Reese is the new CSI

It seems that in todays culture, when someone has a good idea, and makes a bit of money off of it, the first instinct is to make subtle changes and re-market it to the exact same people who consumed the first product.

I call it the CSI Principal. Some CBS producer thought it would be a great Idea to cookie cutter their show to other cities across America, From Vegas, to Miami, to New York. Apart from scenic and weather differences, I really can't find any concepts unique to any of the shows apart from the actors, which I'm positive are only different because they don't have enough hours in a week to use the same people in all the shows.

Does the world really need 3 hours of CSI per week? I don't think so. Some would say the same for Law and Order, but I like that show (shows?) so there will be no harping on it here. Also, that was on the air for like 10 years before the first spin-off, so it has 'street-cred'.

This CSI Principal has spread however, far beyond TV. It has in fact spread as far as the pharmacy near my house. I walked in there at 11:45 last night, looking to buy a geometry set, and a complex number calculator (don't ask) and I found myself in the newly established Reese Peanut Butter Cup Aisle.

As far as the eye could see, variation upon variation of Reese, mutations that had split from their predecessor. The original 3 cup package. The jumbo 4 cup package. The even more expensive two cup package was seemly more value because each cup was about 2 inches thick. Not to mention the Reese's Pieces.

Then, apparently exhausted with size and quantity variations, Reese decided to shake things up a little by changing ingredients. White Chocolate Reese, Inside out Reese (PB filled with chocolate) and now the newest, Reese Fudge Cups. And the fudge ones had "Limited Edition" stamped on them. Is there really a point of having Limited Edition Candy ? Isn't it all pretty limited in that they generally serve their purpose rather quickly then we part ways with our candy a few hours later? Are people supposed to start collecting these bars now to show to their kids in 20 years like a Wayne Gretzky Hockey Card?

sigh.

What was ever wrong with the original ? Are they that low on ideas for new Candy Bars? What did our forefathers do for marketing gimmicks before there were a ton of ideas out there to copy? So many questions, and all answered by one fact.

I bought the new Fudge Reese Cups. I was pulled in by the advertising, and on top of my $10 grade school geometry set, and $14 triple-blade razors, I threw down the extra $1.10 for the new product. And I was fairly happy with my purchase.

So I guess the real answer is that marketing in this fashion works. Its depressing, and un-original, but it works.