NECCO(R) Declares 'Love's in the Forecast' with New 2008
Sweethearts(R) Conversation...
"Weather-inspired Sayings Turn Up the Heat this Valentine's
Day"
The New England Confectionery Company (NECCO(R)) is looking
to the skies this Valentine's Day and encouraging Americans
to weather the storm of love!
The 2008 edition of Sweethearts(R) Conversation Hearts,
an iconic part of Valentine's Day for more than 100 years,
honors Mother Nature and the unpredictability of weather --
and relationships.
The 10 new weather and nature-inspired sayings, such as "Melt
My Heart," "In A Fog," and "Chill Out,"
capture the day-to-day frenzy of forecasting changing weather
patterns and pay tribute to Americans' ever- evolving affections.
Other new weather and nature-inspired sayings include: "Cloud
Nine," "Heat Wave," "Sun Shine,"
"Get My Drift," "Wild Life," "Nature
Lover," and "Do Good."
This Valentine's Day, love's in the forecast, come rain or
shine, sleet or snow!
"Each year we look for new sayings that encourage sweethearts
to express their feelings in a different way," said Lory
Zimbalatti, NECCO's marketing manager and a member of the
team that chose the new 2008 sayings.
"This Valentine's Day season, we decided to celebrate
Mother Nature with our new Sweethearts sayings that highlight
the excitement and unpredictability of the day-to-day change
of weather and people's love lives."
SWEET INSPIRATION
Sweethearts Conversation Hearts have become an integral part
of Valentine's Day.
Over the years, NECCO has chosen new Sweethearts sayings
that complement America's current culture and interests.
The tumultuous weather patterns across the United States
draw a lot of attention -- from heat waves and downpours to
cold fronts and snow storms.
This year, NECCO's weather-inspired sayings mimic the craziness
of weather and the hot and cold spells of Americans' relationships.
Even when warm temperatures are expected, an arctic wind
can usher in and quickly change the forecast.
In June 2003, 18 inches of snow piled up in northern Wyoming
when an unusually strong low pressure system rolled in(1).
Just as a freezing cold spell settles, a change in weather
patterns can blow a heat wave in to melt the ice.
In January 2007, Albany, N.Y. witnessed an unseasonably warm
71 degree winter day(2).
SWEET HISTORY
Sweethearts Conversation Hearts are fat-free and sodium-free
and are one Valentine's treat that candy lovers young and
old can enjoy without guilt.
Small hearts have three calories and the large hearts have
six calories, making it possible to entice one's sweetheart
with a fun and romantic treat that's low in calories and has
no fat.
They are a perfect way for someone to delight their favorite
sweetheart with a sweet indulgence.
While the Sweethearts sayings have a new twist each year,
NECCO's basic recipe and the way they are made remains the
same.
The hearts are produced in two sizes -- small and large.
Approximately two words with four letters each can be stamped
on the small hearts and two words with five letters each can
be used on the large hearts.
The concept of Conversation Motto Hearts dates back to the
late 1800's when printed sayings on colored paper were placed
in "Cockles," small crisp candies formed in the
shape of a scalloped shell.
In 1866, Daniel Chase, brother of Oliver Chase, who founded
NECCO in 1847, invented the process, which allows the sayings
to be printed directly on the candy. Some of the original
sayings that are still included in the more than 100 sayings
produced are "Be Mine," "Be Good," "Be
True," "Kiss Me," and "Sweet Talk."
NECCO is the oldest continuously run, multi-line candy company
that produces classic candy like Sweethearts Conversation
Hearts, NECCO(R) Wafers, Mary Jane(R), and Clark(R) bars.
With more than 100 years of history, Sweethearts Conversation
Hearts are the original and top-selling Valentine's Day treat.
Each year, NECCO produces eight billion Sweethearts Conversation
Hearts during the six weeks leading up to Valentine's Day.
NECCO operates two facilities that are located in Massachusetts
and Wisconsin.
These facilities produce Sweethearts year round to meet the
huge demand for the classic, top selling iconic Valentine's
Day candy.
About New England Confectionery Company (NECCO(R)) The New
England Confectionery Company (NECCO(R)) was founded in 1847
and is the oldest multi-line candy company in the United States.
Popular brands include: NECCO(R) Wafers, Clark(R) bar, Sweethearts(R)
Conversation Hearts, Mary Jane(R), Haviland(R) Thin Mints
and Might Malts(R) Malted Milk Balls.
Manufacturing facilities are located in Revere, Mass. and
Pewaukee, Wis. The company employs approximately 650.
More than 500 seasonal and year-round products are produced
at the facilities. (1) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(2) National Climatic Data Center SOURCE New England Confectionery
Company
Jessica Lappen, jlappen@schneiderpr.com,
or Lindsey Yeaton, lyeaton@schneiderpr.com,
both of New England Confectionery Company, +1-617-536-3300
|