Sizzle-Pop?
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 8:32PM The ge
niuses who gave us the deliciosity that is Bacon Salt have done it again. After extensive research (read: eating) they have developed another new product to round out their line-up.
Bacon Pop. Bacon-flavored popcorn. (Pause for salivation).
You could just put some Bacon Salt on your regular popcorn, but that might make it too salty. And then the grains of Bacon Salt might not coat evenly. And if you eat too much popcorn, you might run out of Bacon Salt and not have any for when you cook green beans.* You know, hypothetically speaking and all.
But despite having the vision and courage and chutzpah to start a business based on applying the taste of salted pork to...well, everything, the real genuis of these guys is in their brand recognition.
They started from scratch and have quickly gained national recognition, exposure and a loyal customer base. All because they've done a few things right:
- Easily recognized product names: Bacon Salt, Bacon Pop, Baconnaise, etc. All products are concise descriptions of the product and build off the main brand theme of "bacon". Anyone who has heard of any of these products will quickly identify the other products in the line-up.
- Listening to customers: J&D's takes customer feedback very seriously. Sometimes a little too seriously.... For each product, they conduct customer surveys (often solicited via Twitter @baconsalt) and round up product concept feedback, taste testers and beta testers. New products are generated directly from this feedback.
- Consistent brand "attitude": everything about this brand says "why not?" Why not have salt that's bacon flavored? Why not use the taste of bacon to make licking envelopes less obnoxious? Why not make product announcements via Twitter? They struck a balance between whimsy and strategic product development, applying business practices to a food they love. And all the while keeping a firm grip on reality and the levity of the brand.
So here's to you, J&D. I'm slowly working my way through your entire product line-up (currently through Baconnaise and four flavors of BaconSalt) and when Bacon Pop becomes available tomorrow, you can know I'll be looking for it at my FLGS (friendly local grocery store). Which J&D's products have you tried?
*I've found that Bacon Salt does quite well for seasoning a pot of green beans when you can't get your hands on any fatback.
Bacon, Branding, PR Seattle, Pop, Sizzle in Pop Culture
Reader Comments (6)
Ok...I shouldn't be writing this on Fizzle Pop, but Bacon Salt goes great with tequila shots. Simply replace your ordinary table salt with Bacon Salt and you'll be amazed at how well the bacony goodness masks that tequila aftertaste. Really, I'm serious, the lime becomes optional!
Gross but interesting! I wonder if anyone would buy this at the movies?
Look, I like bacon as much as the next guy (as long as that next guy isn't Martin, cause damn...) but we need to rein in this bacon frenzy. There are plenty of other delicious tastes out there. Cream soda? I could drink that stuff all day. Where's my cream soda salt? Ranch dressing? Name a food that isn't made better by adding ranch dressing to it. I KNOW! IT'S IMPOSSIBLE!
All I'm saying is sure, bacon is delicious, but let's share the love, ok? Now pass the bacon pop, cause without even tasting it I know it's delicious.
I think we should get some in the office to sample. I can't imagine people would want to eat this all the time but it might be good if you are a vegetarian who craves bacon...
Noah - I'm gonna have to try that. Immediately, if not sooner. Any particular flavor of Bacon Salt you recommend?
Kristin - I think it'd be hard for movie theaters to adopt, but maybe bacon flavored popcorn butter (for movie theaters) is the next phase....
and Will - Ranch has had its heyday...there's even BaconRanch from J&D's...but if you want to pursue Cream Soda flavored stuffs, I would eat that. At least once. I might even sprinkle some on my BaconPop, for a whole sweet 'n' savory effect. mmmmm
I think the kind we used was the original. But what I wouldn't give to try one with that Jalapeno Bacon Salt!