KFC's "The Return of Colonel Sanders" Campaign

Kentucky Fried Chicken, popularly known as KFC, is one of the largest fast-food chains in the world, famous for its delicious fried chicken. Over the years, KFC has had various marketing campaigns, but none has been as successful as the "The Return of Colonel Sanders" campaign. This campaign not only generated buzz but also successfully increased KFC's sales and brand recognition.

"The Return of Colonel Sanders" campaign was launched in 2015, with the aim of reviving KFC's image and reconnecting with its loyal customers. The campaign focused on the founder of KFC, Colonel Harland Sanders, who had been absent from the company's advertising for over twenty years. The campaign marked the return of the iconic white-bearded Colonel Sanders, who had become the face of KFC in the 1960s.

The campaign started with a series of commercials featuring different actors portraying the Colonel, but none of them was a perfect match for the real Colonel Sanders. Eventually, KFC hired actor and comedian, Darrell Hammond, to play the role of the Colonel in their advertisements. Hammond had previously played the role of Bill Clinton on Saturday Night Live, and his humor and acting skills were perfect for portraying the quirky and eccentric Colonel Sanders.

The campaign included a series of television commercials, print ads, social media promotions, and even a website, where customers could play an online game and win various prizes. The commercials featured Hammond as the Colonel, who would talk about KFC's secret recipe, his life, and how he started KFC.

The campaign was an instant hit, and it generated a lot of buzz on social media. People started talking about the Colonel's return, and KFC's sales increased significantly. The campaign resonated with KFC's loyal customers, who had grown up watching the Colonel's advertisements on television.

The campaign was not only successful in terms of sales but also in terms of brand recognition. The campaign helped KFC revitalize its brand image and attract new customers. The campaign also received several awards, including the Cannes Lions Grand Prix, for its innovative and creative approach to marketing.

KFC's "The Return of Colonel Sanders" campaign was successful because it connected with its target audience. The campaign resonated with KFC's loyal customers, who had grown up watching the Colonel's advertisements on television. By bringing back the iconic Colonel Sanders, KFC was able to reconnect with its customers and revitalize its brand image.

The campaign was also successful because of its innovative approach to marketing. KFC was able to create a buzz on social media by using a combination of television commercials, print ads, and social media promotions. The online game on KFC's website was also a hit, and it helped KFC engage with its customers in a fun and interactive way.

In conclusion, KFC's "The Return of Colonel Sanders" campaign was a huge success. It helped KFC reconnect with its loyal customers, attract new customers, and revitalize its brand image. The campaign's innovative and creative approach to marketing was also recognized by several awards. KFC's "The Return of Colonel Sanders" campaign is an excellent example of how a successful marketing campaign can have a significant impact on a company's sales and brand recognition.