Coffee Mate’s “The White Lotus” Pina Colada Flavor: Another Turn in the Spotlight

Source: Coffee Mate

While I always say that timing is everything in marketing, sometimes you don’t always know exactly what that will mean.

The maker’s of Coffee Mate sure found that out this week when the season finale of “The White Lotus” revealed a plot twist involving a pina colada drink … long after Coffee Mate had released an official collaboration with the series featuring a Coffee Mate official “The White Lotus” pina colada flavor (along with Thai Iced Coffee).

Evidently, the brand team was just as surprised as all of us viewers because of course the makers of the show didn’t reveal the run of show in advance.

Their response on IG, “well, this is awkward.” Brilliant.

This is what can happen when brands tie into popular culture: it can take twists and turns and brands have to be willing to go along for the ride. Actually, in many ways this is what brands want to have happen!

Coffee Mate signed up for it and it appears to be riding the cultural wave with ease. Social media appears to be enjoying it too, putting even more spotlight on the collaboration which I’m betting will improve sales in the long run.

Exactly the point of said collaboration.

What’s your experience? JIM

P.S. - Let’s not even talk about the dirty blender. I mean, that’s the basics of all kitchen etiquette. Rinse the blender, people! Not that anyone deserves to die over it. And then there’s poor brand Bosche, the featured blender, who is not an official sponsor of the series. In fact, the brand released a statement saying that it did not ask to be included in the storyline, which took a dark turn. Much like Crock-Pot back in the day with the “This Is Us” tragedy. And much like the character Big on his episode with the Peloton bike in the reboot of “Sex and the City.” Just saying!