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Is Wispa really an 80s icon?

Posted in Advertising, Marketing, Mel Varley, Latest reporters' blogs October 11th, 2007 by Melinda Varley

Cadbury’s is suggesting we relive the 80s by chomping into a Wispa bar. But I can vaguely remember the 80s and I don’t remember a chocolate bar having anything to do with the fluro decade.

When I reminisce about the 80s I see my self running around in bright pink bike pants, swapping my New Kids on the Block trading cards and sucking on a slush puppie.

It was a time when you couldn’t miss an episode of the Wonder Boys, leave the house without your Michael Jordan pumps and you were known for being good at tennis on the Atari or Hungry Hippos.

Everything was big and bright and it’s the way most people remember it. So why is Cadbury’s trying to associate its Wispa bar with the era?

The Wispa bar launched in 1981, but was discontinued only four years ago - so it is hardly a tribute to the kids of the 80s to bring it back in this style.

Cadbury’s attempt to associate the bar with the 80s gives further ammunition to the argument that its relaunch is purely a PR stunt for the ailing chocolate maker. Cadbury’s needs to hit the PR jackpot after a tough year laying off more than 3000 workers and coping with a salmonella fine of £1 million.

Is Wispa Cadbury’s dream come true? Another chance to throw a few million at a campaign that will reassure customers and indeed bring some back through nostalgia? Who ever sat around wishing Wispa would come back, furthermore, who would paint a banner and take it to a festival hoping Cadbury would listen? An 80s fan?

To read the news story related to this blog, go to mad.co.uk