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Time of India
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Eyes that scroll: A Cannes Lions Social and Creator Special: BE Extraordinary
These are campaigns that stood out for use of social media and creator-led strategies . From playful "sonic branding" challenges, to a B2B strategy disguised as consumer engagement or leveraging a social media platform's community, each one had a unique story to tell. Oreo "Name this Oreo', VML Oreo transformed its iconic cookie into a playful exercise in "sonic branding" and social engagement. The campaign leveraged the simple act of twisting, licking, and dunking an Oreo, translating these actions into a "Morse code" for the brand. Different combinations of cookie and cream created distinct auditory responses, challenging a community of Oreo lovers to "guess the sound." This innovative use of social media didn't just showcase the product; it invited active participation and interpretation, turning the familiar cookie into an auditory puzzle. It bordered on sonic branding, demonstrating how the very act of consuming an Oreo could be playfully interpreted through sound, galvanizing a community around a shared, multisensory experience. Lay's Bar Crawl, Slap Global Lay's amplified its "No Game Without Lay's" slogan with a clever social media campaign featuring football legends Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi on a pub crawl. The premise was simple: the stars would attempt to watch a game at various pubs. Upon entering, their first question would be, "Do you have Lay's?" If a pub didn't stock the chips, the celebrity duo would simply leave and move on. This highly engaging social experiment was designed to be filmed and shared, creating immediate, viral content. It leveraged the immense fan base in pubs, turning every potential sighting of the stars into a demand for Lay's. The implicit message was clear: if you want football legends to watch the game at your establishment, you better have Lay's on hand. This was a brilliant B2B strategy disguised as consumer engagement, driving demand for Lay's in pubs by appealing directly to the desires of their patrons and the influence of iconic athletes. US Navy "Subreddit Hunt", VML The US Navy faced a dual challenge in recruitment: a high benchmark for candidates and difficulty reaching this niche audience. They devised an incredibly intelligent and targeted recruitment campaign using the popular online platform Reddit. Playing on the homophone between "submarines" and "subreddits," the Navy began hiding intricate clues, quizzes, and IQ tests within various subreddits. These challenges were designed to appeal to individuals with the specific skills, intensity, and knowledge required for Navy service. Finding and solving these hidden puzzles demanded significant intellect and persistence, effectively pre-qualifying potential recruits. This highly innovative approach turned a digital space into a sophisticated recruitment tool, leveraging an online community's characteristics to identify and engage a highly specialised talent pool for the US Navy. (At BE Extraordinary, a series about the winners at Cannes Lions written in collaboration with Harsh Kapadia, CCO, Grey India, we peer outside the Grand Prix winners, and look at clutter breaking work that picked the silvers and the bronzes, but don't often get discussed.)
New York Post
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Lay's introduces ‘savory' new chip flavor created by winner of $1 million contest with 70K submissions
She cashed in her chips. Lay's introduced a new chip flavor chosen from tens of thousands of suggestions in its annual $1 million contest Tuesday. 4 The 'Do Us A Flavor' contest winner was the Bacon Grilled Cheese. The Bacon Grilled Cheese, created by Paula George from Okla., beat out more than 70,000 other submissions in the 'Do Us A Flavor' contest and will be sold at grocery stores nationwide. 'Submitted by Paula George from Sapulpa, Okla., this winning flavor is a savory, nostalgic ode combining two of everyone's favorites – bacon & grilled cheese!' the snack brand stated on its website. 4 Paula George's winning chip idea was inspired by her late father. Lays 'George drew inspiration from her late father's bacon grilled cheese recipe and hopes the flavor will bring fans a similar memory of a delicious favorite meal, enjoyed on the cheesy crunch of a Lay's potato chip.' Fans voted on the contest's three finalists from April to June. The two runner-ups pitched a Valentina & Lime and Wavy Korean-Style Fried Chicken flavors. 4 The other two finalists were Valentina & Lime and the Wavy Korean-Style Fried Chicken. Lays/Instagram While they lost out on the grand prize, the runner-ups will still be given $500,000 each. Their flavors will also be featured in grocery stores, but only for a limited time. 'I am so honored to be named the Lay's Do Us A Flavor winner. Seeing Lay's Bacon Grilled Cheese flavored potato chips brought to life was a dream come true in itself, George said, as reported by News 9. 'And knowing that thousands of Lay's fans across the country tried and loved it, just as much as I did, fills me with immense joy and gratitude for this opportunity,' she added. 4 The 'Do Us A Flavor' contest started in 2012. Bloomberg News The snack company's annual contest started in 2012 and boasts a class of oddball winners from diverse flavor palates including the since-discontinued Cheesy Garlic Bread and Southern Biscuits and Gravy. Some previous winners have returned as limited-time offers, often around the time of the contest. In October, Balenciaga made a $1,800 handbag that looked like a replica of a giant Lay's potato chip bag. Some people, though, just like having an opportunity to be creative and don't care about monetary prizes. Last year, the city of Madison, Wisco. hosted a contest to name its new snowplow. The 3,000-odd residents who turned up to vote eventually settled on 'Rosie the Rubbisher,' a play on World War II-era Norman Rockwell icon Rosie the Riveter.
NBC News
03-06-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Canned soup summer: Bargain hunters are ditching snacks for pantry staples
The humble bowl of soup is having a moment. That's according to The Campbell's Co., whose iconic cans are synonymous with it. The food maker said Monday that customers are increasingly snatching up its condensed soups and mac-and-cheese offerings while shying away from snacks, a spending shift that partly echoes the depths of the pandemic. 'Consumers are cooking at home at the highest levels since early 2020,' Campbell's CEO Mick Beekhuizen said in a statement. The company — whose snack brands include Goldfish, Snyder's of Hanover pretzels and Cape Cod chips — saw snack sales slip 5% in the last three months. Meanwhile, sales of its meals and beverages rose 6%, mainly driven by Rao's pasta sauces and soup sales in the United States. While consumers' outlooks have improved somewhat in recent weeks, many remain deeply pessimistic about the direction of the economy under President Donald Trump's ever-shifting trade war and are looking for bargains. Households continue to 'focus their spending on products that help them stretch their food budgets, and they're increasingly intentional about their discretionary snack purchases,' Beekhuizen told Campbell's investors on its earnings call. 'Snacks are losing ground as consumers, squeezed by inflation, shift spending toward essentials and more purposeful food choices,' analysts at the market research firm NIQ wrote in a recent note. 'The era of indulgent, impulsive snacking is giving way to a demand for value, quality, and health.' In a recent NIQ survey, 42% of consumers reported buying snacks less, and 37% said they're searching harder for deals. Many indicated they've been thinking twice about pricier name-brand snacks, opting instead for more generic alternatives at convenience stores or those sold under supermarkets' own private labels. Snacks are losing ground as consumers, squeezed by inflation, shift spending toward essentials. NIQ market researchers The tightening snack market has seen some friction, with Oreo maker Mondelēz recently suing Aldi, alleging the supermarket operator had 'blatantly' mimicked some of its packaging designs for cheaper riffs on iconic snack brands. While Mondelēz says snack demand remains sturdy, PepsiCo — which makes Lay's and Doritos chips — has said it's finding success catering to customers at lower price points. 'Relative to where we were three months ago, we probably aren't feeling as good about the consumer now as we were a few months ago,' PepsiCo CFO Jamie Caulfield said in April. The snack foods giant also lowered its financial forecast for the year. Food shoppers' hunt for value is also boosting Dollar General, which Tuesday increased its sales outlook for the year and said it picked up market share in food products. The dollar store operator notched those gains even as other retail giants, such as Target, that sell groceries have struggled to lure budget-conscious shoppers. The growing focus on home cooking comes as costs of dining out are rising nearly twice as fast as grocery prices. Meals out were up 3.9% in April from a year earlier, federal data show, while at-home food prices rose just 2% over the same period, slower than inflation overall. That divergence helps explain why many restaurant chains are seeing weaker sales. McDonald's last month reported its biggest same-store sales decline since the pandemic, with that measure falling 3.6% during the first quarter. Darden Restaurants, which owns Olive Garden, also flagged weaker-than-expected sales around the start of the year, and Chipotle reported its same-store sales contracted for the first time since 2020. McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said all but its most affluent diners are increasingly staying away from the burger chain, despite the past year's efforts to counter its earlier menu price hikes with value meals. Traffic from low-income consumers was down 'nearly double digits' compared to a year ago, with middle-income diners' visits slowing 'nearly as much,' he said. Kempczinski said the split illustrated a 'divided' economy in which moderately and less well-off consumers 'are being weighed down by the cumulative impact of inflation and heightened anxiety about the economic outlook.' In the meantime, restaurant operators are doing what they can to try to juice sales. Some are leaning into customers' growing appetite for chicken, refreshing their locations with sleek new looks, or both. These efforts could prove an uphill battle against the grocery aisle, where the costs of some key purchases, like eggs, are finally easing. But there are still signs of strain at supermarket checkouts as shoppers adjust to higher overall costs for many of the fridge and pantry basics they can't easily do without. More shoppers are both financing their grocery purchases with installment loans and falling behind on those bills, a recent LendingTree survey found. One such 'buy now, pay later' service, Klarna, said recently that its borrowers are having a tougher time clearing their debts on the platform. Months earlier, the company became Walmart's exclusive BNPL provider and teamed up with DoorDash to offer installment loans for takeout meals.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
8 Potato Chip Recalls That Haunt Shoppers
Few pantry items spark as much craving as the classic and delicious potato chip. With a diverse range of flavors like barbecue, kettle-cooked, salt and vinegar, and more, potato chips have evolved into a versatile food item. Crispy, salty, and endlessly snackable, there is a reason why millions of people eat potato chips every year. However, some major potato chip recalls have tainted the image of the brands that help create this satisfying snack for customers around the world. Over the years, several major recalls have sent shockwaves through the snack aisle, leading loyal chip lovers to doubt their purchases. From undeclared allergens to salmonella contaminations to glass pieces found inside bags, these recalls have left customers wondering what they are truly putting in their mouths. In this article, we're diving into some of the most infamous and unsettling potato chip recalls; some so bad they still haunt customers and these companies today. Read more: 11 Foods You Might Want To Avoid Buying At Aldi In January 2024, Utz Quality Foods faced a major scandal when it made a significant labeling error for one of its popular potato chip products. Eighty-eight cases of Utz's 2.75-ounce bags of Wavy Original Potato Chips were recalled after it was discovered that the product contained an undeclared milk allergen. According to reports on this recall, around 1,200 of these single-serving bags were accidentally flavored with a seasoning that contained milk when they were meant to remain plain. This error posed a serious threat to individuals who are allergic or sensitive to milk because this product could create a reaction upon consumption. This recall only affected New York state, primarily New York City. Utz encouraged customers to discard all affected products to help prevent any outbreaks. Thankfully, no illnesses were reported from this manufacturing mix-up. This situation is a startling reminder that missteps like these are still happening now and that consumers can never be completely sure about the labels on their favorite foods. In another recent scandal, the major chip company Frito-Lay found itself dealing with a major recall of its iconic Lay's Classic Potato Chip products. In December of last year, the company announced that 5,154 pounds of these chips needed to be pulled from shelves in Oregon and Washington after a consumer contacted the company with a concern. The reason for the concern was an undeclared milk allergen discovered in a limited number of the 13-ounce bags of these chips. Given the popularity of Lay's chips, this error sparked immediate concern from more customers and food safety officials. The chips had already made their way to retail shelves, making this recall difficult to control. Fortunately, no allergic reactions related to this recall were reported. Because Lay's is one of the most popular and iconic chip brands, this incident did drum up some negative press. Recalls like this one can easily affect consumer trust and make some second-guess the products they consume without a thought of any potential danger. In August 2021, Ballreich Snack Food Co. of Tiffin, Ohio, was forced to recall its popular Bar-B-Q Potato Chips after a salmonella contamination was discovered. The company was alerted by a supplier that an ingredient used in the chip seasoning had been tainted with Salmonella, a common and dangerous bacterial disease found in a variety of foods. The affected products included their 1.5 oz, 2.75 oz, and 7 oz bags of Bar-B-Q Potato Chips, which were distributed in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. This recall was taken very seriously due to the incredible potential harm of a salmonella infection. When children, the elderly, or any vulnerable person is exposed to salmonella, an infection can be severe and potentially fatal. Symptoms such as a fever, diarrhea, nausea, and bodily pain can occur at varying extremes after contamination. Thankfully, no illnesses were reported in connection with this outbreak. Salmonella is a serious bacterial disease, and this scare was certainly difficult for customers of Ballreich Snack Food Co. to forget. In 2017, Frito-Lay made headlines for a massive recall of its popular jalapeño-flavored potato chips. Both the Jalapeño Flavored Lay's Kettle Cooked Potato Chips and the Jalapeño Flavored Miss Vickie's Kettle Cooked Potato Chips were voluntarily pulled after salmonella was discovered in the seasoning used for these chip varieties. As mentioned, salmonella can be extremely dangerous for vulnerable groups, which made this recall urgent for Frito-Lay. What makes this recall so infamous is the size and scale of the recall: 54,337,303 units of these products were recalled due to this exposure. As part of this recall process, Frito-Lay worked with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ensure that this massive quantity of these products was removed from store shelves and kept out of the mouths of unassuming customers. Although no illnesses were reported from this incident, this case became infamous due to the significant size and scale of this recall. In another major recall, Frito-Lay was left to recall 5,232 pounds of their All Dressed Flavored Potato Chips after an undeclared ingredient was discovered in this item. This voluntary recall, which happened in May 2021, was initiated after it was discovered that certain bags of Ruffles All Dressed Potato Chips were accidentally filled with other flavors of potato chips, exposing unsuspecting consumers to milk in the process. Not only were consumers getting flavors of chips that they did not ask for, but this situation also could have been incredibly dangerous for individuals with milk allergies, who can only eat dairy-free foods. Consuming these affected chips could lead to serious allergic reactions, which is why Frito-Lay issued this recall. Thankfully, no reactions were reported from this product mix-up. This incident once again highlights just how important stringent quality control measures are in food manufacturing, especially for a company as big as Frito-Lay. In July 2018, Utz Quality Foods, a company known for its delicious and unique chip flavors, faced another voluntary recall after several batches of their Carolina Style Barbeque Potato Chips were found to include an undeclared allergen. The recall affected approximately 96,279 bags distributed across 30 states, which made this recall difficult to control and enact. The spread and scale of this recall caught the attention of customers nationwide. The allergen discovered in this product was soy, a serious allergen that is one of the top 14 allergens worldwide. The failure to label the presence of soy on these packages could have put someone at serious risk if they consumed it unknowingly. Because of this, customers who purchased this product were encouraged to discard it right away to avoid any potential exposure. While no reactions were reported, the severity of this recall has not gone unremembered by customers as the years have passed. In November 2020, the Canadian branch of the beloved Miss Vickie's chips brand had to issue a widespread recall of several variations of their famous Kettle Cooked Potato Chips after glass was discovered inside some of the product's packaging. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reported that select bags of these potato chips sold in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and online were potentially affected. The flavors that were recalled included Applewood Smoked BBQ, Jalapeño, Original Recipe, Sea Salt & Malt Vinegar, Spicy Dill Pickle, Sweet Chili & Sour Cream, Sweet Southern BBQ, and assorted multipacks. The recall gained attention for how unique it was and how dangerous this situation could have been. No injuries were reported from the consumption of any of these chips, but this recall still lives on in the memories of customers. While customers have emerged mostly unscathed from these other major recalls, this recall did stem from a tragic incident involving a child. Texas-based chip company Paqui shelved a special edition chip sold as the "One Chip Challenge," which was designed to be an extremely spicy eating experience, when a 14-year-old boy died after eating the chip. While the specific nature of his death is not publicly confirmed, it is believed that the chip's high capsaicin content could have played a part. This viral challenge was a sobering reminder of the dangers of many food-based challenges online. High levels of capsaicin can be dangerous for anyone, especially children or those who may have underlying health conditions. In response to this immense tragedy and in an effort to ensure no further harm, Paqui announced it would no longer sell or create this product. This incident and the others on this list may have passed now, but the memory of them will surely live on in the minds of shoppers. Hungry for more? Sign up for the free Daily Meal newsletter for delicious recipes, cooking tips, kitchen hacks, and more, delivered straight to your inbox. Read the original article on The Daily Meal.
USA Today
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Lay's adds Thai-Style Red Curry chips to lineup: How to get the spicy new flavor
Lay's adds Thai-Style Red Curry chips to lineup: How to get the spicy new flavor According to Kroger, the Thai-Style Red Curry Lay's will be 'in stores nationally and not exclusively beginning June 1.' Show Caption Hide Caption USA Today tries to guess Lay's 'Do Us A Flavor' finalists Lay's "Do Us A Flavor" contest is down to three favorites. Lay's challenged USA TODAY to guess the finalist flavors. Lay's is adding a new potato chip flavor, inspired by a popular dish in Thai cuisine, to its lineup. The snack brand announced the release of its new Thai-Style Red Curry Lay's days after announcing the finalists for this year's "Do Us A Flavor" contest on April 9. Lay's received more than 700,000 submissions for the contest, allowing fans to submit ideas for original potato chip flavors for a chance to win $1 million and see their creation in stores. Thai-Style Red Curry Lay's, like the three "Do Us A Flavor" contest finalists, have a savory and spicy kick to them. PepsiCo, which owns Frito-Lay, said the new chips are "seasoned with a blend of aromatic spices and a subtle kick of heat for a delicious snacking experience inspired by the vibrant flavors of Thailand." Here's how and where to get them. How to get Thai-Style Red Curry Lay's Thai-Style Red Curry Lay's, a Kroger exclusive, will be available at Kroger stores through June. Kroger spokesperson Erin Rolfes said the chips are "available in all divisions except Ruler and Harris Teeter." According to Rolfe, the Thai-Style Red Curry Lay's will be "in stores nationally and not exclusively beginning June 1." What are the 'Do Us A Flavor' finalists? The finalists for Lay's "Do Us A Flavor" contest include Valentina & Lime, Bacon Grilled Cheese and Korean-Style Fried Chicken. The three new and original flavored Lay's are "currently rolling" onto shelves nationwide, according to PepsiCo. Customers can try the three flavors and vote for their favorite at until June 13. Valentina & Lime Lay's: Araceli Huerta of San Jose, California, who came up with the original flavor profile, was inspired by the flavors of a childhood snack made by her mom, classic Lay's chips tossed with Valentina hot sauce and fresh lime. Araceli Huerta of San Jose, California, who came up with the original flavor profile, was inspired by the flavors of a childhood snack made by her mom, classic Lay's chips tossed with Valentina hot sauce and fresh lime. Bacon Grilled Cheese Lay's: Paula George of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, who developed the original flavor profile, drew inspiration from her late father's bacon grilled cheese recipe. Paula George of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, who developed the original flavor profile, drew inspiration from her late father's bacon grilled cheese recipe. Wavy Korean-Style Fried Chicken Lay's: Neelia Lynn of Chesterfield, Virginia, who thought of the original flavor profile, was inspired by her family's time in South Korea. Lay's All Dressed flavor debuted in January While Thai-Style Red Curry Lay's and the "Do Us A Flavor" finalists might be the snack brand's newest innovations, they aren't the only ones the snack brand has recently released. Lay's All Dressed, released in January, "brings together the tastes of Barbecue, Salt & Vinegar and Sour Cream & Onion flavors – all in one delicious bite." This is the "most requested Lay's flavor and among the four most requested PepsiCo Foods flavor innovations in the US," PepsiCo said in a statement. The company said the All Dressed flavor "previously graced the snack aisle" for a limited time in 2021, 2023 and 2024. Contributing: Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY
