KFC x Crocs Show Out for Fashion Week

Not sure how I missed this one last week. Nevertheless, those crazy marketing kids at KFC are out doing their thing again. KFC x Crocs x Fashion Week. Waft that scent towards you for a second.

For those unfamiliar with today’s QSR social battles and its unique bizarro-land-meets-pop-culture world of brand marketing, this could look out of place. However, for those “in the game,” it seems completely logical. From its romance novellas to its chicken-scented holiday firewood to limited edition apparel, KFC has long been pushing the envelope.

The latest is a collaboration with born-again-holey-shoe brand Crocs. Their collaboration is a predictable homage to KFC’s signature fried chicken. What I like most is the debut venue and related content. The brands unveiled there partnership news to time with Fashion Week, dishing the freshly-fried footwear with help from South Korean Artist "Me Love Me a Lot" (MLMA), who confidently rocked them during Christian Cowan's show on Feb 11. and was the start of the funky and fashion-inspired debut video.

[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHkLo9_4oyQ&w=854&h=480]

A lot going on here…in a good way. Tapping into global culture. Newsjacking a moment when a brand is somewhat unexpected. A collaboration which makes some twisted sense? The content ultimately does it, though. A week later and 1.2M YouTube views and counting. The PR output? Everyone from the mainstream national news outlets like CNN and People, to influential food sites like Delish to the hype world and sites like Paper, HighSnoband Hypebeast! Oh, and of course, all the ad, PR and marketing trades.

KFC did a lot right with this one. My…uhhhh…beef? I think the design scores minus the “chicken-scented charms” somehow affixed to the front end of the shoe. Ahh yes, they are called “jibbitz” according to the Interwebs. Yes, I know that’s the product tie, but if you’re going to make a killer croc that’s so bad it’s good…why not keep the design tight :)

KFC x Crocs

Those still looking to snag a pair can get in the virtual queue. They go on sale this Spring for $60/pair. You can dive more into the delightful ridiculousness at the well-done website by Crocs.

Extra crispy with this one, KFC. Nicely done.