Business Beat
Bright Ideas at DuPont Awards
DuPont (Wilmington, DE) announced the winners of its 19th annual DuPont Awards Competition, which honors packaging innovation. The awards were presented on August 11 at Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. The 26 award winners included several beauty packages.
Cargo Cosmetics’ ColorCards eye shadow.
Cargo Cosmetics won several awards for its portable, user-friendly packages. A gold award was given to the brand’s ColorCards eye shadow, which comprises cards printed with a single dose of eye shadow. Supplied by Arcade Marketing (New York City), the cards were packaged in a tin provided by supplier J.L. Clark (Rockford, IL).
Cargo Cosmetics’ innovative liquid foundation pouch.
Cargo also received two silver awards for its DailyGloss and Liquid Foundation packages. The DailyGloss lip glosses are housed in unit-dose blisters supplied by Klocke of America (Ft. Myers, FL). The blisters are packaged in a thermoformed clamshell molded by C.P. Formplast Inc. (Ontario, Canada). The Liquid Foundation is sold in a collapsible pouch sourced from the beverage market. Unlike conventional liquid foundation bottles, the pouch allows customers to dispense almost all of the foundation from the package. (For more information on the Cargo products mentioned above, see the May/June 2006 issue of CPC Packaging and the May/June 2005 issue.)
Lancôme’s Color Fever lipstick case combines metal and tinted plastic.
Lancôme received two gold awards for packages produced by supplier RPC Beauté/Crown Risdon. The first was for Lancôme’s Color Fever lipstick case. According to DuPont, judges were impressed by the case’s cap, which marries metal and translucent colored plastic. The cap was bi-injection molded, over molded, and electroplated.
Lancôme’s Hypnôse fragrance cap was made from DuPont Surlyn.
A gold award also went to RPC Beauté/Crown Risdon for Lancôme’s Hypnôse fragrance cap. The top of the clear DuPont Surlyn cap featured a silver plate with the Hypnôse logo. By tampo printing a layer of silver ink on top of the cap, the supplier created a plate backing with an attractive silver mirror-like finish that doesn’t show any visible glue marks when viewed through the clear Surlyn cap. The supplier also met production capacity by implementing a proprietary technique that reduced the cycle time required by the Surlyn parts.
AmorePacific’s innovative Hera mascara package features a rotating applicator.
A silver award went to Korean beauty brand AmorePacific. The company was honored for its Hera Mascara Auto Magic package, which features a rotating mascara applicator. Instead of a conventional nylon-fiber mascara brush, the package’s rubber applicator was designed to prevent the applicator from tugging on the eyelashes.
Pond’s talcum powder package includes a removable tab.
The DuPont awards also include special citation awards for specific achievements in packaging. A special citation award went to a Pond’s talcum powder package. According to DuPont, the package’s tamper-evident sleeve features a removable, perforated tab that customers were meant to mail to Pond’s in order to redeem a promotional prize. For authentication purposes, the tab was also printed with UV ink. The sleeve was produced by India-based supplier The Paper Products Ltd.
Curved bottles for Suave caught the judges’ attention.
Another special citation award winner was Unilever for its redesigned Suave shampoo and conditioner bottles. The bottles’ curved contours drew the judges’ attention. The suppliers involved in the project included Matrix Packaging Inc., Alpla Inc., National Label Company, Inc., and Seaquist Closures.
This year’s 135 entries were judged on package structure, marketplace acceptance, impact on consumers, function, improvement from previous packaging, and degree of design, engineering, or technical innovation. The entries did not need to include a DuPont product to be eligible.
Innovators Are Toast of the CITY
ICMAD staff with the 2006 CITY award winners, from left to right: Penni Jones, ICMAD executive director; David and Shiri Sarfati of Repêchage; Daina Nabler, JJ Levenstein, and Diane Truong of MD Moms; Bob Montgomery and Jane Iredale of Iredale Mineral Cosmetics; Amby Longhofer of DermaNew Inc.; Anthony Tesoriero of Solarceuticals/Bella Bronze; Grant Berry of InterMark USA; Jef Hennessy of Pevonia International; and Karen Acker, ICMAD president.
The Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors (ICMAD; Palatine, IL) association celebrated its third annual Cosmetic Innovators of the Year (CITY) awards on June 21. The CITY awards recognize ICMAD members for innovative beauty products and packaging. The seven award winners were announced at ICMAD’s 34th annual meeting at New York City’s Tavern on the Green restaurant.
Awards presenter Jeanine Recckio of MirrorMirror Imagination Group.
Jeanine Recckio, CEO and founder of trend forecast company MirrorMirror Imagination Group, presented the awards. She also provided a sneak peek of future industry trends. “It was an honor to be asked to present this year’s CITY Awards,” said Recckio. “These awards represent the dedication, effort, and creativity of so many individuals and companies in this dynamic industry.”
Personal care packaging winner Bella Bronze by Solarceuticals.
Three awards for packaging were presented in the personal care, color cosmetics, and skin care categories. The award for the best personal care package went to the Bella Bronze sunless tanning line by Solarceuticals Inc., which features various bottles and tubes. The color cosmetic packaging winner was Iredale Mineral Cosmetics for its H/E bronzer for men compact. In the skin care category, the packaging award went to Pevonia International for its Myoxy-Caviar Home Collection. The collection’s skin care products are nestled in a satin-lined setup box. Creative firm Dragon Rouge designed the packaging. According to Pevonia International, all of its packaging is made from 100% postconsumer recyclate and is 100% biodegradable and recyclable.
Skin care packaging winner Myoxy-Caviar Home Collection by Pevonia International.
Awards were also given for beauty products themselves in the categories of personal care, color cosmetics, and skin care. MD Moms took home the personal care product award for its presaturated Baby Silk Babysafe Sunscreen Towelettes SPF 30. In the color cosmetics category, the best product award went to Intermark USA for its Styli-Style Brow Liner 24. The award for the best skin care product was given to DermaNew for its Acne and Oil Clarifying System kit. The kit includes a cream and a Dual Action Resurfacing Tool that work together to resurface, polish, and refine the skin.
From left to right: Anthony Tesoriero of Solarceuticals/Bella Bronze and incoming ICMAD president David Schieffelin of Models Prefer.
An award for best print advertising went to Sarkli/Repêchage for its Repêchage Vita Cura Opti-Lift Serum.
ICMAD president Karen Acker of KA Consulting Corp. commented on this year’s CITY awards. “We are proud to say that the number of entries in this year’s CITY awards competition more than doubled over last year. We honor all of our finalists for their innovation and creativity, and we recognize and thank each of them for their continued support of ICMAD.”
Laura Mercier Brand Acquired
Alticor Inc. has acquired Gurwitch Products, the firm that develops, manufactures, and markets Laura Mercier cosmetic products. Previously, The Neiman Marcus Group owned Laura Mercier Cosmetics and Skincare. Alticor is also the parent company of Amway Corp., Quixtar Inc., Access Business Group LLC, and Amway Hotel Corp.
Under terms of the transaction, Gurwitch Products will operate as a stand-alone, wholly owned subsidiary of Alticor. Its products will continue to be sold in its current retail distribution channels, including high-end department stores and online retailers. By owning Gurwitch Products, Alticor says that it hopes to enhance its insight into the luxury cosmetic market and to grow its beauty business.
“This transaction comes at a significant time as the Laura Mercier brand celebrates its 10-year anniversary,” says Janet Gurwitch, CEO of Gurwitch Products. “Joining with Alticor will provide access to additional resources, support, and global infrastructure to help Gurwitch Products bring its business to the next level.”
Avon, Derek Jeter Team Up
Avon Products Inc. has partnered with New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter to create a signature men’s fragrance called Driven. The fragrance is set to launch in November 2006 in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. Following the fragrance launch, a line of men’s grooming products will debut.
“I have been very involved with creating this fragrance—everything from the blend of the scents to the design of the bottle and logo,” said Jeter.
Coty Pairs with Kylie Minogue
Coty Inc. has signed international pop star Kylie Minogue to an exclusive licensing deal to develop and market a line of fragrances and ancillary products. This marks Minogue’s first business venture in the beauty market.
A line including eau de toilette, eau de parfum, and other products will launch in fall 2006 in Australia, the UK, Ireland, and elsewhere in Europe and Asia.
Alberto-Culver to Split Sally Beauty Company
On June 19, personal care company Alberto-Culver announced that it will split its consumer-product business and its beauty-supplies distribution business, Sally Beauty Co., into independent public companies. As a result, Sally Beauty Co. will become a stand-alone publicly traded company.
Private-equity investment firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice will invest at least $575 million to acquire an approximately 47.5% equity stake in Sally Beauty Co. The other 52.5% of Sally Beauty Co. shares will be owned by Alberto-Culver shareholders. The transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2006.
Alberto-Culver manufactures, distributes, and markets products for such leading personal care brands as Alberto VO5, St. Ives, Tresemmé, and Nexxus. Sally Beauty Co. is the world’s number-one marketer of professional beauty care products through its chain of domestic and international Sally stores (2465 Sally Beauty stores, 825 Beauty Systems Group (BSG) outlets, and a 1181-person direct-sales force).
Under the deal, Gary Winterhalter will continue to serve as president of Sally Beauty Co. Upon close of the deal, he will become CEO and join the company’s board of directors. Clayton, Dubilier & Rice will appoint six of the 12 directors for the Sally Beauty Co. board.
Howard B. Bernick, Alberto-Culver’s president and CEO, will retire from his position as president and from the Alberto-Culver board of directors. V. James Marino will become Alberto-Culver’s president and CEO and will join the firm’s board. He currently serves as president, Alberto-Culver Consumer Products Worldwide. Carol Lavin Bernick will remain executive chairman of the Alberto-Culver board.
“This move unlocks strategic, long-term value for Sally and BSG,” said Winterhalter. “Sally and BSG will no longer have to balance the fact that their largest vendors are competitors of the Alberto-Culver consumer business.”
Pack Expo Show Attendees Can Vote for Best Package
Organizers of Pack Expo International have announced a new twist in the trade show’s 2006 awards program. This year, show attendees will be able to vote for the most outstanding packages displayed in Pack Expo’s Showcase of Packaging Innovations. Pack Expo will take place October 29 to November 2 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
The new attendees’ choice program is called Pack Expo Selects. Nominees for Pack Expo Selects will be chosen from Pack Expo’s Showcase of Packaging Innovations, a special pavilion that displays the winners of various global packaging competitions. These competitions include the DuPont Packaging Awards, the Flexible Packaging Association’s Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards, the Glass Packaging Institute’s Clear Choice Awards, and the Paperboard Packaging Council’s National Paperboard Packaging Competition.
The only packages eligible for a Pack Expo Selects award will be those that were developed, designed, converted, or produced by a Pack Expo show exhibitor. The eligible packages will be displayed in a special Pack Expo Selects area. Show attendees will be able to vote using their My Pack Expo attendee portal. Results of the voting will be published after the show.
“This is a chance for the packaging community to decide what they believe is the most innovative commercial package designed, developed, and produced by Pack Expo exhibitors,” says Charles D. Yuska, president of the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (Arlington, VA), which organizes Pack Expo. “Pack Expo Selects is a people’s choice award for packaging innovation that highlights the often unrecognized contributions of the behind-the-scenes packaging developers, designers, and engineers responsible for delivering innovation.”
Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club Executives to Speak at Pack Expo
The Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI; Arlington, VA) announced that executives from Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Sam’s Club will deliver a joint closing keynote speech at the end of the trade show’s conference program. The presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, November 1, at 10:30 a.m. The entire Pack Expo show will take place October 29 to November 2 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
Matt Kistler, vice president of package and product innovations for Wal-Mart, and Amy Zettlemoyer, director of packaging for Sam’s Club, will deliver a speech called The Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club Packaging Vision. Their speech will discuss the underlying principles that the two retailers use to stay current of consumer and environmental trends. They will also provide insight on some of the packaging innovations being implemented by the two retailers.
Other Pack Expo keynote speakers are Harris E. DeLoach, chairman and CEO of Sonoco Products Co., and Dennis McGrew, president and CEO of NatureWorks LLC. DeLoach’s address, Packaging: A Change Agent in Change, will take place on Monday, October 30, at 10:30 a.m. McGrew will speak on October 31 at 8:30 a.m. His speech is titled Creating a Sustainable Future: Growing the Bio-Resin Market in a Greening Economy.
Elizabeth Arden Acquires Riviera Concepts
Elizabeth Arden Inc. has acquired the brand licenses and certain assets of Riviera Concepts Inc. The acquired brands include the Badgley Mischka fragrance, which will launch this fall in prestige department and specialty stores in the United States and Canada; the Alfred Sung fragrance line; the Hummer fragrance line for men; and fragrances by designers Nanette Lepore, Cynthia Rowley, Lulu Guinness, and Bob Mackie.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Elizabeth Arden on this transaction,” said Adrian Ellis, president of Riviera Concepts. “Each brand will benefit from their global infrastructure, sales, marketing, and distribution capabilities.”
Winning Results for Cosmoprof Las Vegas
Cosmoprof North America lit up Las Vegas.
Organizers of the Cosmoprof North America trade show announced successful results for the show’s 2006 edition. Held July 16–18 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Convention Center, the event drew more than 25,000 attendees and 675 exhibitors.
The show held many special events for those in the packaging industry. In particular, Cosmoprof’s Packaging Lounge was the site of roundtable discussions on packaging. A seminar held on July 16 focused on building relationships with suppliers. It featured panelists from suppliers Axilone, Arrowpak, and DuPont. A July 17 session focused on forging relationships with contract service providers. It included representatives from Flexpaq, CBI, and Grayson O/Thermafuse. Also on July 17, Yidan Li, cofounder and president of Sino-European Yihong Consulting Co. explained the process of exporting products to China.
Cosmoprof organizers say they are further developing the Packaging, Contract Manufacturing, and Private-Label Pavilion for next year’s show. Among the enhancements being made, contract providers will be featured in a designated area in the Packaging Pavilion. Cosmoprof North America 2007 will take place July 15–17 at the same venue.
In other Cosmoprof news, show organizers have announced a new development for the Cosmoprof Bologna trade show, happening March 30 to April 2, 2007, in Bologna, Italy. Beauty Landscapes, the pavilion dedicated to fragrance and cosmetic brands, will now open and close one day earlier than the rest of the Cosmoprof show.
Under the new development, both Beauty Landscapes and Cosmopack, Cosmoprof’s packaging show, will take place March 29 to April 1, so attendees can take advantage of the close relationship between the packaging and perfumery and cosmetic markets.