http://www.talktocurrent.com/current-blog We help clients develop and execute strategic marketing campaigns that seamlessly integrate with the activities, interests and opinions of today’s consumers. Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:08:06 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Anyone tired of all the gloom and doom stories about the current economic climate? Us, too. It’s true – cost cutting is still the name of the game for families these days. But the same trends that are spelling bad news for some marketers are creating opportunities for others. Take the ... http://www.talktocurrent.com/current-blog/2011/08/the-glass-is-half-full-this-back-to-school/ The updated Facebook developer dashboard looks much more sophisticated than the old dashboard overall, but what I'm most excited about are the roles and mobile functionality. With the roles functionality you now have an admin to control everything, including deleting the app.  When working with developers or "sandboxing" Facebook application previously, ... http://www.talktocurrent.com/current-blog/2011/07/updated-facebook-developer-dashboard-more-than-looks/ Will the New Dietary Guidelines Do the Trick? Health Influencers Discuss This Hot Topic Will the new dietary guidelines address current health needs? And will consumers understand how to apply the learnings? A new article in Nutrition, a peer-reviewed journal, questions the upcoming new Guidelines in three areas: Are recommendations to lower ... http://www.talktocurrent.com/current-blog/2010/10/will-the-new-dietary-guidelines-do-the-trick-health-influencers-discuss-this-hot-topic/ Currently, Americans consume less than 60 percent of the recommended vegetable intake and less than 50 percent for fruit. Not eating enough of these nutrient-rich foods can lead to lower than recommended levels of vitamins A, C, and K, and magnesium, potassium, and dietary fiber – all noted as shortfall ... http://www.talktocurrent.com/current-blog/2010/09/all-us-states-lack-adequate-vegetable-and-fruit-consumption/ Did you know that most consumers (60 percent) don’t know if current supermarket foods are produced through biotechnology? The International Food Information Council Foundation recently hosted a webinar entitled “Understanding Consumer Perceptions of Food Technology,” which highlighted a need for consumer food technology education. Overall, less Americans (54 percent) avoid specific foods ... http://www.talktocurrent.com/current-blog/2010/09/understanding-consumer-food-technology-perceptions/ The word “processed” continues to gain attention and consumer concern – about whether a food is healthy, safe or even necessary.   So, what’s the good? Food processing can decrease spoilage, remove toxins, allow for perishable food transportation/distribution and answer consumer demand for convenience, consistency and customization. Think about our desire for ... http://www.talktocurrent.com/current-blog/2010/08/food-processing-the-good-the-bad-the-balance/ A global perspective can provide future trend insights. According to The Innova Database - an online international new product development tracking tool – upcoming product development driving forces include:  Simplicity: An obvious increase in the use of the words “simple” and “homemade” within new product promotion Sustainability: Water, air, energy consumption, packaging ... http://www.talktocurrent.com/current-blog/2010/08/top-ten-product-development-driving-forces/ Consumer thoughts and behaviors don’t always align. For example, consumers report that diet healthfulness can be improved through food consumption quantity (69 percent) and physical activity (60 percent). Healthy weight maintenance appears to be understood, but…the reality is a majority of Americans – children and adults – are either overweight ... http://www.talktocurrent.com/current-blog/2010/08/perceptions-vs-reality-understand-your-audience/ Dairy Management Inc.™ and the US Dairy Innovation Center announced the launch of the Dairy Research Institute™. This 501(c)(3) non-profit organization provides a platform to better meet consumer needs, and protect and promote dairy in the marketplace. http://www.talktocurrent.com/current-blog/2010/07/new-approach-to-us-dairy-needs/ This week’s 2010 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting, the largest food ingredients show in the world, revealed industry and consumer trends, including clean labeling, sustainability and total diet/whole foods. Heading into 2011, we should keep a few things in mind when it comes to food labels and key messages ... http://www.talktocurrent.com/current-blog/2010/07/food-trend-watch-clean-labeling/