Your Screen Is Getting Sweeter with Premiere of “Chocolate Meltdown: Hershey’s After Dark”

by Sarah ShebekAugust 18, 2021

What happens when you lock top pastry chefs into a deserted Hersheypark? A brand new chocolatey show for the whole family! Chocolate Meltdown: Hershey’s After Dark is coming to a screen near you on September 27 and it’s part of the Food Network’s biggest Halloween lineup yet.

Hosted by Sunny Anderson, chefs will compete to create amazing chocolate showpieces over four episodes. The twist? The competitors also have to solve clues, brave Hersheypark’s rides and use Hershey’s sweets for their creations. The episodes clock in at an hour long and the judges are Ralph Attanasia (Food Network’s Buddy vs. Duff) and Maneet Chauhan (Winner, Tournament of Champions).

“This brand-new series, the first ever to film overnight inside Hersheypark and Hershey’s Chocolate World, is a viewer’s ultimate Halloween fantasy brought to life,” said Courtney White, President, Food Network and Streaming Food Content, Discovery Inc. “Our partnership with the iconic candy brand and the show’s no-holds-barred access to rides, sweets, and everything Hershey, Pa. offers, makes Chocolate Meltdown: Hershey’s After Dark an addictive new highlight to our supersized Halloween lineup.”

In the first episode, pastry artists find themselves in the park on a rainy night, but that doesn’t slow them down. After taking a spin one on of Hersheypark’s infamous rides, they enter Chocolate World to conquer giant slabs of chocolate and mounds of Hershey candy. Intrigued? Tune into the Food Network on September 27 at 10 p.m. ET to watch the premiere!

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Hersheypark

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Target & Famed Black Author & Illustrator Christian Robinson Launching Collection

by Eva Ingvarson CeriseJuly 26, 2021

You probably know Christian Robinson from his best-selling children’s books You Matter and Another and for his award-winning illustrations in Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña. He now brings his joyful, inspirational designs to Target as they launch the Christian Robinson for Target collection of home goods, apparel and books for babies and kids.

This limited-time collection, which continues Target’s commitment to sourcing and designing more products with Black creators and designers, includes bedding, pillows, wall art, t-shirts, onesies, pajamas, and exclusive editions of four of Robinson’s books. The clothing options include adaptive and sensory-friendly apparel. Most items are under $25, with the collection ranging in price from $6 to $70.

“We know our guests want their homes to be a reflection of themselves and look to Target for inspiration and new ways to explore their creativity,” says Jill Sando, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer at Target. “Christian Robinson’s curiosity and creativity are unmatched. We’re thrilled to be able to introduce our guests to such a special partner and deliver an inclusive collection that is as inspiring as it is affordable.”

Discussing the partnership, Robinson says, “As a child, drawing became a way to make space for myself and to create the kind of world I wanted to see. Working with Target to bring this collection to life has been a dream come true and I hope it helps all Target guests, big and small, create a space of their own that is timeless, captures their imaginations and sparks their curiosity.”

The Christian Robinson for Target collection will be available on the Target website and in stores beginning August 15; new home products will arrive in October.

—Eva Ingvarson Cerise

All photos courtesy of Target

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Mariah Carey’s Daughter Shines in Her First-Ever Brand Campaign Featuring OshKosh

by Sarah ShebekJuly 20, 2021

All icons start out as a kid with a dream. OshKosh B’gosh’s new back-to-school campaign, Today is Someday, celebrates that premise with three new inspiring ads. And one of them features Mariah Carey’s daughter, Monroe, in her first-ever brand campaign!

Carey is one of the trailblazers highlighted as children, along with Muhammed Ali and Outkast. The ads celebrate the kids’ determination and honor the real-life stars’ childhood experiences. Ali’s ad features the red bike that was stolen and launched him into a boxing career, Outkast’s ad was scripted in partnership with Andre 3000 and Big Boi and Carey’s ad has the most personal touch with her own daughter appearing. Watch to see how it turned out!

“As a little girl, I was determined to realize my dreams. Now as a mother, it brings me so much joy to see my children visualize and develop the dreams they hold in their own hearts. We did the campaign because we love the message of empowering kids to dream boldly and blaze their own path,” Mariah Carey said.

The campaign officially kicks off on July 23 but you can watch all three spots now on YouTube. They were crafted with the brand’s new creative agency Majority, founded in part by Shaquille O’Neal! Keep an eye out for the launch of the fall collection which promises “timeless and trend-forward styles” along with a new brand identity.

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Carter’s Inc.

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Want to Help End Childhood Cancer? Just Shop at ALDI

by Jennifer SwartvagherJuly 13, 2021

Did you know you can do your weekly grocery shopping and give back at the same time? Thanks to the return of the ALDI and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) partnership, it’s easy!

Like last year, the duo is pairing up to offer limited-time ALDI Finds that will go on sale Wed., Jul. 14. The lemon-themed products will go towards ALDI’s corporate donation to ALSF, an organization that helps fund cancer research, education and support to families with children fighting cancer.

Some of the tasty offerings this year include Moser Roth Lemon Chocolate Truffles ($2.99), MoonPie Lemon Pies ($2.18), Bake Shop Mini Lemon Bites ($3.89), Nature’s Nectar Watermelon Lemonade ($1.29) and Sundae Shoppe Frozen Lemonade Bars ($2.40).

With each purchase, shoppers will help ALSF’s mission of changing the lives of children with cancer. So far, the organization, which was founded by 8-year-old Alex while she was battling cancer, has raised more than $200 million to fight the disease.

Each product will be available for a limited time at your local ALDI store.

—Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of ALDI

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Yes, You Can Buy a Crunchwrap Supreme Float and Yes, It’s Only Five Dollars

by Sarah ShebekJune 24, 2021

We have four words for you: Crunchwrap Supreme Pool Float. Thanks to Five Below’s new partnership with Taco Bell, you can claim one for your summer fun—for only $5!

If you’d rather set sail on a giant packet of hot sauce or a hard shell taco, you’ve got options. The full line includes three floats to choose from (four, if you count the two different hot sauces) for ages 12 and up. Taco bout the perfect way to spice up your water play!

They’re only available at Five Below, the retailer that offers fun family items starting at $1. And since each one is five bucks each, you might want to snag them all before they sell out. Good luck choosing your favorite!

One caveat: maybe don’t take your actual Taco Bell order into the water. A soggy taco is a sad taco. Save the food for the shore, then Live Mas with these floats!

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Five Below

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LEGO & NASA’s New Space Exploration Series is Free to Watch Now

by Sarah ShebekJune 21, 2021

It’s an out of this world collaboration! LEGO Education and NASA have partnered on Build to Launch: A STEAM Exploration Series, a free 10-week lesson series meant to reignite kids in the classroom and educate on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics. Immersive lessons will focus on the NASA Artemis I mission and what it takes to launch a rocket to the moon.

You can find the series online for free now! The sessions will be grouped into three learning themes: Getting to Space, Testing and Transport and Working in Space. Adding in a LEGO spin, kids will use minifigures to simulate the work of members of the flight and ground crew. There will also be weekly press conferences from the LEGO Education YouTube channel.

Artemis I is the first in a series of increasingly complex lunar missions that will prepare NASA crews for eventual human exploration of Mars. It will include a spacecraft launched on the most powerful rocket in the world, meaning it will fly farther than any spacecraft built for humans has ever flown. During each learning module, kids will learn about the important jobs involved in the launch and work on problem solving and communication. They’ll also prototype, test and build parts similar to the Space Launch System rocket.

If that’s not engaging enough, kids will also have the chance to submit questions to be answered by NASA and animated LEGO Education minifigures! Get ready to blast off for some intergalactic learning with this awesome partnership.

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of LEGO Education

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Crisis Averted! GUND’s New Bluetooth Promo is a Parent’s Best Friend

by Sarah ShebekJune 8, 2021

We’ve all been in this nightmare parenting scenario: the favorite stuffed animal goes MIA and a meltdown is imminent. But what if there’s a way to save hours of tears and searching? GUND is partnering with Chipolo, a Bluetooth tracking device and you’ll get a free tracker when you make any purchase over $50 online!

Once that package comes, attach the Chipolo Plus tracker (retail value $25) to your new GUND purchase or old favorite and connect it to the Chipolo app. The next time Caticorn disappears, hit the tracker in the app and listen for the tone. Your search just got much simpler! The app can also send “out of range” alerts if you leave the house, school, or the store without your kid’s stuffed bestie.

“GUND is synonymous with quality, our plush is designed to last a lifetime – unless you lose it,” said Laura Henderson, Spin Master’s EVP of Marketing and mother to a two-year-old, classic GUND Snuffles lover. “We receive hundreds of emails from parents who are desperately trying to track down a lost plush and have seen social media posts go viral with celebrities even pitching in to help in search efforts. Our collaboration with Chipolo offers an easy solution that makes parents’ lives just a little bit easier.”

You’ll have plenty of plush options to choose from online, including dinosaurs, PAW Patrol characters and the classic teddy bears. The promotion starts today and runs while supplies last, plus orders over $50 conveniently ship free. Save the day and your sanity!

––Sarah Shebek

All images: Courtesy of GUND

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This Is the Easiest Way to Give Books to Kids in Need

by Karly WoodMay 24, 2021

No one can argue the value of reading, but not every child has access to books. Disney plans to change that.

Growing its’ partnership with First Book, a nonprofit organization that provides new books and resources to educators who serve children in need, shopDisney is launching the “Buy a Book, Give a Book” program. From now until Dec. 31, 2021, for every book purchased on shopDisney, another one will be donated to First Book.

photo: iStock/littlemonkeybusiness

shopDisney has tons of titles to choose from, with options that include National Geographic, Marvel, Star Wars and Disney and Disney Eats. Currently, there are more than 400 options!

Disney has been working with First Book for over 20 years and has already donated over 82 million books. This new program offers yet another way the pair can reach even more children in need.

––Karly Wood

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You Can Take a Selfie with Mickey Mouse Thanks to These New Snapchat Lenses

by Karly WoodMay 21, 2021

No one is more excited that theme parks are reopening than the Disney gang! In a fun new partnership, Snapchat is pairing up with the Disney PhotoPass Service to bring fans some amazing augmented reality experiences.

The next time you log into Snapchat, check out the new Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Lenses! The mice will appear next to you, interact and even share a hug.

Snag the new lenses over on the Disney PhotoPass Snapchat profile, and enjoy at home until Jun. 3. After that, they’ll only be available in the Snapchat app while at Walt Disney World Resort.

Snapchat and Disney are also working on even more photo experiences surrounding the 50th anniversary of the the Walt Disney World Resort. Guest can use the My Disney Experience app to add their fave Disney PhotoPass image and add it to Cinderella’s Castle with augmented reality. When you look through your camera lens, you’ll be able to see tons of special moments shared by fellow parkgoers.

Check back on the Disney Parks B/log for more fun Snapchat news in the future!

––Karly Wood

Feature photo: Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

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Sunnier Days Are Coming in Sesame Street’s New PSA Just for Adults

by Karly WoodMay 20, 2021

Sesame Street wants to help with efforts for Americans to return to a state of normal. In a new partnership, Sesame Workshop, the Ad Council, COVID Collaborative and CDC are coming together to create a series of public service announcements and resources to educate adults about the COVID-19 vaccines.

The PSA’s spotlight how the new vaccines are available and their power to bring about “sunny days.” They feature the Muppets, Elmo and Elmo’s dad Louie and are available in English and Spanish.

photo: Courtesy of Sesame Street Workshop

Each PSA was created in collaboration with the CDC and directs viewers to visit GetVaccineAnswers.org to access all updates related to the vaccines. Sesame Workshop is also dropping even more bilingual resources that answer questions and help explain why adults are getting vaccinated. These resource can be found at SesameWorkshop.org/caring.

Viewers can head to YouTube to check out the new spots that include:

I’ll Be Seeing U: The Sesame Street gang reflect on activities that families miss and want to return to.
Feeling Hopeful with Elmo and Louie: Elmo and Louie look forward to activities they can do because so many adults are getting vaccinated
Healthy Family with Elmo and Louie: Elmo’s Dad Louie is vaccinated and explains how he can get back to doing things he has missed, like seeing family and friends

“Getting back to the activities children and families love starts with grownups getting vaccinated. Together with the Ad Council and COVID Collaborative, and with help from the Sesame Street Muppets, we can harness the power of Sesame Workshop and the reach of the Ad Council to help adults understand why it’s important to get vaccinated, where to learn more, and how to build hope for sunnier days ahead,” said Samantha Maltin, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer, Sesame Workshop.

––Karly Wood

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