TOPPS RENEWS PRODUCTS AND INCREASES CANADIAN ADVERTISING
By Adnews Staff
U.S.-based Topps Co. has decided to revitalize its products and make a bigger push for them in Canada. The company launched a North American TV campaign earlier this month for its Ring Pops lollipops. Six new flavors of the product became available in North America this month: sour green apple, koo-koo strawberry, cherry splash, grape rage, citrus cyclone and watermelon. Packaging has also been redesigned to feature bold colors and graphics and to highlight the jewel-like shape of the lollipop. The ad campaign was created by Griffin Bacal Inc. of New York. In Canada, Griffin Bacal Volny of Toronto adapted the ads for the Canadian market and handled the media buy. In addition, Topps will launch a campaign in the fall for its Bazooka Blasts bubble gum which came on the North American market in April. The campaign will be created by Griffin Bacal and adapted for the Canadian market by GBV. Bazooka Blasts is a new version of Bazooka bubble gum. It is soft and features flavor crystals for longer lasting flavor. It's flavors include Cherry Berry, Fruit-Rageous and Watermelon Whirl. Until now, Topps only promoted its products using print ads created in-house by Topps Canada of Toronto. GBV was given the Canadian business last month without a review because its U.S. parent company won the business in the U.S.