KFC just launched a new campaign with a star studded song to diss McDonald’s. While it’s interesting, we wonder should McDonald’s respond? Take a dive into the mind of fellow consumers who also happen to be Team FUCHSIA!
So if you are an avid social media user, staying up to date with every emerging trend or on other end of the spectrum, only consume news revolving around food and are a total foodie, this might be worth a read. All in all, we doubt you aren’t up to date on the biggest ad war in town, the “Finger-Lickin’ Good Beats” and KFC waging war against McDonald’s. Though all seems to be fair in love and war and (marketing) or not? Or does McDonald’s have the right to pick a bone with KFC. (No pun intended) In a massive new marketing campaign with the #WhoFriedItBest, the fried Chicken giant just dropped teasers and content directly targeting McDonald’s iconic tagline with a caption: Finger Lickin’ Is Better Than Loving It! Pretty brazen, no?
Well, its buzzing on consumers radar, for starters we really do think KFC’s Who Fried It Best song along with the OG fried chicken campaign is airing life into the world of brands and advertising in Pakistan specially at a time when the nation’s morale is generally low and many MNC’s and businesses have winded up operations in the country. It’s latching onto what they have and oh, with what feistiness though. It HAS caught our attention but is there a slim chance considering the lyrics, it is bordering on the offensive? Or is it fun and revolutionary? Or we just feel bad for McDonald’s given our childhood associations and the chain being our go to for comfort meals? Hostile marketing or a fun light hearted diss (Though we doubt a diss is ever light hearted)?
The BuzzWorthy Who Fried It Best Song
The Who Fried It Best song is written & performed by Talha Anjum and Talhah Yunus. The music video is set against a standard but not so standard looking KFC outlet, in a dimly lit retro setting with bright red neon lights. The rappers vocals are led by the rich, sharp crunch of the brand’s iconic fried chicken soon bursting into a fun upbeat tune. Its street dance, fun and all things edgy.
Breaking Down The Brands
Though to be honest, as a lover of both the food chains we really don’t get the competition and the diss but we sure are enjoying the ad wars. Its interesting to see brands moving away from the mundane, quite skippable strategies and adverts (KFC’s strategy team sure might be up for a bonus) But we are determined to break it down for you today, lets start with what the two global giant food chain mean to us as brands. For us, McDonalds is the more preppy, chirpy, witty, suave, happiness inducing (duh, the happy meal) one while KFC is the sizzling, rough at the edges, fiesty, free styler! So both have their own rightful vibes but we aren’t sure where the two stand in terms of rivalries. Though we are no strangers to their ever lasting rivalry.
McDonald’s Is In It’s Own Bubble
Because truth be told, by the looks of it McDonald’s is quite calm as of now having just launched their As Featured In Meal campaign which is a clever, nostalgic and with a touch of iconic one which is a collection of fan-favorite menu items that have made iconic appearances throughout global hit films, television shows and music videos. Along with a very recent collaboration between McDonald’s Pakistan and Ace Tennis Pakistan presenting Pakistan’s 1st Ever Tennis & Fitness Masterclass with Asim Ul Haq, forging champions for the world. The masterclasses open to 16 budding Tennis players, giving them a chance where only 4 talented kids under 14 and four under 18 will be selected for further development. Setting up a camp which is more than just training, its a commitment to our nation, to the sport and to every dreamer out there.
Let’s End (Or Atleast Try To) The Debate On If McDonald’s Should Respond!
While we remained conflicted as a team (Thanks to the many KFC VS MCD fans here) and we are pretty sure many of you out there resonate and might be undecided too. Since its pretty much the talk of the town, here is what we think would be the apt way forward for your Mc’lovin McDonald’s. We asked Team FUCHSIA 3 simple questions:
1. Should Mcdonald’s Respond?
2. If Yes, What Should They Say?
3. If Not, Then Why?
Here is what our team members have to say:
Usvah:
So Usvah, was quite clear about her love for McDonald’s. She says even if its a marketing tactic (she knows but doesn’t approve of it) “I would not do this! This is bordering offensive.” Since we have been discussing KFC’s WhoFriedItBest diss this morning, she has been insistent on demanding McDonalds to say something at-least? But wait, she says it shouldn’t just be anything, “they need to play it smartly. Their response should be them but at the same time mazay ka.”
Huzaifa:
Despite being a forever KFC loyalist, Huzaifa too says, McDonald’s definitely should hit back with a response and if they decide to, it should be smart and with the ethos of being bigger than this along with a vibe of we dont even get into all this, all we do is spread smiles. He says, it simply wouldn’t suit McDonald’s because MCD (as we like to call it), has a certain air of swag about it. He even has a perfect response for them: Hum Iss Race Ka Hissa He Nae Hai!
Dania:
While roasting McDonalds’s all morning and enjoying the diss on repeat, vouching and fighting for the best fried chicken on earth, she is definitely enjoying this too much. She says “of course McDonalds should reply because they are not doing justice to their loyal customers (or more so how she is waiting for the real war to begin) how even their customers are invested in the above and are interested,” which we agree is rather true. Though of-course she is not missing out on the opportunity to applaud the smart move on KFC’s part. Her literal words: “KFC bohat smart nikla! They are aware how they are targeting their target audiences and the fact that they have now bought in young stunners is definitely amping up KFC’s brand image and recall.”
How it has already amassed a staggering amount of likes, comments and public interest. KFC fans, (case in point – Dania) are pretty brutal alleging how obviously McDonald’s cant come up with a rap as cool enough or better fried chicken. McDonald’s if your marketing team comes across this, we think its time to give us a new jingle or a collaboration even better than the one with Josh the band. Dania adds, “even if they gave it a really hard thought what could McDonalds possibly do in response? Bring kids to magnify the USP of their happy meal? Because its the only known thing on their menu! (Ouch that did not hurt at all, still being a happy meal enthusiast well into our adulthood)
Hamza:
Hamza though was the only one, not really bothered by the fried chicken wars, very plainly stated “No, Mcdonald’s shouldn’t respond because KFC and Mcdonald’s have no real competition, both focus on different USP’S. McDonald’s though yes is entering the market but its focus isn’t on fried chicken. So they know they dont have a game in that market.
Aleeya:
Even Aleeya agrees they shouldn’t be responding because technically this was unprovoked, right? Sure, McDonald’s did introduce chicken tenders and KFC does them too but both are different with an equally distinct name. The chicken tenders aren’t even the focal part of McDonald’s menu so it is unlikely this campaign will hurt Mcdonald’s much because their customer base is quite loyal.
So looks like our team is quite conflicted but how about you? What do you think? Should McDonald’s respond? Choose to maintain it’s calm? Or either way it can’t top KFC’s attempt anyway so should call it quits? Let us know!
