The Drum Awards for Marketing - Extended Deadline

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By Kyle O'Brien, Creative Works Editor

May 1, 2017 | 5 min read

Oscar Mayer is ramping up its hot dog game in order to get its signature product in the hands and bellies of every American by making changes to its full line.

The brand's hot dogs will no longer have added nitrates or nitrites (except those naturally occurring in celery juice, of course), no artificial preservatives in their meat, and no by-products in every single one of their hot dogs.

The company is celebrating the change with a massive summer mission to get a hot dog to every person in the country.

The 'For the Love of Hot Dogs' creative campaign, created by Oscar Mayer creative agency of record, McGarryBowen, was developed with the driving goal to reignite the love for one of America’s favorite foods. The overhaul of the product line comes after more than a year of recipe testing and tinkering. Oscar Mayer has gone to great lengths to develop the new line of hot dogs — and it is going to even greater lengths to make sure everyone has a chance to try them through a national, integrated marketing campaign, launching today.

“Oscar Mayer is America’s most iconic hot dog brand, and, as the equity leader, we felt it was time to take a stand for the love of a better hot dog,” said head of marketing at Oscar Mayer, Greg Guidotti. “We heard from hot dog fans across the country that they wanted a hot dog without artificial preservatives in meat or added nitrates and nitrites – all without compromising on the great Oscar Mayer taste they know and love.”

Guidotti added that “while it wasn’t an easy task, we’re excited to say that we did it. Across every single one of our hot dogs…no added nitrates or nitrites. No artificial preservatives. No byproducts. And, all while delivering the same great taste. Oscar Mayer is the first national brand to do it across every single one of our hot dogs, and we did this without changing the price. We’re excited that everyone will now have access to a better quality hot dog with the best quality ingredients.”

With the quality improvements, the brand is making sure they get a hot dog in every hand this summer with the help of the beloved Wienermobile teams, who are quite literally taking the vehicle where it’s never been before. From the Statue of Liberty, to remote towns like Whittier, Alaska and tons of out-there stops in-between, the ‘Hotdoggers’ are taking the fleet on an unparalleled mission to America’s most uncharted hot dog territories.

The company even released a video about the Wienermobile driving through treacherous conditions to reach the town of Whittier, and delivering hot dogs to some very happy people.

“When we say we’re going to great lengths to get our hot dogs in every hand, we mean it,” said director Oscar Mayer brand build, Whitney Shaw. “We’re putting the Wienermobile on-water in New York Harbor for the first time, visiting remote towns outside the contiguous United States, and empowering the Wienermobile drivers to make as many off-the-beaten-path stops as they can make. We’re doing it all for the love of hot dogs.”

When Oscar Mayer’s hot dog pioneers aren’t at sea or scaling winding, snow-covered roads, they will be on the lookout for special stops to make on their three-month journey. The six Wienermobile vehicles will be on the road all summer long, and the Hotdoggers will be popping up at hundreds of events across the country.

Fans are encouraged to use the hashtag #ForTheLoveOfHotDogs to tell the Wienermobile teams where to go next. The mission is being supported with a holistic and dynamic marketing campaign, featuring TV, print, digital, social and PR support, spreading the news to the hot dog-loving masses that the time has come for a better dog.

Video Credits: Whittier, Alaska

• Ned Crowley – US Chief Creative Officer

• Kurt Fries – Executive Creative Director

• Kevin Thoem – Group Creative Director

• Lee Remias – Group Creative Director

• Tom Smith – Group Managing Director

• Randi Schwieger – Account Director

• Emma Cullis – Account Executive

• Steve Ross – Content Production Director

• Sara Martin – Producer

Cinema Libertad:

Robert Stockwell – Director

TV credits: For the Love of Hot Dogs

• Ned Crowley – US Chief Creative Officer

• Kurt Fries – Executive Creative Director

• Kevin Thoem – Group Creative Director

• Lee Remias – Group Creative Director

• Tom Smith – Group Managing Director

• Randi Schwieger – Account Director

• Emma Cullis – Account Executive

• Arika Jeter – Assistant Account Executive

• Shawna Ross – Executive Director, Strategy

• Jemilly Castro – Strategy Director

• Corthay Shock – Associate Strategist

Mcgarrybowen Oscar Mayer Advertising

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