In a really clever promotion for the new Simpsons movie, 7-Eleven is turning 12 stores around the country into the fictional Kwik-E-Mart from the TV show. Even better, national manufacturers are creating real versions of the fictional products from the show (Malt-o-Meal is creating Krusty-Os), and Slurpees are becoming Sqwishees.
Here’s why this is so great: It’s funny.
For 15 years, the Simpsons have been mocking 7-Eleven and their managers. They could have gotten their shorts in a bundle, like the embarrassing response from the National Restaurant Association to Nationwide’s SuperBowl ads featuring Kevin Federline as a lowly burger flipper.
Instead, 7-Eleven joined in the fun, had a good laugh with the rest of America, and is getting a ton of positive vibes and great word of mouth.
So, marketers … chill out and have a delicious Slushee.
Source: Full story from Yahoo News/AP
7-Eleven becomes Kwik-E-Mart
I’m not recommending that you go out and parody convenience stores to build buzz for your events, but
You said this much better than I did – http://sandisolow.blogspot.com/search?q=buzz+cola I forgot about the NRA’s response. I think this really is a good way for 7-Eleven to get some buzz in an otherwise stagnant category.
Judging from the traffic to my blog by people searching for Buzz Cola, 7-Eleven could have done a better job of SEO.