Dole’s Bobby Banana Inducted Into Mascot Hall of Fame
Every banana has its day in the sun.
The National Mascot Hall of Fame, the country’s only online and physical museum and interactive educational experience dedicated to honoring the contributions of sports mascots, has unveiled a special display featuring Bobby Banana, the celebrated 7-foot ambassador of Dole Food Company created in 1992 to promote healthy living around the world.
Christened in the museum’s Department of Mascot Studies Gallery and continuing through Sept. 30, 2024, “Bobby Banana: Dole’s Healthy-Living Icon for a Hungry World”chronicles the inception and growth of the exuberant, sneakers-wearing Cavendish banana responsible for inspiring generations of kids and families toward nutritious food choices and active lifestyles.
The National Mascot Hall of Fame is located in Whiting, Ind., 21 miles south of Chicago, and also maintains a virtual museum honoring the 33 mascots it has inducted to date.
The three-month Bobby Banana display was timed by the museum to coincide with Dole’s 125th Banana-Versary, a year-long celebration of the global produce leader’s 125 years in the banana business encompassing online, social, promotional, in-store and other activities through 2024.
“While the focus of the National Mascot Hall of Fame has traditionally been on college and professional sports mascots, we can’t help but admire the work of corporate icons like Dole’s Bobby Banana who have helped electrify and inspire progress toward a better, healthier and more equitable world,” said Karen Anaszewicz, the museum’s executive director. “Once we heard about this year’s Dole Banana-Versary, we knew the time was ripe to tell the Bobby Banana story.”
According to Anaszewicz, Bobby Banana becomes the first globally known corporate mascot to be displayed in the five-year history of the National Mascot Hall of Fame.
“After years of requests, we have decided to start officially inducting corporate mascots into the museum in 2025 as part of our expanded commitment to telling the full mascot story,” she said. “More details on this exciting evolution for the National Mascot Hall of Fame will be announced soon – so stay tuned!”
Bil Goldfield, Dole’s director of corporate communications, helped develop the exhibit, which includes a series of illuminated display panels offering information about Bobby Banana, Dole Food Company and the Banana-Versary.
“We’ve had many dialogues with the National Mascot Hall of Fame over the years, so to finally see the display christened and welcoming guests is a major thrill – for me, Bobby and everyone at Dole,” he said. “This day instantly becomes a highlight of our Banana-Versary.”
The National Mascot Hall of Fame is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is closed Sunday and Monday. Admission is $8-10. For visitor information, go to https://mascothalloffame.com/visit/.
For information about Dole’s 125th Banana-Versary, go to the celebration page.
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Heinz Releases ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Accessories
In the lead up to the highly anticipated theatrical release of Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine”, in U.S. theaters, fans (and even the stars of the movie!) have noticed something special about the signature red and yellow suits of the film’s title characters – they look a lot like another iconic duo: Heinz Ketchup and Mustard. For the first time ever, Heinz announces the release of limited-edition collectibles that let fans accessorize their ketchup and mustard bottles to resemble Deadpool and Wolverine.
Created in collaboration with the film, the collectibles include Deadpool’s signature mask, suit, and most importantly, katanas, made specifically for HEINZ Ketchup bottles. For the mustard lovers, their bottles will feature Wolverine’s iconic claws, suit, mask. As the heroes of barbecue season, Heinz Ketchup and Mustard now have the superhero armor to match their silver screen counterparts.
“After seeing the conversation on social media highlighting the similarities between our two iconic duos – Deadpool & Wolverine and Heinz Ketchup & Mustard – we knew we had to team up with the film,” says Lizzy Goodman, brand communications manager for Heinz U.S. at The Kraft Heinz Company. “Once we made that connection – we couldn’t unsee it – as these similarities go beyond color. One’s sweet, one’s zesty. Everybody has a favorite, but really, they’re better together. And most importantly, whether at the movie theater or a cookout, both duos play starring roles in an epic summer.”
The collectibles celebrate the great lengths fans will go to in order to show their love for both Heinz and the film, including dressing up as life-size HEINZ Ketchup and Mustard Bottles or cosplaying as Deadpool and Wolverine. With this limited-edition release, Heinz turns this behavior on its head, making mealtime even more enjoyable for condiment lovers and superhero afficionados everywhere.
The collectibles release is a part of a larger collaboration between Heinz and Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine”. Inspired by the truth that fans can’t unsee – the similarity between the two iconic duos – the campaign launches with a short film featuring a custom voiceover by Deadpool himself, Ryan Reynolds. The film starts out like a new spot for “Deadpool & Wolverine”, but quickly morphs into an ad for Heinz Ketchup & Mustard. In his classic fourth wall-breaking style, Reynolds (as Deadpool) comes to the shocking realization that he and Wolverine look exactly like HEINZ Ketchup & Mustard bottles.
“I don’t spend much time on the internet,” says Reynolds, actor, writer and producer of “Deadpool & Wolverine”. “When my assistant faxed me a photocopy of a memo (he spelled it ‘meme’ – ugh, assistants amirite?) wherein Deadpool and Wolverine were identified as a Heinz Ketchup and Mustard bottle, respectively, I thought nothing of it and went back to my book and tea. But the faxes kept on coming! So, the idea was hatched to actually partner with Heinz to bring this memo to life. Huzzah!”
The company will release a select number of the “Deadpool & Wolverine”-inspired ketchup and mustard collectibles in the U.S. via social media in the upcoming weeks. Further details on how to get a set will be announced soon, so keep an eye on Instagram.
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Southern Glazer’s to Acquire Horizon Beverage Group
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits — the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol— plans to acquire Horizon Beverage Group, Inc., one of New England’s premier alcohol distributors. The deal includes all of Horizon’s operations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as their wine, spirits, and beer portfolio, and makes these two states the 46th and 47th markets in Southern Glazer’s U.S. footprint, in addition to Canada and the Caribbean.
Upon completion of the acquisition, the business will operate under the Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits of Massachusetts and of Rhode Island names, respectively. The current Horizon leadership teams in both states will continue leading operations in those markets and will work closely with Southern Glazer’s East Region President Scott Oppenheimer. All of Horizon’s family members and leadership team, including Co-Chairmen Bob Epstein and Jim Rubenstein, will also continue in their current roles to help ensure a smooth transition for all employees, suppliers, and customers.
“The Epstein and Rubenstein families have spent four generations building an exceptional business and legacy in New England that we have admired for years,” said Wayne E. Chaplin, chief executive officer, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. “Horizon’s dedication to innovation and operational excellence, along with commitments to social responsibility, environmental sustainability, corporate citizenship, and diversity, create an ideal match for Southern Glazer’s business and culture. We expect all existing and new supplier partners, as well as customers, to benefit from our two companies’ strengths and expertise, and look forward to building on the great foundation already established in the valuable Massachusetts and Rhode Island markets.”
Formed in 1933, Horizon has grown to be one of the largest beverage alcohol distributors in New England, with long-standing supplier relationships with some of the world’s top beer, wine and spirits brands. The company currently employs more than 600 people, operates 800,000 square feet of warehouse space and has a fleet of nearly 100 delivery vehicles.
Added Epstein, “We have full confidence in a seamless transition for all of Horizon’s valued team members and partners. I have enjoyed a more than 50-year relationship with the Chaplin family. Southern Glazer’s is the ideal partner with the size, scale and strength to support our employees well into the future, and to maintain our promise of high-quality service for customers and suppliers in New England.”
“Horizon’s trading partners will gain access to Southern Glazer’s world-class commercial, supply chain, digital, and data insights capabilities,” said Rubenstein. “In addition, joining the broader Southern Glazer’s family provides our talented and passionate employees even greater skill development and career growth opportunities. I trust this next step in our journey will be incredibly positive for all parties.”
The deal is expected to close upon regulatory approval.
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol, building brands for moments that matter. The multi-generational, family-owned company has operations in 44 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, as well as brokerage operations through its WEBB Banks division in the Caribbean, Central and South America. In 2024, Southern Glazer’s was recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women. Southern Glazer’s urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information visit www.southernglazers.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @sgwinespirits.
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