Paula Deen Pitches for Walmart during BlogHer 09

Additional Brands Targeted Bloggers During Conference

Aug 2, 2009

Paula Deen pitched her new Walmart baked goods line during BlogHer, the annual women's blogging conference. Other brands such as EA and Tide also introduced new products.

Nearly 1,500 attended the women's blogging conference called BlogHer July 24 – 25 in Chicago. Despite the current economic recession, various brands used the conference to introduce bloggers to new products hitting market by the end of 2009. Following is a sampling of those new products.

Walmart: Paula Deen Baked Goods Debuting August 31

The Georgia Peach appeared in the Walmart booth to pitch her new baked goods line for the discount store. August 31, Walmart Super Center shoppers will be able to pick up an Ooey Gooey Butter Cake, Apple Crunch Top Pie, Fudgy Chocolate Pie or Pecan Pie which taste as though Paula Deen baked them herself. These sinfully delicious desserts will be found in the bakery department. Paula Deen used her BlogHer appearance to also promote her series of cookbooks and specifically referenced them when asked questions about recipes.

EA introduced the game Need for Speed NITRO for the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS during an evening event at the House of Blues called Summer in the City. Bloggers experienced firsthand the fun arcade-style, high-speed racing game. Need for Speed NITRO users can trick out their ride and experience the thrill of taking corners at 200 mph. The game is ideal for old school gamers who remember Pole Position and for those who enjoy the Need for Speed series of games. Spore Hero and Littlest Pet Shop Online, both set to debut in Fall 2009 and in time for the holiday season, were additional games on hand.

Tide Stain Release In-Wash Booster and Bounce Dryer Bar: Both Hit Stores in July 2009

The Tide Stain Release In-Wash Booster hit stores the week prior to BlogHer and the Tide Bounce Laundry Lounge was busy distributing samples in hopes bloggers will generate buzz about the product. The stain-busting laundry additive looks a bit like a dishwasher tablet and works with laundry detergent to remove stains during the wash. The new Bounce Dryer Bar, a fabric softener bar which is placed onto the dryer drum and lasts for about four months, was also promoted. The Dryer Bar replaces the need for fabric softener sheets or liquid. Project Runway's Tim Gunn made an appearance in the Tide Bounce Laundry Lounge for a meet and greet with bloggers which gave both brands more opportunities to showcase their new products.

Chris Mann: CD Release August 11, 2009

Crooner Chris Mann is popular with the mommy bloggers so it was befitting he performed during various BlogHer events including the Swiffer SocialLuxe Lounge, Velveteen Mind People’s Party, Room 704 Party and at BowlHer. Mann signed autographs and gave out advance copies of his EP “Chris Mann,” set for public release on August 11. His soulful tunes are ideal for chilling and for sparking romance during date nights.

BlogHer '09: Despite Economic Recession, Brands Targeted Bloggers

By the end of 2009, new products ranging from baked goods to video games and laundry care products to harmonious music will be circulating the consumer marketplace. Despite the economic recession, brands targeted the nearly 1,500 bloggers attending the BlogHer conference to introduce new items and generate social media buzz to launch these new products.

The copyright of the article Paula Deen Pitches for Walmart during BlogHer 09 in Corporate Marketing/Branding is owned by Jennifer Huber. Permission to republish Paula Deen Pitches for Walmart during BlogHer 09 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.