Mac Cosmetics embraces cartoon characters, again.
I bet you thought you would never see the day when “Marge Simpson” would be the face of Mac Cosmetics. And yet, that day has arrived with a co-branding effort that makes Hello Kitty have a seat. Indeed, this is the day when the pink and white cartoon cat has been dethroned by the primary color-heavy Simpson’s brand, And why not?
Oddly enough, this new line works with Mac Cosmetic’s vision perfectly, as the company has made a name for itself by putting animated characters, such as Ru Paul and Rihanna, as its champions. Therefore, the leap to another iconic character isn’t such a great one–more like a skip, when you think about it. And what do the Simpsons get out of it? More brand exposure, the hilarity and down right irony of viewing the blue-haired mom as a beauty symbol. Well considering that she has been illustrated for the pages of Playboy Magazine, a co-lab with a make-up company is more a TOM (Top of Mind) strategy, than a practical joke.
Furthermore, they are not the only cosmetic company to use cartoons. Lancôme used Betty Boop to strengthen its Hypnôse Star Mascara in 2012. And let’s not forget how Mac Cosmetics has a Wonder Woman collection in 2011. And that damn Hello Kitty has been whored out to everyone from Mac to Sephora–great licensing strategy there. So what’s next for the cosmetic company ? Might we suggest the Flintstones.
