Smithfield Specialty Food Group Partners with “Duck Dynasty”

Smithfield Specialty Foods Group has signed a two-year licensing agreement with A&E for a line of snacks from Duck Dynasty, the hit TV show that follows the Robertson family and their duck-call business, to produce  a line of nut-based snacks that will launch in early September. The new co-branded product line will initially offer five varieties of flavored peanuts: Lightly Salted, Salt & Pepper, Cajun, Habañero, and Jalapeño. The snacks became available nationwide through specialty-food providers, retail grocers, and retail convenience outlets, as well as online, beginning Sept. 2. “Smithfield and A&E’s Duck Dynasty share similar fans, and this is a great opportunity to partner together and provide them with a unique product,” said Pete Booker, Vice President and General Manager of the Smithfield Specialty Foods Group. “A&E’s Duck Dynasty has such a strong and loyal audience, and we’re excited for the opportunity to provide these passionate fans with products we’re just as passionate about.” “We are excited to partner with Smithfield on this new line of Duck Dynasty snack products,” said Kate Winn, Senior Vice President, Consumer Products, A E Networks®. “A E Networks makes great efforts to launch brand extensions for Duck Dynasty that make great sense for everyone. In the case of Smithfield, their consumers are passionate Duck fans so we know that their Duck products will really resonate.” Smithfield Marketplace and A&E’s Duck Dynasty plan to expand the product line in time for the holidays with co-branded pork rinds, nut confections, peanut brittle and various snack-mix offerings. The agreement between A&E and Smithfield was brokered by A&E’s North American licensing agency, Brandgenuity.