Engagement Is The (Not So) Secret Ingredient

Let's talk about a couple of facts. Consumers don't like being told what they want. Consumers also don't like being spoken at. That's because they're people who want to have a say in what they consume and feel engaged in the process of creating and using their products. Don't deny it. You love being able to ask your favorite cereal maker, cruise line or hotel a question on Facebook and have an answer waiting for you the next time you log in. Honestly, those companies love it, too. Engagement via social media let's them help you have a better experience.

We took notice of this and chose to engage all our fans in this year's EatLafayette campaign. We shared our personal experiences and had many conversations on Facebook. After taking into consideration what many of our fans reacted to, we decided to try something new - Follow the Louisiana Hot Sauce Bottle.

First thing's first: The 12-foot tall hot sauce bottle. That thing is HUGE! There's absolutely no way to miss it. One of our sponsors, Bruce Foods, was very excited to be part of such a fun promotion that highlighted a few of our fantastic restaurants.

Here's how it all went down: a couple times a week toward the end of the campaign, the 12-foot tall Louisiana Hot Sauce Bottle traveled to one of its favorite restaurants. Everywhere it went, the amazing deals followed. One day there was a $5.95 shrimp poboy from Olde Tyme, another day there were $.99 hot dogs with award-winning chili from Ton's in Broussard, another day Gator Cove offered a free cup of shrimp gumbo with a purchase of $10 or more, and the list goes on.

A lot of people showed up and many of our restaurants who weren't involved yet wanted to be. The restaurants the Louisiana Hot Sauce Bottle visited received a large number of visitors and many happy customers cashed in on fantastic deals with full bellies. Win-win.

We were able to successfully pull off this promotion because we listened to the customers; interested diners wanted deals and great food. We decided to give them both, plus a dash of fun with a huge hot sauce bottle.

Congratulations to Si Brown.

Bruce Foods Corp. President Appointed to the Grocery Manufacturers Association Board of Directors

NEW IBERIA, La., Feb. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Bruce Foods Corporation announces the appointment of company president, J.S. "Si" Brown III to the Grocery Manufacturers Association Board of Directors. Since 1908, the Grocery Manufacturers Association has helped guide and inspire the consumer packaged goods industry in the US and abroad. GMA serves as the voice of this industry which brings nutritious, affordable, and high quality foods to Americans and to the world. The association and its member companies are committed to meeting the needs of consumers through product innovation, responsible business practices and effective public policy solutions developed though a genuine partnership with policymakers and other stakeholders.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110217/DA49907)

The Grocery Manufacturers Association helps its members produce safe products through a strong and ongoing commitment to scientific research, testing and evaluation and to providing consumers with the products, tools and information they need to achieve a healthy diet and an active lifestyle.

The GMA Board of Directors is comprised of leaders of its member organizations and is actively involved in shaping GMA's priorities and policy. GMA's members contribute heavily to the association through involvement in issue-specific councils, committees and working groups. "I am deeply honored to serve the Grocery Manufacturers of America at a higher level," said Si Brown. "This is an organization that has been so important to our company and been so effective for the food industry that I am humbled to have been chosen."

Mr. Brown has been president and CEO of Bruce Foods since 1973 and is currently serving as Chairman of the Board of Advisors of the John Folse Culinary Institute at Nichols State University and is a member of the Board of Pennington Research Foundation, Baton Rouge Louisiana, the Advisory Council of Louisiana Ports and Waterways and is a Vice President of the Evangeline Area Council Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Brown has a long history of expertise in International Business and has served on numerous National and Statewide committees. He has served three terms as Chairman of the Louisiana Export Council operating under the auspices of the US Department of Commerce, Washington DC and was appointed in 1986 by US Secretary of Commerce, Malcolm Baldridge to serve as a member of the Industry Sector Advisory Committee on US Trade Policy Matters, Washington DC and reappointed to serve two additional terms under Commerce Secretaries Verity and Mosbacher. He has also served as a member of the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Processed Foods, US Department of Agriculture, Washington DC and as the Honorary Council General of Brazil for Louisiana.

For Additional Information,


Please contact Virginia Brown or


Joah Butler @ 337-365-8101


or virginia@brucefoods.com