ATLANTA, March 29, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Popeyes(r) Chicken & Biscuits, a division of AFC Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFCE), got millions of chicken lovers to say "love that chicken!(r)" with its bold, flavorful food. It is truly the way fans of the New Orleans style eatery feel about the distinctive, savory Popeyes food. And there is one big fan in particular. The first ads in a new advertising campaign from Chicago-based independent Cramer-Krasselt employ long time Popeyes aficionado and breakout comedy star, Bruce Bruce, to spread that flavor gospel.
Bruce Bruce, a regular fixture on Comedy Central and BET's Comic View, was the obvious choice to be the initial performer featured in the new "Stand Up for Flavor" campaign. As a comic and actor, he has integrated his passion for Popeyes into his standup routine and writings and he even can recite the entire menu in a mind-blowing 15 seconds. Additionally, his bold, exuberant and genuine comedic style is an excellent complement to the bold, original menu that Popeyes serves up to fans around the world.
"Popeyes has a long history of turning restaurant patrons into loyal fans by serving a menu of New Orleans fare with flavor that is genuinely superior," said Rob Calderin, chief marketing officer of Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits. "Our focus is on delivering the highest quality food and creating a memorable experience for every customer. Bruce Bruce is the ideal choice for this campaign because he simply loves our food and mirrors the soul of the brand -- welcoming, bold and a little irreverent."
The ads open on a marquee identifying Bruce Bruce and the Popeyes "Stand Up for Flavor" tour, then cut to the comedian on stage. Bruce Bruce weaves Popeyes into his stand-up routine in a casual, low key manner. In "Aunt Mabel," for example, Bruce Bruce observes that it is hard to be good and naked at the same time. Popeyes Blackened Chicken Strips naked -- good. Aunt Mabel naked -- not so much. Cut to hero shot of the food, then a closing shot of Bruce Bruce crooning the tag line "love that chicken from Popeyes." Other ads follow a similar format, with Bruce Bruce deftly incorporating Popeyes into his witty, observational humor.
The ads, slated to break in late March, will run on spot TV across the nation throughout 2005.
About Popeyes:
Popeyes is a leader in the New Orleans segment of the foodservice industry and is the world's second-largest quick-service chicken concept based on number of units. Founded in 1972 in New Orleans, Popeyes had 1,823 locations as of February 20, 2005, in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and 24 foreign countries. Visit the Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits Web site at www.popeyes.com.
About Cramer-Krasselt:
Rapidly growing Cramer-Krasselt is the fourth-largest independent agency in the United States with billings exceeding $557 million. Frequently featured for its creativity in Communication Arts, the agency is headquartered in Chicago, with offices in New York, Milwaukee, Phoenix and Orlando, Fla. Its client list is representative of major brands across virtually every industry. They include: AirTran Airways, Allen-Edmonds Shoes, BASF Corporation, CareerBuilder, Cellular South, Comcast Spotlight, Corona Beer, General Nutrition Centers (GNC), H. J. Heinz Co. (Ore-Ida, Smart Ones, Hyatt Hotels, Master Lock, Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits, ServiceMaster, Steve Madden shoes, and Ski-Doo. For more information, visit Cramer-Krasselt at www.c-k.com.
The Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits logo is available at: http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=341