Coca Cola Venting Machine Energy Savings‏

The energy used by vending machines became a news item last year when Japan was experiencing blackouts. Coca Cola depends on vending machines as much as or more than any other company in Japan. They responded with energy saving measures such as turning off lights and using lower power bulbs as well as periodic shutdown of the cooling units.

For this summer during the peak energy usage period, they have a new plan and claim that it will result in an energy savings of 15% on 800,000 vending machines nationwide. As can be seen from the chart, during the peak energy usage hours of 13:00 to 16:00, the cooling units on all machines will be shut off. For non-peak hours, the machines will be separated into 6 groups and at all times from 9 am to 10 pm, one of the 6 groups will have its cooling units shut off. (The 15% cut is calculated in comparison with running the cooling units constantly.)

http://www.cocacola.co.jp/info/savingenergy_statement.html

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

MegMilk Snow Brand 6P Cheese Giveaway‏

Snow Brand is giving away cheese sets to promote new flavors of its 6P (6 piece) cheese product series. These new flavors will only be sold in Hokkaido, so this contest is the only way for people in other areas to try them. The three flavors are scallop (ホタテ), curry soup (スープカレー), and corn (とうきび).

"Tokibi" (とうきび) is an alternate way of saying "tomorokoshi" (とうもろこし) or "corn".

http://www.snow6p.jp/campaign1206/

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Suntory (Rolling) Stones Bar

I just came across this in a convenience store last night, even though it is supposed to go on sale today. Very interesting, and great marketing. The packaging, copy and web graphics are very nice. I would love to know what kind of collaboration was behind the planning for this line. Japanese companies typically only target the Japanese market and therefore the copy is difficult comprehend without a knowledge of Japanese and Japanese culture, and when they use English it is often butchered. This campaign could be taken directly to the US without any significant change. I would think the Rolling Stones people had a hand in quality control, but the people at Suntory are also increasingly adept at more international markets.

What I saw and bought was the Rolling Gold drink which is a chuhai like drink, tasting like fruit juice. I see they also have a hoppushu beer, and a highball variety also.

http://www.suntory.co.jp/stonesbar/index.html




Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Starbucks Macha Frappuccino with Chocolate Chip‏s

Starbucks is also adding chocolate chips to its Macha Cream Frappuccino for a limited time.

http://store.starbucks.co.jp/beverage/frappuccino/cream/4524785198647/

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

FamilyMart Kirin National Soccer Team Campaign‏

FamilyMart and Kirin are holding a campaign to support the national soccer teams. Kirin is the most visible and probably the largest national soccer team sponsor. Entry requires purchase of selected Kirin items at FamilyMart and prizes include trips to Sapporo to see the national team in action and Sony 3D TVs to watch national team games in 3D.

http://www.family.co.jp/campaign/soccer2012/index.html

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Coca Cola Georgia X UK-Style London Trip

In keeping with the London Olympic fever, Coca Cola has introduced a Georgia X UK-Style variation on its popular Georgia line of canned coffees. They are also holding a London vacation giveaway to promote this product. No direct mention is made to the Olympics. The product is a mixture of Darjeeling tea and Brazilian coffee. A companion product is called Georgia X Japan-Style (actually 和-style) and is a mixture of Uji tea and coffee.

http://www.georgia.jp/x/campaign.html#!/index

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Daiei Hokkaido Yubari Melons

One aspect of gift giving in Japan is items you use and do not have to store usually work better. This is because people have small houses and a statue or some other such gift would take up valuable space. Food is eaten and therefore does not take up space for long, therefore it is a very popular item for gift giving. There are two gift giving seasons in Japan, New Year's and summer, where you give gifts to business associates, friends or people you have done something for you. The supermarkets are other food stores are full of overpriced gift packs at these times of year.

Hokkaido yubari melons are an indicator of how far this can go. They are wildly overpriced and are a sign of wealth and luxury.

Daiei is offering free nation-wide shipping on Hokkaido yubari melons ordered either in-store or online. Free shipping is nice, but single melons are priced at 2,900 to 3,500 yen. While expensive, that is reasonable compared with the top prices which are conveniently given for each year starting in 1985 on Wikipedia (link below).

http://www7.daiei.co.jp/index.php?shopcode=4073006&themecode=420
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%95%E5%BC%B5%E3%83%A1%E3%83%AD%E3%83%B3

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

MINISTOP Ice Cream Coffee‏

MINISTOP, the convenience store chain, has a discount on ice coffee/soft ice cream mix drinks. It is advertised to have a sofudeka vanilla flavor (ソフデカバニラ味), or "extra strong soft cream vanilla taste".

http://www.ministop.co.jp/campaign/detail.html?camp_id=sf0605

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

Starbucks Strawberry Frappuccino with Chocolate Chips‏

For the summer, Starbucks is offering a strawberry Frappuccino with chocolate chips.

http://store.starbucks.co.jp/beverage/frappuccino/cream/4524785198746/

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

FamilyMart Asahi Skytree Campaign‏

FamilyMart and Asahi Beer/Asahi Beverage are holding a campaign to celebrate the grand opening of the Tokyo Skytree. Selected Asahi products must be purchased to have a change of winning and prizes include special tours of the Skytree and electronics.

http://www.family.co.jp/campaign/tokyo-skytree/index.html

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.