ADVERTISING WATCH 1995-11-27

BETTY RUBBLE, DEBUTANTE

Betty Rubble will finally become a vitamin. In January, Bayer Corp. will begin shipping bottles of its Flintstones Vitamins that include Betty, as well as her husband Barney, their child Bamm-Bamm and other characters from the popular cartoon "The Flintstones."

When Bayer began manufacturing the product in 1970, Betty was not included because of production problems with her figure but the company decided to try again to produce a Betty vitamin when a public outcry erupted after the Flintstones movie was released several years ago.

A freestanding insert with a coupon for Flintstones Vitamins will drop at the end of January. National network and cable television advertising is also included in the introduction of the improved product.

SEGA and NFL: A PARTY TEAM

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. -- The 1996 Sega Sports NFL Players Party kicks off Jan. 25 at the Phoenix Civic Plaza with the title sponsorship by Sega of America here.

Party attendees have the opportunity to mingle with National Football League professionals such as Ronnie Lott of the Kansas City Chiefs and Tim Brown of the Los Angeles Raiders.

Live musical entertainment, free autograph and photograph sessions with the players, and chances to win Sega video games, cruises and Super Bowl tickets are also part of the mix. Tickets are priced at $10, $15 and $25.

A portion of the proceeds from the event benefit Youth Education Training, a charitable foundation the NFL Players Association establishes in each city where the Super Bowl is held.

HORMEL HEATS UP A BOWL

AUSTIN, Minn. -- Plans have just been completed for Hormel Food Corp.'s Chi-Chi's Salsa Super Bowl, which kicks off Jan. 1.

The promotion revolves around football trivia contests broadcast during morning drive times. Also included are brand image commercials and promotion commercials by disk jockeys.

One grand prize winner will receive a Super Bowl party catered in his own home and a 31-inch television. Others can win party platters with Hormel products.

Radio stations in 43 markets, including Boston, Minneapolis and Washington, are participating. This is the promo's sixth year; it is handled by CRN International, a marketing company in Hamden, Conn.

STROHMAN IN DRIVER'S SEAT

DETROIT -- Stroh Brewery Co.'s Strohman is a jolly, happy soul, having tossed aside his button eyes and corncob pipe in favor of motoring goggles, a scarf and top hat. He is coming to town driving a 1913 Stroh delivery truck.

He will be visiting retailers in the form of static clings, pole toppers and easel cards for stores' December promotions. The point-of-sale materials also features the tagline "Stroh's. More Taste. More Character."

Tear pads will be merchandised at POS, enabling consumers to purchase a replica of the delivery truck for $10.95 plus $4.50 shipping and handling. No purchase is required.

LAUGHTER FOR THE HEART

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. -- Almaden Vineyards is teaming with comedian George Burns to support the American Heart Association. A tuxedo-wearing, wine-toasting Burns is prominently featured on point-of-purchase materials that also bear the wine-maker's new slogan, "A Taste for Life."

To encourage donations to AHA, bottles of Almaden wine will bear neckers with a $1.50 rebate. Consumers are required to check a box indicating whether they would like to receive the rebate themselves or have it donated to AHA.

Almaden is also inviting consumers to call their "Laughter is Good for the Heart" hotline and leave "appropriate" jokes. The company will donate $500 to AHA in the name of the person leaving the funniest joke. All calls must be received by Jan. 15. Almaden is owned by Canandaigua Wine Co.

REDESIGNED HOOD UP FOR PUSH

BOSTON -- In honor of its 150th anniversary, H.P. Hood here has redesigned its product packaging and started a new round of advertising.

The dairy manufacturer will premier its updated milk containers next month and its updated cultured foods containers in February.

The new advertising campaign, "Wholesome Is Hood," will break in four markets: Boston, Worcester and Springfield, Mass.; Hartford and New Haven, Conn.; Burlington, Vt.; and Portland, Maine. Television and radio advertising is included.

The company is also introducing three new egg-free "Holiday Nogs" for December. They are cinnamon hazelnut, amaretto and chocolate Irish cream. They have a suggested retail price of $2.99.