Companies need customers, and they sometimes come up with wacky ways to get them. Get ready to read about three zany ideas announced by businesses. Two were real plans they carried out. One was a prank—the company was making a joke. Can you spot the spoof?
A Misspelled Message
A phone service plan that includes unlimited messages? That might sound like a good deal. But the phone company Visible wanted to shake things up a bit. Its billboard ads offered unlimited massages. The company hoped the misspelled message would get attention…and bring in new customers.
Fresh Flavors
Coca-Cola® has been serving up soda since 1892. Its cola comes in many flavors. These include Vanilla, Cherry, Georgia Peach, and California Raspberry. As for new flavors? Coca-Cola announced that three new kinds of Coke were coming: Avocado, Sourdough, and Charcoal. Coca-Cola said the modern creations were developed for the "Instagram generation." They said every can would look good in social media photos.
The Face in Space
Kentucky Fried Chicken® (KFC®) thinks big. The company hatched a plan to create an 87,500-square-foot (8,129-square-meter) picture of Colonel Sanders. He's the face of the fast-food chain. The goal was to build a logo so large it could be seen from space. KFC's president said that if there are aliens in space, KFC should be their restaurant of choice.
Two Truths and a Lie
Visible Mobile did move forward with its misspelled ad, and the company kept its promise. After the message/massage mischief, Visible held special events. There, new customers could get free back rubs. The "typo" got a lot of people talking!
KFC really did create a supersized image of the Colonel. It was in the Mojave Desert in Nevada. Satellite images on Google Maps showed Sanders smiling among the desert sands. News reporters picked up the story.
As for Avocado Coke? People won't be sipping on that soda anytime soon. Coca-Cola was pulling a prank to celebrate April 1. Cola that tastes like avocados, sourdough, or charcoal? April Fools!
QUESTION 2
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Think about the article. What was the goal of creating a giant image of Colonel Sanders?
The company wanted it to be seen in more than one city.
The company planned to open a KFC in the desert.
The company planned to open a KFC in space.
The company wanted it to be seen from space.
1 answer