Comments on: Starting a Food Fight

By: Ted Mininni

Ted Mininni — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 11:58:28 +0000

Great idea, Gianandrea. Maybe General Mills should consider holding a contest to solicit ideas on either improving the current game or adding new interactive games for the site from readers. There are many creative people out there who could come up with some interesting ideas. You’ve come up with one yourself. Thanks for sharing.

By: gianandrea

gianandrea — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 08:38:57 +0000

Maybe a second visit could be easier with more focus on the recipes than on the game. But I have to admit it, the execution is great and if they should able to make the three characters viral( imagine a widget with the characters suggesting new recipes or the daily tip for healthy nutrition) this may prove to be a huge success.

By: Ted Mininni

Ted Mininni — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 15:22:59 +0000

Andrew, I think you’re right. It remains to be seen whether the sites involved in this interactive program actually sell product and point consumers in the right direction as far as nutrition goes.
Ann, I tend to agree with your assessment. As I stated, some people are going to probably tire of the game and the approach, hence they may not experience the food fight site more than once. However, I’m also willing to bet they’ll talk about it or send the link to friends, so WOM will probably get lots more folks to the site. Will that influence some people’s food choices, purchases and eating habits? Probably not in a lasting way, but you’ve got to like what General Mills is attempting to do with a site like this.
Thanks for adding to the conversation, Andrew & Ann.

By: Ann Handley

Ann Handley — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 15:13:05 +0000

Who else thought Ruthless Ruth was just scary?!
The execution of this is actually really good… I love the way Ruth “climbs” on top of content on the web page.
But I wonder: Does anyone come here more than once? Does it continue to engage and deliver? I’d bet the answers to those questions are 1) no and 2) I sorta doubt it.

By: Andrew B. Clark

Andrew B. Clark — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 15:02:06 +0000

A great example of taking the marketing {of food} to the consumer… Create an environment in which the consumer is active in the marketing itself…
Does it sell product? We’ll see. It gets the consumer to the site. And in my mind, as long as I’m there, I’ll look up some recipes for Thanksgiving…
Fun one, Ted. Thanks!
Keep Kooking!
Andrew

By: Ted Mininni

Ted Mininni — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:53:22 +0000

Paul,
I think the premise of this is good, too, as long as it entices people to not only play the game, but learn more about good nutrition. Being able to download easy to prepare healthful meals is a plus. I’m not sure if a site like this would benefit from featuring gourmet chefs, even with all of that star power. . .if their recipes look daunting to the average home cook. Maybe it would, though, if they were willing to offer some simple, easy to prepare good meals as Rachael Ray does. It is an interesting concept, though, and one that will likely be refined, added to and deleted from over time. Thanks for your input, Paul.

By: Paul Barsch

Paul Barsch — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:32:49 +0000

Ted, I found the site to be clever and engaging, esp with links back to the eatbetter site. That said, something is missing; the wow factor. It’s cute, it’s fun, but I think it needs some punch. Maybe hooking up with Martha Stewart, Emeril, Rachael Ray or the Food Channel might have added some star power to the concept. I’m still chewing on this one…