17568: WTF KFC.

Does Colonel Sanders really translate in Myanmar? Really? Or is it Colonel colonialism?

17445: WPP Media QSR WTF.

 

MediaPost reported WPP Media was named integrated media agency for KFC and Pizza Hut in Singapore, allegedly after a competitive shootout.

 

The four-sentence report stated spending for the brands was not disclosed; plus, incumbents and competitors were not identified.

 

Was the victory sealed via Corporate Cultural Collusion, cronyism, or colonization? Probably a conspiratorial combination of all three.

 

WPP Media Wins KFC, Pizza Hut Singapore Assignments

 

By Steve McClellan

 

WPP Media has been appointed integrated media agency for KFC Singapore and Pizza Hut Singapore, following a competitive pitch.   

 

The agency’s remit includes media strategy, planning, and buying for both brands across the market.

 

Spending was not disclosed, and the incumbents on the account were not identified.  

 

WPP Media has existing relationships with both brands, working with them in parts of Europe, Asia Pacific, and other regions.  

16003: KFC WTF Brainwave Bucket BS.

 

Edelman in China is responsible for this thoroughly irresponsible KFC Brainwave Bucket bullshit described as follows:

 

Stress and overthinking is pervasive in the chaotic 24-hour metropolis. Recent studies indicate Hong Kong is one of the most stressful cities in the world and ranks #1 in the stress index of employees all around East Asia. However, scientific findings have shown that comfort food relieves the stress response in the brain. KFC is encouraging Hong Kong’s overthinking citizens to think less and indulge more with Finger Lickin’ Good fried chicken.

 

Therefore we created the KFC Brainwave Bucket — a brain-sensing helmet with a built-in headband that analyses people’s brain activity. The data from the helmet is connected to an app which provides real-time biofeedback showing how active the mind is. The helmet design, and the mind-detecting enclosure, is based on KFC’s iconic bucket. People are invited to sit inside the bucket-esque structure and wear the helmet on their head, after which they’re encouraged to switch off and think less with the help of some Finger Lickin’ Good chicken.

 

A fun and lighthearted way to bring the comforting effects of KFC to Hong Kongers, the event launch is being held at KFC’s flagship store on Oct 22 where customers are invited to try the experience for themselves. Those who embrace the comforting qualities of the Colonel’s signature chicken and stop overthinking are rewarded with more fried chicken!

 

In short, the campaign is encouraging stress eating—which has been shown in ‘scientific findings’ to trigger overeating, obesity and mental health issues. Somebody should examine the heads of the idiots involved with this promotional propaganda.

 

15674: Revolving Doors, Musical Chairs, Perpetuating Exclusivity.

 

Advertising Age inadvertently demonstrates why the industry is going down the toilet. One White advertising agency poaches a leader from a competing White advertising agency. Meanwhile, a healthcare company recruits a CMO from KFC, which is the equivalent of the Democratic Party wooing QAnon members. In short, all White bodies are relatively generic and routinely swapped between enterprises.

15470: Old Help Wanted At KFC.

 

McCann in Costa Rica uses Colonel Sanders to fight ageism. Maybe next he’ll hype Viagra with his girlfriend, Mrs. Butterworth…

 

15415: KFC COVID-19 WTF.

 

This KFC campaign from Ireland is odd. The creators claim the message was intended to promote the fast feeder’s delivery service during the country’s strict COVID-19 lockdown—yet no one in the ads appears to be concerned about practicing social distancing or other coronavirus-related precautions…? 

14810: KFC Campaign From Spain Should Rest In Piece—12-Piece Bucket, That Is.

Okay, if Día de los Muertos Barbie was controversial, why did KFC in Spain think it was cool to run this Day of the Dead campaign? Would it not have been more appropriate to honor the dead Colonel?

14768: How To Kill Your Chances At New Business Prospects.

This Egyptian campaign was created by an advertising agency that can expect to not land any new business from Pepsi, KFC or Mickey D’s.

14713: Facing The F*cking Facts With FaceApp.

Two recent FaceApp ideas hatched by advertising people inadvertently exposed a key issue in the industry. #ItsGettingOld shows how Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland and others would have looked as old folks. Meanwhile, KFC shows Colonel Sanders doesn’t look different over the years. In adland, minorities grow old getting marginalized—while Old White Guys never change at all.

14655: KFC WTF BS.

Adweek reported KFC made a Spotify playlist of hip-hop tracks with references to the fried chicken brand. Somewhere, Mary J. Blige is demanding an apology. Oh, and below is the leadership of the White advertising agency behind the initiative—which is not surprising, as White advertising agencies love hip hop.

KFC Made a Spotify Playlist of ‘Bucket Bangers,’ 46 Hip-Hop Tracks That Referenced the Brand

The chain’s French operation will be promoting it through ads

By Erik Oster

Name-dropping of brands in hip-hop is nothing new. For years, the likes of fashion and alcohol have received their fair share of attention (“Pass the Courvoisier” by Busta Rhymes or “Air Force Ones” by Nelly, anyone?).

Food has an illustrious history in the genre as well if this playlist is any indication. But did you know that KFC has been explicitly been mentioned a whopping 46 times in hip-hop songs over the past 30 years? From Run DMC and the Beastie Boys to Kanye West, MIA and Kendrick Lamar, the chain is clearly a big part of hip-hop’s history.

Now, KFC is returning the favor by paying tribute to hip-hop with a “Bucket Bangers” Spotify playlist devoted to the songs referencing the brand.

KFC’s French agency Sid Lee Paris created a campaign to promote the playlist via Spotify banners and a series of OOH ads around Paris with lyrics from the songs. But it’s not just American artists featured. “Bucket Bangers” includes a host of French acts like Maître Gims and Orelsan in addition to the familiar names already mentioned, as well as hip-hop stars from Germany, Russia and Brazil.

It’s a unique way to flex KFC’s pop culture prowess, as we’re pretty sure there aren’t many brands who could pull off such a lengthy playlist.

14378: When Harlan Met Joy.

Okay, before anyone thinks KFC is jumping on the interracial couples bandwagon with Colonel Sanders and Mrs. Butterworth dancing and romancing for the Chicken & Waffles promotion, think again. Contrary to popular misconception, Mrs. Butterworth is a matronly White woman—not to be confused with Aunt Jemima. Hell, Mrs. Butterworth is barely true to her name, as the original formula only contained 2% of butter.

13387: KFC KKK…?

AdFreak spotlighted the latest KFC advertising featuring Mad Men star Vincent Kartheiser as Nashville Hot Colonel. Will KFC ever cast a Black actor as the iconic Colonel? Surely Kenan Thompson or even Kevin Hart would deliver stellar performances. The fast feeder will probably cast a White woman ahead of a Black man.

Pete Campbell Lands the KFC Account, as Vincent Kartheiser Is Your New Colonel The Nashville Hot Colonel, in fact

By Tim Nudd

Darrell Hammond, Norm Macdonald, Jim Gaffigan and … Vincent Kartheiser?

Yes, the 37-year-old Mad Men star is the latest (and most unlikely) actor to dress up as Colonel Sanders for KFC’s ongoing ad campaign from Wieden + Kennedy. And he’s not just any Colonel Sanders. Kartheiser plays the “heartthrob Nashville Hot Colonel” to celebrate the return of Nashville Hot Chicken to the KFC menu.

“Like KFC’s Nashville Hot Chicken, I’m a bit of a rebel decked out in authentic Nashville flavor—a perfect combination of classic and cool,” Kartheiser said in a groan-inducing statement. The chicken chain said that in casting the specialty role, it “sought out a young actor with lots of hair and flair. Vincent’s vintage good looks and piercing blue eyes made him perfect for the role.”

Those blue eyes are prominently on display in the still imagery KFC had whipped up for the announcement. And indeed, that still imagery is all you’ll see of Kartheiser in the spot below—which casts Nashville Hot Chicken as an illicit temptation to teens, akin to rock ‘n’ roll in the 1950s. (The teen in the spot is seen fawning not only over the food by also over a vinyl record by the apparently musically inclined Nashville Colonel.)

KFC launched its own version of the trendy regional Nashville Hot Chicken flavor back in January, and claims that fans on social media have been clamoring for its return ever since.

“Matt Scary tweeted at us that if we brought Nashville Hot Back on Oct. 10, it would be the best birthday gift ever,” said KFC CMO Kevin Hochman. “So if Matt brings just $5.49 plus tax to a KFC on Oct. 10, that birthday gift is his. I’m kidding! We’ll send him a gift card!”

More pics of Vincent below.

13299: KFClichéd & Culturally Clueless.

Despite the high production values, isn’t this KFC commercial from Ogilvy in South Africa essentially the standard stereotype of Black folks singing and dancing over fried chicken?

12848: BlackFacebook From KFC.

A MultiCultClassics visitor pointed to a Facebook post from KFC Peru. Finger-licking bullshit.

12840: Taco Bell Chicken Shit.

Advertising Age reported on the latest Taco Bell innovation: taco shells made of chicken—or whatever passes for chicken from KFC, Taco Bell’s sister company. Not sure how the Taco Bell Naked Crispy Chicken Taco fits with the fast feeder’s efforts to reduce salt and lessen artificiality in its menu items. Looks like Taco Bell continues to play chicken with honesty and integrity.

Taco Bell’s Newest Taco Shell Looks More Loco Than Doritos

‘Naked Crispy Chicken Taco’ Pops Up at California Taco Bells

By Jessica Wohl

We’ve all seen the success Taco Bell has had with Doritos Locos tacos. Now comes the latest shell innovation at the Mexican fast-food chain: chicken.

That’s right, Taco Bell—sister chain to KFC—is selling what’s being called the Naked Crispy Chicken Taco. In it, breaded chicken replaces a typical taco shell.

According to Foodbeast, which quickly spotted this creation, Taco Bell is using Bakersfield, Calif., as its initial test area.

Foodbeast says the item is a piece of breaded, white meat chicken filled with lettuce, tomato, cheese and some avocado ranch sauce.

It’s way too soon to say whether this shell will spread to other areas. Of course, patrons might already be trying to order it outside the test area, especially at KFC/Taco Bell dual chain locations. And we know KFC’s already tried the chicken-as-delivery-method scenario with its Double Down, where two pieces of chicken replaced the typical sandwich bun.

12690: Colonel Wood.

Advertising Age published a perspective by Douglas J. Wood, a partner with Reed Smith and General Counsel to the Association of National Advertisers. Don’t know or care what Wood wrote about. But he should have been chosen ahead of Darrell Hammond to portray Colonel Sanders in the new KFC campaign.

12587: Weight Watchers Sheds W+K.

Adweek reported Weight Watchers lost weight—by dumping Wieden + Kennedy after less than a year. The Portland-based shop won the account through Corporate Cultural Collusion, and it looks like W+K lost the business when the collusive client contact left Weight Watchers. As previously noted, W+K’s recent KFC win—also a result of Corporate Cultural Collusion—seemed to fly in the face of the anti-fast food messaging displayed via the Weight Watchers campaign. Then again, heaping helpings of hypocrisy are typically on the menu of nearly every White advertising agency.

Weight Watchers Seeks a New Lead Agency

Wieden + Kennedy exits after less than a year

By Kristina Monllos

That was fast. After less than a year with Wieden + Kennedy, Weight Watchers is looking for a new lead agency.

It is unclear if Weight Watchers is working with a consultant or how far along the company is in its search. A company representative declined to provide further detail.

Weight Watchers is changing its marketing execution and as part of those changes the company has split with W+K, according to a statement from Maurice Herrera, svp of marketing at Weight Watchers.

The news follows the departure of Lesya Lysyj who served as president of Weight Watchers in North America until late February.

W+K won the business without a review last spring after Lysyj took the reins at Weight Watchers. The agency had worked with Lysyj when she was chief marketing officer at Heineken USA. In January Weight Watchers ran its first Superbowl spot created by W+K.

“We are proud of the work we produced in the short time together,” said Tom Blessington, managing partner at W+K in Portland. “It was a great team and we wish them nothing but the best of luck.”

12460: KFC – FCB + W+K = BS.

Advertising Age reported KFC is flying the FCB coop and landing its account with Wieden + Kennedy. As it turns out, Corporate Cultural Collusion was involved, as the advertiser staged a closed shootout between the two White advertising agencies; plus, KFC CMO Kevin Hochman has professional history with W+K. Now that’s fucked up, albeit not surprising in the world of modern Mad Men. Additionally, one could argue W+K has a conflict of interest, as the agency has been creating commercials for Weight Watchers that slam fast food. But again, in the modern world of Mad Men, such contradictions and hypocrisy are common occurrences. Billings trump ethics, morals and integrity. Hell, in White advertising agencies, ethics, morals and integrity are as rare as ethnicity, multiculturalism and inclusivity.

KFC Parts Ways With FCB, Set To Hire Wieden & Kennedy

Interpublic Shop Has Worked With Yum Unit For More Than A Decade

By Maureen Morrison

Yum Brands’ KFC is set to move its creative account to Wieden & Kennedy from Interpublic’s FCB, an agency the brand has worked with for more than 10 years.

According to people familiar with the matter, both agencies presented ideas to KFC in a closed pitch.

Wieden & Kennedy declined to comment. KFC declined to comment.

That KFC would choose Wieden & Kennedy comes as little surprise, given the chain’s U.S. chief marketing officer, Kevin Hochman, has worked with the agency in the past. As a longtime Procter & Gamble marketing executive on various brands including Old Spice, which Wieden & Kennedy handles, Mr. Hochman is well versed in the agency’s work, having overseen creative like “The man your man could smell like.”

Mr. Hochman joined KFC in January 2014, replacing Jason Marker, who was promoted to KFC’s president post in the U.S.

The KFC account shift to Wieden & Kennedy is the latest in a series of major account moves for Yum Brands. Last summer, Pizza Hut moved its account to Interpublic’s Deutsch from McGarryBowen without a review. Prior to that, Deutsch gradually took on lead duties for Taco Bell from FCB.

FCB has been a longtime agency for Yum Brands. It won KFC back in 2003, and for several years was also the lead agency on sibling brand Taco Bell. Although Deutsch took the lead on Taco Bell, FCB continues to handle marketing-services duties like retail for the brand out of its Southern California office.

The loss of KFC is a blow to FCB’s Chicago office, but the loss is mitigated in part by the newly won Michelob Ultra Beer North America account, which will be handled out of both Chicago and Toronto.

An internal memo sent to FCB employees by Chicago President Michael Fassnacht and Chief Creative Officer Todd Tilford said, “We are fortunate that 2014 has been FCB Chicago’s best year in a long time. We grew our top line by double digits, added 10 new clients to our family, attracted unbelievable talent from all over the world and had our fair share of publicity along the way.” Among those wins is a Nestle health-and-wellness image effort.

Of KFC’s business, the memo said: “We have done incredibly strong work for KFC over the last 10 years, especially over the last 24 months, when we worked unbelievably hard and smart on making KFC relevant for a younger generation. And we were successful. In 2014, KFC was the most social [quick-service restaurant] brand in North America, was ranked as the second most engaging QSR brand by Forbes in November 2014, and enjoyed very strong sales results over the last nine months that outshine the rest of the QSR category. We expect this trend to continue in 2015 while our new work runs nationwide.”

KFC in recent years has struggled to appeal to younger consumers, generally the biggest customers of fast food. Fourth-quarter and full-year earnings for Yum won’t be released until Thursday, but in the third quarter, KFC in the U.S. saw a rebound, with same-store sales increasing 2%. That followed a same-store sales decline of 2% in the second quarter and a drop of 3% in the first quarter.

KFC is Yum’s second-biggest ad spender behind Taco Bell, according to Kantar Media. In 2013, the last full-year of available spending data, KFC spent close to $284 million on U.S. measured media, while Taco Bell spent $327.5 million and Pizza Hut spent $247 million.

Overseas, KFC has had problems with sales, particularly in China, with an Avian-flu scare in 2013 and a food-safety scare last summer following reports that one of KFC and McDonald’s suppliers was blending expired meat with fresh meat.

11931: KFC Cook Is Chicken King…?

Not sure what the hell inspired this KFC commercial—were they attempting to channel Annie the Chicken Queen?

11760: KFCliché.

Not too sure about this commercial from Ogilvy & Mather Johannesburg. A young Black girl moves to Bangkok, and her classmates give her a “taste of home” by taking her to KFC for fried chicken. Really?