June 25, 2019
Bobbleheads, Ball Cards Among the Branded Merch For Seinfeld’s 30th Anniversary
The iconic, still-popular sitcom has brand collaborations with the New York Mets and others.
Seinfeld, the hit sitcom that’s famously “about nothing,” is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a whole lot of something, including brand collaborations that feature promotional products and specially branded packaging.
Marketed under the clever tagline “30 Years of Nothing, Now That’s Something,” one of the centerpiece collabs is between Sony Pictures Television (Seinfeld’s distributor) and Major League Baseball’s New York Mets – a favorite team of both the real Jerry Seinfeld and his character on the show.
On July 5th, the 30th anniversary to the day that the first Seinfeld episode aired, the Mets will give out a Jerry Seinfeld bobblehead and Jerry-branded baseball cards at their game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Actor Larry Thomas – who played Seinfeld fan favorite “The Soup Nazi” on the show – will be available for photo ops. Jerry Seinfeld will throw out the first pitch. Mets great Keith Hernandez – who played himself on the show in an episode called “The Boyfriend” – will be on hand, too.
Perimeter Security Warning: Mets to have Seinfeld Bobblehead Night July 5 https://t.co/3FRZyKlgAj pic.twitter.com/WgRVrNpIdP
— metspolice.com (@metspolice) May 17, 2019
The Mets aren’t the only MLB team getting in on the Seinfeld fun. In late May, the Los Angeles Dodgers had a “Seinfeld Night” to commemorate the show’s three-decade anniversary. Fans buying a special package received a Seinfeld baseball:
On May 29, the Dodgers are celebrating the 30th anniversary of “Seinfeld” with a commemorative baseball that reads “30 years of nothing, now that’s something.” The Mets are the opponent.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) April 24, 2019
(This is a special ticket package, and only fans buying that package get the ball.) pic.twitter.com/CWDeSdAMXG
Meanwhile, candy brand Junior Mints has released limited edition Seinfeld-themed packaging that includes details on how fans can download the hilarious “The Junior Mint” episode.
As seen on a check-out shelf: The Junior Mints episode of Seinfeld gets its marketing moment, 26 years later, on @JuniorMints boxes pic.twitter.com/rvcm5e9O3t
— Jessica Wohl (@jessicawohl) June 12, 2019
Sweets purveyor Drake’s, whose Ring Dings and Coffee Cakes featured in Seinfeld, also produced special packaging. It showcases a line drawing of Jerry’s apartment and popular quotes from the show. Drake’s is also doing a sweepstakes in which 10 third place winners will receive Seinfeld branded merchandise, including hats and T-shirts.
Other Seinfeld 30th anniversary initiatives include: the New York City MTA distributing Seinfeld-branded MetroCards, Seinfeld trivia vending machines in New York and Los Angeles that will give fans the chance to win promotional products, and a Seinfeld food truck that will be motoring around New York during July.
And, Minor League Baseball’s Brooklyn Cyclones are getting their Seinfeld on too. Since 2014, the club has annually held a “Seinfeld Night.” This year’s was on June 13th; a “Fusilli Jerry” bobblehead (a pasta statue of Jerry from an episode) was given away by the team whose devotion to the show is such that it has undertaken temporary rebrands as the Brooklyn “Seinclones.”
Black & Whites. Junior Mints. Magic 8 Ball Jackets. Man Hands. Big Salads.
— Brooklyn Cyclones (@BKCyclones) July 18, 2018
It's Seinfeld Night 5 - featuring the Brooklyn Seinclones.
All the info + finalists for the name change for the 30th Anniversary Celebration coming in 2019. https://t.co/cc9UpC84d6 pic.twitter.com/yXhL0QUf6h
But that's not all. EVERY FAN in attendance will receive a Fusilli Jerry figurine. No, we're not being -silly. We promise it's true. pic.twitter.com/qbRmcTEU4P
— Brooklyn Cyclones (@BKCyclones) May 31, 2019
With all the promo collectibles, one thing’s clear: There might be no soup for you, but there is definitely swag.