Crispin Porter Loves Giving Away Food: The Proof is in the Pudding

Last month, it was burgers. This month, Crispin Porter + Bogusky is handing out Jell-O pudding to people who feel frowny. Of course, these frowns aren’t detected by trolling toy stores for children who can’t get the latest stuffed Hedwig owl. Jell-O is instead trolling Twitter and tracking tweets that include smiley or frowny faces. When the “mood of the nation” (indicated by a shifty-eyed Bill Hader look-a-like either smiling or frowning) is more sad than happy, the brand springs (or moves in some wiggly gelatinous style) into action and gives pudding to frowny people via Twitter, while supplies last.

There’s no way they can actually give pudding to all the sad tweeters, but it’s the thought that counts. Since the campaign started on June 13, Jell-O has given away over 400 puddings.

Though the “pudding face” looks more creepy than endearing (watch the man-meter for a few minutes and you’ll find yourself doing the same strained smile), this is a clever social media marketing spin. Bill Cosby could be a better face, especially since he's already tweeting about chocolate pudding.

Unfortunately for Jell-O, true pudding aficionados may be inspired to post a string of sad faces, just to get that free dessert. Hopefully the campaign doesn’t fall prey to fake frown freeloaders, but either way, it's the publicity that counts.

Via The Denver Egotist