RITZ® Crackers Delivers a Salty Slice of Paradise in Its Big Game Comeback
Rhea-AI Summary
Mondelēz International (Nasdaq: MDLZ) returns RITZ® Crackers to the Big Game with a :30 commercial titled "RITZ Island", airing in the 3rd quarter and starring Jon Hamm, Bowen Yang and Scarlett Johansson.
The integrated 360° campaign includes a strengthened in-store presence and limited-edition football-shaped crackers to support game-day distribution. 2024 net revenues were approximately $36.4 billion.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, MDLZ gained 1.33%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction. Our momentum scanner triggered 6 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $1.01B to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $76.74B at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
MDLZ is up 0.38% with higher volume, while peers show mixed moves: HSY +0.34%, DEO +0.21%, CL +1.48%, BUD -0.59%, MO -0.22%. The pattern points to a stock-specific branding catalyst rather than a unified sector rotation.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 29 | Executive appointment | Positive | +2.0% | Luca Zaramella elevated to EVP, COO and CFO with expanded oversight. |
| Jan 27 | Conference presentation | Neutral | -2.2% | Announcement of upcoming CAGNY Conference presentation and webcast access. |
| Jan 22 | Innovation program | Positive | +1.4% | Launch of CoLab Tech 2026 R&D accelerator for snack-centric innovations. |
| Jan 21 | Brand collaboration | Positive | -1.1% | Limited-time MARVEL OREO Stuf of Legends cookies and promotional sweepstakes. |
| Jan 21 | Correction notice | Neutral | -1.1% | Correction release clarifying details on MARVEL OREO collaboration launch. |
Recent brand and corporate announcements have produced mixed reactions, with some positive branding or strategic updates sold off and others bid up, suggesting investors respond selectively to news quality and timing.
Over the past weeks, MDLZ has issued a series of corporate and brand updates. Leadership changes were highlighted when Luca Zaramella was named EVP, COO and CFO, which coincided with a +2.02% move. Investor events like the upcoming CAGNY presentation on Feb 17, 2026 saw a -2.19% reaction. Innovation and brand activity included the CoLab Tech 2026 accelerator and MARVEL OREO limited-time cookies, with price moves ranging from about +1.42% to -1.1%. Today’s RITZ Big Game campaign fits into this ongoing emphasis on branded snacking experiences and collaborations.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement showcases MDLZ’s use of high-profile RITZ advertising during the Big Game to deepen brand engagement, complementing earlier innovation efforts and collaborations. With $36.4 billion in 2024 net revenues, the company emphasizes culture-driven snacking while recent filings highlight both revenue growth and margin pressure. Investors may watch how such campaigns support volumes and mix against a backdrop of lower operating income, reduced operating cash flow and higher borrowings in recent quarters.
Key Terms
diluted eps financial
operating cash flow financial
schedule 13g regulatory
form 4 regulatory
10-q regulatory
8-k regulatory
s-8 regulatory
economic hedge financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Self-proclaimed "salties" Jon Hamm and Bowen Yang team up with Scarlett Johansson in the RITZ® brand's witty (and flavorful) new commercial.
"The Big Game is the moment where culture, entertainment, and sports collide on the biggest stage," said Steven Saenen, Category President, Savory Snacking. "We continue to evolve RITZ® Crackers into a modern, culture-shaping brand built for today's shared moments. Our Big Game creative anchors in what people love about our product - its deliciously salty and buttery flavor - and uses humor, heart, and signature saltiness to show how RITZ® brings everyone together, even the saltiest, inviting a new generation of snackers to join in."
INTRODUCING THE RITZ SALTY ISLAND
The :30 second commercial opens with Hamm and Yang perched in a treehouse overlooking partygoers who are enjoying RITZ® Crackers on the beach. After exchanging a few salty remarks, the two contemplate joining the party to get a taste of delicious RITZ® Crackers. In the blink of an eye, Johansson arrives on a jet ski and invites Hamm and Yang to come down to the beach. Soon enough, the trio of beachgoers ride into the party in style, savoring the salty, buttery-flavored goodness of RITZ® Crackers.
"Who wouldn't want to escape to RITZ® Island for a day?" said Jon Hamm. "Diving into this creative concept with RITZ® Crackers has been a blast."
"RITZ® Crackers are a star in their own right," said Bowen Yang. "Partnering with them has been an absolute joy—this is my first Big Game spot, and I couldn't ask for a better experience than visiting RITZ® Island."
In the blink of an eye, Johansson arrives on a jet ski and invites Hamm and Yang to come down to the beach party. Soon enough, the trio of beachgoers ride into the party in style, savoring the salty, buttery-flavored goodness of RITZ® Crackers together.
"Collaborating with RITZ® Crackers on this Big Game commercial was such a thrill," said Scarlett Johansson. "The RITZ® brand is having a lot of fun leaning into its salty side, and the energy of this spot totally reflects that. It's bold, playful and a little unexpected, and I loved getting to jump in and bring that spirit to life with Jon and Bowen."
"RITZ Island" was developed in collaboration with MARTIN*, Hungryman, Inc., and Publicis Production, with direction by Dan Opsal, renowned for his comedic commercials and sketches.
RITZ® Crackers: The Ultimate Game Day MVP
RITZ® Crackers are no stranger to the game day spread, and the world's biggest advertising stage is the perfect setting to lean into the brand's bold, salty humor. To mark the crackers' return to the Big Game, the RITZ® Brand is executing an integrated effort with a 360° multichannel approach that reaches consumers at every touchpoint, including a strengthened in-store presence throughout the football season with the recent release of limited-edition football-shaped crackers.
For more information, visit RITZ® Crackers at www.RITZCrackers.com and follow the brand on Facebook @RITZCrackers, Twitter/X @RITZCrackers, TikTok @theritzcrackerofficial or on Instagram @RITZcrackers to be among the first to know about future brand news.
About Mondelēz International
Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world. With 2024 net revenues of approximately
Media Contact
Weber Shandwick RITZ Team
wswnycritz@webershandwick.com
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ritz-crackers-delivers-a-salty-slice-of-paradise-in-its-big-game-comeback-302677038.html
SOURCE Mondelēz International