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Brooklyn joins search for Bart’s Butterfinger

August 7, 2013 Editorial Staff

Joseph B. and his little brother took a guess at who stole Bart Simpson's Butterfinger. (BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/Photos by Lindsey Riback)

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In the search for who stole Bart’s Butterfinger, Brooklynites had a go on Saturday, August 3 at the 7-Eleven on 2474 Flatbush Avenue. Fans across the country have entered the online instant win game and sweepstakes to solve the case and potentially win the grand prize of a trip to Los Angeles and a personal illustrated Simpson’s style portrait.

“This is a crime of epic proportions, it’s Bart’s Butterfinger,” exclaimed a passerby.

Parked in the 7-Eleven lot was a “Simpsons” themed truck with a 12 suspect lineup, six on both sides. Passersby were encouraged to join the event and pick out who was responsible for the robbery. Homer, Marge, Grampa Simpson, Maggie, Lisa and Milhouse lined one side of the #WhoStoleBartsBar van while Mr. Burns, Nelson, Apu, Jeff Albertson/The Comic Book Guy, Krusty the Clown and Sideshow Bob lined the other.

The search for who stole Bart Simpson's Butterfinger continued in Brooklyn on August 3.

“We enhanced the experience by bringing the Simpsons and suspect lineup so consumers can get excited about who actually did it,” said media contact for Nestlé Confections & Snacks, Patricia Bowles. “The van is an engaging grassroots opportunity for consumers.”

After selecting their choice, participants were given a t-shirt with the photo of their suspect and a coupon for a free limited edition Bart’s Butterfinger.

“I chose Nelson because he looked a little suspicious on the sign there and he looks like he enjoys butterfingers,” joked Destephano.

Once they received their free gifts they took a photo in front the truck with Bart and they were entered into the contest.

“It’s Sideshow Bob because he’s Bart’s enemy,” said participant Ro Dunn.

Fans were encouraged via Butterfinger’s Facebook page to tweet #WhoStoleBartsBar with the location in order to qualify for the freebies, however, majority of the participants just happened to stumble upon the truck.

“We were just walking by and we saw the sign on the post,” said Tom Chambers. He and his son Alan were among the first to show up.

Coincidentally Joseph B., who chose Apu, happened to be in the neighborhood, “We are currently playing the game on the iPad and are maxed out on our last level. We are rebuilding the Krusty the Clown Theme Park.”

Clues are posted weekly on Butterfinger’s Facebook page as part of the instant sweepstakes and participants are encouraged to enter the codes from Butterfingers for a chance to win a Homer Simpson snowboard, a Bart model cruzer from Santa Cruz Skateboards or Simpson themed Kidrobot figurines. The special edition candy bars are expected to be on the market through Halloween. The sweepstakes will officially end on November 10 and winners will be announced on November 19.

Brooklyn was the first stop on the cross-country tour for the truck which was driven from California to New Jersey for pre-production. Before hitting the Brooklyn 7-Eleven the truck stopped for a photo shoot at various landmarks in New York City. There will be nine other stops across the country, three of which are cities of Springfield (Ohio, Illinois and Missouri), a tribute to the setting of the show.7-Eleven was chosen as the first host for the event as an illusion to the “Kwik-E-Mart” on the show.

“We are very excited to share with our beloved consumers that Bart and Butterfinger are back together,” stated Bowles. “I think it is just as exciting for the brand as it is for the fans.”

The Simpsons have appeared in Butterfinger commercials since 1988 but the formal partnership between the Nestle and Fox came about 12 years ago when Bart reminded his fans that “nobody better lay a finger” on his Butterfinger in a commercial.