On a sunny, February afternoon, residents of all ages gathered in the ARC Realty-Liberty Park parking lot to grab a hot dog and get a peek inside the famous Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. For some, seeing the famed frank drive through their city, let alone their neighborhood, is a bucket list item. For Liberty Park resident, Jimmy Creamer, it was just another day at work. 

Jimmy learned of this opportunity when he was a junior at the University of Alabama and a “hotdogger” visited his marketing class. “After hearing his excitement and passion for the position, I knew it was what I wanted to do,” Jimmy said. Upon graduating, he applied for the position and was one of 12 lucky dogs to be selected as a Hotdogger.

“I am very ‘frankful’ to have cut the mustard among several thousand applications,” Jimmy said.

Frankly, what is a hotdogger? Hotdoggers are the official spokespeople of the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile who travel on a “coast-to-coast wiener roast on a year-long tour spreading miles of smiles”. Over the past year, Jimmy (aka JumboDog Jimmy) and his coworker Ann (aka Angus Ann) have hauled buns on the Hot Dog Highways of America! So far, they’ve been to 27 states and counting! 

“I really enjoyed the big cities in the Northeast such as New York City, Boston, and Pittsburgh. Maine was also very scenic, “ Jimmy added. “If I had to pick one, it would be New Orleans during Mardi Gras. We participated in eight Mardi Gras parades, and it was beautifully chaotic.” 

The best part of the job? Being able to change the trajectory of someone’s day. “It’s hard to look at the wienermobile and not smile, so being able to create joy on a daily basis is truly an honor,” he said. 

Not only has he been able to travel, but the experience has taught him professional life lessons he will be able to use in the future. During his travels, Jimmy was able to attend the NYC Advertising Week with the Wienermobile, collaborate with influencers and hear from advertising professionals. He even got to fist bump Mark Cuban!

“I have learned many things from hotdogging,’ he said. From a business perspective, this job has given me experience in various forms of media, experiential marketing, public relations, sales, and advertising.” 

However, beyond the career focus, this job has made him realize it’s important to take life less seriously. “Don’t be afraid to do something out of the ordinary (driving a giant hotdog around the country for example) and to “relish” the small moments of everyday life,” Jimmy said. “Making your decisions based on what you want to do and being nervous about change is a good thing.”

Jimmy’s time with Oscar Mayer will come to an end soon, so what will he do when he is done hotdogging and “off the grill”? He and Angus Ann plan to backpack Asia for two months. Be sure to follow Jimmy on Instagram at @JumboDog_Jimmy to see all of his frank-tastic travels!

A few fun facts about the Oscar Mayer wienermobile: