Cheesy Snack Marketing Stunts

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

— April 2, 2014 — Marketing
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.

Trend Themes

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

Industry Implications

  1. Snack Food — Snack food companies can leverage playful marketing stunts to create brand awareness and increase sales.
  2. Fragrance — Opportunity for fragrance brands to explore collaborations with unexpected partners for limited edition and novelty scents.
  3. Advertising — Advertising agencies can capitalize on the trend of creating unconventional and satirical ads for brands looking to stand out and engage consumers.
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