• by Tanya Gazdik , Yesterday

Panera Bread is partnering with Keke Palmer for the evolution of its rewards program.

Launching today nationwide, MyPanera now offers a points-based rewards system that makes earning and redeeming rewards for free Panera items easier. 

The new program is designed to elevate the loyalty experience for more than 70 million current MyPanera members.

To raise awareness about the new program, Palmer will be featured in a campaign from 72andSunny that features her doing what she does best: taking the internet's favorite talking points and turning them into the punchline. 

“ArtClass director Paul Scheer built this spot as a two-part scroll-stopper: a faux-podcast interview where Keke Palmer appears to be discussing a new partner, before a mid-scene reveal that she’s actually gushing to a Panera employee on their break about the fast casual chain’s tropical mango pineapple energy refresher exclusive to Panera Rewards members,” according to Little Black Book. 

With her trademark humor, Palmer playfully reframes the conversation around "loyalty,” showing just how refreshing, and rewarding, it feels (and tastes) when you find something that actually gives back, before revealing that the loyal “relationship” she’s talking about is actually MyPanera.

“There are likeable people, and then there’s Keke Palmer,” according to Sporked. “The actress, singer-songwriter, TV and podcast host, and all-around sensation is the very definition of a modern star, and with a combination of a diverse skillset, serious charm, and media savvy, she stays booked and busy. The internet is keen to know the details of her personal life too, and over the last few months, there’s been a lot of chatter about who she’s been dating…and Palmer has decided it’s time to step into the conversation. She’s doing it with Panera.”

MyPanera is rewarding current members with 500 bonus points for their first purchase in the new program from Aug.19 through Sept. 1.

“Rather than earning rewards through a traditional punch-card-style system, members now earn 10 points for every $1 spent and can choose how to redeem those points on Panera menu items,” according to Parade. “Rewards start at 250 points, which can be redeemed for a free bagel or mini bakery treat. Members can also save up to 2,000 points for a full entrée of their choice.”

Palmer recently appeared in a new effort for Seventh Generation. 

“The brand had been looking for a celebrity that fit with efforts to liven up its marketing and target a consumer it called ‘the fearless optimist,’” according to Marketing Daily.