In a Bold Counter-Programming Move, DEVOUR™ Debuts New Television Commercial During AMC's "Zombie Bowl Marathon" Opposite the Half-time Show on Sunday February 5

PITTSBURGH and CHICAGO, Feb. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The DEVOUR brand recently chose 'real guy' Jude Flannelly from Queens, New York to appear in a :30-second television commercial as part of the frozen meal brand's new advertising campaign. The spot will debut on Sunday, February 5 around the 8:00pm hour of AMC's Zombie Bowl Marathon, which coincides with a high profile sporting event that evening.

The commercial stars Jude auditioning for a group of advertising talent executives. As Jude passionately digs into a bowl of DEVOUR Buffalo Chicken Mac and Blue Cheese, and is overcome by its craveable, indulgent flavors, the executives themselves get equally overheated. DEVOUR also launched a :60-second director's cut version on the brand's Facebook, YouTube and Twitter platforms, along with Jude's over-the-top audition video.

"Unlike other commercials that run during this first Sunday in February, DEVOUR uses none of the conventions you might expect. No animals, no supermodels, no special effects," said Tim Harrington, Creative Director at Carrot Creative. "Let's just say we take what might be a clichéd approach and give it the full DEVOUR treatment – unconventional, bold and unique."

Carrot Creative is overseeing all aspects of the DEVOUR campaign while Starcom is handling the media buys for the television commercial and social media.

Jude was selected following a three-city open casting call in New York, Houston, and Los Angeles in early January. Originally from Sarasota, Florida, he graduated from Florida State University before migrating to New York in search of his big acting break. He never would have dreamed he would one day perform a mating dance with a bowl of DEVOUR, and that his outrageous performance would land him $100,000.

"We wanted to turn the category on its head to make it relevant and exciting again by pulling together this fan-centric celebration of the DEVOUR brand's humor that always has a bit of a surprising twist," said Emily Kerschner, Brand Manager, The Kraft Heinz Company. "Only DEVOUR, which has already cracked the code to reaching our target guy in less than seven months, could take on the hype and clichés of advertising seen on television's most watched event."

DEVOUR is a frozen meals brand designed for "Eaties:" people who love uncomplicated, great tasting food. The brand launched 12 varieties in 2016 with the "Food You Want to Fork" advertising campaign.

ABOUT DEVOUR^™
We believe All food should be mouthwatering. Period. End of story. So in each DEVOUR meals, we dial up the taste. Max out the flavor. Tender meats and creamy sauces. Crispy crusts and gooey cheeses. Spicy, smoky or savory, sometimes sweet. Always ridiculously delicious. For more information, visit www.devour-foods.com.

ABOUT CARROT CREATIVE
Carrot Creative is a full-service creative agency headquartered in Brooklyn, NY with a west coast operation in LA. We create award-winning work for the world's most influential brands by merging best-in-class creative thinking with innovative technology and strategic partnerships. Carrot is VICE's digital agency, which means we have unlimited access to the global resources and capabilities of the most progressive media company in the world. Carrot has been consistently recognized as one of Crain's "Best Places to Work" and was recently named one of Ad Age's "2017 Agencies to Watch".

MEDIA CONTACT

Matthew Frappier, Edible: [email protected] / 212-277-3786
Lynne Galia, DEVOUR: [email protected]  847-646-4396 

SOURCE DEVOUR