BURLINGTON, VT--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Only a few of Ben & Jerry’s flavors introduced in the last two decades have taken a hold in the top 10. (Which is ironic because one of the guys who’s on that list replaced a host who used to do Top Ten lists every night.) This Valentine’s Day, Ben & Jerry’s and Stephen Colbert mark nine years of a loving relationship… What else can Ben & Jerry’s say except: “He completes us.” As Colbert has transitioned from his iconic and beloved character by the same name on the Colbert Report, to assume CBS’ top late night host, the ice cream maker feels it is time to give Colbert’s pint a fresh, new look. “I left my character behind, but I could never leave this ice cream. I can barely put the pint down,” said Colbert.
He’s not the only one. Stephen’s Americone Dream ice cream flavor, almost a decade old, had an exceptional year. Volume sales increased by +26% and for 2015 it was ranked among the best-selling flavors for both velocity and overall volume sold. As frozen as his flavor is, that Stephen Colbert is one hot ticket.
Now the Emmy, Peabody and Grammy winning entertainer has settled into his new role entertaining millions more viewers nightly. Between his wit and his charm it’s only natural to expect fans would want to spend their Valentine’s Day with Stephen. So Ben & Jerry’s is reaching out to some of Colbert’s biggest Late Show fans who will receive a surprise “Spend Your Valentine’s Day with Your 3 Favorite Guys” package this weekend, including an Americone Dream t-shirt, a pint cozy, and TWO free pint coupons for the flavor – one for themselves, and one to share with someone they love.
It was back on Valentine’s Day in 2007 when Ben & Jerry’s fans were introduced to the new flavor sensation featuring vanilla ice cream, a caramel swirl, and chocolate coated waffle cone pieces – once again, ironic, for the guy who as his blowhard, right wing character never waffled. It was love at first bite.
In addition to the Valentine’s Day fun, the new pint packaging will be unveiled for the Late Show’s first anniversary in September. Ben & Jerry’s has a lot more in store to recognize nine years of Stephen’s flavor, including a special “Americone Summer” waffle cone offering in Scoop Shops, as well as a giveaway to help celebrate those public servants who protect and serve their communities.
In the end of 2015 Ben & Jerry’s partnered with the television host to conduct “Stephen Colbert’s Salute to Heroes” which focused on visiting dozens of fire departments, police stations and EMT workers’ offices around the United States to scoop out Stephen’s Americone Dream flavor and to thank them for their service. A video of the event features Colbert, himself, serving New York City police and fire department employees as a surprise scooper dishing out his fan favorite flavor. Ben & Jerry’s will hold its second “Stephen Colbert’s Salute to Heroes” giveaway in September to celebrate The Late Show’s very first anniversary of Colbert at the helm, bringing Colbert’s flavor to even more of those first responders who take care of their communities.
You can catch Colbert on CBS’s The Late Show at 11:35 pm. Check your local listing.
For more information about Ben & Jerry’s Franchise Opportunities, please visit: http://www.benjerry.com/scoop-shops/franchise
About Ben & Jerry’s
As an aspiring
social justice company, Ben & Jerry’s believes in a greater calling than
simply making a profit for selling its goods. The company produces a
wide variety of super-premium ice cream, yogurt and sorbet using
high-quality ingredients. Ben & Jerry’s incorporates its vision of
Linked Prosperity into its business practices in a number of ways
including a focus on values-led sourcing. In 2015 the company completed
its transition to using entirely non-GMO (genetically modified
organisms) ingredients by source as well as to fully source
Fairtrade-certified ingredients wherever possible, which benefits
farmers in developing countries. Ben and Jerry’s products are
distributed in 35 countries in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience
stores, franchise Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops, restaurants and other
venues. Ben & Jerry’s, a Vermont corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary
of Unilever, operates its business on a three-part Mission Statement
emphasizing product quality, economic reward and a commitment to the
community. Ben & Jerry’s became a certified B Corp (Benefit Corporation)
in 2012. The Ben & Jerry’s Foundation’s employee-led grant programs
totaled $2.5MM in 2015 to support economic and social justice,
environmental restoration, and peace through understanding. For the
inside scoop on Ben & Jerry’s visit www.benjerry.com.