Chew New?

I was talking to a friend, who was frustrated about a NEW pack of gum that she bought. I asked her what the problem was. Why would she have a problem with a simple piece of gum? OK, so maybe not so simple. My friend, admitted she got caught up in the package. She said, this new gum looked so cool she had to buy it. Later, she was angry about her discovery about this gum, and to make it worse she spent $1.50 for 15 pieces.

It would appear the gum was not so cool after all. The culprit the NEW 5 gum. They come in 3 cool flavors, Rain, Cobalt, and Flare. The website looks like a cross between, 2001: A Space Odyssey and Men In Black. The website is cool and mysterious. The same look extends to the package. The commercials for the NEW 5 gum are often run on MTV. It seems no secret who the target demographic is.

At any rate I have to give it to Wrigley's, yes Wrigley's. Depending on which side you are on, Wrigley's has either managed to pull off the marketing rip off of the year, or the marketing success of the year. I think someone, in the marketing department, clearly pitched the idea that this MTV generation, had no concept who the double-mint twins were.

Now, to be fair, I have read comments from people saying that, the flavor of this gum lasts longer. Long lasting flavor, compared to what? How long do you really want the flavor of gum to last? Maybe the adults who are buying this gum don't remember who the double-mint twins were either. Hello, does anybody not see this as big as day. Maybe it's just me. Oh but wait... 5 gum is sugar free. That HUGE difference has to count for something. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to compare the old vs. new. It should be made clear that Wrigley's is not asking you to compare. I think they are hoping, that you will be so mesmerized by the new packaging and cool commercials, that every media literate bone in your body, will cease to exist.

I just want to shake the hand of the marketing genius, who literally hit the refresh button. I think they had help from the easy button. Sorry, I do digress. I will not insult your intelligence by telling you which gum in the Wrigley family to compare (hint ends in mint & red). All I can say is, take the taste test for yourself. If you do, please, prepare to do more than stimulate your senses.

Footnote: If you are thinking of ways to get the gum for free for the taste tests, forget it. Wrigley's does not give away free samples. I already tried.