The Best (and Worst) Brand Extensions

In theory, launching a successful brand extension should be easy. All you have to do is take a familiar name and slap it on a new product in another category. Then again, in view of history’s epic flops including Hooter’s Air, Colgate TV dinners and the Evian water-filled bra, perhaps it’s not that easy. Regardless, each year witnesses a new crop of brands that try. And judging from the results of Adweek’s exclusive reader survey of the past year’s best and worst extensions—conducted in partnership with brand-extension agency Parham | Santana—it’s clear that some marketers know how far they can stretch a brand name, while others have gone clear around the bend.

Fortunately, says Parham | Santana president John Parham, “there’s a well-trod pathway to success, and you don’t have to reinvent the wheel each time.” His firm’s considerable research has shown that all successful extensions rest on the same three pillars—fit, leverage and opportunity. Research associate Edward M. Tauber, Ph.D., elaborates: “The brand should be a logical fit with the parent brand; the parent should give the extension an edge in the new category; and the extension should have the potential to generate significant sales.”

Of course, we didn’t ask our 10,500-plus online respondents about all that; we just wanted to know what they liked and what they didn’t. But Parham’s perusal of the results at right, he says, backs up the three-pillar model. It also explains the reasoning behind the instantaneous, almost visceral response that consumers usually have to brand extensions. In Parham’s words: “Some folks say ‘Yeah!’ and some just say ‘Huh?’ ”

1. Nestlé Crunch Girl Scout Cookie Candy Bars

2,283 votes

Candy bar-sized Thin Mints? We’ll bite.

2. Duracell Powermat

2,017 votes

The pitch: Famous battery brand pioneers wireless charger for mobile devices.

3. ZzzQuil

1,737 votes

A sleep aid from the makers of NyQuil—the folks who already know how to knock you out.

4. Orville Redenbacher Ready-to-Eat Popcorn

1,079 votes

A famous brand name’s spin on one of our favorite snacks.

5. Starbucks Verismo

1,042 votes

The java king rolls out the definitive coffee maker.

6. Disney Baby Store

926 votes

A Magic Kingdom’s worth of outfits for tots.

7. Google Wallet App

872 votes

Just tap your phone to pay at any participating retailer.

8. The Food Network Kitchen Restaurant

872 votes

Almost like being served by your favorite chef.

9. Princess Vera Wang Collection

286 votes

The Lady W’s first fashion line for tweens.

10. FedEx TechConnect

147 votes

That laptop need a tune-up? Let FedEx do it with this new service.

1. Zippo The Woman Perfume

2,106 votes

Even the bottle looks like a lighter.

2. Eva Longoria’s SHe Steakhouse for Women

1,688 votes

Opened (and closed) in Las Vegas. The odds were long.

3. Paula Deen Kids Furniture

1,437 votes

Aw, honey, better just stick with the gooey butter cake bars.

4. Snooki’s Supre Tan

1,419 votes

A self-tanning lotion from Jersey’s most famous overbaked celebrity.

5. Dr Pepper Marinade

1,265 votes

“More than Mesquite” (if less than palatable).

6. AriZona Nachos ’n’ Cheese Dip

1,186 votes

Take the tea, but leave this stuff in the desert.

7. Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Pet Food

1,043 votes

Confused? Think how your dog will feel.

8. Smith & Wesson Apparel

556 votes

Jackets, hats, polo shirts—but no bullet-proof vests?

9. Samsonite Outerwear

408 votes

Look great standing by the baggage carousel.

10. Virgin Water Purifier

229 votes

It’s a plane! It’s a purifier! It’s both!