If you've ever wondered what it would be like to be Grumpy Cat's owner, we now have some insight. Owner Tabatha Bundesen made an appearance at VidCon with her meme-famous feline, where she clarified, "I am Grumpy Cat’s human. She owns me." Well, glad that's settled!
Bundesen's story begins humbly: she was a waitress at Red Lobster, when her brother posted a photograph of her cat (whose real name is Tarder Sauce) on Reddit. The rest, as they say, was history. Tarder Sauce was re-dubbed 'Grumpy Cat,' and what began as a series of hilarious memes of the disgruntled cat, turned into a book deal, beverage brand and line of merchandise for Bundesen.
The duo's appearance at VidCon was to promote the annual Cat video contest, hosted by Friskies, a brand which Grumpy Cat is the spokescat for. The brand also awarded the feline with a Lifetime Achievement award.
Disgruntled Cat Appearances
Grumpy Cat's Owner Opens Up About Her Cat's New Found Fame
Trend Themes
1. Celebrity Pets - The rise of social media and memes have given pets a new kind of celebrity status, presenting opportunities for pet-centric industries to capitalize on this trend.
2. Viral Marketing - The power of humorous and shareable content should not be underestimated, and can be utilized by brands looking to create buzz and establish viral marketing campaigns.
3. Influencer Merchandising - Grumpy Cat's successful merchandise line highlights the trend for brands to build upon personal brands of influencers, and create a diversified portfolio of branded products.
Industry Implications
1. Pet Accessories - There is an increasing demand for trendy and unique pet accessories, including fashion, food, toys, and wellness products.
2. Food and Beverage - Creating licensed cat (or pet) food and beverages inspired by popular memes and internet culture could become a more significant industry as consumers become more connected to their pets.
3. Brand Licensing - Collaborating with influencers to create branded merchandise can lead to increased revenue streams and a diversified product portfolio.