Healthy MR. POTATO HEAD™ Nutrition Campaign

Thanksgiving 2007 marked the third and last appearance of the Healthy MR. POTATO HEAD®  (HMPH) balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®.  Created to bring attention to the nutritional benefits of potatoes, this campaign generated almost 500 million media impressions for potato nutrition facts, such as a medium, 5-1/2 oz. potato contains more potassium than a banana and almost half the daily value for vitamin C.  Potatoes are also a source of fiber, antioxidants and other important nutrients.

The big news for Year One of the balloon’s appearance was the “makeover” of the popular MR. POTATO HEAD toy. The “healthy” version wears running shoes, a baseball cap and is carrying a portable MP3 player and water bottle.  Year 1 balloons always gain the most media attention during the parade, but the Healthy MR. POTATO HEAD balloon was the star of the 2005 parade because of his instant recognizability as a healthier version of a favorite childhood toy. In the words of Robin Hall, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, “This balloon was an instant Parade classic.”

In 2006, the big newsmaker was the opening of a storefront location for Healthy MR. POTATO HEAD activities during Thanksgiving Week. Located in New York City’s food Mecca, Chelsea Market, the Healthy MR. POTATO HEAD™quarters featured Healthy Potato recipe demonstrations, photo opportunities with a life-size Healthy MR. POTAO HEAD character, an ultimate potato retail display, a nutrition games center, and an activity area where visitors could learn the Potato Power! song and dance. In addition Hasbro displayed its crystal-encrusted models of MR. POTATO HEAD and MRS. POTATO HEAD.

 In Year Three, as in the previous years, the parade was broadcast on NBC and CBS. The NBC script highlighted the healthy lifestyle with potatoes message and noted 2008 has been designated by the United Nations as the International Year of the Potato.

Completing the Thanksgiving Day tradition, the Healthy MR. POTAO HEAD balloon flew with the help of industry members.  Potato growers, retailers, and a foodservice representation were part of the team that guided the balloon from Central Park West to Broadway and on to 34th Street.  Along the way, spectators cheered as they recognized the representatives of America’s Favorite Vegetable. 

Staff Contact:

Meredith Myers
Direct Dial:  (303) 873-2333
E-mail: meredithm@uspotatoes.com

 

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