Experts Matter. Find Yours.

Success Is Sweet: Ferrero's Crown Jewel, Nutella, Turns 60

Six decades ago, on April 20, 1964, the first jar of Nutella left Gruppo Ferrero's factory in the Italian town of Alba. In its gooey wake, the chocolate-hazelnut treat would spread across continental Europe, and then the world, like a healthy schmear on toast. Today, Nutella is the crown jewel of Ferrero's confectionary empire, propping up a business that generates roughly 17 billion euros in revenue each year. Annually, a whopping 365,000-plus tons of the stuff are sold across 160 countries, and nearly one quarter of all hazelnuts harvested are devoted to its production. Luca Cottini, PhD, is an associate professor of Italian in Villanova University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and an expert on modern Italian culture, history and society. He also is the author of a book on Michele Ferrero, the mastermind behind Nutella and its meteoric rise: Il fabbricante di cioccolato. To mark the iconic Italian brand's 60th anniversary, Dr. Cottini shared some thoughts on its Willy Wonka-like creator, early (accidental) origins and recipe for international success. Here's a taste: Q: According to Business Insider, a jar of Nutella is sold every 2.5 seconds—just about the time it takes to finish this sentence. How did we get so "nuts" for Nutella, anyway? Dr. Cottini: Well, much of the success of Nutella relates to its novelty, to the idea of spreadable chocolate. At one point, to think that spreading chocolate would be popular was as crazy as to predict that spreadable coffee would be a hit. The idea developed because, in the mid-to-late 1940s, Michele Ferrero's father Pietro was to combine the scarcity of cocoa in his area with hazelnuts, which was the ingredient most available in Alba. It seemed like condemnation that they should have only hazelnuts. Well, he combined them with cocoa to produce this mix—it's called "gianduja" in Italian—and he sold it. But when the Ferreros sold it in southern Italy, they had a problem: The chocolate was melting with the summer heat; and a lot of the workers in Naples, to not waste it, started to spread it on slices of bread. And it's interesting. The Ferreros have a completely non-moralistic approach to failure. You sell chocolate; it melts. This is somewhat embarrassing. But their approach was instead to see this situation as the beginning of a new idea, of a new concept. Q: Is Nutella's story unique in this respect? DC: Several Italian innovators have similar stories to the Ferreros', especially during the 1930s. [Salvatore] Ferragamo, for instance, developed the wedge shoe because there was a shortage of steel, with an embargo imposed on Italy. So, he used Sardinian cork as a replacement, and that generated the wedge shoe. [Guccio] Gucci, during a leather shortage, started using hemp and decorating the hemp with a double "G," and that became the trademark of the company. [Alfonso] Bialetti, who produced the modern coffeepot, used the only metal that was allowed during Fascism, which was aluminum, since the Partito Nazionale Fascista would not import iron or prime metals. But Bialetti took this poor, hybrid ore and made it something that could become valuable. And so, he invented the moka coffeepot in 1933, which is one of the symbols of Italian design. That’s one of the keys of the Italian model of entrepreneurship: producing objects that are not just trendy for one season, but eventually become evergreen or classic. Q: What inspired the name "Nutella?" DC: It was the product of 18 years of research. For all intents and purposes, "Nutella" first came out in 1946. It was called "SuperCrema" and, before that, "Cremalba." But in 1962, there was a law in Italy that prevented companies in the food industry from using prefixes like "super" or "extra." So, that led Ferrero—by then, under the leadership of Michele Ferrero—to figure out a new alternative to SuperCrema. At the same time, the company was expanding into Germany and France, and they needed a brand name that could be pronounced easily. So, Ferrero joined the "ella" sound from mozzarella, stella, caramella—Italian words that people could recognize—with the word "nut," like the English "nut," which gave their product an international feel. It's really a "glocal" [global and local] name. It was conceived as a very rooted enterprise with a global horizon. Q: In 1964, were Ferrero's global ambitions practical? DC: It was honestly a bit of a gamble. In 1957, the European Economic Community was established, which is the beginning of the European Union. And that same year, Michele Ferrero organized in Rome the first conference of his company, which was by then somewhat national, to plan exportation in Europe. In the Italy of the 1950s and 1960s, this was very pioneering. Michele Ferrero was actually one of the first businesspeople to export products to Germany in the 1950s, at a time when there was a lot of resentment against Italians because of everything that happened during the Second World War. So, he entered this incredibly difficult market, and still today, Ferrero and Nutella are strong. Q: What do you think accounts for Nutella's continued popularity, 60 years after its introduction? DC: Michele Ferrero thought of his products as speaking products. It's something very common to the automobile industry in Italy. This is characteristic of Ferrari and Lamborghini; they produce cars that are appealing not just because they're "super cars," but because they say something. Nutella is a food that says something. When someone puts it on the table, it compels people to jump in and share their own stories—of trying it with a friend, of having it on a hike or of taking part in "Nutella Day." Today, if you're in the market for a chocolate-hazelnut spread, you might find products that are even better than Nutella. Actually, surely better. But they will never replicate the appeal and the grasp that Nutella has. Because Nutella has that aura of storytelling and mythmaking other products simply don't have.

New book explores minority languages in the digital age

Heritage Languages in the Digital Age. The Case of Autochthonous Minority Languages in Western Europe offers invaluable insights for educators, activists, policymakers and researchers The book describes the challenges faced by minority languages in today's interconnected world and asks whether digital communication could potentially reverse the decline of smaller and lesser used languages A researcher from Aston University has co-edited a book that explores the intricate relationship between technology, language policy and cultural identity, presenting case studies of digital communication in smaller languages such as Breton, Gaelic, Faroese, Frisian, Lombard, Low German, and Welsh. Heritage Languages in the Digital Age asks whether digital communication can help to prevent language loss of smaller languages and offers invaluable insights for educators, activists, policymakers and researchers navigating the challenges faced by minority languages in today's interconnected world. Edited by Gertrud Reershemius, a professor of linguistics and language contact at Aston University, and Birte Arendt from Greifswald University in Germany, the book's central focus is on minority languages which are facing a declining number of speakers and a loss of communicative domains in an increasingly globalising world. As these languages contend with the dominance of majority languages, stakeholders such as teachers, language activists, planners and researchers are re-evaluating traditional media strategies, language policies and teaching methodologies to counteract language shift trends. The book also discusses how online communities influence language usage and cultural exchanges for minority speakers and advocates for adaptive language policies and innovative teaching methods to support minority languages and bilingualism while fostering linguistic pride and identity. Professor Gertrud Reershemius said: “The languages examined in this book are still spoken by a considerable number of speakers and enjoy varying forms of institutional, legal, financial and ideological support. “While the overall numbers of speakers may be declining, their significance in identity construction and cultural commodification processes is undeniably growing. “As the global discourse on language diversity and cultural preservation gains momentum, this book serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding and addressing the multifaceted challenges and opportunities facing minority language communities.” You can purchase a copy of Heritage Languages in the Digital Age here.

Veterinary deal would increase UK agrifood exports to EU by more than a fifth, research shows

A veterinary deal would increase agri-food exports from the UK to the EU by at least 22.5%, say researchers Agri-food exports overall are worth £25 billion to the UK economy, but the two years since the new trading rules were put in place have seen a fall of 5% in exports to the EU from 2019 levels, during a period where the sector has otherwise grown. Team from Aston University and University of Bristol have analysed trade deals and export figures worldwide to estimate impact of a new veterinary deal on UK–EU exports A veterinary deal with the European Union could increase UK agricultural and food exports by over a fifth, according to new research. The team, from Aston University’s Centre for Business Prosperity and the University of Bristol, analysed the agricultural and veterinary aspects of trade deals around the world to estimate their impact on exports. They then modelled the potential impact of different types of agreement on UK exports to the EU. Veterinary Agreements specifically focus on regulations and standards related to animal health and welfare, as well as to the safety of animal-derived products such as meat, dairy, and seafood. They aim to align, harmonise, or recognise veterinary requirements and certifications, and reduce the number of inspections between countries to facilitate the safe and efficient trade of live animals and animal products. The EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), implemented in January 2021, eliminates tariffs and quotas but does not remove non-tariff barriers to trade. These can be particularly burdensome for agricultural and animal-derived food (agri-food) exports, involving complex rules and requirements, production of extensive documentation and veterinary checks. The UK agri-food sector is a cornerstone of the UK economy, with exports worth £25 billion and employing 4.2million people. Although the sector is growing overall, exports to the EU shrank in 2022 by 5% compared to 2019, in part due to the new trade arrangements. This has led to calls for an EU–UK veterinary agreement from business and agri-food organisations, including the Confederation of British Industry, British Chambers of Commerce, UK Food and Drink Federation, Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and British Veterinary Association. Analysing data from the World Bank on 279 trade agreements and export statistics from over 200 countries, the researchers found that shallow agreements, that went little further than provisions already covered by World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, had significant negative impacts on agri-food exports. However, where trade agreements went beyond WTO provisions to include more commitments on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures (which aim to protect countries against risks relating to pests, diseases and food safety) and were legally enforceable, they had a robust, positive impact on exports, particularly exports of animal products and food. Applying this to the UK–EU relationship, the team estimate that a veterinary agreement that went beyond the existing TCA provisions would increase agri-food exports from the UK to the EU by at least 22.5%. Imports from the EU would also increase by 5.6%. In the 203 countries studied for the research, positive effects of deep trade deals that included provisions on agriculture took between 10 and 15 years to manifest. But the UK might not have to wait so long, according to report co-author Professor Jun Du, Director of Aston University’s Centre for Business Prosperity. “There is no blueprint out there that mirrors the UK–EU relationship. Most veterinary agreements are agreed as part of a trade deal between countries that haven’t previously had close alignment and it takes a while for the benefits to take effect. “Until recently, the UK had frictionless agri-food exports to the EU, so it’s possible that a supplementary veterinary agreement to reduce some of the frictions created by Brexit could allow trade that previously existed to pick up again quite quickly.” However clear the economic arguments, the legal and political barriers to a veterinary agreement still remain. The researchers address these in their report, suggesting that the best format for the additional measures would be as a supplementary agreement to the TCA. The key question for the UK government in negotiating such an agreement would be what the EU demanded in return. “The closest model is the EU-Swiss relationship, which sees Switzerland largely follow EU law,” said report co-author from the University of Bristol, Dr Greg Messenger. “That’s unlikely to be an option for the UK. As we wouldn’t expect to eliminate all paperwork, we could both agree that our rules meet each other’s standard for phytosanitary protection. As most of our rules are still essentially the same as the EU, that wouldn’t require any major change, though we’d have to agree a greater level of coordination in relation to the development of new rules.” The report was written jointly by Professor Du, Dr Messenger and Dr Oleksandr Shepotylo, senior lecturer in economics, finance and entrepreneurship at the Centre for Business Prosperity, Aston Business School.

World-leading scientist gives annual Aston University Distinguished Lecture on the wonder of smart gels

Dr Raghunath Anant Mashelkar delivered the 2024 Aston University Annual Distinguished Lecture He has been president of the Indian National Science Academy and director general of the Indian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and has received multiple honours and awards He was also presented with an honorary professorship in recognition of his outstanding contribution to academia and beyond. Dr Raghunath Anant Mashelkar delivered Aston University’s 2024 Annual Distinguished Lecture to more than 70 invited guests on 22 April. One of the world’s renowned figures in polymer science, research leadership and intellectual property rights, Dr Mashelkar, a chemical engineer, is a global leader and inspiration in his native India and the wider international research community. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the research community, Dr Mashelkar was bestowed with an honorary professorship at the end of the lecture by Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University. The title of Dr Mashelkar’s lecture was ‘Trapeze Artistry in Biomimetic Smart Gels’. ‘Smart gels’, made from synthetic polymers (types of plastics), can be developed with specific functional properties, such as reacting to changes in temperature and pH. Whilst Director at India’s National Chemical Laboratories, Dr Mashelkar led work which discovered smart gels which can mimic biological functions (biomimetic), including being self-healing, self-organising, and acting as enzymes in chemical and biological processes. Their properties can be reversibly switched on or off, or they can change volume or shape, through the use of pH or temperature, the ‘trapeze artistry’ of the title, giving them many uses. This included temperature-responsive comfortable insoles for diabetic feet, drilling fluids which can quickly, but reversibly, plug an oil well, and medical devices for the digestive system, which resist the acidic environment of the stomach to deliver drugs, but dissolve harmlessly in the alkaline environment when they leave the stomach. One of the defining factors of Dr Mashelkar’s work has been serendipity. He told the story of a smart gel that dried to become a completely different shape when dried in his laboratory’s old oven rather than the new oven. One of his research team discovered this was due to the presence of copper ions from corrosion in the oven, which changed the way the molecules arranged themselves and led to a whole new area of research on polymer self-assembly. As he said: “Eyes do not see what the mind does not know. Look at the 'failed' experiment very carefully, maybe the next big breakthrough is waiting there!” Dr Mashelkar also spoke on his life story, from a young boy in India, attending the local municipal school, to addressing thousands of the world’s best minds at places like the World Economic Forum and the World Bank. His great passion now is ‘Gandhian Engineering’ based on the principle of more performance, from fewer resources, for more people. He created the Anjani Mashelkar Award, named after his mother, for the best low-cost, high-technology innovations. Winners have included an Internet of Things-based maternal healthcare system for rural areas and a smartphone app to assess lung health. Dr Mashelkar is proud of his work on Gandhian Engineering. Speaking after the lecture he said: “Rising inequalities create social disharmony. Now, you can’t make the inequalities vanish because you can’t make poor people rich overnight. What is needed is access. Can we give access equality, despite the income inequality? And that’s the principle of Gandhian Engineering. In my lecture I showed a photograph of a poor lady in a hut with a mobile, and a rich lady from a city who also had a mobile. This is equal access. It was not possible previously when mobiles were so expensive. In India now we have good public infrastructure. Data is now Rs 4 per GB and wireless is free. Once you start giving access, there is a parity.” Professor Subic said: “It was a privilege and a pleasure to welcome such a celebrated scientist as Dr Mashelkar to give the Aston University Annual Distinguished Lecture this year. Once again, we have brought a renowned international leader to engage with our community and present some of the most exciting research going on in our world today, while also inspiring the next generation of researchers and international citizens. I am deeply honoured that Dr Mashelkar has accepted an honorary professorship from Aston University in recognition of his international standing and significant contributions to scientific research and innovation.” The distinguished lecture series was established by Professor Subic in 2023. It brings influential speakers to the University to address major scientific breakthroughs, as well as social, cultural and policy issues. The first distinguished lecture was given by Nobel Laureate Peter Agre in 2023. Speaking after the lecture, Dr Mashelkar said: “I am absolutely honoured to get this honorary professorship from Aston University. Aston University is excelling in a number of areas. In terms of its future, I consider that to be very bright for the simple reason that the University’s dynamic Vice-Chancellor is making big changes with speed and skill, with expansion, inclusion and excellence. To be honoured with an honorary professorship is one of the greatest satisfactions and fulfilments of my life.” The lecture was followed by a drinks reception to allow guests to meet Dr Mashelkar and further discuss his work. A video recording of the 2024 Annual Distinguished Lecture will be made available on the University website at a later date.

Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship to host business masterclass for King’s Award for Enterprise

The event is aimed at supporting businesses in applying for the 2025 King’s Award for Enterprise The masterclass will feature presentations from the West Midlands Lieutenancy How to be a winner will be held on Friday 10 May 2024. The Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CREME) at Aston University is to host a special masterclass to encourage and support companies to apply for a prestigious business award. The King’s Awards for Enterprise are for outstanding achievement by UK businesses in the categories of innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility. The event, How to be a winner, will be held on Friday 10 May 2024 from 15:00 to 17:00 BST at Aston University’s headquarters in John Cadbury House in Birmingham. CREME, in collaboration with the West Midlands Lieutenancy, is hosting this masterclass to guide businesses through the application process and share insights from previous award winners. Applications for the 2025 King’s Award for Enterprise open in May 2024. Organisations who receive a King’s Award are presented with the award at their company by one of The King’s representatives, a Lord-Lieutenant, are invited to a Royal reception, able to fly The King’s Awards flag at their main office, use the emblem on their marketing materials and are given a Grant of Appointment (an official certificate) and a commemorative crystal trophy. The awards are valid for 5 years. The masterclass will feature a presentation by the West Midlands Deputy Lieutenants’ John Wood and Tom Westley, who will provide a detailed overview of the application process. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to hear firsthand from past winners about their journey to success and the tangible benefits derived from winning a King's Award for Enterprise. Professor Monder Ram OBE DL, director of CREME, said: “The King's Award for Enterprise is without a doubt the most prestigious accolade that any UK company can receive. The boost to your business, particularly internationally, and to company morale is immense. “I encourage West Midlands-based businesses to join us for this insightful event which will be an excellent opportunity to learn from industry experts and gain valuable knowledge on how to position your business for success.” The masterclass is free to attend and interested parties can register their interest here. Eligibility for the categories can be checked here.

Aston Business School postgraduate team reaches final of global business simulation competition

Hein, Hussein and Shristi The Universities Business Challenge Global Masters is a team-based business simulation event where participants act as a board of directors The competition offers postgraduate students the opportunity to develop the skills needed for the working world The Grand Final will take place in Southampton on Friday 26 April 2024. A team of postgraduate students from Aston Business School has secured a spot in the Grand Final of the Universities Business Challenge (UBC) Global Masters competition. The competition is a team-based business simulation that provides participants with the opportunity to act as a board of directors who have taken responsibility for improving the performance of a company. Team 'GJ1' from Aston Business School, comprising Hussein Mohammedali Rangoonwala (MSc International Business), Hein Htut Tin (MSc Investment Analysis) and Shristi Shrestha (MSc Investment Analysis), with the guidance of their staff mentor Adriana Braje demonstrated exceptional performance throughout the competition's qualifying rounds. The competition offers postgraduate students a unique opportunity to develop the skills that they will need when moving into the working world and consists of 80 teams, drawn from a wide range of UK and Irish universities. Adriana Braje, a teaching fellow in marketing at Aston Business School, said: “I'm feeling really proud as a mentor seeing my students reach the final of the UBC competition. “Their dedication and teamwork have been outstanding, and I'm excited to see them shine even brighter in the final round.” Professor Zoe Radnor, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean for the College of Business and Social Sciences at Aston University, said: “I am pleased to see our students excel on a global platform like the UBC Global Masters competition. “This accomplishment reinforces our position as a leader in business education and highlights the calibre of talent nurtured at Aston Business School, which is commitment to academic excellence and competitive spirit. “It reflects our commitment in our Aston 2030 strategy to ensuring our students are ready for work and life. “I wish the team all the best of luck for the final.” The Grand Final will take place in Southampton on Friday 26 April 2024.

Aston University MBA programmes excel in global Eduniversal Rankings

The Aston Online MBA has been placed 1st in the UK and 24th in the world in the Part-Time MBA rankings The full-time MBA was ranked 4th in the UK and top 20 position in Europe The Eduniversal rankings provide a comprehensive evaluation of Masters and MBA programmes across the globe. Aston University has seen success in the latest Eduniversal rankings, with two MBA programmes securing positions in the global or European top 25. The Aston Online MBA has been placed 1st in the UK and 24th in the world in the Part-Time MBA rankings. The full-time MBA was ranked 4th in the UK and secured a top 20 position (19th) in Europe. It is the latest global accolade for Aston Business School, which is part of an elite group of global business schools that hold the gold standard of ‘triple-crown’ accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS, having risen to 66th in the world in the 2024 QS World Subject rankings for business and management studies. Additionally, the MSc Entrepreneurship & International Business has climbed to 25th in the world and 2nd in the UK, while the MSc in Supply Chain Management has risen to 37th worldwide and 2nd in the UK. The Eduniversal rankings provide a comprehensive evaluation of the top 5,820 Masters and MBA programmes, spanning 56 fields of study and covering 153 countries/regions across nine geographic zones, offering a comprehensive view of excellence in higher education globally. Annually, over 20,000 postgraduate programmes from around the globe undergo evaluation. The rigorous assessment process involves collaboration with representatives from leading academic institutions worldwide, alongside 5,000 international recruiters and 100,000 current or recent graduates from these programmes. Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University, said: “These latest rankings underscore Aston University’s ongoing commitment to excellence and are a testament to the dedication and hard work of our outstanding staff, students and stakeholders. “It is just the latest in a series of external accolades recognising our success, following the recent announcement of our success in the 2024 QS World Rankings by Subject, which placed business and management studies in the top 8 in the UK and 66th in the world. “These achievements show our Aston 2030 Strategy in action and our dedication to providing an outstanding education for our students at world-leading standard.” Professor Zoe Radnor, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean for the College of Business and Social Sciences at Aston University, said: “I am delighted to see the Aston Online MBA and full-time MBA recognised in these latest rankings. “We take pride in our programmes, which are consistently recognised by the world's most prominent rankings as being at the forefront of business education and accredited by AMBA. “We have a strong track record of MBA employability with our graduates going on to excel across the business sectors in companies across the world, and these rankings recognise the hard work of everyone at the University to make that happen.”

#ExpertSpotlight: 10th anniversary of Flint, MI, water crisis beginning

The 10th anniversary of the Flint, MI water crisis marks a pivotal moment in environmental justice and public health awareness. This event matters deeply to the public as it sheds light on systemic failures in infrastructure management, government accountability, and the disproportionate impacts of environmental hazards on marginalized communities. Here are several sub-topics that could be of interest to a broad audience: Health Impacts and Long-term Consequences: Explore the lingering health effects on residents exposed to lead-contaminated water, including neurological disorders, developmental delays, and mental health challenges. Government Response and Accountability: Investigate the role of local, state, and federal authorities in addressing the crisis, including accountability measures taken against officials responsible for the negligence and mismanagement. Community Resilience and Activism: Highlight the resilience of Flint residents and grassroots organizations in advocating for clean water access, demanding justice, and implementing community-led solutions. Infrastructure Challenges Nationwide: Examine the broader implications of Flint's water crisis on infrastructure investment, maintenance, and regulation across the United States, particularly in aging urban areas. Policy Reforms and Prevention Efforts: Discuss policy reforms enacted post-crisis to prevent similar incidents, such as improvements in water quality testing, infrastructure upgrades, and measures to ensure environmental justice. Legacy of Environmental Injustice: Analyze the broader socio-economic factors contributing to environmental injustices like the Flint water crisis, including racial disparities in access to clean water and the intersectionality of poverty and environmental hazards. This anniversary presents an opportunity for journalists to revisit the ongoing repercussions of the Flint water crisis, amplify the voices of affected communities, and advocate for sustainable solutions to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Connect with an Expert about the Flint, MI water crisis: To search our full list of experts visit www.expertfile.com Gerald Kauffman Project Director, Water Resources Center, Institute for Public Administration; Assistant Professor, Biden School of Public Policy and Administration · University of Delaware Viviane Yargeau Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering · McGill University Jared L. Cohon University Professor · Carnegie Mellon University Joe Brown Assistant Professor, Environmental Engineering · Georgia Tech - COE For journalists with questions or looking to cover the streaming wars, here is a select list of experts. Photo Credit: Bruno Guerrero