Pork continues to make waves across the country. See which pork products are hitting the news wires lately.
Eckrich Launches Official College Football Playoff Bracket Challenge
Eckrich, the Official Smoked Sausage and Deli Meat of the College Football Playoff (CFP), is sponsoring the official new bracket challenge for the upcoming tailgate season in celebration of the playoff’s expansion from four to 12 teams. Contestants will compete against one another by predicting the 12 seeds in the 2024-25 College Football Playoff Bracket to earn points with the chance to win bragging rights and prizes. This shift marks the first-ever use of a bracket for college football, and Eckrich is commemorating this milestone with a special promotion, the company said in a release.
As the title sponsor of the Official CFP Bracket Challenge, Eckrich is also creating a real 12-pronged Sausage Bracket Skewer, a one-of-a-kind grilling tool that will be awarded to lucky fans who participate in the challenge by filling out a bracket, providing a fun, practical way to enjoy game day. In addition, the selected fan who fills out their bracket correctly will win a trip to the 2025 CFP National Championship in Atlanta, Ga.
ESPN sports journalists Marty Smith and Molly McGrath join the brand with videos to help explain the new bracket format, which kicked off on Aug. 24, coinciding with the start of the college football season.
Eckrich continued its partnership with adam&eveDDB New York and Signature Sports Group to bring the Official College Football Playoff Bracket Challenge to life. The agency developed the “Just Add Eckrich” campaign with the latest 30-second spot, “No Time to Cook Tailgate,” which humorously portrays the high-pressure chaos of a cooking competition that can often be felt at your weekly tailgate party. The chef delivers a fully cooked delicious smoked sausage, highlighting how Eckrich makes game day an easy win.
“Eckrich has been synonymous with college football for years. Our hope is the Eckrich Bracket Skewer brings people together on game days to predict which teams make it to playoff. Twelve sausages to represent 12 different teams should make for a delicious debate,” Jason Ashlock, executive creative director for adam&eveDDB New York, explained in a release.
Buddy’s bar-b-q Saves the Day at Goodwill Golf Classic
Buddy’s bar-b-q, a popular Tennessee restaurant, came to the rescue for Goodwill Industries-Knoxville, Inc.'s 14th Annual Goodwill Golf Classic. When Goodwill found themselves without a caterer for their charitable tournament at the last minute, Buddy’s stepped in and provided the tournament staff and participants with high-quality bar-b-q for a long day on the course, the company said in a release.
The Goodwill Golf Classic is an annual golf tournament in Knoxville, Tenn., that helps fund Goodwill’s mission to provide vocational services and employment opportunities to individuals with barriers to employment in Knox County.
This year’s tournament included a complimentary lunch with University of Tennessee Head Baseball Coach Tony Vitello, which Buddy’s said they were happy to provide.
“Buddy’s was founded on the principle of treating guests like family, and we believe in extending that philosophy to our community,” Laura Luallen, Marketing/Community Relations & Project Coordinator for Buddy’s bar-b-q, said in a release. “Bar-b-q is all about bringing people together, and we are proud to help such a great cause.”
Learn more at buddysbarbq.com.
Prairie Fresh Launches First Limited-Time Offering With Hatch Chile Pork Tenderloin
Prairie Fresh expands its value-added line, Prairie Fresh Signature, with the limited-time addition of a Hatch Chile pork tenderloin. Basted and dry rubbed with authentic Hatch chile seasoning, the product will be available to consumers in select retail locations this fall. Prairie Fresh is thrilled to bring the genuine smoky and spicy flavor of Hatch chiles to the market and exceed consumer expectations with this limited-time release, the company said.
In addition to an already robust portfolio of cuts and flavors, including the recently added Nashville Hot pork loin filet, the new Hatch Chile tenderloin underscores Prairie Fresh’s commitment to quality, innovation and providing consumers with the best taste and flavor profiles possible, the release said.
“Dollar sales of foods with Hatch chile in the flavor profile have grown each of the past four years,” Ryan Barnett, market insights manager at Prairie Fresh, said in a release. “While Hatch chile has traditionally been a hot flavor profile in the southwestern part of the country, Hatch chile flavor sales in the U.S. are now more than double what they were four years ago.”
In addition to craving unique flavors, customers are clamoring for simple meal solutions. In fact, 67% of shoppers are purchasing value-added meat and poultry, which increased from 37% in 2016, according to the 2023 Power of Meat study.
The company said Prairie Fresh Signature cuts are perfectly seasoned and ready for the oven or grill, ideal for families on the go or home cooks looking for a no-hassle meal. Made possible through a collaboration with farmers, processing plants and a networked supply chain, the Prairie Fresh Way guarantees control and consistency throughout the entire production process, the company said.
For more information, visit prairiefresh.com.
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