Craft Beer Rising – Both more established players and newer breweries were showcasing their latest products and innovations at the UK’s biggest craft beer festival. We saw the first glimpses of new beers at some of the leading brands in the sector, including a peach-flavoured beer at Greene King, a DayTime Session IPA at Lagunitas and an alcohol-free push at Goose Island. Our analysts spoke to senior marketers at each brand, uncovering opportunities for agencies around launch – from design to experiential. 

Natural & Organic Products Europe - With 700 brands on display, Europe’s largest trade show for organic products was a must for any agency wanting to break into the healthy and sustainable food, drink and beauty markets. Our analysts were on the ground interviewing some of the most senior marketers in attendance, including the newly appointed top decision-maker at MOMA Foods and the Head of Comms at Pukka Herbs. A senior marketer at sausage brand Heck also gave us a breakdown of its sponsorship strategy and activation investment (which saw its local football team don sausage-themed kit last year).

Restaurant Marketer & Innovator 2019 - While the restaurant industry isn’t known for its large scale ad campaigns and media expenditure, the opportunity to hear from c-suite decision-makers at TGIs, Jamie Oliver Restaurants and lead marketers at Just Eat and Yo! Sushi was hard to resist. Our team also networked with brand decision-makers in attendance, for example booking an interview with the Head of Marketing at Abokado about investment plans after its 2018 rebrand.

The International Food & Drink Event 2019 - 1,350 food and drinks brands were keen to engage with buyers and suppliers alike at the ExCeL event in March. Prior to the show our team of analysts compiled a target list of the brands most likely to shift marketing budgets this year, leading to the discovery of ongoing PR & social reviews at Ape Snacks and a fast-growing drinks brand Real Kombucha.

The Holiday & Travel Show - Over 600 travel companies were promoting their latest trips at the London event in January, and Pearlfinders’ analysts managed to cut through the hustle and bustle to grab time with some of the top players in the sector. Marketers at G Adventures gave a breakdown of its audience segments and media strategy, while one of Exodus’ sub-brands pointed to the challenges dealing with an aging customer base.