Some 7-11s Become Kwik-E-Marts

caffiend666 writes "According to a Yahoo News story some 7-11s are being rebranded into Simpsons 'Kwik-E-Marts' . The makeover includes fronting on the buildings that make it look like a cartoon, Simpsons merchandise on the shelves, and Simpsons show brands available for purchase in the store. From the article: 'The Fox/7-Eleven deal is an example of a practice called reverse product placement. Instead of just putting products prominently in a movie or TV show, fake goods move from the screen to reality ... Customers have been looking at Squishees and KrustyO's and Buzz Cola for years and have never been able to put their hands on it.' Since the film is PG-13, no Duff beer will be available in the stores." If you're looking for one near you, 7-11 has the list of locations on their website.

But not the last

[mcrbids]

Seriously, folks...

Why DOESN'T 7-11 become Kwik-E mart? Nationwide? It would turn the gazillions of shows that will be on independent TV stations and YouTube for the next 30 years into walking, talking, joking advertisements for a nationwide, popular chain! And, it would turn a nationwide chain of convenience stores into a real-life, living, touch-it advertisement for one of the most popular TV show franchises ever!

Pacific Bell became SBC which became ATT in less than 5 years. Somehow, the company has maintained its identity throughout. So why can't a well-off nationwide chain like 7-11? If they rebranded some generic beer (think Miller) as "Duff Beer", it'd be a shoe-in!

I love the Simpsons, it's been an indelible part of our family culture for years. Seriously - why not?

Re:Not the first time.

[Gordonjcp]

Anyone who managed to get their hands on some Duff were lucky.

Why would the film rating have a bearing on whether or not the Kwik-E-Mart shops sell Duff beer?

Re:Photos

[Your.Master]

Springfield is very specifically not placed in any given state. Groening has admitted it bears some particular resemblance to Portland, but canonical references can rule out absolutely every location on Earth. Frankly, I see a lot of similarity with my homeland in Southern Ontario, and I'm not the first to suggest it (despite the obvious problems like it's the wrong country, the nuclear plants are the wrong design, etc.). Winnipeg also gets honourable mention from Groening. The Springfield of the Simpsons is Everytown, USA.

Re:Not the first time.

[Dachannien]

Why would the film rating have a bearing on whether or not the Kwik-E-Mart shops sell Duff beer?

For the same reason that Joe Camel doesn't sell cigarettes anymore.

Re:Chicago, IL Location

[edittard]

People are going to flock to these, even if they're on top of the a remote mountain

You think people are going to inconvenience themselves by going out of their way to vist a convenience store because it looks vaguely like one that's on a TV show that jumped the shark long ago, and pay a premium for rebadged white-label snack food?

Are you serious?

Sadly, you probably are. Tragically, they probably will.

Kwik-E Marts are not Walmarts.

[Firethorn]

Uh... I'd tend to say that Kwik-Es has far more in common with 7-11's and other gas station convienence stores than they do with a supersized box store such as walmart. Small, overpriced, with an extremely limited selection of a somewhat wide variety of goods.

Krusty products are availabe in stores other than the Kwik-Es.

Re:Will Kwik-E-Marts now be banned from the cartoo

[EveryNickIsTaken]

Uh, no. In fact, most cartoon shows are created nowadays solely for the subsequent merchandising possibilities.

Re:Are the Simpsons yet another stupid TV series?

[tgd]

Sprawl-Mart is the dig on Wal-Mart.

See the similarity?

Re:But not the last

[DarkOx]

Also 7-11 is a well know and generally well thought of brands. Most advertisers would consider elevating any trademark to the level of recognition the 7-11 has a huge success. Until you know that people would rather shop at Kwik-E-Mart why would you abandon a valuable asset like the 7-11 mark? Also 7-11 is in may ways part of our popular culture as well, if you simply make it go away all at once on day people might be resentful of that.

Re:Racist promotion

[gymell]

Yeah, funny how nobody gets upset about all the white-guy stereotypes on the show - Homer, a fat lazy stupid slob, the doughnut-eating police chief (with pig-like upturned nose), the evil corporate boss, the corrupt politician mayor of the town, the quack doctor, televangelist ... guess they're funny until it hits too close to home, eh?