Caribou Coffee Celebrates Launch of Real Inspiration Blend by Creating Larger-Than-Life Pinterest Board inside Mall of America®

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Caribou Coffee continues to innovate its coffee offering with the launch of its new Real Inspiration Blend, created through collaboration with its fans on Pinterest. In 2013, Caribou asked fans on Pinterest to share what inspires them, and from images and captions, Caribou roastmasters created a unique blended coffee with the sole purpose of inspiring dreamers to become doers.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140204/NY58316)

To celebrate the national launch of this one-of-a-kind blend, Caribou has taken over the Rotunda in Mall of America^®—the nation's largest mall, located in Bloomington, Minn.—creating an awe-inspiring, 64 foot-tall Living Pinterest Board. The Pinterest Board is on display now through Thursday, February 13.

Guests who visit the Living Pinterest Board will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in five interactive "pins" created by Caribou. Activities will include:

• An Inspiration Stage that will inspire fans to pursue their passions through demonstrations and performances by other lifestyle brands located in the Mall.
• Real Inspiration Sampling will offer guests the opportunity to be among the first to try Caribou's newest blend in a miniature Caribou Coffee.
• A Chalkboard Pin will invite guests to get creative and share what inspires them most.
• A large-scale Caribou Coffee Mug will enhance the realism of the Living Pinterest Board experience.
• A Caribou Photo Booth will feature fun, life-size props where fans can capture the moment and share it with their social followers.

Fans are encouraged to share their photos from the Living Pinterest Board experience and other inspirational images on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #CaribouInspires. Photos will be displayed across the screens of the Living Pinterest Board, as well as the brand's social channels, to inspire Caribou communities around the world.

"At Caribou Coffee, we continue to push the boundaries of our menu offerings and are thrilled to provide our fans with a new, distinctive blend that is unlike any other," said Michele Vig, VP of Marketing for Caribou Coffee. "We're incredibly excited to bring Real Inspiration to life at Mall of America and to share the passions of our fans through a larger-than-life Pinterest board which was inspired solely by our Caribou Coffee guests."

As the community gathering place loved by its fans, Caribou understands that coffee plays different roles in the lives of its guests and, as such, provides a range of coffees to suit any mood or occasion. Adding another distinctive option to its already varied coffee line-up, Caribou's Real Inspiration Blend is a sweet and thought-provoking light roast, created to help fans pause and catch a moment of inspiration. Real Inspiration Blend is the first-ever Caribou coffee to launch simultaneously across coffeehouses and grocery stores. As of this January, it will be available in both Caribou retail locations and grocery locations for fans to enjoy nationwide.

To further celebrate Real Inspiration and the Living Pinterest Board, Caribou will be hosting a special event for fans and media at Mall of America on Wednesday, February 5 from 6-8 p.m. CT. The company invites guests to stop by the spectacle in the Rotunda to learn about the Living Pinterest Board, participate in interactive demonstrations and performances, and sample Real Inspiration.

For more information about Caribou Coffee and Real Inspiration Blend, please visit www.CaribouInspires.com.

About Caribou Coffee
Founded in 1992, Caribou Coffee Company is one of the leading branded coffee companies in the United States, with a compelling multi-channel approach to their customers. Based on the number of coffeehouses, Caribou Coffee is the second largest company-operated premium coffeehouse operator in the United States. The Company's coffeehouses aspire to be the community place loved by guests who are provided an extraordinary experience that makes their day better. Caribou Coffee provides the highest quality handcrafted beverages, foods and coffee lifestyle items with a unique blend of expertise, fun and authentic human connection in a comfortable and welcoming coffeehouse environment. In addition, Caribou Coffee's unique coffees are available within grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, office coffee and foodservice providers, hotels, entertainment venues and e-commerce channels. Caribou Coffee is a proud recipient of the Rainforest Alliance Corporate Green Globe Award and is committed to operating practices that promote sustainability and environmental protection. For more information, visit the Caribou Coffee web site at www.cariboucoffee.com.

About Mall of America^®
Mall of America is the nation's largest retail and entertainment complex. At 4.2 million square feet, MOA is home to more than 520 world-class shops; Nickelodeon Universe^®, the nation's largest indoor family amusement park; SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium, a 1.2 million gallon walk-through aquarium; Moose Mountain Adventure Golf; Theatres at Mall of America^® - a 14-screen movie theater with VIP theatre and more. The Mall opened in August of 1992 and is located in Bloomington, Minn., just minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. Follow Mall of America on Facebook and Twitter or visit our blog.

CONTACT:
Blythe Posner
Ruder Finn, Inc.
(212) 593-6306
[email protected]

SOURCE Caribou Coffee