Career Builder and CNN have released the “Top 10 April Fools’ work pranks!” The list warns of potential consequences, but is pretty comical nonetheless. Some of my favorites are: “3. All the women in office individually spoke to the president, confiding that she is pregnant. By noon, he ‘knew’ that all of his female workers were pregnant and he could not tell anyone because each asked for confidentially.” and “5. Filled the vending soda machine with cans of beer.” Of course none of these can be used now! Or can they?
*As an intern at Schneider Associates, I have permission to feature this post I wrote for our product launch blog, LaunchPR.
Just in time for Easter, Just Born’s PEEPS has launched its first new Spring and Easter marshmallow shape in over 50 years. The Yellow Tulips are PEEPS’ first new shape since the 1950s, joining well established PEEPS Chicks, PEEPS Bunnies and PEEPS Eggs. The brand also recently launched its classic Chicks in a new color: Green.
According to IRI, PEEPS candies are the top-selling non-chocolate Easter candy. The Nielsen Company reports that US consumers also buy an estimated $318 million worth of chocolate candy in the week leading up to Easter.
Marketers spent $65.6 million in candy advertising in the six weeks between Lent and Easter last year, although that number appears to be decreasing each year. One-third of this, or approximately $22 million, is spent on cable television advertising. Although online ad spending was only at $800,000 last year, PEEPS now appears to be going online more to promote its Tulips and Green Chicks launches.
PEEPS released a multimedia press release through PR Newswire’s MultiVu and posted a promotional video through online video sharing sites like YouTube. The video, featuring new Yellows Tulips and Green Chicks, documents how Spring PEEPS are made from shapeless marshmallows into the millions of fun, colorful candies sold each spring. PEEPS multimedia promotional efforts are supported by thousands of user-generated videos, photos and Web sites, many of which have received upwards of 40,000 views.
In addition to Just Born’s PEEPS, big name candy companies such as Mars Inc. and Hersheys develop new shapes and sizes for their candies—adorned in appropriate wrapping to match the season or coming holiday. For Easter, holiday candy has gone beyond milk chocolate bunnies and jelly beans, and now include egg shaped variations of all your favorite candies, from Snicker’s Eggs to the new Jolly Rancher Egg Shaped Pop.
Celtic Thunder, a new band hailing from Ireland, is comprised of 5 male singers from 14-40. Basically, I’m in love with them, especially Keith (the handsome blond one). And everyone should check it out. Tickets for their coming U.S. tour are on sale soon through Ticketmaster.
Watch here as they perform show stoppers Ireland’s Call and Caledonia.
Check out this great recipe for Pillsbury’s Shamrock Cookies! A favorite for St. Patrick’s Day. All you need is 1 package of Pillsbury’s Create ‘n Bake refrigerated sugar cookies, 1/4 cup all purpose flour, 1/4 cup green sugar, and 90 mins. for prep and cook time! Delicious and fun for the whole family!
One of my holiday favorites growing up: green bagels for St. Patrick’s Day! These can probably be found at bagel stores across the country, especially with large bagel chains like Bruegger’s joining in. This year will mark a five-year tradition for Bruegger’s green bagels, as a portion of the profits will go to the Feed the Children Foundation. Check out Bruegger’s store locater to find a location near you + to help support Feed the Children. But don’t fret, if there’s no Bruegger’s in town, you can most likely still find delicious green bagels at a bagel store near you–but don’t forget to visit your local food pantry or visit Feed the Children to show your support! Happy St. Pat’s!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to everyone! Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day! Have a great day…be safe & make good choices.
