Sneakers are a fantastic item for cross-promotion. Back in the 80's every kid wanted Air Jordans, which meant great sales for Nike and promotion out the wazoo for Michael Jorden - not to mention the recent Nintendo marketing shoes. Now there are some new high tops in the marketing arena, and they're even more dazzling. These shoes can order pizza. Seriously.

• Pizza Hut collaborated with Dominic Chambrone to create Pie Tops, shoes that order pizza.
• The brand's popularity stems from its varied menu, quality, convenience, marketing, nostalgia, and customer service.
• The limited-edition Pie Tops showcase a unique cross-promotion strategy.

Custom Shoes With Pizza Theme

Pizza Hut's marketing collaboration with famous shoe maker, Dominic Chambrone, unleashes a whole new level of connectivity between physical merchandise and digital functionality. Rather than being standard hi tops, these unique promotional shoes are "Pie Tops" (derived of course from the American use of the word per "pizza pie"). With Pie Tops, the wearer is encouraged to press the circular button on the tongue not to pump up the shoes (like Reebok's signature style) but to order pizza with a simple click!

Only 64 pairs of Pie Tops were produced with Pizza Hut's unique logo branding. This was representative of the 64 players involved in the annual March Madness event. Though they have a simple white exterior, the red and black of Pizza Hut's branding is quite distinctive and we've got no doubt that these will be collectors objects long after the pizza ordering app they're connected to retires.

Don't take our word for it, the campaign has also enlisted basketball legend Grant Hill to spruik the shoes. They look pretty comfortable and heck, you can just push them to get a pizza... Now we're hungry. That's good marketing in action!

Why Pizza Hut?

People love Pizza Hut for a variety of reasons:

• Taste and Variety: Pizza Hut offers a variety of pizzas with different toppings, crusts, and flavors that cater to diverse taste preferences. Their signature pan pizza, with its thick, buttery crust and generous toppings, has won over many pizza lovers. In addition to pizzas, their menu also includes sides, pasta, and desserts, giving customers plenty of options.

• Innovative Menu: Pizza Hut has always been known for its innovative offerings. They were the first pizza chain to deliver pizza to the International Space Station and to introduce a stuffed crust pizza, which continues to be popular.

• Consistent Quality: Regardless of location, Pizza Hut is known for maintaining consistent taste and quality in its dishes, which is key for any food chain's reputation.

• Convenience: Pizza Hut outlets are spread across the globe, making it easily accessible. Furthermore, their delivery service is efficient, ensuring that customers can enjoy their meals hot and fresh, whether at home or in the office.

• Marketing and Deals: Pizza Hut frequently offers deals, discounts, and promotions, making it an affordable option for many. Their marketing campaigns are engaging and resonate with their target audience, adding to the overall customer experience.

• Nostalgia: Pizza Hut has been around since 1958 and has become a part of many people's childhood memories. The nostalgic value associated with the brand, from dining in their uniquely designed restaurants to enjoying a family pizza night at home, makes it a beloved brand for many.

• Customer Service: Pizza Hut also emphasizes good customer service, working to provide a positive dining or delivery experience for their customers.

These factors, and more, contribute to why people love Pizza Hut. Of course, food preference is highly subjective, and what works for one person may not work for another.

Takeaway

Pizza Hut's collaboration with shoemaker Dominic Chambrone led to the creation of Pie Tops, a unique promotional item that blends physical merchandise with digital functionality, reflecting the brand's innovative approach. Along with its tasty variety of pizzas and consistent quality, Pizza Hut's inventive marketing strategies when it comes to their promotional merchandise help to maintain its popularity among customers.

Promotion first spotted here: http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/296233/