The top 5 food and beverage marketing ideas to know about right now

From Mtn Dew’s sneaky acknowledgment of its role in the political wars to a quest for butt-shaped barstools, it was an adventuresome month in food and beverage marketing. Standout campaigns include a smashing debut for a Japanese vodka seltzer, NFL star George Kittle’s multirole turn in a pizza-flavored family sitcom and Goldfish on the New York Fashion Week runway. A-List & Creativity Awards Enter for a chance to be recognized as the best in advertising Submit your entry here 5. Bar stool win Back in August, a Georgia woman named Morgan started her quest for some barstools, specifically two butt-shaped barstools from the restaurant and bar chain Señor Frog’s. She made a TikTok account, MrSenorFrogPlease, to make her case for getting a pair of the stools before moving in with her boyfriend. After some back and forth with the Señor Frog’s social media team, and fulfilling her promise to get a Señor Frog’s tattoo, Morgan was told to come pick up her two barstools at the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina location. She and her boyfriend were treated to drinks and a meal, and Morgan was asked to come on stage before receiving her barstools. She posted a full seven-minute recap of the journey and pick-up day on TikTok. @mrsenorfrogplease Yap session about my experience getting the most beautiful barstools that ever did exist ♬ original sound - mrsenorfrogplease Morgan has now stripped the stools and started repainting them using Rust-Oleum spray paint. She jokingly asked the brand to buy her groceries for the week because she spent her budget on paint. 4. George Kittle’s sitcom touchdown San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle plays himself, his dad, his three cranky brothers and a golden retriever in “The Kittles” a family sitcom-styled spot promoting Little Caesars’ “3 Meat Treat” pizza. The ad from McKinney, directed by Adam&Dave, features a classic 1970s sitcom set including avocado and wood-paneled walls, a plaid couch, family photos that feature Kittle and a laugh track rewarding his multiple performances. “Kittle is incredibly charismatic and naturally funny, so we knew he would be able to carry the entire spot,” said Jameson Rossi, group creative director of McKinney. Check out the latest Ad Age events and award programs 3. The Diet Mtn Dew debate Even as it was revealed to be the favorite soft drink of not one but two vice presidential candidates, Diet Mtn Dew resisted dipping into roiling political waters—until this week’s VP debate provided an opening. The PepsiCo-owned brand, along with Paramount Brand Studios, produced two 15-second spots showing Diet Mtn Dew—a lot of it—being delivered to the debate venue. The ads aired ahead of the Oct. 1 event on CBS, Fox and CNN. Republican Ohio Senator JD Vance and his Democratic opponent, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, had each expressed their fondness for the drink, known for its caffeine content and citrus taste. Vance famously used it as a prop in a joke that flopped and Walz has joked about his intake. 2. Freeze crush infusion Suntory Global Sprits’ Japan-born vodka seltzer brand -196 (minus one nine six) introduced itself to America with an imaginative campaign from Johannes Leonardo presenting a hyperbolic look into Japan’s famous factory spirit. Workers in bright yellow outfits gather for a company song and swing giant mallets to smash frozen fruits on a conveyor belt—demonstrating the “freeze crush infusion” process giving the brand its unique taste—all while slightly baffling American onlookers. “The ad is fun, vibrant, engaging,” said Carol Robert, managing director of U.S. ready-to-drink beverages at Suntory Global Spirits. “It explains the taste and bold refreshment, but it also drives an element of the consumer saying, ‘I want to know more about that brand. I’m curious. I’m interested.’” 1. Goldfish hit the runway If you happened to go to the Kate Barton show during New York Fashion Week, you might have seen something uncommon on the runway—Goldfish crackers. Barton is an organic fan of the fish-shaped snack, and turned heads last year when she created an acrylic goldfish purse—a small clear orb with a fake goldfish. Heidi Klum carried one to the 2023 Fashion Trust U.S. Awards. This year, the Goldfish team partnered with Barton to have the snack on the Fashion Week runway, with models carrying glass purses filled with Goldfish. Barton made a branded post for the partnership. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The official Goldfish® brand (@goldfishsmiles) In other salty snack bag news, Cheez-It created a mini-tote that sold out on the first day.

The top 5 food and beverage marketing ideas to know about right now

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