The Progresso Soup Sampling Team travels in a caravan of vehicles that includes custom-designed Hummers and a matching trailer. At each outdoor stop, samplers strap on specially designed backpacks and load up on cups, spoons and soup coupons. Weighing in at 45 pounds when full, a pack holds several gallons of soup, dispensed into cups via a nozzle.
"We’re taking food sampling to the streets," said Karl Schmidt, Group Promotions Manager for Pillsbury, owner of Progesso brands. "We’re breaking through the supermarket walls and reaching consumers in an exciting new way."
Consumers who enter the contest, have the opportunity to compete for scholarships and prizes worth more than $25,000. To enter, participants from four different age categories can send in essays or videos showcasing their way of confirming the Chips Ahoy! claim. At The Museum of Science in Boston, three finalists from each category will demonstrate their creative counting method before a judging panel featuring Bill Nye, host of the PBS and nationally syndicated, 'Bill Nye the Science Guy' and a select group of math teachers and professors.
The contest is divided into four age categories — elementary school, junior high school, high school, and adults.
Created to resemble the old fashioned diners that dotted many towns in days now past, the Rolling Diner features a sit-down counter, LED display and signage that promotes the home-spun flavors of Marie Callender’s frozen foods. The diner will make appearances at high profile events and store locations.
"Our sampling effort is designed to literally bring these meals to consumers, in a fun, somewhat noticeable way," said Dave Hogberg, VP Marketing for Marie Callender’s. "What’s special about Marie Callender’s is that it is great-tasting food with large portions, and can be conveniently cooked in a microwave or conventional oven."
The Marie Callender’s Frozen Food line is an extension of Marie Callender’s Restaurants, featuring Marie’s well-known pies and meals.
Kraft’s Post Kids’ Cereals has inserted phone cards into 10 million boxes of Post Golden Crisp and Post Honeycomb. The cards allow kids to vote for their favorite stars. Kids’ Choice Award ballots and Rugrats collectible stickers are available in 10 million packages of Kraft Singles.
Kids will also be able to pick up ballots at McWorld displays in their participating McDonald’s restaurants nationwide. McWorld displays also have entries for Nickelodeon’s Kids Choice Award Sweepstakes, giving kids a chance to experience the show firsthand. Four grand prize winners will fly to Hollywood to present a Kids’ Choice Orange Blimp Award on stage during the April 19 live telecast of Nickelodeon’s 10th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards. Grand prize winners will also receive a limousine ride, attend the VIP post-show party, $1,000 spending money and $50 in McDonald’s gift certificates.
Kraft has lined up additional popular kid brands for a variety of on-pack promotions, including an Instant Win Game in over 30 million packages of Oscar Mayer Lunchables, awarding four grand prize winners their own entertainment system and Rugrats stickers in 2.1 million packages of Jell-O Yogurt, which also feature Kids’ Choice tune-in messaging. In addition, Jell-O Stir & Snack will run an offer for SMUD, one of Nickelodeon’s most popular toy compounds, via a free-standing insert.
Joe Poggi was recently promoted to the position of Senior Vice President, DVC Direct. Deborah Stark Olsen has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Account Director. Elizabeth Lombardi was recently promoted to Senior Vice President, Account Director. Cory Kallet has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Account Director.
Paula Chin has been promoted to Vice President, Account Supervisor responsible for supervising account teams for AT&T Consumer Lease Services. Lisa Gibson is Account Supervisor responsible for overseeing account activities for AT&T PrepPaid Cards. Fern Rosenstein is Account Supervisor responsible for Retail Account Service activities and account management for AT&T PrePaid Cards. Kristin Button has been named Senior Account Executive responsible for the AT&T College Market Program and American Automobile Association. Valerie McMillen is Account Executive working on the Johnson & Johnson and Benckiser Consumer Products accounts.
Rick Calanni has joined DVC as Account Supervisor. Warren White has joined DVC as an Account Supervisor in the Dallas office. Stuart Campbell has joined the company as Account Supervisor in the Chicago office.
Kristen McElroy, Tracy Jost and Laura Bunk join DVC as Account Executives. Cynthia McConnell joins the company as a Graphic Designer. Robert Pantaliano has been named Vice President, Finance.