Your face can unlock doors.

MarriottHotels is banking on facial recognition technology that can do just that, provide you with a room key without human interaction. Planned for testing in two locations in China, the technology will allow travelers to avoid check-in lines and visit a self-service kiosk instead. Marriott CEO Henry Lee indicated that this will enable hotel associates to direct their efforts to “delivering personalized service to our guests.” I guess welcoming someone to your property is not considered personalized service these days.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall…

If you’re like me, you despise the process of clothes shopping. Now a mirror can make that process smoother, and help you look like a fashionista. Fashion apparel maker Guess and Alibaba have teamed up by adding technology into dressing room mirrors which can suggest clothing pieces, colors and more. Here’s how it works – clothes in the store are tagged with Bluetooth, RFID and motion sensors which are read by the mirror. The mirror then suggests coordinating pieces to complete your look. So, as you try on a dress, the mirror can suggest shoes, a scarf or a jacket. If you like the options, simply touch them and an Associate is notified to deliver it to your dressing room. From a consumer experience, it couldn’t be simpler to be the fairest of them all.

Dip, baby, dip!

Grocery retailer Kroger is dipping its toe into fashion with a new clothing brand, Dip (you heard that right, clothing at Kroger!). Kroger explains that its apparel line, to release Fall 2018, is “simple, fresh and goes great with everything”. The name, Dip, was chosen as a nod to the popular party snack and Kroger’s own roots in grocery. The clothing line is an effort to keep customers from straying to retailers like Target or Walmart where clothing and grocery are under one roof. For consumers this could mean one stop shopping at its best. And, let's hope for Kroger’s sake that its a hit – just like the song Tootsee Roll was in the 90s, which told fans to “Dip, baby, dip!” 

Now Google Home takes strokes off your game.

Google Home has created a mini golf tour that plays out in home-like environments. Fans, lights and TVs connected to Google Home can be affected by interacting with Google Assistant, thus making the course obstacles easier to navigate. While consumers are having fun on the course, the brand’s message to them comes through loud and clear, “Google Assistant helps you navigate life’s little obstacles.” FYI – Playing through is frowned upon.

Who’s hungry for a sub?

Maybe it’s the result of Subway’s new campaign featuring “SUBliminal” messaging? Utilizing a variety of tactics and media in several cities, the campaign kicked off with everything from a sub-shaped sand sculpture to “SUB” projections on buildings and 3D chalk art in parks. The approach reached consumers in ways that were unexpected, fun and supported the personality of the brand. #seeingsubs

Beer caviar... Wait, what?

 
My grandma used to say, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” Created to celebrate the food traditions of World Cup host, Russia, the Danish beer brand Carlsberg created beer “caviar.” Through the “miracle” of science, molecular biologists figured out how to make beer take the form of fish eggs. I guess a savory, beer-flavored Pirogi was too tame?

Wishes really do come true

If you had three wishes and one of them was to see Aladdin on Broadway, then you’re in luck! Disney’s created an immersive 360°video to promote their hit stage interpretation of Aladdin. The video puts the viewer on stage in the midst of all the action as Genie performs “Friend Like Me” surrounded by pop-up information about the production & cast. It’s the location of the camera that makes the experience so compelling. Not necessarily “wish worthy,” but fun to see nonetheless.

Toys your kids can eat

As a kid, I was a big JELL-O fan. I loved the transformation from colorful, hot liquid to cool, flubbery dessert. The way it looked and moved when I jiggled my dish was way better than the way it tasted. Maybe building on some market research and insights, JELL-O has launched JELL-O Play. The package includes gelatin, molds and edible stickers to make a “toy” that when they’re done playing with it, kids can eat. “Hey guys? Put your toys away... or eat ‘em.”

This bubbly isn’t Champagne

In a stagnant beer market with cans suffering from an image problem, Beck's elevated the perception of its premium beverage by changing its can into a champagne flute. The drinks, called le Beck’s, were served at sophisticated venues where wine is usually consumed, like classical music concerts, art galleries, and exclusive private and public events in Germany. It elevated the look of the brand while elevating the experience of drinking beer. The response was so great that Beck’s is considering launching the “beer flutes” globally. We’ll put on our black tie and drink to this outside-the-can idea.

See how it looks here.