Looking forward to 2010
By Alexandra on Dec 28 Filed In Activities, Vacation Add a Comment
What have you been up to this year? Really think about it. What have you been doing?
If working is the first thing that comes to mind, you’re not alone. Work consumes most of our lives. But is that all you’ve been up to?
As 2009 comes to a close and you reflect on what went right and wrong, think hard about what you did for yourself this year. Did you make a new friend? Did you learn to cook? Have you run further than you ever thought you could? Overcome a fear? Take dance lessons? Did you volunteer in your community? If nothing comes to mind, you have some work to do in the New Year.
As life zooms past, we often forget to take time out to look at the big picture. We move way too fast. It’s important we do what we can to balance and simplify our lives and make sure we have something in our life we’re working on besides our career. Start now and commit to making 2010 different and more abou YOU. Make sure the next time someone asks you what you’ve been up to you have something you’re very proud of to share.
What Gets You Out of Bed in the Morning?
By April on Sep 24 Filed In Social Media, Sweet Consumers 2 Comments
I wear many hats here at Sweet Leaf Tea and it’s not just because I can’t decide what to wear. I am the Consumer Services Manager, which includes answering emails and phone calls from consumers like yourself, along side of running our social media efforts (Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, The Sip) and also acting as the SLT receptionist. When you have multiple jobs it is likely that you will have a preference as to which one you dig more than the other, and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I am madly in-love with working with our consumers.
Social media first appears as simply a marketing tool and would have nothing to do with consumer services, but really it’s all encompassing. Try to look at it as another way to reach your audience. I can wait and wonder what the next complaint might be from a consumer, or I can peruse Twitter or FB to see what the public is saying about SLT and respond to them in an open and transparent way. While doing this, it’s inevitable that I’ll make connections with our consumers. CONNECTION is what makes my job worth waking up every day to do. Knowing that I have a chance to make a new friend/connection and to help build a community around our brand is the lemon & lime in my unsweetened tea.
Do you know what pushes the cool-factor over the edge for me personally? Meeting our fans/friends/followers/all-around awesome consumers, in-person that’s what! If you follow any of the Sweet Leaf Marketing Tea’m online and see us in the real world, come up and say hey! We want to put a name with the tweet or comment and might even want a picture with you while sharing a tea. Now, that’s CONSUMER LOVE!
@PhilWest & @RockmygypsySoul (Anslee Connell) at the Sugar Mamas Bday Party
@TaylorSchaeffer & @Bfried (Brandon) at lunch
@UTexJim (Jim Cook) and Me
It Feels Like the First Time..
By Guest on Aug 26 Filed In ACL, Austin, Texas, Live Music 4 Comments
-Guest post by Tracy Marino (Uber fan of our Brand)
Sometimes memories are sparked by environment. Whether that’s fed by sight, smell or sound. We all have these memories but it’s rare for me to have one associated with a specific brand. And yet I do for Sweet Leaf Tea.
It was one of the first years of the Austin City Limits Music Festival…2002 or 2003…and I was lucky enough to have a pass for the VIP Grove. I learned quickly that the Austin heat and running around Zilker Park sure can build up a thirst. So there I was, walking up to the beverage bar and, always a sucker for good branding, looked with interest at the Sweet Leaf Tea bottles. Playful and authentic, my eye was drawn in. I said to the person at the bar that I had never seen that brand before and she told me how great the different flavors were, either by themselves or with a little alcohol to spice things up.
So while I wove in and out of the enthusiastic throngs and heard the sound of music both loud and softly wafting into the Grove, I tried every Sweet Leaf Tea flavor they had. All were great. But I was especially bowled over by the Mint and Honey Green Tea…so much so that even when I drink it now, I feel a bit transported.
I also introduced a family member to Sweet Leaf. In 2004, my brother Rick came to visit from Florida and so I know the exact moment when he tried it for the first time, also at the ACL Festival. Trying something new is as fun as getting someone you know to try something you dig, yes? And for my brother and I, who both love music, tying a brand to such an immersive experience really makes an impact.
Sweet Leaf Tea is delicious, no doubt. But even sweeter to me is the fact that drinking it is forever linked to fun and music…two elements that the brand embraces and personifies!
So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Good-Bye…
By April on Aug 6 Filed In Austin, Texas, Celebrities, Intern 1 Comment
From Justin Goldstein, intern rock star-Summer 2009.
Dear Granny,
Has anyone ever told you that your tea rocks?
Over the past 3 months, wow it really has been 3 months, I’ve been at 515 S. Congress working hard to generate buzz about Sweet Leaf and all the work that goes behind that tasty tea. Don’t worry when I wasn’t able to stay busy Adi, Charla and the rest of the office was always able to find something for me to do.
I’ve learned a lot during my summer here. For starters, I learned that I-35 is the worst highway ever created. I couldn’t tell you how many hours I spent cruising up and down that 15 mile stretch between here and our distributor in North Austin. I learned that there is a lot of work behind demos at local grocery stores. I learned to love my iPod and the speakers in the warehouse while doing all the prep work for the demos. I discovered that just because you want your product on a college campus doesn’t mean you can snap your fingers and have the product there, unless of course, you have a big pick-up truck and a pallet of tea that you can just take to campus yourself. I discovered that Austin is one of the coolest cities ever, if your under 21 and disagree with me just wait— your time will come…
I also learned that our consumers are the best consumers there are. Everywhere I went, from the bi-weekly Blues on the Green concerts to several H-E-B stores and even a BMX bike race, I met the people who drink our tea and many more that now drink our tea. They taught me that in order to have a successful product, you have to have people that absolutely love your product. Don’t worry Granny, from what I’ve seen it looks like we’re doing alright.
The most exciting part of my summer was just recently, including yesterday, when I was able to brew tea in order to test some new concentrates and a new flavor. I may or may not look like a mix between a scientist and a college kid brewing some moonshine in the back of the office. Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised, but in this society where you never quite know what you’re consuming with all the chemicals in what we eat and drink, it was really awesome to see that our tea literally has 5 ingredients and that includes the water.
I want to thank you Granny. I’ve had a great time this summer. Who else can say that they shipped a pair of panties to one of Hugh Hefner’s ex-girlfriends and sent tea to Denise Richards, Drake and Channing Frye. The people who work here are great and I’ve enjoyed working with them and helping them to make this company better.
Soon I’m returning to Indiana for my senior year at IU but don’t worry I’ll be representing the brand and slinging tea to my friends.
As for now, I’m back to work. There’s tea to brew and demo kits to be sent out.
Your friend,
Justin Goldstein
We LOVE consumer comments!
By Adi on Apr 13 Filed In Sweet Consumers, Uncategorized 3 Comments
I’m always amazed by some of the phone calls we receive at Sweet Leaf Tea. As head of the Marketing department , which handles the calls, it serves as a good learning experience.
So are the people calling just big fans, or are they people that have nothing better to do all day than call and complain and we should get restraining orders?
Although most of our calls are positive, two negative ones stand out in my mind. The first was a voice mail about the taste of one of our products. It was amazingly hilarious and made the rounds here at the office. If I can find the file, I’ll post it. Needless to say he won’t be buying that flavor but he admitted he was still a big fan.
The second was a lady that called to complain about one of our grannyisms that are under the cap. I know some of them are walking a fine line, but she didn’t complain about one of those. Oh no, she complained about “wear clean underwear.” Yes, I’m serious. She wanted to know how we had the audacity to assume she wasn’t wearing clean underwear. How dare we? I’m wondering why that touched her enough to call. Was it a tragic accident? Was it that she wore dirty underwear as a child and now she was empowered to spread the message of clean underwear? Maybe she worked for Tide? Whatever the answer, I’m sure it goes back to some mother issues. (They always do)
So now, do we remove the saying for fear of being sued? Should we put a warning on the label “Grannyism may offend you.” It’s crazy that companies are now forced to issue warnings on their packaging to avoid all kinds of lawsuits. (Think McDonalds hot coffee incident)
Below are some great other actual examples I found on-line today.
Children’s Dimetapp Warns: Be Careful When Driving a Motor Vehicle
I always let my kid drive after some Dimetapp. It does make the ride more interesting
A Cell Phone Manual Warns: Don’t Try to Dry Your Phone in a Microwave Oven
Maybe there an Iphone app for that…..
A Hair Dryer Warns: Never Use While Sleeping
What is Sleeping Beauty going to do?
A Curling Iron Warns: Do Not Use While Bathing or in Shower
It didn’t say anything about swimming pools….
iPod Shuffle Warns: Do Not Eat iPod Shuffle
Yummy, but I would try the ITouch as you fill up faster
ExtenZe Male Enhancement Pill: Do Not Use While Pregnant or Nursing
It stinks to be pregnant. They don’t let you do anything.
Razor Scooter Warns: This Product Moves When Used
I guess it’s not for mimes…
Washing Machine Warns: Do Not Put Any Person in This Washer
Ok, I tried this in college so maybe a good warning.
Clorox Bleach Wipes: Do Not Use as Diaper Wipes or for Personal Cleansing
OUCH! Seriously, this happened during a prank (which is pretty funny), or that person is just plain stupid.
A Vanishing Fabric Marker Warns: Should Not Be Used as a Writing Instrument for Signing Checks or Any Legal Documents
New excuse for why you didn’t have your homework….
And Finally, on an airport runway “Yield to airplanes”
I actually saw this one. Which luggage trolley driver said “I think I can beat that 747”.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,515238,00.html
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