I’m speaking with Fabio Parasecoli about his new book, Gastronativism: Food, Identity, Politics, at the Museum of the City of New York at a session chaired by Krishnendu Ray at 6:30 pm. Information is here and the ticketing link is here. This is a preview of the museum’s forthcoming exhibit, Food in New York: Bigger Than the Plate (opening September 16) and is co-presented by MOFAD (Museum of Food and Drink).
by Marion Nestle
Aug
10
2010
The latest in food marketing: Pop-Tarts in Times Square
You have to see New York City’s latest tourist attraction: a Pop-Tarts World Store in Times Square. OK, M&Ms has a fabulous light display. OK, Hershey’s has an enormous store filled with chocolate tchotchkes. But Pop-Tarts? I think it’s weird to turn Times Square into a food court (with tee shirts) but hey, I’m not in the junk food business.
Kellogg must think it’s worth the exorbitant cost of store frontage in the middle of New York City. According to the account in the New York Times, a Kellogg spokesman said:
Our long-term hope is to strengthen the bonding between the brand and the consumer, and that has great benefits for the brand.
Others explain that “Just a presence in Times Square can help a company…It [is] a way to project an image of growth and maturity.”
I had no idea that bonds between brands and consumers needed strengthening. It never occurred to me that Times Square projects an image of maturity.
OK, it’s cute that Kellogg named Pop-Tarts after Pop Art, but Pop-Tarts as a tourist destination?
Check it out and let me know!
Update, August 12: Here is Mark Bittman’s review.
Update, August 16: And here is CNN’s take on it (I’m interviewed, briefly).