Is Seattle Giving Up Coffee for Skittles?
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I love Skittles. They are simply delicious, yet my adoration for their sweet tastiness is complex. So I am getting a kick out of the crazy run they are getting as a result of a football player and his mom.
Marshawn Lynch is a running back for the Seattle Seahawks who is also known for being very hard to tackle. Sometimes, he will run over every player on the other team and keep going.
A couple of weeks ago, he made one of his folk legend type jaunts. Then the cameras showed him meeting his mother on the sidelines. It was a sweet moment. The announcers explained why she was holding a bag of Skittles, because when Marshawn was a kid he used to get them for great runs or touchdowns.
I. Love. That. This kid’s running down the field just smashing other children and thinking “Skittles Skittles Skittles…” That’s just a funny thing for a football player to even chant.
I’m happy to report that Marshawn even got an endorsement out of this publicity. I watched him do his thing on Monday Night Football last night. After a 4th quarter touchdown some fans actually threw Skittles from their seats and a rainbow of celebration showered the Seahawks in the end zone. (For the record it’s not safe to throw candy on a football field).
A couple months ago I looked up the Skittles company to see where they came from. I was hoping to find something about a magic rainbow, but apparently they keep that location secret.
I did learn that in 2009 the company revolutionized mainstream marketing by being the first to embrace social media in a way that would bring a tear of pride to Seth Godin’s eye*.
So the Skittles makers know how to capitalize on the phenomenon in Seattle. Pretty easy work so far too. Last night fans brought their own “Feed The Beast” signs which were repeatedly shown on national television.
In a related note, I just heard about a new documentary from Morgan Spurlock (the guy who made Super Size Me). In April 2011 he released The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, a documentary about marketing and product placement that’s completely financed by product placement. I’ve been really interested in watching it for a couple days and now Skittles gets one of the dreamiest product placement opportunities I’ve ever seen. (If you’ve seen this documentary I would love to hear your thoughts).
Personally, I think we should all start celebrating with candy or some kind of product. Maybe I’ll experiment with that in this year’s Christmas video. If I’m lucky I might just land an endorsement deal.
Even if Skittles is already taken.
*Probably his right eye.
What’s your favorite candy?
What product will you use for a celebration dance?
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Life. Culture. Education.
Life as Pop Culture Professor Clay Morgan
In The Matrix, Morpheus tells Neo he can take the blue pill and go on believing whatever he wants to believe. Or he can take the red pill to stay in Wonderland and find out how deep the rabbit hole goes.
This is a red pill type site that provides information in an entertaining way. It’s about clear thinking and good writing. It’s about finding meaning amidst the absurd. It’s about humor and truth.
I’m a writer / speaker who teaches history and political courses at a couple of local colleges. Where is local, you say? Well, that would be Wonderland of course.
On topics ranging from pop culture to the meaning of life, my brain’s always poppin’. Take the red pill and unplug.
M&Ms are my thing. Of late, the pretzel M&Ms. Salty. Sweet. Mmmmmmm. Plus, like Skittles, easy to throw up in the air in a celebratory rain of deliciousness. And they are little, so they won’t hurt when they come plummeting down on your head. Unlike, say, kit kat bars or something. Also delicious, but inappropriate for celebration dances, in my opinion.
Also? Wondering where your guest post of the Mama Mia review for Thoughtsy’s site is. Hmmm?
I wasn’t a huge fan of the pretzel M&Ms, at least not enough to supplant PB ones. And look at you coming after me like the Thoughtsy mafia! In fact I just started writing my Mamma Mia post last night and it’s coming very soon. I didn’t have a DVD player until last week. And curses to all you who picked that horrible film.
There are peanut butter M&Ms? Since when? Not sure we have those up here.
Uh, I’m pretty sure you’re making that up. Can’t be true. Is Canada a communist country? Seriously, if this is true we must investigate.
Yes, we have peanut butter M&Ms in Canada, Leanne and they’re amazing.
Amazing.
Clearly I have not been to the right candy aisles…
When I’m famous, I will give plugs (shameless and shameful) to York Peppermint Patties.
Great post.
Yorks are a good call. I have a Yorkie dog so maybe we could do a cross promotion.
Taking candy to the pop culture level = Vintage Clay. Good stuff.
I don’t understand the allure of Skittles (Is this blasphemy on your blog?). During NaNoWriMo, I bought a bag of Skittles and a bag of M&Ms for my students, and I was shocked: more students wanted Skittles. I even did a survey that consisted of ninth graders raising their hands so we know this is valid, quantifiable research.
I don’t really have a fave candy. But I do adore things that contrast: chocolate covered pretzels (salty & sweet) and, for dessert, anything both hot and cold (warm brownie & ice cream).
Maybe I’m weird.
THAT SOUNDS COMPLETELY NORMAL TO ME!! Ahem, sorry about that. I got a little excited when you mentioned warm brownies and ice cream. Mmmmmm.
And as to the PB M&Ms, I just started seeing them around here, so maybe they are on their way to you? I haven’t tried them yet, so can’t give you my educated opinion. (Not to be confused with Educlayted opinion, which you have already received).
I do give it up pretty quick.
Well Leanne, maybe you just need to taste the rainbow IYKWIM.
Well you’re on your game, aren’t ya? …
Skittles are delicious. So are Starburst.
Some college kids pranked my former boss by Skittling his yard. The dew fell. The dog played outside then pranced around the house. They got instantly rainbow-streaked carpet. His wife was not happy. It cracks me up every time I think of it, although I’m glad it wasn’t my house. Besides, who would waste good Skittles by sprinkling them all over a yard?
That’s a pretty great story if you have to have part of your house destroyed by a prank. Also, I’d rather my dog streak my carpets with Skittle colors as opposed to the common alternative.
Chocolate – unadulterated and straight up. Skittles colors are nice, but I find their advertising creepy particularly that poor guy with the Skittles tree growing out of his mid section and his manipulative mother. My celebration dance will be accompanied by Tito’s Vodka.
Skittles and vodka, the all American treat. Or Russian.
Whatever! I say you still shoot for the Skittles endorsement! Those things are amazing. I wish people would throw Skittles at me for doing my job well. I can’t tell you how happy that would make me. I’m one of those people who are jealous of the guys on the Skittles commercials that can touch something and have it turn to candy…yeah, actually jealous. Wish I could do that. I’d be all, “Yeah, thanks for coming by, Mail Man!” And then I’d lightly tap him on his shoulder and turn him to Skittles.
That’d be awesome.
Wow…that was a long train of thought, there. Point being: I love Skittles. I love football. Therefore, I loved this post.
Well thanks Miss Supercool! But are you saying you want to eat your mailman?
If he’s made of Skittles, I do.
Hmmm…I’m partial to Cherry Blossoms, but they could cause injuries to unsuspecting football players not wearing their helmets…kind of heavy to throw!
Wendy
Maybe we better start with just the petals. Or Blossoms.
That’s an awesome story! It’s unfortunate that it’s not safe to throw candy on the field- the visual of Skittles raining down would be most memorable.
I’m a sucker for chocolate peanut butter combinations- Reese’s, peanut butter M&Ms, and so on. But I also have a fondness for the red and pink Starburst.
I agree with you on the Starburst, but then again I already knew you were a fan of delicious flavor
And for everyone’s enjoyment, here’s the slow mo replay of Marshawn Lynch’s Skittles shower. Sounds funny to say.
Haha! True that. Love the close-up of the Skittles nestled in the turf.
Aw. I love that his mom gave him Skittles. How sweet!
I’ve always loved Twizzlers. I like that they can double as a straw. They are the multi-tasking candy.
But for my celebration dance, I would love to be showered with bottles of red wine (Tempranillo or Malbec, preferably). That could get dangerous, but it’d be worth it. After I’d recovered from all the blunt-force trauma, I’d have cases of wine to enjoy.
Twizzlers are up there for sure. And you’re funny as usual
Hee, that’s awesome! It’s Reese’s peanut butter cups for me, all the way. (KitKats and Twix are up there.) I’ve always been more of a chocolate gal than a candy gal. (Except for Bonkers. I talk about Bonkers a lot, even though they tragically no longer exist. Man. Remember Bonkers?)
Excellent choice on the Reese’s. I vaguely remember Bonkers but can’t recall what they were.
My mom once opened a bag of Skittles, emptied it into a bowl and then added a bowl of M&M’s. Try it. Let me know if you spend the rest of the family party separating the two types of candy.
I went to a class by a producer and he thinks that soon blogs are going to be all about product placement and reviews. That’s how movies will be promoted – popular bloggers and tweeters. I think it is happening now.
And if Skittles is reading this, I will happily mention them every day for a year if they would like to send me a year supply…
Yeah, Skittles and M&Ms = bad combo. And the product placement thing happens a lot, especially with YouTube stars.
Fun post, Clay. I would choose Valomilks, because they are so awesome and uncommon. Chocolate cups with an almost liquid marshmallow center. Yum. In case any one wants to find out about Valomilks: http://www.valomilk.com/company/history I think you could make up a great cheer with the word Valomilk, too. Something with a hip-hop beat.
They might be pretty messy to throw on a field, though.
Who wouldn’t want to be showered with marshmallowy goo? Well, now that I think about it I guess you’re right.
Wow, good thing he prefers Skittles to Hershey’s Kisses, especially when fans start throwing them on the field.
Skittles are nice and round.
Hershey’s Kisses can poke your eyes out.
And candy canes would really be a disaster.
Cheez-its. Which are the equivalent of candy for salt addicts. I talk about them so much that when I left my job as a youth minister, my entire church gifted me with a gift card. Stuck inside a cheez-it box. More than 100 Cheez-it boxes.
I do marketing as a day job and the Skittles story is all goosebumpy fabulous. I adored The Greatest Movie Ever Sold. It’s like “director’s commentary” for an entire profession.
Oh, Jamie, I completely agree about the Cheez-its! My famous Baked Mac and Cheese even has crushed Cheez-its on top.
I put Cheez-it’s on MY Mac-n-Cheese. More evidence why we are friends
Clay: Mac-n-Cheese would also qualify as “candy.” I’m Southern.
You two may have a problem.
Cool. You’re the only person who mentioned anything about it. I think I’ll like it. Gonna have to grab a copy.
I think it would have to be PG Tips tea for me. Mind you, if Apple is short of endorsement they could help refund all the money I’ve spent on their stuff!
Cheers!
Hi Nigel! I think a lot of people could be a paid Apple endorser.
You had me at, “I love skittles.” I use to give my kids a skittle or two everytime they used the potty and not the diaper.
Forgot about that. Maybe that’s why my two 1/2 year old is on the fence about that potty. Hmmm, thanks,Clay! I think I’ll go get some skittles for the wee one! 
Having fun with your blogs. Have a blast writing and creating cavities all the while.
I limit my Skittles/candy intake, but when I want a snack that’s where I go first.
Showered in a rainbow of Skittles. He’s totally reached the pinnacle of his career!
I’m all about the sour Skittles, my mouth is watering and jaw twitching just thinking about their tart goodness. Mmm.
But if I could have a lifetime supply of any candy it’d definitely be Reese’s Peanut Butter Christmas Trees or Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins or Reese’s Peanut Butter Jesus Died On The Crosses (is that what they make for Easter?). I could have one or two or four for dessert after every meal for the rest of my life and be happy.
Oh, and …. it’s snowing on your blog. Just thought I’d tell you. I hope you have a snowblower. You’re gonna have a heckuva time shoveling it in the morning.
Reese’s crucifix’s would be interesting. Cannibal Christians eh? Thanks for the heads up on the snow. What a mess
5th Avenue candy bars at the moment, but I also enjoy a good Payday candy bar from time to time.
Interesting you should say that. I had a major 5th Avenue phase during high school and went all Payday in college. Every night I would have 2 chili dogs, a Payday, and Mountain Dew. Can’t believe I didn’t die.
If you eat a bunch of Skittles and barf, they retain their brilliant colors, albeit in a different shape.
I’m the opposite of a sporto. I can’t imagine celebrating because I want everybody to win. Winning isn’t fun if somebody has to lose. It’s just not in me.
I don’t think winning is the only thing, but it’s a good thing. Of course it all depends on what you’re trying to win right?
Not really.
Favorite candy = Twix.
Product I would use for a celebration = Fog machine. Too easy. Next question.
You are going to become a fan favorite around here.
My favorite candy has a rotation. Currently, I’m feeling 3 Musketeers, but in the past it’s been Milky Ways, Rolos, 5th Avenues, or Mounds.
I wonder what happened to you that gave you such horrible taste in candy bars. I mean, 5th Avenues are great but you might as well say Good & Plenty are delicious.
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I like Mounds and Reeses. Sometimes Butterfinger. But, since it’s bad for me, I can’t eat candy so much anymore because of the intense feelings of guilt and self-loathing I get whenever I have sweets. What product would I use in a celebration dance? Hmm. All I know is it’s no celebration if there isn’t a large box filled with kittens handy. But, that’s not quite a product.
Mmmmm…Butterfinger and Reeses. Want them now.
[...] all about looks. Not true. There’s a million beauties out there who I wouldn’t share my Skittles with. These ladies are certainly beautiful but they also can act and pick roles in multiple movies [...]