Cheesy Snack Marketing Stunts

The Cheetos 'Cheeteau' Cologne is an April Fool's Marketing Gimmick

No, the makers of Cheetos puffy cheese-flavored chips aren't actually trying to infiltrate the cologne business, but they are willing to indulge in a bit of April Fool's marketing to get their cornmeal snack buzzing -- and it seems to be working.

On April Fool's Day, the brand released a video purporting to advertise 'Cheeteau by Chester,' a cologne that captures "a wafting whiff of pungent desire" and provokes "pervasive, fermented passion." The video is shot in black and white and makes a mockery of generic cologne ads featuring a young, good-looking couple and the serious voice of an older male narrator.

Cheetos even went one step further and actually produced a number of 'Cheeteau' cologne bottles, handing them out in Los Angeles and New York City as an April Fool's marketing ploy. Reviewers claim that it's "the perfect cologne -- if you want dogs chasing you down the street."

As far as Cheetos is concerned, that's not a bad thing because its primary intention was to get its brand buzzing with this corny April Fool's marketing stunt -- and it seems to have worked.

April Fool's Marketing
Opportunity for brands to generate buzz and engage consumers through playful and humorous campaigns.
Mockery of Generic Ads
Innovation opportunity to create unconventional and satirical advertisements that stand out.
Limited Edition Products
Strategy for brands to create exclusivity and generate excitement by offering unique and limited-time offerings.

Sectors Adopting This

Snack Food
Snack food companies can leverage playful marketing stunts to create brand awareness and increase sales.
Fragrance
Opportunity for fragrance brands to explore collaborations with unexpected partners for limited edition and novelty scents.
Advertising
Advertising agencies can capitalize on the trend of creating unconventional and satirical ads for brands looking to stand out and engage consumers.
SCORE
4.5 out of 10
GENDER
50% Men50% Women
MARKETTop markets: North America
GENERATION
  • Gen Alpha
  • Gen Z (primary audience)
  • Millennial (primary audience)
  • Gen X (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 42%
Activity 85%
Freshness 8%