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Oprah Offers KFC Coupon, Internet Abuzz
May 06, 2009 2:06 PM
ABC News' Russell Goldman reports: Oprah Winfrey, whose endorsements have turned little-known books into best sellers and helped a little-known senator become the president, is putting her seal of approval on KFC’s newest menu item – grilled chicken.
A coupon available exclusively through the talk-show host’s Web site, oprah.com, had been searched for so frequently on the Internet that “Oprah Winfrey KFC coupons” was the fifth most searched item on Google Trends by Wednesday afternoon, hours after being posted. “KFC locations” and “Unthink KFC,” the name of the grilled chicken promotion, rounded off the site’s top 10 most searched terms.
Interest in the coupons even made it to France where one Web Site described the frenzy as “un buzz aux States.”
KFC, formerly k
nown as Kentucky Fried Chicken and a subsidiary of Yum Brands, launched the grilled chicken line two weeks ago and has offered free samples in some participating locations.
Rick Maynard, a KFC spokesman, said the reason the company sought out Winfrey to promote the product was “pretty self explanatory. She’s got a huge audience who trust her.”
The details of the deal KFC and Winfrey worked out to offer the coupons, Maynard said, were confidential.
Oprah announced the promotion during her show on Tuesday.
Harpo, Winfrey’s production company, would not further comment on the deal.
The downloadable coupon, good only from Wednesday morning to Thursday at noon, allows holders to receive“two pieces of grilled chicken, two individual sides and a biscuit.”
Some have called Winfrey’s impact on brands she endorses the “O Factor,” and small companies whose products make the media magnate’s annual Favorite Things list have seen their sales skyrocket overnight.
Oprah has made no secret of struggling with her weight and dieting. KFC is promoting the new line as a healthy alternative to its traditional fried chicken. An Original Recipe fried chicken breast is 400 calories, versus 119 for the grilled breast, according to the KFC website.
May 6, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (93)
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i love oprah
Posted by: mary ann teofilo | May 6, 2009 3:32:53 PM
kfc is the place to go.
Posted by: don mcdaniels | May 6, 2009 3:35:48 PM
kfc is number one-good chicken
Posted by: brenda t. | May 6, 2009 3:51:10 PM
Something is wrong with the computer system. Trying to print a coupon but I get the error page that something is not working Is it overloaded and when will it be fixed?
Roger (Um - hungrey for chicken from KFC, the only chicken in the world that is so good to eat!)
Posted by: Roger | May 6, 2009 5:19:06 PM
Hurry up Wednesday morning - I'm having KFC chicken dreams!
Posted by: Roger | May 6, 2009 5:22:48 PM
The whole thing sucked. I hope Oprah and KFC get all the credit they deserve for screwing up something that could have been great. I tried to print a coupon let the software install and before my printer even warmed up it told me I'd printed too many already. Good job loved the whole experience
Posted by: Steven T. | May 6, 2009 6:50:59 PM
KFC IS THE ONE
Posted by: Bonita | May 6, 2009 6:51:57 PM
the same thing here i printed the wrong thing when i went back in it told me i had printed them noooooooooo
Posted by: geraldine bernard | May 6, 2009 7:04:40 PM
How do I get to print a coupon
Posted by: bette | May 6, 2009 8:51:29 PM
I hope Oprah knows about KFC using an allotment system. I went by my KFC in Gardena, Ca at about 5:30 pm on 05/06/2009 and they had a sign which read we are out of our alotment for today. Say what?
Posted by: king | May 6, 2009 9:38:19 PM
I don't care what you say, Oprah rocks. You have just allowed me to survive another day! Thank you from me and my co-workers!!!!!!!!!!!1
Posted by: Now a semi-fan | May 6, 2009 10:20:56 PM
Let's see.......
-You ask the queen of endorsement to endorse your product.
-Then your coupon partner cannot deliver.
-Next, if your were able to get the coupon to print, the store can refuse to honor it.
I guess the folks at KFC got into their tag line too much. UNTHINK!
Posted by: LIttle Godzilla | May 6, 2009 10:24:56 PM
opra rocks
Posted by: s | May 6, 2009 11:39:16 PM
Still love Oprah. I don't think she knew the rip off KFC was promoting. I went through the process of installing the printer, click on print coupon button and got a thank you for printing the coupon. Coupon didn't print.
Posted by: Big Dog | May 7, 2009 12:18:21 AM
unbelievable!
Posted by: James Sonn | May 7, 2009 6:40:50 AM
I would never have tried the grilled chicken as I love the fried version. I tried the chicken with the coupon and it is was as wonderful as the fried version. Thank you KFC & Oprah.
Posted by: Joan | May 7, 2009 9:28:57 AM
Watch out Oprah!
Peta is very angry at you now.
My sister is furious.
Posted by: Dale | May 7, 2009 9:58:31 AM
When I went to print it said i had printed to many and i havent printed any yet, so i just kept trying and it went through the second time i tried, you had to just keep trying, and it will print up to 4 coupons.
Posted by: tt | May 7, 2009 11:01:09 AM
i love your shows and what you do for special need people continue being who you are and what you do and best wishes
Posted by: Isabelle Davis | May 7, 2009 12:01:56 PM
I LOVE OPRAH would never have tried the grilled chicken as I love the fried version. I tried the chicken with the coupon and it is was as wonderful as the fried version. Thank you KFC & Oprah.
Posted by: TAHIR | May 7, 2009 12:05:19 PM
We were unable to download the free coupon from KFC, Internet was so busy, we miss out on the coupon. If all possible can you email me two coupon so we can try grilled chicken. If not thanks for reading my email.
Posted by: Coriena | May 7, 2009 12:21:32 PM
Hi Oprah - - -
Never tried to print out a KFC coupon
when first heard of the deal 2 dys ago,
but now I'm curious & hungry.
Hope I get one, the KFC is not even a
mile away from my home.
Thanks generous good lady!
from: Conee or Carmen
Posted by: Carmen | May 7, 2009 12:43:28 PM
TRIED TO PRINT COUPON WOULD LET ME
Posted by: LYNN | May 7, 2009 1:28:03 PM
Why is the kfc in douglasvill georgia, dallas georgia, and the kfc on greenbrier pkwy in atlanta saying that all of the oprah kfc coupons with the bar code ending in 1234 all a fake they have sing posted
Posted by: Tracy Evans | May 7, 2009 1:31:58 PM
Printed the coupons and went to KFC today to get my free sample plate. KFC said they are not honoring the cupons. Oprah you should know who your gettting into bed with before you endorse something. Will not watch Oprah or goto KFC again. I hope that you lose alot Oprah and KFC for your crappy attempt at a promotion.
Posted by: Larry | May 7, 2009 1:56:21 PM
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