With new global tariffs hitting various industries, it’s hard for brands to plan ahead, especially if your company manufactures or sources parts and packaging abroad. Whether you’re facing rising costs, vague commitments from retailers or mixed signals from consumers, there is a lot of uncertainty these days.
But here’s one thing we do know: your brand still needs a clear, consistent marketing strategy.
It’s actually more important than ever to maintain smart, cost-effective marketing, ensuring that your products keep getting added to carts and your brand stays top-of-mind with consumers. At Dish Works, we understand these challenges, and we’re here to help make your content production (such a crucial piece of the marketing puzzle!) simple, straightforward and strategic. We’ve got your back, not only with beautiful marketing assets, but also with some advice for helping your department weather this storm.
First off…what’s really going on with tariffs?
TL;DR: Tariffs are making it more expensive to bring goods into the U.S.—and cookware and appliances are right in the crosshairs.
This isn’t a particularly new development: In 2024, the Biden administration announced expanded tariffs on a range of Chinese-made goods, including household appliances and components. But now, those tariffs are much steeper. Dishwashers and small kitchen appliances imported from China could now face tariffs of up to 25–100%, depending on category.
Stainless steel cookware, cast iron, and induction products are also on tariff lists, directly impacting many U.S. brands that source or manufacture overseas.
Sadly, there’s more: even packaging materials, like printed cardboard, films, and plastics, are seeing import taxes that affect CPG companies producing abroad.
While these numbers and categories may evolve, the trend is clear: higher costs and more complexity for manufacturers, distributors, and marketers alike.
So…how should your brands respond? (Feel free to share this post with your boss!)
First: do not freeze your marketing efforts. That’s a common corporate panic-button move, but it can be a costly mistake. In times of economic and supply chain uncertainty, smart brands double down on clarity, consistency, and creativity to continue building awareness and driving sales. That’s where Dish Works comes in!
Our production model is built for flexibility and speed. We specialize in creating ready-to-use, plug-and-play content, everything from product photography and recipe videos to enhanced content for ecommerce to influencer- style storytelling. While a lot of other factors in your job might feel overwhelming right now, we make brand assets and content creation seamless, straightforward and easy.
Want to help your brand pivot and thrive, even when the industry feels chaotic? Here’s where to start:
Focus on your Core Products
If you’re unsure about how tariffs will impact new product launches, shift your marketing attention toward the brand’s core products. Classic, timeless products with a proven sales record offer lower-risk opportunities — refresh your content library and keep your feeds and listings active for these items.
Dish Works helps brands create new content around legacy products with messaging that speaks directly to today’s value-driven consumer. Whether it’s emphasizing durability, convenience or versatility, we help you tell a story that says: “This is a purchase worth making right now.”
Lean Into ROI and Emotional Value
Understandably, in the face of economic uncertainty, consumers are making more deliberate purchasing decisions. In place of impulse buys, shoppers are taking a long, hard look at products to see if they will make their lives easier, better or more comfortable.
Content that speaks to this emotional and practical ROI is essential. That might look like showing how a Dutch oven will last generations, so it’s both a long-term investment in home cooking and an heirloom piece.
On the other hand, a countertop appliance like an air fryer or slow cooker (which may not last for decades), instead represents an easy, comforting way to feed your family when there’s no room in the weekly budget for takeout.
A smart blender is shorthand for healthier habits. A waffle iron represents cozy weekend brunches. An espresso machine means cutting out expensive coffee shop runs, and learning to make hand-crafted budget-friendly drinks at home.
Any powerful, emotion-driven marketing messages require compelling lifestyle photography and videos that help consumers envision these products in their own homes, delivering both aesthetic appeal and emotional relevance. And that just so happens to be Dish Works’ expertise.
Streamline Your Production Process (Without Sacrificing Quality)
Now is not the time to juggle multiple freelancers, agencies, and production timelines. Dish Works is a one-stop shop with an incredibly talented, passionate full-time team of chefs, photographers, food stylists, and editors, all working together in person in our fully-equipped production studio.
Inside our studio, we’ve recently added advanced robotics and high-end production capabilities, allowing us to create broadcast-quality content at a fraction of the traditional cost. No need to rent a second studio or patch together a team. We can do it all in-house.
Plus, we create flexible, modular content that works across platforms: Amazon, TikTok, Instagram, email campaigns, and packaging. You’ve got assets in your toolkit that are polished, persuasive, and ready to use whenever and wherever you need them.
Streamlined, cost-efficient production is exactly what marketing teams need in a volatile climate. No matter what kind of content you need, Dish Works does it with fewer moving parts and faster turnarounds, all while helping you stay on budget.
We make the content production process simple, smart, and cost-effective, so that while you’re navigating the bigger picture, this piece is already taken care of. Get in touch to talk about how we can support your brand today and and into the future.