Poptime Snacks

CASE STUDY

A Brand and Packaging Refresh That Clarified Differentiation, Strengthened Shelf Presence, And Fueled E-commerce Growth

Packaging Design, Brand System Refinement, Messaging + Hierarchy, Retail Readiness

Services

Stronger Shelf Presence, Clearer Buyer Conversations, Positive Retailer Feedback, Increased E-commerce Traction

Outcome

Packaging redesign and brand system refinement — evolving an outgrown look into a retail-ready, scalable brand presence

Scope

Show up as retail-ready, stand out in a crowded snack aisle, and clearly communicate a unique seed oil–free positioning

Goal

Retail buyers and shoppers who need to quickly understand what makes this snack different and worth choosing

Audience

E-commerce
Growth

& Stronger Retail Performance After Relaunch

Two bags of popcorn, one labeled 'Kettle Cooked Sea Salt' and the other 'popped with avocado oil' from the brand 'poptime.' Both bags display images of popcorn and contain nutritional information, icons for gluten-free, non-GMO verified, and cholesterol-free.

BEFORE

AFTER

Poptime was growing quickly, but the brand presentation wasn’t keeping pace. The packaging had been outgrown, wasn’t standing out on shelf, and didn’t yet reflect a fully retail-ready brand. In a competitive snack category, it lacked the visual presence and clarity needed to capture attention and communicate value in seconds.

THE STARTING POINT

The product had a meaningful point of difference, but it wasn’t being communicated clearly or quickly enough. The packaging needed to work harder—both on shelf and online—where it serves as the primary selling tool. Without strong hierarchy and differentiation, the brand risked being overlooked by shoppers and under-communicating its value to retail buyers.

THE CHALLENGE

We developed a refined packaging and brand system designed to remove friction at the moment of decision. The focus was threefold: elevate retail readiness so the brand shows up with confidence and credibility; strengthen shelf presence through clearer hierarchy and more distinctive visuals; and clarify differentiation by making Poptime’s seed oil–free positioning immediately obvious. The result is a flexible, scalable system that improves communication across retail, buyer conversations, and e-commerce—positioning the brand for continued growth.

OUR APPROACH

“Buttermilk Creative helped us become a stand-out in the snack category as one of the only fully seed-free lines.”
— Brittnee Forrest, Director of Marketing, Poptime Snacks
Two bags of Poptime gourmet kettle corn, one in white chocolate peppermint flavor and the other in hot cocoa & marshmallow flavor, placed on a kitchen counter with bowls of popcorn, mugs of hot chocolate, a candle, and festive decorations in the background.
Bag of popcorn with sweet and salty Himalayan pink salt flavor, a bowl of popcorn, a glass of pink grapefruit beverage with a grapefruit slice, sunglasses, and a white towel by a poolside.
Balloons of popcorn in pink, orange, and blue bowls.
A person reaching into a bag of Popcorn, with the bag labeled 'movie theater butter flavored' and showing an illustration of popcorn and avocado oil, while sitting on a seat with a seatbelt fastened.
A bag of Poptime gourmet popcorn with sea salt and lime flavor on a table, surrounded by bowls of popcorn, glasses of lime water, playing cards, and a bowl of lime slices, with a cozy living room in the background.
Bag of sweet and spicy Himalayan pink salt flavored popcorn with avocado oil, placed on a grassy surface next to playing cards and a gray cloth.
Two bowls of popcorn, a bag of Smartfood popcorn, a bag of Dole gummy worms, a bag of Skittles, and three glasses of pink-colored drinks on a white table. A person's hand is reaching for popcorn.