28 Aug Products in the News!
Sometimes at Product of the Year we like to give a shout out to those brands and products that are stepping up, standing out and making some noise. And this week, KFC, BrewDog, Kellogg’s and the Meatless Farm Co have all been hitting the headlines – and making their presence known for all the right reasons.
They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery – and by that logic you’ve got to assume that BrewDog is feeling flattered with a capital ‘F’. When Aldi launched an own-brand beer with more than a passing resemblance to BrewDog’s Punk IPA range – those maverick canine brewers threw it right back at them with a BrewDog beer called ‘Yaldi’ with more than a passing resemblance to Aldi branding! Brilliant, bold, playful and smart it was the kind of response we have come to expect from a confident brand that knows exactly what it is and how to play the game to stay on top. And something good has come out of the comradery, BrewDog & Aldi have agreed for every case sold they will each plant one extra tree in the BrewDog Fores. Got to love this!
In 2018 KFC caused a media sensation with a campaign apologising for their lack of chicken. Their ‘FCK We’re Sorry’ campaign went viral – picking up plaudits for some smart thinking and a clever creative. And this week KFC have hit the headlines again by censoring its super-famous slogan ‘finger-lickin’ good. With hand sanitisers now part of our ‘new normal’ KFC is telling its chicken fans ‘that thing we’ve been saying for 64 years? Ignore it.’ Let the awards season begin…
Kellogg’s, the much-loved cereals brand (and winner of no fewer than xxx Product of the Year awards) has this week launched a sweet, charming back-to-school animated TV spot that follows one boy’s journey from lockdown to playground. Talking through his ‘longest break ever’ and referencing everything from indoor football with his dad to the perils of online communication with extended family – the ad shifts from animation to real life with the boy in school uniform reassuring his dad that all will be ok as they’ll “still do breakfast”.
Beautifully judged it’s a heartfelt piece of comms that places the Kellogg’s brand at the heart of the family – a constant amidst the ongoing topsy-turvy.
And our final shout out of the week goes to the Meatless Farm Co that last week premiered its cheeky ‘expletive’ ‘M*** F***’ TV ad – encouraging people to go meat-free at least once a week and on Wednesday launched a meat-free drive thru pop up in Hackney. Another show of confidence from a maverick brand that is boasting 179% growth year-on-year.
To all of these brilliant brands/products that have grabbed our attention this week – at Product of the Year we salute you.