Sweet Co-Branding: Google and Nestlé Give Us The Android Kit Kat.

To mark the release of Android KitKat, the latest operating system from Google, more than 50 million specially branded KitKat bars shaped like the Android mascot, will be available in 19 countries including Australia, Brazil, Germany, India, Japan, Dubai, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Kit Kat's own website has been redesigned as a parody of a tech site as part of the promotion:

The press release:
Sep 3, 2013 Google and Nestlé announce Android KitKat



Google has ended months of online speculation about the name of the latest version of its Android mobile operating system by revealing it will be called ‘Android KitKat’, after Nestlé’s popular chocolate and wafer confectionery.



The creators of the world’s most popular mobile platform have teamed up with the world’s biggest food and beverage company to name the next release of the platform ‘Android KitKat’.

Android KitKat 4.4 - The Future of Confectionary video:


SWEET THEMES
Android has been developed by the company’s engineers under sweet-themed names ever since the release of Android Cupcake in 2009 and continuing in alphabetical order until the most recent version, Android Jelly Bean.


above: The Android KitKat statue at Google's Mountain View campus along with others representing previous operating systems, such as Gingerbread, Jelly Bean, Ice Cream Sandwich and cupcake

The news that the letter ‘K’ will be dedicated to Nestlé’s KitKat will surprise most technology commentators, who had widely thought the latest version would be ‘Android Key Lime Pie’.

“We couldn’t imagine a better name for our Android K release than the tasty chocolate that’s been a favourite among the team since the early days of Android,” said Marc Vanlerberghe, Director of Android Marketing.

STRONG DIGITAL PRESENCE
“We’re excited to announce this partnership with Android, the world's most popular mobile platform, which will help us to enable even more KitKat fans to enjoy their break,” said Patrice Bula, Nestlé’s Head of Marketing.


above: A small number of Android robot-shaped KitKat bars will also be offered as prizes in addition to the 50 million created.

“KitKat is one of the world’s top ten fast-moving consumer goods brands in social media in terms of fan numbers and engagement,” he continued. “We continue to build on its strong digital presence with interactive, creative branding campaigns.”



To mark the release of Android KitKat, more than 50 million specially branded KitKat bars will be available in 19 countries including Australia, Brazil, Germany, India, Japan, Dubai, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.


above: The Android KitKat robot arrives at Nestlé headquarters in Vevey, Switzerland.

The packs will lead consumers to the website android.com/kitkat where they will have the opportunity to win prizes including a limited number of Google Nexus 7 tablets, and credits to spend in Google Play, Google’s online store for apps, games, music, movies, books and more.

CLOSER TO CONSUMERS
Nestlé’s branding partnership with Google is the company’s latest move in its ambition to leverage digital technology and online content to get closer to its consumers to better understand and cater to their preferences.

Earlier this year, Nestlé acquired its first-ever piece of online content property, the Petfinder website in the United States. The online database, which links prospective adopters with adoptable pets, is visited by more than 100 million pet-lovers annually

all images courtesy of Nestlé and Google

UPDATED: A First Detailed Look At The Coach Branded Barbie (and Pre-order link)

Coach and Mattel have teamed up to introduce Coach Barbie which will be unveiled to the US public on August 7th.






The 12" tall co-branded doll is wearing a long version of Coach's short plaid tattersall trench , a black and green striped top, a suede red fringed skirt with gold buttons, and is accessorized with a mini Coach red bucket real leather handbag (comes in its own draw-string pouch), tiny round red framed eyeglasses and a miniature pair of Coach's high-heeled red, camel and navy leather shoes with tassle.





Similar to the Burberry Barbie launched a few years back (I have to admit, I've always thought of Coach as the poor man's Burberry), the plastic Fashionista will be a limited edition and coveted by stylish barbie lovers everywhere.



She's being promoted through the Coach facebook page with a giveaway in which you guess the handbag she'll be sporting (I kind of gave that away, didn't I?) and you're entered into a sweepstakes with a chance to win the doll.



Like the limited edition co-branded Barbies of the past, she will sell out quickly. You can pre-order the Coach Barbie here for $119 and free shipping.

images courtesy of Barbie Collector, Barbie Store Malaysia, Coach, The White Board Beauty and Fashion Blog and Barbie List Holland.

TOMS X Discovery Shark Week. Shark Shoes for The Whole Family.

Discovery's Shark Week begins this Sunday, August 4th. While watching the series, you may swear you'll never put your feet in the water again, but how about putting them in these? A co-branded product offering between TOMS and Discovery brings us Shark Shoes for men and women, youths and children.




The Shark Shoe: nature's most notorious predator is now a fresh, limited edition camo pattern, created from the majestic silhouettes of sharks all over the planet. Available in two styles for adults: The Discovery Shark Camo Nautical Biminis and the Shark Camo Classic and one style for youths and children alike.

The Discovery Shark Camo Nautical Biminis for Women and Men:




Details:
• Original camouflage pattern
• Non-slip rubber outsole with siping
• Reinforced stitching
• Canvas upper
• Instep eyelets for ventilation and drainage
$79

The Shark Camo Classics For Women and Men:




Details:
• Original camouflage pattern
• TOMS toe-stitch, and elastic V for easy on and off
• TOMS classic suede insole with cushion for comfort
• Latex arch insert for added support
• One-piece outsole for flexibility and durability
$58


The Discovery Shark Camo Youth Biminis




Details:
• Original camouflage pattern
• Canvas lining
• TOMS toe-stitch, and elastic V for easy on and off
• TOMS classic suede insole with rubber cushion for comfort
• High-wall cupsole stitched to upper for added durability
$42


The Discovery Shark Camo Tiny TOMS Biminis




Details:
• Original camouflage pattern
• Canvas lining
• Velcro closure for easy on and off
• TOMS classic suede insole with rubber cusion for comfort
• High-wall cupsole for added durability
$36



$5 from each pair goes to support Oceana, the largest ocean conservation organization in the world, and a child in need will receive a new pair of shoes.

Shop for your Shark Shoes here

Impressive Co-Branding For The Karl Lagerfeld X Shu Uemura Holiday Collection. From The Videos to The Packaging.

Fashion legend Karl Lagerfeld and Japanese global beauty giant Shu Uemura collaborated on this special Holiday 2012 make-up collection and pulled out all the stops when it came to marketing and branding. The effort is a great example of the importance of consistency in brand imagery, the utilization of social media channels and online influencers as well as various mediums such as videos, print, digital, packaging, etc. Watch and learn.





Initially announced in June of this year, the much anticipated collection has been preceded by numerous press events, articles and blog posts by most every beauty blogger and journalist in the business.


above: Karl Lagerfeld discussing and designing the collection for Shu Uemura

The launch utilized various mediums including a fabulous Saul Bass-inspired teaser video, guerilla marketing in the streets of Paris, a strong social media presence, special events and the design of a sweet little Manga-style Mascot named Mon Shu dressed in Lagerfeld's signature high-collared white shirt and black tie who consistently appears everywhere.



above: Conceived of and drawn by Karl Lagerfeld, she takes a cue from Japanese schoolgirls, whose uniforms Lagerfeld finds impeccable. “They dress a little like me, even if this is more exaggerated,” said the designer.

The Brand Mascot:


In addition to being the star of the videos, Mon Shu appeared during press events as everything from an oversized balloon to small plush dolls and decals that could be applied to fingernails.  She graces all the packaging and even appeared on helium balloons and bags as a form of guerilla marketing:







The Teaser (Birth of Mon Shu) Video:


You can view more wonderful animated videos of Mon Shu as she travels around the world on She Uemera's YouTube channel.

Designing the Collection:
The Paris-based Lagerfeld was in charge of the collection's color selection and the adorable packaging of the nail polishes, false lashes, lipsticks, eye shadows, make-up brushes and more.




The Making Of The Collection video:


The Products and Packaging:











Even the photographs for the accompanying campaign were shot by Karl Lagerfeld.

Social Media Marketing:
In terms of social media marketing, they have been consistent about branding the collection with a YouTube channel that features multiple videos, a presence, giveaways, drawing contests and more have taken place on the Shu Uemera facebook page, and they have a branded twitter page - and many a related tweet.



The Shu Uemura homepage has an interactive section dedicated to the collection as well.

The press release:

She Uemura and Karl Lagerfeld are proud to announce an exceptional collaboration for the holiday collection 2012 under the name of Karl Lagerfeld for shu uemura.

This unique moment of creation has roots in more than 20 years of relationship and mutual admiration between two of the most renowned talents from the worlds of fashion and beauty. With his artful hands and revolutionary vision Mr. Shu Uemura transformed the image of women through make-up, passionately elevating beauty into a true work of art. Karl Lagerfeld’s illustrious career as a master of fashion design, photography and publishing has presented a worldview so unique he has become one of the most influential creators of his time. Both have propelled their crafts into the future with their untiring quests for innovation and beauty.

“I design with shu uemura make-up because other manufacturers do not offer such beautiful colors.” – Karl Lagerfeld

For two decades Karl Lagerfeld has been using shu uemura eye shadows to illustrate his fashion sketches. Now he merges his world with shu uemura’s to create an entire collection in homage to the brand-the color selection and packaging is entirely designed by Karl Lagerfeld who also photographed the visual campaign.

For this holiday collection, the master of beauty and the master of fashion converge, their talent and passion for beauty evoking miracles for the holiday season.

To be launched in November 2012 in the following countries: ASIA: Japan, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam / NORTH AMERICA: United States, Canada / EUROPE: France, Italy, United Kingdom, Belgium, Ireland / OCEANIA: Australia. Please contact regional shu uemura PR offices for further information.

SHOP FOR THE COLLECTION HERE

A big thanks to the following for some of the additional images used in this post:

Shu Uemera
Chicprofile
Beautezine