PepsoCo’s Lay’s brand has kicked off the process of searching for its public-supported search for a new potato chip flavor.
Photo: the contest announcement on the Lay’s Facebook page
The popular snack brand launched ‘Do Us A Flavor’ contest—fans can suggest their ideas and compete for the chance to win $1 million or one percent of their flavor’s 2013 net sales. The ideas can be submitted to Lay’s Facebook page or to a short mobile number until October 6. The winner will be announced next year, when Lay’s will celebrate its 75-year anniversary. To submit a suggestion, fans should provide their flavor name, up to three possible ingredients and a 140-character description or inspiration for their flavor.
The contest was officially launched at the Lay’s first pop-up store in New York City’s Times Square where it previously organized its Flavor Kitchen. Actress and restaurateur Eva Longoria, and celebrity chef and restaurateur Michael Symon were there to present the initiative.
«I am constantly impressed with the range of flavor combinations possible in the culinary world, which presents an exciting variety of options for the next great potato chip,» said Chef Michael Symon. «I’m confident America has what it takes to create a delicious new potato chip flavor. The tough part will be reviewing the many creative ideas and selecting our top three.»
The store offered people 20 existing Lay’s flavors to sample and get inspired by the variety from all parts of the world—the similar contest has already been successfully held in many other countries. The result is lots of new tastes like Mastana Mango, Walkie Talkie Chicken, Caesar Salad, Chilli & Chocolate, Late Night Kebob to name a few.
The submitted ideas will be judged by a panel of chefs, foodies and flavor experts including Longoria and Symon, who will also feature in a retail marketing and online campaign. In the end, three finalist flavors will be selected and fans will help choose the only one winner to be announced in May 2013. The No. 1 winner will get the main prize, while the two runner-up finalists will each win $50,000.