GLENDALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SweeTARTS® is back for a second year to kick off the 2017-2018 college football season in a sweet way with five new NCAA schools. Limited-edition, officially licensed SweeTARTS® Gummies will feature the logos and mascots of 10 total colleges this year including new partnerships with – University of Michigan, University of Arizona, University of Oregon, University of Georgia and University of Florida – as well as the original five schools from last year – The University of Texas, The Ohio State University, University of Tennessee, University of California, Los Angeles and University of Arkansas. This year’s campaign will begin with college football season and extend through basketball season, so passionate fans can always have their favorite treat on-hand for any game.
To add to the excitement, BUTTERFINGER® joins in on the fun for the first time this year, allowing students and fans to show their school allegiance in a crispety, crunchety, peanut-buttery way. Custom packaging for BUTTERFINGER® Bars and BUTTERFINGER® Peanut Butter Cups will feature officially licensed logos from The University of Texas, University of Michigan, The Ohio State University, University of Georgia and University of Florida during the college football and basketball seasons.
“We are thrilled to have BUTTERFINGER® join SweeTARTS® for the entire 2017-2018 athletic season,” said SweeTARTS® Marketing Manager, Chad Womack. “These products provide a deliciously festive way for students, alumni and fans to show excitement and get fired up for their school during any game this year, whether they’re cheering from the stadium or the couch.”
Both the SweeTARTS® College Gummies and BUTTERFINGER® products are proudly free of artificial colors and flavors.
Ultimate Tailgating Sweepstakes
The addition of BUTTERFINGER® provides fans with another bold, tasty treat – the “Ultimate Tailgating Sweepstakes”. Consumers can enter for a chance to win the ultimate outdoor tailgate package (a stainless steel gas grill, home cinema HD 3D projector, portable movie theater projector screen and more valued at over $6,000 ARV) or one of over 1,000 other instant prizes, from August 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018. Sweepstakes details and rules can be found at www.butterfinger.com/college.
Also new this year is Seattle Seahawks safety and former University of Texas football player, Earl Thomas. To amplify the fun online, Thomas will engage with fans and show college love from his Instagram handle (@earl) during his alma mater’s key football games.
This campaign marks the second year of Nestlé Confections’ multi-year partnership with IMG, the nation’s leading collegiate sports marketing company.
“We are excited to unite the marketing and licensing of both the SweeTARTS® and BUTTERFINGER® lines to maximize the impact of Nestlé’s collegiate platform,” said Andrew Judelson, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, IMG. “This program continues to be a fantastic way for SweeTARTS®, and now BUTTERFINGER®, to harness the power of school spirit and reach some of the most passionate fans in sports.”
Limited-edition college-themed SweeTARTS® Gummies (8.0oz/MSRP $1.89), BUTTERFINGER® Bars (3.7oz/MSRP $3.49) and BUTTERFINGER® Peanut Butter Cups (3.0oz/MSRP $1.89) will be available in bookstores and stadiums at the 10 partner universities August 2017 through December 2017, while supplies last. Fans not on college campuses can visit a variety of regional retailers and online to get their collegiate sweet fix.
To find out more about SweeTARTS® visit http://www.SweeTARTSCandy.com and follow @SweeTARTSCandy on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Keep up with the latest news about BUTTERFINGER® at Facebook.com/Butterfinger or follow its sweet tweets at Twitter.com/Butterfinger.
About Nestlé USA
Named among “The World’s Most Admired Food Companies” in Fortune magazine for twenty consecutive years, Nestlé USA is committed to enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future. By providing choices, from nutritious meals with LEAN CUISINE® to baking traditions with NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE®, Nestlé USA makes delicious, convenient, and nutritious food and beverages that make good living possible. With 2016 sales of $9.7 billion, Nestlé USA is part of Nestlé S.A. in Vevey, Switzerland — the world’s largest food company — with 2016 sales of $91 billion. For product news and information, visit Nestleusa.com or Facebook.com/NestleUSA.
About IMG
IMG is a global leader in sports, events, media and fashion, operating in more than 30 countries. The company represents and manages some of the world’s greatest sports figures and fashion icons; stages hundreds of live events and branded entertainment experiences annually; and is one of the largest independent producers and distributors of sports media. IMG also specializes in sports training; league development; and marketing, media and licensing for brands, sports organizations and collegiate institutions.