I had the distinct pleasure last week to have lunch with Dave Curlee. After he shot down my original suggestion for lunch, we settled on Spring Creek Barbecue. I’m no stranger to Spring Creek, so you can imagine my surprise when I received my sweet tea in a big yellow cup.
If you’re not from Texas, this may make no sense. But any respectable brisket-eating, Texas-living species knows that the big yellow cup belongs to Dickey’s Barbecue. And it has forever. They even have a Big Yellow Cup Club. It’s a freakin’ icon.
Now, let me make this clear: I’ve always preferred Spring Creek’s barbecue to Dickey’s. But I have to question Spring Creek’s decision to do the exact same thing that their competitor does. And to do it worse than they do.
First, if you’re going to give away a cup, does it have to be a yellow one? And the exact same size as the Dickey’s cup? I mean, the Spring Creek colors don’t even include yellow.
But beyond that, why even bother giving a cup away? You can never own this as your marketing tactic. Dickey’s does it; not you.
It’s a shame it’s come to this. Surely there are still some marketing tactics left to market barbecue beyond the big yellow cup. Spring Creek, I’m begging you to find them.
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They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but sometimes imitation is just annoying. I’m sure there are things Spring Creek could do to speak to their customer in their own way without trying to ride the big yellow cups coattails. I’d think the people over this decision were more inventive than that.
Ashley – you’re so right. There MUST be ways Spring Creek can market their goods. Heck, even much better ways. I’m just curious what made them go this route. I mean, surely someone raised the flag and brought up imitation.
And, if imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, is that really what Spring Creek wants to do? Flatter Dickey’s?
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