• by Fern Siegel , September 9, 2024

Combining pleasures is no mean trick.

Consider the brand marketing campaign that marries Italian chocolatier Ferrero Rocher and book app StoryGraph. The latter app helps readers choose a book based on their favorite topics and themes. It can also track your reading habits, making personalized recommendations to suit your specific interests.

However, Americans are not the readers they once were. Just over half said they read at least one book in 2023, according to Yougov.com.

Both companies want to sweeten the experience with a tasty promotional push.

Sept. 6 i National Read a Book Day — and to mark the occasion, Ferrero Rocher will partner with The Story Graph for the “Reading is a Treat” Challenge. Through Oct. 3, visit "Reading is a Treat" challenge and read for chocolate bars while supplies last.

The promotion dovetails with a new flavor: Ferrero Rocher Dark Hazelnut and Crunch Salted Caramel. Once readers complete the challenge – which includes curated, fall-inspired reading prompts that pair with Ferrero Rocher chocolate – they receive a complimentary chocolate bar.

“We're all about helping readers find their next perfect book and pairing that with a Ferrero Rocher chocolate bar sounds like a fantastic recipe for quality me-time,” says Nadia Odunayo, Founder-CEO of The StoryGraph.

The Ferrero Group was created in 1982 in Alba, a small town in the hills of Piedmont in Italy. Today, it is the world leader in its category and is sold in 140 countries across five continents. Its brands include Nutella, Ferrero Rocher, Kinder Bueno and Kinder Joy.