Navigating the competitive snack industry: Strategies for brand visibility and growth
Client: Dough Nuggets
Sector: Food & Beverage
Deliverables: Market penetration, growth strategy
Case overview
- Achieved a 40% increase in repeat customers and a 25% growth in social media followers within the first six months.
- Executed digital and in-person marketing, using social media, influencers, and events to increase visibility.
Background
Dough Nuggets started as a family-inspired venture, born out of a desire to share a traditional snack with a broader audience. The product’s recipe had been passed down through generations, but bringing it to market in a way that resonated with contemporary consumers required careful thought.
We focused on creating a distinct, fun brand identity that felt modern without losing the snack’s cultural origins. The key challenge was to stand out in a saturated market of snack foods while staying authentic to the product’s heritage, which led us to pursue both digital and in-person strategies to connect with diverse customer segments.
By leveraging social media, in-person tastings, and strategic partnerships, we aimed to generate buzz, drive sales, and secure distribution in supermarkets and cafes. Through these efforts, Dough Nuggets was able to build a loyal customer base, increasing both brand recognition and market presence.
The challenge: Expanding brand visibility and gaining market traction
As we introduced Dough Nuggets into the market, our next challenge was to ensure it stood out in the crowded snack industry.
While the product had unique appeal and was rooted in tradition, we needed a targeted approach to build brand visibility and scale demand.
It was essential to connect emotionally with a diverse audience while remaining authentic to the product’s origins. We aimed to leverage both traditional marketing and digital strategies to maximise our outreach.
The solution: Strategic marketing and consumer engagement
Digital presence
To establish a broader reach, we created a visually engaging website and active social media channels. Our digital strategy focused on Instagram and Facebook, where we shared behind-the-scenes stories, recipe ideas using Dough Nuggets, and interactive content such as polls and giveaways. This encouraged customer participation and organically built a loyal online following. Additionally, we collaborated with micro-influencers to introduce Dough Nuggets to new audiences through authentic and relatable content.
Market activation
We engaged with consumers at food festivals, pop-up markets, and local retailers by setting up tasting booths. Free samples were handed out, encouraging immediate feedback and personal engagement.
This direct interaction allowed us to understand customer preferences and make adjustments to packaging or flavour offerings based on feedback.
Partnerships and collaborations
Recognising the importance of partnerships, we collaborated with cafes, small boutique stores, and food subscription boxes such as Little Box of Yum, which showcases local products to their audience of subscribers.
Offering Dough Nuggets as part of coffee-and-snack bundles, as well as in curated subscription boxes, expanded our reach into new markets, introducing our product to cafe-goers and food lovers alike in a natural, appealing way. These partnerships not only increased visibility and exposure but also drove sales in an organic environment.
We also donated our products to good causes such as Australia’s leading food rescue organisation, OzHarvest, supporting their mission to reduce food waste and help those in need.
Customer reviews and feedback loop
Understanding that trust is built through social proof, we made collecting customer feedback a priority. We encouraged buyers to leave reviews on both our website and social media pages. Positive testimonials were showcased across our marketing channels to further validate the product and create word-of-mouth momentum.
The result: Building a loyal customer base and expanding distribution
Within the first six months, Dough Nuggets saw a 40% increase in repeat customers, with overwhelmingly positive feedback on both product quality and packaging. Our digital strategy contributed to a 25% growth in social media followers, translating into consistent online sales and increased inquiries from potential stockists. Our market presence expanded from small local retailers to regional cafes, and we began conversations with larger distributors for future scaling.
Dough Nuggets successfully positioned itself as a modern, approachable snack brand while retaining the charm of its traditional origins. The brand’s growing popularity and customer loyalty are testaments to our strategic branding, marketing, and customer-first approach.