Reverse product placement
July 2nd, 2007
It seems that 7-Eleven and the Simpsons have teamed up. To promote the forthcoming Simpsons movie, a dozen 7-Elevens in major markets around the county transformed themselves into Kwik-E-Marts and are selling Buzz Cola, KrustyO’s cereal and Squishees (where’s the Duff Beer?!?).
I have to admit, 7-Eleven gets bonus points for poking fun at themselves and Fox gets points for further indulging Simpsons’ fans around the country. 7-Eleven could’ve gone the opposite direction, since the Simpsons Kwik-E-Marts are a direct mockery of the ubiquitous convenience chain. But instead, they embraced it. And by doing so, delighted those over-lap fans that are both customers and watch the show. And that, my friends, will result in sales.
Other posts by Spike.
Josh Hallett says:
It’s been great to watch all the photos pour in on Flickr. I’m lucky that one of the locations is in Orlando.
I’ll have to head over there and take a few shots for my photostream.
July 2nd, 2007 at 7:08 pmTaylor says:
Where was this promotion 10 years ago? I probably would have driven to Seattle to see an actual Kwik-E-Mart in 1997…. Now, I cringe at the thought of a Simpsons movie.
BTW, can somebody grab me a 6 pack of Buzz Cola if the are near one? hmmmmm.. Fake branded soda.
July 3rd, 2007 at 7:05 amWendy Jo says:
I have to agree that the movie is several years past due. An entertaining concept? Yes. But they did what they were set out to do, ’cause I’m just going to have to go check it out in person.
July 3rd, 2007 at 5:41 pmJustin says:
Yeah, I’d much rather see the decked-out Kwik-E-Mart than the Simpsons movie itself. Also, Taylor’s right. If the movie or Kwik-E promo happened 10 years ago, it would’ve been much more relevant/enjoyable
July 5th, 2007 at 4:36 amnoah says:
Isn’t it great to watch the whole viral thing unfold? Before you know it the iphone’s competition will be the bartphone. Marketing…gotta love it!
July 9th, 2007 at 6:15 pmTed Wright says:
Spike -
Wander on over to http://fizzcorp.com/blog/ for our take on The Simpson’s Movie WOMM as well as fav Simpson’s moments we love. Don’t forget to add your own.
July 27th, 2007 at 5:33 amJake McKee says:
I wrote about my experience with our local (and wonderful) store here:
http://www.communityguy.com/archives/2
Overall quite nicely done. And strangely, I’ve grown quite fond of Buzz Cola. Wonder how long they’ll keep it around…or what is really is under the new label.
August 3rd, 2007 at 6:05 pm