Trend Alert: Think Win-Win with Cross-Branding

In the popular leadership book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People^®, author Stephen Covey identifies the win-win mentality as one of those habits. Covey describes win-win as “a frame of mind and heart that constantly seeks mutual benefit in all human interactions.” I can think of few greater examples of practicing “win-win” in business than by collaborating with a fellow local business to create a new product that highlights the best of both brands.

Cross branding is a marketing and product development tactic that continues to grow traction in the confectionery industry. The possibilities can stretch as far as your imagination allows, but here’s some inspiration.

Photo: Hilliard’s Chocolates

Craft Beer
RCI member, Hilliard’s Chocolates teamed up with a local brewery to create a craft beer collection featuring beer caramels and beer brittles. The popularity of micro-breweries has exploded in recent years, making it pretty likely there’s a nearby micro-brewery (or two, or three…) that would be happy to team up with your business to develop a unique, new product.

Photo: Stafford’s Chocolates

Wine
Even if you don’t live near California wine country, you may be surprised to find a local winery near you. According to vineyards.com, wine is produced in all 50 US states. Many wines make a great complement to a chocolate ganache center, like in the red wine chocolate truffles by RCI member Stafford’s Chocolates.

Photo: Rhéo Thompson Candies

Coffee
Partner with a local coffee roaster to develop a signature coffee flavor or a confection featuring their coffee. Known for their Mint Smoothie^®, RCI member Rhéo Thompson partnered with a local coffee roaster to develop a one-of-a-kind coffee blend featuring their signature flavor.

Photo: Vande Walle’s Candies

Dairy
Local dairy farms are a great opportunity for sourcing fresh cream and butter for your recipes. Don’t overlook goat milk as an alternative ingredient for customers with dairy allergies.

Photo: Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections

Fruits & Nuts
Is your region known for producing a specific fruit or nut? If so, you may not have to look too far to connect with local farmers to feature their products in your confections. You may even find this route to be more economical than sourcing those ingredients elsewhere.

Of course, developing a marketing and merchandising strategy is essential to make any cross-branding reach its full potential—you could also benefit by teaming up with the partnering company’s marketing team. Once your new product has been developed send out a press release to the local media announcing your partnership. Make sure to include the partnering company’s logo on your packaging and marketing materials, this will help to sweeten the deal for your partner and make it more likely they will help promote your product. Also, invite them to sell the product in their retail store and e-commerce site to promote the product to their network of followers.

Cross branding is a win-win for all those involved, but especially your customers when they get to enjoy the end result of your sweet collaboration!

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4 Worry-Free Chocolate Pairings

Options for good chocolate pairings are seemingly limitless, from the ever-popular wine and beer pairings to bourbon, cider, tequila and even cheese. If you are considering hosting an in-person or virtual chocolate tasting and pairing event or even just looking for fun ways to spice up your holiday offerings, RCI member Carmen Romeo of Fascia’s Chocolates shares guidelines for easy, worry-free pairings.

Wine

White and milk chocolate pairs best with sweet red or white varietals, while dark chocolate goes better with more complex red wines.

Beer
Chocolate pairs well with many craft beers, however, when attempting to pair with India pale ale (IPA), chocolates with citrus flavors are best.

Bourbon
It is recommended to match flavors when working with bourbon. Some of Fascia’s favorites include pairing a coffee bourbon with a mocha meltaway or a cinnamon bourbon with a cinnamon cream.

Cheese
Cheese can be an unexpected, yet, surprisingly well-received addition to a wine and chocolate or beer and chocolate pairing. Try Carmen’s “no-fail” pairing by finding the best, sharpest Pecorino Romano cheese, pair it with a semi-sweet chocolate wafer or cup, topped with coarse-ground black pepper and a glass of Zinfandel wine—the spicier the better.

Help shoppers get in the holiday spirit by hosting pairing events (in-person or virtual) or by simply recommending new, exciting ways to enjoy your chocolates. Cheers to a spirited holiday season!

Crave more? If you like what you read here, look for the "Subscribe now" box on the right to enter your email address and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's Tip of the Week blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices. Follow us on Facebook for even more sweet inspiration.

Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.

Tip 208: 3 Ways to Add Holiday “Cheers” to Your Confections

Add a little holiday “cheers” to your confections this season. Perfect for holiday parties and gifts, we’ve curated three ideas from RCI members that incorporate beer, wine and spirits into their confections.

Joy Lyn's Candies makes Beer Brittle
and Jalapeno Beer Brittle

Beer Brittle

Joy Lyn’s Candies of Paradise, California partners with a local brewery to create a peanut brittle made with Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale. Coined as “Beer Brittle,” this popular confection is made in small batches and offers a subtle hint of hops and malt. Given the popularity of the product, Sierra Nevada has allowed Joy Lyn’s to display their logo prominently on the front of the brittle packaging. Joy Lyn’s continues to expand their line of Sierra Nevada flavored products, including a jalapeno beer brittle and a Hop Salt Sout Caramel, as its name suggests, the caramels are sprinkled with salt infused with hops.

Irish Whiskey Truffle Shots

Kakao Chocolate presented their Irish whiskey truffle shots
 to RCI members during Candy Clinic at the 2016
Annual Convention in Indianapolis.

Kakao Chocolate of St. Louis, Missouri has developed an indulgent Irish Whiskey Truffle Shot, by piping Irish whiskey ganache into recyclable sample cups and topped with cocoa nibs. When making the ganache, they add the whiskey at the end so the alcohol doesn’t cook out. If your store hosts a holiday open house, this would be a fun and unexpected treat for adult guests.

Elevated Candy Co. shared their black currant brandy-infused truffles
with RCI members during Candy Clinic at the 2016
Fall Conference in Vancouver, BC.

Black Currant Brandy-Infused Truffles

Elevated Candy Co. of Port Townsend, Washington took the popular pairing of wine and chocolate to create the Black Currant Truffle. This popular confection is made by incorporating a local black currant-infused brandywine into their ganache and finishing the piece with a dash of red Hawaiian alea sea salt.

There are countless ways to incorporate beer, wine and spirits into your confections. Here’s some more ideas (plus, recipes), sure to warm the belly during the cold-weather months ahead; cinnamon whiskey-infused marshmallows coated in chocolate, Beer and Pretzel Caramels or uber-trendy red wine hot chocolate.

If you decide to incorporate beer, wine or spirits into your confections, know that regulations vary from state to state. Check with your local liquor control commission and familiarize yourself with regulations put in place by your state, as many prohibit the sale of confections that contain alcohol.

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