BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Office Depot, Inc. (NASDAQ: ODP), a leading global provider of office products, services, and solutions and parent company of Office Depot and OfficeMax, announced today the return of Elf Yourself®, an app that allows you to make funny videos of you and your friends dancing as elves. One billion elves have been created on the platform since its launch in 2006, and more people than ever are expected to ring in the holiday season this year with the app. Elf Yourself® is now available for download at elfyourself.com.
With more than 480 million users in 215 countries, as many elves have been created as there are children in the world. Elf Yourself® has been downloaded over 65 million times since transitioning from an online platform to smartphone app in 2012, and it is back this year to bring holiday cheer to family and friends. Users can simply upload up to five photos, select a dance theme, and the app will generate a custom Elf Yourself® video that they can share via email and social media platforms, as well as embed into websites and blogs.
“Every year we look forward to sharing the latest additions to Elf Yourself® to help people spread the holiday spirit,” said Tim Rea, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Office Depot, Inc.
New this year is a dance with cats based on their overwhelming popularity on the internet: more than 2 million cat videos were uploaded to YouTube in 2014, generating almost 26 billion views. The cat dance features a purr-fect mash-up of cute felines in festive scenes alongside the dancing elves, singing along to a Cat rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Users are still able to choose from popular dances from prior years such as Hip Hop, House Party, Breakin’, Elfspañol, Jingle Pop and Feliz Navidad.
Office Depot and OfficeMax are also featuring the Hanukkah phenomenon, the Mensch on a Bench, to Elf Yourself® for a new song and dance in which fans can portray Moshe the Mensch, a character who shares the traditions of the Jewish holiday. The Hanukkah song and dance features new musical talent, starring the popular acapella group, the Maccabeats.
“This Hanukkah season, I’m excited about Moshe the Mensch starring in a new song by the Maccabeats for the Elf Yourself® app where Mensch on a Bench fans have the opportunity to dance and sing as if they were Moshe the Mensch,” said Neal Hoffman, creator of the award-winning The Mensch on a Bench.
For more information on the Office Depot and OfficeMax Elf Yourself®, visit elfyourself.com.
About The Mensch on a Bench
Created by Neal Hoffman, The Mensch on a Bench tells the wonderful story of Moshe the Mensch, who watched over the menorah during the great miracle of Hanukkah. The hardcover storybook comes with a 12” plush doll who holds the Shamash (leader) candle. With over 5 million Jewish people in the United States, Moshe serves to introduce children to the traditions of Hanukkah, as well as teaches them to be good and honorable people, also known as mensches. The Mensch on a Bench line of products includes a book and doll set, a plush menorah and dreidel, chocolates and more; all of which are available at Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Michael’s, and other retailers this holiday season. To learn more, please visit TheMenschOnABench.com.
About Office Depot, Inc.
Office Depot, Inc. is a leading global provider of products, services, and solutions for every workplace – whether your workplace is an office, home, school or car.
Office Depot, Inc. is a resource and a catalyst to help customers work better. We are a single source for everything customers need to be more productive, including the latest technology, core office supplies, print and document services, business services, facilities products, furniture, and school essentials.
The company has annual sales of approximately $16 billion, employs approximately 56,000 associates, and serves consumers and businesses in 59 countries with approximately 1,800 retail stores, award-winning e-commerce sites and a dedicated business-to-business sales organization – all delivered through a global network of wholly owned operations, joint ventures, franchisees, licensees and alliance partners. The company operates under several banner brands including Office Depot, OfficeMax, OfficeMax Grand & Toy, Reliable and Viking. The company’s portfolio of exclusive product brands include TUL, Foray, Brenton Studio, Ativa, WorkPro, Realspace and HighMark.
Office Depot, Inc.’s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol ODP. Additional press information can be found at: http://news.officedepot.com.
