While Britain may be going a little bit crazy for the new Rowse honey campaign, viewers and ad experts around the globe are tuning in to Rowse’s take on the Three Bears. Some are against it, but most are loving the cheeky way Rowse are making audience connections.
We all know the old story of Goldilocks and the three bears. We all know that the bears love porridge. Circa 2017, Goldilocks is nowhere to be seen, but rather three burly gay man-bears. Meet Matt, Joel and Phil.
Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSZJ8yH_u2Q

Our loveable three man-bears are cheeky hosts for a breakfast cooking show. And who would know who to cook porridge better than the three bears? Nobody! They are such an authority on porridge making them a credible source.
Rowse have nailed this campaign, playing on the global success of the many cooking shows and nostalgia. What could have gone terribly wrong, or misrepresented in a world where things get misconstrued, has been applauded by the LGBT community. Also to whom the campaign was targeted – Millennials are loving it, as well as any other three bear fairytale and honey lovers.
Why has it been a success?
We all know of honey and most of us like it, or cook with it. We probably have a jar in our pantry cupboard. We may use it in when we’re baking muffins, or honeyed carrots (a bit more nostalgia from my childhood now), but it’s just always there. And always has been. Hence the problem. It isn’t exciting anymore! In Australia, the ants love it, so often we don’t buy it. But this campaign from Rowse draws on emotional, nostalgic and slice of life strategies, that sees us sit up at the breakfast table, and want to rediscover honey.
First,who knew of the many amazing benefits of honey? They’re not exactly page 1 news anymore! But the many studies conducted tells us that honey:
- can counter pollen allergies
- is full of antioxidant powerhouses so can help reduce blood pressure
- is empty calories that aren’t refined sugar – less bad than sugar for diabetics
- can improve cholesterol levels
- promotes sleep
- natural cough syrup
- Heaps more – click on the links below.
But there’s much more than that!
Second, if honey isn’t sexy, then how do marketers, or specifically Rowse make it so? By using likable characters, creating excitement and adorable stories. By using bears, big burly gay man-bears to lure us in, like bees to a honey pot! The lads are funny, handsome, very genuine. If you want someone to like you, you must be transparent and authentic. These three bears are all this and more.
Third, if you want people to consume more of your product, and create loyalty, what can marketers do? You find a solution for non-honey eaters and give them reasons to notice you and to consume more honey. Simple? Not really.
Next, choose an audience who may not be ‘into’ honey. Give them reasons to use your product, and value add with ideas, recipes, information and drip feed content to them by funny and lovable man-bears. Content that is fun and delivered in media that the audience listen to, watch and read. Three, two minute Youtube clips have been released to coincide with new recipes, new cheekiness and insights into the bear’s lives and personalities. A great teaser campaign.
Watch episode 1 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG7dhp0AC78
The choice of millennials was the perfect audience for Rowse to target. And the secondary audience of already-using honey consumers would also catch on to the sweetness of the campaign. Further, by using social media platforms: Instagram and YouTube, out of home (OOH) and sponsoring of Stylist magazine have proven to be perfect mediums.
Timing: it’s cooling down in the UK, so what’s a perfect way to warm you up? Porridge of course, with Rowse honey drizzled over an array of nuts, fruits, but delivered by the 3 bears in a fun way. As shown in the recipes or on the Rowse Insta page. The Rowse honey Instagram page has also grown in numbers, but they aren’t bombarding you with too many photos, or too many posts. They are being very strategic to align with new cooking show spots and drip feed the story of the bears and intertwine the entertaining cooking show, as well as a little about the bears.

Rowse and their advertising agency BMB have been very particular with choosing their bears. And obviously don’t mind Matt Lister being very popular on socials. He’s a great role model, athlete and ambassador.

Rowse have injected life into their brand, and the beauty of this campaign is that it could last for years if Rowse and agency BMB can create great content that fits in with the brand. A very lucrative and sweet campaign.
Other links
Articles that don’t agree
a. https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/why-were-uncomfortable-rowse-three-bears-ad/1449166
Articles that love the campaign
a. Adweek
b. Huffington Post.au
Honey benefits
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-honey
https://draxe.com/the-many-health-benefits-of-raw-honey/
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Tags: 3 bears, Arts and Entertainment, bears, breakfast, Business, gay, goldilocks, honey, Marketing, millenials, rowse honey, rowse uk, strategy, three bears