Olfactory Advertising

Those evil devils at KFC, ensnaring consumers with the scent of chicken fried in 11 secret herbs and spices.

In a ploy reminiscent to letting pies cool on windowsills, KFC is experimenting with aroma marketing, using scent to lure potential diners to their restaurants. The pilot program took place Aug. 23 at the Salvation Army offices in the Mayfair neighborhood.

Here's how it worked: plates of KFC's new "$2.99 Deals" were delivered by mail cart to employees, along with bills, packages and letters. The aroma of KFC chicken permeated throughout the office. Noses piqued, heads popped into the hallway, and the office workers were then treated to lunch.

Well, yeah. Imagine you're at your office cubicle with lunchtime a few minutes away, stomach rumbling, and the smell of crispy, succulent fried chicken wafts your way.
You'd be prairie-dogging and grabbing your car keys.

People are immune to a lot of visual noise and ignore many adverts these days. Marketing to the nose is devious, devious stuff.

No reply from The Mustang Ranch as to whether they will be also be adopting this marketing technique.

posted by Laura. at 08:24 PM

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