At least six months ago as Halloween was approaching I was busy at times getting ready to go on vacation, between future day and a couple days before Halloween. I knew I wanted to write about (then) Halloween Ghostbusters gift bags. In somewhat of a backlog clean up I’ve thought Ghostbusters gifts bags don’t just have to be for Halloween parties and trick-or-treaters.
From the creative and professional Artsy-Fartsy Mama comes the Ghostbusters® Halloween BOO bag.
Wimpy, originally Wimpy Grills is an international fast food chain that surprisingly, (to me) was founded in Bloomington, Indiana by Edward Gold during 1934. Why the recent surprise to me? Growing up on the east coast of the United States I had never heard of Wimpy. The oldest fast food chain, (which is also not in all 50 United States) that I knew of is White Castle.
Wimpy, (yes named after the Popeye character) once had 25 restaurants in midwestern US cities. By 1977 there were only 7 locations. When Edward Gold passed on the following year, the remaining US locations closed there doors.
That would have been it and I wouldn’t be writing about them today. If it hadn’t been for some foresight. Mr. Edward Gold licensed to J. Lyons and Co. back in 1954 to open Wimpy restaurants in the United Kingdom. McDonalds and Burger King were infants.
In the 1960s Wimpy had expanded to other European countries and eventually other continents. Today Wimpy parent company, Famous Brands Limited has its headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa.
That’s why 11 years later as adults and kids were making Ghostbusters II memories at Hardee’s, (Ecto–Containment Blog Post, March 25, 2017) ghostheads in the United Kingdom (and hopefully abroad) also made Ghostbusters II memories at Wimpy locations.
Three years ago, almost to the day I wrote about my Hardee’s Ghostbusters II Banner. (Ecto-Containment Blog Post, March 23, 2014) In my post I had shared a copy of Hardee’s Ghostbusters II commercial to my very basic YouTube channel. I eventually wanted to talk more about this Ghostbusters II fast food cross promotion.
Why now? Last weekend I sold a friend of mine the only Hardee’s Ghostbusters II Banner for sale that I knew of. I hadn’t been displaying this official piece of Ghostbusters II history. He probably will, maybe even at franchise events. That could be great for the “Official Ghostbusters II Headquarters” banner to have such a Ghostbusters purpose again.
I’m not sure why Hardee’s was chosen over other national United States fast food chains. I find it hard to believe there were more Hardee’s locations in the USA over McDonalds or Burger King. Perhaps it was financial or Hardee’s was closer to Columbia Pictures.
On a slight side note, McDonalds in Canada had at least Ghostbusters II tray liners/place mats.
As previously stated I was deprived of going to a fast food chain that celebrated Ghostbusters II. Other than what was my banner I can live vicarlously though Hardee’s blockbuster commercial.
30 years ago today The Real Ghostbusters aired to the delight of ghostheads. Episode 1, the infamous Ghosts ‘ R Us is somewhat of a origin story and in 21 minutes explains why they’re The Real Ghostbusters!
For 7 seasons our animated Ghostbustin’ heroes went on adventures (along with originally that green guy) 6 days a week. The guys couldn’t do it alone. Janine not only ran the office, (equipment not standard at other offices) when the need arose was a Ghostbuster in her own right. With animated business mostly good on and off screen Louis would join the team to handle the fictional records. And continue practicing his Ghostbusters skills.
Earlier in the week I received my order of Ecto Cooler cans (Ecto-Containment Blog Post, June 13, 2016) from Amazon. I thought the following day I’d have my first taste of real (in packaging/branding) Ecto Cooler in at least 25 years. Compared to when I was 8, a few decades later I felt I should wait at least one more day. Both Wednesday and Thursday prior to lunch I was out. When I came back my beverage priority was Coca~Cola.
Today I washed a Coke glass from the era and opened a can of Hi-C Ecto Cooler! :O
Towards the end of April, Hi-C launched their on-line marketing campaign (Ecto-Containment Blog Post, April 25, 2016) for Ecto Cooler return. With a tentative release date on May 30, 2016. Tentative as chain grocery retailers still might not have received the infamous juice box. While many of us, including myself have yet to see the “drink of childhood” in stores, cans are a different story.
Ecto Cooler in its 11.5 ounce can is available at Cinemark, as they seem to be the official move theater for Ghostbusters (2016). If a Cinemark location requires an overnight for you, ghostheads can order from Amazon, (if you’re a prime member) northeast US chain Shop Rite, H-E-B, and coming soon Walmart.
Exciting news today as ghostheads found out (thanks to GBNJ member Kenneth) not only is Hi-C Ecto-Cooler coming, the marketing campaign has started! Though I suppose before we get into the fun stuff, (my past kid self disapproves) let’s take a brief look at the business side.
Why are we getting Ecto-Cooler in 2016? Charles Torrey, Vice President, Minute Maid/Hi-C Brands, Coca-Cola North America has the answer.
From BusinessWire:
“Hi-C Ecto Cooler fueled a pop culture phenomenon that is well remembered and beloved by fans to this day,” said Charles Torrey, Vice President, Minute Maid/Hi-C Brands, Coca-Cola North America. “Sony Pictures was extremely enthusiastic about bringing it back for this special occasion, and the timing of the upcoming Ghostbusters film made this the exact right time.”
Related: More business like stuff: BusinessWire Ecto Cooler article.
The momentum for Ecto Cooler continues to build as some people are receiving a product sample Hi-C Ecto Cooler 2016, (Ecto-Containment Blog Post, February 19, 2016) and samples have been tasted.
When Ghostbusters (2016) director Paul Feig was asked by Alex Lobo via Twitter about Ecto Cooler’s 2016 release, we all received the following response:
I don’t know when sooner in relation to Ghostbusters (2016) release in July. I do feel at the end of February its too soon for Coke/Hi-C to release anything related to marketing. Maybe after March 3, 2016 at the earliest once Ghostbusters (2016) first trailer (Ghostbusters International Blog Post, February 14, 2016) is released.
Sources:
Yesterday I woke up to new Ecto Cooler news. (Ecto-Containment Blog Post, February 18, 2016) Last night as I was exiting the internet for the night their was some clarification and an update about the seeming evolution of Hi-C Ecto-Cooler.
The mystery can from the eBay seller naturally received attention about the auction. As I was preparing this post I saw it (the auction, not my site 😉 was trending on Facebook. Since it could be about me 😀 I saw my post among the feed. That’s cool.
Nearing bedtime the seller’s auction was back up with added information. Apparently the can belonged to a friend who use to work in a marketing company. However, not in a long time. From an outside point of view I could see why some related company might still send that person a product sample for upcoming marketing. My issue with the seller is if s/he had explained that from the beginning, sites likes mine could have talked more positively, etc about new Ecto-Cooler then speculating about how real this is.Read More »
Since last I wrote about Ecto-Cooler (Ecto-Containment Blog Post, November 27, 2015) possibly returning things had been quiet about our favorite ’80s citrus drink. Until today. Practically the first Ghostbusters news item I woke up to was physical proof of a new, Ecto-Cooler can. However, this proof comes from an eBay auction.Read More »
It’s been more than a decade since I last bought Hi-C juice boxes. The only reason I did in 2003 was because Dinosaur Dracula (formerly X-Entertainment) confirmed Ecto Cooler still existed, without the name and Ghostbusters packaging.
I couldn’t tell you today (or even then) if Shoutin’ Orange Tangergreen tasted anything like Ecto Cooler. It probably was fun to have a taste of childhood in the present.
With news of Ecto Cooler (Ecto-Containment Blog Post, November 27, 2015) once again trademarked from Coca~Cola and an unknown about whether ghostheads will officially have our citrus flavored drink back that reminded us of slime; what are we suppose to do in the meantime?
Ecto-Containment 
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