just-drinks authors and correspondents

Biography

Ben Cooper is just-drinks' sustainable business editor and specialises in business ethics, corporate social responsibility, policy issues and sustainability. He holds MAs from Cambridge University and the University of London, respectively in Social and Political Sciences and Social Policy.

He joined the just-drinks editorial team in 2000 and today works across both just-drinks and just-food, while also writing occasionally for just-style.

In addition to his regular features, Ben has written numerous in-depth management briefings on issues such as alcohol policy, sponsorship, the Fairtrade market, the use of food colourings and environmental issues facing the clothing industry. He also writes regularly for Ethical Corporation magazine which specialises in the corporate social responsibility field.

He lives in London where he also works as a professional singer.

Columns by Ben Cooper

Sustainability in Drinks

Every month, Ben Cooper casts his eye over sustainability efforts in the global drinks industry.

---

Consumer Trends

Each month, Ben Cooper casts his eye over emerging trends that could be of use to drinks companies and their brands

Articles by Ben Cooper

Has industry gained a greater say on Brexit after UK election? - Focus 14 June 2017

Predictions that last week's UK General Election would be all about Brexit turned out to be inaccurate, but it is without doubt the issue dominating its fallout. Ben Cooper assesses the likelihood of a significant change in the UK's Brexit strategy.

---

Why drinks companies should tap into happiness - Consumer Trends 5 June 2017

The pursuit of happiness may conjure up notions of carefree abandon, but it has become a serious business. Ben Cooper examines how positive psychology - a field of psychological study focused on happiness that has emerged over the past two decades - is in tune with key consumer trends and is proving an effective framework for new approaches to brand marketing.

---

What does the changing face of socialising mean for drinks brands? – Consumer Trends 9 May 2017

Having already revolutionised how we communicate remotely, digital technology is now transforming how we socialise physically, presenting new challenges for the companies that provide the lubrication for social occasions. Ben Cooper considers what the shifting nature of socialising means for drinks brands. 

---

Do the drinks industry's water stewardship efforts pass muster? - Sustainability Spotlight 3 May 2017

The drinks industry's leading position on water stewardship was recognised last month in an important discussion paper, published jointly by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the CEO Water Mandate, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Pacific Institute, World Resources Institute (WRI) and WWF, looking at the importance of context-based water targets for companies.

---

Why is the soft drinks sector losing the recycling game? - Sustainability Spotlight 19 April 2017

A recent report from Greenpeace has condemned the world's largest soft drinks producers for not doing enough to address ocean pollution caused by plastic bottles. The report is particularly critical of the lack of progress on bottle re-use, which suggests to Ben Cooper that this may have to feature more prominently in sustainability strategies if further damaging criticism is to be avoided.

---

The drinks industry's gender failure - Consumer Trends 29 March 2017

In our latest look at consumer trends in the drinks industry, Ben Cooper turns his attention to the marketing of products along gender lines and asks, why are drinks brands struggling to keep up with society's changing approach to the sexes?

---

Has sustainability become as important to investors as financial performance? - Sustainability Spotlight 17 March 2017

For the first time, Dutch brewer Heineken has merged its sustainability report into its main annual report. The increased investor interest in sustainability, coupled with the need to account for risks related to climate change, make it likely more major companies will follow suit. Ben Cooper reports.

---

How rising nationalism may challenge the supremacy of global brands - Consumer Trends 1 March 2017

In this month's Consumer Trends column, Ben Cooper talks to Nigel Hollis, chief global analyst at Kantar Millward Brown, and considers the degree that growing support for nationalist and anti-globalist politics could affect the consumer appeal for international and imported brands, to the benefit of local products.

---

The wine category in 2016 - just-drinks' Review of the Year, Part IV 23 December 2016

As the end of the year approaches, just-drinks looks back at the stories that made the headlines in 2016 across the global drinks industry. Here, category commentator Ben Cooper picks out the highs and the lows for the wine category.

---

Has Millennial-mania drowned out the elder consumer? - Consumer Trends 6 December 2016

Over-60s are not only healthier, wealthier and living longer and more active lives than their predecessors, they are also more politically engaged. Ben Cooper examines why looking afresh at the seniors market chimes with recent momentous political events.