KFC may have created buzz with its scented novelty items, like candles and lip balm, but sunscreen brand Hawaiian Tropic is catching up, wading into that territory with scented bath bombs and candles. Now the brand is making dog poop bags less offensive with its branded and scented waste bags.
The bags were invented to remind owners to apply sunscreen even when they’re just going out and walking their dogs. The brand partnered with influencer Caelynn Miller-Keyes to help millions of dog owners in the U.S. avoid sunburn this summer with “Paws for SPF,” created in partnership with agency Edelman.
Hawaiian Tropic marketing director, Anastasia Tobias, told Adweek that the brand decided to go the dog poop bag route after seeing that over the last year dog adoption rates significantly spiked as a result of the pandemic, and 56% of gen Z and millennials reported having a dog last year, making up half of dog owners in the U.S., according to the Global Web Index.
“This summer, we wanted to educate the 105.3 million dog parents, new and old, on the importance of using sunscreen beyond the beach,” Tobias told Adweek. “Without sun protection, the sun’s UV rays can harm your skin in as little as 15 minutes, which is just enough time for you to take your dog for a walk and return with sun damage.”
The company decided to add a scent to the bags because Tobias said that scientific studies have shown that smells have the power to drive behavior and can serve as a great reminder for everyday tasks like applying sunscreen.
“We thought it would be perfect to combine the power of scent with an activity where people often forget to apply sunscreen, to create dog poop bags infused with our iconic scent,” said Tobias.
The bags are a limited release, while supplies last, and are available for free on a dedicated website. Those who sign up will also receive a discount code to purchase Hawaiian Tropic suncare products.