Hanukkah Phenomenom THE MENSCH ON A BENCH Puts More Fun-ukkah In Hanukkah With New Deals And Products
Post-Shark Tank, Moshe the Mensch gets a facelift, TV deal, app and extended product line for his sophomore year
Post-Shark Tank, Moshe the Mensch gets a facelift, TV deal, app and extended product line for his sophomore year
CINCINNATI, Nov. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The worldwide Hanukkah phenomenon THE MENSCH ON A BENCH is back for another holiday season with even bigger news! Last year, creator and Jewish father, Neal Hoffman, received a deal on the hit ABC show Shark Tank from Lori Grenier and Robert Herjavec. What started as a kernel of an idea has now become an award-winning line of products listed at major retailers. The brand also has a character featured in an app from Office Depot, Inc., and in fall of 2015 Hoffman entered into a deal with Los Angeles production company, Pilgrim Studios, to develop the property for television as an animated holiday special.
THE MENSCH ON A BENCH book and doll set tells the story of Moshe the Hanukkah hero, who extols the true virtues of being a "mensch" – a "good person" – while telling the story of the Jewish holiday through adventures that always circle back to the values of kindness, gratitude, humor and an independent spirit.
New to the lineup this year are a plush singing menorah that teaches Hanukkah prayers; a plush dreidel; Moshe's Activity Book; and two delicious chocolate bars appropriately called Mensch Munch (milk chocolate) and Gelt-y Pleasure (dark chocolate). Additionally, Moshe received a bit of a "facelift" in 2015, and now sports a happier, friendlier face that is sure to melt anyone's heart - or their Gelt-y Pleasure chocolate bar, oy vey!
Shark Tank's Lori Grenier says, "I have loved working on THE MENSCH ON A BENCH and making a positive impact teaching kids the value of being a good person. Robert and I are both thrilled with the new Mensch face and are really excited to see where we can take the brand in the future."
"I am still amazed and humbled at the overwhelming response from consumers and retailers, with over 100,000 Jewish families celebrating with THE MENSCH ON A BENCH," said Neal Hoffman, creator of THE MENSCH ON A BENCH. "The guidance from Lori and Robert has been invaluable, and with powerhouses like Office Depot and Pilgrim Studios joining the fold, the MENSCH brand really has been propelled into a new and very exciting place."
THE MENSCH ON A BENCH is featured in this year's Office Depot and OfficeMax Elf Yourself® app, an incredibly popular holiday app featuring dancing elves, which debuted earlier this month. New songs to the app include one showcasing the talented Maccabeats, giving fans the opportunity to dance and sing as if they were Moshe the Mensch – so let's all do the Horah!
In addition to its previous Family Choice and Mr. Dad awards, THE MENSCH ON A BENCH in 2015 received the National Parenting Publications Award (NAPPA), and the Creative Child's Preferred Choice and Seal of Excellence awards.
About The Mensch on a Bench
Created by Neal Hoffman, the award-winning The Mensch on a Bench tells the wonderful story of Moshe the Mensch, who watched over the menorah during the great miracle of Hanukkah. The hardcover storybook comes with a 12" plush doll that holds the Shamash (leader) candle. With over 5 million Jewish people in the United States, Moshe serves to introduce children to the traditions of Hanukkah, as well as teaches them to be good and honorable people, known as "mensches." Available this holiday season at Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Michael's and other retailers, The Mensch on a Bench line of products includes a book and doll set, a plush menorah and dreidel, chocolates and more. For additional information, please visit www.TheMenschOnABench.com and to become a part of their fun-loving community, check them out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
About Office Depot, Inc.
Office Depot, Inc. is a leading global provider of products, services, and solutions for every workplace – whether your workplace is an office, home, school or car.
Office Depot, Inc. is a resource and a catalyst to help customers work better. We are a single source for everything customers need to be more productive, including the latest technology, core office supplies, print and document services, business services, facilities products, furniture, and school essentials.
The company has annual sales of approximately $16 billion, employs approximately 56,000 associates, and serves consumers and businesses in 59 countries with approximately 1,800 retail stores, award-winning e-commerce sites and a dedicated business-to-business sales organization – all delivered through a global network of wholly owned operations, joint ventures, franchisees, licensees and alliance partners. The company operates under several banner brands including Office Depot, OfficeMax, OfficeMax Grand & Toy, Reliable and Viking. The company's portfolio of exclusive product brands includes TUL, Foray, Brenton Studio, Ativa, WorkPro, Realspace and HighMark.
Office Depot, Inc.'s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol ODP. Additional press information can be found at: http://news.officedepot.com.
Contact:
Allison Katz
NOBL Communications
508-963-9034
[email protected]
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151108/284977
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