MBC kicks off 2010 with a little Monkey Madness!

SEGA's lovable monkeys rolled onto the Wii™ in an all-new family friendly party game for the Wii™ this past February. Super Monkey Ball Step & Roll™ brings back what everybody loved about the Super Monkey Ball series which began in arcades and first hit consoles in 2001. Get ready for a whole new level of monkey madness as Super Monkey Ball Step & Roll™ rolls out!

SEGA approached MBC with the latest release in the fan favorite Super Monkey Ball franchise to find a suitable partner to help launch the highly anticipated game. There were several partners that would have been fitting for this campaign but none quite matched the caliber of the partner MBC went after. What do monkeys love more than bananas? What is the most recognizable banana across the nation? Chiquita!

MBC contacted Chiquita and exchanged a few words about SEGA and the Super Monkey Ball Step & Roll™ promotion. Shortly after, MBC, SEGA and Chiquita were in business together and the rest is promotion history. The partnership just makes perfect sense; it enables and enhances the public’s experience for both brands. The two trusted brands are able to spread the word about each other through unconventional avenues and added more value to the video game’s marketing campaign.

“MBC created a partnership with the most ideal brand for Super Monkey Ball Step & Roll, Chiquita! Not only because monkeys go well with bananas, but because there’s no better way to promote the game release than with 180 million banana stickers. I was pleased with the partnership that MBC secured for SEGA and Super Monkey Ball Step & Roll; MBC was a pleasure to work with to make this the best possible promotion for both SEGA and Chiquita.”
          -Derrek Peel, Associate Brand Manager, SEGA of America

The nationwide promotion began this past February with more than 180 million Chiquita Bananas saying good-bye to the iconic blue sticker and hello to stickers promoting Super Monkey Ball Step & Roll™ for the Wii™. In exchange, players can expect to catch a few Chiquita branded bananas during sequences within the game itself. Additionally, Chiquita and SEGA are sponsoring the “Super Bananza Sweepstakes” which is hosted on Chiquita’s homepage, chiquitabananas.com and linked from supermonkeyballstepandroll.com. One winner will score a family gaming room including “a 50-inch HDTV, a sofa and four gaming chairs, a copy of Super Monkey Ball Step & Roll, a Wii™ console, Wii™ Balance Board (includes Wii™ Fit Plus™) and other great prizing from Chiquita. Both SEGA and Chiquita sent out an email blast to all of their subscribers announcing the partnership and sweepstakes.

“With the Super Monkey Ball video game tie-in Chiquita ventured into a new marketing tactic, one that attracts a younger audience and speaks to our core demographic of women and kids, while encouraging kids to eat more bananas. We couldn't be more thrilled to have collaborated with Sega on this perfect partnership. Thanks to MBC for bringing the opportunity to us!”
          -Rob Adams, Business Manager, Chiquita Brands North America

MBC compliments this campaign with up to 60 markets of TV across the nation and 20 markets of Radio within Chiquita’s preferred markets. The TV and Radio promotion is expected to receive over 68 million impressions by the time of its completion. Each station will receive an incredible family-friendly prize-pack that includes a Wii™ console, Wii™ Balance Board (including Wii™ Fit Plus™), copies of the game, and a 1-year supply of Chiquita Bananas.

It’s a Gamers’ Paradise

MBC joined forces with SEGA and Chiquita in the center of New York City on February 13th to promote the launch of Super Monkey Ball Step & Roll at the Nintendo World Store with over 10,000 square feet of hands-on entertainment. MBC was there to manage the Super Monkey Ball Step & Roll Brand Ambassadors who handed out Super Monkey Ball and Chiquita branded merchandise with AiAi, the lovable star of the Super Monkey Ball franchise. Miss Chiquita herself also made an appearance to take pictures, please the crowd with the famous Chiquita jingle and hand out tasty treats to hungry Super Monkey Ball fans. The event was a huge success!

Upon the public learning of this promotion, an unprecedented amount of positive press coverage for the Super Monkey Ball-Chiquita partnership has spread throughout the country. The best part of all is that this perfectly paired promotion was made possible by all three of these well respected brands!

Click here to read SEGA’s Press Release

What can MBC roll your way in 2010?!