Bruster's Real Ice Cream and Ripple Effects Interactive Launch New Website and Mobile Phone Campaign

Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) June 14, 2007 -- Bruster's Real Ice Cream, one of the country's leading franchise chains and retailer of frozen treats including ice cream, fruit sorbet, Italian Ice and parfaits, and Ripple Effects Interactive, Pittsburgh's largest full-service web and online marketing firm, announced today the launch of http://ComeParfaitWithMe.com as well as a mobile phone marketing promotion in the Richmond, VA. area.

Now in its 18th year of operation, Bruster's is thrilled to have tapped Ripple Effects for two firsts: A microsite to creatively extend the brand via its parfait product, and a mobile marketing initiative to increase traffic to participating Bruster's retail locations throughout Richmond.

This June through December, any Bruster's customer with a cell phone can opt in to automatically receive bimonthly coupons, sent via text message and redeemable at all participating stores in the Richmond area. Pending the pilot campaign's success, Bruster's is considering a full rollout in 2008 to all of its 210 retail store locations in the eastern United States from New Hampshire to Florida.

In addition to providing consumers with a simple and direct means of coupon redemption, the campaign is also viral. Each text message encourages the consumer to forward the text-based coupon to friends' mobile phones. The recipients can then redeem their forwarded text message coupons at participating stores and also text in for the bi-monthly offers themselves.

"We're starting with basic text messaging to get Bruster's customers familiar with using mobile technology for special offers," explained Paul Magnani, President, Ripple Effects Interactive. "Mobility is so exciting because it provides yet another interactive way of reaching customers with content they value and appreciate, through a medium they prefer to use. A mobile coupon adds both cost savings and convenience, eliminating the need to clip coupons or print from a computer."

Ripple Effects partnered with RazzberrySync, a mobile content and consulting services company based in Boston, to develop this unique offering for Bruster's. Ripple Effects and RazzberrySync also worked closely with Bruster's to develop a training manual and mobile program demonstration to prepare front-line sales staff, called Scoopers, for this campaign. Bruster's marketing team also created point-of-sale materials, including shirt stickers, counter mats, posters and e-mail.

Bruster's summer marketing launch also includes a new microsite, http://ComeParfaitWithMe.com, with several interactive elements to generate excitement about Bruster's in general, and its parfaits in particular.

In the "Flavor Flurries" game, consumers try to catch as many pieces of fruit as they can in 30 seconds -- with the fruit falling faster and faster as they catch more and more -- and then challenge their friends to beat their scores. Consumers can also "Start a Parfait Party," inviting three of their friends to Bruster's and using the "Buy 3 Parfaits, Get a 4th Free" coupon from the microsite. And consumers can even learn their "Parfait Personality" by taking the five-question personality quiz to find out which Bruster's flavor best fits their personality. http://ComeParfaitWithMe.com also links to Bruster's main website at http://www.brusters.com, enabling customers to find nearby Bruster's locations where they can enjoy a parfait or another delicious treat.

About Bruster's Real Ice Cream:
Based in Bridgewater, PA, Bruster's Real Ice Cream is ranked as one of the country's leading franchise chains with more than 260 locations in 18 northeastern, mid-Atlantic and southeastern states. Bruster's has more than 140 recipes of real ice cream -- with nearly 40 fresh flavors available at any one time. Delicious products are made onsite, and include: fruit sorbet, Italian Ice, milk shakes, parfaits, sundaes and ice cream cakes and pies. Flavors vary by store and include seasonal product favorites, such as strawberry shortcake and hot apple dumpling. To locate a Bruster's near you, visit www.brusters.com. For franchise information, call Lori Molnar at 724-774-4250 ext. 109.

About Ripple Effects Interactive:
Founded in 1997 by interactive marketing veterans, Ripple Effects Interactive is a national digital marketing agency ranked among the nation's top independent interactive firms by Advertising Age. With offices in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, Ripple Effects offers a full range of services, including strategic communications planning, website design, e-mail marketing, online and search marketing, user experience testing, content management solutions and web application development for a prestigious client roster in higher education, cultural and nonprofit, consumer and lifestyle, and travel and tourism. For more information, a client list, and portfolio of work, please visit www.RippleEffectsInteractive.com.

About RazzberrySync:
RazzberrySync, Inc., a Boston-based mobile content and consulting services company, provides a comprehensive suite of mobile marketing capabilities, proprietary mobile content and mobile strategy consulting services. Through partnerships with wireless technology and infrastructure companies, RazzberrySync affords clients 360° solutions for the development, implementation and maximization of strategically focused mobility initiatives. For more information, visit www.razzberrysync.com.

Contact:
Paul Magnani   
President
Ripple Effects Interactive
412.683.3700 x201
Kim Piper
VP of Marketing
Bruster's Real Ice Cream
724.774.4250 x115

Related links:
·http://comeparfaitwithme.com
·http://www.brusters.com
·http://www.rippleeffectsinteractive.com
·http://www.razzberrysync.com

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