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Kcal 205 Fat 11.7g Fat(sats) 7.2g Carbs 22.5gIf you have been watching UK TV recently it is likely you will at some point have come across the latest Cadbury advertising for their new Spots V Stripes challenge campaign (See HERE). To cut a very (very!!) long winded story short, Cadbury have an ambitious two year plan to "split the nation into two teams - Spots & Stripes", with the ultimate aim of "keeping consumers immersed in game play in the lead up to the London 2012 Olympic Games", which Cadbury just so happen to be partnering. The basic idea is that consumers choose to either be a fan of the Spots team, or the Stripes team, and then play against each other for points which they register on the Spots V Stripes website (HERE). I have probably explained the concept pretty poorly so so if you wish to see more information I would suggest looking at this press release HERE. What I hope you are all more interested in, is the fact that Cadbury have launched a new bar to go alongside this campaign idea - the Cadbury Spots V Stripes Challenge Bar.
The product I sampled for this review today was sent to me by Lis at Foodstufffinds (review HERE - Thanks again!) and it came 39.0g bar that was divided in to three blocks. The idea is that you and a friend share the bar, eating your respective Spots/Stripes block each, before then playing a 'game' which is detailed on the inside of the wrapper (mine was eye-spy), with the 'winner' receiving the final middle piece. I will happily admit that the idea is all rather nice, but part of me couldn't help but feel it was an awful lot of fuss for what was fundamentally just a chocolate bar. On the positive side I was far more welcoming of the aesthetic appeal of the packaging and the actual chocolate, as I thought both lived up to Cadbury's usual high standards and were well designed and appealing on the eye. In addition, the bar also smelt pretty appetising with the familiar Dairy Milk scents fully showcased as soon as soon the matted foil wrapper was zipped open.
Unusually for me I have managed to write two paragraphs without actually telling you the product proposition - 'Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate & Cadbury creamy white chocolate'. Speaking openly and frankly, the first half of the product description filled with me glee, whilst the last bit brought back many an unnerving memory of my Cadbury Dream chocolate review a few years ago. There have been many times on this website when my preconceived thoughts about a product have been gone on to be disproved, but this wasn't to be the case here. Thankfully the Dairy Milk at the base of the product made up 75% of the total constituents so the taste was predominantly made up by the thick melting, delicious cream rooted sweet cocoa flavours of Cadbury's most famous chocolate recipe. Unfortunately placed on the top of each block, the not so great white chocolate only went to further sweeten the taste with it's sugar heavy flavours. Unlike any decent quality white chocolate it didn't enhance the creamy flavours of the taste or bring in any additional flavour notes such as vanilla etc - it was frankly just low quality sugary rubbish. It would be completely over the top of me to suggest that the white chocolate completely spoilt this chocolate bar for me (I still ate the whole thing after all), but at the same time I just simply didn't want it there, and it ultimately did hamper my subsequent levels of enjoyment and satisfaction.
Overall I like Cadbury's ambition to create a campaign that engages with consumers directly, however I think the focus on 'above-the-line' marketing execution has resulted in them releasing a rather lazy product to go alongside it. When I first heard that Cadbury were launching a new bar for this £14 million pound campaign I was instantly excited at the potential of an entirely new proposition. Given the effort put in to the entire Spots V Stripes marketing concept I have to admit I was disappointed when I learnt what was actually in store for us all. Unfortunately this disappointment was only further compounded when I tasted it, upon where I learnt that Cadbury still hadn't sorted out their white chocolate recipe. This Challenge Bar was far from being any sort of disaster due to it mostly comprising of Cadbury's wonderfully tasty Dairy Milk recipe, however for me the white chocolate only detracted from the overall product experience, rendering it a no better than average offering. Speaking as someone who doesn't care that much for the whole Spots V Stripes campaign concept (I concede it might appeal to younger people!), I'm left feeling that this is a missed opportunity for Cadbury, who I think could have really tied in a far stronger product offering. It's not a bad bar of chocolate by any means but I think it will do little to stimulate consumers to repeat purchase. As ever all your thoughts and views are most welcome, please be sure to share them below.
7.2 out of 10
Posts
43 comments:
Lol I was completely none the wiser as to what that fished advert was all about. The first I saw it, it was like a minute long. It must of cost tons to make. Thanks for clearing that up for me.
Encouraging people to share chocolate bars is a very stupid idea.
I can't think of an occasion where myself and a friend have thought 'lets buy a chocolate bar together and share it'. That just doesn't happen.
It's all a nice idea but I think it wont catch on.
Dx
I don't get it? What is the hook for being either a spot or a stripe? To me there doesn't seem any difference whether you are one or the other.
Do you go on the website and it tells you what you are or do you just decide yourself?
The chocolate doesn't excite me much either :( Booo.
Whats up with these manufacturers we have?
People like ritter seem to keep it simple and just make new flavours. Why do ours have to over complicate things with low calorie and marketing waves. Eugh its so annoying.
Rxxx
I like Cadbury Dream so I'm going to buy some of these. At least they used dairy milk and not the cheaper milk chocolate they also make.
Oh Jim let yourself go and just go with the idea :)
I'm going to be a stripe because the stripey fishes remind me of Nemo :)
I share your hatred of Cadburys Dream chocolate. Its well disgusting isn't it.
The worst thing about it is if you try a better white chocolate like something from Thorntons and then go back to eating Dream. Its then you notice how bad it really is.
I think the wrapper looks pretty cool but I kinda agree with you that they haven't put much effort in when it comes to the bar. It looks like they spent all their time putting together a clever (so I think) marketing advert and spent not time at all making a product for it.
They should go back to doing things how chocolate companies should do it, which is to create a product and then an advert.
I'm not going to lie and say I wont buy one of these because I know I eventually will. I'm not excited by it at all though.
I don't like the idea of stripes versus spots and I think the bar they have produced is disappointing to say the least. It's not often Cadburys disappoint me but they have done here.
Lol this looks worse than even the Twix Fino. What are these guys doing to us?
Ahhhhhhhh it all makes sense now. I've been wondering what the hell that advert with all the fishes is all about.
What a pants chocolate bar to accompany such an expensive activity. I can't believe they would put 14 mill behind it all.
Brill reviews this week Jim. You are well on top of all the new things aren't you.
It's a bit annoying to see that you haven't rated either of them highly. I was hoping for more when I read about both of them. I will try for myself and make my own mind up but I can already see your points have some substance.
If you were Cadbury this doesn't make much sense. If you are telling people to share a chocolate bar rather than buy one each, aren't you then teaching two people to buy one, rather than two people to buy two.
Do you get what I am saying? In effect they telling people to buy half what they normally would. That doesn't make much business sense if you are Cadbury.
I think this sounds yummy. I used to love the Cadbury Top Deck but they stopped making it. This just looks like a bigger version of what that bar used to be.
Stop being so fussy and analysing things in too much detail.
Are these going to cost as much as the normal Dairy Milks?
If they are like 20p you can hardly complain then. If they cost more like 55p you can moan all you want.
This is hilarious. What a load of over complicated old guff.
Do Cadbury really think that people care that much about a stupid advert? Their last few ones with the gorilla were entertaining, but this is taking things a step too far.
All I want is a chocolate bar.
I have probably explained the concept pretty poorly
You didn't you explained it well. It only still sounds confusing because I don't see the logic behind it.
I will happily admit that the idea is all rather nice, but part of me couldn't help but feel it was an awful lot of fuss for what was fundamentally just a chocolate bar.
Exactly. I guess you don't have to share it all the time but its still a pretty silly idea I think.
I really don't care much for Dream chocolate either.
So you know where this was bought from? I had a look in my local shop for the Twix Fino yesterday but I didn't see that either.
I used to like Dream chocolate but I never see it around anymore. It's great to see them start using it again in some of their bars. They used to also use it on the Cadburys Marble but they also stopped making that years ago.
If anyone is interested here is the full advert in HD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh-s3auYdKo
Its sad seeing that their advert is a hundred times more complicated and thought about than the chocolate bar they have made.
They need to readdress their priorities I think. First make a decent chocolate bar, and then make a TV commercial.
I don't see what everyone is complaining about. At least it is Dairy Milk chocolate?
I think they could have made something far worse if they tried. We should just be thankful that they made something at all. I'm getting so excited for the London Olympics. It's going to be so amazing.
I can only echo what people have already said. The advert is nice but the chocolate bar to accompany it looks so boring.
What are you all on about this idea is crap. It took me all of two minutes to come up with something better than this.
They should have made two different bars. One spots, one stripes. They got people to vote on the one they liked best. Tell me that isn't loads simpler, and loads better.
Sharing a chocolate bar? Now thats just stupid :-)
Cadbury need to seriously get a grip.
Thanks for the review Jim it was really interesting to see this reviewed before it has come out.
I will probably buy one someday but I'm no longer going to go out my way to find one.
I'm always up for Cadbury making new dairy milk bars but this one is so uninspiring. Theres probably nothing wrong with it at all but there was an opportunity for them to do something completely new and it appears like they couldn't be bothered with it all.
The advert is funny the first time around but its not as clever as the gorilla one.
Whats everyone getting their knickers in a twist about. I think it looks ok.
What isn't there to like? It's milk chocolate and white chocolate and it's made by Cadbury. it sounds decent enough for me.
Every time I've seen this bar i can't help but think it's aimed at kids and I'd feel a little weird buying one, although the concept itself is interesting and at least different.
As soon as I saw what was being reviewed I knew what was coming with regards the white chocolate. Like you, I'm no real white chocolate fan but will pick one of these up just to experience the white and Dairy Milk chocolate together. Thanks for the review.
How do they propose to stretch this out until London 2012? When you think about it that is ages away.
I've only seen the advert once and wondered what on earth it was about lol i had know idea what the stripes and spots thing was to do with. I've not seen the bar either, in fact I had no idea they were releasing a bar or that it was connected to the Olympics, - 2 years away lol. I'll try it if I see it, but i have zilch interest in the Olympics so that part will just sail by me completely lol
PART 1
David
I thought it was interesting the first time I saw it. The cut down version doesn't do it justice I don't think. Thanks for posting the link.
Daisy
I get what you are saying. I only really share bigger chocolate bars myself.
Justin
You decide for yourself I think. I think it is just down to whether you prefer spots or stripes chap. It doesn't have any deeper meaning I don't think.
Rachel
They do seem to have lost the point a little don't they. They are trying to do more than just create chocolate bars nowadays it seems.
Anon
Every chocolate has it's fans .... even Bournville :D
Amy
Finding Nemo is a very good film I have to say. That is probably the film they based the advert concept around.
Golden
I'm not it's greatest fan either but some people obviously like it.
I only like a very few select white chocolates now. Thorntons are on that list I have to say.
Nigel
I agree. They should always build a campaign around a chocolate bar and note vice versa. It's going to be even more worrying if that is what they claim they did.
Mark
Oh dear. Make sure you still try it, I hate the idea of my reviews putting people off things.
Eric
Neither the Fino or this bar are bad! In my opinion they just aren't what they should have been.
Kieran
The penny drops :D
I agree £14 million pounds is a lot of money to stick behind one marketing campaign. I guess it is being run out over two years though so it will take a lot of money to keep it going for that duration.
Fran
Thanks Fran, I'm trying my best to keep up with all the new products we have out at the moment.
Like I said to the other please still try them. I would love to hear your own opinions on matters.
Nick
I get what you are saying but lets be honest 1) It isn't going to happen much anyway and 2) Wouldn't they just both buy a bar each and play for the centre bit of both bars?
I get what you are saying though, it isn't the greatest model encouraging people to share.
Colin
Top Decks haven't been around the UK for a good 20/30 years I believe. They were well before my time anyway.
I get what you mean about analysing it in too much detail, but hey someone has to don't they :D
Richard
I have no idea to be honest chap. That is why I haven't mentioned anything about price. I expect they will RRP around the 55p mark.
Ali
Your views are pretty stark but I think you are just saying what a load of people will think when/if they hear about this SvS campaign stuff.
It is funny how the campaign is very detailed, yet the product is so basic. They don't marry up.
Katie
Thanks - I try to keep my explanation as simple as possible. I don't think you are the only one that isn't buying in to this idea today.
PART 2
Terry
I was sent it by Lis from Foodstufffinds. Please make sure you check out her review as well.
Sally
It is hard to come by isn't it. I found a bar of it the other day and updated my photos and review with my latest thoughts on it. I think the Cadbury Marble is still available in some countries.
Jamie
Indeed it is. It is a lot of CGI work isn't it. I would love to the know the company that made it. It must have cost a bomb to do.
Ben
That's a good point well made chap. In a lot of bars like the Wispa etc we have to deal with the secondary Cadbury milk chocolate recipe. As I noted in my review it is good to see them use Dairy Milk.
Andrew
This seems a pretty common consensus today.
Kevin
Watch the language please.
I have to say your idea has more legs on it than this one. Either that or they could have had two teams come up with a product, the wrapper and advert and then see which one sells the most ... that would have been the best way to get the country playing against each other. People would have cared for the products aswell because they would have been their own!
Anon
Come on the idea isn't that bad.
Warren
Make sure you do try one. As I always say let me know what you think of it.
Tony
It was always going to be nigh on impossible topping the phil colins Gorilla advert. I think the fishes one was a good attempt myself. I wasn't a fan of the eyebrows one .... the kids annoyed me :D
Ryan
You could be right ..... we could all be over reacting! Generally you have to admit the idea is hardly going down all that positively with people though. That is a sign that it might not be what people want.
Ria
It does seem to be aimed at a younger demographic doesn't it.
Perhaps this is why they made it as basic as it is?
I hope you don't think that I don't like all white chocolates. I think there are some really fine ones out there. Cadbury unfortunately don't make them though :D
Nils
I guess we will have to just wait and see. Like you say it is going to be pretty hard keeping the momentum going until London 2012! Who knows what Cadbury have up their sleeve.
Thanks for the comments everyone. I'm sorry if my review came off all a little negative for some of you. I was just a little disappointed with the product that we all got.
If any of you have any more thoughts please be sure to share them.
JIM
What a gimmick. I saw this today and was tempted to try it but thought nah, it's just gonna be Dairy Milk plus Dream. Looks like I was right. WHY couldn't they have done something just a little bit unique? I see the point about it being aimed at younger people but c'mon, don't treat them like fools Cadbury.
Sorry for the rant lol.
I think cadburys make nice white chocolate. I had my first bar of this yesterday but I didn't play the game with anyone :) I just kept all three bits for myself lol.
I dont think my comment showed up lol I havent seen this bar yet but i wil try it. I only saw the ad once, but had no idea what it was about or that theyd released a new bar. I have no interest atall in the Olympics though so that aspect of it holds no apeal whatsoever
This is the sort of idea a five year old would come up with. I like Jims idea of them pitching different bars on their site and people voting for the one they like. They could do it for every part of the product aswell. From the name of it, to the wrapper, the advert. Thats a much better idea.
Thanks for the review Jim. I will let you know what lame ass game I get on my bar lol.
Hmm this bar does look a bit small to be designed for sharing :) @David thanks for the link. If the ad weren't for the Olympics, they could have saved $ by just featuring one psychic octopus...he could choose between the chocolate in the spots box and the chocolate in the stripes box (of course he would somehow manage to get both!).
I kind of like this idea. The whole "split with a friend" reinforces that whole healthy eating "don't eat it all at once!!" thing, and the game behind it ties in with the competitiveness of the Olympics.
It's nice to see Cadbury are still involved with British things, of course, it will probably make them a huge profit and raise brand awareness.
I don't think the advert was bad at all, everyone has come to expect crazy adverts from them now.
As for eating the chocolate myself, and joining the website? Maybe...
I think the idea is good and it fits well with the getting active vibe and the Olympic angle. There's a lot of cross platform promotion including social media and they've been road shows with activities to take part in (just recently a giant slide / basketball dunk combination, which looked kind of amazing). I haven't tried the chocolate yet, but a free bar is on way to me for being an early registrant on the website. I'd recommend having a look at that: http://www.spotsvsstripes.com
I don't think £14M is that bad for a 2 year wide ranging campaign. BT Vision just spent £30M to get 60,000 subscriptions. Formula 1 sponsors pay £458M a year.
Great to see that the campaign has sparked some debate! As some of you have pointed out the Challenge Bar is just one small part of a much bigger plan to get the nation playing more games, perhaps that's why the advert's a little high concept ;)
The bar is a limited edition that'll only be in the shops for quite a short period of time (especially if they sell out sooner than planned!) but the games will continue right through until 2012... What chocolate do you think we should release as part of it next?
Bring back the Wispa Mint or the Fuse bar!!!!!!!! Is this really Cadbury or someone just posing to be them?
There are so many good bars you could relaunch that people would love to see.
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