2020/2021 Winners & Shortlists

SHIFT+K+F+C

Short List
BrandKFC
Product/ServiceKFC
EntrantTBWA\RAAD Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
CategoryCustomer Acquisition & Retention
Idea Creation TBWA\RAAD Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Media Placement HEARTS & SCIENCE Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Why is this work relevant for Brand Experience & Activation?

The following case demonstrates how KFC transcended awareness amongst gamers and showcases how KFC created an entirely new way of ordering fried chicken online using a tactic that appealed and resonated with its target audience: cheat codes. The customer journey for gamers was entirely modified, as KFC answered their never-ending need to game by creating the fastest and most efficient way of ordering fried chicken to their doors.

Background

KFC has long been dabbling in gaming. From launching dedicated KFC gaming accounts, to creating a popular Japanese-inspired dating game featuring Colonel Sanders, and even designing a chicken-heating console! While the above advancements in gaming proved successful, these were just entry points that helped establish KFC as a brand that appeals to gamers. KFC was now synonymous with gaming. Great… but what about selling chicken to gamers? KFC was yet to generate conversion with gamers. 350 million MENA gamers to be precise. A gold mine of sales for KFC if it were to resonate with them. Knowing that they were scotched to their favorite games 24/7, KFC had to find an innovative idea that would help them generate more sales from gamers without interrupting their precious gaming time. THE CHALLENGE: How do you sell chicken to a target audience that doesn’t even have time to check out an online menu?

Describe the creative idea (20% of vote)

To answer this challenge, KFC tried to understand how to get MENA gamers to buy chicken from KFC. Was this about setting up an in-game pop-up shop in Fortnite? Was it about invading Twitch streams with witty comments directing gamers to our website? Or maybe it was about inserting in-game redeemable coupons for finger-lickin’ good chicken? After testing some of these ideas with MENA gamers, KFC discovered that gamers did not want their favorite games to be invaded by brands. This made KFC’s challenge tougher. It was almost as tough as beating a game on “Hard” mode. Only mighty gamers were able to do so without cheat codes. And that when it all clicked. It was not about being present in-game, it was all about creating a real-life cheat code that would give gamers even more gaming time. CREATIVE IDEA: A real-life cheat code to order finger-lickin’ good fried chicken.

Describe the strategy (20% of vote)

Gamers are a particular bunch. While they like to try many games, they are loyal to one. They often dedicate all of their time to that one game. If KFC were to get into a certain game, it would be alienating the players who play other games. This was not something KFC wanted to do as it wanted to leverage the big number of MENA gamers and appeal to all of them. And while there are many game preferences for MENA gamers, all gamers shared one thing in common: They spend so much time gaming that they forget to eat food. And to get them to eat, KFC has to do so in a quick and efficient way that would allow them more time for their favorite games. INSIGHT: Stay away from their games and find a way to get them to eat without compromising their gaming time.

Describe the execution (30% of vote)

Knowing how valuable gaming time is to them, KFC thought of the coolest and fastest way to order. A way that they were familiar with. While combinations of different keys can trigger a certain cheat code, there was no cheat code to getting fried chicken to your door. That’s when we found the solution in our name itself. Introducing: The KFC cheat code. The first-ever shortcut created for a brand. KFC only needed to tweak its website's code. It was pure programming and zero production costs. Registered users have their address, credit card, and favorite meal saved. By using IP recognition, every time users typed in the short Shift + K + F + C, an order with their registered favorite meal would be automatically placed. Because KFC knew that this feature would be most relevant to gamers, it promoted the KFC shortcut on Twitch using top MENA gamers.

List the results (30% of vote)

Launched on the 7 countries in the Middle East $0 production cost 20 million social impressions 1.7 million reach Engagement 350,000 +19% increase online order of bundle combo 93% of those from the gaming community

Credits

Name Company Role
Reda Raad TBWA\RAAD Chief Executive Officer
Walid Kanaan TBWA\RAAD CCO
Jennifer Fischer TBWA\RAAD Chief Innovation Officer
Joe Lahham TBWA\RAAD General Manager/MD
Bruno Bomediano TBWA\RAAD ECD
Alex Pineda TBWA\RAAD Copywriter / Creative Director
Mahesh Powar TBWA\RAAD Art Director
Pedro Velasquez TBWA\RAAD Art Director
Camilo Rojas TBWA\RAAD Motion Designer
Pradheep Nair TBWA\RAAD Developer
Majdy Alawna TBWA\RAAD Copywriter
Tatiana Kamal TBWA\RAAD Designer
Mohammad Alkawas TBWA\RAAD Designer
Santiago Ramirez TBWA\RAAD Cameraman
Romy Abdelnour TBWA\RAAD PR & Communications
John Abiad TBWA\RAAD Client Servicing
Ashleigh Morgan TBWA\RAAD Client Servicing
Dina Salem TBWA\RAAD Social Media
Hamza Khan TBWA\RAAD Social Media
Rifaat Fakih TBWA\RAAD Strategic Planner
Andy Munaff Gravity Developers Digital Specialist
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