As a content director, I’m intrigued by changes in the food and beverage industry, down to the way language evolves to define innovation. Throughout the years at Brightly Creative, I’ve become familiar with terms like aquafaba, ashwagandha and what I affectionately call the biotics: pre, post and pro. But, there’s
Brightly Creative’s summer was one of change, growth and learning experiences. Through this company I’ve been able to enjoy some cool life moments, all the while becoming more adept at reporting on the food and beverage industry. I’ve narrowed down my last four months to my top three moments. The
Chicago may be saying farewell to the Sweets & Snacks Expo, which moves to Indianapolis in 2024, but there are a number of mid-2023 trends that I believe have staying power in the confectionery and snacking space. Snacking is a supernova, according to IRI/Circana’s Sally Lyons Wyatt’s traditional trade show
Nashville was hopping at the beginning of May — and not just because Taylor Swift was in town. The Craft Brewers Conference burst onto the Music City scene, and there truly was something for every beer creator at this year’s show. We were there on behalf of the National Honey
Out of all of the webinars, in-person keynotes and interviews I’ve conducted in the past several years regarding clean label listings, functionality and better-for-you ingredients, one thing has always stuck out to me. The definition of what is good for me is moveable, changeable and 100% personal. The FDA has
Almost 900 new brands showed the food and beverage industry why they deserved a space at the 2023 Natural Products Expo West. Even though I believe the boom of new products that culminated from this year’s show rose somewhat from the pandemic, future success belongs to those who innovate — looking
One of my favorite webinars of the year is the Symrise North America Top Trend hour, and the most recent dive into 2023’s predictions did not disappoint. I was taken on a 45-minute global journey of flavors, tastes and even emotion, and as someone who researches food and beverage products
In just a few days I will be heading back to Natural Products Expo West for the first time in 10 years. My feet have hit countless trade show floors since that inaugural week in Anaheim, and it’s thrilling to be on the forefront of trends, innovations and taste tests!
Food and beverage R&D departments work tirelessly to unveil the next big thing in their chosen category. Predictions abound: What do consumers expect in the future? What hot, new ingredient trend will go viral (hello, Mike’s Hot Honey)? What product will stand out on shelves above all others? After hitting
I love good takeout just as much as the next person, and now that I’ve had some time to reflect on Natural Products Expo East, I may have more questions than predictions about the future of the natural food and beverage industry. My time in Philadelphia started with the Thursday
The newest Brightly Creative team member is Social Media Manager Mary Katherine Oellerich. She received a journalism degree, with an emphasis on print journalism, and a minor from The University of Mississippi. Since finishing college 10 years ago, she has worked in various industries, including publishing, printing, fashion and marketing.
A former Silver Best of Show Medalist is now Golden. Honey Sucker Pils, a German-style pilsner brewed with orange blossom honey, bested 240 entries at this year’s eighth annual Honey Beer Competition. Liquid Art Brewing Co. of Chambersburg, Penn., proved that quality and consistency win every time, and Brightly Creative
IFT FIRST was the theme of this year’s event and expo at Chicago’s McCormick place, and Food Improved by Research, Science and Technology certainly showcased the new, the innovative and the future of food science. For those unable to attend the vent, the online experience features more than 120 on-demand
One of my favorite aspects of our partnership with the National Honey Board are the competitions. Each year, our team makes improvements to elevate and improve on the year before, and this year we had a whopping 350 meads — the maximum cap — entered into the Mead Crafters Competition. I love
The Specialty Foods Association (SFA) Summer Fancy Food Show culminated in an international meeting of the minds — and taste buds — at New York City’s Javits Center. If one show can define where the industry is evolving and the abundance of opportunities in the specialty food market, this was it. The
Being a food and beverage agency, we’re interested in the world’s pollinators, particularly those that are pollinate crops in all 50 states: the honey bee. Pollinator Week — June 20 through 26 — is a great time to further education on the power of our favorite winged pollinators: bees. Plus, who
There’s no doubt that the buzzword of the 25th anniversary of the National Confectioners Association Sweets & Snacks Expo was “occasion.” IRI’s Sally Lyons Wyatt kicked off the party with the first eye-opener session of the trade show: “State of Snacking.” Within it, she opened up an unbeknownst metaphor. Today’s
Every third spoonful of the world’s food depends on pollination, and on May 20, the United Nations joins together people of the world to celebrate and become more aware of what bees do for us on World Bee Day. As a food and beverage creative agency, we are proud of
Our lives are truly spiced up with the endless array of flavor combinations in the world, however recent inspiration has certainly stemmed from the longest period of isolation in our lifetimes, and culinary experts and food developers are incorporating what matters most to consumers into menus and retail products. A
I recently sat in on the Food Entrepreneur Experience presented by Food Business News webinar for a number of reasons. I work for a food and beverage creative agency, so I’m always looking for the latest and greatest in that category Zeroing in on the word “creative,” I love hearing
When the Super Bowl champs — or any sports team for that matter — win the big game, they fly into a pile of screaming delight, jumping up and down in the height of joy reminiscent of childhood. GONG’s Super Bowl commercial showcased sales floors, ringing the gong every time a sale
Research is one of my favorite things to do at Brightly Creative. New products, the latest trends, food themes, etc. are not only great fodder for the content I create, but the innovative concepts that food and beverage developers come up with astound me. And, every once in a while,
“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” We’ve all heard it. But, is it? The line was first heard as a slogan in the 19th century by Kellogg’s, naturally to sell its new breakfast cereal. Marketers latched onto the saying, but nutritionists have as well for a number
I have a friend who passed out in a Burger King when she was 10. Decades later, the memory of that embarrassing moment has driven her away from BK for life. I, on the other hand, love the smell and taste of a good BK burger. I do not have
There’s no doubt that global influence has hit U.S.-based supermarket shelves and restaurants like we’ve never seen. Could it be a result of the lack of travel and the lack of cuisine we experience while crisscrossing the globe on epic vacation adventures? No matter what the reason, Flavor is certainly
We’re an elite 8 now at Brightly Creative, and the newest cog in our ever-growing wheel comes to us in the form of social media. We’re excited to provide even better social media management both internally and externally, and Lauren Beers is the perfect person to take us down the
We’re heading into the New Year with smiles on our faces, thankfulness in our hearts and high fives to another wonderful year of triumphs and wins through adversity. As the Brightly Creative team takes a well-deserved break for the rest of 2021, we each took a moment to reflect on
Are three square meals a day a thing of the past? According to a recent webinar, “Unlocking the Power of the Snack,” larger, traditional meals are being replaced by a wide array of foods during just about any time of day. The “what” and “when” of snacking were covered, along
Throughout the year, Brightly Creative gives our alcohol-fueled blood, sweat and tears to three National Honey Board competitions: beer, spirits and mead. Yes, they’re hard work. Yes, they take a ton of organizational and behind-the-scenes planning that really starts a year in advance. And yes, they are highly rewarding. We
Words are great and all, but what would they be without someone to make them look bold, colorful and downright beautiful? That’s part of what Jon Vlasak, Brightly Creative’s newest team member, aims to do as a part of his job as associate creative director. He’s been a designer and
We’re easing our way into my favorite season — trade show season — (thanks to Schitt’s Creek for the awards season joke) and Natural Products Expo East provided a little bit of everything for everyone. Philadelphia was the host city this time around, and attendees felt welcomed by a morning fun run
I was born to be an editor. It’s not just my job, it’s been a part of who I am since I turned a book rightside up before I could even think about beginning to read. Just as my career as an editor has evolved, so has my love and
For the seventh consecutive year, the National Honey Board hosted its Honey Beer Competition, providing an opportunity for the best brewers to submit made-with-honey beers. And also for the seventh consecutive year, the Brightly Creative team managed and ran the competition for our client. But, what does managing a competition
If anyone knows me, they know there is one thing I love more than almost anything else: travel. I love tradeshows; I love airports; I even love airline food (how I miss the days of the cute little divided compartments of chicken or pasta offerings). For me, the pride of
If there was ever a time to stop and smell the flowers, today’s the day. Today we celebrate the makers of Mother Nature’s sweetener who not only provide honey but also are responsible for one-third of the food we eat. Thanks to beekeepers, honey bee enthusiasts and those who support
You are what you eat was a more wholly true statement at this year’s virtual Spirit of Innovation Awards sponsored by Prepared Foods and Tastepoint. With a focus on five trends in particular, mood boosters, mental health, immunity, sustainability and transparency, this year’s recipients were perhaps more special than in
I’m going to let the faithful readers of our blog in on a little secret: We are a CREATIVE agency. I’m putting emphasis on the word “creative” for a reason. With that word, depending on the day, comes a bit of pressure and a lot of pride. I’ve been writing,
The first in-person event in a year and a half for the Brightly Creative team had me in all my feels — but I wasn’t the only one. A major theme of the Sweets & Snacks Expo in Indianapolis was the emotional and wellness factors of food. The Discovery Theater
I woke up last week feeling like a kid on Christmas morning, ready to taste the trends we’ve been talking about as of recent on the show floor: namely gummies; popcorn; chocolate and (add ingredient here) combinations; and better-for-you confections and snacking products. I got that, of course, but there
It’s finally here, and boy do I mean finally. After a year and a half of no work travel, Indianapolis is welcoming the Sweet & Snacks Expo in person. Not over Zoom, not virtually, but a bonafide, real, awaken the senses event. I’m peering into my crystal ball for this
Brightly Creative has a very important word in its title. Yes, we’re a bright group both in mind and heart, but we are also a creative triple threat: noun, adjective and verb. One of the brightest — pun intended — times we shine is when we solve problems for our clients.
Chances are if you’re reading this blog, you already know how to write a press release. After all, they haven’t changed that much over time. And, if you don’t, Google is a functional tool that can provide a wealth of information on that subject. Speaking of function, that’s an industry
As if we need a reason to celebrate beer drinking … it’s Craft Beer Week next week! Shopping — and imbibing — locally are nearer and dearer to our hearts and taste buds like never before; in fact, it’s becoming somewhat of a necessity. To craft something is to make or produce
Another Brightly Creative Happy Hour day is upon us. What’s that, you ask? It’s a virtual get together we concocted last May — has it really been a year — where we don’t necessarily talk shop. Instead we talk about family, life and most importantly, what we’re drinking for the occasion. This
Innovation in the food and beverage industry leaves me astounded almost every day. From plant-based “meat” mimickers to 3D printing of food to “new” globally-inspired ingredients that prompt me to Google “What is (insert fruit, oil, husk, grain, pulp or herb I haven’t heard of)?” Troubleshooting Cookies Lately I’ve been
Spring cleaning isn’t just for the household, and a new calendar year isn’t the only time we can start anew. Breaking bad habits can start today, and they can start with clutter cleanup to our writing. These five tips are a mix of pet peeves and habits that I’ve broken
Perhaps it’s apt that March is Women’s History Month, because we’ve been marching toward a brighter future for centuries. The three female employees of Brightly Creative are at three different points in our careers, and we sat down and chatted about women who have inspired us in our lives and
A couple of months ago, we published a blog regarding best practices for webinars. I’m happy to report that I’ve attended four webinars in January, and only one missed the mark in my opinion. The other three provided value-added information that went beyond forecasting trends for 2021. The first order
Every end of year, my inbox gets inundated with predictions for the future. What are consumers going to be looking for in the new year? What trends will take over, and which ones will gain momentum or fizzle out from the year before? We’re almost a month into 2021 (already)
We’re officially a six-pack, as this week we welcomed Diego Escala to the Brightly Creative team. A mass communication graduate of the University of South Florida, Diego brings a bevy of talents to the fold both professionally and personally. We asked him a few hard hitting questions about his life’s
It’s a new year, new you, right? What exactly does that mean? We never have been able to predict the future, but 2020 certainly threw us for a loop. Perhaps that has made us more adaptable to change, but having goals is one aspect of both personal and professional lives
It’s been a big year for Account Director Alison Wuebbels-turned-Conklin. She successfully navigated her way through an unpredictable year in our professional world, along with planning her October wedding. We’re celebrating her birthday today with our traditional question and answer session, in hopes that we all get to know the
Every day at Brightly Creative, it seems, I utter the words, “Huh, learn something new every day.” And, in my daily quest for food and beverage knowledge I truly do. Like the aquafabas and upcycling of years past, 2020 lent itself to verbiage new to my brain like Flammkuchen (German
With little to no in-person events and interactions happening in 2020 — and likely heading into 2021 — we have more digital nomadic numbers than ever before. People are working from home, social distancing and missing the human connection and interaction that office life brings on a daily basis. Webinars are
This week the National Honey Board hosted its annual Honey Industry Summit, and since this year went virtual, the content was data driven, centered on research conducted on consumer attitudes and usage. Additionally, volumetric survey data regarding the foodservice and consumer packaged foods industry was shared. The impact that COVID-19
Part of our tough job as a food and beverage agency is to taste test the product. We travel the country (when possible), learning from mead makers, brewers, distillers, bakers and more who educate us through formulas, trial and error stories and tours. Sipping the finished result is arguably the
“Halloween is happening,” the National Confectioners Association president declared in August, and there was a collective sigh of relief across America, as Halloween’s ghouls and goblins prepared for one of the most fun holidays of the year. We needed to hear that Halloween wasn’t just canceled like most of 2020,
I’m the first to admit: I’ve never been a hugger. Anytime someone would run up to embrace me, I’d slink away like a cat, with my arms to my side or a give a quick back pat to get out of the suffocating hold as quickly as possible. My close
The results may have been delayed a bit this year, but it was worth the wait. Every Outstanding Bakery mentioned as a 2020 James Beard Award winner is a past Honey Baking Summit attendee! For those familiar with Brightly Creative, you know that we’ve had a longstanding partnership with the
Last week I delved into the world of digital nomadic life, and it took me down memory lane of how fast technology has evolved in our industry. How did I survive in college without a laptop? I remember the nights that I had to wait until 9 p.m. to use
Working from home, telecommuting, being a digital nomad — whatever you call it, more and more employers are embracing the “work away from the office” life. I’ll be the first to admit that I have more trouble concentrating as I get older, and there’s no way I could ever go back
2020 has not been the year for large gatherings. Brightly Creative has seen its entire schedule change this year, having our travel plans delayed, shifted or nixed altogether due to canceled trade shows, conferences, in-person meetings and events. It’s truly been a year of adaptation, patience and disappointment (I may
There’s a buzz in the air, and that’s because Saturday, Aug. 15, is World Honey Bee Day! These little insects pack some mighty power, and the day is reserved to honor both the honey bee and beekeepers who work so hard to make hives better homes for the pollinators of
One of the most personally overlooked values of my studies when I was in college was how much of a role technology was going to play in my profession. I’ve been fortunate to have a long editorial career that’s seen many technological changes, from copy editing software (anyone remember Quark?)
There are a number of phrases in our 2020 vocabulary that I never thought I’d be saying just six short months ago. “Wear your mask,” “quarantine,” “flatten the curve,” and “social distancing” are just a few that come to mind. The Brightly Creative team has always had a telecommute work
Coming from a journalist’s background, the who, what, when, where and why of how we do things in the content marketing world has always been of particular interest to me. Sometimes those tenants get buried in the hopes of churning out content and “scooping” the competition. But, here at Brightly
The newest team member of Brightly Creative is celebrating her birthday today! Traditionally we ask the birthday girl or boy some anonymous hard-hitting questions to ponder, and we’re waltzing out of June with some good ones! Cheers to 27! What activity helps you relieve stress? When I’m stressed, I like
Good news lends itself to even more weight in 2020, and we’re excited to announce that North Shore Living is now part of the Brightly Creative family! We’re growing like fresh herbs, and the metaphor isn’t lost on us as we look at the newest part of our food and
As if we didn’t need a reason before to enjoy candy, June is National Candy Month! The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has designed the month to celebrate “the unique role of candy in a happy, balanced lifestyle,” and we’re all for it. National Candy Month isn’t just about gorging oneself
Inspiration struck last week after our first-ever virtual happy hour. We wore weird hats, and the anticipation of seeing everyone pop on screen for the first time in their chosen headwear was almost better than the hour itself. We drank, laughed and shared stories of quarantine, longed for vacations and
Most of my fondest memories of togetherness come in the form of enjoying a wonderful meal and taste testing new drinks with friends (or strangers for that matter — imbibing brings people together). Who doesn’t love a great wine or spirits tasting, or a beer flight at the local pub, or
From on tap to carry out and delivery, the craft beer industry has had to shift the way they provide us with our favorite ales, lagers, IPAs and saisons. And even though the brewing industry has faced a huge battle with coronavirus’ stay-at-home orders, it has not even come close
Living in America has its perks, and one of them is the ability to celebrate almost every holiday on the planet in some way, shape or form. Cinco de Mayo is this author’s favorite holiday of the year (I admit it’s been greatly Americanized and I’m totally OK with that),
One of the biggest trends in digital media right now is the podcast, and the origin story is that they were developed in 2004 by a former MTV VJ with a program called iPodder. Through the software, internet radio broadcasts could be downloaded to his iPod, and throughout years of
Due to our longstanding partnership with the National Honey Board, naturally we have learned a lot about the hardworking bees that help nurture our planet. It’s only fitting that we would honor bees during Earth Day’s 20th anniversary theme: Climate Action. According to EarthDay.org, on the first Earth Day, April
We’ve got another Brightly Creative birthday this week — the one and only Keith Seiz! The family-man-runner-cyclist-foodie-expert-napper extraordinaire answered our questions as well this week, and it gave us an inside look at everything from airplane pet peeves to coveted travel supplies. Enjoy, and please join us in wishing Keith
This week we celebrate Jonathan Galbreath’s birthday by taking a deep dive into his life with our top 5 questions we’ve always wanted to know about him. From travel, to tech, to death row, we’ve uncovered some good stuff about Jonathan during his birthday week. You’ve run a successful business
Even though the Easter Bunny may be on furlough when it comes to hopping in and out of backyards, that doesn’t mean the Brightly Creative crew isn’t going without our favorite treats or traditions. After all, we’re a creative bunch, so we’ve shifted our focus from large gatherings to the
Part of my job here at Brightly Creative is to research food and beverage trends and innovation. This is also one of my favorite tasks, as I come across new ideas that leave me saying, “Why didn’t they think of that sooner?” But, every so often I see something pop
The Brightly Creative team is a lucky bunch. We already work from home, so we’re fortunate to be somewhat used to the new reality of quarantines being put in place across the nation. Telecommuting certainly has its advantages, and it also comes with a certain amount of freedoms. A quarantine,
Today is St. Patrick’s Day, a feast day that celebrates Irish culture with traditional Irish meals like Irish stew, Guinness pie, soda bread and of course green beer. This year, however, with social distancing in place, there’s an air of disappointment. No dancing in the streets, “Kiss me, I’m Irish”
Fat Tuesday is traditionally the time where we gorge on our favorites before the 40-day fasting period of Lent. Whether you’re fasting, giving that one thing up or just ready for the flood of hurricanes and King’s Cake, Fat Tuesday can be enjoyed by every human who has one thing
What’s your favorite chocolate: dark, milk, white or … ruby? Innovations in the way chocolate is produced and sourced have disrupted this category in the past year, and whether you’re single or happily attached, this Valentine’s Day’s chocolate offerings have our Brightly Creative team excited to share our favorites. Ruby
A large part of my job is to research trends in the food and beverage industry. While I’m used to being wowed by constant innovation in our field that results in new ways of doing things and even new vocabulary (can we say upcycling and aquafaba?), there are some moments
The ghost of Christmas’s past, present and future is hot on our trails this time of year, and since the decade is almost over, the Brightly Creative crew is taking the time to reflect. A lot has happened in the last decade, both personally and professionally. Alison Wuebbels said: “In
Are three meals a day — breakfast, lunch and dinner — a thing of the past? Sure, we’ve all been known to indulge in a few snacks in between meals (midnight pizza, anyone?) but something that was once a guilty pleasure is turning into a better-for-us norm. Snacking is becoming such a
Waste not, want not, a saying that’s been around since the 1700s, still rings true today. Food waste is an epidemic in the United States, yet so many people live in poverty. Although the world hunger problem won’t be solved soon enough, upcycling has reached an entire new level of