Snack Chat

Become the Snack-Launcher You Were Born to Be with the 'Cheetahpult' Online Game!

Cheetos snacks are one of my favorites, so I’m so excited to help celebrate the launch of Cheetos Mix-Ups snack mix by introducing "Cheetahpult" -- an online game experience on YouTube offering live-action visuals.

This online game is a historic first that brings the newest Cheetos brand television commercial to life through an amazing dual-screen physics action game with live-action visuals -– a first of its kind dual-screen game experience on any YouTube channel.

Players can connect with their smartphone or use their mouse as a controller to launch Cheetos snacks in one of three "cheetlefields." Players complete each level by landing four Cheetos snacks (the same number of snack flavors in new Cheetos Mix-Ups snack mixes) in the dad’s mouth within the 60-second time limit, and can earn bonus points by launching Cheetos snacks at various items around the rooms.

The game is synchronized with the brand’s new TV spots, using the same set design and featuring Chester Cheetah encouraging players with witty and mischievous commentary. We challenge you to visit the Cheetos YouTube channel to play, and don’t forget to share your high score with Chester Cheetah on Twitter and the Cheetos brand on Facebook.

- Chad

Fire Up The Grill for Great Recipes from Frito-Lay!

With the Memorial Day holiday weekend behind us, it's safe to say the season of summer grilling has officially begun! It's time to take the cover off the grill, scrub the grates and buy new tanks of propane and bags of charcoal as the parties shift outdoors over the coming weeks. To help get you ready, Frito-Lay has some great recipes that will make you the grilling hit of the summer:

• Vegetable Queso Dip - Grilled summer vegetables and creamy Tostitos Salsa Con Queso make this dip perfect for any get-together. Add diced chicken for an extra bit of protein, and pair with Tostitos Multigrain Tortilla Chips or your favorite dippable veggies. 
• Low Country Pork Tenderloin Hoagie with Buttermilk Mustard Mayo - Grilled pork tenderloin teams up with creamy mayonnaise and a spicy creole mustard for a flavor combination your guests will love. Serve with Lay's Kettle Cooked Jalapeno Flavored Potato Chips.
• Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad - Need to serve a gluten free crowd? This salad, created by Annemarie Rossi of Real Food Real Deals, gets an extra crunch with Tostitos Original Tortilla Chips.

Last summer the Lay's and Ruffles brands also teamed up with Wayne Booth of the Memphis in May 2012 World Championship Barbecue team for the insider tips to making perfect barbecue. Check out the video playlist below to learn how to prep, spice and sauce your way to world-class chicken, pork and ribs. 

Do you have a favorite grilling recipe? Share it with me in the comments!

- Joe

Happy 120th Anniversary, Cracker Jack Snacks!

In 1893, F.W. Rueckheim introduced the World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago's first world's fair, to a delicious blend of caramel-coated popcorn and peanuts that would become Cracker Jack snacks. Since that day 120 years ago, the snack has become a mainstay at baseball games, block parties and get-togethers with friends and family. It's become so popular, in fact, that if you stacked all the Cracker Jack product that has been sold end-to-end, it would circle the globe more than 63 times! 

Today, in celebration of its 120-year anniversary, I'm happy to share with you several exciting updates we've made at Frito-Lay to Cracker Jack snacks: 

• Two delicious new flavors of Cracker Jack snacks will start appearing in stores nationwide this spring -- Cracker Jack Kettle Corn popcorn and Cracker Jack Butter Toffee popcorn.
• The most popular snack packages, 4 and 8 oz., will include more crunchy delicious peanuts.
• We've modernized Cracker Jack snack prizes with new digital components, including classic stickers with fun facts and special codes that offer surprises online.
• A new Cracker Jack-branded mobile app, featuring two nostalgic games (Baseball and Pinball) available free for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch mobile devices and all Android devices at www.crackerjackapp.com.

And because of the snack's longtime association with baseball, the Cracker Jack brand is also participating in an online sweepstakes through the Louisville Slugger Facebook page where fans can enter to win exciting prizes, such as exclusive Cracker Jack-branded gear, customized Louisville Slugger items and even a chance to win enough products to meet every need for an entire baseball team. Cracker Jack snacks is also proud to partner with Macy's in a variety of activities, including a featured appearance in Macy's "American Icons" 2013 summer catalog, as well as several sampling events around the country. It's going to be a busy summer, so be sure to "like" the Cracker Jack brand on Facebook to  stay up to date with all the fun things we have planned! 

For now, check out this infographic to learn more about the iconic Cracker Jack snacks, and please join me in saying "Happy 120th Anniversary" to Cracker Jack snacks in the comments!

- Chad

SunChips Snacks And Susan G. Komen Team Up Again in 2013

Did you know an estimated 232,340 U.S. women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and nearly 40,000 will lose their battles with this disease? That number is shocking to me, but it also makes me proud to share that earlier this month, the SunChips brand and Susan G. Komen announced a renewed partnership to encourage women to take control of their health and an active role in breast cancer risk reduction. As part of this year's partnership, the SunChips brand will donate more than $200,000 to Komen to educate consumers through three key areas:

• New educational website – Through May 25, consumers can visit the new site to learn more about early detection. For each site visit, the SunChips brand will donate $1 to Komen, up to $50,000. The guaranteed minimum donation is $25,000. 
• Race sponsorships and on-site education - As a National Series Sponsor of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure series, the SunChips brand will sponsor 24 races across the country from May through October. Participants will have the opportunity to sample SunChips multigrain snacks and receive educational materials about early detection of breast cancer.
• Specially marked SunChips multigrain snack bags - During Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, consumers will be able to purchase specially marked bags of SunChips multigrain snacks featuring the Komen Running Ribbon and details about how to learn more about breast cancer. 

Specially marked bags of SunChips multigrain snacks featuring the pink Komen ribbon and in-store displays highlighting the SunChips-Komen partnership will be available in select retailers throughout the country. You'll start seeing the displays in stores near you now, and the special packaging will roll-out in the fall. For more information or to sign-up for a Race for the Cure event near you, please visit the Susan G. Komen website at komen.org.

- Kristin

Introducing New Cracker Jack'd Snacks -- The Snacks With Impact!

Earlier this year, we launched our new line of Cracker Jack'D snacks - a product line-up bursting with flavor and designed to tackle hunger in between meals. Yesterday, we officially introduced the "snacks with impact" to America with a unique sampling event in New York City. The event, hosted by actress Ashley Tisdale, gave fans the chance to experience the Cracker Jack'D firsthand at the "Cracker Jack'D Hotel and Casino" and try the brand's snacks, including:

• Hearty Mix: Tasty clusters mixed with nuts to give adult consumers a hearty, filling snack. Flavors include Cheddar BBQ, Zesty Queso, PB & Chocolate and Berry Yogurt.
• Intense Mix: Delicious snack mixes that have big, intense flavor and pack a powerful crunch. Flavors include: Buffalo Ranch and Spicy Pizzeria.
• Sweet 'n Savory Clusters: A Salted Caramel flavor that features rich sweet and salty popcorn and almond piece clusters.

Today's event was just the start of an action-packed 2013 for Cracker Jack'D! The brand also announced a partnership with hip-hop artists Macklemore & Ryan Lewis for giveaways and other events, a summer sampling tour in a custom Cracker Jack'D vehicle from West Coast Customs and another partnership with with Poptent to create some great online content to be shared through the remainder of the year.

Take a look below for photos from the event, and to check out the flavors of Cracker Jack'd Snacks available now. Let me know which flavor you plan to try first in the comments, and be sure to follow Cracker Jack'D on Facebook, Twitter and at www.CrackerJackD.com to keep up with the brand's latest news. 

- Joe