Kid-friendly clementine captures parents’ preference with millennial-minded marketing
PASADENA, California (September 28, 2017) – Cuties are now parents’ most preferred mandarin and their favorite healthy snack brand according to the 2017 Brand Love Study[1], released by youth research firm Smarty Pants. Cuties posted a 43-point increase from the 2016 study, placing it at number 13 on the list of top 50 parent-preferred brands and ahead of other top branded produce labels.
“The Brand Love study is great affirmation that our approach to creating strong relationships with parents – especially Millennials, who are now the largest generation – is working,” said Howard Nager, vice president of business development at Sun Pacific, the grower and shipper of Cuties. “Millennials represent immense purchasing power now and in the future. It’s why we spend a great deal of time learning about what’s important to them, and use those insights to guide our marketing efforts.”
Last season’s highly successful marketing campaign shared how Cuties are grown using a number of new influencer and social media marketing strategies to connect with parents and kids. Cuties was the first produce brand to customize two marketing programs on the popular image messaging platform Snapchat. The brand’s Snapchat lens saw nearly 70 million brand exposures in 24 hours, more than four times exceeding Snapchat’s benchmark for interactions. Additionally, Cuties invited fans to create custom sticker designs using Snapchat’s drawing tools and icons for a chance to have them printed and placed on fruit this season. Nine of the most creative submissions were selected and are now in production to appear on Cuties this November.
“Our Snapchat sticker contest is a great example of how we’re working to develop deeper relationships with our customers and fans,” said Nager. “By inviting parents and their kids to create content with us, they’re developing a connection with Cuties that will lead to increased preference and loyalty in the long-term.”
Cuties return to the produce aisles this November.
ABOUT SUN PACIFIC
Founded in 1969, Sun Pacific® is a leading California grower, packer, and shipper of fruit with more than 75 million boxes of the highest quality fresh fruit sold each year. Sun Pacific is the owner of America’s most preferred brand of mandarins, Cuties®, and the largest kiwi fruit grower with the number one kiwi brand in North America, Mighties®. They are also the largest navel orange grower/shipper in California, with exceptional brands such Sun Pacific® California Navel Oranges and Vintage Sweets® and known for outstanding table grapes under Air Chief®. For more information, visit www.sunpacific.com.
[1] Parents’ Top 50 Brand List 2017, Smarty Pants 2017 Brand Love Study. https://www.asksmartypants.com/syndicated-products