They say things come in threes. After Tesco’s Christmas ad featuring a Muslim family and Greggs replacing baby Jesus with a sausage roll, KFC’s foray into seasonal marketing would seem to complete the hat-trick.
It doesn’t offend on a cultural or religious level, admittedly. But, whoever thought a tent-like structure with Colonel Sanders draped creepily over the top was a good visual should maybe have kept that particular Post-it note to themselves.
“Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping, unavoidable crowds, unending celebrations and inevitably awkward family gatherings, the holidays don’t always feel like the most wonderful time of the year,” KFC says in a press release.
“Forget ordinary solutions for stress such as spending time in nature, exercising, or treating yourself with relaxing breaks. The only real way to escape the commotion that comes along with the holidays is KFC’s Internet Escape Pod.“
Added George Felix, director of advertising, for KFC US: “We’ve come up with several technologically advanced, creative experiences for our customers and fans this year. But even we feel the burden of technology during the holiday season.
“So we decided to go in the opposite direction and create an anti-technology product, using technology, to help one lucky buyer literally escape the holiday chaos.” Made from steel, adorned with enamel paint and high-density architectural foam it is, says the company, designed to be a “safe space from the Internet coming to and from your devices”.
It goes on to say that the pod comfortably fits four adults and a fried chicken bucket, and that if you so choose you will “find yourself comforted by the Colonel’s reassuring embrace”.