Poppi: A Marketing Genius or Out of Touch?

Photo from Pinterest.com

Poppi, a prebiotic soda brand, has received backlash over the past week due to the brand’s latest campaign during the Super Bowl weekend. Fans took to the internet to bash the soda brand for their insensitivity to people in need. So what exactly did Poppi do?

Photo posted by @passthatpuss on Instagram
Vending Machine Scandal

As part of a marketing stunt, Poppi delivered over 30 full-sized Poppi vending machines to influencers for use over the Super Bowl weekend. In return, these influencers uploaded themselves stocking the vending machines with dozens of Poppi drinks gifted to them.

Some of the influencers included Jake Shane, Kaeli Mae, Rachel Sullivan, Avery Woods and more – they have millions of followers combined. The vending machines were given as a temporary gift to use over the weekend for Super Bowl parties and to share with their friends and family.  

Fans online who watched these already fortunate influencers receive free vending machines stocked with Poppi felt that the company could have given these vending machines to people in need.

Users online also pointed out that Poppi isn’t very cheap for a soda, with one can costing a little over $2. Some argued that other people could have had the opportunity to try Poppi for free if the vending machines were given to college campuses, hospitals, shelters etc.

Photo from Pinterest.com
Olipop’s Involvement

Olipop, also a prebiotic soda brand and a direct competitor to Poppi, has used the hate directed at Poppi to boost its own brand. Olipop has commented on several TikToks about the Poppi scandal, alluding to the fact that they would have never had a scandal like this.

Olipop continued to stir the pot by claiming Poppi’s vending machines cost around $25,000 each. Poppi has since shut down this rumor, stating that $25,000 was an over-exaggeration.

Poppi’s scandal has seemed to have benefited Olipop since fans are now posting themselves boycotting Poppi and switching over to Olipop drinks.

Photo posted by @allisonellsworth on Instagram
Poppi’s Response

On Feb. 11, Allison Ellsworth, the owner and co-founder of Poppi, posted a video on TikTok addressing the vending machine scandal and the purpose of the campaign. Ellsworth explained the campaign was to support Super Bowl parties as the Super Bowl is the “biggest soda event of the year.”

Ellsworth also said in her video that Poppi listens to their fans and wants to know where fans want Poppi to show up next to give back to the community.

“At the end of the day, we are a brand just trying to revolutionize soda for the next generation and bring joy to you guys through Poppi”

– said Ellsworth via TikTok.

Are you team Poppi or team Olipop? Let us know on X or Instagram @VALLEYmag!

Related

#Sodasback Thanks to Poppi

How Social Media Influencers Make Money

Tricked by TikTok

447 Comments

  • I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was curious what all is required to get setup? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web savvy so I’m not 100 certain. Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

  • I have read a few good stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you put to create such a wonderful informative website.

  • Real nice layout and excellent content material, very little else we require : D.

  • Absolutely composed subject matter, Really enjoyed reading.

  • lgopro99 says:

    Some times its a pain in the ass to read what website owners wrote but this site is rattling user pleasant! .

  • I’m still learning from you, while I’m making my way to the top as well. I absolutely love reading all that is written on your blog.Keep the aarticles coming. I enjoyed it!

  • kilat333 says:

    I have been browsing on-line more than 3 hours these days, yet I by no means discovered any attention-grabbing article like yours. It’s beautiful value enough for me. Personally, if all website owners and bloggers made just right content material as you probably did, the internet will be much more useful than ever before.

  • Loving the information on this internet site, you have done great job on the posts.

  • royalvip says:

    Hello, you used to write excellent, but the last several posts have been kinda boring?K I miss your super writings. Past several posts are just a little bit out of track! come on!

  • pcxwin says:

    I’ve been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this site. Thanks, I will try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your website?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *