Kate Bertrand Connolly, Freelance Writer

June 26, 2015

2 Min Read
SoapBox’s HopeCode shows consumers how their purchases are helping
SoapBox provides more than just personal care products; it gives aid to those in need and, through its HopeCode, lets consumers share their participation in the mission.

SoapBox Soaps’ strategy can be summed up in three words: good, clean and helpful. Each purchase of a SoapBox product triggers a donation of soap, clean water or vitamins to those in need in the United States or abroad.

The young company uses coding on its health and beauty aids (HBA) packaging to fuel an ambitious aid mission. Its packaging design incorporates what SoapBox calls a HopeCode on each bottle or carton; by typing in the code at SoapBox’s HopeCode portal, consumers can see which community their donation is helping.

The company’s products include bar soap, hand soap, body wash, lotions, shampoo and conditioner. The HopeCodes are digitally inkjet printed on the back pressure-sensitive label of each bottle, and they are printed directly onto the bar-soap cartons. 

SoapBox works with Andler Packaging to source bottles from a number of manufacturers, including M&H Plastics. SoapBox products are available at Whole Foods Market, Target, CVS and other retail chains.

Daniel Doll, president and chief operating officer of SoapBox Soaps, discusses the HopeCode and his brand’s mission.

What type of code is the HopeCode?

Doll: The HopeCode is a printed alphanumeric code that is unique to every bottle or bar soap produced.

How many different codes are there? How do you determine which code is added to which package?

Doll: Every HopeCode is unique. We variably print each of the labels and cartons and associate them to the product type by the lead alpha character.

When will the online portal be available for consumers to look up the code on their package?

Doll: The portal is active right now at www.soapboxsoaps.com/hope. We are launching a new website in a couple weeks that is built around an immersive experience of the HopeCode. Our goal is to provide a unique experience that provides transparency of our aid mission to our consumers. 

How can consumers use the codes on social media?

Doll: On our new website, consumers will be able to share their HopeCode redemption through social media. We are also working on technology that allows us to show our consumers their lifetime social impact, and how it compares with the members of their social network. 

Why do this? What are the benefits?

Doll: SoapBox was created with the social mission first. Our core goal is to increase our footprint of sustainable aid development. More exposure to our brand via social media helps us communicate our mission and create differentiation for potential new customers, and subsequently do more good.

How successful has this campaign been? How will you measure its success?

Doll: So far, early data shows great traction of the program. We already have thousands of redemptions and are working to make the HopeCode the main feature of our new website to drive even more consumer engagement. 

About the Author(s)

Kate Bertrand Connolly

Freelance Writer

Kate Bertrand Connolly has been covering innovations, trends, and technologies in packaging, branding, and business since 1981.

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