Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
Interesting

America Reject Cappuccino-flavoured Potato Chips, Greenlights Wasabi Ginger

Darpan News Desk Darpan, 21 Oct, 2014 11:58 AM
    NEW YORK - America has rejected the idea of cappuccino-flavoured Lay's potato chips.
     
    Frito-Lay says Wasabi Ginger won its contest that gives people a chance to create a new flavour, beating out the coffee-flavoured chips and the two other finalists — Mango Salsa and Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese. Parent company PepsiCo Inc. says about 1 million total votes were cast online for the Do Us A Flavor promotion, a sales driver it has launched in more than a dozen countries.
     
    In the U.S., bags of the four finalist flavours hit shelves in late July and people were able to vote on Facebook and Twitter for their favourites through this past weekend. It was the second year for the U.S. contest, which is designed to send customers to stores in search of the flavours. Last year's winner, Cheesy Garlic Bread, is still on shelves.
     
    The winner, Meneko Spigner McBeth, was informed at a dinner for finalists Monday night in New York City. McBeth, a registered nurse from Deptford, New Jersey, will get $1 million or a set percentage of a year in sales, whichever figure is larger.
     
    Ram Krishnan, Frito-Lay's chief marketing officer, said this year's winner is evidence Americans want more ethnic flavours, even though the top four Lay's flavours remain Original, Barbecue, Cheddar & Sour Cream and Sour Cream & Onion. He said he couldn't have imagined Lay's selling a Wasabi Ginger flavour when he joined the company eight years ago.
     
    "We're kind of getting into a new flavour territory," Krishnan said. "When I went to school, Mexican food was exotic."
     
    As for the cappuccino flavour — which was described as "NASTY" and "gross" in some comments on Lay's Facebook page — Krishnan defended its performance, although he wouldn't say how many votes it got.
     
    "The fact that it made it out of our selection process to make it to the final four is no small feat," he said.
     
    The contest began in the United Kingdom, where Frito-Lay sells chips under the Walkers brand. Since then, it was launched in 14 countries before coming to the U.S. last year. Winning flavours in other countries include Pizza in Saudi Arabia, Shrimp in Egypt, Sunday Roast in New Zealand, Pickled Cucumber in Serbia and Aline's Caesar Salad in Australia.
     
    Given its success, Krishnan said the company is looking to launch the contest in other countries as well.
     
    Krishnan wouldn't specify how much of a sales lift the contest provides. But in the latest quarter that ended Sept. 6, PepsiCo, based in Purchase, New York, said revenue for its Frito-Lay North America division rose 3 per cent, reflecting a 2 per cent gain in volume and 1 per cent gain from higher prices.

    MORE Interesting ARTICLES

    In pain? You are likelier to spot pain-related words more often

    In pain? You are likelier to spot pain-related words more often
    If you are suffering from chronic pain, there are chances that you would pay more attention to words like ache, agony, distress and pain than to non-pain...

    In pain? You are likelier to spot pain-related words more often

    Modesty holding women back at work: Study

    Modesty holding women back at work: Study
    Do you find yourself holding back in conversations and hiding your true credentials? Ladies, it's time to make a change and banish the barriers and be...

    Modesty holding women back at work: Study

    Parents could drive car choices of kids

    Parents could drive car choices of kids
    What brand of car you drive may influence the car choices of your kids too, says a study.

    Parents could drive car choices of kids

    These days, you need self-control to stay alive

    These days, you need self-control to stay alive
    This writer saved at least five people from being physically attacked yesterday. How? By exercising self-control. "Idiots have a right to live," is the wonderfully....

    These days, you need self-control to stay alive

    Why drinking makes a smile more contagious among men

    Why drinking makes a smile more contagious among men
    Alcohol induces a sort of "social bravery" among men, disrupting processes that would normally prevent them from responding to another person's smile, says....

    Why drinking makes a smile more contagious among men

    Jet fuel oil seed boosts liver detoxification

    Jet fuel oil seed boosts liver detoxification
    Crushed seeds left after oil extraction from Camelina sativa seed, an oilseed crop used in jet fuel, may boost liver detoxification enzymes nearly fivefold, says a study....

    Jet fuel oil seed boosts liver detoxification