11/23/05 A spud-tacular parade

11/23/05 A spud-tacular parade

As Thanksgiving rounds the corner, a Turkey Day tradition as well soon rounds the corner, or several. The several corners around the route of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City, that is. Many watch this festival either live or on television annually. And the highlight for many in the parade is the giant Thanksgiving Day balloons of popular animated and commercial figures. This year, a new balloon is introduced to join the procession. The long popular toy, Mr. Potato Head, makes his debut. And while popular to children for decades, even gaining a resurgence of recognition through the "Toy Story" movies, he has never been a commercial spokesperson, per se. That is until now. Mr. Potato Head has joined forces with the United States Potato Board, the national marketing and promotion board for the potato industry, in what should be an obvious promotion. But what makes Mr. Potato Head's ride down Broadway more exciting for us in the Northwest is many of those walking with him in the Macy's parade are winners of a promotion contest held by the U.S. Potato Board, Washington State Potato Commission, and Washington State Potato Foundation. MEGGS: We have some balloon handlers actually involved in that promotion coming from Washington that will help carry the dude down the streets of New York City. Rey Meggs of the U.S. Potato Board says handlers were selected based on an essay on potatoes, health, and Washington agriculture. The essays are all tied together to the reason Mr. Potato Head will be a prominent spokes-spud for the industry going into 2005 & that potatoes are a healthy option maybe over looked by some consumers. MEGGS: Twice as much potassium as a banana, and forty five per cent of your F.D.A. required Vitamin C in a potato. Consumers are taking a new look at that product. And so while Mr. Potato Head is an important part of our nutrition campaign, he is a messenger to get to our consumers. Along with Mr. Potato Head, there will be point of sale materials, the opportunity to mail in U.P.C. codes for the promotional premium which is a Mr. Potato Head character there at their retail stores. Just how popular might this promotion be? Meggs says some evidence came recently at the world's largest produce industry convention. MEGGS: We actually had a good test of that down in Atlanta at the Produce Marketing Association in front of 15,000 attendees. Mr. Potato Head was there in his costume that's been redesigned with the biceps, and the running shoes, and the Ipod and all of that. We could not get the guy in the building, for folks wanting to have their pictures taken with him. He was a huge hit.
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