Close×

A spirits company has signed a deal to use NFC technology to help promote one of its tequila brands during soccer season.

NFC marketing company Thin Film Electronics partnered with Brown-Forman to design smart bottles and connected coasters as part of the el Jimador tequila campaign.

El Jimador sponsored the Mexican National Soccer team’s 2018 US tour prior to arriving at the FIFA World Cup, and the omni-channel “Soccer Moments” campaign is believed to be the industry’s largest NFC-related activation for a tequila brand.

El Jimador incorporated NFC tags in custom bottle-neckers and branded coasters.

When tapped with a smartphone, customers can instantly submit their favourite soccer story for a chance to win $25,000, custom jerseys, and other prizes.

The NFC tags integrate with Thinfilm’s CNECT Cloud Platform and enable el Jimador marketers to view real-time tapping activity, analyse campaign performance, and uncover actionable insights.

“It has become increasingly common for leading brands like el Jimador to position NFC as a key enabler within major omnichannel marketing initiatives,” Davor Sutija, CEO of Thinfilm, said.

Elsewhere, Brazilian spirit brand Catuaba Selvagem has introduced special bottles for the FIFA World Cup.

In a move that is a nod to a musical instrument synonymous with the World Cup in South Africa in 2010, the bottles turn into vuvuzelas.

When the contents have been consumed, they simply fit a doser, unscrew the bottom and use to make as much noise as they can.

Food & Drink Business

Alternative protein think tank Food Frontier and Cellular Agriculture Australia (CAA) have joined forces, with the goal to accelerate the commercialisation of emerging food production technologies in Australia.

As part of the development of a national food security strategy, the federal government has commissioned a food supply chain assessment. The decision was made during a meeting of the National Food Council on 23 March, focused on the impact of conflict in the Middle East on Australia’s food system.

Australia has secured a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) after eight years of negotiations, opening new avenues for Australian exporters to sell to 450 million consumers in the EU’s $30 trillion economy.