My funny Valentine: 5 V-Day marketing stunts (for humor lovers)

By Audrey Kemp, LA Reporter

February 13, 2023 | 8 min read

Denny’s, Topo Chico and other brands are cutting the clichés this Valentine’s Day and opting for tricks that cut a bit deeper than Cupid’s arrow.

Topo Pico invites consumers to send their ex a gift in a pinch / Credit: Topo Chico Hard Seltzer

For the most romantic day of all, here are five marketing stunts to share with your friends, flames and frenemies on February 14.

5. Jay Fielden and Dewar’s Scotch Whisky release ‘Mal-Entine’s’ cards

Dewar’s Scotch Whiskey and former Esquire editor Jay Fielden have the perfect gift for the special sardonic scholar in your life: 12 different ‘Mal-Entine’s,‘ paired with the new Dewar’s 12. Fielden has a card to gently mock anyone, even finance bros, like this one: “I know all your crypto recently got vaporized, so I'm giving you an asset that gets only better as it ages.“

4. 94-year-old ‘Sexpert’ Dr. Ruth on rekindling romance with Whipshots

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A post shared by Whipshots ™ (@whip_shots)

Cardi B’s boozy whipped cream brand Whipshots tapped infamous sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer to help consumers sweeten up their sex lives. In the ’Shots of pleasure’ campaign, Dr. Ruth, 94, gives viewers a number of titillating tips that are anything but boring.

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3. Denny’s invites everyone to be ‘Friends with Benny’s’

Denny’s wants diners to enjoy more than a Grand Slam this Valentine’s Day. While love is in the air, guests can visit DinerDrip.com to purchase a spicy Valentine that invites the recipient to be “friends with Benny’s,“ complete with a poem and the gift of a two-for-one Classic or Southwestern Benny Breakfast.

2. Olay & TikToker Kat Stickler form a hotline to keep you from texting your ex

Beauty brand Olay and TikTok’s viral “breakup queen“ Kat Stickler jointly launched the Galentine’s Hotline, designed to help fill the void so you don’t backslide into texting your ex. From February 13 to 20, singles can text “OLAYGDAY“ to 80160 to receive a pep talk about self-care from Stickler, and prevent them from sending their erstwhile lovers a text they will invariably regret.

1. Topo Chico Hard Seltzer lets you send your ex a scorpion

Topo Chico Hard Seltzer has just the thing to send that one ex who left you feeling stung: a real scorpion. Set in a heart-shaped box, the edible arachnids are ethically sourced and dipped in a strawberry guava coating. They retail for $7 at Scorpion.Valentine.TopoChicoHardSeltzerUSA.com.

Need more love for sale? Check out The Drum’s top 6 Valentine’s Day products here.

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