Week of November 30, 1998
Sony Computer Entertainment And Pizza Hut Team For Promotion
Sony Computer Entertainment America and Pizza Hut have teamed up for a nationwide promotion. The "Pizza-Powered PlayStation Giveaway" offers thousands of consumers purchasing Pizza Hut Stuffed Crust Pizza the opportunity to win a grand prize cash jackpot of $200,000 and a wide assortment of PlayStation prizes, including 100 PlayStation game consoles with the new Crash Bandicoot: WARPED videogame; and 2,000 copies of PlayStation's most popular games. As part of the promotion, consumers will be able to sample some of the hottest PlayStation-exclusive titles when they receive one of the 3.5 million PlayStation demo discs available through Pizza Hut, the largest number ever manufactured by Sony Computer Entertainment America.
"As part of our strong line-up of activities leading us through the holiday season, our partnership with Pizza Hut offers yet another great avenue for reaching a broad market of new and existing PlayStation gamers," said Andrew House, Vice President, Marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America, Foster City, CA.
In support of the promotion, full feature TV advertisements star videogame icon, Crash Bandicoot; a wide distribution of in-store point-of-purchase displays are being featured at more than 7,200 Pizza Hut restaurants and the PlayStation game console is being featured in Pizza Hut print advertising.
Busch Beer Expands Sponsorship Of Nascar Busch Series
Busch, the nation's best-selling sub-premium beer, has signed with NASCAR to renew its title sponsorship of the NASCAR Busch Series through the 2002 season. Under the agreement, Busch beer will increase its support in terms of sponsorship fees, which more than doubles the series' prize money -- and provide innovative marketing support. Point fund awards, paid to the top-20 finishers in the final NASCAR Busch Series Point standings, will total $1.5 million in 1999, more than double the $650,000 being awarded this year.
"The NASCAR Busch Series has become a significant element of Busch beer's overall marketing program," said Gary Grote, Vice President of Busch brands, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. "We want everyone involved with Busch beer and the NASCAR Busch Series to benefit from our increased support."
In addition to its increased financial commitment to NASCAR, Busch is supporting the NASCAR Busch Series with a nationwide marketing program including the debut of a NASCAR Busch Series-specific national broadcast and cable television and print advertising campaign, along with local radio and outdoor executions. The Busch brand will also unveil a line of racing-themed point-of-sale and promotional materials.
Campbell Launches 'Supper Soups'
Campbell Soup Company is test marketing a new line of "Supper Soups," as part of its efforts to expand the convenience and usage of soup. "Supper Soups" in glass jars provide a quick and satisfying dinner option. Inspired by family dinner favorites, the new ready-to-serve soups come in four varieties -- Pasta Primavera With White Meat Chicken, Pot Roast With Vegetables, Vegetable Lasagna and Oriental-Style Chicken & Vegetables. The new line expands the notion of soup beyond a sandwich accompaniment or a cooking ingredient -- soup becomes the centerpiece of the meal. "When time is tight, `Supper Soups' are a quick, wholesome and satisfying dinner alternative," said Mark Leckie, President, U.S. Grocery, Campbell Soup Company.
Snickers Sports Trivia Promotion Launched
M&M/MARS has joined forces with Berkeley Systems, Inc., Berkeley, CA, to place You Don't Know Jack sports trivia questions inside the wrappers of 100 million Snickers brand The Big One candy bars. The promotion, running through May 1999, will be communicated via packaging, in-store merchandising and online promotions.
"Sports trivia and Snickers tie together very well among a young male audience and should be a big success," said Pat D'Amato, M&M/MARS spokesperson.
Keebler's TREE America Program Launched
Keebler is launching "Keebler's TREE America Program," a new campaign in partnership with the National Arbor Day Foundation, designed to help educate children and their families on the importance of trees to society, as well as plant trees in neighborhood parks and school yards in select communities across the U.S.
"For generations, when people wanted a great tasting cookie or cracker, they turned to Keebler's Hollow Tree," said Bruce Grieve, Keebler's Vice President of New Business Development. "Now, by partnering with the National Arbor Day Foundation, our Hollow Tree can give something back to the communities in which we operate, and help to plant trees in parks and playgrounds, even `Elfin Glades,' that can be enjoyed by generations to come."
Keebler's TREE America Program will peak in April 1999 on Arbor Day with local tree planting efforts in the Chicagoland area and five select cities across the country. This program may also include limited local market special promotions in which Keebler products will feature the Keebler TREE America Program logo, with the company contributing a portion of proceeds to the Arbor Day Foundation to help pay for tree planting.
Delta Air Lines Names M. White, VP, Consumer Mktg.
Delta Air Lines has named Martin C. White, Vice President Of Consumer Marketing. White comes to Delta with 12 years of marketing experience in the airline industry, most recently as Vice President, Marketing Programs and Services for US Airways.
"Martin White is a highly knowledgeable professional who will lead Delta's consumer marketing team as we build industry leading products and services for our customers," said Frederick W. Reid, Delta's Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer.
Tower Records Restructures U.S. & Global Advtg./Mktg.
Tower Records' Executive Vice President and Chief Advertising/Marketing Officer, Chris Hopson, announced the restructuring of the corporation's Advertising and Marketing Division. Sherri Wigger has been appointed Advertising Director of Market Development within the Ad Operations Division. Previously Regional Advertising Director, Wigger will be responsible for the formulation of marketing and advertising plans for all new domestic and international markets. Mike Farrace 's promotion to Vice President of Marketing Worldwide will place him in charge of Tower Records' new marketing approach. Farrace's first announcement as Vice President of Marketing is the marketing alliance between Tower Records and NBC/CNET's Internet portal service Snap, making Tower Records its premier online music retailer.
Thorco Acquires NHD Group Ltd.
Thorco Industries, Inc., a Lamar, MO-based manufacturer of store fixtures and point-of-purchase displays, has acquired NHD Group Ltd. of Brampton Ontario, Canada. NHD Group Ltd. will continue to operate as a separate entity, reporting to Ken Howard, President of Thorco Industries. Norm Dunstan will remain President of NHD Group Ltd.
The Source Acquires MYCO And Chestnut Fixture Cos.
The Source Information Management Company, St. Louis, MO, recently announced plans to acquire the assets of two leading front-end fixture manufacturers and their affiliates, whose combined business is believed to represent more than one-third of the total front-end manufacturing industry. Source expects to complete acquisition of MYCO, Inc. and its real estate holding company, RY, Inc., in Rockford, IL, and Chestnut Display Systems, Inc. and Chestnut Display Systems-North, Inc., Jacksonville, FL. "Currently, Source provides a valuable information management product called SourcePro that helps retailers maximize the value of merchandise sold in the front-end area. With the addition of these companies, Source is essentially vertically integrated in the front-end management business," said S. Leslie Flegel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Source.
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