Big Idea 2015: How Digital and Health Will Converge for a Better You
In this series of posts, Influencers and members predict the ideas and trends that will shape 2015. Read all the stories here and write your own (please include the hashtag #BigIdeas2015 in the body of your post).
When I was growing up, my father helped kindle my passion for innovation and technology. He was a high-ranking executive at AT&T and used our family dinner table as a focus group. I remember how excited I was when he showed me and my sisters the new Trimline phone, which I thought was really cool because it had push buttons instead of a rotary dial!
Today, as the CEO of Campbell, I’m just as intrigued by the convergence of innovative digital technology and the consumer’s increasing focus on health and well-being because it has implications for consumers and our industry. The convergence of these two trends is accelerating the rise of “quantified lives” or as Time magazine called it recently, the “quantified self” movement.
Whatever you call it, this movement will be a powerful force in 2015 and in years to come… a force that will shape people’s lives and help them keep their commitment to fitness, diet and nutrition. I see more people taking charge of their well-being through the use of data and digital sensors, wearable health bands and smartphone apps that can track and quantify everything from their heart rate, blood pressure and sleep quality to steps walked and calories consumed. The word “quantify” is what’s really important because people will use the personal data and feedback from these devices to make healthier lifestyle choices and adjust the way they eat, exercise, work and rest.
Why am I so interested in this movement? Two reasons. First, Campbell has been responding to consumers’ increasing focus on health and well-being by reshaping our portfolio to offer a growing range of packaged fresh and organic foods. Second, I believe it’s really important to understand how consumer behavior is evolving as the digital shift continues to transform our lives.
It’s not surprising to me that Millennials are at the epicenter of digital and food. About 19 percent of them are using mobile apps to monitor their fitness; 17 percent to count calories; and 14 percent to monitor diet and nutrition. That’s ahead of Gen Xers and Baby Boomers, according to The Futures Company.
As our nation aims to reduce obesity, heart disease and other health problems through exercise, balanced nutrition and a focus on prevention – a goal that we support avidly at Campbell – I believe we are moving closer to a future where quantified lives will become the norm.
I’m seeing a dramatic reset in the consumer mindset about health and well-being. The next big step is innovation that will make measuring and managing your health easier and faster than dialing the wonderful Trimline phone my father brought home.
Empowering family caregivers & patients to be Powerful Patient Partners?, able to navigate healthcare, advocate effectively & improve patient care. Creator of Elnora’s Place? & the Powerful Patient Partner? Program
9 年Very interesting article. The fact that Campbell's is taking an interest in the health and wellness of it's consumers is a great step. No wonder I have eaten Campbell's products all my life! Campbell's and my healthcare advocacy business have similar missions that I would love to discuss with you.
Publishing Director at Drug Discovery World, Drug Discovery Research & Consultancy
10 年I find this really interesting as it highlights the importance the digital health revolution has and will have on so many aspects of society. The fact that consumer brands are tracking its development and can see the significance this movement will have, is incredibly encouraging for those early adopters of digital health seeking to increase its position as a credible route for us all to take.
ENABLING BETTER OUTCOMES, FASTER
10 年It's interesting for Campbell's to associate themselves with health and the quantified self conversation. The cynic in me however, I'm still left wondering whether they're developing the likes of a "Healthy Request" range simply because consumer demand is there to sell to. You decide... Why should Campbell's engage here? On the "Food Kids Love" page of Cambell's website, the first image we see includes a can chicken soup. The chicken noodle soup contains 890 mg of sodium per serving and the cream of mushroom contains 870 mg per serving. That's nearly 60% of the 1500mg RDA of sodium for an adult (American Heart Association). The next can we see is tomato - 480 milligrams of sodium per serving (32% of the sodium RDA). So what? The annual cost of CV disease is in excess of $444 billion, with hypertension alone costing $93.5 billion. Reducing hypertension in kids is a major step - a 9.5% drop in sodium intake is estimated to result in one million fewer cardiac events a year and a savings of over $32 billion.* Campbell's confirm commitments to Healthy Weight Foundation & tackling childhood obesity, but you can't have it both ways. Wouldn't it be impressive, inspiring even, if companies like Campbell's (who clearly want to be a part of health debates like these) lead the health evolution, instead of just talking about commitments and following the trend. Consumer trust and loyalty might just follow... * https://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@adv/documents/downloadable/ucm_433027.pdf
Intellectual Property Specialist, PhD Chemist, Industrial Chemist, Fuels & Lubricants Formulation/Manufacturing Expert
10 年At the moment, wearables are a fad. In a few years time, I wager there will be a counter-revolution against this technology as people begin to comprehend the privacy issues and begin to take responsibility for themselves again. No - on second thought, most people are too stupid and easily led for that to happen.