American potato chip brand Ruffles has teamed up with NBA superstar LeBron James to launch an all-new Flamin' Hot chip flavor: Ruffles Flamin’ Hot Cheddar and Sour Cream. The new "mashup" flavor combines the taste of Ruffles signature Cheddar and Sour Cream varieties while adding a dose of heat via the brand's Flamin' Hot formula.
The new flavor arrives as part of the Ruffles 'Own your Ridges' campaign, which encourages individuals to own their hardships in life and find success in spite of their obstacles. Because of this, when promoting the new flavor, Ruffles asked Lebron to discuss his own personal obstacles, such as his experience growing up in a single-mother household.
"As a kid growing up in Akron, I never imagined where I’d be today, let alone creating a new chip flavor that I know will bring excitement to fans all over," said James in a recent press statement. Ruffles Flamin’ Hot Cheddar and Sour Cream
Basketball Star-Backed Chip Flavors
Ruffles and Lebron James Launch New Flamin' Hot Chip Variety
Trend Themes
1. Celebrity-endorsed Flavors - Creating new flavors that are endorsed by celebrities who share personal stories about their challenges could increase consumer engagement and sales.
2. Mashup Flavors - Combining different popular flavors to make a unique one could lead to new customer acquisition and retention.
3. Brand Storytelling - Telling a brand story that highlights challenges and encourages consumers to overcome obstacles could help establish an emotional connection and increase brand loyalty.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - Innovative flavors and unique branding could help food and beverage companies stand out and attract more customers.
2. Celebrity Products - Collaborating with celebrities to create and endorse products could be a disruptive innovation for the celebrity products industry.
3. Advertising and Marketing - Telling a brand story that resonates with consumers could disrupt the advertising and marketing industry by creating more meaningful and effective campaigns.