SNAX-Sational Brands’ COOKIE POP and CANDY POP Launches “The Popcorn Challenge” Initiative Benefitting Ryan Seacrest Foundation, With Live Social Media Kick Off By Lance Bass Ahead Of #GivingTuesday For Annual #SnackGiving Initiative
The Popcorn Challenge: Riverdale’s Hart Denton, Elysee Sanville, Caroline D’Amore, Joel Michaely, Bobby Kennedy III and many more
On November 17th, Cookie Pop and Candy Pop by SNAX-Sational Brands Group hosted the official launch party for The Popcorn Challenge #Snackgiving initiative to benefit the Ryan Seacrest Foundation at Hotel Ziggy in Los Angeles, raising funds for the Seacrest Studios Children’s Hospital network nationwide. Featured DJ sets by Riverdale star Hart Denton, Caroline D’Amore and Ryan Kenney with brand partner Who Has it?.
Ahead of #GivingTuesday, the annual global generosity movement that unleashes the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world, SNAX-Sational Brands is thrilled to launch its annual #SnackGiving campaign to raise funds for the Ryan Seacrest Foundation (RSF), this year in the form of the ‘The Popcorn Challenge.’ Focused across social platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, The Popcorn Challenge officially launches today, November 15th, and is aiming to engage users and consumers for an interactive giving initiative. On #GivingTuesday, November 29th, Ryan Seacrest will release his very own video in support of The Popcorn Challenge, as Cookie Pop and Candy Pop continue to challenge followers across social media to engage in the promotion through December 15th, 2022 to raise funds and awareness for the Foundation.
The Challenge: From November 15th to December 15th, specifically, the brand is challenging participants to try and catch as much popcorn in their mouth as possible in 10 seconds. To win, the contestant must post a video attempting the challenge for a chance to win a free case of Candy Pop and Cookie Pop popcorn. The grand winner will receive $1,000 and be chosen at random, and 20 other recipients will win a year of popcorn delivery of their flavor choice from the extensive portfolio of popular brands, plus a Who Has It Holiday VIP Gift Box. The brand will be picking these 20 lucky winners attempting the tasty task with bonus points to those challenging their friends to take on the feat, for the case delivery! Even unsuccessful attempts will qualify! SNAX-Sational has also partnered with Who Has It? Unboxing company, as their official The Popcorn Challenge partner. Bobby Kennedy III will once again be producing the video content for this holiday initiative.
Challenge Link: Cookie Pop Candy Pop IG Reels Launch Link
Popcorn Challenge Directions To Enter:
- Post a video (stories, reels or static) attempting ‘The Popcorn Challenge’ and tag @cookiepop_candypop and @ryanfoundation between Nov. 15th – Dec. 15th.
- (Invite @cookiepop_candypop to be a collaborator if on IG)
- Include hashtags: #snackgiving #snacktogive #popcornchallenge #cookiecandypop #ryanfoundation #givingtuesday
- Make sure to use the music “Popcorn Challenge!”
SONG: Custom Song created by Bobby Kennedy III for the challenge is available on Apple Music, IG and TikTok, called “Popcorn Challenge,” and users can share it as they go.
Visit www.cookiepopcandypop.com and follow @CookiePop_CandyPop to learn more #SnackGiving
In 2019, Candy Pop and Cookie Pop unveiled its exciting relationship with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation (RSF), a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring today’s youth through entertainment and education focused initiatives. RSF’s primary initiative is to build Seacrest Studios, within pediatric hospitals for patients to explore the creative realms of radio, television and new media. Aimed to inspire today’s youth through entertainment and education focused initiatives, The Ryan Seacrest Foundation has built 11 state-of-the-art broadcast media centers, named Seacrest Studios, in children’s hospitals across the U.S., with three more slated to open within the next calendar year. Their newest additions will open in 2023 at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital (Memphis, TN) and Cohen Children’s Medical Center (Queens, NY).
“We are excited to team up with SNAX-Sational Brands for another year,” shares Meredith Seacrest, Executive Director & COO for RSF. “Their support is helping us build multiple new Seacrest Studios in pediatric hospitals, while continuing to bring entertaining and uplifting experiences to patients in our existing 11studios.”
“We are so thrilled to launch the Popcorn Challenge in support of the incredible efforts of the Ryan Seacrest Foundation. Giving back is a continuous mission of SNAX-Sational Brands. We are honored to work with such an incredible nonprofit. We are so excited for this holiday season, kicking off with the Popcorn Challenge initiative.” – Adam Cohen, Chief Marketing Officer, SNAX-Sational Brands Group
“The Ryan Seacrest Foundation’s focus on helping children is such a noble mission. I was extremely excited to team up with Cookie Pop and Candy Pop with RSF again this year on The Popcorn Challenge ahead of Giving Tuesday. Being a father of two young children, the work of Ryan and the RSF team, and their impact on the Children’s Hospital patients, really hit home and what they do is incredible. Looking forward to our viral campaign bringing them the attention they deserve and creating excitement for the children and their families.” – Bobby Kennedy III, his most recent film – Fear & Loathing in Aspen – is based on the story of Sheriff Hunter S. Thompson and the 1970 election.
Influencer and talent guests in attendance included Ashlee Keating, Anastasia Nova, Bobby Kennedy III, Carson Leuders, Caroline D’Amore, Chloe Adona, Courtney Revolution, Bleach, Bryan Robinson, David Lee, Ryan Kenney, Dorien Wilson, Elissa Kapneck, Elysee Sanville, Fabian Arnold, Hart Denton, Jarry Lee, Jackson Dollinger, Joel Michaely, Julian Lerner, Katja Glieson, Lindsey Shaw, Loreen Hwang, Mckenki Brooke, Reif Harrison, among many others as well as Snax-Sational Brand CMO and resident snack expert, Adam Cohen. The challenge kicked off with Lance Bass, (Instagram linked here: LINK to Lance Bass Social Kick Off), on social media on November 15th and will continue until December 15th.
Guests at the fete snacked on Cookie Pop and Candy Pop popcorn in all of their popular flavors including OREO®, TWIX®, CHIPS AHOY!®, Butterfinger®, Sour Patch Kids®, Nutter Butter®, Snickers® and M&Ms Minis® to participate in the Inaugural Popcorn Challenge, along with Special Edition Holiday Popcorn Flavors Cookie Pop Iced Gingerbread and Candy Pop Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Attendees also enjoyed specialty cocktails highlighted by Sour Patch Kids and OREO crumble garnishes, and beverages including Star Beer, PassionTree Hard Seltzer, Gancia Sparkling Rose, Caliwater cactus water, NUE vodka and El Cristiano Silver Tequila. Hotel Ziggy served up delicious appetizers such as Mac N Cheese Balls, Fried Chicken Sliders, Beef Sliders, french fries and brick oven pizzas.
Multiple stations and activations welcomed guests, encouraging them to participate in The Popcorn Challenge, from Ziggy’s Backbeat music lounge, Ziggy’s living room, 4th floor recreation lounge, patio and pool area. Oversized popcorn floats and human-filled popcorn balls filled the pool, while 360 booths, popcorn walls, and create your own content stations were at every turn. Who Has It? was on hand to give guests their custom VIP popcorn boxes featuring the Cookie Pop and Candy Pop holiday flavors.
A portion of the proceeds of all retail sales and e-comm sales of all flavors will support the Ryan Seacrest Foundation during the holiday season, benefiting their Seacrest Studios within children’s hospitals across the United States. National retail partner It’Sugar, which features the entire Cookie Pop and Candy Pop flavor portfolio, will also be donating proceeds from the Special Edition Holiday Flavors to the Foundation through December 15th.
The two special seasonal flavors are inspired by signature holiday treats and desserts – Frosting, Gingerbread Cookies, Peppermint Candies and Hot Chocolate. The indulgent combinations of Iced Gingerbread and Peppermint Hot Chocolate, combined with Cookie Pop and Candy Pop’s delicious non-GMO popcorn, makes for the perfect holiday season snack offering to family and friends. AND, it remains guilt-free at only 150 calories per serving. Shop at http://www.cookiepopcandypop.com/collections/shop-all
SNAX-Sational Brands’ premiere power duo Cookie Pop and Candy Pop, continues to be the innovative popcorn snacking leader combining everyone’s favorite things -ready-to-eat popcorn featuring America’s cookie and candy favorites, yielding the perfect, must-have snack creation. The better-for-you-snack is made 100% in the U.S. with non-GMO corn, is low in sodium and only 150 calories per serving. The popular, low-calorie, cookie or candy-coated line was named a “Top 20 Snack” by Buzzfeed and continues to garner attention amongst consumers, media and celebrities, from Cardi B. to Lance Bass to Kevin Hart to Mario Lopez, Foodgod, Giuliana Rancic, Kourtney Kardashian, Ashley Greene and Lucy Hale, among many more.
ABOUT COOKIE POP AND CANDY POP
SNAX-Sational Brands Group premiere popcorn brands, Cookie Pop and Candy Pop, are composed of the popular Cookie Pop and Candy Pop varieties. Since its debut, it has become America’s #1 popcorn brand, featuring flavors such as Cookie Pop with OREO®, Cookie Pop made with CHIPS AHOY!®, Candy Pop made with TWIX®, Candy Pop made with SNICKERS®, Candy Pop made with M&M’s® Minis, Candy Pop made with Peanut M&M’s®, and their latest flavors, Cookie Pop made with NUTTER BUTTER® and Candy Pop made with SOUR PATCH KIDS®, and now their two new proprietary original holiday flavors, Candy Pop Peppermint Hot Chocolate and Cookie Pop Iced Gingerbread. They are the leader in the industry as a sweet & savory pioneer, combining delicious signature candy flavors and cookie coatings with low-sodium, non-GMO corn, at only 150 calories per serving. The combination has become the go-to snacking item at both Hollywood premieres and at-home movie watching. With retail partners such as Walmart, Hy-Vee, Sam’s Club, Costco, Kroger, Food4Less, Five Below, and Stater Bros., the brand continues to debut their latest licensed varieties. Follow @CookiePop_CandyPop #CookiePop #CandyPop on social media for news and updates, and visit the brand’s all new website inclusive of their e-commerce shop online at http://www.cookiepopcandypop.com
ABOUT THE RYAN SEACREST FOUNDATION
The Ryan Seacrest Foundation (RSF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to inspiring today’s youth through entertainment and education-focused initiatives. RSF’s first initiative is to build broadcast media centers — Seacrest Studios — within pediatric hospitals for patients to explore the creative realms of radio, television and new media. Founded in 2009, RSF currently has Seacrest Studios at hospitals in Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Nashville, Orange County, Philadelphia, Orlando and Washington D.C., with Memphis, TN and Queens, NY opening in 2023.
For more information, visit http://www.ryanseacrestfoundation.org
SNAX-Sational Brands partnered with The Anton Eye to bring this digital marketing platform to life and The Influence to produce the Los Angeles launch event on November 17th and lead the PR Campaign.
The Anton Eye is a Creative Agency focused on strategic content development. The Anton Eye is a Creative Content Agency specializing in marketing solutions built around high-quality media and a ground-level understanding of our client’s needs and vision. From launching shoestring startups to breathing new life into established brands, or large-scale concepts and productions, our diverse, attentive, and experienced team can tackle any situation, big or small. https://www.theantoneye.com/| @theantoneye
The Influence is a global events, public relations, brand partnership and influencer marketing agency with headquarters in Los Angeles. They are skilled with strategic brand integrations and leveraging these partnerships into turnkey media campaigns and integrating key influencer engagement to garner brand awareness. www.theinfluence.com |@theinfluence
Follow @CookiePop_CandyPop @RyanFoundation #GivingTuesday #SnackGiving for continued updates and visit: www.snaxsationalbrands.com | www.cookiepopcandypop.com
