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Red Mango creates flavor based on YouTube videoRed Mango creates flavor based on YouTube video

The frozen treat chain’s new Honey Badger flavor is based on the popular Internet video

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

June 6, 2012

1 Min Read
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Ron Ruggless

Red Mango has tapped into an Internet viral sensation, the feisty pseudo-documentary honey badger YouTube video, and turned it into its first, social-only flavor.

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Red Mango is promoting the “Honey Badger” flavor through social media marketing only, using the platforms of Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. In-store merchandising is minimal, limited to the flavor label and a spin on the popular video’s narration: “Try it…or not. We don’t care.”

The snarky Honey Badger YouTube video has drawn nearly 46 million views since it was uploaded to the website in January 2011.

“We wanted to show the true power and influence of our social media audience by speaking directly to them with our brand new flavor, and letting them decide where to take the message,” Dan Kim, founder and chief concept officer of Dallas-based Red Mango Inc., said in a statement.

“The reaction has been huge and, once again, it shows the reach that consumers have to share the love,” Kim said.

Red Mango’s Honey Badger offering is made with nonfat frozen yogurt and pure honey.

In a press release, the company said, “Much like the iconic Honey Badger that stops at nothing in the wild, the frozen yogurt flavor is already showing its championship status on the store menu in the hearts, minds and online posts of fans of Red Mango.”

Red Mango has 170 units.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].
Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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