Real California Milk Goes Moo-bile with Release of Cali CowChat App

SAN FRANCISCO, and MODESTO, Calif., July 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Go ahead, have a cow. A Cali Cow that is. The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) is taking their quest of making California dairy part of families everywhere from the dairy case and the household to iPhones with Cali CowChat, a new virtual California cow app. The Cali CowChat app gives consumers the ability to create a customized California cow and connect with friends in an entertaining and original way including sending personalized voice messages in a California cow voice to Facebook friends through Facebook Connect.    

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130731/SF56085)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110503/AQ94029LOGO-b)

"It's no secret that people are spending more and more time on their mobile devices and moms are no exception. The casual gaming industry has been transformed and is no longer just for tweens and teens but for moms too. In fact, moms spend an average of five hours a week playing games online¹," said Michael Freeman, VP of Advertising for the CMAB. "That's why we created Cali CowChat as a way for fans to have a little fun and become part of the California dairy family with a friendly app that is entertaining for both mom and the kids."

Once the app is downloaded, consumers can play with and customize their own California Cow – including changing her color and features (eyes, ears, etc.), the shape of her spots and even by adding accessories. They can also interact with their cow by milking her, shaking her up to make her dizzy, giving her a tickle (with a giggle back) and moving her around the screen. While in idle mode, she has a few surprises whether it's dancing in River, Robot or Twinkle-toe style or even jumping over the moon. And of course she takes time to lie down to rest or have a nice snack. Beyond this, users will be able to connect with friends through the app by sending voice messages to people in their Facebook contact list via a walkie-talkie like functionality. When the message is opened, the sender's personalized California cow will appear on the recipient's phone and deliver the message in her unique animated California cow voice.

(A video of how Cali-Cow works is available at http://youtu.be/YitHdp9cW7U.)

The Real California Milk Cali CowChat application is free to download and available to ios/iPhone users. The app is being promoted through an extensive online advertising campaign where millions of app users will be able to view a download offer and access through a simple click to the App Store and start playing right away. Learn more at CaliCowChat.com   

For the iPhone: Visit the App Store, search for "Cali CowChat" then download for free.

Cali CowChat is the second mobile app created by the CMAB to promote Real California Milk and dairy products. The Real California Cheese Pair Savvy app launched in December 2010 and gives consumers ideas for paring California Cheeses with wine, beer and even chocolate. Pair Savvy is a free download and is available for both Android and iPhone smartphones.

California is the nation's leading milk producer and also produces more butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. The state is the second-largest producer of cheese, which is available nationally under the Real California Cheese seal. Ninety-nine percent of California dairy farms are family owned and that means consumers are supporting dairy families when they look for the milk and cheese seals when they shop.

About the California Milk Advisory Board

The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state's more than 1,500 dairy families. With headquarters in South San Francisco and Modesto, the CMAB is one of the largest commodity boards in the United States. The CMAB executes advertising, public relations, research and retail and foodservice promotional programs on behalf of California dairy products, including Real California Milk and Real California Cheese. For more information about California dairy products, visit www.RealCaliforniaMilk.com, like Real California Milk at Facebook.com/RealCaliforniaMilk, follow at Twitter.com/RealCalifMilk, pin at Pinterest.com/RealCalifMilk and follow on Instagram @RealCalifMilk.

¹Mom Central, February 2012

SOURCE California Milk Advisory Board