Oppy and Ocean Spray® marked two decades of partnership in the U.S. this year, honoring their shared commitment to delivering cranberries to families across North America.
The companies are seeing a very healthy growing season throughout the Pacific Northwest and Wisconsin, with volume increases expected compared to last year, said Oppy’s category manager and senior sales representative Tony Illiano, who manages Oppy’s cranberry program with Ocean Spray. Both regions have experienced good pollination and bud set which has translated into good sizing.
With crop now shipping, Illiano noted that this year’s U.S. Thanksgiving holiday is the earliest it’s been in five years, landing on November 23. “We highly recommend that retailers get their orders in promptly to capitalize on the brand status of Ocean Spray in their stores,” he said.
Thanksgiving isn’t the only holiday that will happen earlier than usual. “Friendsgiving” has become an emerging celebration trend, typically observed a week prior to traditional festivities. Ocean Spray’s senior manager of fresh and natural specialty channel Brendan Schulke said that Friendsgiving continues to become an integral and expanding aspect of its cranberry campaign.
With an early Thanksgiving this year, Illiano recommends retailers get orders in promptly to capitalize on the brand status of Ocean Spray in their stores.
“This year’s marketing campaign centers around injecting fun into festivities, with initiatives like new shipper units, TV and digital promotional support, brand collaborations, influencer marketing, events and virtual experiences. Consumers have also been able to take advantage of shoppable recipes, instant giveaways, in-store POS with shelf talkers and tags and social content,” said Schulke.
Ocean Spray is offering a top prize of $10,000 with its “Buy three, win big” promotion showcased on the front of each pack. Through purchase and receipt verification, shoppers can instantly win the jackpot or thousands of fun-driven prizes including gift cards for Uber, Spotify or Airbnb.
“Oppy and Ocean Spray have been working together for more than 50 years — it’s really become an essential part of what powers our growth. Retailers take comfort in knowing they can trust both companies to bring quality to their customers,” said Schulke.
“I am honored to continue our strong partnership for U.S. sales and distribution,” said Illiano. “It’s been such a successful collaboration that we’ve found new ways to work together outside of cranberries by growing into other premium products.”
With over 50 touch points at retail, Ocean Spray’s presence in the produce department has expanded to include strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, citrus and grapes through its partnership with Oppy.
For more information:
Kelsey Van Lissum
Oppy
Tel.: +1 (604) 461-6779
[email protected]
www.oppy.com
