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

446 Comments

  • Thank you for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do some research about this. We got a grab a book from our area library but I think I learned more from this post. I am very glad to see such wonderful info being shared freely out there.

  • I am continuously searching online for tips that can assist me. Thank you!

  • Nice blog right here! Also your site a lot up very fast! What web host are you using? Can I am getting your associate link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  • Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is fantastic blog. A great read. I’ll certainly be back.

  • You completed various nice points there. I did a search on the subject and found mainly people will agree with your blog.

  • I like the valuable info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I’m quite sure I’ll learn a lot of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

  • 英超直播 says:

    Would love to always get updated outstanding website! .

  • Hey very nice blog!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds also…I’m happy to find so many useful information here in the post, we need work out more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .

  • USA Flights 24 — search engine helps you compare prices from hundreds of airlines and travel sites in seconds — so you can find cheap flights fast. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, a cross-country adventure, or an international vacation, we make it easy to fly for less.

  • great points altogether, you simply gained a brand new reader. What would you recommend in regards to your post that you made a few days ago? Any positive?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.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