Marmite and Buckley’s Mixture apparently have a really foul taste. I'm way out of my league here and should give the option to write this article up to my Canadian bud Bianca or my British bud Cowbag, but I’m selfish...
Both products have embraced their reputation for having a distinctive taste. DDB London, the ad agency for Marmite Snacks has created posters that drive the foul point home. The point: you either love them or hate them.
But Marmite is not the first. For nearly a decade, Buckley’s Mixture, a cough syrup, has run with the slogan, "It tastes awful but it works."
The video shows a rare taste test between Spring Break Hot Tub Water and Buckley’s Mixture.
Embracing Foulness
Marmite and Buckley's Bad Taste in Advertising
Trend Themes
1. Embracing Foulness in Advertising - Opportunity for companies to lean into their unique and polarizing flavor profiles in their marketing campaigns.
2. 'love It or Hate It' Branding - Creating a divisive brand personality that resonates with consumers who are drawn to bold and assertive marketing.
3. Transparency in Taste Marketing - Providing honest and upfront language about product taste and quality in advertising campaigns.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - Opportunity for food and beverage companies to embrace their unique taste profiles in marketing and appeal to consumers who are looking for new and daring flavors.
2. Pharmaceuticals - Opportunity for pharmaceutical companies to lean into the unpleasant taste of their products and highlight efficacy over flavor.
3. Marketing and Advertising - Opportunity for creative agencies to push the boundaries of traditional advertising and embrace unconventional and polarizing branding strategies.