A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

Marketing With Tattoos

Continuing this discussion of mainstreaming, I’m in 7/11 this morning and they have a new energy drink called “Inked”. It’s got a faux-tribal border, a “rock” font, and a neo-Japanese wave in the middle, and the flavor is called “Razzle Dazzle” — could there be a more embarrassing name? It’s as if they’re making fun of you for buying it. I’m reminded of the scene in Family Guy where Lois is running for mayor, and realizes that just by saying “9-11″ and “Jesus” and “terrorists” Giuliani-style, all of a suddenly the crowd starts cheering and buys whatever she’s saying… What, are tattoo fans so gullible that they’ll buy an energy drink just because it says “cool razzle dazzle tatties” on it?*

inked-drink.jpg

* Yes, I bought it. It tastes like a sort of watered down “Tahiti Treat”.

Comments

134 responses to “Marketing With Tattoos”

  1. Bambi Avatar
    Bambi

    We’ve got an energy drink in NZ called “Demon” It tastes like Red Bull but it has a funny warning on it.
    “Not intended for lactating woman, children or latte drinking, man-bag carrying wuss bags”

  2. Bambi Avatar
    Bambi

    We’ve got an energy drink in NZ called “Demon” It tastes like Red Bull but it has a funny warning on it.
    “Not intended for lactating woman, children or latte drinking, man-bag carrying wuss bags”

  3. Stephy Wolf Avatar
    Stephy Wolf

    I drank one a couple of weeks ago and thought it tasted pretty good… then again I think half of it was vodka.
    It was cheap enough, tasted alright, and did what it was suppose to (be a good energy drink that mixed fairly well) so I can’t really complain.
    They’ll put anything on a label if they think it will help it sell.

  4. Stephy Wolf Avatar
    Stephy Wolf

    I drank one a couple of weeks ago and thought it tasted pretty good… then again I think half of it was vodka.
    It was cheap enough, tasted alright, and did what it was suppose to (be a good energy drink that mixed fairly well) so I can’t really complain.
    They’ll put anything on a label if they think it will help it sell.

  5. VeganZombie Avatar

    AHhh ha ha! I can’t stop Chicago (the musical, not the band) lyrics from running through my head now! You get those energy drink consumers, Billy Flynn!!

  6. VeganZombie Avatar

    AHhh ha ha! I can’t stop Chicago (the musical, not the band) lyrics from running through my head now! You get those energy drink consumers, Billy Flynn!!

  7. Jordan Avatar
    Jordan

    That episode of family guy is on as i type this.

  8. Jordan Avatar
    Jordan

    That episode of family guy is on as i type this.

  9. Lexci Million Avatar

    Tahitian Treat was the US name. Tahiti Treat was the Canadian name. Now you can’t get it ANYWHERE but in a couple states, I think.
    The Canadian version was less carbonated.

  10. Lexci Million Avatar

    Tahitian Treat was the US name. Tahiti Treat was the Canadian name. Now you can’t get it ANYWHERE but in a couple states, I think.
    The Canadian version was less carbonated.

  11. akibare Avatar
    akibare

    #32 LarrySDonald – Werd.

    To others who asked, yes it says “CHIKARA” on the bottom which is strength/power in Japanese (original 力) which just makes more eye-rolling goodness, from my admittedly limited POV.

    Arizona green tea has sugar in it, my friends always wondering about that, it’s a very fusion thing to do. Alien. But, YMMV.

    I’m consistently amused at the marketing for energy drinks in the USA, particularly the “Xtreme!!11!1!” angle, because as I recall energy drinks from my childhood (in Japan) they came in small medicinal type bottles, and they were not cool, they were a geeky thing that overworked salarymen drank. I.e., “The Man,” flannel suit and all, was the target market.

    Me, I stick to coffee.

  12. akibare Avatar
    akibare

    #32 LarrySDonald – Werd.

    To others who asked, yes it says “CHIKARA” on the bottom which is strength/power in Japanese (original 力) which just makes more eye-rolling goodness, from my admittedly limited POV.

    Arizona green tea has sugar in it, my friends always wondering about that, it’s a very fusion thing to do. Alien. But, YMMV.

    I’m consistently amused at the marketing for energy drinks in the USA, particularly the “Xtreme!!11!1!” angle, because as I recall energy drinks from my childhood (in Japan) they came in small medicinal type bottles, and they were not cool, they were a geeky thing that overworked salarymen drank. I.e., “The Man,” flannel suit and all, was the target market.

    Me, I stick to coffee.

  13. Annie Avatar

    If you also walk into the parlor and choose some flash tattoo (or choose a nautical star at home), then yes, I’ll bet a good chunk are in fact that gullible.

  14. Annie Avatar

    If you also walk into the parlor and choose some flash tattoo (or choose a nautical star at home), then yes, I’ll bet a good chunk are in fact that gullible.

  15. Al Avatar
    Al

    474ml ? ? How odd

  16. Al Avatar
    Al

    474ml ? ? How odd

  17. Al Avatar
  18. Al Avatar
  19. Martin Avatar
    Martin

    473 mL = 1 pint

  20. Martin Avatar
    Martin

    473 mL = 1 pint

  21. scenester_gates Avatar

    This clearly should be enjoyed in an “ed hardy” pint glass. Which can be found at most retailers, including ross. Along with the matching shot glasses and plates.

    Cause as we all know, nothing says class like plates with matching shot glasses.

  22. scenester_gates Avatar

    This clearly should be enjoyed in an “ed hardy” pint glass. Which can be found at most retailers, including ross. Along with the matching shot glasses and plates.

    Cause as we all know, nothing says class like plates with matching shot glasses.

  23. emilyashlyn Avatar
    emilyashlyn

    haha, that’s so outrageous.

    has anyone ever drank lost? the can has some pretty silly designs, but it’s one of my favorite energy drinks. it’s just kind of hard to find.
    most of the time i drink nos, which doesn’t have a lot of designs on it(blue bottle, orange cap, label), but is full of passion fruit tastyness instead of strange carbonated chalk candy taste.

  24. emilyashlyn Avatar
    emilyashlyn

    haha, that’s so outrageous.

    has anyone ever drank lost? the can has some pretty silly designs, but it’s one of my favorite energy drinks. it’s just kind of hard to find.
    most of the time i drink nos, which doesn’t have a lot of designs on it(blue bottle, orange cap, label), but is full of passion fruit tastyness instead of strange carbonated chalk candy taste.

  25. Martin Avatar
    Martin

    The best energy drink concept I found was “Whoopass”. I kid you not. Terrible taste, great name, hours of fun. For taste, I like an orange Monster 🙂

  26. Martin Avatar
    Martin

    The best energy drink concept I found was “Whoopass”. I kid you not. Terrible taste, great name, hours of fun. For taste, I like an orange Monster 🙂

  27. resonanteye Avatar

    hahaha I remember being such an outcast because of tattoos…that I’m now old fool enough to buy almost anything that says “razzle dazzle tattoozle” on it. I even have a few of the nylon tattoo “sleeve” costumes, and stuff like that.

    can’t seem to help myself. but not tribal. if it has tribal I leave it alone.

  28. resonanteye Avatar

    hahaha I remember being such an outcast because of tattoos…that I’m now old fool enough to buy almost anything that says “razzle dazzle tattoozle” on it. I even have a few of the nylon tattoo “sleeve” costumes, and stuff like that.

    can’t seem to help myself. but not tribal. if it has tribal I leave it alone.

  29. Coffee Avatar
    Coffee

    Funniest energy drink I’ve found was the 24 energy drink.

    Also: Along with Relentless, there’s now Relentless Inferno (Orange sherbert flavour) and Relentless Juiced (half juice.)

    Orange Sherbert Relentless has a Lord Byron poem on the back.

    It truly is Goth Red Bull.

  30. Coffee Avatar
    Coffee

    Funniest energy drink I’ve found was the 24 energy drink.

    Also: Along with Relentless, there’s now Relentless Inferno (Orange sherbert flavour) and Relentless Juiced (half juice.)

    Orange Sherbert Relentless has a Lord Byron poem on the back.

    It truly is Goth Red Bull.

  31. Sarah Avatar

    A little late but:
    Not only are they marketing energy drinks to the tattooed folk, there is also a new one I found tonight that is being marketed towards women. It’s called “Pink Energy” and it’s diet. It comes in a pink can and has a set of lips printed on the front. Thank god because you know, those other ones were way to masculine for me to drink.

  32. Sarah Avatar

    A little late but:
    Not only are they marketing energy drinks to the tattooed folk, there is also a new one I found tonight that is being marketed towards women. It’s called “Pink Energy” and it’s diet. It comes in a pink can and has a set of lips printed on the front. Thank god because you know, those other ones were way to masculine for me to drink.

  33. G. Max Avatar
    G. Max

    I’m not personally tattooed, having said that i agree that this is a bit queer. i was shocked enough that they had made a TV show about tats, but a f**king beverage? its sad how far MTV has dragged actual sub cultures through the mud. but thats life i suppose.

    * breef foot note. i use the word queer to mean odd.

  34. G. Max Avatar
    G. Max

    I’m not personally tattooed, having said that i agree that this is a bit queer. i was shocked enough that they had made a TV show about tats, but a f**king beverage? its sad how far MTV has dragged actual sub cultures through the mud. but thats life i suppose.

    * breef foot note. i use the word queer to mean odd.

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