KFC’s Newest Publicity Stunt – In Good Taste?

Is KFC's newest publicity stunt in the best taste? Maybe not. Effective? I think so. Sometimes it seems the most off the wall stunts are the ones that gain the most attention. The image of Colonel Sanders demanding a seat in the UN General Assembly for "Grill Nation", giving free chicken to UN employees, and declaring this coming Monday UNFryday while handing out free grilled chicken at 5000 stores is really pretty clever. I believe this latest stunt will indeed boost sales and create a major buzz. As you said, Blair, we're all already talking about it.

While some consumers think Colonel Sander's wacky plea to the UN is quite funny, others will undoubtedly think the stunt is far from humorous as well as inappropriately timed, considering the global recession, wars in the Middle East, and UN Climate Negotiations in Copenhagen just over a month away.

My thought is that YUM! Brands' screwball marketing campaign, as silly as it is, be met with serious commitment to corporate responsibility on a global level. Perhaps in their plea to the UN, they should have also promised to adhere to the UN Global Compact's Ten Principles for Corporate Sustainability. At least that way that way we all know that for them, responsibility comes first, even if the approach is tongue-in-cheek.
*Check out our new & improved website!