In the latest of its out-of-the-box marketing integrations, KFC and Comedy Central are teaming up for a first-of-its-kind comedic integration with TV show Crank Yankers, produced by Jimmy Kimmel and now returning for its 6th season.
Set in the fictional town of Yankerville, Crank Yankers features real prank calls made by Jimmy Kimmel Live show regulars and celebrity guests that are then re-enacted onscreen by puppets.
The finger-lickin segment, called ‘Buckethead’ recreates a real prank call made by Kimmel to a local KFC restaurant as his elderly Crank Yankers (puppet) persona, Elmer Higgins. Elmer voiced his concerns about the “hats” KFC is giving out because they're too tight. The KFC employee quickly realised that the customer on the other line had mistaken KFC's signature bucket as a hat, and it was now stuck on his head. Hilarity ensued.
Jimmy Kimmel even wore a cardboard box on his head during this genuine crank call to create a realistic echo sound effect as if a KFC bucket was stuck on his head.
The Kentucky chicken giant has used other unique marketing strategies recently, the brand premiered Lifetime’s first-ever holiday mini-movie, ‘A Recipe for Seduction’ and launched a successful Tik Tok campaign with everyone’s internet grandma, Lili Hayes.
