Speaking of Alaska... I'd always wanted to work in a national park. Since I was leaving college with less direction than when I arrived, working in a national park after graduation (instead of taking the job opportunities offered to me) seemed like an obvious choice. The fact that I was going to work in one in Alaska made it seem even better.
A friend made an "Alaskan Adventure Box" for me which included things like a copy of the National Enquirer with a post-it that said, "for the culture you will miss." There was also a bag of peanut M&Ms and its post-it read, "M&Ms make friends in Alaska."
I'd never done anything like that - go to a place without knowing a soul. I'd always wanted to. I wanted to see "who I would be" when not around anyone I knew. And not only not around anyone I knew, but without access to anyone I knew. So, after the Pomp and Circumstance, I put the mountain bike I purchased with my graduation money into a box and got on a plane to make my way to Denali National Park, Alaska.
The flight was long - plenty of time to make small talk with the person sitting next to me. I mentioned that I planned to take a cab to the youth hostel in Anchorage. (I was going to stay there and then catch the train to Denali in the morning.) He assured me that I wouldn't need to take a cab. He said he had a bunch of friends who were coming to pick him up. Sure enough, half a dozen friendly faces surrounded him in baggage claim. I didn't even carry any of my luggage. Many hands make for light labor!
I found myself sitting in the back of the van on my way to the youth hostel. Then I remembered the peanut M&Ms from my Alaskan Adventure Box. I had them in my backpack. I pulled them out and asked, "Hey, would anyone like some M&Ms?" The offer was met with an enthusiastic and unanimous, "Sure!" The bag made its way around the van and came back to me empty. I looked at it, smiled and thought, "M&Ms DO make friends in Alaska."
Shortly after my time in Alaska, I spent a brief period working at a post-production house - one that edited television commercials. After telling this story over and over, I finally contacted Mars Snackfood - the parent company of M&Ms.
I wish I could tie up this story by saying Mars Snackfood loved my story and decided to use it for an ad. Instead, I received the following (obvious form letter) response:
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In response to your email regarding M&M'S CHOCOLATE CANDIES.
Thank you for your email.
Though we appreciate your interest in our product, our policy prevents us from accepting unsolicited ideas from outside sources.
Because Mars Snackfood US works with several agencies to create its advertising and also has specialists within the company responsible for all advertising ideas, the possibility always exists that concepts similar to yours have been previously considered by us or are currently being evaluated. Naturally, we want to avoid any conflict of ownership.We value you as a consumer and appreciate your letting us know what you think.
Have a great day!
Your Friends at Mars Snackfood US
MM/HERNLIND010291741A
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If you know me, you won't be surprised to hear that I gave it one more shot. I sent the following response:
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Thank you for your response.
Your policy makes sense and I can completely understand how and why you would have certain people responsible for advertising.
I don't mean to be a pest but because I think my idea is such a good one, of course, I'd like to ask a few more questions. I realize that just because I haven't seen the concept used yet doesn't mean it isn't currently in process. Is there a way I can communicate with someone to find out? I can continue providing the word of mouth advertising I do for M&M's - which we all know is really the best kind anyway - but I would hate for them to miss out on what I'm convinced is a solid idea.
Thanks for your additional time.
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Of course I never heard back from them.
But I'll always believe that M&Ms really do make friends in Alaska.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
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Are you suggesting that M&Ms don't make friends in say Nebreska? Or Iowa? Sadly, I do not favor peanut M&Ms (although I'd eat if needed). I do love the peanut butter M&Ms... the least the Mars Company could have done was sent you some free candy, which is how I thought this story would end.
ReplyDeleteIs it just me or are you electronically flirting with the photographer?? Well done!
"...the possibility always exists that concepts similar to yours have been previously considered by us or are currently being evaluated."
ReplyDeleteThanks, Judi. I now have a new comment to write on student papers. :-)
Danielle,
ReplyDeleteAnything BUT. That's why I contacted the Mars Company. I figured if M&Ms make friends in Alaska (as they did for me) they'd probably make friends in Nebraska or Iowa or any other place. That was the whole concept of the idea I pitched to them. I have seen the concept in other commercials - NOW. Maybe they already had the idea in the works. OR, took my idea and ran with it and/or sold it to some other company. Whatever. I will gladly give you some peanut butter M&Ms to become friends with you. :) Having recently seen E.T. again, I thought those were called Reese's Pieces?
Chad,
Thank you for making me laugh out loud. Imagining a professor writing that comment on one of my papers... I'm still laughing.
Actually, the peanut butter M&M is not a Reese's Pieces. It is an M&M, so it has chocolate under the candy shell, but then is filled w/ peanut butter. In a Reese's Pieces, there is no chocolate under the candy shell. There's a little factoid that will get you far in life!
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