A new ad Twisties ad starring Robert Irwin and musician G-Flip (Georgia Claire Flipo) has launched to mixed reactions online.
The ad takes place on a podium, inviting Australians to vote for their favourite Twisties flavour in “The Great Flavour Debate” between chicken and cheese.
“To all my chookstituants! I say chicken is the people’s Twistie,” says Irwin.
“Cheese has carried chicken on its delicious shoulders for far too long! No more cluckin’ lies,” Flipo retorts.
Irwin shared the post on his socials with the caption: “Repping Team Chicken in Twisties great flavour debate was not on my 2024 bingo card! But when Twisties calls, you answer. So let’s bring it home for Chicken and prove team cheese wrong! Vote for Chicken at www.chickenvscheese.com.au. Go Chookies!”
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While some have criticised the ad for its “cringe” and criticised the media personality’s acting chops, most of the negative sentiment appears to be focused on Irwin supporting the chicken flavour despite being an animal advocate.
“I’m honestly surprised that you aren’t vegan, or at least vegetarian @robertirwinphotography someone who loves and cares about animals like you should care about the animals in the meat industry too,” said one user.
“Why are pushing for chicken if you are such an animal lover? No animals have to die for cheese,” added another.
However, there also appears to be significant support for the ads in the comments, with reactions like “ICONIC,” “Sorry Bindi [a quote from the ad] I’m crying???,” and “okay slay marketing team” racking up their fair share of likes.
The ad was created by creative agency VaynerMedia, which manages global food giant PepsiCo’s Smiths Snack Food brands in Australia, including Mountain Dew and Doritos.
“After nearly two years of fanning social momentum and elevating the cultural discourse between Chicken or Cheese Twisties, it’s so exciting to see this campaign come to life in such a big way with some of Australia’s most iconic talent,” a spokesperson from VaynerMedia said to Mediaweek.
A spokesperson from Twisites added: “Our Twisties Chicken vs Cheese campaign is all about celebrating our nation’s love for one of its most beloved snacks. With a brand like Twisties we always think there’s room for a bit of cheese (or chicken).
“We love how Aussies really get behind either Chicken or Cheese and go to great lengths to show their love or disdain for the other – it’s truly twisted. We’re loving the debate and enjoying seeing Robert and G Flip battle it out at the polls over the title of Australia’s Official Twistie…. And there’s more to come!”
In February, VaynerMedia had the word ‘Twifties’ written across the sky to celebrate the Australian leg of Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour, uniting the beloved pop star with the Aussie chip brand.
“Combining two icons together in the sky, Twisties is showing love for a fellow icon as Taylor prepares to launch her highly anticipated Sydney shows across the next four nights,” Vandita Pandey, chief marketing officer ANZ at PepsiCo, said at the time.
In January, VanyerMedia brought a Doritos’ outdoor ad campaign, For The Bold, to life at the Melbourne Wedding & Bride Expo. Doritos inserted itself into event by hijacking the catwalk, with a model strutting down in a bridal gown covered in Doritos orange dust.
In November last year, it launched an ad for Mountain Dew, disguised as a movie trailer, an “origin story” of the iconic drink.
See also:
Doritos’ ‘For The Bold’ campaign turned heads at Melbourne Wedding Expo with Dorito-dusted dress
Mountain Dew, VaynerMedia & Golin debut origin story trailer dispelling fan myths
PepsiCo appoints Special PR for Pepsi, Red Rock Deli, and Smith’s