The rope and links smoked-sausage products feature the name and likeness of the Emmy-winning Herbstreit. The product launch will be supported by a full marketing campaign featuring Herbstreit. The marketing effort will include in-store point of sale materials, a new television commercial, radio spots, a consumer sweepstakes and digital elements such as website integration on Eckrich.com and social media featuring the Eckrich Facebook page and Twitter feed.
"Kirk has been a great ambassador for Eckrich for the past five years, and we are excited for him to endorse this new line of tailgating products within our portfolio," said Chuck Gitkin, vice president, marketing, innovation and R&D for the John Morrell Food Group. "We're proud to do this with Kirk and believe that his excitement and connection with college football fans will really resonate with our consumers."
Herbstreit has been a college football analyst for ESPN College Gameday and the ABC prime time game of the week. In 2010 and 2011, he won the Sports Emmy Award for television's Best Studio Analyst.
"I'm excited about the new Eckrich 'Ultimate Tailgate' products," Herbstreit said. "I've partnered with Eckrich for a long time now and they continue to align with values I believe in, including families and enriching the lives of others."
Eckrich is a part of the John Morrell Food Group, a division of Smithfield Foods Inc.
