#645 sizzle

If you ever question the power of marketing, just think about bacon.  There is a proliferation of bacon-mania -- and it is all with the same product that has been around for centuries.  The bacon craze isn't even focused on one brand of bacon, rather the product itself.

Despite a more health-conscious environment, bacon sales in the U.S. have increased in each of the last four years.  In 2013, bacon sales climbed 9.5% to an all-time high of nearly $4 billion.  

It seems that bacon-themed products and events are everywhere:  bacon-flavored vodka or ice cream, Baconfests, a bacon bowl, bacon film festival and even a bacon wallet*.  Not to be outdone, the "Oscar Mayer Institute for the Advancement of Bacon" is now promoting a contest that will "transform your iPhone into a Bacon Scent Alarm Clock."  (Upon hearing this, I think people fall into two camps:  one group says "seriously?!" while the other says "where do I sign up?!")

For the bacon lovers out there, watch www.wakeupandsmellthebacon.com

One author speculates that people are turning to bacon because it is a comfort food from their childhood.  Others think that it is because of that "distinctive smell."  I think it is because of great marketing that has created a cult-type loyalty and made it cool to be weird with strips fried pork.

-- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

*Source:  Bacon sales sizzle to all-time high by Charles Passy, Wall Street Journal Market Watch, February 12, 2014, 7:26a.m. EST,  marketwatch.com