Lightning Round: Romance Novels, Soap Wars & French Fry Pizza

Summary

Omni Talk Retail: Episode Summary Episode Title: Lightning Round: Romance Novels, Soap Wars & French Fry Pizza
Release Date: June 27, 2025

In this lively episode of Omni Talk Retail, hosts Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga engage in a spirited lightning round, tackling a variety of trending topics in the retail industry. From innovative marketing partnerships to quirky product launches, the duo offers insightful commentary peppered with humor and personal anecdotes.

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1. Olipop’s Innovative Social Media Strategy

The episode kicks off with a discussion on Olipop’s recent collaboration with Amazon Ads. Chris introduces the topic:

Chris (00:00): "Olipop partnered with Amazon Ads to drop 5,000 exclusive VIP boxes for 5 cents each on Amazon starting June 30th. Each box includes seasonal Olipop flavors and branded merchandise, which Olipop is hoping that they can give people in exchange for social posts from their regular everyday consumers instead of influencers."

Anne responds with a light-hearted take on the value exchange:

Anne (00:35): "Oh, man, I'm not aiming very high on this one, but I think I'd pick Twix because it's only candy with the cookie crunch. Like, I just love the cookie crunch of a Twix bar."

The conversation highlights the shift towards leveraging everyday consumers for authentic marketing, suggesting a potential trend in grassroots influencer strategies.

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2. Jimmy John’s Beachside Romance Promotion

Next, Chris shares exciting news about Jimmy John’s latest promotional campaign:

Chris (00:59): "This summer, Jimmy John is turning up the heat and serving up the ultimate beachside pairing. A satisfying sandwich in one hand and a steamy story in the other. With any sandwich or wrap purchase, using promo code Beachhead, fans can unlock access to 'Blade and the Ryan,' a custom 2-part Romantasy audiobook narrated by none other than White Lotus Star and Heartthrob, Walton Goggins."

Anne humorously questions the pairing of food and romance literature:

Anne (01:42): "Like I'm supposed to order a mayonnaise filled sandwich in one hand and then be thinking of reading a steamy romance novel. That sounds disgusting to me."

This segment underscores innovative cross-promotional strategies in the food and entertainment sectors, aiming to enhance customer engagement through unique experiences.

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3. The Steamiest Romance Novels

Delving deeper into the theme of romance, Chris asks Anne about her experience with steamy novels:

Chris (01:56): "What is the steamiest romance novel you've ever read?"

Anne candidly shares her preferences:

Anne (02:07): "I used to read them when I worked at the corn stand because that was all that we had—like old Danielle Steele novels. But the last one I probably read was like the Twilight series, and that was probably as racy as I get."

Chris humorously critiques the notion of business books being steamy:

Chris (02:26): "Yeah, that's not even steamy. That's like a simmering pot of water. The Twilight series."

This light-hearted exchange highlights varying tastes in literature and subtly touches on the diversity of content that appeals to different audiences.

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4. Bar Soap vs. Body Wash: The Great Debate

Transitioning to personal care products, Chris brings up Unilever’s acquisition of Dr. Squatch:

Chris (02:32): "Unilever just acquired Dr. Squatch, the bar soap and male grooming products company that's very popular with Gen Z. Are you more of a bar soap or a body wash guy?"

Anne shares her evolution in skincare preferences:

Anne (02:45): "I used to for years be 100% the bar soap guy, but now I think three or four years ago, I made the permanent switch to body wash."

Chris inquires about her preferred brand:

Chris (03:10): "What's your body wash brand of choice?"

Anne (03:13): "I use like the Dove Sensitive Skin because I got really sensitive skin that I have to protect."

Their conversation delves into consumer preferences and brand loyalty, illustrating the ongoing dynamics in the personal care market.

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5. Tombstone’s French Fry Crust Pizza Launch

The final topic revolves around a novel food product introduced by Tombstone:

Chris (03:19): "Tombstone is launching a french fry style crust pizza with a crispy potato-based crust. It's available in two varieties: loaded bacon cheddar and chili cheese. Why has no one ever thought of french fry pizza before? And which of the two varieties are you most likely to try first?"

Anne speculates on the product's uniqueness:

Anne (04:02): "Is this like a gluten-free play or something? Like they're trying to come up with an alternative gluten-free crust."

Chris and Anne discuss their preferences, with Anne favoring the bacon and cheddar variety and expressing reservations about chili cheese:

Chris (04:32): "Do you like pizza and French fries as a combo?"

Anne (04:36): "I don't know. I don't ever."

Chris (04:37): "I love it. It's like one of my favorites."

This segment highlights innovative product development aimed at combining popular comfort foods, reflecting current trends in consumer experimentation and indulgence.

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Conclusion

Throughout the episode, Chris and Anne provide a blend of industry insights and personal reflections, making complex retail trends accessible and entertaining. From unconventional marketing partnerships to novel product offerings, the discussion encapsulates the ever-evolving landscape of the retail sector. Their engaging banter and candid opinions offer listeners a comprehensive understanding of current retail phenomena, all delivered in a humorous and relatable manner.

Notable Quotes:

• Chris (00:00): "Olipop is hoping that they can give people in exchange for social posts from their regular everyday consumers instead of influencers."
• Anne (00:35): "I'd pick Twix because it's only candy with the cookie crunch."
• Chris (03:19): "Why has no one ever thought of french fry pizza before?"

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This episode is a must-listen for retail enthusiasts seeking to stay abreast of the latest trends and innovative strategies shaping the industry.

Transcript

[A]

All right, well, let's go to the lightning round. Question number one. Chris Olipop partnered with Amazon Ads to drop 5,000 exclusive VIP boxes for 5 cents each on Amazon starting June 30th. Each box includes seasonal Olipop flavors and branded merchandise, which Olipop is hoping that they can give people in exchange for social posts from their regular everyday consumers instead of influencers. And if you were to influence for free for one brand, if they sent you a box of their greatest products, what brand would you choose?

[B]

Oh, man, I'm not aiming very high on this one, but I think I'd pick Twix because it's only candy with the cookie crunch. Like, I just love the cookie crunch of a Twix bar.

[A]

So you would give content for like a $twix bar?

[B]

Yeah, for sure. No, not a dollar, but like a GROSS ANNUAL CASELOAD 100%.

[A]

Okay, so you're. This is not, you're not doing the 5 cent box full of Twix on Amazon. You're just.

[B]

I probably still would do it ad. I mean, I'm a cheap date, you know. All right, the next one. This one comes courtesy of Omnitox superfan John Sedevy. And this summer, Jimmy John is turning up the heat and serving up the ultimate beachside pairing. A satisfying sandwich in one hand and a steamy story in the other. With any sandwich or wrap purchase. With the use of promo code, Beachhead fans can unlock access to the Blade and the ryan, a custom 2 part Romantasy audiobook narrated by none other than White Lotus Star and Heartthrob. I guess he's a heartthrob now. Walton Goggins. It will make you toss your paperback aside and order faster than you can say meet cute. All right, and what is the steamiest romance novel you've ever read?

[A]

I mean, wait for a second. Like I'm supposed to order a mayonnaise filled sandwich in one hand and then be thinking of reading a steamy romance novel. That sounds disgusting to me. I can't get past it.

[B]

Ever seen Nine and a Half Weeks?

[A]

No, no, no, no. I. I'm not really one for the steamy genres, so I know there's a lot of really good ones out there, but the last.

[B]

Have you ever read one?

[A]

Yeah, I used to read them when I worked at the corn stand because that was all that we had were like old Danielle Steele novels, but. But the last one I probably read was like the Twilight series and that was probably as racy as I get. I'd Rather I get more turned on by books about business startup about.

[B]

Yeah, that's not even steamy. That's like a. That's not even like a boil. That's like a simmering pot of water. The Twilight series.

[A]

Yeah. All right. Chris Unilever just acquired Dr. Squatch, the bar soap and male grooming products company that's very popular with Gen Z. Are you more of a bar soap or a body wash guy?

[B]

Oh, interesting question. You know, I used to for years be 100% the bar soap guy, but.

[A]

I think like three soap on a rope inside something or just straight up?

[B]

No, straight up bar soap. Yeah, you know, like Dove, Ivory, Irish Spring. You know, they've all gone through the turntable here, the shower turntable over the course of years. But now I think three or four years ago, I made the permanent switch to body wash.

[A]

Okay, what's your body wash brand of choice?

[B]

I use like the dove sensitive skin and because you know, I got really sensitive skin that I have to protect.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

You know, it's very important to me. No, I don't have a loofah.

[A]

So you're just squirting the body wash in your hand and you're not lathering or anything?

[B]

Oh yeah, no, I gotta get some lather. Like you gotta lather it up. You know, you gotta get a good lather going.

[A]

So you're going through body wash like crazy.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, probably. Yeah. I mean I probably shower two or three times a day.

[A]

Just no loofah. You don't want.

[B]

No, no, no, no loofah. No loofah. No, that's too. Yeah. That reminds me of Caddyshack with the loofah scene. But anyway, Tombstone is launching a french fry style crust pizza with a crispy potato based crust. It's available in two varieties and loaded bacon, cheddar and chili cheese. You to end the show. Why has no one ever thought of french fry pizza before? And which of the two varieties are you most likely to try first?

[A]

Is this like a gluten free play or something? Like they're trying to come up with an alternative gluten free crust.

[B]

It may be. I don't know. Yeah, that's a good question.

[A]

Yeah, I'm surprised. I mean there's been tachos, Tater tot nachos. I mean you've got baked potato pizza, like I don't know why Cauliflower pizza, right? Yeah. Put it in the base. I would probably say the, the bacon and cheddar. One chili cheese. Just never I. Unless it's a homemade chili. I don't ever want chili cheese anything. I think that scares me.

[B]

Yeah. Do you like pizza and French fries as a combo?

[A]

I don't know. I don't ever.

[B]

I love it. I love it. It's like one of my favorite.

[A]

Like, you put the full on carbs.

[B]

No, just like eating them side by side. So I feel like you're now mashing it up and it tastes.

[A]

It has a lot of potential I'm aware of.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, it's full of carbs. And then if you get beer, it's like, good night. Good. Game over.

[A]

Yeah. That's going to be a heavy, heavy load in your. In your stomach for sure.

[B]

Heavy load in your stomach. Quarter the show there.