Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Bivio Consulting's Website

This blog / website is no longer in use. The corporate website address of Bivio Consulting is http://www.bivcon.co.za/. Please visit our website for more info on this dynamic marketing firm

Friday, April 10, 2009

Our site is currently under construction.

Our site is currently under construction. You are however welcome to contact us at: johan@bivio.co.za

Friday, March 27, 2009

Van Loveren’s blog a SA Blog award finalist

The wine and food blog of Van Loveren Vineyards has been nominated for a South African Blog award. These awards are seen as the “Oscars” of South African bloging and it is a true accomplishment to be nominated.

This premier annual competition is divided into specific categories and the Van Loveren’s Blog (http://4cousins.blat.co.za/ ) is nominated for the Best Food and Wine blog.

The editor of this blog , Johan Schwartz (Bivio Consulting) , indicated that “It is a great honour and achievement for our team”. Schwartz added that the achievement is emphasized if you look at the quality and stature of the fellow nominees. Fellow nominees include well known wine personalities and sites like Neil Pendock’s blog, Cooksister.com and The Cru.

This blog is a celebration of life site with a predominant food and wine theme and has been very successful in the past 12 months. Although the general language of the blog is English some posts and conversation were also done in Afrikaans.

The online voting for the Best South African Food and Wine blog has started and the closing date is the 1st of April. Voting can be done by visiting the blog (http://4cousins.blat.co.za/ ) and clicking on the SA Blog awards banner.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Forget the stars , drink wine that you like

My Grandpa used to say that you never save or diet on holiday and that life is too short to drink bad wine.

This is so true because we are living live at an enormous pace and when we eventually have the time to sit down and relax, it is time to treat yourself. Maybe treat is not the right word but what I mean is that when we are in our we-time mood (me-time) , it is not the time to drink wine that you do not like.

The problem is that when we order a wine at a restaurant our first question is: “What is the Platter number for the wine”. Referring to the star ratings from the John Platter Wine Guide (SA wine guide).

Wine guide scores have influenced the preferences and the thinking of the wine loving people (and the industry) for as long as I can remember.

It is time to appreciate wine according to your own preferences, rating scale and perceptions and not on the points, scores or opinions of others.

One must be realistic about the price you are willing (able) to pay for your wine. The ration between perceived value and the price are aspects that are unique and individual by nature. This implies that you must get wine that is of the quality and enjoyment level that you want but still within your price range. Do not go for wines, that you perceive as, great but to expensive or affordable but not enjoyable.

So listen to my Grandpa and live life a little.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Women react positively to the new Douglas Green TV advertisements

The new TV advertisements of Douglas Green were very well received by consumers. An independent study conducted by Bivio Consulting found that South African women were very positive about these advertisements.

The advertisements are titled: “Do I really need a man” and it focuses on the Twenty and thirty something women consumer group. It is estimated that this consumer group (women age 20-35) accounts for 55% of all wine consumption in South Africa.

The ads effectively and in a humoristic way, portray women to be independent and enjoy life. The study found that women believe that these ads will differentiate and enhance the Douglas Green Brand amongst South African women.

It was bold step from Douglas Green but I believe it was mission accomplished and effective advertisements. Right time, right genre, right consumer group

New Douglas Green TV advertisements

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Bivio Consulting - Established Wine Marketing specialists

In the past year Bivio consulting has grown from strength to strength. The company has established itself within the Wine industry of South Africa and numerous projects has been conducted for wine brands.

As wine branding and marketing experts, Bivio Consulting has grown its client and influence base. Apart from consulting services Bivio also implemented and provided certain specialized marketing services

Social Media Marketing and blogging campaigns prove to be very popular amongst clients. Strategic brand development, Datamining, ePR and e-marketing consulting services are also in demand from clients.