Phyllis from "The Office" for Panera Bread

Seems that Panera Bread was dealing with a bit of backlash for removing their popular French Onion Soup from their menu last fall. Who knew it was so popular?!? Not them, evidently?!?

So in response to lots of commentary, the brand is bringing the soup back with the help of the (legendary) character from the television show The Office, Phyllis. Who doesn’t love Phyllis? And Phyllis loves French Onion Soup!

In a creative way to handle the issue, Phyllis joins the team to read the social media reactions and help manage them:

Quite smart. The brand not only listens to its consumers but it also responds to them and then shows how it responds to them in a creative way that consumers can enjoy. Full circle. And the soup is back! Quite smart.

What’s your experience? JIM