Dr. Sabrina Segal

No, not email spam. I mean the vulgar, pinkish meat Spam, canned in a kind of primordial schmooze jelly – the meat that’s 71 years old and a throw-back to harder times. Spam emerged from a Minnesota factory in 1937 and, by 1941, had sold more than 40 million pounds.

“No single product in history is better known for its heroics during wartime, accomplishments during peacetime and its popularity during mealtime.”

Monty Python’s “Spamalot” won a Tony and as much as we joke about the forced meat, more than 122 million cans are sold every year, 90 million of those in the US alone.

I almost fell off of my chair when I discovered Spam souvenirs. You know, for the person who has everything, a Spam tie pin or tree ornament. Even gift giving can be Spam-a-licious! Woohoo!

How has Spam weathered competition through the ages? It’s more expensive than ground beef: $0.22 an ounce vs. $0.14. Not much of a bargain if you ask me.

It must be perception.

“Embedded in the Spam brand is its association with harder times. It’s why Spam sales are up. The more people victimized by a downturn in the economy, the better for Spam…and ramen noodles (LOL).”

Spam’s been dumping some serious pork belly into the new “Spamburger Hamburger.” It’s Spam looking like hamburger. Not rocket science.

The product manager for the company says the idea behind the campaign is to “persuade occasional users of Spam to drop the blue and yellow tins into their carts more often.”

Mature brands typically don’t enjoy a 22% annual growth rate. Spam bucks the trend here. Take a moment to take the following Spam lovers’ survey.

Do you love fried Spam? Y / N
Do you love fired Spam? Y/ N
Do you love fried Spam? Y/N

If you answered two Ys or better, then you love Spam.

Have you started buying Spam and, if so, for what reasons? Taste? Economy? Love it on pizza? Like it with eggs? Hate it? Hate it with a passion?

Like me, can’t be in the same house with it? Do you love Spam, but won’t admit to it publicly?

Photo Credit: Dr.Sabrina Segal