Monday, July 2, 2007
UPDATED with video: 7-Eleven transforms Dallas store into Simpson’s ‘Kwik-E-Mart’
In a clever attempt to strum up some business and some buzz, 7-Eleven Inc. has transformed one of its Dallas locations to resemble the fictional "Kwik-E-Mart" convenience stores made popular in The Simpsons television series.
Favorite snacks of Bart and Lisa—including "Buzz Cola," "Squishees" and "KrustyO's" (the cereal with the "jagged metal bonus piece")—are now available for your heedless consumption at the store located at Northwest Highway and Hillcrest Road.
The advertising campaign was born out of meetings between 7-Eleven and 20th Century Fox and makes use of what they call "reverse product placement," wherein fictional products are given real life. Fox aims to find a unique way to generate buzz for the July 27th release of The Simpsons Movie, while 7-11 just generally wants more money.
Only 11 stores in the U.S. (one per city) have undergone similar transformations.
In closing, life imitates art imitates blah blah blah go spend some money.
UPDATE
Mike went by the store today and shot the video below. Be warned -- although he got a guided tour he did a lousy job of filming, and it is jittery as hell. Epileptics should avoid at all costs. BUT, it may well be worth it for the poor "Apu" stand-in complete with pack of children who looked more Asian than Indian and couldn't remember his "Thankyoucomeagain" line.
This just in: long-time Kwik-E-Mart employee Apu Nahasapeemapetilon has quit his job via song and dance number.
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pixelchick says:
Does anyone know which locations in dallas are doing this?
Anonymous
2 years, 4 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Mike Orren says:
It is the location at NW Highway and Hillcrest. It's the only one in TX and one of 11 nationally to get the makeover.
Staff
2 years, 4 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
jbc95a says:
Here's a link to someone's flickr account... They took pictures at the Burbank location: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rdr07/se...
Anonymous
2 years, 4 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Billusa99 says:
Very nice léger de main with the camera... pretending to film her nametag...
Anonymous
2 years, 4 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Alan Cohen says:
The folks over at Kwik are going crazy with this story. More video of the location on Skin's show:
http://www.quickdfw.com/skinflix/
Staff
2 years, 4 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
kirk says:
Are you sure that was Mike Orren who took the video, and not Michael J. Fox? Gotta do something about the jumpiness on the video, folks.
Anonymous
2 years, 4 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Mike Orren says:
We're experimenting-- And I did warn you. Frankly wouldn't have posted if not for the Apu bit. One thing I learned about our new cheap-o camera is it doesn't have the stability control of the handicam.
Staff
2 years, 4 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
David Gouldin says:
Moon pie ... what a time to be alive.
Verified
2 years, 4 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
eastside says:
Where is the Duff?
Anonymous
2 years, 4 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Rawlins Gilliland says:
I am heading over there for a giant Squishee. Loved the video tour. Could use a Landy cameo, but over-exposure can shorten a career and you are smart to hold back.
Verified
2 years, 4 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal