Transcript for the Piece Audio version of Travelling Ice Cream Man

Tape: Marcum/Ice Cream Man MIX
Time: 4:09
SOC
Marcum/Ice Cream Man SCRIPT 03/13/08
[ambient]
Matt Allen brought his truck Bessie to Austin, Texas for the South by South West film conference. It's a place where everyone seems to have a company or project to promote. Allen's product Free ice cream.
Customer Cut 1:
Allen: "Like this gentleman here, would you like a free ice cream?
Customer: "I would love a free ice cream."
Allen: "Okay, what sounds good?
Customer: "Oh wow this looks excellent?.It's really free? (0:07)

Many here know Allen from past conferences and request a treat as naturally as pulling it from their best friend's freezer.
Customer Cut 2: "I like it. Who doesn't like free ice cream?? (0:02)

Allen is parked outside an official South by Southwest party featuring blazing hot tacos. Only 20 minutes after Allen parks, nearly thirty people are gathered around the truck waiting for sweet relief. Allen fields questions from his curious customers.
Customer Cut 3:
Customer: "So why are you giving away free ice cream?"
Allen: "Uh, it makes people happy and it?s the best job in the world that I know of."
Customer: "How do you get paid to give free ice cream?" (0:06)

That question is a little bit more complicated. I sit down with Allen to find out where this business began.
Allen Cut 1: "About ten years ago I was in college, and I wanted an ice cream truck but I couldn't afford one so I bought a three wheel bike. It had two wheels in the front. And then I got a cooler and I put it between the two wheels. I used dry ice. Rode my bike around Durango Colorado and sold ice cream and when I named the business I named it Ice Cream Man." (0:16)

Allen discovered selling ice cream proved more difficult than he expected. So at the end of that summer, he hosted a free ice cream social. That was more fun, and gave him an idea.
Four years ago Allen sold his car, moved back in with his Mom and bought a 1969 delivery truck. He approached companies, asking for sponsorship to pay for ice cream and gas. In return, the companies get small but visible stickers on the truck. Sponsors have included big leaguers like Levis and Toyota. Blue Bunny hopped on board this year. It's providing all of the ice cream. He said his clear connection to the corporate world doesn't compromise his goal.
Allen Cut 2: "People tend to separate, if it's a for profit business it's bad, and if it's a non profit business it's good. And the idea is, look there's so many different ways of doing things. And the idea that we can bring on sponsors and work with the different companies that think it's a good idea to help us give away free ice cream, it's perfect. What a great win win win situation." (0:18)

The next afternoon Allen hosts an ice cream social for patients at Dell Children's Medical Center.
[ambient]
Brian just had his tonsils removed. He says the nurses gave him all the popsicles he wanted to soothe his throat. Still, he ventured outside with his mom.
When he gets to the front of the line, Brian asks for a Bombpop. They're kind of small, so Allen asks if he'd like two. Brian wants to see one. Yeah. He says, he'll take two. And guess who Brian thanks for the ice cream. Toyota? Blue Bunny?
Brian Cut 1:
Brian: "Ice cream man!"
Marcum: ?Where does the ice cream man get his ice cream from??
Brian: *Pause* Wheat!? (0:03)

Allen has a goal of giving away half a million ice creams in seven years. He has three more years and 375-thousand treats to go. So even if Brian didn't notice the corporate underwriting, he's still helping Allen's mission. I mean, he took two Bombpops! Nevertheless, Allen's got a lot of work ahead of him.
Allen Cut 3: "I almost think I'm slowly driving myself into this older life of being like, 'Wow that's the crazy guy that used to give away free ice cream. You know, and I'll be dancing my way down the street or on roller skates or something without my shirt on, like going through town, but I?ll be the happiest person around." (0:14)

Before Allen starts roller blading the town half naked, he's got a few more stops to make. He's pulling out of the company in three years, but he says Ice Cream Man will continue without him. It might fund his next business endeavor. Allen intends to make a salary on that one.

For Next Generation Radio, I'm Chelsea Marcum.
[music]