Classic Candy Brand Gives Back to Classic Comic Creators
New York, NY (August 1, 2011) Bonomo Turkish Taffy, the classic
"smack-it, crack-it" candy brand enjoying a nationwide resurgence in
popularity since its return after more
than 30 years, today announced a unique sales program exclusive to comic shops
that will help raise funds for The Hero Initiative, the federally chartered
not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators
in need.
"We were searching for just the right way to reconnect our brand
to its original fans, as well as introduce it to a whole new generation of
consumers," said Kenny Wiesen, president and CEO of Bonomo Turkish Taffy,
LLC. "Our heyday as the long-lasting candy you could enjoy while reading your
favorite comic book was from the mid-50's through the mid-70's, the same era
during which many of the creators aided by the Hero Initiative did their most
memorable and influential work. So in bringing Bonomo Turkish Taffy to comic
fans through comic shops, we felt we ought to give something back to help those
that were such a vital part of our shared heritage."
"Every Smack
Gives Something Back"
Starting in September, for every 1.5 ounce bar of
Bonomo Turkish Taffy sold through comic shops, Bonomo will donate 25 cents
directly to the Hero Initiative. The candy is available in four of its most
popular original flavors – Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry and Banana – and
may be ordered by comic retailers through Diamond Comic Distributors in
promotional countertop display boxes of 24 bars each.
"Our mission is to
find ways to help support the many creators that have essentially built our
industry and by partnering with Bonomo Turkish Taffy, we're offering a unique
way for fans to show their support," said Hero Initiative President Jim
McLauchlin. "We appreciate the respect Bonomo has for comics and comic
creators, and look forward to seeing them succeed in comic stores."
"We're thrilled to be working with Bonomo Turkish Taffy and the Hero Initiative
to aid comic book veterans in need. They've given so much to our industry –
and our livelihoods – that it's just one small way we can pay them back,"
said Bill Schanes, Diamond Comic Distributor's VP-Purchasing.
The
program was conceived and developed for Bonomo by pop culture advertising and
marketing firm, Bonfire Agency, LLC.
"Bonomo was a frequent advertiser in
comic books throughout the 1960's," added Steve Rotterdam, co-founder and
Partner of Bonfire. "That was when comics were sold in every candy store in
every neighborhood across the country, often within arm's reach of a bar of
Turkish Taffy. But times have changed and the vast majority of comics today
are sold in specialty stores catering to incredibly passionate, highly
influential and often difficult to connect with fans of popular culture. We
knew that in reintroducing Bonomo Turkish Taffy to these consumers, we would
need to do so in a way that would have meaning to them. Given the important
mission and focus of the Hero Initiative, establishing a partnership made so
much sense."
"Comic shops presented a tremendous opportunity for us,"
said Rich Warrell, Director of Sales and Marketing at Classic Caramel,
Bonomo's exclusive manufacturing and sales distribution agent, "but we felt
we needed greater relevance to the environment and its consumers than simple
nostalgia. Bonfire's thinking on our behalf was spot on and we've been
thrilled by preliminary feedback from comics retailers, many of whom were
themselves fans of the candy back in the day."
Bonfire is developing a
targeted advertising campaign for the brand that will run in comic books and
online at fan sites starting in the fall. The agency is also working with
Bonomo to develop advertising, promotional and marketing programs that will
broaden awareness and increases sales of Bonomo Turkish Taffy in other
markets.
About Bonomo Turkish Taffy, LLC In the summer of 2010,
after years of research and testing, Bonomo Turkish Taffy, LLC reintroduced the
classic "smack-it, crack-it" Turkish Taffy® bars, close to 30 years after the
beloved chewy candy disappeared from store shelves. Utilizing the brand's
original "Coney Island" formulation, packaging and flavors – Chocolate,
Vanilla, Strawberry and Banana – the bars, along with bite-size twists, are
manufactured in York, PA. Bonomo Turkish Taffy is available online, in candy
specialty stores and, soon, in comic shops from coast to coast. For more
information, visit
www.bonomoturkishtaffy.com
About The Hero Initiative The
Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators
in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterday's creators who may
need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life and
avenue back into paying work. It's a chance for all of us to give back
something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment. Since its
inception, The Hero Initiative has had the good fortune to grant over $400,000
to the
comic book veterans who have paved the way for those in the
industry today. For more information, visit
www.heroinitiative.org or call
626-676.6354.
About Classic Caramel, LLC Classic Caramel is a
caramel, taffy, chew, and nougat manufacturer with its plant located in York,
PA. The company markets nostalgic branded merchandise, such as Bonomo Turkish
Taffy®, Slo Poke®, BB Bats®, Kits®, & Flipsticks™ to the retail trade. In
addition, the company has an extensive base of ingredient, private label,
bulk, and contract manufacturing customers. Classic Caramel is a wholly owned
subsidiary of The Warrell Corporation, based in Camp Hill, PA. For more
information, visit www.WarrellCorp.com.
About Diamond Comic Distributors (DCD) Diamond is at the nexus of
comics and pop culture. Based in Baltimore, MD, DCD is the world's largest distributor of English-language
comic books, graphic novels, and related pop-culture merchandise, serving
thousands of retailers worldwide. For more information, visit Diamond on the
web at www.diamondcomics.com.
About Bonfire Agency LLC Bonfire Agency LLC is the marketing
community's first advertising and promotional agency
specializing in helping brands reach and deepen connections with highly
influential, but difficult to engage, pop culture consumers. This demo, labeled
by some as geek or comic culture, is comprised of incredibly passionate,
tribe-wired fans of everything from comic books, video games and action films
to underground music, sci- fi inspired television and cutting edge adult
comedy. Bonfire's mission is to find ways to build relevant bridges between
brands and a diverse audience of consumers that just might become their most
effective advocates. The agency was founded in January 2011 by marketing
veterans and pop culture specialists Steve Rotterdam (former Senior Vice
President of Sales & Marketing at TimeWarner's DC Comics) and Ed Catto
(former Senior Vice President at Ogilvy and Reed Exhibitions). For more
information, visit
www.BonfireAgency.com.