SMINT BOOGIES WITH SAMPLING

Confectioner Chupa Chups, Barcelona, has signed its mint brand Smint as first sponsor of DanceStar USA, a dance-music awards show set for March 19, with winners chosen via online voting by fans and music-industry execs. Smint will sponsor the Best Club Venue award and a nomination party to reach affluent club-goers as part of a yearlong sampling campaign. “We are looking to test the [dance club] market through various awareness-raising tactics and product sampling opportunities,” says Smint Brand Manager Kevin Foltz.