Packaging

Las Vegas -- The Hershey Company has opened a retail flagship, Hershey’s Chocolate World at New York-New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

The store, which occupies two floors and has an eye-catching 74-ft. high Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar that visitors can walk through, is designed to provide shoppers with an experiential concept that immerses them in more than 800 candy and chocolate offerings.

Skechers Performance Division has signed seven-time PGA Tour champion Matt Kuchar — currently ranked fifth in the world — as the first brand ambassador for the Skechers GOgolf line.

The multiyear partnership will feature Kuchar in a global advertising campaign that covers TV, print, digital and outdoor mediums. The company will also collaborate with Kuchar on a namesake signature shoe line.
 

New York -- Global brand agency CBX will help Friendly Express update the design and branding of its 42-store network of community-focused convenience stores in southeast Georgia.

Under the assignment, the firm will update the chain’s logo and redesign the interiors and exteriors of its convenience stores, which range in size from 2,000 sq. ft. to 3,500 sq. ft. Friendly Express stores, which also offer gasoline, are located in several different southeast Georgia communities, including Waycross, Jesup, Folkston, Brunswick, and St. Simons Island.

Sponsored by the National Confectioners Association, the 2014 Sweets & Snacks Expo hosted a sold out show at Chicago’s McCormick Place to an audience of more than 16,000 qualified industry professionals. The Expo, held May 20–22, is being touted as the confectionery and snack industry’s most successful, world-class event.

Dublin, Ohio - The final installment of Wendy's first-ever digital short film, "L'Estrella de la Toscana" – The Star of Tuscany, featuring the new Tuscan Chicken on Ciabatta sandwich, premiered this week on Wendy's Facebook Page and YouTube channel. To promote the sandwich, Wendy's created a three-part video series that gives homage to dramatic Italian cinema of the 1960s.

Throughout April and May, Wendy's asked consumers to be its screenwriters by submitting captions on social media to subtitle the Italian-dialogue video.  

Columbus, Ohio - White Castle is launching a social media promotion called the #CraveMobile Contest. The contest gives Cravers, the company's most loyal fans, the chance to win a visit from the Crave Mobile, White Castle's mobile food truck, for a party with 50 friends.

Welch's has appointed Tom Dixon as chief marketing officer. Most recently, Dixon was VP and GM for the Schwan Food Company’s frozen pizza division.

“As a family-farmer owned business, Welch’s has been delivering the goodness of the grape to adults and children alike for generations,” said Dixon. “I’m excited to become part of this iconic brand with such a rich heritage and a portfolio of family favorites. I’m looking forward to continuing Welch’s tradition of bringing consumers nutritious and delicious products.”

Cheerios, a brand from General Mills, announced the launch of Cheerios Protein. The company is billing the product as a "smart solution" that provides a boost of energy for hectic mornings.

Just four months after launching a major ad campaign, Staples named Frank Bifulco to the role of EVP of marketing where he will drive the brand’s ongoing repositioning.

Leading U.S. toy manufacturer Jakks Pacific has entered into a long-term licensing agreement with Sketchers to manufacture, distribute and market a line of toys and products inspired by the lifestyle and entertainment brand, and the Twinkle Toes children’s footwear brand.

The agreement covers multiple product categories including collectibles, dress-up and role play, Jakks’ miWorld line of miniature play environments, and a line of Skechers Twinkle Toes themed Cabbage Patch Kids, which will launch in June.