# Most ridiculous brand extension **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 15, 2019, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ridiculous-brand-extension/831163 "2019-03-15T02:29:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ridiculous-brand-extension/831163/1 "2019-03-15T02:29:55Z")
Marketers have long realized the “power” of extending a product line by adding new flavours, healthier versions, or making other minor changes. This gives the product more shelf space and presumably increases sales. I used to like to grocery shop in the US. Occasionally you would see a WTF item like bubble gum flavoured dog chews. But it can be taken to extremes. I like plain flavoured Triscuits. Nice with cheese. Few ingredients. Even slightly more fibre than some crackers. Then they came out with “ThinCrisps” and “Organic Triscuit” ($2 more) which are essentially similar to the original. Then one chemically-tasting flavour after another - Gouda, avocado, black pepper, rosemary… I think they have at least 10 flavours. They take up lots of space and only the original ones seem to be perpetually sold out or have just a few boxes left. I’m sure this idea applies to other products. What is the worst example of “original is best” WTF brand extension? ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ridiculous-brand-extension/831163/2 "2019-03-15T02:51:22Z")
At least the examples you cite are variations on the original product. John Deere (you may have seen their green farm equipment) has a line of [toys.](https://www.johndeerestore.com/jdb2cstorefront/JohnDeereStore/en/John-Deere-products/Toys/c/Toys) ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ridiculous-brand-extension/831163/3 "2019-03-15T05:24:52Z")
**KISS** slaps their name on anything that stays still long enough for it to stick. [http://www.kissarmywarehouse.com/](http://www.kissarmywarehouse.com/) Same with Harley-Davidson. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ridiculous-brand-extension/831163/4 "2019-03-15T06:52:02Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > At least the examples you cite are variations on the original product. John Deere (you may have seen their green farm equipment) has a line of [toys.](https://www.johndeerestore.com/jdb2cstorefront/JohnDeereStore/en/John-Deere-products/Toys/c/Toys) But those are just toy versions of stuff they do make - so, it’s advertising\* that you get parents to pay for\*. Brilliant, not ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![Heracles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heracles/32/487_2.png) [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ridiculous-brand-extension/831163/5 "2019-03-15T10:34:46Z")
Quaker Oats has sold rice cakes for a long time. You know, the dense, dry, puck-shaped thing, the size of a saucer, that tastes like cardboard but has only 35 calories per puck. They were called “Rice cakes” or “_galettes de riz_”. They started adding flavours. Then they came up with the Crispy Minis, which were tiny rice cakes flavoured like potato chips. When they found that they had built some brand recognition with Crispy Minis, _they renamed the full-sized rice cakes Crispy Minis as well_. At least they could have called them Crispy Maxis or something. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ridiculous-brand-extension/831163/6 "2019-03-15T14:47:57Z")
I was just pondering this the other day. How many more ways can they possibly re-invent: Oreos Snickers Doritos Potato chips Cheetos Pizza crust Pizza in general Coke & Diet Coke Mountain Dew Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Peeps I’m sure there’s more that I’m forgetting. The thing is, IF I try a new flavor or re-invention, I rarely buy it again. I usually go back to the original. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ridiculous-brand-extension/831163/7 "2019-03-15T14:58:12Z")
Trump Presidency. I’ll see myself out. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ridiculous-brand-extension/831163/8 "2019-03-15T15:00:16Z")
I never understood why an Umbrella company would get into the business of making zombies. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ridiculous-brand-extension/831163/9 "2019-03-15T15:48:52Z")
> [@TRC4941](#): > > I was just pondering this the other day. How many more ways can they possibly re-invent: > > Oreos > > … > > The thing is, IF I try a new flavor or re-invention, I rarely buy it again. I usually go back to the original. IIRC, there was a recent poll for new flavors for Oreo stuffing and one of the top vote-getters was “cookies & cream” flavor. Yes, that means people wanted Oreo-flavored Oreos. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ridiculous-brand-extension/831163/10 "2019-03-15T15:53:01Z")
Budweiser meat > **[Budweiser-Infused ‘Natural’ Pork Is Heading to Your Meat Aisle](https://www.eater.com/2019/3/12/18262088/budweiser-coleman-natural-beer-meat-products)** > > The watery lager brand aims to entice millennials with a Coleman Natural partnership > [@](#): > > Budweiser may shy away from corn syrup in its recipes, but it’s happily partnering with a corn-fed meat brand Coleman Natural on a new line of beer-infused pork products. The “all-natural” meat supplier announced last week that it is teaming up with the beer giant to “reinvigorate” grocery aisles with Budweiser jalapeño cheddar beer brats, Budweiser barbecue sauce-slathered St. Louis ribs, and pulled pork. ---
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ridiculous-brand-extension/831163/11 "2019-03-15T16:22:46Z")
> [@Heracles](#): > > … > When they found that they had built some brand recognition with Crispy Minis, _they renamed the full-sized rice cakes Crispy Minis as well_. At least they could have called them Crispy Maxis or something. As a woman who has used menstrual pads, “Crispy Maxi” is not a pleasant product image… I am still amazed by the variety of pregnancy tests. Sure, make them more accurate, make them more sensitive. That’s an improvement. But who needs a freaking digital screen to say whether they’re pregnant or not? One line = no. Two lines = yes. Or the ones with the curved handles so you don’t pee on your hand. If you’re not willing to risk a little pee on your hand, you’re not ready to have a baby. (BTW, I’ve used my share of regular pregnancy tests, and I’ve never once peed on my hand.) ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ridiculous-brand-extension/831163/12 "2019-03-15T16:23:08Z")
> [@Heracles](#): > > When they found that they had built some brand recognition with Crispy Minis, _they renamed the full-sized rice cakes Crispy Minis as well_. At least they could have called them Crispy Maxis or something. Probably afraid of bringing feminine hygiene products to mind. What makes me sad is when a venerated brand’s company goes belly up and the vultures buy the name and slap it on anything they can get a hold of. Poloroid, for example is appearing on some of the [damndest stuff](https://www.polaroid.com/products/category/all) lately. I mean, come _on_, shoes? ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ridiculous-brand-extension/831163/13 "2019-03-15T16:29:47Z")
It worked when a [music box company](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regina_Company) expanded to vacuum cleaners. As far a Triscuits, the Hint of Salt variety is a great idea (even better than the original) and the rosemary and olive oil version is terrific. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ridiculous-brand-extension/831163/14 "2019-03-15T16:33:54Z")
Last time I went shopping I noticed Crispy Minis were being sold in several fruit and vegetable flavours. Seemed odd to me. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ridiculous-brand-extension/831163/15 "2019-03-15T16:44:21Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > But those are just toy versions of stuff they do make - so, it’s advertising\* that you get parents to pay for\*. Brilliant, not ridiculous. A new combine can cost $250,000 and up, while a heavy duty tractor can run $100,000. Ain’t no toy that’s going to convince a farmer to choose Deere over Case. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ridiculous-brand-extension/831163/16 "2019-03-15T17:23:40Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > A new combine can cost $250,000 and up, while a heavy duty tractor can run $100,000. Ain’t no toy that’s going to convince a farmer to choose Deere over Case. Maybe not, but I know a few farmers, and there’s quite a bit of brand loyalty for farming equipment. I figure that the toys are there to start building brand loyalty among potential future farmers. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ridiculous-brand-extension/831163/17 "2019-03-15T17:29:04Z")
This phenomenon is what bought us the pretzel M&M, so I am all for it. Those things are so good. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ridiculous-brand-extension/831163/18 "2019-03-15T17:36:11Z")
Back in the mid 1970s, Kraft had a line of flavored peanut butters that bombed, terribly. Except at our house. The at-time stepmother was an executive assistant @ Kraft and she brought home the worst peanut butter ever conceived by the hand of man, and refused to buy more until we at all of it. The banana-flavored PB. The chocolate-flavored PB. The strawberry-flavored PB. Ugh. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ridiculous-brand-extension/831163/19 "2019-03-15T17:51:16Z")
“Improving” is often a gigantic bust! The idiotic idea that Coca-Cola needed “improving” has got to be the worst-ever marketing decision! After weeks of screaming by consumers, the Powers That Be firmly clamped their tails between their legs and brought back original Coke. There was a brief period of schizophrenia with “New Coke” and “Classic Coke.” I want to stand on my soapbox and scream, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ridiculous-brand-extension/831163/20 "2019-03-15T17:58:19Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > I never understood why an Umbrella company would get into the business of making zombies. +1 > [@VOW](#): > > “Improving” is often a gigantic bust! > > The idiotic idea that Coca-Cola needed “improving” has got to be the worst-ever marketing decision! After weeks of screaming by consumers, the Powers That Be firmly clamped their tails between their legs and brought back original Coke. > > There was a brief period of schizophrenia with “New Coke” and “Classic Coke.” > > I want to stand on my soapbox and scream, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” > ~VOW Came in to post the exact same thought! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ridiculous-brand-extension/831163.md?page=2)