Ghirardelli, a renowned confectioner, celebrated the 20th anniversary of its popular seasonal treat, 'Peppermint Bark,' with a unique event aimed at enhancing the holiday spirit. The celebration began on National Peppermint Bark Day with a special caroling experience in New York City with an oversized wrapped gift box.
As part of the festivities, a guitarist, violinist, carolers, and a brass band performed 'Deck the Halls,' inviting the public to join in and contribute to raising the 'holiday meter.' Once the meter reached its peak, the mystery box opened to "reveal more than 30,000 squares of Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark, which were distributed to attendees."
For those unable to attend in person, Ghirardelli extended the celebration on social media. From December 4–10, participants who "shared the event’s video on Instagram using the hashtag #PeppermintBarkSeason were offered a 10% discount and entered into a raffle for a chance to win a custom Peppermint Bark-themed prize box."
Festive Confectioner-Based Initiatives
Ghirardelli Celebrated Peppermint Bark with a Unique Event
Trend Themes
1. Experiential Marketing - Ghirardelli's integration of live caroling and social media engagement exemplifies how brands can create immersive experiences that captivate audiences both offline and online.
2. Seasonal Product Celebration - The celebration of Peppermint Bark's anniversary aligns with the growing trend of leveraging seasonal products to drive brand visibility and consumer engagement.
3. Social Media Contests - Using social media contests and special hashtags, Ghirardelli successfully fostered online community participation, enhancing its digital presence and consumer loyalty.
Industry Implications
1. Confectionery - Innovative event-based marketing strategies in the confectionery industry can significantly boost sales and brand affinity during crucial holiday seasons.
2. Event Planning - Creating unique and interactive public events provides extensive opportunities for the event planning industry to collaborate with brands seeking memorable consumer experiences.
3. Social Media Marketing - Social media marketing continues to evolve as brands employ creative campaigns, such as Ghirardelli's hashtag contest, to drive consumer interaction and user-generated content.