Kentucky Fried Chicken announced today that it has selected the first ever globally-known music superstar to play the role of Colonel Harland Sanders. Beginning January 28, ads featuring multiple Grammy-Award winning entertainer Reba McEntire will air on television and computer screens nationwide to promote KFC’s new Smoky Mountain BBQ fried chicken.
“With Reba’s southern roots and entrepreneurial spirit, she truly embodies the values of the Colonel and the crowd-pleasing flavor of our Smoky Mountain BBQ,” said Andrea Zahumensky, CMO, KFC U.S. “The pairing of a universally loved music legend like Reba with a universally appealing flavor like Smoky Mountain BBQ makes what I like to call ‘Smoky Mountain Magic.’”
An iconic performer through and through, McEntire is the first female celebrity to play the role in KFC’s rotating Colonel advertising campaign. The multi-faceted “Queen of Country” is a lover of fried chicken and has plenty of Southern charm, making her the perfect fit to promote Smoky Mountain BBQ and KFC’s authentic southern-inspired flavors.
“I grew up with Kentucky Fried Chicken. It’s part of my story, and I’m so excited to now be part of theirs,” said McEntire. “I’ve held a lot of roles in my life – sort of like the Colonel himself – but this is certainly the most unique one yet.”
KFC’s Smoky Mountain BBQ fried chicken blends barbeque recipes from Memphis and the Carolinas, creating a BBQ flavor that everyone can agree on. It launches in participating U.S. restaurants on January 29.
As KFC’s third southern-inspired flavor, Smoky Mountain BBQ joins spicy and smoky Nashville Hot Fried Chicken, and sweet and tangy Georgia Gold honey mustard BBQ in KFC’s Taste of the South menu line up.