Febreze Scentstories: A fake CD player that smells
Oct 25, 2024
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Discover the bizarre Febreze Scentstories, a CD player that dispensed fragrances instead of music, and the missed marketing opportunities that doomed it. Delve into Shania Twain’s unexpected role in this strange venture. As Norway raises internet age limits for teens, hear about AI’s intrusion into Polish journalism. This blend of odd consumer products and tech trends makes for a captivating discussion that highlights the fine line between innovation and confusion.
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Quick takeaways
The failure of Febreze Scentstories highlights the importance of clear product messaging to avoid consumer confusion and disappointment.
Despite its commercial flop, Scentstories presaged a trend towards immersive sensory experiences that have gained popularity in recent years.
Deep dives
The Febreze Scent Stories Concept
In 2004, Procter & Gamble launched a unique product called Scent Stories, designed to replace traditional CDs with fragrance-based experiences. This CD player-like device featured pre-recorded scent scenarios intended to take users on a themed sensory journey, with titles such as 'wandering barefoot on the shore.' However, instead of music, users received a series of fragrances that were meant to keep the experience fresh and immersive. The concept aimed to create a novel way to enjoy scents, yet it failed to resonate with consumers who were confused by its functionality.
Marketing Missteps and Consumer Confusion
The marketing strategy for Scent Stories prominently featured country superstar Shania Twain, who had her own themed fragrance disc showcasing scents like daffodils and hanging sheets on the line. Unfortunately, the apparent focus on celebrity endorsement failed to clarify the product's purpose, leading many potential buyers to assume it played music. Consumers expressed disappointment upon discovering the device's inability to produce any audio, prompting them to question its value compared to more traditional fragrance options like candles or aerosol sprays. This lack of clear messaging ultimately contributed to the product's poor performance in the market.
Lessons from Immersive Experiences
Despite its commercial failure, the idea behind Scent Stories foreshadowed a growing interest in immersive sensory experiences that has gained traction in recent years. For example, artist Christophe Laudamiel created scent-oriented performances that effectively engaged audiences by blending smells with music, showcasing the potential of combining different sensory elements. These modern immersive experiences often utilize scent to enhance the overall atmosphere, suggesting that the concept could have succeeded with a more refined approach. However, without proper execution and understanding of consumer expectations, even promising ideas can fall flat, as seen with Scent Stories.
Shania Twain was the spokesperson for Febreze Scentstories, a product that debuted in 2004 to much confusion. The contraption looks like a CD player, but instead of music it plays…fragrances. We don’t get it either, but we will assess today how and why it failed. Plus: while Norway is raising its minimum age limit for teens to access the internet, in Poland, AI is attempting a journalism takeover at a radio station. This, plus much more.
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