Marketing genius or cannibalistic ritual?
Bowl season is in full swing, and while I feel like the bowl game names have gotten more and more absurd as the years have gone on, this one might be one of the best bowl game names just because the marketing team leaned into it.
The Pop-Tarts Bowl.
Held in Orlando, Florida, The Pop-Tarts Bowl let NC State and Kansas State battle it out on the field, with the Kansas State Wildcats bringing home the victory. While the game was good, what might have been better was the mascot that the Pop-Tarts Bowl had present.
And after seeing the internet’s reaction to the jumbo-sized breakfast pastry, I am convinced that every bowl game needs its own mascot. The frosted sweet treat was on the sidelines during the game, exciting the crowd, interacting with the sideline crew, and having a downright good time, leaving spectators begging for a fan cam on the mascot.
“I want all of the coverage of this mascot. Give me a YouTube series. TikTok show. Every crowd angle. Screw the football game, I want to go for the Pop Tart Bowl for the mascot shenanigans.”
I want all of the coverage of this mascot. Give me a YouTube series. TikTok show. Every crowd angle.
Screw the football game, I want to go for the Pop Tart Bowl for the mascot shenanigans. pic.twitter.com/ObnGo8SRYN
— Courtney Kramer (@CourtKramer39) December 29, 2023
While the show he was putting on during the game deserved its own highlight reel, the best part of the game was the post-win celebration. The winning team indulged in their choice of Pop-Tarts, and while the spotlight probably should have been on the Wildcats, the jumbo Pop-Tart stole the show again.
The Pop-Tart has a pop-star moment being lowered into the toaster, complete with a sign that reads “Dreams really do come true,” right before being eaten by the winning team. Because let’s be real, to be enjoyed is every Pop-Tart’s dream.
And while it might be seen as cannibalistic that the mascot was toasted and then eaten…I call this marketing genius. This is the resurgence that bowl games needed, and the internet is EATING IT UP.
@espn “We’ll always love you strawberry.” 🥹 #football #poptarts #mascot #cfb ♬ original sound – ESPN
Check out some of my favorite Tweets.
Th Pop-Tart marketing guy who thought of having a Pop-Tart mascot be cooked and eaten by the winning team of the Pop-Tarts Bowl, walking into work today : pic.twitter.com/n1sVUcJtON
— Hudi Productions (@hudsononeill15) December 29, 2023
I still can't get over the Pop-Tart Bowl.
The live Pop-Tart disappearing into a toaster while holding a sign that says "Dreams really do come true" only to get eaten by the winning team on the other end is pure marketing genius.
Easily the best bowl gamepic.twitter.com/G1EqRwkBXm
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) December 29, 2023
Is the edible Pop Tarts Bowl Mascot sacrificing himself for a good time more significant than Jesus saying “drink my blood and eat my body” but it was just wine and bread??? Who can never be sure! pic.twitter.com/ZZFYDfvfEQ
— Meech (@MediumSizeMeech) December 29, 2023
Me watching every single video posted of the pop tart from the pop tart bowl https://t.co/8iR17bzwhO
— flock daddy 😈🖤🏈 (@jennnabeatty) December 29, 2023
I can’t believe Taylor Swift would copy the Pop Tart’s Bowl Set! pic.twitter.com/SGtIUjemDX
— Paul (@PCJGolf2) December 29, 2023
To avenge the Pop Tarts Bowl mascot https://t.co/ANA1WlGqOG
— Pregame Empire (@PregameEmpire) December 29, 2023
The Pop Tart’s Bowl was one of, if not the most electric Bowl Game yet. It needs to be a NY6 game next season. pic.twitter.com/2q2uJzbfMt
— Paul (@PCJGolf2) December 29, 2023
Funniest part of the Pop-Tart Bowl mascot death was the sign toss. I laugh every time I see it. pic.twitter.com/Q2wxXOJEC5
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) December 29, 2023
“Not the hero we deserved but the hero we needed….” #PopTartsBowl #poptarts pic.twitter.com/K30Hj7zNd0
— Who Dey Wedge (@RealWedgeGordon) December 29, 2023
