# 225 - CEO of Dio Cocktails, Nick Bradley talks about why packaging matters to emerging brands

- Show: [People of Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging)
- Published: 2023-11-08
- Length: 32m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-11-08-225-ceo-of-dio-cocktails-nick-bradley-talks-about-why-packaging-matters-to-emerg
- Listen: https://encase.substack.com/p/225-ceo-of-dio-cocktails-nick-bradley

## Summary

Nick Bradley, co-founder of Dio Cocktails, discusses the evolution of his brand's packaging strategy, moving from a failed custom glass bottle to a 200ml aluminum can with shrink sleeves, and finally to direct can printing. He explains how high-ABV fresh juice formulations created corrosion and liner compatibility challenges, forcing a pivot to stock packaging to manage costs and supply chain risks. Bradley highlights Dio's differentiation through clean labels, low sugar content, and transparent ingredient listing, aiming to reinvent the canned cocktail category by balancing luxury aesthetics with sustainability.

## Chapters

- [2:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-11-08-225-ceo-of-dio-cocktails-nick-bradley-talks-about-why-packaging-matters-to-emerg#t=143) Introduction: Nick Bradley and Dio Cocktails
- [5:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-11-08-225-ceo-of-dio-cocktails-nick-bradley-talks-about-why-packaging-matters-to-emerg#t=329) Bradley's Career: From BBDO to Juicero and Pangea
- [8:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-11-08-225-ceo-of-dio-cocktails-nick-bradley-talks-about-why-packaging-matters-to-emerg#t=508) The Pivot from Cocktail Mix to Canned Cocktails
- [12:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-11-08-225-ceo-of-dio-cocktails-nick-bradley-talks-about-why-packaging-matters-to-emerg#t=727) Packaging Challenges: Custom Glass, Sleeves, and Can Liners
- [18:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-11-08-225-ceo-of-dio-cocktails-nick-bradley-talks-about-why-packaging-matters-to-emerg#t=1132) Supply Chain Lessons: Stock vs. Custom Packaging
- [21:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-11-08-225-ceo-of-dio-cocktails-nick-bradley-talks-about-why-packaging-matters-to-emerg#t=1271) Direct Can Printing and Recycling Issues with Sleeves
- [23:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-11-08-225-ceo-of-dio-cocktails-nick-bradley-talks-about-why-packaging-matters-to-emerg#t=1438) Product Differentiation: Clean Label, Low Sugar, and High ABV
- [29:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-11-08-225-ceo-of-dio-cocktails-nick-bradley-talks-about-why-packaging-matters-to-emerg#t=1757) Distribution: Retail Presence and Online Shipping

## Topics

- [Packaging design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/packaging-design)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Dio Cocktails (product)
- Specright (tool)
- BBDO (company)
- Juicero (product)
- Pangea (product)
- Oars + Alps (product)
- TLMI (other)
- Ball Corporation (company)

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- [Vervet's Canned Craft Cocktails are Harnessing the Cultural Wealth of California](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-05-10-vervets-canned-craft-cocktails-are-harnessing-the-cultural-wealth-of-california) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Liquid Death: Mike Cessario](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-01-22-liquid-death-mike-cessario) (How I Built This)
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- [#113 Brewing Crooked Owl Hard Tepache with Founders Cam & Dave Bailey](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-11-07-113-brewing-crooked-owl-hard-tepache-with-founders-cam-dave-bailey) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-11-08-225-ceo-of-dio-cocktails-nick-bradley-talks-about-why-packaging-matters-to-emerg. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to People of Packaging.