Lindt Debuts Super Bowl Ad With Kylie Kelce, ‘Life Is a Ball’
Lindt & Sprüngli (USA) will, for the first time, air a spot during football’s biggest game of the year.
Lindt’s big game debut drops during the first quarter and puts the fan favorite Lindor truffle at the center of a dreamy national tv spot that encourages viewers to find their own moment of chocolate bliss. Titled “Life is a Ball”, the 30-second ad is backed by Perry Como’s 1957 classic “Round and Round”. The spot takes audiences on a journey that explores the joy that comes from indulging in the smooth 5melting sensation of Lindor truffles and allows you to savor the joyful moments life can bring, big or small, with every bite. You can view the ad on Lindt USA’s YouTube channel here.
As the U.S. market continues to play a critical role in Lindt’s long-term growth strategy, Lindt is strategically prioritizing investments that allow the brand to reach new audiences and uncover meaningful connections through deliberate partnerships and unforgettable brand moments. The decision to advertise during the big game will bring Lindt and its infamous Lindor truffles into the homes of millions of fans during one of television’s – and football’s – biggest nights.
“This is one of the few times a year that devoted football fans and casual fans come together to celebrate a big moment together as a community,” Ana Dominquez, Lindt USA CEO said. “The culmination of two teams’ incredible dedication, commitment to excellence and intense passion is perfectly aligned with how Lindor’s premium truffles are crafted – by bringing together the world’s highest quality ingredients that result in a moment of complete, indulgent bliss.”
To celebrate this milestone moment, Lindt is teaming up with Kylie Kelce, Lindt superfan, mom, and philanthropist to show consumers how they can indulge in their very own moment of bliss during this year’s big game. Through the partnership, Kylie will share her tips for how Lindor can be the unexpected treat at every viewing party this year.
“As a football super fan and pretty regular party host, I’m thrilled to be partnering with Lindt to share how their delicious Lindor truffles are the perfect indulgent addition to everyone’s gameday gathering,” Kylie Kelce shared. “I’ve been a chocolate lover my whole life and enjoying a Lindor truffle brings me a moment of bliss during big games.”
The “Life is a Ball” ad was produced by Grey Toronto and directed by renowned Australian filmmaker and visual effects artist Michael Gracey.
Lindt & Sprüngli has been enchanting the world with chocolate for over 175 years. The long-established Swiss company with its roots in Zurich is a global leader in the premium chocolate product sector. Lindt & Sprüngli produces quality chocolates today at its 12 factories in Europe and the USA. Its products are sold by 33 subsidiaries and branch offices in around 500 of its own stores as well as via a network of more than 100 independent distributors around the globe. With more than 14,500 employees, the Lindt & Sprüngli Group reported sales of CHF 5.2 billion in 2023.
As one of the largest subsidiaries in the global Lindt & Sprüngli Group, Lindt (USA) has been enchanting the world with chocolate for more than 30 years. Lindt (USA) is the fastest growing premium chocolate manufacturer in the U.S., producing quality chocolates – including key brands such as Lindor, Excellence, Classic Recipe and Gold Bunny – for all North America at its Stratham, N.H., campus, which includes the corporate headquarters and manufacturing facility. With nearly 1,000 employees, a robust wholesale business, retail chocolate shops across the country, and a strategic focus on marketing innovations, Lindt (USA) is poised for its next stage of growth.
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Utz Brands Accelerates Supply Chain Transformation, Brand Portfolio Strategy
Utz Brands, Inc. announced that certain of its subsidiaries including Utz Quality Foods, LLC have entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of certain assets and brands to Our Home, an operating company of Better-for-You brands that includes Real Food From the Ground Up, Popchips and Food Should Taste Good. Under the agreement, affiliates of Our Home have agreed to purchase the Good Health and R.W. Garcia brands, the Lincolnton, N.C., and Lititz, Penn., manufacturing facilities and certain related assets, and assume the Company’s Las Vegas facility’s lease and manufacturing operations.
Following the close of the transactions, Utz and Our Home will operate under a transition services agreement for 12 months. The total consideration for the transactions is $182.5 million, subject to customary adjustments, and the transactions are expected to close on Feb. 5. In addition, post-closing, the parties will operate under reciprocal co-manufacturing agreements under which Our Home will co-manufacture certain Utz products and Utz will co-manufacture certain Good Health products. Certain Good Health products will continue to be distributed and sold on the Utz DSD network for Our Home. Our Home plans to continue to operate and grow the brands and manufacturing facilities under its platform while offering employment to Utz associates working in those facilities as part of the transition.
Howard Friedman, chief executive officer of Utz, said, “We expect these transactions to deliver on our supply chain transformation and value creation initiatives, to fast-track our deleveraging timeline by a full year, and to accelerate our brand portfolio strategy to better optimize for growth. With this important step in the optimization of our supply chain and brand portfolio, together with immediate benefits to free cash flow from lower interest expense, we are well-positioned to execute against our expansion plans across the U.S. and deliver on our margin target.
“Our Home’s portfolio of Better-for-You brands is well aligned with Good Health and R.W. Garcia’s missions of bringing healthy, innovative snacks to consumers. On behalf of everyone at Utz, I would like to thank our associates within the Good Health and R.W. Garcia businesses for their many contributions. They have a great place within Our Home, and I am confident they will have exciting opportunities ahead.”
Aaron Greenwald, founder and CEO of Our Home, said, “We are thrilled to announce this acquisition from Utz as it significantly scales Our Home’s snacking platform and manufacturing footprint across the United States. These transactions support our vision to deliver snacks that satisfy while creating a sense of connection and comfort at tremendous value. Through our owned-production facilities led by our invaluable team members, along with a carefully curated brand portfolio, we aim to be the preferred choice for those seeking high-quality, Better-for-You snacks.”
The transactions are expected to provide approximately $150 million in after-tax net proceeds, which Utz will use to pay down its long-term debt. The debt reduction is expected to lower interest expense by approximately $12 million in fiscal 2024 based on the Company’s current outlook for interest rates, and to accelerate the Company’s plan for achieving its target of approximately 3.0x Net Leverage by a full year from the end of fiscal 2026 to the end of fiscal 2025.
The company expects the impact of the transactions to be accretive to its Adjusted Earnings per Share on a full-year basis in 2024, reflecting the foregone profit related to the Good Health and R.W. Garcia brands, and after factoring in the benefit of cost savings and the use of net proceeds from the sale to paydown long-term debt and reduce interest expense. Utz estimates that Good Health and R.W. Garcia-related products contributed approximately $65 million in net sales for the fiscal-year ended Dec. 31.
In addition, at the company’s recent 2023 Investor Day, Utz provided fiscal 2026 financial targets that included targeted Supply Chain Network Optimization cost savings of approximately $45 million to be achieved from 2024 through 2026. The Company expects that the completion of these transactions will accelerate the timing of cost savings. Management will further discuss this impact, in addition to its fiscal year 2024 outlook, on its fiscal-year 2023 earnings conference call on Feb. 29.
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company’s Circana total retail sales increased 4.1% and Power Brands increased 5.3 percent, both ahead of Salty Snack Category growth of 2.8 percent. The company’s total retail sales growth was led by volume growth of 4.3 percent compared to the Salty Snack Category volume decline of (1.9 percent). Additionally, based on preliminary financial information, the company estimates fourth quarter total net sales declined between (1.3 percent) to (0.2 percent) to between $350 million and $354 million. The Company anticipates that its net sales growth in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 to be more consistent with retail sales growth.
For the fiscal-year 2023, based on preliminary financial information, the Company estimates 2023 total net sales growth in a range of 2 to 2.2 percent, and is narrowing its fiscal-year 2023 Adjusted EBITDA outlook range to growth of 9.5 to 10 percent versus the prior expectation of growth of 8 to 11 percent.
These preliminary results are based on the company’s current estimate of its results for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2023 and remain subject to normal year-end accounting procedures and are subject to change. Under the federal securities laws, the Company is not permitted to release non-GAAP results until it is able to disclose the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Due to the company’s year-end closing process, such GAAP figures are not available in advance of the release of such information on Feb. 29, when Utz plans to release its fiscal-year 2023 financial results. At that time, the company will host a conference call and webcast with members of the executive management team to discuss these results at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
Visit the “Events & Presentations” section of Utz’s Investor Relations website at https://investors.utzsnacks.com to access the live webcast and presentation. The webcast will be available in listen-only mode, and the replay will be archived on the “Events & Presentations” section of Utz’s Investor Relations website.
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Dunkin’, Danone Team Up for Brownie Batter Creamer
Bring on the spoon-licking brownie batter bliss! When it comes to decadent, chocolatey flavor, Dunkin’ knows that too much is never enough. After successfully launching the Brownie Batter Signature Latte in Dunkin’ restaurants in February 2023, and following the popularity of the Brownie Batter Donut, new limited-edition Dunkin’ Brownie Batter Creamer allows consumers to mix up a batch of delightful brownie batter flavor in their coffee cup.
Dunkin’ Brownie Batter Creamer is the newest seasonal flavor in the brand’s portfolio of at-home coffee creamers, bringing nostalgic sweetness to your coffee experience. Made with real cream and real sugar, the rich, fudgy Dunkin’ Brownie Batter Creamer is truly a chocolate-lover’s dream.
“As a leader in the coffee creamer category, Danone North America continues to introduce innovative creamer flavors that elevate consumers’ coffee routines,” said Kallie Goodwin, vice president of marketing, coffee creamers for Danone North America.
“The Brownie Batter Signature Latte was a hit in Dunkin’ restaurants last year, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring this delicious offering to the at-home coffee experience,” said Brian Gilbert, vice president, retail business development for Dunkin’. “While it’s a limited-time offering, there’s plenty of Dunkin’ Brownie Batter Creamer to go around – so don’t worry, there’s no need to fight for the last lick of brownie batter like we’ve all done when baking with family and friends.”
Dunkin’ and Danone are continuously delivering flavors that add a tasty boost into your morning brew at home. Looking to run on your favorite Dunkin’ flavors year-round? Fans can enjoy Dunkin’ Salted Caramel Creamer, extra creamy & extra sweet Dunkin’ Extra Extra Creamer and Dunkin’ French Vanilla Creamer, available at retailers nationwide.
To stay in the know on the latest and greatest flavor-forward news, head over to the Dunkin’ Creamer website or follow the brand on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
Dunkin’, founded in 1950, is the largest coffee and donuts brand in the United States, with more than 13,200 restaurants in nearly 40 global markets. Dunkin’ is part of the Inspire Brands family of restaurants. For more information, visit DunkinDonuts.com and InspireBrands.com.
Danone North America is a purpose-driven company and an industry leader in the food and beverage category. As a Certified B Corporation, Danone North America is committed to the creation of both economic and social value, while nurturing natural ecosystems through sustainable agriculture. Our strong portfolio of brands includes: Activia, DanActive, Danimals, Dannon, evian, Follow Your Heart, Happy Family Organics, Horizon Organic, International Delight, Light + Fit®, Oikos, Silk, So Delicious Dairy Free, STōK, Two Good, Wallaby Organic and YoCrunch. With more than 6,000 employees and 16 production locations across the U.S. and Canada, Danone North America’s mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible. For more information, visit www.danonenorthamerica.com/. For more information on Danone North America’s B Corp™ status, visit: https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/find-a-b-corp/company/danone-north-america.
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