Gushers unveils sweet, scary Hallloween short

The General Mills fruit snack brand is bringing back a tasty bit of 1990s nostalgia, with the help of Emmy-winning actor Bradley Whitford. Millennials may remember the Fruitheads commercial from the decade; now, the brand is reimagining the character as the star of a short horror film, starring Whitford. “The Fruitheads ad has lived rent-free in the heads of Gushers fans for nearly 30 years, and they still can’t stop talking about it on social media,” shares Stephanie Lensing, brand experience manager for Gushers. “So, this Halloween, we’re finally giving them what they want with a reimagining of that ’90s ad with thrills and a bit of the humor our fans love from Gushers.” Watch the short-but-sweet feature here.

 

Pringles ducks into nostalgia with throwback ad

Courtesy of KellanovaSpeaking of nineties nostalgia: If you’ve ever taken two of the Kellanova-owned crisps to fashion a potato-y duck bill, you’re not alone. That concept is center stage in an ad that is part of the brand’s revival of the 1990s campaign “Once You Pop”—entitled “Duck King” the spot features a fan of the savory snacks doing the duck-bill trick while sitting in a park, to hilarious results. Dan Kelly, executive creative director of ad agency FCB New York, says of the ad and campaign, “There’s so much to explore with this brand and this iconic tagline, and we can’t wait to continue to build this world where the pop-sibilities are endless.” Learn more in the SF&WB story on the campaign.

 

BFY Halloween options turning sour

Courtesy of Thrive MarketChocolate is still a popular trick-or-treat purchase choice, both with the little costumed kids collecting the candy and the adults that buy and hand the goodies out. However, according to BFY-focused online retailer Thrive Market, shoppers this year are increasingly putting gummies and sour confections in their cart instead of chocolatey treats. They also report that consumers’ increasing interest in healthier foods and treats is extending to Halloween giveaway choices on their site. The company shares some of the top spooky swaps:

• YumEarth Sour Littles gummies
• YumEarth and SmartSweets lollipops
• Unreal Dark Chocolate PB Cups
• Unreal Coconut Bars (a clean Almond Joy dupe)

Thrive Market also pointed at the increased availability of savory snacks in multipacks geared toward trick-or-treating handouts. Two options include Frankie’s Organic White Cheddar Ghosts, available in a 12-bag pack; and LesserEvil’s Himalayan Pink Salt popcorn, offered in a 24-bag carton.

 

Kraft makes merry with cheesy calendar

Halloween is not yet behind us, but companies are already all over the upcoming winter holidays just over the horizon. The company is treating consumers to a unique “whey” to countdown to Christmas with its Kraft Natural Cheese Holiday Advent Calendar. Featuring the brand’s recognizable Blue House motif, the calendar is more than a foot tall and includes 12 pull-out drawers, each with a cheesy surprise inside to help dairy product aficionados count down to the big day. A life-size version calendar also will make an appearance at Chicago’s famed Christkindlmarket, offering samples and the chance to win prizes. Learn more here.

Goetze’s welcomes back Melvin

The candy company best known for its Caramel Creams and Cow Tales treats is commemorating October’s National Caramel Month by bringing back a popular brand mascot at the end of the month. Designed to embody the candy’s playful spirit and tradition of bringing generations together, the cheery bakerman Melvin will be making appearances throughout the years to come. The mascot shares a name with Melvin Sr. and Melvin Jr. who helped bring the beloved Caramel Creams into the lineup back in the 1940s. The cartoon spokesperson brings a modern take to the old representative but with the same fun spirit.

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If you see or hear any fun and fascinating news relating to candy, baked goods, or snacks, please send it to me at spinnerj@bnpmedia.com. Happy Halloween!