brandopus

With over 500 million registered users, Twitter is one of the ten most visited websites on the Internet and can influence people worldwide.

This couldn't be truer for Twinings. It all began with a tweet from One Direction's Niall... "love your work! Your Lemon and Ginger is great! Drink about 3 or 4 cups before stage." Niall, has 11 million Twitter followers worldwide so you can imagine the impact this has had for Twinings.

The brief from Twinings was to create something personalised, quirky and fun whilst being a keepsake for Niall. And for me, being a big fan of any boy band at all, this couldn't be more of a dream brief to work on! The idea was that it would be a bonus for Niall to receive packs of his favourite cup of tea... after all, we want those vocals to be at their best whilst on stage! We worked with the current Lemon and Ginger packs, which we at BrandOpus re-designed as part of the Infusions relaunch in 2012, making it feel like a limited edition pack especially made for Niall himself.

Tweaking the illustrations on pack and also working into the copy made it feel more personalised, we even managed to get a few song titles in there too: "Naturally caffeine free... that's what makes you beautiful".

Speaking about the custom made tea, Niall said: "Thanks very much @TwiningsTeaUK! love the ole Lemon and Ginger tea! Love the boxes aswell haha." He then photographed this and shared the picture via Twitter.  To date, over 52,000 people have retweeted Niall's references to Twinings, and over 65,000 people have 'favorited' his posts.  

Since Twinings first interaction with Niall in April, they have seen their Twitter followers increase from 11,326 followers 18th April 2013 to 18,626 followers 13th May 2013, which is pretty amazing.

This just shows what how powerful social networking sites can be and how a brand's packaging can interact with an audience in a fun and engaging way whilst broadening Twinings social reach.

It's 2:30, they're an hour and a half late... that gives me 15 minutes (of fame perhaps? Bad joke...). Am I nervous or did my lunch just have too much garlic in it? Charlotte's excited, Charlotte's ALWAYS excited. Offset path, extrude, chop it out - use Penumbra Flare, people love Penumbra Flare. Why the hell did I iron a check shirt... that's the point of check isn't it, no ironing? What if they're wearing make-up, you know like guy make-up - how can I take anyone like that seriously?!

They've arrived... so that's what tailors are for. Ok, like the director said, poker face, if they want it lavender with rainbow gradient comic sans that's what they get. I can hear the silly music those shows have, new age/progressive salon - someone makes that music, someone has that job... What?! They're having lunch now... when am I going to design this thing? I mean it's one thing for TV to simplify and mis-represent the process but some work HAS to get done surely!!! Calm down - serenity now, serenity now. What's good? Well the cutter is simple, they have shown up and they're not as bigger idiots as the show makes them out to be, poor guys - people are going to hate them for no reason.

How heavy must that camera be? They're struggling, get a name guys... come on, 'Bitter Twisted' perfect for flavoured ale! Ok, style it up... Oh, hang on, yes! I can get a little idea in there - imagine it, to get an idea into a design on The Apprentice!!!

It's done, beautiful... I... actually this is good! Unbelievable. Sorry? What's that? We're not allowed that name...

...Ice-skating on frozen lakes with long frocks and top hats, brass bands on winter's nights, A Christmas Carol with its beautiful, traditional theme.  When it came to having a Christmas party with a Twist (Oliver?), there could truly only ever be one theme. 

And so it was, we at BrandOpus donned decadent dresses and our most gentlemanly garms to celebrate Christmas in time-honoured style. As we pulled up at the (hitherto top-secret) Tate Britain, we knew we were in for a treat - and were certainly not disappointed: a grand drinks reception in an opulent gallery surrounded by paintings, a private tour of the fascinating Pre-Raphaelite exhibition (what better way to rebel against your parent's generation than becoming more conservative!?), and then a 3-course meal with secret Santa presents, including a Byron Burger ketchup survival kit, Royal Baby and BrandOpus Hunks Calendar 2013 - with one very notable exception (hint: it's me).

As the night continued, we were thoroughly enjoying the company and environs, but there was another surprise in store.  Back into the carriages we went, carolling merrily in the night.

In the depths of Fitzrovia we descended a staircase to our last calling point of the evening: The Lucky Pig cocktail bar - readily replete with Victorian furnishing as an illicit gin palace beneath the street.

With drink stations strategically positioned across the lounge, booths as well as waiting bar staff and a DJ, we threw off the oppressive shackles of Victorian society and danced to a rather more modern beat until the lark's dawn chorus...  

With less than a week to go we're excited to reveal the venues for our series of free seminars in Australia. Also, due to popular demand, we are announcing a second opportunity to see Design & Meaning in Sydney.

6 pm - 20 November - Alto, Melbourne

THE SCIENCE OF BRANDING: What really governs consumer decisions?

Join us on the top floor of the GPO Building in Melbourne for drinks, canapés and current insights into consumer decision-making, we'll answer such questions as...

• What is the latest thinking on consumer behaviour?
• If the consumer is irrational, how do we predict their decision making?
• How does cognitive science relate to my brand?

Places are free but almost fully booked, click here for your final chance to register

3 pm - 21 November - Concrete Blonde, Sydney

MEANING AND DESIGN: The semiotics of brands- what does your brand mean?

Due to popular demand we are repeating this seminar in Sydney. Join us at Concrete Blonde for drinks, canapés and current insights into brand devices and their hidden meanings, we'll answer such questions as...

• What are semiotics and why are they at the forefront of marketers minds right now?
• Do the subliminal meanings behind symbols really affect consumer-purchasing behaviour?
• How do I harness semiotics in my own brand design?

Places are free but limited, click here to register now

6 pm - 22nd November - ACCA, Melbourne

MEANING AND DESIGN: The semiotics of brands- what does your brand mean?

Join us at the award winning Australian Centre for Contemporary Art for drinks, canapés and current insights into brand devices and their hidden meanings, we'll answer such questions as...

• What are semiotics and why are they at the forefront of marketers minds right now?
• Do the subliminal meanings behind symbols really affect consumer-purchasing behaviour?
• How do I harness semiotics in my own brand design?

Places are free but limited, click here to register now

20 NOV - THE SCIENCE OF BRANDING

What really governs consumer decisions?

Join us for drinks, canapés and current insights into consumer decision-making, we'll answer such questions as...

• What is the latest thinking on consumer behaviour?
• If the consumer is irrational, how do we predict their decision making?
• How does cognitive science relate to my brand?

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR FREE PLACE FOR THE 20^TH NOVEMBER NOW

22 NOV - MEANING AND DESIGN 

Designing brands and searching for meaning.

Join us for drinks, canapés and current insights into brand devices and their hidden meanings, we'll answer such questions as...

• What are semiotics and why are they at the forefront of marketers minds right now?
• Do the subliminal meanings behind symbols really affect consumer-purchasing behaviour?
• How do I harness semiotics in my own brand design?

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR FREE PLACE FOR THE 22^ND NOVEMBER NOW