Case Studies
We’ve been partnering with mid-sized and Fortune 500 companies for more than a decade.
Along the way we have helped our clients identify, develop and test a wide variety of unique & successful innovations.
PRODUCTS WE HELPED LAUNCH
ENERGIZE
Brand Expansion
Kellogg’s sought to drive growth of a heritage brand by innovating within the guidelines of their current brand equity – essentially how could the brand stretch without changing the key elements that make it beloved. We executed a series of co-creation sessions with rapid iteration efforts. Four of the 19 concepts exceeded BASES success criteria and have progressed into the next phase of development.
Brainstorming
The Quaker team desired to unlock incremental growth for one of its heritage brands. They wanted to get out of their comfort zone, expand their thinking with fresh ideas and ensure the testing provided senior management with the confidence to fund new innovation. Mission Field executed 6 rounds of research (ethnos, FGs & 1-1’s for final refinement). Over 70 consumers helped iterate 50+ novel ideas across 12 diverse categories. In the end, 5 concepts in 4 new categories rose to the top and resonated with consumers.
Brand Renovation
A brand within the Campbell’s portfolio was in need of renovation as their expanding line needed to be coordinated and refined. Mission Field led the strategic thinking with a large-scale eye tracking study that helped identify key label attributes, issues with shopability and relevance of key design elements. The team utilized the learnings to upgrade designs and refresh the full line.
Innovation Strategy Development
Oregon Freeze Dry approached Mission Field to help create an innovation strategy and lead an effort to evaluate multiple company growth and expansion opportunities. This in-depth work will include multiple research waves, all conducted on-line given Covid-19, that will lead to a multi-year innovation pipeline. The top idea will head straight into their next sales cycle providing a quick win in the near term.
New Brand Development
Mission Field was tasked with helping Nestle Purina identify whether consumers would approve of Purina launching multiple concepts of cutting-edge pet food concepts. We developed a range of concepts and identified the right way in for each concept, conducting co-creation to refine each idea.
Make
Rapid Prototyping
Mission Field iterated through multiple rounds of R&D development of a specialty new concept. We created original and new to the world formulas, ran trial production, created samples for internal discussion & research and prepared for scaled production of three SKUS.
Rapid Prototyping
Kellogg’s needed sellable skus to enable a DTC test. Internal procedures would have meant months of additional time when the team was focused on a minimal viable product. We vetted four co-manufacturers in 3 countries, oversaw production and shipped 15 SKUS of sell ready, QA-approved product to the U.K. for the test.
BURST
Traditional Grocery
Retail Lab
Snyder’s wanted to see how far the company could extend itself into new categories, so we led their thinking in testing & strategizing several cutting-edge new product ideas with in-market experiences. The output of our tests gave them focus on a pipeline of products that would allow them to launch into new category spaces & new channels.
Weekend Tests
Danone had two beverage concepts with differing levels of research and senior management excitement that had been in development and consideration for several years. The team wanted to efficiently test the holistic propositions in a real store setting and determine areas for improvement, winning communication paths and determine if either had a right to win with consumers. Mission Field executed two weekend tests with clear results showing one idea resonating with consumers.
Omni-Channel Retail Lab
PepsiCo sought out our expertise to turn an internal kitchen recipe into a sellable formula that could be tested in unique away-from-home channels. We worked with them to identify a range of manufacturers, commercialize the recipe and execute production of 2,000 units of two different formula structures. Ultimately the product was sold to consumers allowing the team to experience real consumer reactions to this unique innovation & product experience.
Home Improvement
Retail Lab
The Clorox team developed a radically new concept for home cleaning that would require a consumer behavior change in how they shopped for the product (Home Hardware) and how they cleaned within their homes. This complex, six-product line up was tested over six months in two key retailers with two distinct selling propositions, two placements and two pricing variables. We enabled deep learning that the team used to radically pivot and avoid a costly launch with their key customer before the proposition was truly ready.
ROAR
regional launch
After exploring the potential for its Spanish Gazpacho brand Alvalle to penetrate the US market in a 4-channel retail test, Mission Field designed the strategy and executed the first stages of the expansion plan extending Alvalle into a West-Coast regional distribution model. This allowed the client to minimize the risk of its launch as we iterated and improved its performance before handoff to the internal sales and brand teams.
launch strategy
A confidential food client allowed Mission Field to take a disruptive woman-focused food solution into a larger model of expansion. Efforts included the alignment of long-term co-man production, legal and regulatory, marketing plans, retailer sell in, and an overall roll out strategy that would penetrate two distinct markets.