From 30-second ads to movie productions, fast food chain KFC has been unleashing new off-the-wall marketing strategies. Its latest is a 15-minute short film starring American actor and TV host Mario Lopez in partnership with Lifetime. The holiday mini movie “A Recipe for Seduction” will feature Lopez as KFC’s founder and icon Col. Harland Sanders.
According to a press release, the film “is full of mystery, suspense, deception, ‘fowl’ play and at the heart of it all, love and fried chicken.” The plot revolves around a young heiress, her suitor (whom her mother picked), and a young chef with a secret fried chicken recipe. The production is part of Lifetime’s “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” holiday movie series.
“We always want our brand to show up in interesting and unexpected ways in popular culture,” says KFC in a statement.
Kantar, a tracker in ad spending, reveals that KFC spent more than $195 million on traditional TV advertising. Now that video streaming avenues such as Netflix and Disney Plus allow users to watch shows with few to zero ads, a strategy geared towards this consumer behavior will most likely aid in winning customers over.
With this promotion, KFC took the opportunity to partner with Uber Eats in which it offers a special promotion deal of six free extra crispy tenders with a purchase of $20 or more from Dec. 13 to 19 for its US consumers, the premiere date of the restaurant’s mini movie.
The short film will be streamed on Lifetime’s website and apps as well as other video platforms.
Watch the trailer here:
