MINNEAPOLIS — Swap madness is sweeping the nation. Across the country, men and women are doing the swap – hosting clothing swaps, trading music and movies, and swapping items used in their daily routine. To make it even easier to integrate swapping into consumers’ everyday lives this spring, Yoplait has partnered with Swap.com, the largest community of swappers both online and in communities across the country, to encourage swaps of all kinds. Throughout the month of March, consumers can visit Swap.com to take part in Swap Madness, where they’ll be connected with swappers from coast to coast in the “Swap Marketplace”, as well as find daily swap tips, coupons and other rewards. Alison Sweeney, host of “The Biggest Loser” and author of The Mommy Diet, has once again teamed up with Yoplait Light to spread the message that small changes in a person’s everyday life can make a big difference.
Swapping one item for another is a concept consumers are taking to all facets of their lives – including diet and exercise. Sweeney has been working with Yoplait Light on the Do the Swap campaign since August, and makes simple swaps into her daily routine to help stay fit as well as squeeze in quality family time. “With my busy schedule, making little changes during the day is a really easy way to help keep me on track,” says Sweeney, mom of two. “My family can get in on it as well; my kids and I make Yoplait Light Red Velvet parfaits for dessert that everyone loves – or we swap out TV time for a family walk. It’s all little changes but they can add up to a big result.”
“We’ve been helping facilitate swaps worldwide for years, and have really seen the trend take off in the past six months as people look to reduce their environmental footprint and save money,” said Jeff Bennett, CEO of Swap.com. “Swapping has become an easy way to continue to obtain the things you want or need without spending a penny and to reduce your consumption by recycling what you have. We’re happy to offer a collective community where people can go in order to swap with people outside of their everyday circles. Our swappers integrate swapping into their everyday lives, swapping things from flower seeds to books to favorite recipes.”
Swappers from coast to coast can also see how they stack up against each other on an interactive Swap Madness map keeping real-time track of every swap made this month. Also through the month, consumers will be able to find fun Yoplait Light badges. Consumers can also visit www.Facebook.com/yoplait for easy swap ideas and effortless recipes, as well as to share their favorite swaps.
Yoplait Light’s Do the Swap campaign has gained popularity through its recent humorous TV spot titled “Spelling Bee” which began airing in January. In the spot, a teacher, moderating an elementary school spelling bee, gives a student the word “Swapportunity.” After the student questions whether Swapportunity – the opportunity to swap a higher calorie item for a delicious Yoplait Light – is a real word, the teacher insists it is as she enjoys her Yoplait Light.
“We’ve seen a tremendous response from our fans to the idea of Swapportunities, because it’s an easy, natural way to make changes in your daily life – from food to fashion to household items,” said Kim Francis, associate marketing manager for Yoplait Light. “With more than 30 flavors and about 100 calories each, Yoplait Light offers consumers so many different swapportunities to save some calories and still enjoy a delicious treat.”
Each serving of Yoplait Light contains 20 percent of the Daily Value of calcium and vitamin D and zero grams of fat. Yoplait Light is available nationwide for a suggested retail price of $0.79 per six ounce cup. For more information on how you can Do the Swap, visit www.facebook.com/yoplait and www.yoplait.com.
About Swap.com
Swap.com is leading the swap movement both online and in communities across the world. The organization brings people together to list, share and swap their stuff through the company’s website, mobile app, local events, homes, schools and co-branded partnerships. Swap.com is a privately held company headquartered in Boston, MA. For more information, visit www.swap.com.
About General Mills
One of the world's leading food companies, General Mills operates in more than 100 countries, and markets more than 100 consumer brands, including Cheerios, Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Progresso, Yoplait, Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, General Mills had fiscal 2010 global net sales of US$16 billion, including the company’s $1.2 billion proportionate share of joint venture net sales.
Source: General Mills
