Haikenen? Aineken? Heineken®? Spelling it correctly won’t create good times, but the world’s most international beer brand knows what can

• Heineken^® is marking its 150th Anniversary with an unconventional celebration that prioritises good times over getting it right

Ho Chi Minh City, July 17^th, 2023 - Heineken^®, one of the world’s most recognised beer brands, is today marking its 150th anniversary with an unconventional celebration of the many ways the brand has been nicknamed, misspelled or mis-served over the years, all to showcase how good times and sparking true connections over a beer are, in the end, what matters most.

Freddy Heineken’s famous words “I don’t sell beer, I sell gezelligheid” have never rung so true. “Gezelligheid” translated is that feeling of good times, something that has been at the heart of the Heineken^® brand for the last 150 years. To celebrate this milestone anniversary, Heineken^® is putting good times front and centre of its global birthday festivities.

Of course, good times have changed over the 150 years of Heineken^®’s existence and will continue to do so, but their importance in people’s lives have not. Recognising this and as part of the anniversary celebration, the Heineken^® brand has worked with academics to better understand the ingredients that are needed to deliver that feeling of “good times” in the modern day, a surprisingly under-studied human need.

Marking a turning point in the brand’s history, Heineken^® has decided to evolve the way it measures success – focusing not just on the volume of beer it sells but also the good times it delivers for its customers in over 190 countries.

To do this, Heineken^® has collaborated with behavioural scientist Dr Chris Brauer, Goldsmiths, University of London, to create the 'Good Times Index', a new brand measurement model which will score the brand’s contribution to creating the perfect conditions for good times. Combining human behavioural research with global research, the index has identified five core conditions that people universally need to experience good times, including open-mindedness, inclusivity, and human connection. 

With the Good Times Index in place, Heineken^® is staying true to its vision by becoming the first beer brand to officially have “delivering good times” as part of the way it measures its annual performance – alongside sales and other brand tracking metrics.

Bram Westenbrink, Global Head, Heineken^® Brand, said: “Brewing good times has been in our DNA for 150 years. That is why we are evolving our brand metrics to show that creating good times is equally as important as the beer we produce. By better understanding the conditions behind good times in today’s world, we can continue to create experiences for all our global customers that promote that feeling of gezelligheid – whether that is through the messages in our advertising, our sponsorships and events or of course our range of products including our non-alcoholic Heineken^® 0.0 or our more modern flavoured Heineken^® Silver. It is our goal that we will continue to deliver good times, one way or another, for the next 150 years and beyond.”

Dr Chris Brauer, Director of Innovation at Goldsmiths, University of London, said: “When we came to this project, we recognised that the understanding of what makes a good time, required a new and fresher perspective. Together with Heineken^®, we have worked to better understand the multiple dimensions that make up that feeling of “Good Times”, and the ways in which it is experienced today. Good times are not just one thing or another, they are a multitude of different and subjective feelings, experiences, wants and needs that help generate a sensation and fulfil higher order needs. There has never been a more important time or opportunity to measure the role and prevalence of good times in our lives, so I’m excited to see a brand like Heineken^® take serious steps to ensure that they are better understanding and enabling that feeling of “gezelligheid”.”

 

RESEARCH UNDERSTANDING ‘GOOD TIMES’ AROUND THE WORLD

Heineken^®’s inaugural results from the Good Times Index comes at an important moment socially around the world, as 87% believe it is more important now than ever for them to have a good time. But one thing that is consistent, is that Good Times are best enjoyed together.

Additional consumer research from Heineken^® shows that 82% care more about being with friends than if their night goes to plan. Surprisingly, 75% of respondents believe that the people you watch a sport match with is more important than if your team wins.

Despite the fact 87% of respondents believe opportunities to connect in person with loved ones have become even more important since the pandemic, over half (61%) agreed that given the current economic climate, they would be more likely to work overtime and sacrifice social moments with friends and family.

Nevertheless, many remain open-minded about good times ahead, with the vast majority (88%) agreeing their best memories come from unexpected moments. This open-mindedness follows through into the ways we socialise, as 78% agree it is important to socialise with people that don’t always share the same views as them – a sentiment most strongly held in Brazil (84%) and the UK (81%).

 

HEINEKEN^® ACTIVITY CELEBRATING H150

To help bring the brand’s commitment to good times to life, the anniversary’s tongue-in-cheek ATL campaign takes viewers on a journey around the globe to embrace all the different ways people adapt and enjoy social moments and memories with Heineken^® - ranging from an incorrectly spelt tattoo of the logo to a Heineken^® Original being served with a lime, straw and ice. The light-hearted video sees the brewer celebrate the good times it provides – even if the way consumers spell it or enjoy isn’t 100% correct or as originally intended. 

To further poke fun at itself, Heineken^® will replace its logo with a number of alternative spellings it has seen over the years, appearing across all of Heineken^®’s social media accounts and website pages, as well as on several new electric lorries. The full video, developed by creative agency Le Pub Milan is available to watch online here. 

 

 

VIETNAM CELEBRATING H150 WITH EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE

To join the H150 celebration worldwide, Heineken^® will introduce in Vietnam a series of activities named "150 Years of Good Times - One way or another," providing some exclusive activities and experiences to Vietnamese consumers. 

From 17 July to 31 August 2023, a promotion will be run for local consumers. When purchasing one carton (330ml x 24 cans) of Heineken^® Original, or Heineken^® Silver during this time, consumers will receive one Special Pack of 4 limited edition cans, themed "150 Years of Good Times – One way or another”. 

Consumers also have the opportunity to take part in a weekly lucky draw and stand the chance to win a total of 8 Samsung Bespoke 4-Door Refrigerators as First Prize; 16 Apple MacBook Air M2 2022 (MLXW3SA/A) as Second Prize; 24 B&O Beolit 20 Speakers as Third Prize; and 12,000 limited edition Heineken^® Magnum 1.5L bottles as Consolation Prize.  

Additionally, a variety of activities will also be open for the public (aged 18 and above):  

• Heineken^® experience with AI technology: Heineken^® will be turning everyday moments of Vietnamese consumers into memorable experience using AI technology. A collection of these moments will be featured at the Heineken^® 150th Anniversary celebration in October 2023. 
• Parties in Starverse: Heineken^® will unveil a new edition of Starverse to celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the brand, offering parties in an augmented reality universe, where participants can engage with their favourite people in their chosen location.
• Gezelligheid celebration: Heineken^® will bring unique experiences together in a celebration of good times together to mark its 150^th Anniversary this year.