Copyright Parade
Smile, it’s hockey season. That’s KFC’s clever new ad campaign up north in Canada as its residents mark the season kickoff for their favorite sport. Better yet, accompanying KFC’s new motto is an all-new look for its mascot known as The Colonel: He’s smiling like usual — but his two front teeth are “knocked out.” If hockey players aren’t properly safeguarded, taking a puck to the face could yield dire consequences — but KFC is turning the notion to a playful one, with some of the Canada billboards blatantly showing a person’s hand coloring The Colonel’s front teeth black, thereby creating the knocked-out-teeth look. The fast-food company’s new collaboration — utilizing one of the most recognizable brand mascots in the advertising world — was brought to life in collaboration with creative agency Courage, Creative Bloq reports. “The brilliance of this idea is in its simplicity,” says Joel Hotby, founder and co-chief creative officer at Courage, via Creative Bloq. “We tapped into something instantly recognizable and undeniably hockey, while keeping it unapologetically KFC. It’s a small change to an iconic face, but it makes a massive cultural statement — the brand isn’t just sponsoring the game, it’s part of it.” “The Colonel wearing a hockey smile isn’t just a clever creative idea — it’s a lasting symbol of how deeply we’re embracing the culture this season, and how closely KFC and hockey are aligned,” added Azim Ahktar, interim chief marketing officer at KFC Canada, via Creative Bloq. The fast food corporation has also been in the news of late after unveiling a budget-friendly “13 Days of Scary Good Deals” campaign in the spirit of Halloween. As reported by QSR Magazine, the iconic fast food brand is now offering its rewards members the chance to get their hands on some of the restaurant’s most popular menu items for wickedly reduced prices. These deals include everything from a 50% off bucket of 12-piece chicken to a free Classic Chicken Sandwich with a purchase of $10 or more.
