In today’s episode of Hashtag Influencer, Sherri gets the global perspective from Barak Orenstein of Else Nutrition, the new plant-based company winning high marks from parents looking for a healthy alternative to traditional baby formula. Despite launching midway through a year of global pandemic, the company has shot out of the gate. Barak, who is Else’s global director of marketing, shares his insights from years as a marketing and content leader in both Canada and Israel, including a breakdown on how Else’s marketing strategy shifted and adapted to a marketplace upturned by Covid19. The short answer: Micro- and macro-influencers have been a secret sauce, driving double-digit market growth and setting the stage for retail and geographic expansion heading into 2021. It doesn’t hurt that – beyond parents thrilled to have a healthy, co-friendly option — Else’s “satisfied customers” are adorable babies whose telegewnic media snippets are crowd-pleasers no matter the social platform!
Key Takeaways
- Barak’s journey as a marketer.
- Started out in Canada on behalf of products like L’Oreal and Evian.
- Shifted gears and relocated to Israel to direct marketing and communications for SodaStream and AHAVA.
- His latest venture: Else Nutrition.
- What is Else Nutrition all about?
- Reshaping early childhood nutrition with plant-based food options specifically for babies and toddlers.
- “There are many plant-based categories for adults but what about babies and toddlers? What about our most vulnerable?” (2:53)
- Product grew out of seven years of R&D dedicated to delivering the full array of nutrients essential to developing infants and children.
- “It’s the first real alternative to dairy and soy in terms of formula … a next-gen alternative reimagining things.” (4:04)
- Why parents choose the plant-based lifestyle for their children.
- Two core markets:
- Families already committed to a healthy, earth-friendly lifestyle.
- Families with children who have food allergies.
- “It’s being perceived as the Netflix or Airbnb of the baby nutrition industry.” (5:33)
- Great reception from parents who welcome a clean, plant-based alternative to traditional formulas.
- Two core markets:
- The plant-based market is booming.
- Plant-based market is disrupting food choices across all sectors
- “Food is values and we believe that food is values and what people choose to give their children says a lot.” (7:00)
- Else launched in the United States & Canada in August 2020.
- Launching a new-to-market product in the midst of pandemic.
- Trust is a huge factor with an online-only presence.
- Moved into the marketplace with Amazon.
- Expanding into the wider storefront retail marketplace in 2021.
- “We’ve had an outpouring of requests from parents around the world. It’s a universal need.” (8:50)
- Adapted marketing strategy to Covid19 limitations, including:
- Digital platforms and a variety of micro-and macro-social media influencers.
- Public relations through traditional channels such as trade and consumer/lifestyle/parenting publications.
- Establishing trust with pediatricians and experts.
- Stories: What kinds of content performs best?
- Video was a hands-down winner because of the lovable, photogenic nature of babies themselves.
- Allowing influencers to be natural and try the product without too much interference or staging.
- “Those authentic moments are what have been best for us: Influencer parents talking about how (Else) has impacted their lives.” (15:34)
- Instagram Live has also been highly effective (i.e. a brief chat between Hilaria Baldwin and an early childhood nutrition expert).
- Repurposed snippets used in emails and other platforms further boosts views into the tens of thousands.
- “We want to be at the forefront of the conversation about what’s happening in this space and … starting conversations between parents and influencers in terms of what matters to them.” (17:48)
- Other forums: Facebook and YouTube.
- Influencer marketing has accounted for at least 30-40% of sales in the early months since launch.
- What’s the influencer landscape in Israel?
- Micro-influencers are the dominant force among social media.
- Celebrity influencers can tend to be more challenging because of demands on their time.
- “There’s a pretty vibrant scene in Israel in terms of influencers.” (19:50)
- Pluses and minuses of being based in Israel:
- Limited number of consumer packaged brands.
- Very active b2b marketplace to tap into goods globally.
- “It’s been a very, very fast startup pace and you’ve got to be extra-agile working in Israel.” (22:05)
- Israel is a “volcano of talent” across all sectors of the economy.
- What’s new and exciting for Else Nutrition in 2021?
- Envisioning a year ahead full of “something else” and a new celebrity endorser (TBA) who will be key to the brand.
- Launching additional low-sugar vanilla and chocolate products for kids 6 months+.
- Entering the retail space as the economy shifts back to bricks and mortar post-pandemic.
- Geographic expansion with a focus in Europe.
- Name an influencer you love to follow – but hate to admit it!
- Gary Vaynerchuk –“He’s an interesting figure and very vibrant … with many interesting insights in the marketing space.”
- Tony Robbins – “A very influential individual.”
About Sherri:
Sherri Langburt is the CEO of BabbleBoxx and has been a pioneer in the influencer marketing space since 2007. A passion for storytelling and brand marketing, and a desire to create an innovative social media solution, led Sherri to create BabbleBoxx – the influencer marketing agency best known for its co-sampling and signature box solutions. BabbleBoxx currently provides a full-range of integrated marketing services to brands across industries. Launched in December 2015, BabbleBoxx was named to the Inc. 500 fastest-growing private companies in 2018.
Follow Barak:
Website: https://elsenutrition.com
Further References/Resources:
Gary Vaynerchuck: https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/biography/
Tony Robbins: www.tonyrobbins.com
Follow Sherri and BabbleBoxx:
Website: https://babbleboxx.com