Kalevala Gin uses NFC tags to connect with consumers

On February 14, Northern Lights Spirits – a Finland-based distiller of handcrafted gin and vodka – began distributing ‘smart’ bottles of its premium Kalevala Gin, featuring NFC SpeedTap tags from Thin Film Electronics, a global manufacturer of near field communication mobile marketing using printed electronics.

Kalevala gin uses NFC tage to connect with consumers

Thinfilm’s NFC SpeedTap tags combine with cloud-based software to enable remote tag management, custom content delivery, and detailed analytics and reporting. Each SpeedTap tag is uniquely identifiable and virtually impossible to clone, and can be read with the simple tap of an NFC-enabled smartphone or device. Once tapped, tags wirelessly communicate with Thinfilm’s cloud-based software platform, creating a one-to-one mobile marketing platform from which brands can connect directly with consumers.

As a result, marketers are able to instantly deliver authentication messages, brand stories, promotional offers, product news and other relevant content.

‘We’ve spent years creating what we believe to be one of the finest gins in the world, and sharing that unique Kalevala story with gin enthusiasts is very important to us,’ said Moritz Wüstenberg, managing director of Northern Lights Spirits. ‘Thinfilm’s NFC solutions now provide an effective means to do that, and we feel it will contribute significantly to consumer loyalty and the overall popularity of Kalevala Gin.’

Kalevala Gin was awarded a silver medal at both the 2015 and 2016 International Wine & Spirit Competition. Northern Lights Spirits currently exports Kalevala Gin to the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Austria, and Canada, where it is sold through a collection of regional distributors and retail outlets.

‘As competition continues to heat up in the craft spirit market, many forward-thinking companies are leveraging smart-packing technology to connect with consumers and create unique brand experiences,’ said Davor Sutija, CEO of Thinfilm. ‘We’re excited to begin this relationship with Northern Lights Spirits, and are enthusiastic about the role our NFC solutions can play in helping to grow the Kalevala Gin brand.’