From outdoor billboards to flat screen TV’s in malls, shoppers are constantly bombarded with advertisements. Few stand out and those who rise to the top must exhibit an innovative, creative marketing strategy to draw attention. Consumer packaged goods expert, Char Partelow of SymphonyIRI Group, offers her nominations* for the most memorable new product launches of the year (product choices by Char, summaries compiled by the MMNPL staff).
KFC’s Double Down Sandwich
In April, KFC launched a limited time bun-less Double Down sand
wich scheduled to be discontinued in May but the Colonel had another thing coming. It quickly became a national sensation, and due to popular demand, it has no expiration date. Rivaling conventional burgers, the Double Down offers two pieces of bacon, and two slices of cheese, drizzled with sauce and held together by two chicken filets (grilled or fried).
Jello Mousse Temptations
Jello’s not just for kids anymore. In July, Jello created a new Mousse dessert item, offered in three flavors: Caramel Crème, Chocolate Indulgence, and Dark Chocolate Decadence. For the calorie conscious, this dessert is only 60 calories per pack and its convenient packaging is great for parents on the run.
Pretzel M&M
An interesting twist to the M&M line was launched this past Ma
y. The new candy incorporates a crunchy pretzel inside milk chocolate inside a colorful candy shell. A confused orange M&M was the dumbfounded ‘spokescandy’ for the media promotion, using an x-ray to see inside his crunchy exterior and reveal the pretzel inside.
Bud Light Golden Wheat
Last fall, Anheuser-Busch introduced a new line to the Budweiser/Bud Light label, Golden Wheat. This tasty beer was supported by a creative ad campaign and aligns with the Superior Drinkability slogan, offering a flavorful alternative in a light beer.
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Mountain Dew DEWmocracy2
In a DEWmocracy, the people rule. Mountain DEW launched a revolutionary marketing campaign involving social media and grass roots tactics to entice consumers to vote for their favorite flavor. The three flavor finalists were Mountain DEW Distortion, Mountain DEW Typhoon and Mountain DEW White Out which hit shelves in April. The winner was Mountain DEW White Out which became the new flavor for the brand.
Starbucks VIA Instant Coffee
Starbucks, a giant in the premium quick service coffee category, is testing the grocery aisles. VIA is Starbucks first on-the-go instant coffee packet which hit store shelves last fall, surprising competitors and constituting a bold leap for the brand.
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Apple iPad
What can they think up next? Apple launched the iPad in April, thrilling fans 
and stunning competitors. The iPad has the interface of an iPod touch with the functionality of a portable PC. Fully-featured, it can do it all with hundreds of thousands of available apps. Made completely with environmentally responsible products, the iPad is as eco-friendly as it is innovative. Beating analysis’s expectation, the iPad sold 3 million units in the first eighty days it was released.
Kleenex Hand Towels
Kleenex introduced an alternative to household wash towels this past March. The one-time-use hand towels were made to keep bathrooms and kitchens sanitary and safe. Offering a soft texture and dry-touch fibers in every sheet, Kleenex has created a practical towel alternative.
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*Not all products chosen by the MMNPL expert panelists are guaranteed to be included in the MMNPL survey due to our rigorous criteria for selecting new products.
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