The ex factor in Valentine’s Day marketing
Sex sells. Brands are banking on the idea that heartbreak does too. Volanthevist / Getty February 14, 2024, 5:56 PM ET This is an edition of The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here. Brands seem to have zeroed in on the ultimate relatable situation: a romance gone bad. Cue the ex-based marketing promotions. First, here are four new stories from The Atlantic: Branding Bad Romance If romance has failed you lately, fear not. Brands are standing by with surreal promotional stunts just for you. Want to send your significant other a breakup pizza? Pizza Hut has you covered. Seeking free dumplings? Simply prove to P. F. Chang’s that you have been dumped over text. Last year, Topo Chico ran a campaign to send customers’ exes a scorpion. Ex-focused stunts are everywhere lately. Start-ups and consumer brands are the worst offenders, but others are getting in on the action too: The City …