Dunkin's "Specialty Spider Donut" Is Back For The Season, And People Are Losing It Over Their Viral NSFW Instagram Posts
In the year of our Lord 2024, it seems that food brands are really pushing the boundaries of social media marketing. There's the Nutter Butter TikTok account that feels like a fever dream:
And we can't forget about the slightly less chaotic, but still worth mentioning Sour Patch Kids Instagram account, which attracts comments from even more chronically online food brands:
Of course, there's also Wendy's Twitter account that's been dishing out classic burns for years now.
That’s cute. We’ve got free fries every Friday in the app. All year long. https://t.co/GR7i3FiaB4
— Wendy’s (@Wendys) July 12, 2024
Wendy's / Via Twitter: @Wendys
Now, a hot new bombshell has entered the villa: the Dunkin' Specialty Spider Donut ads, which people are referring to as unhinged. In a statement to BuzzFeed, a spokesperson for Dunkin' told us, "We infuse our social feeds with both caffeine and culture, using humorous, culturally relevant, and engaging content to humanize our brand, however 'unhinged' that may be."
I feel like not enough people are aware of how unhinged dunkin’s latest ad campaign is pic.twitter.com/RwmQLlSnJd
— Nerd Girl Says (@Rachael_Conrad) October 24, 2024
@Rachael_Conrad / Via Twitter: @Rachael_Conrad
While the donut isn't new, Dunkin' has "revamped" it this Halloween from its original orange to a Grimace-like purple and introduced now-sold-out spidey merch.
And its advertising for their new and improved spooky donut is definitely, um, a little unconventional.
A tad NSFW, some may say.
Like, I'm afraid HR will flag my search history.
But don't worry, this lil' donut is just as creepy as it is weirdly horny.
Dunkin' / Via instagram.com, Dunkin' / Via instagram.com
Dunkin' told us her official name is "Spidey D" and that their aim was to "sprinkle a little fun into spooky season." I won't lie, though; she genuinely terrifies me.
Dunkin / Via instagram.com
Scrolling through Dunkin's Instagram, a once harmless activity, has us all now scared, confused, and maybe a little concerned.
But the campaign has undoubtedly caught tons of attention, and people seem to love the weirdness of it all. "Started following Dunkin solely because of this spider," one person wrote. Dunkin's spokesperson told us that the response has been "overwhelmingly positive."
The whole marketing stunt feels very Gen Z-coded, and people are intent on uncovering the mind behind the spidey madness and going as far as saying they need a raise.
But the best part might be the responses from other brands, who I can only assume also have their own "feral" Gen Z'er ferociously typing in the comment section.
Someone, please tell me why the place where I pick up my deodorant and prescriptions is so clocked into these trends.
I'll never look at Pop-Tarts the same way.
I'll also never smile back at a Goldfish cracker.
Oreo has even started Instagram beef with the diva spider herself for reasons I'm sure someone more well-versed in marketing will explain to me. Clever move there, Oreo.
Anyway, my head hurts, and I, too, am at my limit.
I can't wait to see the next unhinged post, Dunkin' (and if you wanted to send me a spidey sweater, I wouldn't be mad). Please tell me what you think about Spidey D in the comments!