Aldi debuts its first-ever Blind Boxes

Blind boxes are having a moment, and if there's one thing Aldi shoppers appreciate, it's finding a new favorite they didn't see coming. Introducing: the Aldi Blind Box. Available at AldiBlindBox.com from June 22–25 for free, there will be four themed mystery boxes inspired by today's most popular food trends, with one of each theme releasing each day. Every box is filled with a curated mix of Aldi staples and unexpected favorites delivered straight to shopper’s doorsteps. The four boxes include the Snack Blind Box, with cheeses, dips, bites, and sweets; the Fiber Blind Box, with produce and BFY picks; the Protein Blind Box, with protein-forward Aldi favorites; and the Mystery Blind Box, packed with a surprise assortment of Aldi consumer favorites and staples.

Mr. Owl brings Tootsie Roll's flavors to life

Courtesy of Tootsie Roll

Mr. Owl has an important message for all: there is much more to Tootsie Roll than the Original chocolatey flavor. Debuting in an all-new TV spot, he showcases the chewy variety of Tootsie Roll flavors through a color-changing chameleon character. The TV spot aims to bring bright animation and vibrant energy while staying true to Mr. Owl's classic and whimsical charm. It also marks a sweet milestone: for the first time Mr. Owl is seen enjoying a Tootsie Roll rather than his past favorite, a Tootsie Pop, the brand says. The company took one of its longest running ads, "How Many Licks" and launched a refreshed version in September 2025. The chameleon ad is the next chapter in the Mr. Owl story. The campaign will run on connected TV, YouTube and social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, and Reddit.

Ring Pop x Knicks parade

Courtesy of Ring Pop

As the Knicks championship parade took over New York yesterday, Ring Pop ran DOOH (digital out-of-home advertising) and sampling activation built on one undeniable line: now, no matter the team or the fan, anyone can wear a ring. The brand is moving at the speed of culture, it says, to plant itself in a once-in-a-generation city moment with orange and blue Ring Pop sampling along the parade route, paired with high-impact DOOH across the city carrying championship-coded copy—"Did it in 5," "Worth the Wait," and "Bling Bong." The creative leans into bold black-and-white photography and the team's colors, letting the wordplay on "ring" do the heavy lifting.

Kinder supports "Power of Play: Family Connection" study

Courtesy of Kinder

The “Power of Play: Family Connection” study, conducted in two phases by the University of East London (UEL) with support from Ferrero's Kinder brand, reveals new findings, building on Phase 1 research into the power of shared play on emotional connection and family bonding. The study highlights the immediate and measurable impact that even short moments of shared play can have on family connection and children’s emotional wellbeing. Its second phase used wearable technology and machine learning to observe 21 new families, in addition to the 20 of Phase 1, in their own homes, capturing how parents and children respond physically and emotionally when they play together. The study forms part of Kinder’s wider Value of Play initiative, launched last year to explore the role of play in emotional development, learning, and family wellbeing. Building on these results, the brand expanded its Value of Play hub on Kinder.com into a dedicated online destination, designed to help families rediscover the joy and value of playing together.

Americans continue to snack all summer long

Courtesy of Utz Brands

Summer is America’s peak snacking season, according to a new nationally representative survey from Utz Brands, Inc., a U.S. manufacturer of branded salty snacks, conducted by independent pollsters Censuswide. The findings reveal that nearly two-thirds of Americans (62.2%) snack at least once every day during the summer months and 30.5% reach for something salty multiple times a day. Just 1% report never snacking in summer, making it one of the most universally observed warm-weather rituals in the country. When asked to choose just one salty snack for the summer, 35.6% of Americans chose potato chips, and the survey found flavor preference also varies by region and state. The survey also looked into when and where Americans snack, and America's boldest chip pairings.