This edition of The Ceres Edit brings together a selection of LinkedIn posts from across the Ceres team, spanning industry events, client activity, trend thinking and the moments that remind us why strong communications is always about more than just the message itself. From flavour trends and food affordability to brand storytelling, standout imagery and memorable industry moments, these are some of the conversations shaping our thinking lately.
Naomi on celebrating U.S. food, drink and agriculture in London
Last night, Emily Cleevely and I were at the Embassy of the United States of America, London for Savor the States, celebrating America’s 250 years of food, drink and agriculture 🇺🇸.
And, because this was London, it came with torrential rain, thunder and a tube strike ☔🚅 for good measure.
Despite the weather, it was a brilliant evening in impressive surroundings, and a chance to catch up with clients and industry contacts, as well as take in the breadth of U.S. produce on show.
Lovely to see Tracy Kane and Iain Forbes there, and to catch up with California Walnuts UK and Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute too.
Also good to chat with Ben Ebbrell, Alexa Tonkovich, Alicia Parker, Julie Vasquez-Nicholson and Peter Sidwell (thanks again for the Whitworths Ltd Nutty Kitchen taco and sweet potato guac, delicious!).
Both Anita Katial, Agricultural Counselor at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and U.S. Ambassador to the UK Warren A. Stephens spoke about the importance of the wider U.S.-UK trade relationship. The Ambassador’s point about food and drink once playing their part in separating Britain and America, but now helping bring the two together, was a particularly nice note.
A great evening, complete with excellent goodie bags and incredible Alaska Seafood hats too… Made even more memorable by realising on the way there that Princess Catherine was being escorted into Buckingham Palace directly behind us, cue a lot of excitement from the Ceres PR taxi!
Read Naomi’s original LinkedIn post
Ceres on creating the right moment for a brand story
Some brand stories need more than a press release.
They need the right room, the right people and the right moment.
And a few weeks ago we were proud to support the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute with its First Flight, First Catch campaign, marking the start of Alaska’s wild salmon season and the launch of Alaska Airlines new direct Seattle to London route.
At the heart of the campaign was an intimate supper at the historic Fishmongers Hall, bringing together a carefully selected group of media, influencers and trade guests to experience the journey, provenance and seasonality of wild Alaska seafood first-hand.
From a live demonstration with Fish Sommelier Andrej Urosevic, to a four-course menu showcasing the flavour, quality and versatility of wild Alaska seafood, the evening was designed to bring the Alaska seafood story to life, from the cold, pristine waters where it is harvested to the chefs, retailers and consumers who value its quality, traceability and sustainability in the UK.
We were also lucky to hear directly from Thea Thomas, an Alaska salmon fisherman from Copper River, whose story brought a powerful human perspective to the skill, heritage and year-round dedication behind Alaska’s fishing communities.
For Ceres PR, this was exactly the kind of work we love. Creating a moment that is not only beautifully delivered but strategically built around the story a brand needs to tell.
A huge thank you to Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute and GreenHillBand Sarah Block, Alexa Tonkovich and Alicia Parker for trusting us to support such a special event, and to The Fishmongers' Company, Andrej Urosevic and everyone who joined us for such a memorable evening.
Read Ceres’ original LinkedIn post
Kathryn on a week of inspiration, walnuts and memorable hotel extras
Just back from the annual Global Marketing Conference with California Walnut Board & Commission.
What an inspiring week, spent with such wonderful people all doing amazing things for the industry.
And honestly, if you’re not eating California Walnuts every day… why not? They really are a mighty, tasty, nutritious little powerhouse! 😊
It was also so lovely to be able to say a proper goodbye to Claire, who we’ve worked with for 6+ years - we’re going to miss her.
A special thanks to Emily Cleevely for being such a fab travel buddy. And thanks to everyone for the entertaining conversations about posh toilets (gosh, weren’t they something?), posh showers (how many jets do you actually need?), and posh hairdryers… I’m searching for a Dyson as we speak! What a treat. ❤️
Read Kathryn’s original LinkedIn post
Ceres on why flavour mash-ups are worth watching
Fricy. Swicy. Swavoury. 🥭🌶🍍🔥
Food trend language may be getting sillier, but the behaviour behind it is worth taking seriously.
The latest term doing the rounds is “fricy”, fruit plus spicy. Think mango with chilli, pineapple hot sauce, watermelon with lime and Tajín. It joins “swicy”, sweet and spicy, and “swavoury”, sweet and savoury, in the growing dictionary of flavour mash-ups.
But behind the ‘mash-up’ words is something interesting for food brands.
Consumers are continuing to seek out bigger, bolder, more layered flavour experiences. Heat is no longer just about spice tolerance. It is being balanced with sweetness, fruitiness, acidity, freshness and texture.
And while the terminology may feel new, the flavour combinations certainly are not. Mexican fruit with chamoy and Tajín, mango chutney with curry, chilli chocolate, hot honey, sweet-and-sour sauces, fruit-led hot sauces and sweet-savoury classics have been part of food culture for generations.
So the PR opportunity is not simply to jump on a new word. It is to understand why the language is catching on.
These trends are visual, social-first, easy to explain and highly adaptable across categories, from condiments and snacks to drinks, desserts, BBQ, summer salads and family meals.
Our take? Use the words where they add colour, but do not let them do all the work. “Fricy” might stop the scroll. But a genuinely delicious recipe, easy enough to save and make at home, is what gives it somewhere to go.
Are you team fricy, swicy or swavoury?
Read Ceres’ original LinkedIn post
Naomi on full-circle moments and teenage fandom
On Saturday night, I went to see Boyzone’s farewell show at the Emirates Stadium 🕺.
Quite something for the 1994 version of me, who followed them with the kind of commitment only a teenage fan could truly understand.
Back then, there were posters on bedroom walls, Smash Hits lyrics carefully learned, tapes and CDs played on repeat, every TV appearance recorded on VHS, dance routines practised with absolute seriousness, and Thursday nights spent dancing along to Top of the Pops in the living room.
There was a Boyzone paperboy hat, dolls, dog tags, and the premium-rate hotline I used to call to find out what the ‘Boyz’ were up to (I got in quite a lot of trouble for that last one!).
Possibly even more embarrassingly, after seeing them for the first time at Portsmouth Guildhall, my first proper concert, I used to call the box office on an almost daily basis after school to ask when they were coming back.
No social media announcements, no presale links, no email alerts. Just me, the landline, and the very patient person on the other end 📞.
For my 18th birthday, my mum contacted Stephen Gately’s manager and somehow managed to get me a signed photo and a pre-release album. At the time, it felt like the biggest thing in the world. Looking back now, especially knowing Stephen is no longer with us, it feels like an even more special memory to have.
A lot has changed in the 32 years since the band released Love Me for a Reason. Work, life, responsibilities, technology, how we communicate, how we consume culture and, thankfully, some of the fashion choices.
But there’s something lovely about the things that take you straight back. A song, a memory, a slightly ridiculous level of teenage enthusiasm, and suddenly you’re reminded of who you were before life got busy and sensible. Proof, if it were needed, that some connections stay with us long after the posters come down. And perhaps a reminder that the things we genuinely connect with when we’re young can shape us in ways we don’t always realise at the time.
And then came the part my teenage self really wouldn’t have believed.
Somehow, all these years later, I found myself there with my partner, spending the day backstage, stepping onto the stage, meeting the ‘Boyz’ and going to the after party.
A full-circle moment, a teenage dream come true, and me screaming along in the rain with a new hat to boot.
I loved every minute 🧡.
Read Naomi’s original LinkedIn post
Ceres on why the Broken Plate report matters
The Food Foundation’s latest Broken Plate report makes for important reading.
Each year, it provides a snapshot of the UK food system, exploring how easy, affordable and realistic it is for people to access a healthy and sustainable diet.
The 2026 picture highlights some significant challenges:
👨👩👧👦 Households with children in the lowest income quintile would need to spend 85% of their disposable income on food to afford the Eatwell Guide
🥗 Healthier options remain nearly twice as expensive per calorie as less healthy alternatives
🍟 Fast-food outlets make up 1 in 4 outlets in England, rising to over 1 in 3 in some areas
🍒 And fruit and vegetables account for a small portion of food advertising spend compared to other categories.
For those working in food, retail and communications, these are complex realities. The conversation around diet and health focuses on individual choice, but choice is shaped by a wider set of factors, affordability, availability, environment and what people experience day to day.
From a brand and communications perspective, this reinforces the importance of:
❌Avoiding oversimplification
💰 Recognising the role of affordability and access
💭 And thinking about how products and messages fit into people’s everyday lives.
The report is a useful reminder that the food system is influenced by a mix of policy, commercial and cultural forces, and that meaningful change comes from understanding the full picture.
You can read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/erGVNvv6.
Read Ceres’ original LinkedIn post
Ceres on why strong photography still matters
It's not always recipe shoots and trending reels...
Over the last few weeks, we've been creating a fresh bank of product and lifestyle imagery for Bonsoy, and we LOVE the results.
From social posts and websites to retailer materials, PR activity and beyond, having a strong collection of imagery gives brands the flexibility to show up consistently wherever their audience is.
The best lifestyle photography doesn't just showcase a product - it helps people imagine it as part of their everyday routine.
Because while short-form video may dominate the conversation, strong photography remains one of the most valuable assets a brand can have.
A big thank you to everyone involved in bringing these to life ✨
Read Ceres’ original LinkedIn post
We’ll be back soon with the next edition of The Ceres Edit, bringing together more of the posts, perspectives and themes shaping our thinking at Ceres.
