They could have named their dog food after Pluto

…but they chose Old Yeller instead.

Old Yeller dog food.

From the corporate press release:

The movie is a timeless classic that transcends generations, and we believe this brand will appeal not only to original fans, but to the millions of Americans who share the same kind of special bond with their beloved dogs,” said Barry Vance, Kroger senior corporate category manager.

“Bringing Disney’s Old Yeller brand to a trusted retailer like Kroger was a natural fit,” said Christopher King, category director, Disney Consumer Products FMCG. “Disney’s Old Yeller dog food is for those dogs that are part of the family.”

What were they thinking?

Goofy, Shaggy Dog, Lady (from Lady and the Tramp) and yes, even  Pluto would have been better choices to name a dog food.

(For those unfamiliar with the Disney movie, Old Yeller doesn’t make it — to put it mildly.)

From the marketing people at Think for A Moment: “Generally, death is not a good motivator of sales for consumer packaged goods.”

Ya think…

What’s next, Finding Nemo Fish Sticks?

Read Full Post »

Pluto Upgraded to Planet!

 

 

April 1^st, Paris, France – In an unprecedented reversal of the 2006 Prague Internatinal Astronomical Union Resolution that downgraded Pluto to “dwarf planet” status, the IAU today announced that, effective immediately, Pluto is a planet again.

When asked to explain why the IAU went back on its decision, IAU director Dr. Karel A. van der Hucht cited numerous complaints from members of the original commission in 2006. “Some members wake up in the middle of night hearing dogs howling, other members complain about being dog-tired all the time and a few  noticed that all their books are dog-eared. They just can’t take it anymore!”

Scientists around the world were stunned by the decision. Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium in New York City, said he was “shocked, shocked. I can’t believe that they would arbitrarily reinstate Pluto as a planet,” he said. “I spent a lot of time and energy getting Pluto thrown out as a planet. It’s just not fair! I’m blaming Disney completely — Mickey’s dog Pluto.”

Not all scientists were unhappy about Pluto being invited back into the Solar System’s big leagues. Dr. Paul Hertz, Chief Scientist for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, said “This is change we can believe in. We welcome Pluto back.”

Dr. Steve MacLean, Canadian Space Agency President commented, “We would like to make a statement, however, it is not Canadian government policy to let scientists talk about science stuff.”

As to why the IAU decided to reinstate Pluto as a planet now, Dr van der Hucht said, “We did not want to wait until the dog days of summer.”

“It was a goofy idea”, said Goofy.  Dopey, Grumpy, Doc, Happy, Bashful and Sneezy all agreed.  “We don’t need any more dwarfs,” they said.

Read Full Post »