SparkBlog by The Hartman Group

Social Media Marketing & The Forklift of Wheat Thins

A very important question was posed yesterday over at The Consumerist: what would you do with a forklift full of Wheat Thins? Regardless of your particular thoughts on the salty snack, a few Twitter users will definitely be diving into heaps of them this Forth of July.

Kraft is the latest brand to seek out their existing fans through social media and connect with them in real time. Recently, Kraft launched a campaign aimed at engaging Twitter faithfuls by surprising them with crates of treats. Tabitha Hancock (seen in the video below) recently posted to Twitter, "AAHHHH Im outta wheat thins … Mi life is officially over!" A few days later, Kraft's mobile Wheat Thins team arrived at her door with a palette of crackers in tow.

Even though we're not sure what we'd do with that many Wheat Thins (perhaps a trip to the food bank would be in order?) we are eager to see what kind of response Kraft's efforts will generate.

(via The Consumerist, New York Times)

Today In Kittens & Ice Cream

If you only watch one video featuring a kitten in a tiny hat eating ice cream today, let it be this one.

Last week, we wrote about how street food vendors connect with consumers through social media. L.A.'s Lake Street Creamery ("bringing you the finest in kitten videos and iced desserts") is no exception. The mobile ice cream shop's adorable video created a stir on popular trending site BuzzFeed yesterday in an act of (admittedly) shameless and smart self promotion. But really, how can you go wrong with a kitten in a hat?

This week on HartBeat we're talking about curious retail experiences. We can't promise kittens, but we can promise insights. Come see what all the fuss is about over here.

The Future Is Now

This week we've been hypnotized by food-sorting robots.

Salami snacks have never been more organized. The choreographed dance of the robot arms is mesmerizing!

These pancake robots stack up to 400 flapjacks per minute. Although we don't have video evidence, we hear they are also quite good with croissants and muffins. 

All of this sausage sorting and pancake flipping reminds us of a simpler time, when Sesame Street journeyed to the Crayola factory and introduced us to the nice men and women who roll our crayons.

Robots: we've come a long way since people poured hot pools of wax nearly unassisted by modern technology.

For more food handling fun, check out robots sorting meatballs here.

(via Kottke)

Intersection of food and cycling = Pedaling.tv

  Here's the concept according to their website:

Equipped with only two wheels and a love of communing, our social-savvy hosts embark on culinary bike tours throughout the New York City metropolitan area - exploring each unique neighborhood’s vibrant characters, scenic destinations, and memorable rides. PEDALING hosts will guide viewers through some of the city’s best nooks and crannies. Episodes will contain practical tips for urban cycling, including an inside peek at a professional bike fitting, traffic etiquette, and where cyclists in the area ride, eat, and live. Special guest stars and a few unexpected forks in the road lie in store for our PEDALING hosts.

The first few episodes are heavily food-centric with chefs, spice traders and visits to food trucks and a hefty dose of sustainability thrown in.

Hammy the Hamster Goes Organic

Does organic really taste better? One adorable hamster seems to think so.



(video via CooksDen)

The Weekly Six: We Interrupt Our Regularly Scheduled Programming

...to bring you this adorable video straight from our local zoo:

Because everyone needs kittens, no matter what kind of kittens they are.

Enjoy.

Tinderboxing: The Batter Blaster

Has dolling up that dusty box of all-purpose baking mix become too much of a chore? How about giving Batter Blaster a whirl? Last week the Tinderbox crew broke out the griddle and fried up some hotcakes right here in the office. Observe our delicious results, below:

We've been eager to test out this breakfast dough in a can since it first came on to the scene a few months ago. While they're not the tastiest pancakes the world has to offer, they are a blast to make!

Tinderboxing

Last Friday the Tinderbox crew headed out into the field to investigate and identify top trends on our own home turf. From sampling Beecher's Handmade Cheese at the Pike Place Market to viewing the World's Largest Collection of Giant Shoes, we had a full day of trendspotting fun. Be sure to check out our stop at DiLaurenti Specialty Food and Wine, a delicious plethora of flavors from around the world.

To learn more about how Tinderbox Play Dates can help you reimagine your world email us: michelleb@hartman-group.com