In a world fraught with political and economic instability and the looming dominance of AI, who do we turn to for stability? According to KFC, we can “believe in chicken”—as shown in their new, surreal advertisement featuring a dancing animatronic chicken. This bizarre and darkly comedic ad is gaining a lot of attention.
KFC has temporarily set aside its iconic “finger lickin’ good” slogan to deliver an ad that blends dark social commentary on AI and political apathy with an infectious soundtrack and surreal humor. The ad combines elements of post-apocalyptic thrillers, “Stranger Things,” and “Black Mirror,” creating a modern version of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” for the AI age. It’s a bold and ingenious move.
KFC And AI
Interestingly, KFC’s relationship with AI has been rocky. Just a month ago, the company attempted to engage customers by sharing AI-generated images of KFC products. The campaign humorously noted that AI often generates images with extra fingers, leading to more “finger lickin’.” However, this effort fell flat as it failed to gain traction, underscoring the need for authentic marketing.
In response, KFC appears to be distancing itself from AI, positioning fried chicken as a bastion of reality in an increasingly artificial, media-saturated world. Created by the ad agency Mother, this new spot is surprisingly dark, portraying a chicken being revered by fast-food-loving zombies, even though it will ultimately end up as nuggets. The ad’s sheer eccentricity commands admiration for KFC’s boldness.
A Risky Move
Depicting a chicken realistically, rather than as a cartoon, is a daring move for a fried chicken brand. KFC however has a history of such bold choices, as seen with their Whole Chicken ad, which sparked numerous complaints a few years ago. Addressing current affairs is an even riskier endeavor, often leading to backlash, as seen with the infamous Pepsi ad featuring Kendall Jenner. However, Mother has struck the right balance of tone and weirdness, making this campaign not only successful but potentially cult-worthy.
KFC’s latest advertisement is a striking example of how brands can navigate and comment on contemporary issues while maintaining a sense of humor and creativity.
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