A KFC China Spot Features an Obama Look-Alike Enjoying a Sandwich
Peter Vallas — February 1, 2011 — Pop Culture
References: kfc.cn & adweek.blogs
A new KFC China spot was recently released on television. The commercial starts off with an Obama look-alike giving a thumbs up in front of a red, white and blue flag while eating the new advertised fish fillet sandwich.
Why the communist nation chose to portray an American president for the spokesperson of a fish fillet sandwich is unbeknownst. The KFC China spot is sure to turn some heads at the White House.
Implications - With increasing frequency, the subject of politics has come to dominate pop culture. Whether a business makes a friendly parody, scathing remarks or offers full-out support for a politician, companies should be more open to participating in the election process because it makes them seem more engaged and involved in developing public matters.
Why the communist nation chose to portray an American president for the spokesperson of a fish fillet sandwich is unbeknownst. The KFC China spot is sure to turn some heads at the White House.
Implications - With increasing frequency, the subject of politics has come to dominate pop culture. Whether a business makes a friendly parody, scathing remarks or offers full-out support for a politician, companies should be more open to participating in the election process because it makes them seem more engaged and involved in developing public matters.
Trend Themes
1. Political Pop Culture - Companies are increasingly incorporating politics into their marketing strategies, providing opportunities for disruptive innovation that blur the lines between entertainment and politics.
2. Celebrity Endorsements Parody - The use of celebrity look-alikes and parodies in commercials presents disruptive innovations for advertising campaigns that can capitalize on viral humor and maximize audience appeal.
3. Global Marketing Missteps - The controversy surrounding KFC's Obama look-alike commercial highlights the need for multinational corporations to exercise cultural sensitivity and consider potential political implications when expanding into new markets.
Industry Implications
1. Fast Food - The fast food industry can innovate by using political humor and controversy to boost brand awareness and attract a wider, more diverse customer base.
2. Entertainment - The entertainment industry can capitalize on the intersection of politics and pop culture by creating political content that resonates with audiences, and identifying new opportunities to monetize viral trends and internet memes.
3. Marketing and Advertising - Marketing and advertising firms and professionals can innovate by understanding cultural nuances and identifying demographic preferences to create campaigns that engage and resonate with diverse communities and audiences worldwide.
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