Webisodes and Goofiness Bow Long John Silver’s Popcorn Shrimp
Long John Silver’s is introducing its new Popcorn Shrimp with plenty of the typical marketing fanfare, but with a twist.
The quick-service seafood chain has created a Web movie that stars a six-foot shrimp traveling on a road trip with a pal. The movie, Road Trip with ShrimpBuddy, communicates two key benefits of the new menu item: that there really is shrimp in the product and that customers can take the meal to go.
“We are so excited about the introduction of Popcorn Shrimp, we didn’t stop at making a commercialwe made a movie too,” said Don Gates, director of marketing for Long John Silver’s, in a statement.
The movie can be seen at Shrimpbuddy.com movies with alternate endings can be seen at Ljspopcornshrimp.com. Also at the site, visitors can enter a sweepstakes to win a ShrimpBuddy road trip. The trip includes a “really average” tent, two “serviceable” sleeping bags, a road atlas, gift certificates for Popcorn Shrimp, a cooler, a “modestly priced” digital camera, a case of cocktail sauce and some “bonus” cash. And, oh yes, a ShrimpBuddy costume for the winner’s friend to wear on the journey. Bonus cash will be awarded based on photos taken of the two travelers (in ShrimpBuddy costume) at various landmarks across the country. For example, the two could get $50 for a photo standing in front of the Alamo or $500 for a photo with Katie Couric and Matt Lauer on the set of The Today Show.
The Popcorn Shrimp, available through Aug. 28, comes in a snack box, which includes a serving of the shrimp with a special sauce holder for $1.99. The Popcorn Shrimp combo includes double the shrimp, fries, hushpuppies and a drink for $4.99. The Popcorn Shrimp Platter comes with three times the shrimp, fries, slaw and hushpuppies for $6.99.
