The consumer market has fallen into that awkward mid-point between fall and winter, and shoppers are being put through a storm of holiday-themed marketing strategies. From local grocery store Thanksgiving ads to Christmas themed Target commercials, there’s no doubt that the holidays are here.
While every year brings us new and exciting holiday campaigns, there is one marketing strategy that we as consumers know is unavoidable: Pumpkins. We see pumpkin flavored coffee, cookies, muffins, et cetera. Recently, what began as a pumpkin spiced latte has urged several companies to push the pumpkin flavor onto products that we wouldn’t necessarily want to be pumpkin flavored.
Here’s a list of some of this season’s bizarre pumpkin products:
Pumpkin Spice Oreos
…I think I’ll stick to chocolate.
Pumpkin Spice Candy Corn
As if regular candy corn wasn’t gross enough.
Pumpkin Pudding Toothpaste
No comment.
Pumpkin Spice Peanut Butter
Because what else would you want on your sandwich?
Pumpkin Spice Popcorn
I’m actually kind of interested in this one.
Pumpkin Pie Spice Pringles
Who thought of this combination? I just want to talk.
Pumpkin Icing Body Wash
There’s nothing quite like pulling up to work smelling like a pastry.
The pumpkin has already become an American marketing tradition, and it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. So the next time you cringe at the sight of pumpkin pie spice Pringles, just think to yourself that in a few months they will be off the shelves (until the next holiday season, that is.)
Remember: the devil is working hard, but the seasonal marketing industry is working harder.
Images from Amazon.com
-Shane Miller
IMC Hawks Blog 