Fall used to be a simple time. Back to school. Football season. Halloween and Thanksgiving.
But in recent years, fall has been replaced. The change of season marking the end of summer is can be summed up in two words:
Pumpkin Spice.
The return of the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte is a highly anticipated event and generates a cult-like following. Eager to cash in, food and drink makers are all rushing to put out a pumpkin spice version of their product. So far, I’ve seen Oreos, M&M’s, bagels, non-dairy creamer, and dozens of other products aimed at pumpkin spice fanatics.
How brand managers think in autumn.
Unfortunately, not all pumpkin spice products are home runs. Some are horrible failures. For example:
- Pumpkin Spice Brussels Sprouts
- Starkist Pumpkin Spice tuna
- Totino’s Pumpkin Spice Party Pizza
- Pumpkin Spice McRib
- Chlorox Pumpkin Spice Bleach
- Pumpkin Spice Coke
- Pumpkin Spice Rice
- Phillip’s 66 Pumpkin Spice Ethanol
- Ragu Pumpkin Spice Spaghetti Sauce
- Pumpkin Spice limes
- Hormel Pumpkin Spice Bacon
- Massengail Pumpkin Spice Feminine Hygiene Products
- Spicy Pumpkin buffalo wings
- Pumpkin Spice Noodles
- Pumpkin Spice Poodles
- Pumpkin Spice Cole Slaw
- Pumpkin Spice iPhone 6 (wait, that one would probably do really well)
- Pumpkin Spice rat poison
- Pumpkin Spice sauerkraut
- Camel pumpkin spice cigarettes
- Winchester pumpkin spice 12 gauge shotgun cartridges (perfect for turkey hunting!)
- Charmin pumpkin spice toilet paper
Feit Can Write 