Who Wants French Fries Today?

Are you a foodie? If yes, then you know that each year on the second Friday in July, it's time to celebrate an American favorite, the almighty French fry. Today is National French Fry Day.

According to NationalDayCalendar, "French fries, also known as chips, fries, finger chips, or French-fried potatoes, are deep-fried potatoes. Though most people eat their fries with ketchup, some people dip their fries in ranch dressing, vinegar, or mayonnaise (very popular across Europe)."

According to the BBC, "According to popular folklore, the dish originated in the winter of 1680 in the freezing villages along the Meuse River (in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands). Because the river was frozen, the poor villagers could no longer fish, so they allegedly sliced potatoes into the shape of small fish and fried them as a replacement. Alternatively, some historians point to pushcart vendors on Paris' oldest bridge, the Pont Neuf, in the late 18th century as the inventors of the deep-fried pomme Pont-Neuf, giving Paris its own claim to the dish."

But according to Mashed, "The story of how fried potatoes became "French" fries usually points to World War One. When American soldiers were stationed in the French-speaking Wallonia region of Belgium, they encountered the fried potatoes and dubbed them "French fries" due to the language spoken by the Belgian locals."

And let's return to the BBC, "The British staple of fish and chips is yet another contender for the most emblematic fried-potato dish. While chips are slightly different from fries, particularly with regards to their shape, the similarities between the two are incontestable. In 1928, The New York Times declared fish and chips England's hot dog."

In Spain, fries are "patatas fritas;" in France, they're called "pommes frites;" and in the United Kingdom, they're simply called "chips."

So how can you celebrate today? Here are some expected fries deals from GiveAwayGoose.com:

(1) McDonald's: Free medium fries with any $1+ purchase in the McDonald's app (MyMcDonald's Rewards). McDonald's runs a "Free Fries Friday" deal most weeks, so this is one of the most reliable.

(2) Wendy's: Typically, a free any-size fry with any in-app purchase for Wendy's Rewards members.

(3) Sonic: Free medium fries or tots with any purchase via the Sonic app.

(4) Burger King: Royal Perks members usually get a fry deal (often free fries with a purchase) on or around fry day.

(5) Checkers & Rally's: Known for a genuinely free fry promotion — in past years a free large fry, sometimes by showing a recent competitor's fry receipt, with no other purchase required.

(6) Smashburger: Often a free fry with any online, in-app, or in-store purchase (sometimes needs a promo code).

(7) Wayback Burgers: A discounted ($1) regular fry for Wayback Rewards members.

(8) Del Taco: Del Yeah! Rewards members often get a free regular fries with any purchase.

SHARE THIS: What do French fries do when they meet after a long time? They ketchup. #NationalFrenchFryDay #DebbieLaskeysBlog

From a marketing perspective, while you may be familiar with Ty toys, have you seen Spuds? The "Ty French Fries toy" is called Spuds and is part of the Ty Beanie Bouncers collection. This pint-sized plush toy features a bright red fry carton base with a smiling face and sunlit, golden fries poking out of the top.

What other brands celebrate this fun holiday? Chime in and share.

Image Credits: Ty, Inc. and The NPD GroupCrest (data).

Recent Marketing News: Barn Ceiling, Pizza, Tiramisu, and More

During the last couple of weeks, there were news stories that reflected brand alignment, brand experiences, brand identity, brand storytelling, celebration marketing, customer experience marketing, personal branding, product launches, social media marketing, special event marketing, and more.

NEW BARBIE STAMPS

As a lifelong Barbie fan, I was excited about this news! On May 1st, the US Postal Service announced "A new release coming this summer: a set of Barbie stamps featuring Barbie dolls through the years, dressed for 10 iconic careers. Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, collaborated with Mattel on the design of the stamps. To best showcase the dolls and their career attire, the stamps employ a rarely used format, a third taller than the usual vertical commemorative stamp. Kessler says the team approached the project "with a spirit of fun," using bright, energetic shades — predominantly the famous "Barbie Pink" — to evoke a feeling of joy. Barbie commemorative stamps will be released on July 11th, during the 2026 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention in Austin, Texas. As Forever stamps, they will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price."

I look forward to purchasing a first-day issue and using these stamps for all my future mail to promote Barbie's mantra, "You Can Be Anything."

ROSES AND THE KENTUCKY DERBY

According to WLKY in Louisville, "One of the Kentucky Derby’s most iconic traditions came together the day before the race as the famous Garland of Roses was assembled. Nearly 1,000 Freedom Roses were delivered to Kroger (the company that has made the garland since 1987) in Middletown, Kentucky — but only the top 465 were selected for the final piece. Each rose was carefully inspected for color, size, and quality. Floral artists then spent hours handcrafting the garland, a meticulous process that brings the long-standing Derby symbol to life. The nearly 40-pound Garland of Roses was draped over the winning horse at May 2nd's 152nd Kentucky Derby, continuing the tradition known as the 'Run for the Roses.'"

FIRST FEMALE TRAINER WINS KENTUCKY DERBY BY "BREAKING THE BARN CEILING"

On May 2nd, while some eyes were on women's fascinators (the colorful hats with feathers and dramatic shapes) or mint julips (the traditional beverage of the event for nearly a century), many eyes were on Cherie DuVaux, who became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby in 152 years with her horse Golden Tempo and jockey Jose Ortiz. Golden Tempo's stunning win was made all the more impressive by the fact that at one point during the race, he was in last place. After the race, she said, "I'm just glad I could be a representative of all women everywhere - that we can do anything we set our minds to."

According to CNN, "There is always a whirlwind that follows winning the Derby DeVaux's is an especially busy vortex thanks largely to the tagline that has permanently attached itself to DeVaux’s name: “The first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby.” It is her hard-earned and rightful place in history. The Kentucky Derby is the longest-running continuous sporting event in the United States. It has survived two World Wars, Prohibition, pouring rain, searing heat, and even a global pandemic. Though three fillies have crossed the finish line first, no female jockey or trainer had won it until DeVaux busted through the BARN CEILING, taking down the old-boy network made of flannel, denim, seersucker, and cigars."

Did you catch the twist on BREAKING THE GLASS CEILING with busting through the BARN CEILING?

PIZZA HUT'S READING PROMOTION

According to the New York Post, "Pizza Hut is taking a page out of its old playbook. The pizza chain is bringing back a nostalgic invention to keep kids reading and away from technology this summer from June 1st through August 31st. The "BOOK IT!'s Summer of Stories" program opened for enrollment on May 1st. Readers who hit their milestones will be provided digital Reading Award Certificates, which are redeemable for a free, one-topping Personal Pan Pizza from Pizza Hut. Students may redeem one Reading Award Certificate per month, and the certificate must be used to reward the student who earned it. This program is completely free. 

BOOK IT! originated in the mid-1980s when the then-president of Pizza Hut, Arthur Gunther, and Bud Gates, a marketing executive for the company, were discussing President Ronald Reagan's calls for literacy support, When Gates thought about what would encourage his own child to read, he came up with the idea of using pizza and pizza parties in classrooms as an incentive. Less than a year after its launch, the program saw 7 million students in 233,080 classrooms across the nation taking part, according to the LA Times in 1985."

DISNEYLAND'S AUTOPIA WILL GO ELECTRIC

ABC7 reported on May 8th, "Disneyland's Autopia ride is preparing to go fully electric. The resort has an agreement with the California Air Resources Board to retire the Tomorrowland ride's current gas-powered engines in early 2027. Autopia debuted with the opening of Disneyland in 1955 and quickly became popular among young guests."

MUSEE D'ORSAY SPECIAL EXHIBIT

CNN reported on May 8th, "Artworks by Renoir, Degas, and Rodin that are believed to have been looted by the Nazis from their Jewish owners have gone on display at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. The museum, home to the world's largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, has taken a significant step in France's effort to reckon with its dark past, opening a permanent space for work thought to have been looted by the Nazis, but whose rightful owners have not been identified. The exhibition, titled "Who owns these works?," will feature a rotating selection of the 225 such pieces that are currently housed by the museum. Twelve paintings and one sculpture are currently on display."

CNN further explained, "Northern France was directly occupied by Nazi Germany during World War II, while much of the south fell under the Vichy regime, which collaborated with the Nazis and participated in the deportation of Jews to concentration camps. Roughly 100,000 artworks were looted in France during the war, according to a report published by the Working Party on the Spoliation of Jews in France, set up by the French government in 1997. Around 60,000 of these were recovered in Germany and Austria at the end of the war and three-quarters were returned to their rightful owners or descendants. However, some 15,000 of these pieces were not returned because their original owners' and heirs' identities could not be established. Most of the works were sold off by the French state during the 1950s, according to the Musée d'Orsay’s website, but 2,200 were held back for safekeeping by the country's national museums. As such, they became the responsibility of the MNR (National Museums Recovery). Over the past 30 years, 15 MNR works held at the Musée d'Orsay have been returned to their rightful owners. The museum has engaged a team of provenance researchers to look into the history of the unclaimed artworks, with a view to ultimately restore some of them to their rightful owners."

Annick Lemoine, president of the Musée d’Orsay, said in a press release announcing the creation of the new space that the issue of art looted by the Nazis is a "priority focus" for museums in France and is "more relevant than ever. Today, by dedicating a room to these works, the museum hopes to both highlight the specific issues related to them and convey to the public the memory of this dark period. For behind each painting, each object, often lie shattered lives, lives disrupted, even destroyed, by the violence of the Nazi regime."

CURRENT CONSUMER SENTIMENT

CNN reported on May 8th, "Consumer sentiment continued to decline this month, reaching a fresh record low as the war in Iran drags on, keeping energy prices elevated. The University of Michigan's latest consumer survey, released on May 8th, showed sentiment fell early this month to a preliminary reading of 48.2, the lowest on record going back to 1952. Sentiment had previously reached its lowest point just last month, below anything seen during the Great Recession, the pandemic, and the inflation surge afterward."

YOKO ONO'S TRADEMARK CHALLENGE

According to The Guardian, "A Brittany (France) brewer is in a squeeze after Yoko Ono ordered him to stop selling a bestselling craft beer labelled John Lemon. The Japanese-American artist and widow of the Beatles star John Lennon claimed it was a breach of a trademark she had registered a decade ago to stop her late husband being mocked, his name misused, and his reputation sullied.

Aurélien Picard, the owner of L'Imprimerie brewery in Bannalec, near Finistère, said it had been selling bottles of the lemon and ginger-flavoured craft beer for five years. He said the name and label, featuring a caricature of the rock legend wearing glasses made of lemon slices, was meant to be a joke and tribute to the singer-songwriter, who was murdered in New York in 1980...Last month, Picard received a letter from Ono’s lawyers ordering him to immediately stop using the name or he would face a fine for each day he refused. Picard said he was surprised Ono would bother with such small beer.

Picard explained, "We’re only a tiny outfit, with me running it and two employees. I explained to the lawyers that we don't sell in supermarkets. We deliver our bottles ourselves to bars and creperies in our local area and asked if they would give me time to sell the bottles that had were already labelled." After an exchange of letters, the brewery has been allowed to sell its remaining stock of 5,000 bottles of John Lemon beer before July 1st." Picard is now considering renaming the beer Jaune Lemon (Yellow Lemon).

END OF SPIRIT AIRWAYS

AP reported on May 2nd, "Spirit Airlines, an impish upstart that shook the industry with its irreverent ads and deep discount fares, has announced that it has gone out of business after 34 years. The ultra-low cost airline that once operated hundreds of daily flights on its bright yellow planes and employed about 17,000 people said it had "started an orderly wind-down of our operations, effective immediately." Although Spirit had gone bankrupt twice before, the company said high oil prices, which have been rising because of the war with Iran, made it impossible to stay aloft. On its website, the airline indicated that all flights have been canceled and customer service is no longer available. Some passengers arrived for flights and were stunned to find them canceled, while workers learned overnight they were out of jobs."

The Trump administration had considered a government bailout for the cash-strapped business to keep it from going under, but a deal was not reached. Regarding the potential bailout, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, "We often times don't have half a billion dollars laying around."

DUTCH BROS CORPORATE CULTURE

Restaurant Business reported, "If you're not convinced that Dutch Bros is a hot restaurant chain by the pure numbers — 31 percent annual revenue growth, 8.3 percent same-store sales growth — or the long lines at its new drive-thru shops, then maybe this will convince you: CEO Christine Barone told analysts, "In 2025, we received over 780,000 applications for just 19,000 shop roles. That's a 2.4 percent acceptance rate." To put that into perspective, the overall acceptance rate for Harvard University's Class of 2029 was 4.2 percent. In other words, it's tougher to get a job at Dutch Bros than it is to get into Harvard."

Dutch Bros has become the third-largest coffee chain in the U.S. and has built its business on its culture. According to Barone, "We’re a great place to work and grow. We create a fun, high-energy environment for our broistas while also providing clear and compelling futures through internal growth and leadership development."

DEATH OF TED TURNER

American businessman, television producer, media proprietor, and philanthropist Ted Turner died at the age of 87 on May 6th. What are Ted Turner's most memorable accomplishments? The creation of the 24-hour news cycle with the invention of CNN, the Cable News Network? Or the creation of "America's Baseball Team," the Atlanta Braves? Or the creation of Turner Movie Classics or the Cartoon Network? Or his philanthropy to the United Nations? Or wildlife conservation of bison in Montana?

CNN reported, "When Ted Turner bought the Atlanta Braves in 1976, he was not buying a baseball dynasty. He was buying content. The Braves at that time were perpetually near the bottom of the league. They were not yet "America's Team," and on most nights, they barely even looked like Atlanta's team. A decade after relocating from Milwaukee, the team routinely played before thousands of empty seats. There were rumors of relocating once again. But Turner saw an opportunity: He had a national TV station in need of programming. The FCC had cleared the way for WTCG, later known as TBS, to become the first-ever "superstation," using satellites to transmit across the country. And so, starting in 1977, Turner turned the Atlanta Braves into a nightly content machine. Their games began beaming into households across the country, night after night, summer after summer. It was an audacious, deeply Turner-esque media play. The Braves did not have to be good to be valuable; they just had to be on. And in an era before every MLB game could be summoned on a smartphone, being on every night mattered...The vision worked: Braves games often drew strong ratings and, over time, developed a significant out-of-market fan base, leading the franchise to often be dubbed "America's Team." That nickname cemented itself in the 1990s, when the team became one of baseball's foremost powers, winning the division title year after year, reaching the World Series five times and winning in 1995, and producing five Hall of Fame players. As a result of national availability and, later, on-field success, cable viewers in Oregon, Nebraska, New York or anywhere else that TBS reached had the potential to become Braves fans."

According to Dale Murphy, a Braves legend and rightfielder during the 1980s, "There’s a lot of baseball fans around the country and the world because of what Ted did through TBS. He should be in the Hall of Fame."

In June 2010, Turner joined Warren Buffett's and Bill Gates's The Giving Pledge, vowing to donate the majority of his fortune to charity upon his death. He wrote, "Looking back, if I had to live my life over, there are things I would do differently, but the one thing I would not change is my charitable giving. I'm particularly thankful for my father's advice to set goals so high that they can't possibly be achieved during a lifetime and to give help where help is needed most. That inspiration keeps me energized and eager to keep working hard every day on giving back and making the world a better place for generations to come."

SHARE THIS: Early to bed, early to rise, work like hell, and advertise. ~Ted Turner #InspirationalLeadership #DebbieLaskeysBlog

CHANGES ANNOUNCED FOR 99TH OSCARS IN 2027

NPR reported, "On May 1st, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced several significant rule changes for the 99th Oscars, including AI protections for actors and writers as well as expanded eligibility for international films. The Academy said the changes are in response to listening to the global filmmaking community and addressing barriers to entry in its eligibility process. The Academy added that its rules and eligibility standards have always evolved alongside technologies such as sound, color, and CGI, and that AI is no different. Awards rules and guidelines are reviewed and refined each year. Among the most noteworthy changes, the Academy now explicitly states that only roles, "demonstrably performed by humans with their consent" are eligible for Acting awards. The Academy also requires screenplays to be "human-authored" and said it reserved the right to investigate the use of generative AI in any submission."

THE WEATHER CHANNEL CELEBRATED 44 YEARS

On May 1st, the Weather Channel celebrated its 44th anniversary. Its post on Twitter/X read, "It's my bday. Today we're 44. Four decades of tornadoes, snowstorms, hurricanes, and sunrises; and you, watching right alongside us. Thanks for making us part of your mornings, evenings, and every "did you see that radar?!" moment in between. Thanks for riding out every storm with us. Here's to the next 44." 

THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING CELEBRATED 95 YEARS

On May 1st, the Empire State Building celebrated its 95th anniversary. One of the most clever co-branded ways to celebrate until May 31st is with Ghiardelli's Kong Sundae paired with unforgettable skyline views.

SHARE THIS: The Empire State Building was named "America's Favorite Building" by the American Institute of Architects. #ESB #FunFact #DebbieLaskeysBlog

UPDATES FROM BURGER KING CEO'S PHONE CALLS

Restaurant Business reported, "Tom Curtis, the president of Burger King, took so many calls earlier this year from customers after giving out his number that, on weekends, according to his wife, he was only allowed to take them on his porch. Curtis ultimately took 1,500 calls from customers around the country, and that was just a fraction of the total number of calls the company fielded so far this year. Members of Curtis's team took another 7,000 calls. And the company itself 64,000 overall. That is an invaluable set of data for the Miami-based fast-food chain, which is still in the early stages of a multi-year comeback effort. The conversations were designed to accomplish multiple goals: Give Burger King a marketing tool, connect the company with its customers in a unique way, and give executives insight into the restaurant's performance."

CHIPOTLE HIRES CHIEF BRAND OFFICER

Chipotle Mexican Grill appointed Fernando Machado as Chief Brand Officer, effective June 1st. In this role, Machado will lead the company's global marketing strategy, brand positioning, and customer engagement efforts as Chipotle continues to execute its growth strategy, drive innovation, and expand its global footprint.

FORD MARKETING CAMPAIGN TO CELEBRATE AMERICA'S 250TH BIRTHDAY

Marketing Dive reported on May 1st, "Ford Motor Company announced a new campaign, titled "American Value. For American Values." that includes a new ad, an employee pricing promotion for consumers, and charitable activations nationwide. The effort is timed to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States and positions Ford as a company that, like America, has often valued the dignity of hard work, looking out for neighbors, and the independent spirit that built the middle class and keeps communities moving, according to Global Chief Marketing Officer Lisa Materazzo. She explained, "To reaffirm our role, not just as as an automaker, but as a trusted, long-standing partner to America and the American people, Ford is extending employee pricing to customers at participating dealers on most new 2025 and 2026 Ford and Lincoln vehicles through July 6th. The program can save buyers anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the vehicle, and does not require a rebate, coupon, or negotiation." And along with its employee pricing promotion, Ford will put its values into action at the local level, with 250 dealers partnering with local nonprofits. Through Ford Building Together, the automaker will help deliver resources, like hosting blood drives and food collection, to directly support U.S. communities."

AI'S THREATS TO WORKING WOMEN

INC reported, "Though it's overhyped, AI technology is evolving fast, and as companies invent new, more sophisticated AI apps, they're having a big impact in the workplace. This triggers immediate worries about repercussions for the future of work...A new study highlights how AI is a particular threat to women in the workplace.

The new report, "AI and Emerging Risks for Women Workers," from the National Partnership for Women & Families (NPWF) finds that artificial intelligence is reshaping women's jobs and working conditions. The analysis examines the wide-ranging impacts of AI on women's work and reveals that women of color make up more than 30 percent of workers in the jobs that are considered the most "AI-vulnerable." As well as a reminder that the job scene isn't a monolith and is biased in many ways, the study could prompt CEOs to address gender inequalities and unfairness in the workplace. The data, gathered by nonprofit advocacy group National Partnership for Women & Families (NPWF), shows that AI is definitely "reshaping women's jobs and working conditions," and not necessarily in commendable or future-facing ways. 

The data clearly shows that AI is much more of an immediate threat to female workers in the U.S. than it is to men, due to the uneven distribution of female workers in jobs that are more at risk of AI automation. The report points out that "because of the nation's history of undervaluing and underpaying for the labor of women, particularly women of color," women occupy a greater proportion of "certain jobs with lower wages and worse benefits and conditions."

The NPWF report also suggests that for policy-making related to AI, "women workers must be centered in both research and policy development." Women's "experiences, needs, and insights should drive our collective response to AI's transformation of work." But as AI tech expands and becomes a key part of every workplace, these suggestions could also play a role in individual workplaces: pretending gender discrepancies don't exist isn't acceptable when AI's threat is so asymmetric. Some training programs on equality, and also on proper and acceptable AI use will probably be a good idea."

SHARE THIS: Women's experiences, needs, and insights should drive our collective response to AI's transformation of work. ~@NPWF #AI #WorkplaceTrends #EqualityintheWorkplace #DebbieLaskeysBlog

PINK AND BASEBALL ON MOTHER'S DAY

Did you notice all the pink during baseball games on Mother's Day? According to Yahoo Sports, "Baseball is all about tradition, and one tradition that seems to always be at the forefront is Mother's Day. Notice the pink gear (bats, fielding gloves, batting gloves, belts, wristbands, socks, shoes, ribbons, catcher vests and facemasks, and umpire vests and facemasks) on this special Sunday? Well, it's one way players honor their mothers on game day. There's more to it than just the pink accessories though. It's also a way for MLB to honor breast cancer awareness."

But how did this tradition start? Back in 2006, baseball rules were very strict about bat colors. However, after John Hillerich, IV, the chief executive for bat manufacturer Hillerich & Bradsby saw NHL players using pink hockey sticks to raise money for breast cancer awareness, he went to MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, who immediately approved the idea the use of pink baseball bats to support breast cancer awareness. Within a few years, hundreds of players used pink bats. And each year, the used bats are auctioned to raise funds for breast cancer charities. In 2013, MLB approved using baseballs featuring pink stitches. And during the years, more pink has appeared.

WASHINGTON'S REFLECTING POOL AND "AMERICAN FLAG BLUE"

According to Wikpedia, "The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool opened in 1924 following the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial, and was designed by Henry Bacon. Part of the iconic image of Washington, D.C., the reflecting pool hosts many of the 24 million visitors who visit the National Mall annually. Depending on the viewer's vantage point, it dramatically reflects the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Mall's trees, and the expansive sky. President Trump initially stated that the cost to repaint the reflecting pool would be $1.8 million, but on May 8th, the Interior Department said they planned to pay $13.1 million."

According to ArtNet on May 11th, "A Washington D.C.-based education and advocacy nonprofit is suing the U.S. Department of the Interior over its renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF), which was founded in 1998 to better connect Americans to the nation's landscape heritage, backed a lawsuit on April 12th in the U.S. District Court in Washington claiming that painting the basin of the Reflecting Pool "American flag blue" violates federal law. In its lawsuit, TCLF argues that the Reflecting Pool's color is a character-defining feature of the site and cannot be changed without following federal review processes under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. TCLF is seeking a temporary restraining order as well as a preliminary injunction to stop work. The first hearing for the case is scheduled for May 21st."

NEW "GODFATHER" NOVEL

AP reported on May 13th, "Decades after the last "Godfather" movie and more than 10 years since the last novel, the story of the Corleone crime family has a new chapter, presented for the first time from a woman's point of view. Approved by the Mario Puzo estate and written by bestselling author Adriana Trigiani, "Connie" is scheduled for a fall 2027 release and will center on the Corleone family member played by Talia Shire, sister of director Francis Ford Coppola, in the three "Godfather" films."

According to Random House, the Puzo estate "sought out" Trigiani after she published a Substack essay lamenting how little was known about the Corleone women. She explained, "The new novel is about how a woman works to forge her own way in a world that's already decided who she is, what she's about, and how she should be treated. People underestimated Don Vito Corleone and Michael Corleone at their peril. The same will be true for Connie Corleone."

And according to Anthony Puzo, the author's son and executor, "We had been looking for someone to retell the story from a new perspective. Adriana was knocked out when I told her that the character of Vito Corleone (played in the films by Brando and De Niro) was actually based on my grandmother. We talked about how the women ran both of our families, but behind the scenes. Adriana's vision for Connie's life blew us all away. I'm very pleased and excited to have her on board."

SPIRIT'S LOYALTY MILES BECOME PIZZA

Papa John's announced on May 8th, "As recent airline uncertainty has left many travelers clutching expired boarding passes and loyalty points that were rendered useless, Papa Johns is offering a soft landing. Introducing "Skies to Pies," a limited‑time offer that transforms Spirit Airlines' unusable loyalty program into something reliable: hot Papa Johns pizza. For a short time, eligible former Spirit loyalty members can convert proof of their loyalty into a free pizza. Stranded Spirit members can now find a home in Papa Rewards. And once verified, Papa Johns will send the first 250 people a code for a free large one-topping pizza. That's it. No blackout dates. No middle seats. Just Better Ingredients. Better Pizza."

SHARE THIS: Papa Johns turned an unfortunate customer experience into an excellent customer experience! #SkiestoPies #CustomerExperienceMarketing #DebbieLaskeysBlog

LOOKING FOR JUDGES FOR ITALY'S TIRAMISU WORLD CUP

According to the announcement in Holiday Pirates, "Every October, Treviso, the northern Italian city widely credited as the birthplace of tiramisu, transforms its main square into the most delicious competition on the planet. The Tiramisù World Cup gathers 240 competitors from around the world to face off across two categories: Original Recipe and Creative Recipe. And every year, 100 volunteer judges are needed to help decide who wins. This year, that judge could be you. You won't get paid, and you won't get your flights covered, but you will taste more tiramisu in two days than most people manage in a lifetime." More details coming in October!

MET GALA FASHION

And let's not forget the annual Met Gala that took place in New York City on Monday, May 4th. The outlandish fashion that appeared on the red carpet did not disappoint, but more interesting from a marketing standpoint were the nearly 50 brands that quickly aligned their products with the outfits with posts on Instagram - ranging from booksellers and libraries featuring book covers to desserts such as doughnuts, cakes, and candy. Read my post from May 7th with a recap (link below).

What other recent marketing buzz caught your attention? Since there's always something happening that impacts marketing, read #DebbieLaskeysBlog for the scoop!

Image Credits: US Postal Serv‪ice and Grow As Entrepreneurs (via Instagram).

Read: Achieving Pizza Mind Through Books (Los Angeles Times - November 15, 1985):

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-11-15-vw-2399-story.html

For the full list of changes to the 99th Oscars:

https://press.oscars.org/news/awards-rules-and-campaign-promotional-regulations-approved-99th-oscarsr

Read the study: AI and Emerging Risks for Women Workers (April 2026)

(Source: National Partnership for Women & Families)

https://nationalpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/ai-emerging-risks-for-women-workers.pdf

Check out the details for the 2026 Tiramisu World Cup:

https://tiramisuworldcup.com/en/

Read my post: See How Some Brands Celebrated the Met Gala! (May 7, 2026)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2026/05/see-how-some-brands-celebrated-met-gala.html

See How Some Brands Celebrated the Met Gala!

The 2026 Met Gala may now be in the history books, but you wouldn't know it by scrolling on Instagram. The reason is because countless brands continue to celebrate the big event by aligning their products with the event in a memorable way.

First, before we check out the brands, a little context from Google, "Held on the first Monday in May, the Met Gala, formally called the Costume Institute Benefit, is the annual haute couture fundraising festival held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in Manhattan. Attendees are given the opportunity to express themselves through fashion, often producing elaborate and highly publicized outfits inspired by the evening's theme. The event is organized by the fashion and glamor magazine Vogue and is known as "fashion's biggest night," where "haute couture intersects with history to create the ultimate cultural moment – all in the name of art." Invitees to attend the Met Gala in a given year are typically personalities widely perceived to be culturally relevant to contemporary society at the world's crossroads of fashion, digital and social media, tech, music, Broadway, Wall Street, film, television, sports, and politics. The entry price for one ticket to attend the Met Gala rose to US$100,000 in 2026, up from $75,000 in 2025."

Here are nearly 50 brands that almost overnight mastered brand alignment with brand storytelling - separated into product categories:

BOOKS / AUTHORS / PUBLISHING

THESE BRANDS POSTED PHOTOS OF MET GALA ATTENDEES WITH BOOK COVERS THAT MATCHED THEIR OUTFITS.

---Simon Schuster Australia (Publisher)

---Waterstones (UK's leading bookseller)

---Harper Collins (Publisher since 1817)

---Harper Collins 360 (Part of Harper Collins, publisher in USA)

---William Morrow Books (Part of Harper Collins, publisher since 1926)

---Book Heronz (New Zealand's online bookstore)

---Celadon Books (Division of Macmillan USA)

---House and Garden (Magazine publisher of international design and decor)

---A Little Overbooked (Book influencer)

---Adriana Trigiani (NY Times bestselling author)

---Savoir Flair (Middle East online magazine)

---Casey Bee Books (Book reviewer)

---Hyperbole Bookstore (Independent bookseller in College Station, Texas)

---Read Book Page (Independent monthly magazine for readers)

---St Martin's Press (An imprint of Macmillan USA)

---Bloomsbury Books US (Book fans)

---Helen Plum Library (Library in Lombard, Illinois)

---Marysville Public Library (Library in Evansville, Ohio)

---Sterling Book Club (Book club in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

ART & ART MUSEUMS

THESE BRANDS POSTED PHOTOS OF MET GALA ATTENDEES WITH ARTWORK THAT MATCHED THEIR OUTFITS.

---Martin Lawrence Galleries (Art gallery founded in 1975 with locations throughout the USA)

---Ashmoleon Museum (Museum founded in 1683 and located in Oxford, UK)

---Art History Daily (Daily artwork posts)

---Art History Fashion (Art history plus fashion posts)

---Bazaar Thailand (Magazine)

---Frick Collection (Museum in New York City)

---Tinker Tailor Art (Floral and architectural art)

---Meelzonart (Pop culture art historian)

FOOD

THESE BRANDS POSTED PHOTOS OF MET GALA ATTENDEES WITH ARTWORK THAT MATCHED THEIR FOOD.

Costume art meets candy art. ~@SeesCandies

Fashion is art, art is cake. ~@SusieCakesBakery

---See's Candies (Chocolate candy since 1921)

---Voodoo Doughnut (Doughnuts made fresh daily)

---Susie Cakes Bakery (Bakery founded by Susie Sarich with locations in California, Texas, Nashville, and Oklahoma City - with shipping nationwide)

---Delicious Australia (Australia's number one premium food and lifestyle brand)

OTHER

---Westminster Kennel Club (150 years of championing purpose-bred dogs and celebrating all dogs) - featured Met Gala attendees with similar-looking dogs

---Moody Gardens (Home to the Rainforest and Aquarium Pyramids on Galveston Island in Texas) - compared Met Gala looks with Moody Gardens residents (penguin, harbor seal, sealion, Victoria Crowned Pigeon, and Scarlet Ibis)

---Pantone Color Institute via Nick Sizemore ("The global authority for color communications and inspiration since 1963") - compared Met Gala attendees with matching Pantone colors

---Mixbook (Publisher that turns ordinary photos into extraordinary stories) - featured Met Gala attendees with matching book covers

---Paper Blanks (Maker of journals to inspire creativity) - featured Met Gala attendees with matching journal covers

---J'adore Les Fleurs (florist in Los Angeles, CA) - featured Met Gala attendees with matching floral arrangements

---Bonkers Pets (Snacks for cats and dogs) - featured Met Gala attendees with cats wearing the same outfits

---Wine & Design (Coordinator of art and wine experiences) - featured Met Gala attendees paired with matching Wine & Design art projects

---Summer Thornton Design (Interior design firm based in Chicago) - featured Met Gala attendees with matching rooms and decor

---Color Me Magic (Disney fan) - featured Met Gala attendees with matching Disney characters and cultural icons

---Jonathan Adler (Designer of furniture, decor, art, and more since 1993) - featured Met Gala attendees with matching furniture, dinnerware, and lighting

Isn't it fun when brands think outside the box when it comes to brand messaging? What are some take-aways that other brands can apply? Chime in and share!

SHARE THIS: Brands that align their products with trending news or special events have the potential to be memorable. #MetGala #BrandAlignment #BrandStorytelling #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Image Credits: Delicious Australia, Simon Schuster Australia, Sees Candies, Wine and Design, Westminster Kennel Club, and Pantone via Nick Sizemore (all via Instagram).

Read my post: See How Six Brands Celebrated the Oscars! (March 23, 2026)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2026/03/see-how-some-brands-celebrated-oscars.html 

Which Brands Feature Penguins in Their Logos?

Today is World Penguin Day, so, do you know any brands that feature penguins in their logos?

First, a little history. According to World Animal Protection, "World Penguin Day (also known as Penguin Awareness Day) is held on April 25th every year. It's an opportunity to celebrate penguins and their beauty, diversity, and intelligence. It's also a chance to highlight how important penguins are to our ecosystems, learn about the threats they face from climate change and the fishing industry, and discover how conservationists are protecting them."

And according to Dr. David Schutt, Founder of Penguins International, "Embracing penguin conservation is not just preserving one species, it's safeguarding an integral thread in the tapestry of life that holds together Earth's delicate ecosystems."

Check out these fun facts about penguins:

(1) Penguins cannot fly but they're incredible swimmers. They can reach speeds of up to 15 miles per hour in the water. Their wings are adapted for swimming, and they spend much of their lives in the ocean.

(2) Penguin lifespan varies from species to species. Large emperor penguins can live up to 20 years, while smaller penguins may only live for around 6 years.

(3) There are 18 different species of penguins. The emperor penguin is the largest, and the little penguin (known as the fairy penguin or the blue penguin) is the smallest.

(4) Penguins are excellent parents. In many species, both male and female penguins take turns incubating the eggs and feeding their chicks.

(5) The penguin's distinctive coloring—black body with white belly—helps camouflage it in the water as it searches for meals of small shrimp, fish, crabs, and squid.

And now, let's return to marketing and some famous brands featuring penguins:

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

The National Hockey League team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, features a penguin in its logo. According to Wikipedia, "A contest was held where 700 of 26,000 entries picked "Penguins" as the team's nickname, sharing its nickname with the athletic department of the newly-named Youngstown State University in nearby Youngstown, Ohio. A logo was chosen that had a penguin in front of a triangle, which symbolized the "Golden Triangle" of downtown Pittsburgh, underscoring the team's connection to its hometown." The logo's penguin is shown gripping a hockey stick in gloves, ready for a shot and decisive action. 

PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE

The legendary British publisher Penguin Books selected the penguin as its symbol. Creative Bloq explained, "Co-Founder Allen Lane had already decided that he wanted an animal logo for his revolutionary new publishing house, which would make inexpensive but high-quality paperbacks available to the mass market. It was 1935, and according to company legend, Lane's secretary suggested a "penguin" as a "dignified, but flippant" name for the new company. Edward Young, a 21-year-old office junior, was immediately dispatched to the London Zoo to sketch the bird in every possible pose for the rest of the day." Several iterations followed over the years, and today, the black-and-white penguin on a bright orange background symbolizes intellectual freedom, accessibility, and openness to knowledge.

And in March 2026, Fast Company reported, "The brand just unveiled a delightful series of hand-drawn illustrations as a brand refresh, named the "Playful Penguins," which show the penguin jumping, strutting, dancing, and doing a whole lot of reading. The illustrations will show up everywhere across the Penguin Random House's global markets, from seasonal campaigns to social initiatives and point-of-sale displays. They're designed to bring some added joy and movement to the brand as it approaches its centennial (in 2035)."

LINUX

Tux the penguin has become iconic among Linux fans in the tech world. Created in 1996 by programmer Linus Torvalds, Tux appears good-natured. It's believed that Torvald chose the penguin after being bitten by one of the cute yet feisty residents of the Southern Hemisphere during a trip to Australia.

Which other famous brands can you name that feature penguins in their logos? Chime in and share.

Image Credits: Pittsburgh Penguins, Penguin Random House, and Linux - and images in bookstore with new dancing penguins courtesy of Penguin Random House.

Learn more about penguins from the World Wildlife Fund:

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/penguin/

Today is Save the Elephant Day!

Today is Save the Elephant Day. The purpose is to draw attention to the threats facing elephants including habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. Established by the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation in Thailand in 2012, Save the Elephant Day is observed annually on April 16th.

Elephants are the largest land animals and are spread across Africa and Asia. Recent studies estimate that there are approximately 400,000 elephants across the African continent, and although the situation differs from country to country, the giant mammals are in decline. Human activities such as poaching for ivory remain a significant reason. However, in 1989, Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) banned most international commercial ivory trade marking a turning point in coordinated elephant protection; and in 2018, China, the world's largest ivory market, banned all ivory sales.

Check out these interesting facts about elephants:

(1) Species are distinguished by their ears. The ears of African elephants are much larger than Asian elephants.

(2) An elephant calf can stand within 20 minutes of being born and is able to walk within 1 hour.

(3) Elephants display a range of emotions such as joy, anger, and grief and live in complex social structures – matriarchal herds for the female cows and calves and a solitary lifestyle or bachelor herds for the male bulls.

(4) Elephants' impressive trunks provide them with an excellent sense of smell, a handy snorkel when swimming, and even a delicate nutcracker.

(5) Elephants throw dust or mud on themselves to protect their skin from sunburn and insect bites. It’s their natural sunscreen and bug repellent!

(6) Drones (or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) have become increasingly important for wildlife research. With their buzzing propellers, which can sound like a swarm of bees, drones have been used to chase elephants from African farms. But when flown in a way designed to minimise disturbance, elephants learn to ignore them.

According to Days of the Year, "Research has shown that elephants can recognize themselves in mirrors, remember the locations of water sources for many years, and distinguish between different human languages, suggesting a level of cognition comparable in some respects to great apes."

And now, let's pivot to marketing and check out some famous brands featuring elephants in their logos and brand storytelling:

EVERNOTE

According to Instagram, the brand's tagline is "Remember everything. Accomplish anything," and as a mobile note-taking app, it definitely delivers. The logo also features an elephant, an animal known for remembering. According to Scientific American, "Elephants possess remarkable, long-term, and spatial memory essential for survival, enabling them to recognize individuals, locate water sources over decades, and mourn the dead. Their highly developed brains, specifically the hippocampus, support complex social structures and navigation, allowing matriarchs to remember distant resources during droughts."

ANIMAL PLANET

According to Wikipedia, "On October 15, 2018, Animal Planet unveiled a new logo, featuring a symbol of a jumping elephant resembling the original logo. The new branding symbolized a new mission of keeping the childhood joy and wonder of animals alive by bringing people up close in every way."

THAI TASTE

In 2018, Thai Taste launched a redesign of its logo and features the subtle shape of the head of an elephant, the official animal of Thailand. The logo also changed from yellow gold to a vibrant pink, a color that has been associated with the brand since its launch in the late 1990s, to reflect all the vibrancy of Thailand and its culture.

SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

According to its website, "The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust embraces all measures that complement the conservation, preservation, and protection of wildlife and habitats. Working across Kenya, our projects include anti-poaching, safe guarding the natural environment, enhancing community awareness, addressing animal welfare issues, providing veterinary assistance to animals in need, rescuing and hand rearing elephant and rhino orphans, along with other species that can ultimately enjoy a quality of life in wild terms when grown. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) is a global leader in elephant conservation and one of Africa's most respected wildlife charities. Founded in 1977 by Dame Daphne Sheldrick, the charity was created to build upon the conservation vision of her late husband, David Sheldrick, the founding warden of Tsavo East National Park, Kenya's oldest and largest national park. We are best known for our pioneering Orphans' Project, a first-of-its-kind program to rescue, raise, and rewild orphaned elephants and rhinos."

ELLA+MILA

According to its website, "Quickly becoming one of the most sought-after nail polishes, this line of lacquer was born from the simple idea of creating an eco-friendly yet high-end product. Initially inspired by the twin daughters (darlingly named Ella and Mila) of one of the founders, the luxury brand took sail. ella+mila releases a new collection of lacquer every couple of months, promising on-trend high-fashion shades and prompting many "FINALLY! The color I've been looking for!" As of June 2017, ella+mila has dipped their feet into the color cosmetics world and launched 10 liquid lipsticks. All the liquid lipsticks are enriched with Vitamin E and have a refreshing mint scent to ensure your lips are moisturized and smelling fresh throughout the day. With a passion for color and dedication to healthy beauty, the founders strive to provide fashion-forward beauty products without compromise. Like their nail lacquer, the newly-launched line of lippies are also vegan, cruelty-free, and proudly made in the USA.  The deeply-admired luxury beauty brand continues to allure the world with its creamy formula and dazzling array of colors."

The elephant logo symbolizes love, family, and memory, reflecting the brand's origins as a family-focused, cruelty-free company created by Narineh Bedrossian for use when she was pregnant with her twin daughters, Ella and Mila. The playful image of an elephant on all of the brand's products represents the brand's gentle, safe, and vegan nature. Elephants are recognized for their deep family bonds, love, and loyalty, aligning with the brand's "Mommy & Me" focus.

HORTON HEARS A WHO!

Over the years, children have been introduced to elephants while reading the classic story, "Horton Hears a Who!," which was written and illustrated by Theodor Seuss Geisel under the pen name Dr. Seuss. Published by Random House in 1954, the book tells the story of Horton the Elephant and his adventures saving Whoville, a tiny planet located on a speck of dust, from the animals who mock him. These animals attempt to steal and burn the speck of dust, so Horton goes to great lengths to save Whoville from being incinerated. 

"A person's a person, no matter how small" is the most popular line from Horton Hears a Who!. According to Wikipedia, "Horton endures harassment to care for and ensure the safety of the Whos, who represent the insignificant. Unlike some of Dr. Seuss' books, Horton contains a strong moral message, which has been identified as "universal, multinational, multi-ethnic. In a word: Equality." Horton Hears a Who! has been well received in libraries, schools, and homes across the world. The book has been adapted as a 1970 television special and a 2008 animated film by Blue Sky Studios and 20th Century Fox Animation, and much of its plot was incorporated into the Broadway musical production Seussical."

BABAR THE ELEPHANT

One of the most memorable books from my childhood featured a family of elephants from Paris, France. The father was Babar, who was a fashionable dresser in his three-piece green suit, red bow tie, and either a black hat or crown. According to Mental Floss, "For some, more than an ambassador from an elephant kingdom, Babar shows the world what it means to be French—which includes exercising every morning before your croissant. General Charles de Gaulle famously loved the elephant because he gave the world “a certain idea of France,” and former cultural minister Frédéric Mitterrand bestowed a medal of arts and letters upon Laurent (the son of the original author)."

Which other famous brands either feature elephants in their logos or promote elephant conservation? Chime in and share.

Image Credits: Wikipedia (Horton Hears a Who!), Animal Planet, Bol.com (Babar), Thai Taste, and Evernote.

Learn how to foster future generations of elephants, rescue orphaned wildlife, protect Kenya's habitats, and support coexistence:

https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/

Let's Celebrate National Dolphin Day!

Today is National Dolphin Day, started by Earth Island Institute in 1990 after its successful push for dolphin-safe tuna labels. It's a day to celebrate the charismatic sea creatures loved for their playfulness and agility - and to also raise awareness for the conservation and protection of dolphins from threats including captivity and hunting. According to PunchBowl, "They are social, intelligent, and captivating to watch as they leap through the water. Dolphins are mammals, just like us, and they are also in the same family as whales."

Here are some ways to celebrate:

(1) Clean up a beach.

(2) Watch what you eat - choose dolphin-safe labeled seafood.

(3) Visit aquariums to learn more about dolphins.

(4) Use less plastic - marine plastic harms coastal dolphins when they eat it.

(5) Donate to nonprofit organizations that support ocean life.

Check out these interesting facts about dolphins:

(1) The most common species is the Bottlenose dolphin, but there are 40 other dolphin species.

(2) Because dolphins are social animals, they travel in pods of 5 to 700. 

(3) Dolphins sometimes naturally develop a form of Type II diabetes.

(4) When sleeping, dolphins keep one eye open to breathe and watch for predators, allowing them to remain conscious while resting.

(5) Killer whales are actually dolphins.

And now, let's pivot to marketing and check out some brands featuring dolphins in their logos and brand storytelling:

MIAMI DOLPHINS

According to Wikipedia, "A professional American football team based in the Miami metropolitan area, the Miami Dolphins compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The team plays its home games at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, a northern suburb of Miami. The Dolphins are the oldest professional sports team in Florida."

ALL EVERYTHING DOLPHIN

According to the brand's website, "All Everything Dolphin was born in 2019 in sunny Sydney, Australia, because what better place to start a dolphin-loving brand than by the ocean? Our love for the sea (and the playful dolphins that call it home) had us thinking...Why not create apparel that captures their joy, energy, and, of course, their porpoise in life? With that, our signature cartoon dolphin designs, sprinkled with a generous dose of cheeky puns, came to life. The response? Flippin’ amazing! As more dol-fans joined the pod, we expanded the collection, creating even more designs to celebrate these incredible creatures. And because no ocean is complete without a few other marine mates, we made room for some new sea friends along the way."

DOLFIN

According to the brand's website, "In 1941, the company was founded in Shillington, Pennsylvania as Reading Airchutes, Inc. to manufacture cargo parachutes for the U.S. Air Force and was one of their main suppliers of cargo and bomb parachutes throughout World War II. In 1945, the company reorganized at the conclusion of World War II as Jean Vernon, Inc. which became a manufacturer of silk and nylon lingerie. In 1958, due to the company's expertise in the lingerie business and work with nylon and nylon blended fabrics, the company designed and launched a line of nylon racing suits for the competitive swim market under the trade name "Dolfin." In 1962, Jean Vernon introduced a line of lightweight track uniforms. From 1962-1968, Dolfin's rapidly expanding competitive swimwear and track wear resulted in a de-emphasizing of the Jean Vernon lingerie business. In 1969, the company changed its name to Dolfin Corporation and discontinued the Jean Vernon line of lingerie to focus on the swimwear and trackwear lines. Between 1970-1977, the majority of Dolfin's business remained in the competitive swim market, however the line of track uniforms became a leader in this limited market. And in 2016, Dolfin athletes posted a 2016 Olympic gold medal and multiple Paralympic gold medals and World Records."

DOLPHIN WORLD

According to the brand's website, "Dolphin World was started in 1995 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The company was started with the premise to provide the finest Dolphin Swim program with opportunities throughout Florida in Orlando, Miami, and the Florida Keys."

Did you ever swim with dolphins? I did many years ago in Cancun, Mexico - and it was an unforgettable experience!

What other famous brands either feature dolphins in their logos or promote dolphin conservation? Chime in and share.

SHARE THIS: In 100 years, I want whales, dolphins, and sharks to still be around, and the ocean to be a healthier place. ~Greg MacGillivray #NationalDolphinDay #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Image Credits: Miami Dolphins, All Everything Dolphin, Dolfin Swimwear, and Dolphin World.

Read about documentary creator Greg MacGillivray:

https://variety.com/2010/film/markets-festivals/greg-macgillivray-peak-performer-1118023293/

Welcome Home, Artemis II

During the last ten days, NASA's lunar fly-by mission has captured the world's attention. As we watched the mission from Earth thanks to the Christopher C. Kraft, Jr. Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, four astronauts made history by setting a new record for distance traveled into space. And today, the astronauts returned safely home.

To celebrate the Artemis II's inspiring mission, let's take a look at memorable social media posts from ten brands:

KRISPY KREME

This doughnut brand shared on Twitter/X on March 30th, "A historic orbit around the moon calls for a sweet celebration. Introducing our NEW Artemis II doughnut collection, inspired by the Artemis II mission - landing at a Krispy Kreme near you on March 31st for a limited time!"

And on March 31st, "The Artemis II Doughnut is officially in orbit. Artemis II will be NASA's first crewed mission to orbit the moon in over 50 years - celebrate with this limited-time doughnut before it's gone."

And on April 3rd, "Artemis II Doughnut Update: A successful launch calls for a longer celebration! The Artemis II doughnut is NOW here thru April 10th. Tune in to the live stream with doughnut in hand as we follow the mission all the way to splashdown!"

GOOGLE

This search engine brand shared an Earth and Moon themed Google Doodle on Twitter/X on April 1st, "Today's Google Doodle celebrates the launch of Artemis II, the NASA mission that will send astronauts around the moon and back for the first time in over 50 years. During the approximately 10-day voyage, the crew will test the spacecraft's systems while traveling farther into deep space than any human has gone since the Apollo program. This critical test flight brings us one step closer to long-term return to the moon and future missions to Mars."

MERRIAM-WEBSTER

This dictionary brand posted on Twitter/X on April 6th, "'Moon' is capitalized when referring to Earth's Moon. It's lowercase when you're referring to other moons, or the web."

KLONDIKE

This frozen dessert brand posted on Twitter/X on April 6th, "New moon imagery confirms Neil and Buzz left perfectly preserved possession on the moon. Talk about astronaut ice cream!" The image that accompanied the post was the moon's surface with a pawprint and a Klondike ice cream wrapper.

NUTELLA

This food brand posted on Twitter/X on April 6th because a jar of Nutella was taken into space, "Honored to have traveled further than any spread in history. Taking spreading smiles to new heights." Then on April 7th, the brand's post read, "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the Nutella jars."

CRUNCH

This candy brand posted on Twitter/X on April 6th, "This just in: the backside of the moon is 100 percent milk chocolate." A photo accompanied the post with chocolate and a Crunch flag stuck in it.

ENCYCLOPAEDIA BRITANNICA

This encyclopedia brand posted on Twitter/X on April 6th, "The Moon is around 250,000 miles from Earth. It's so far that you could fit the other seven planets into the space between Earth and the Moon."

WHITNEY MUSEUM

This museum brand posted on Twitter/X on April 6th, "NASA has Artemis II, Georgia O'Keeffe has a ladder to the moon." The work of art was included with the post: "Ladder to the Moon" by Georgia O'Keeffe from 1958.

COLLINS DICTIONARY

This dictionary brand posted on Twitter/X on April 7th, "With the Artemis II crew heading home, it felt only right to make our #TrendingTuesday word moon themed. #WordOfTheDay is LUNAR. Adjective - lunar means relating to the moon."

NASA

And lastly, (in addition to a wonderful logo) from NASA on April 7th on Twitter/X, "Hello, Moon. It's great to be back. Here's a taste of what the Artemis II astronauts photographed during their flight around the Moon. Check out more photos from the mission here:

https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-ii-multimedia/

Would you like to travel to the Moon? Get in line!

SHARE THIS: For more than 65 years, NASA has made the seemingly impossible, possible. #NASA #ArtemisII #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Image Credits: NASA/Artemis II.

Check out Georgia O'Keeffe's "Ladder to the Moon" at the Whitney Museum:

https://whitney.org/collection/works/37900

Learn more about NASA's Mission Control Center:

https://www.nasa.gov/johnson/jsc-mission-control-center/

See How Some Brands Celebrated the Oscars!

While the 2026 Oscars ceremony is in the history books, you wouldn't know it by scrolling on Instagram. Many brands continue to celebrate the big event by showcasing their products in a memorable way.

Here are six brands that have mastered brand alignment with brand storytelling:

WINE AND DESIGN

This brand describes itself as "premier art experiences" and elevates "the paint and sip experience beyond the canvas." So, it was not a surprise when posts appeared on Instagram with the message, "This is your official sign to stop taking art so seriously and start pairing it with whatever brings you joy. Movies, memories, or a little main character energy, Wine & Design has got you. Create any of these paintings or projects at your local Wine & Design studio!" Photos featured famous people in their red carpet fashion with artwork with matching colors and/or designs.

SIMON & SCHUSTER AUSTRALIA

This brand describes itself as a publisher that loves "connecting people with the books they love to read." So, it was not a surprise when posts appeared on Instagram with the message, "If these Oscars outfits were book covers. We matched some of the most iconic red carpet looks from the Oscars 2026 with covers that give the exact same vibe!"

WATERSTONES

This brand describes itself as "The UK's leading bookseller." So, it was not a surprise when posts appeared on Instagram with the message, "Presenting the 2026 Oscars red carpet #LooksToRead." And then a second post with the message, "Oh you thought we forgot about the after party? Presenting the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscars party #LooksToRead." Both sets of photos featured famous people in their red carpet fashion with book covers with similar colors and/or designs.

PANTONE

The brand describes itself as "The global authority for color communications and inspiration since 1963." So, it was not a surprise when posts appeared on Instagram with the message, "Red carpet color recap from the 2026 Oscars." The photos featured famous people in their red carpet fashion paired with their matching Pantone colors.

HARPER COLLINS

The brand describes itself as "Publishing great authors since 1817." So, it was not a surprise when posts appeared on Instagram with the message, "Presenting our #LooksToBooks from the Oscars!" Both sets of photos featured famous people in their red carpet fashion with book covers with similar colors and/or designs.

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS

The brand describes itself as "Your neighborhood store for paints, supplies, and color. Inspiration equals completed project." So, it was not a surprise when posts appeared on Instagram in a reel with color samples and corresponding numbers at a microphone and the message, "And the glitzy gold SW 6691 goes to: best original hue (Kismet SW 6830), best leading beige (Classic Sand SW 0056), best accent wall (Edamame SW 7729), most fun to say (Bunglehouse Blue SW 0048), and color of the year (Universal Khaki SW 6150)."

What can other brands learn from these memorable posts? Did you see other brands that celebrated the Oscars by aligning their products in such a memorable way? Chime in and share!

SHARE THIS: Brands that align their products with trending news or special events have the potential to be memorable. #Oscars #BrandAlignment #BrandExperience #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Image Credits: Wine and Design, Simon and Schuster Australia, Waterstones, Pantone, Harper Collins, and Sherwin-Williams (all via Instagram).

Read my post: Did Your Brand Promote the Oscars? Lessons in Email Marketing (March 2026):

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2026/03/did-your-brand-promote-oscars.html

A Look Back at 2025 through the Lens of Krispy Kreme

Many brands are successful at telling their stories or explaining their purpose. Some brands excel at this form of marketing, also known as brand storytelling. However, there are few that rival the effectiveness of Krispy Kreme. Here's a look back at 2025 through the lens of this clever food brand.

But first, some history. According to Wikipedia, "Krispy Kreme, Inc. (previously Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc.) is an American multinational doughnut company and coffeehouse chain. The company was founded by Vernon Rudolph, who bought a yeast-raised recipe from a New Orleans chef, rented a building in 1937 in North Carolina, and began selling to local grocery stores. Steady growth preceded an ambitious expansion as a public company in the period from 2000 to 2016, which ultimately proved unprofitable. In 2016, the company returned to private ownership under JAB Holding Company, a private Luxembourg-based firm. In July 2021, Krispy Kreme became publicly traded again on the Nasdaq. The brand name is a deliberate non-standard spelling of 'crispy cream,' for marketing effect."

Truly an international company, Krispy Kreme operates in Canada, Egypt, France, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Lebanon, Turkey, India, Dominican Republic, Iceland, Ireland, Kuwait, Guatemala, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Russia, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan, Singapore, Cambodia, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Nigeria, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Morocco. In late 2025, the brand opened stores in Madrid, Spain and Uzbekistan. There are plans to open more than 70 shops in Uzbekistan over the next five years.

JANUARY: Krispy Kreme partnered with Pop-Tarts for the first time and unveiled the Krispy Kreme x Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Doughnuts Collection.

(1) Pop-Tarts Frosted Strawberry Doughnut - Unglazed shell doughnut filled with strawberry filling, dipped in shortbread icing, topped with shortbread pieces, sugar sprinkles, strawberry filling drizzle, and Strawberry Pop-Tarts Bites. 

(2) Pop-Tarts Frosted Chocolatey Fudge Doughnut - Original Glazed doughnut dipped in chocolate icing topped with brownie batter flavored buttercreme, crushed Frosted Chocolatey Fudge Pop-Tarts Bites, and white nonpareils.

(3) Pop-Tarts Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon Doughnut - Cinnamon sugar doughnut topped with brown sugar cinnamon cream cheese flavored buttercreme and Frosted Cinnamon Roll Pop-Tarts Bites.

FEBRUARY: Just in time for the Super Bowl, Krispy Kreme offered fans the chance to snag its "Big Game Dozen" from the Friday before the big game until Sunday, February 9th. The dozen featured six football-shaped doughnuts filled with White Kreme, which are then dipped in chocolate icing plus white icing football laces, alongside six Original Glazed doughnuts.  

FEBRUARY: For Valentine’s Day, Krispy Kreme introduced its all-new Hearts in Bloom Collection, an exquisite arrangement of four heart-shaped doughnuts in a customized flower bouquet box.

[1] You Make My Daisy Doughnut - an unglazed heart doughnut filled with white Kreme, dipped in strawberry flavored icing, drizzled with yellow icing and topped with a daisy candy piece.

[2] Love You Bunches Doughnut - an unglazed heart doughnut filled with Chocolate Kreme, dipped in red icing, drizzled with green stems and topped pink and red confectionery curls.

[3] Blooming Heart Doughnut - an unglazed heart doughnut filled with Cookies & Kreme filling, dipped in purple icing and sprinkled with hearts in bloom sprinkles.

[4] You Are My Sunshine Doughnut - an unglazed heart doughnut filled with caramel flavored Kreme, dipped in chocolate icing, drizzled with a green stem and topped with a sunflower candy piece.

FEBRUARY: Krispy Kreme and Hulu combined for a Movie Snacks Doughnut Collection with four all-new doughnuts inspired by the cinema snack bar.

[1] Blue Raspberry Slush Doughnut: an Original Glazed doughnut dipped in blue raspberry flavored icing and blue sanding sugar.

[2] Caramel Popcorn Doughnut: an unglazed shell doughnut filled with caramel popcorn flavored Kreme filling, dipped in white icing and caramel popcorn and topped with red icing drizzles.

[3] Cookie Dough Superstar Doughnut: an unglazed shell doughnut filled with chocolate butterkreme flavored filling, dipped in chocolate flavored icing and topped with gold glitter sprinkles and cookie dough bites.

[4] Candy Double Feature Doughnut: an Original Glazed doughnut dipped in white icing, topped with milk chocolate candy pieces and mini milk chocolate chips, and drizzled with chocolate flavored icing.

MARCH: Krispy Kreme’s Chocomania Collection returned for a limited time beginning March 19th and included:

[1] NEW: HERSHEY'S Chocolate Salted Caramel Cheesecake Doughnut, an unglazed shell doughnut filled with HERSHEY'S caramel cheesecake flavored Kreme dipped in HERSHEY'S milk chocolate icing, sprinkled with chocolate cookie crumb, and topped with a salted caramel swirl.

[2] NEW: HERSHEY’S Chocolate Buttercreme Doughnut, an unglazed ring doughnut dipped in HERSHEY’S milk chocolate icing and topped with chocolate flavored buttercreme and semi-sweet chocolate curls.

[3] NEW: HERSHEY'S Chocolate Chip Cookie Doughnut, an Original Glazed doughnut dipped in salted cookie dough flavored icing, topped with chocolate chip cookie pieces, Hershey’s mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, and HERSHEY’S milk chocolate icing drizzles.

[4] HERSHEY'S Classic Chocolate Doughnut, an Original Glazed Doughnut with HERSHEY’S milk chocolate icing and a chocolate swirl.

MARCH: Krispy Kreme introduced four new festive St. Patrick’s Day doughnuts.

[1] Pot of GoldDoughnut – an Original Glazed Doughnut dipped in golden caramel flavored icing and topped with caramel flavored buttercreme and gold coin glitter sprinkles.

[2] Over the Rainbow Doughnut – an unglazed shell doughnut filled with cake batter flavored Kreme, dipped in light green icing and topped with shamrock rainbow sprinkles and a rainbow sugar piece.

[3] Choco-ShenanigansDoughnut – an unglazed shell doughnut filled with white Kreme, dipped in chocolate icing and topped with green icing drizzles and gold coin glitter sprinkles.

[4] St. Patty’s SwirlDoughnut – an Original Glazed doughnut dipped in white icing with green icing swirl and dipped in white and gold sanding sugar.

APRIL: The Krispy Kreme x Fruity PEBBLES collaboration featured Fruity Pebbles Milk Original Glazed Doughnuts – a classic ring doughnut coated with Fruity Pebbles Milk flavored glaze, capturing the sweet, fruity-licious taste of post-cereal goodness.

APRIL: “Hoppy Easter” from Krispy Kreme with its collection of bunny-themed Easter doughnuts.

[1] Bunny Basket Doughnut – an Original Glazed doughnut dipped in chocolate icing, decorated with chocolate flavored buttercream, and topped with a confectionery bunny.

[2] Marshmallow Bunny Doughnut – an unglazed shell doughnut filled with marshmallow flavored Kreme, dipped in pastel yellow icing and topped with a bunny face and confectionery ears.

[3] Bouncing Bunny Doughnut – an Original Glazed doughnut dipped in pastel blue icing and sprinkles, and topped with a bouncing bunny.

[4] Strawberry Iced Doughnut with Sprinkles – an Original Glazed doughnut dipped in strawberry flavored icing and pastel sprinkles.

APRIL: According to Krispy Kreme's website, "For the third consecutive year, Krispy Kreme offered Americans a sweet tax break on dozens of delicious doughnuts for Tax Day. On Tuesday, April 15th, guests who purchased any dozen doughnuts at regular price in shop could receive a second Original Glazed dozen for only the sales tax in their state."

APRIL: Krispy Kreme introduced an all-new cheesecake-inspired collection:

[1] Strawberry Dream Cheesecake Doughnut – an unglazed shell doughnut filled with cheesecake flavored Kreme, dipped in strawberry flavored icing and berry flavored graham crunch, and drizzled in white icing.

[2] Cookies & Kreme Cheesecake Doughnut– an unglazed shell doughnut filled with cookies & Kreme cheesecake flavored filling, dipped in white icing, half-dipped in chocolate cookie crumble and dusted with powdered topping.

[3] Caramel Delight Cheesecake Doughnut – a cinnamon sugar ring doughnut topped with cheesecake flavored buttercreme, salted caramel flavored graham crunch, and caramel flavored icing drizzles.

MAY: Krispy Kreme brightened mom’s day with the Minis for Mom Collection:

[1] Mini Strawberry Sunshine Doughnut – a Mini Original Glazed doughnut dipped in strawberry flavored icing, topped with yellow and orange icing drizzles and yellow vanilla flavored buttercreme.

[2] Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie Delight Doughnut – a Mini Original Glazed doughnut dipped in chocolate icing & chocolate chip cookie crumble, topped with cookie dough flavored buttercreme.

[3] Mini Chocolate Iced Yellow HeartDoughnut – a Mini Original Glazed doughnut dipped in chocolate icing and topped with a yellow icing heart.

[4] Mini Sparkly Vanilla SunsetDoughnut – a Mini Original Glazed doughnut dipped in yellow vanilla flavored icing and pink sanding sugar.

MAY: According to the brand's website, "Krispy Kreme announced an a-maze-ing collaboration with Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc., for PAC-MAN's 45th Anniversary, celebrating the global, cultural icon with all-new doughnuts inspired by the classic game. PAC-MAN is one of the most recognized video game characters of all time and has made an impact on the world by connecting with people across ages, borders, and genders through the power of play for over 45 years, just as Krispy Kreme connects people through the sweetness of enjoying and sharing doughnuts. The Krispy Kreme x PAC-MAN Collection features three new doughnuts in a nostalgic custom PAC-MAN game dozen box: the PAC-MAN Party Doughnut (an Original Glazed Doughnut piped with yellow buttercreme flavored icing, sprinkled with celebration sprinkles and topped with a PAC-MAN piece), the TEAM GHOST Doughnut (an unglazed shell doughnut filled with chocolate flavored Kreme, dipped in black icing, decorated with PAC-MAN maze and topped with Team Ghosts piece), and the Strawberry Power Berry Doughnut (an unglazed shell doughnut filled with strawberry flavored Kreme, dipped in red icing and topped with white sprinkles and green leaf icing)."

JULY: Krispy Kreme’s Stars, Stripes & Sweetness Collection featured three festive doughnuts - and fans receive a free Original Glazed Doughnut for wearing red, white & blue on July 4th:

[1] Freedom Ring Doughnut – an Original Glazed doughnut dipped in white icing, blue sprinkles and white stars, piped with red icing stripes.

[2] USA Party Doughnut – an Original Glazed doughnut piped with white buttercreme, sprinkled with USA party sprinkle blend, and topped with a USA sugar piece.

[3] Vanilla Cookies & Kreme Liberty Crunch Doughnut – an unglazed shell doughnut filled with vanilla cookies & Kreme filling, dipped in white icing and topped with vanilla cookies, patriotic sprinkles and white icing drizzle.

JULY: Krispy Kreme and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products collaborated and introduced the all-new “Hungry for Heroes” Collection featuring three doughnuts celebrating iconic DC Super Heroes: Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.

[1] Superman Doughnut – an unglazed shell doughnut filled with white Kreme, dipped in light blue icing, and topped with Superman buttercreme flavored clouds, decorated with an image of Superman and sprinkle blend.

[2] Batman Doughnut – an unglazed shell doughnut filled with cookies & Kreme, dipped in black chocolate icing and topped with a Bat emblem.

[3] Wonder Woman Doughnut – an Original Glazed doughnut dipped in red raspberry flavored icing, topped with white stars and blue sprinkles and a Wonder Woman logo and belt.

JULY: While the Passport collection during the summer of 2024 was "Passport to Paris," during 2025, Krispy Kreme created a Passport to Italy Collection and featured three of Italy’s most iconic desserts reimagined as doughnuts:

[1] Cannoli Inspired Doughnut – an unglazed ring doughnut half-dipped in chocolate icing and cookie crunch, dusted with powdered coating and topped with a cannoli flavored buttercreme dollop.

[2] Limone Delight Doughnut – an unglazed shell doughnut filled with lemon delight flavored Kreme, dipped in zesty lemon-flavored icing and topped with candied lemon.

[3] Tiramisu Inspired Doughnut – an unglazed shell doughnut filled with tiramisu flavored Kreme, topped with sweet creme flavored buttercreme and dusted with cocoa.

AUGUST: According to a Krispy Kreme press release, "In what might be THE colossal collab of the year, Krispy Kreme and Crocs announced the introduction of limited-edition Krispy Kreme x Crocs Classic Clogs. Comfort meets crave in Krispy Kreme Crocs Classic Clog, inspired by iconic Original Glazed and other Krispy Kreme doughnuts. More than a year in the making, comfort meets crave in this icon for an icon collaboration of two true global originals – Krispy Kreme's Original Glazed Doughnut and Crocs' Classic Clog. Hot now and being served beginning August 5 in adult sizes at Crocs stores, crocs.com, and select channels, the Krispy Kreme x Crocs Classic Clogs' design features a fresh out-of-the-glazer treatment, along with oversized Jibbitz charms of the Original Glazed doughnut and Krispy Kreme Hot Light. The Clogs also include two interchangeable toe caps – chocolate and strawberry icing with sprinkles – that you can swap out depending on your favorite flavor, and the Clogs' pivoting heel strap features the Krispy Kreme logo. Krispy Kreme is also offering guests who come in wearing their Crocs on August 9th a free Original Glazed Doughnut."

AUGUST: Krispy Kreme’s irresistible Pumpkin Spice Original Glazed doughnut was offered for a full week, through August 17, after being available for just three days in 2024.

AUGUST: According to Krispy Kreme's website, "Step into the wizarding world with Krispy Kreme x Harry Potter Back to Hogwarts Collection featuring our Houses of Hogwarts doughnuts and Golden Snitch Latte. The House of Hogwarts doughnuts are a magical dozen featuring two of each house-inspired doughnut: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw, each filled and topped with unique flavors, colors, and iconic crests. Plus, enjoy a surprise-filled Sorting Hat doughnut and four classic Original Glazed. With flavors like cookie butter Kreme, brown butter toffee custard, and blueberry icing, there's a doughnut for every wizard. But hurry, these enchanting treats are only available for a limited time!"

SEPTEMBER: For two days during September, Chocolate Iced Kreme Filled Football Doughnuts arrived just in time to "kick off" the football season.

SEPTEMBER: All Recipes reported, "Krispy Kreme’s Chocolate Glazed Doughnut was originally released in 2017 to celebrate the solar eclipse, then brought back in 2018 as part of World Chocolate Day. After a six-year hiatus, Krispy Kreme brought it back last summer, thanks to the excitement of fans. Then, the brand quietly reintroduced these treats to stores in July — but only for one day. To celebrate International Chocolate Day, which falls on September 13, the Chocolate Glazed Doughnut will make a brief comeback and will be available by the dozen and individually in stores across the U.S., online, and through Krispy Kreme's app from September 11 to September 14."

SEPTEMBER: Krispy Kreme brought the wonder of the classic fall fair to fans with its all-new Fall Fair Collection – a delicious assortment of four doughnuts inspired by the sights, smells, and iconic tastes of the seasonal fairgrounds.

[1] Cotton Candy Doughnut – Dipped in vibrant blue icing and coated with cotton candy flavored sugar, it's topped with a playful strawberry-flavored icing swirl and a fluffy cotton candy-flavored buttercreme dollop.

[2] Kreme Puff Doughnut – This unglazed ring doughnut is swirled with rich Kreme, dusted with sweet powdered coating and crowned with a cheerful Doughnut Dot – a perfect little pop of joy on top.

[3] Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Doughnut – A blue-ribbon bite every time. This unglazed shell doughnut is bursting with apple cinnamon filling, dipped in gooey caramel flavored icing, sprinkled with cinnamon cookie crumbs and drizzled with white icing.

[4] Caramel Churro Doughnut – Covered in cinnamon sugar and drizzled with luscious caramel flavored icing, this doughnut brings the crunchy, sweet satisfaction of a fair churro.

OCTOBER: Krispy Kreme’s Trick or Treat! Collection available through Halloween featured four all-new, scary-good doughnuts all packaged in a special custom Halloween-themed dozen box. Guests who visit participating U.S. shops while wearing a costume on October 25th and/or on Halloween, October 31st will receive a free Original Glazed or Classic Ring Doughnut – no purchase necessary.

[1] Candy Bag - an Original Glazed doughnut topped with rich chocolate-flavored buttercreme topped with a buttery caramel-flavored swirl and sprinkled with a vibrant trick-or-treat candy blend.

[2] Cookies and Skreme House - a doughnut filled with decadent Cookies & Kreme filling dipped in rich chocolate icing then topped with crunchy silver chocolate cookies - purple buttercreme flavored icing adds a ghostly touch, while a spooky Haunted House piece sits atop.

[3] Jack-O-Lantern - this festive shell doughnut is topped with smooth, orange buttercreme flavored icing - adorned with a playful Jack-O-Lantern face pieces and topped with a green icing stem.

[4] Spooky Sprinkle - iconic Original Glazed doughnut is transformed with a vibrant green icing dip that gives it an eerie, ghoulish glow plus ghostly Halloween sprinkles that top this frightfully fun treat.

NOVEMBER: For World Kindness Day on November 13th, Krispy Kreme gave all guests a FREE Original Glazed dozen with the purchase of any regular-priced dozen to share with others. According to Alison Holder, Krispy Kreme Chief Brand and Product Officer, "We believe in the power of kindness and the joy that comes from sharing."

DECEMBER: According to Krispy Kreme's website, "Good grief! Krispy Kreme and Peanuts are partnering for the first time in the U.S.! This festive season, Krispy Kreme is teaming up with Peanuts to bring fans of Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the Peanuts gang the Krispy Kreme x Peanuts Collection – because after all, what are the holidays without those closest to you, your favorite characters and some delicious doughnuts? The Krispy Kreme x Peanuts Collection features three all-new doughnuts, each inspired by the beloved world of Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz – along with two returning fan favorites:

[1] NEW Snoopy Cookies & Kreme Doughnut – a Snoopy-shaped doughnut filled with Cookies & Kreme filling, dipped in vanilla flavored icing, and decorated with a Snoopy face.

[2] NEW Charlie Brown Ornament Doughnut – a shell doughnut filled with brownie batter flavored filling, dipped in yellow vanilla flavored icing, and topped with a chocolate flavored buttercreme zig-zag and ornament hook.

[3] NEW Christmas Wreath Doughnut – an Original Glazed doughnut-topped with a buttercreme flavored green swirl, yellow nonpareil sprinkles, and a Snoopy and Woodstock sugar piece.

[4] Santa Belly Doughnut – an unglazed shell doughnut filled with White Kreme filling, decorated with a chocolate flavored buttercreme Santa belt and topped with a Santa buckle sugar piece.

[5] Holiday Sprinkle Doughnut – an Original Glazed doughnut dipped in chocolate icing with festive sprinkles.

Scott Shillet, Vice President, Global Licensing for Peanuts, said, "As we celebrate Peanuts’ 75th anniversary this year, we look to collaborate with partners like Krispy Kreme to continue that tradition for fans of all ages."

And now, how does Krispy Kreme align its brand with the important dates on the calendar to stay relevant in fans' minds? It's simple while simultaneously imaginative: the brand celebrates holidays!

With all these themed doughnuts, there is no doubt as to why Krispy Kreme is one of the most beloved and well-known sweet treat brands in the world. Effective brand storytelling may be the secret ingredient!

SHARE THIS: A great salesperson knows how to tell a story in which the product is the hero. ~Peter Guber #BrandStorytelling #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Image Credits: Krispy Kreme.