How a company made and marketed a jar of food that looks more like shoe polish than anything, and then made an entire nation fall in love with it over and over again, for one hundred years.

This half day workshop, held on the 100th Anniversary of the launch of Vegemite (25th October, 1923), takes a fresh look at new product development in the food manufacturing sector by taking a deep dive into the hundred-year-old story of Vegemite.

Product Innovation

Sales and Marketing

Health Claims

In each topic we will uncover the fascinating story of the development and promotion of this Australian icon.

We will also draw out the lessons for those who are embarking on a similar journey and give you the tools to help you succeed and maybe even make the “next Vegemite” for the next hundred years.

Presenters include:

Mr. Stuart Johnson, Managing Director, Food Technology Facility @ Food Innovation Precinct, Western Australia

Mr. David Doepel, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University

Dr. Ken Yap, Lecturer, Marketing College of Business, Murdoch University

Dr. Emily J.H. Contois, PhD, MPH, MLA, Associate Professor of Media Studies, University of Tulsa (pre-recorded interview)

Prof. Elaine Holmes, Western Australian Premier's Fellow for Phenomics and Australian Laureate Fellow Australian National Phenome Centre, Murdoch University

Dr Wendy Hunt, Senior Lecturer, Academic Chair, Food Science and Nutrition, Murdoch University