flavored with premium 12 year old single malt Suntory whiskey from Yamazaki Prefecture.
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