Hotel Chocolat

British luxury chocolatier and cocoa grower Hotel Chocolat - known for cultivating, roasting and “velvetising” some of the finest cacao in the world- retained Misfit Toys Communications to spearhead their U.S. launch, and expectations were high. 

The brand’s revolutionary hot chocolate making system, the Velvetiser, was considered iconic, selling over one million units during its European launch. The Misfits team employed an arsenal of strategic tactics to introduce the innovative system to the U.S. market vis-a-vis earned media coverage, influencer content and well-regarded third-party endorsement channels. 

Among the highlights Misfits produced a full-scale product showcase packing the days with media and influencer appointments, executed a strategic content creator campaign featuring the Velvetiser replete with special creator codes building affinity and sales through their engaged followers, produced a holiday pop-up in partnership with Park Terrace Hotel in Bryant Park and more.

Efforts resulted in key coverage across all channels including top-tier media outlets such as a dedicated feature in Food and Wine magazine and Forbes, national broadcast segments and being highlighted in the top “best of” lists for the holiday season from Cosmopolitan to T3 to House Beautiful, covering consumer gifting needs in lifestyle to tech to home media. 

The demand was so strong, the Velvetiser and its chocolate flakes briefly sold out in the U.S..