Strategy July 10, 2019
KFC Launches Bucket Hat That Doubles As A Bucket For Chicken
The clever branded merchandise campaign is a collaboration with a Russian streetwear brand.
When it comes to on-brand creativity, KFC’s new promotional products initiative is finger-lickin’ good.
The fast-food purveyor of crave-inducing fried chicken and related American dietary staples has just debuted a brand new KFC bucket hat. Brilliantly, the wearable can double as a bucket for your chicken – if you’re so inclined. (Just wash afterward, or…eeewww….gross.)
The bummer: The bucket hat is only available in Russia – for now. The thing that surprised us: How did this not happen sooner?!?! Buckets of chicken. Bucket hat. The connection is as clear as the Colonel’s friendly smile – now that we see it, that is. Plus, the use of a bucket hat to attract younger audiences is strategic, as the headwear style is enjoying a resurgence in popularity.
The bucket hat is the result of a collaboration between KFC Russia and St. Petersburg, Russia-based streetwear brand Mam Cupy. The hat features the KFC and Mam Cupy logos upside down – which is, of course, really right-side up if you’re hauling a load of crispy chicken. Wieden + Kennedy Amsterdam, an advertising agency, crafted the bucket hat-driven marketing campaign for KFC.
“The brand follows the aspirations for creativity and innovation set by the founder, Colonel Sanders, and this time it brings to life our iconic chicken bucket in a fascinating and experimental way,” KFC Russia Marketing Director Daniel Rubinovski said in a statement. “We hope this will excite KFC fans, and who knows what will serve as inspiration for future partnerships?”
The hat will cost you 1,800 rubles – nearly $29 at today’s exchange rate. Maybe we’ll see them on these shores before long. And if not, there’s always eBay.