Chewits is the brand name of a chewy, cuboid-shaped, soft taffy sweet manufactured by Leaf International.
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Chewits was launched in the UK in 1965. The sweets were originally manufactured in Southport, but after the closing of the factory in 2006 manufacture was moved to Slovakia. The original flavours consisted of Strawberry, Blackcurrant, Orange and Banana. Over the years more exotic flavours such as Ice Cream, Cola, Rhubarb & Custard, and Blue Mint were introduced as limited edition flavours. In 2000[1] sour flavours,[2] Apple and Tutti Frutti were launched, other fizzy and hot flavours were available for a limited time. New Chewits pack designs, formats and flavours were launched in 2009. Currently Chewits core flavour range includes Strawberry, Blackcurrant, Fruit Salad, Ice Cream, Cola and Orange.[3]
Ice Cream Chewits, originally released in 1989, were re-introduced in 2009 following an online petition[4] and demand expressed on Facebook[5] and Bebo.[4]
Chewits were first advertised on television in 1976. The original advertisements featured the 'Monster Muncher', a Godzilla-resembling mascot on the hunt for something chewy to eat. The first ad featuring the Muncher threatening New York was made by French Gold Abbott and created by John Clive and Ian Whapshot. The first ad was so successful the sequel was delayed. The 'Monster Muncher' chomps and tramples humorously local and well-known international landmarks such as Barrow-in-Furness Bus Depot, a London block of flats, London Bridge, the Taj Mahal, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the Empire State Building. The 'Monster Muncher' could only be quelled by a pack of Chewits.
A spin-off computer game, The Muncher, was released for the ZX Spectrum in 1988.
The original adverts used claymation special effects, similar in style to those made famous in the movies of Ray Harryhausen. They also included a voiceover style reminiscent of a 1950s radio serial.
A subsequent advertisement, originally aired in 1995, plays on the over-the-top advertising style of the post-war era. To the tune of bright 1950s era orchestration, a salesy narrator exhorts viewers to try a variety of chewy consumer items in the essential guide to a chewier chew. The ad shows the 'Monster Muncher' sampling items such as Wellington boots, a rubber boat and a rubber plant in order to be ready for the chewiest of chews - Chewits.
In the late 1990s, Chewits experimented with ads showing multiple news casting dinosaur puppets. The catchphrase advice at the close of each 'broadcast' was to "do it before you chew it". This style of ads was relatively short-lived for Chewits.
With a change of advertising agencies, the puppets were replaced by colourful 2D animations. The 'Monster Muncher' was re-introduced as 'Chewie' in two popular adverts from this time. In the first, which aired in 2000, Chewie roller skates on two buses through a busy city scene. The second, which went out a year later in 2001, shows Chewie waterskiing at a popular seaside resort. The ads included a rendition of the 1994 hit song 'I like to move it'[6] by Reel 2 Real, with the chorus, "I like to Chewit Chewit."
In 2003, after a further shift in advertising agencies, a new ad was aired showing a wide range of animals auditioning to be the new face of Chewits. The ad announced the return of the iconic dinosaur Chewie mascot, now dubbed 'Chewie the Chewitsaurus'.[7]
In 2009, Chewits introduced the new Chewie the Chewitsaurus look, showing a contemporary, computer-game-style slick design.[8] Chewie the Chewitsaurus features on all Chewits packaging and sponsorship activity.
In 2009, Chewits launched a social media campaign with the new-look Chewie the Chewitsaurus. The Facebook page[9] titled “Chewie the Chewitsuarus” and has established over 80,000 ‘likes’ in its lifetime. Copyrighting on the Facebook page[9] is derived from, and reminiscent of the 1950s radio serial narrator style from the previous TV advertising campaigns. In 2011, the Chewits Xtreme Facebook page was launched.[10]
Chewits have been involved in a range of promotional activity over the years including the Chewits log flume at Pleasureland in Southport. More recently, Chewits have sponsored several sport and activity-related programmes for children in the UK.
Chewits Sports Courses, in partnership with children's coaching organisation Premier Sport, run daily during school holidays and provide sporting activity courses to approximately 125,000 children in the UK.[11] The sponsorship is supported by sporting ambassadors Lawrence Dallaglio, Duncan Goodhew and Paul Sculthorpe.[12]
Chewits began sponsoring the Lancashire County Cricket's junior membership club, the Lancashire Thunderbolts, in February 2009.[13]
In 2009, Chewits launched a programme to help young sporting hopefuls ahead of the London Olympics in 2012. The Chewits Young Sporting Ambassador programme provides financial support and coaching to sponsored athletes.[14]
In 2011, Chewits partnered with Team Extreme[15] and held an extreme sports road show to promote the Xtreme range of products.
Chewits contain no hydrogenated fats.[3] Chewits products contain no artificial colourings.[3] With the exception of Strawberry, Ice cream and Xtreme Sour Tutti Frutti, Chewits products are free from artificial flavourings.[3]
Chewits subscribes to the Betreatwise program, a UK program that encourages people to think about the treats they eat as a part of a healthy and well balanced diet, and to use the Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs) on the back of packs for nutritional guidance.
Chewits are also suitable for vegetarians.