Cannabis and the Branding Challenge: It’s Not Just About Legalization, It’s About Normalization

October 29, 2019 | By: Allison Ames, President and CEO of Beanstalk

There’s no doubt that we are in the midst of a green rush: By 2022, sales of legal cannabis are expected to surpass $20 billion. And sales of CBD (short for cannabidiol, it’s the non-psychoactive ingredient in cannabis and hemp versus THC, the psychoactive ingredient) products grew by 57% last year alone. This year, three out of four U.S. chefs identified cannabis-infused food as a strong trend. According to surveys, members of Gen Z view cannabis as healthier than alcohol.

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Thought LeadershipBeanstalk BeanstalkThought Leadership, Cannabis, Allison Ames, CBD, Hemp, Advertising Week
Kraft Heinz Flavors Up Coffee Aisle with Non-Alcoholic BAILEYS® Ready-to-Drink Cold Brew Coffee in Cans

Chicago, September 23, 2019 - Bringing an indulgent adult treat and authentic flavors to the coffee aisle, Kraft Heinz is partnering with BAILEYS®, the producers of the world's best-selling cream liqueur, to launch non-alcoholic BAILEYS® Ready-to-drink Cold Brew in cans.

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Press ReleasesBeanstalk BeanstalkBrand Representation, Baileys, Kraft Heinz Company, Client Partnership, Brand extension
The Power of Licensing #10: What Do Plus-Size Apparel, Cannabis And Esports All Have In Common? Part Three Of A Three-Part Series

August 12, 2019 | By: Michael Stone, Chairman & Co-founder of Beanstalk

This is the final installment of a three-part series about product categories that have recently re-invented themselves due to cultural, societal, technological and political trends. Categories where the economics intersect with the trends. Part One in the series examined the plus-size fashion category. Part Two examined cannabis. Part Three examines esports.

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The Power of LicensingBeanstalk BeanstalkMichael Stone, The Power of Licensing, eSports, Forbes, Part Three, Thought Leadership, Activision
The Power of Licensing #10: What Do Plus-Size Apparel, Cannabis And Esports All Have In Common? Part Two Of A Three-Part Series

August 5, 2019 | By: Michael Stone, Co-founder and Chairman

This is the second of a three-part series about product categories that have recently re-invented themselves due to cultural, societal, technological and political trends. Categories where the economics intersect with the trends. Part One in the series examined the plus-size fashion category. Part Two examines cannabis.

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The Power of LicensingBeanstalk BeanstalkThe Power of Licensing, Cannabis, Forbes, Michael Stone, Thought Leadership, CBD, Hemp
The Power of Licensing #10: What Do Plus-Size Apparel, Cannabis And eSports All Have In Common? Part One Of A Three-Part Series

July 29, 2019 | By: Michael Stone, Chairman & Co-founder of Beanstalk

If you live long enough, you see a lot of products and, indeed, entire product categories come and go. In the present time, much of this change has been driven by technology. CD players are gone; Spotify is here. Filofax disappeared, and we now have calendars and notes on our phones. Who needs paper maps when there is Google maps?

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The Power of LicensingBeanstalk BeanstalkThe Power of Licensing, Michael Stone, Forbes, Cannabis, Plus-Size Apparel, eSports, Thought Leadership, Trends, Reinvent
Licensing Expo 2019: Five Trends Ahead for the Licensing Industry

June 28, 2019 | By: Allison Ames, President & CEO of Beanstalk

Beanstalk has returned from Licensing Expo 2019 full of enthusiasm and excitement for the continued evolution of the licensing industry. My experience in Las Vegas only reinforces the view that brand licensing will play an increasingly powerful role on the retail “battlefield.” Licensing is clearly the stealth tool for smart brands that need to connect with customers amid the influx of new competitors and marketing messages flowing through all channels.

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Thought LeadershipBeanstalk BeanstalkAllison Ames, Thought Leadership, Licensing Expo 2019, Trends, eSports, Cannabis, Foodie, Experiential Marketing, Experiences, Licensing Expo 2019 Trends, 2020
PRIDE & Harvey Milk

June 26, 2019 | By: Martin Cribbs, VP of Icon Representation

For me, PRIDE Month brings to mind Harvey Milk and his increasingly meaningful legacy. Milk’s message, that fearlessness was the key to personal freedom, inspired hope in a segment of the population that had no confidence their voices would be heard or respected. 

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Thought LeadershipBeanstalk BeanstalkPride Month, PRIDE, LGBTQ, Martin Cribbs, Harvey Milk, Influencers, Gay Community, Icon Representation