Truwit said, and in the last year they have sent more than 1.8 million 'tell a friend' e-mail messages recommending the games to others. Research by Orbitz shows that computer users spend an average of 3.5 minutes playing each game, Mr. Among the other brands that have added sponsored online games to their marketing tactics are Jeep and Life Savers. That is usually more efficient and effective for a marketer than to chase after consumers with ads they are likely to shun. The goal of advergaming is to encourage consumers to engage in a branded experience - that is, spend time voluntarily with an ad. The comeback of the Orbitz games is indicative of a trend known as advergaming, in which marketers offer games online that double as ads - or vice versa, depending on your perspective - to capitalize on the growing interest among computer users in so-called casual gaming, playing short games whether brain teasers or time fillers. Visitors to the site will be able to send 'Wink-o-gram' e-mail messages. While the balls are not as gelatinous as the original, they’re still an easy way to make any beverage gross.The Web site includes elements of the mainstream advertising campaign for Orbitz like a cameo role for the game show host Wink Martindale, who appears in commercials for Orbitz created by the Chicago office of Young & Rubicam, part of the Young & Rubicam Brands division of the WPP Group. But it’s not like anyone fondly remembers Orbitz for its taste. So, how does it taste? I mean, I just threw together four flavors of Clearly Canadian that don’t go together, so not great.

Make sure you get the time on the stove clock so you don’t forget you spent your whole afternoon doing this. Carefully pour in the Clearly Canadian flavors. When your colored chia seeds are ready, add a couple spoonfuls to the glass or bottle you’ll be drinking from. Gently rinse the chia seeds– you want the water to run clear so you don’t inadvertently dye the base of your Orbitz. Refrigerate until you’re ready to use.Īfter the chia seeds have absorbed some of the water and have become weirdly gel-like, dump them into a fine mesh strainer. The more you know.Įight hours before you want to chew your refreshing beverage, mix the chia seeds, water, and food coloring in a bowl. dab of pink food coloring gel (or any color)īefore we get too far, chia seeds can be dangerous so make sure you soak them and don’t eat them dry and choke on them. We’re mixing all four current Clearly Canadian flavors together for a refreshing (?) Raspberry Cherry Peach Blackberry Chia Orbitz. Since Clearly Canadian was behind Orbitz, and Clearly Canadian has returned after charging my credit card two years ago, I figured their product would be the best bet for the drink portion of our Homemade Orbitz.īesides the balls, one of Orbitz’s other quirks was their strange flavor combinations: Raspberry Citrus, Blueberry Melon Strawberry, Pineapple Banana Cherry Coconut, Vanilla Orange, and Black Currant Berry. Remember when I mentioned Clearly Canadian a couple paragraphs ago? I planted that seed for a reason. Raspberry Cherry Peach Blackberry Chia Orbitz They’re not the same as the Orbitz balls, but it’s edible and hey– actually healthy? What? Check out the recipe below to learn about our mystery balls. That’s when I remembered the weird buoyancy of chia seeds. The gellan gum provided a support matrix-something like a microscopic spider web-and had a visual clarity approaching that of water, which increased with the addition of sugar.”īut we here at Pop Rewind aren’t the science-y kind, so I had to think of something a little less intimidating to act as floating balls. “The small balls floated due to their nearly equal density to the surrounding liquid, and remained suspended with assistance from an ingredient known as gellan gum. Here are some words from Wikipedia explaining it better than I can: The difference is that Clearly Canadian, the company behind Orbitz, used science. The boba, or tapioca pearls, sink to the bottom, unlike the Orbitz balls that stayed suspended in the liquid.

I guess bubble tea might be in the same family, like a weird distant cousin you only see when someone dies. It was just so weird and out there, and since it went to the defunct beverage graveyard back in 1997, nothing has compared. One thing we can agree on: Orbitz sure made an impression on us. Chances are you have a memory of Orbitz, whether it was gleefully chugging chunky sugar water or side-eyeing someone as they chugged chunky sugar water while you, smartly, abstained because wtf are those balls and why are they floating?

Orbitz 8 ball