Hot dog! Oscar Mayer has opened applications for Hotdoggers, inviting fans to apply for a one-year, full-time, paid gig behind the wheel of the iconic Wienermobile. Open through Jan. 31, the relished position offers fans the opportunity to become official spokespeople of the brand while living out its mission: sparking smiles.
Chosen applicants will represent the 37th class of Hotdoggers, joining a rich history of spreading joy and wiener whistles to adoring fans. Traveling an average of 20,000 miles each year, Hotdoggers visit at least 40 cities across the country and attend more than 1,200 events. Each member of the class is entrusted with driving and maintaining the 27-foot hot dog on wheels, along with creating social content for the brand’s channels during their “meat” and greets across the country.
“The title of a Hotdogger is a rare and coveted position unique to those seeking adventure and a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Ed Roland, ‘Top Dog’ and senior manager brand communications for Oscar Mayer at The Kraft Heinz Company. “Statistically speaking, more people have visited space than driven the Wienermobile! We take pride in welcoming the next class who will continue to uphold the tradition of sparking smiles and bringing buns of fun to fans across the U.S.”
Hotdoggers go above and beyond traditional “spokesperson” duties to represent the iconic Wienermobile – a sizzling fixture in American zeitgeist since it hit the hot dog highways in 1936. In recent years, Hotdoggers enjoyed a trip to Puerto Rico for the first time in more than 50 years, married 12 couples at the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas and introduced the first-ever hot dog-flavored frozen pop to fans in New York City.
The coveted Hotdogger title is granted to 12 applicants who cut the mustard. To learn more about Oscar Mayer, the Wienermobile or Hotdoggers, follow along on Facebook or Instagram.
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Yerbaé Brands Corp., a plant-based energy beverage company, announced a significant expansion in its distribution channels through a strategic partnership with Mariano’s, a mid-west supermarket chain owned by Kroger.
In a noteworthy development, Yerbaé’s products have been officially authorized by Mariano’s for distribution across all locations in the greater Chicago region. Mariano’s, a subsidiary of Kroger, has become a key player in the supermarket industry in the Midwest since opening its doors in 2010.
Commencing Jan. 10, Yerbaé’s four refreshing SKUs—Mango Passionfruit, Black Cherry Pineapple, Yuzu Lime, and Classic Lemonade—will be available for purchase at all Mariano’s locations. This expansion not only underscores Yerbaé’s commitment to providing innovative and health-conscious beverage options but also reflects the brand’s strategic vision for increased accessibility.
“We are excited to announce our partnership with Mariano’s, a trusted name in the supermarket industry. This collaboration allows us to bring Yerbaé’s refreshing beverages to a wider audience within the third largest domestic market in the United States, and additionally expands Yerbaé’s growing demand in the Midwest marketplace,” said Seth Smith, vice president sales of Yerbaé Plant-Based Energy.
Yerbaé is proud to be part of the Mariano’s portfolio, aligning with the supermarket’s commitment to providing a premium shopping experience. The inclusion of Mariano’s in Yerbaé’s distribution network marks a substantial milestone for the company’s growth and market reach.
Yerbaé Brands Corp., makes great-tasting energy beverages with yerba mate and other premium, plant-based ingredients. All Yerbaé energy beverages are zero calorie, zero sugar, non-GMO, vegan, kosher, keto-friendly, paleo-approved, gluten free and diabetic-friendly.
Founded in Scottsdale, Ariz., in 2017, Yerbaé seeks to disrupt the energy beverage marketplace by offering a no-compromise energy solution, with input and support from its recently-announced Yerbaé Advisory Board, Sports and Entertainment.
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FoodieCon returns to the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One on Feb. 23-24. Now in its third iteration, FoodieCon recognizes the power and true influence that social media’s content creators hold in today’s world. It provides a platform for fans to interact directly with creators, while they provide tangible insights, learn from each other and gain more visibility.
FoodieCon brings together the most viral culinary content creators – from Joshua Weissman (@joshuaweissman, 1.8MM IG followers, 7MM TikTok followers) to Molly Baz (@mollybaz, 752K IG followers) to Toni Chapman (@themoodyfoody, 1MM IG followers, 1.5MM TikTok Followers) – and celebrities like Neil Patrick Harris (@nph, 9MM IG followers).
Tickets for FoodieCon events are sold separately and are now available, with 100 percent of net proceeds benefiting the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University.
FoodieCon kicks off Friday, Feb. 23 with a Happy Hour hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, followed by an intimate FoodieCon Dinner, hosted by Robert Irvine (586K IG followers), Jake Cohen (@jakecohen 1M IG followers, 1.5M TikTok followers) and Olivia Tiedemann (@oliviatied 2.4M IG followers), who are collaborating on an exclusive, hyper-visual menu.
The all-day main event on Saturday, Feb. 24, hosted by W South Beach, will feature interactive panels, immersive activations, meet-and-greets, book signings, tastings and more, bringing the digital world of social media to life.
FoodieCon launched at SOBEWFF in 2023 to a sold-out crowd and expanded this past fall at the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (NYCWFF). In the last year, FoodieCon has received overwhelming positive feedback, attracting content creators from around the world.
Talent for FoodieCon at SOBEWFF 2024 features internationally recognized creators from around the world (from Miami to New Zealand, and beyond).
Founded by Lee Brian Schrager, SOBEWFF and NYCWFF have brought together top international culinary talent – from Alain Ducasse and Massimo Bottura to Michelle Bernstein and Evan Funke – for 23 years, generating more than $50 million in net proceeds for its charitable causes. Over the years, Schrager watched the role and influence of content creators exponentially grow within the culinary world and recognized an untapped opportunity to bring together this new generation of tastemakers. Bringing the digital environment of social media to life, FoodieCon® provides a platform for the content creator community to think about the role and influence of social media in the larger culinary landscape, and for fans to interact directly with their favorite personalities.
The programming for FoodieCon 2024 will be released in the coming weeks.
FoodieCon tickets are now available at sobewff.org/foodiecon. Follow @foodiecon on Instagram and TikTok (@foodieconfest).
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