Oser Communications Group

GENERAL NEWS 4 KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW ■ JUNE 2014 ■ www.kitchenwarenews.com access to social media and comfort with technology gives them an edge. Meanwhile Millennials are also still learning from their parents as they begin to tackle life challenges that the Baby Boomers have already experienced. The result is a cyclical flow of information back and forth between generations that's very different f rom relationships between Baby Boomers and their parents. AIMsights has termed that exchange of information back and forth between the Baby Boomers and Millennials as "ping-ponging." The group's marketing consultants found products at IH+HS that they predict will do well in the marketplace precisely because they're items that will appeal to both of these very large demographic groups, either for identical reasons or because the same product appeals to both generations but in different ways. "We also chose products that directly appeal to one group but show a lot of potential for ping-ponging, which is when one group talks to the other about it and there's a lot of potential for word of mouth between these two groups," Ryan says. LotusGrill from Artland is an example of a product that has features that both age groups like in the same way. "Millennials have small apartments and like that it doesn't take up much space," Ryan says. Baby Boomers like it because they're downsizing their living quarters and equipping their recreational vehicles. "So both groups like it in the same way," Ryan says. Both generations are likely to purchase the Objecto humidifier for similar reasons, according to AIMsights. "One comment we often hear from Millennials is that they want products to do double-duty. Unlike older generations, they prefer multi-function capability and appreciate products that perform more than one task. The Objecto humidifier performs the task of enhancing the air while serving as a sculptural decoration for the home. Millennials, and also Baby Boomers who have downsized after their children have moved out, are working with limited space in their homes. It's increasingly important for functional pieces to also look great. The innovation of taking a traditionally unattractive product and adding design elements to enhance a room will appeal to both generations. The H3 Hybrid Humidifier keeps your home comfortable while enhancing your decor," the group said in its explanation for its choice of that product. That appreciation for a marriage of form and function is also why both generations appreciate silicone bowl covers from Charles Viancin, according to AIMsights. "The functionality of these lids is fantastic: they're reusable, can be used with any glass, ceramic, or wood container, and they create an airtight, water-tight seal to keep food f resh and prevent spills. But it's the beauty they infused into the product that elevates it from purely functional. The nature-inspired designs include lily pad, cherry blossom, sunflower, and even pumpkin for fall, allowing consumers to add a touch of interest to their homes," is how the firm explained why this product was included on its top ten list. "Socially conscious, 'Goodie Two Shoes' Millennials will enjoy the waste-saving, reusable aspect of these lids," while Baby Boomers, "with a bit more disposable income, are sure to appreciate the design aesthetic as a way to add personality and style to their kitchen." The Beaba Babycook Pro steamer for preparing baby food from fresh ingredients is a product that both generations are likely to purchase for very different reasons. Research indicates that Millennials are less trusting than previous generations, and they're expressing some of that distrust through caution about their food choices. They may buy the Babycook Pro because it gives them a way to be sure exactly what's going into the food that they're feeding their babies. "Baby Boomers see it as a way to pamper the grandchild with food that's a little more gourmet than going to the grocery and buying a jar of baby food," Ryan says. "This is a way of customizing the baby food with fresh ingredients, more of a high-end experience than just grabbing a can of baby food from the local Shop Rite." The group picked new silicone trivets from Lodge as an example of a ping pong product that's likely to benefit from word-of-mouth advertising between the generations. As Baby Boomers move into smaller kitchens with less storage space, many of them are handing down their cast iron cookware to their Millennial children who are setting up their own households. Other Millennials are buying new cast iron cookware and they're passing on their recommendations in its favor to their parents, who may have forgotten its benefits. "As Millennials and Boomers ping pong cast iron cookware back and forth, these functional mats come in handy, keeping surfaces safe while adding a pop of color," AIMsights says. The VanishISO steam activated shower ventilator from Quirky is another product likely to benefit from ping-ponging, Ryan says. "Quirky is a very young brand, and they actually asked the community for product ideas, like social networking. People submitted their ideas, and then Quirky sits together and votes on the best products, which have the products with the most potential, and then they create those products," she says. "This company is very popular with Millennials, but we like it because they're just great products." See the complete list of AIMsights Top 10 list together with full explanations for its choices at aimsights.com/top-10-ping-pong- products-from-the-2014-ihhs. Ping Pong (Cont. from Page 1) The housewares brands of Duralex, Emile Henry, Rösle, Mauviel and Lékué have hired Mia Papasedero as the Western Region Specialty Store Sales Manager, a newly Papasedero Hired as Western Region Sales Manager for Duralex, Emile Henry, Rosle, Mauviel and LeKue created position. She will report to Alan Senior, Managing Director of the Company. Papasedero is a graduate of Gonzaga University and previously worked in sales for Bensussen Deutsch and Associates "Mia will help us to continue to offer the best programs and customer service support possible to our specialty store partners," said Tara Steffen, Marketing Manager for the combined brands. The headquarters for the United States subsidiaries of Duralex, Emile Henry, Rösle, Mauviel and Lékué is located in New Castle, Del. BY AMBER GALLEGOS At a time when Americans are more plugged into technology than ever, comes the opportunity to connect them with the world at large in ways previously thought difficult or burdensome. Seizing on this concept, IMUSA launches a Global Kitchen line featuring cookware specific to regions such as Asia, Mexico, the Mediterranean and Caribbean along with celebrity chef ambassadors to tie it all together. With offerings of unique products traditionally specific to far-flung parts of the world, IMUSA aims to bring the stage of international cuisine to the modern home chef. Although this is a newly formalized idea for them, IMUSA has been in business since 1934 when it was founded in Colombia and began selling aluminum pots and pans mostly to the Hispanic market. Since then, they have expanded their presence to other ethnic markets and have now been in the United States for over 25 years. Following the brand's natural evolution, the Global Kitchen line brings IMUSA to primary markets all over the U.S. The line will feature a tagine for making Mediterranean dishes, a molcajete set to mix up Mexican favorites, a tostonera perfect for Caribbean f ried plantains, a variety of woks to make Asian inspired recipes and so much more. For those who have never heard of a tagine, let alone know what to do with it, that's where the celebrity chef ambassadors come in. The panel includes George Duran, of TLC's "Ultimate Cake Off " and Food Network's "Ham on the Street," Michelle Bernstein, of Bravo's "Top Chef," and Aarón Sánchez, owner/chef of Mestizo (Leawood, Kan.) Global Cookware Comes to the Forefront with IMUSA and co-star of the Food Network's "Chopped." The chefs created original recipes that go along with the cookware, while also contributing to the line by testing products and giving feedback on design. In addition to this, they inspired the global regions that IMUSA chose to focus on. "Each chef has unique talents to develop the products," said Manny Gaunaurd, President and CEO of IMUSA. "They really provide a lot of perspective that oftentimes, as a company, you can overlook. That perspective was truly invaluable." In the spirit of connectedness, IMUSA offers customers a 360 degree approach to global cooking by using social media and technology for all it's worth. The IMUSA website has a blog- style recipe section with pictures, step-by- step instructions, and anecdotes written by the celebrity chefs. There is a video section where customers can actually see the chefs in action using IMUSA cookware to make the dishes. They are on all the major social media sites, including Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and Facebook. "The celebrity chefs engage home cooks with simple, easy recipes," says Gaunaurd. "Along with the tutorial videos, recipes, and pictures on the website, they can feel comfortable that they have all they need. It generates a whole experience for the customer." That experience is something more and more Americans are seeking as Internet Continued on PAGE 6

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