Enjoying Life's Simple Pleasures

When I was in grade school, I would ride my bike home at noon, and enjoy my favorite lunch -- a peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwich, Lay's potato chips and a glass of milk.  My mom also put pads of butter on the sandwich. 

Fifty years later, I still ride my bike, and my favorite lunch is still PB&J with Lay's potato chips and a glass of milk.  Only now the bread is whole wheat, the peanut butter is all natural, the jam is sugar free, the Lay's has 0 grams trans fat, the milk is organic fat free -- and there are definitely no more pads of butter.

The obvious point is that -- like many of you -- I still enjoy the same foods I did as a kid, but the twist is that they are now healthier.  Our childhood favorites taste great, bring back fond memories and can actually be comforting reassurances.  And, we all know that one of America's favorite "comfort foods" is potato chips for these same reasons.

Legend has it that potato chips were invented in a restaurant in the mid 1800s by a chef who got mad at customers as they complained that the potatoes they received were cut too thick.  So, he sliced them thinner, fried and salted them, and voila -- the potato chip was born.  Potato chips have grown in popularity over time, becoming the No. 1 snack food in America. 

Today, Lay's is the world's leading potato chip brand, and it’s still made the same way as in that restaurant 150 years ago and the same way Herman Lay started making in Lay’s 1932, using three simple ingredients -- potatoes, oil and salt -- and no preservatives.  Only today’s Lay's are even better, since they’re made with healthier oils that have 0 grams of trans fat. 

Our new Lay's advertising will start in the next several weeks, and it’s focused on telling our consumers about how the chips are made (three ingredients, no preservatives and 0 grams trans fat) and by illustrating how the Lay’s brand is part of people’s lives.

"Our new advertising captures the heritage of Lay's -- being a part of people coming together in simple and happy times like picnics," says Kate Garner, Marketing Manager on Lay's.  "The first new Lay's commercial is called 'Fireworks.’  It takes place in a potato field and captures the joy of people coming together on a beautiful summer day," Kate says. 

"The other ad, 'Inflatables,' is the story of a man who finds himself surrounded by colleagues in the form of an inflatable tube.  He wonders if he can be part of the crowd, when he discovers the key to their happiness is found in Lay's. Both ads capture the emotion of our brand and our new tagline -- Happiness is Simple."

Side note: Kate this month won the Advertising Working Mothers of the Year award from Working Mother magazine, as she effectively balances work with the joy of raising twin 2-year-old daughters.

I believe that the new Lay's advertising and tagline -- Happiness is Simple -- will be a hit and really resonate with people, because I can relate to it so well. I'll be telling you more about Lay's message in future posts.   For now, let me know if you’ve learned a little something about Lay’s.

Comments

[TheDonald]

I am just like you in the sense that my faorite meal of the day---from kidnergarten to being a senior in highschool---was the same as yours, with a few slight variations. I (or my mom-I shouldsay) rotated between Chips, Doritos and Fritos. Tragically, however, my all time favorites are NO LONGER MADE> I adored Sharp Nacho Cheese flavored Tostitos, and Plain corn Doritos. I would pay $1000 for them today! So sad they are gone. Furthermore, even regular Nacho Cheese Doritos'taste isnt the same as when I was growing up. Thank goodness Fritos havent changed, except I do miss the Original King size-as opposed to the Scoops. I wish theyd bring back my two missing memories, I think of them and theirgreat taste often.

[Kristin, Frito-Lay employee]

Re: TheDonald; I'm an employee at Frito-Lay and want to thank you for your comments. I'm a HUGE Baked Cheetos fan myself, and can understand that you miss some of the flavors you loved as a kid. Our snack choices do come and go since not every chip variety sells as well as others. But, I'm happy to let you know that Toasted Corn Doritos are still available in many stores throughout the U.S. Check out the "Where To Buy" link at www.fritolay.com to find stores near you. We also bring back various flavors from time to time. We can't guarantee they'll be your favs, but in the meantime, you might try the new Lay's Kettle Sharp Cheddar that should be in stores in February, or some of the other flavors we're launching with various chips this spring. Thanks again for your comments.

[mizerychik]

I wish you guys still made Dill Pickle potato chips available in the NY area. They were that perfect salty vinegary dill flavor without any of the fake sour cream flavor that I dislike on other chips. Please consider distribution in these areas, if even on a small level.

[Blain]

I just saw the "fireworks" commercial on TV and it's great. What I like most about it is the song. Who sings it?

[Kristin]

Re: Blain; I'm glad you're enjoying the new Lay's commercial! The band is Slow Club, the name of the song is "Drinking, Thinking, Sinking, Feeling," and you can find the song on i-tunes. Thanks for your comment!

[Terri Walters]

This comment is for the company.

Today I was at the gas station and I saw the Diablo chips staring back at me, so I had to try them. I must say, they are tangy-maybe too tangy. they would tast better with less lemon or lime. It would be a better product and I would consider purchasing them again if they had less lemon and about 1/2 the existing "salt" in the receipe. I realize it is a matter of tast, but when we think and talk about health, can we really say a thing is healthy when the product contains 650mg per pk. of Sodium?
Really, that is too much salt! We should took at more than half a reduction of this particular product. It could be a health hazard to consume too much salt. I am glad that you include on your packaging the whole bag amount. The whole bag is usually what people would be eating. I will not purchase this item again, "too salty.!"

Thanks!