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Line 1: − + − + − + − + − − On June 12, 2008, Doritos launched the world's first "[[extraterrestrial]]" advertising campaign, broadcasting a 30-second spot via "high-powered [[radar]]s"<ref>http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080612122817.htm</ref> located at the Arctic Circle and operated by the European Incoherent Scatter Scientific Association ([[EISCAT]]).<ref>https://e7.eiscat.se/Members/tony/MyNews/20080307_1stAD</ref> Line 17:
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Undo revision 579604 by MattA (Talk)
'''Doritos''', produced by the American company [[Frito-Lay]], are the most popular snack chip in the United States.<ref>http://www.pepsico.com/PEP_Company/History/ — 1966 Milestones</ref> Doritos are similar to [[potato chips]], but are made with [[corn]] and a variety of [[spice]]s and [[season]]ings. Some flavors, such as Cool [[Ranch]] Doritos, are also available in low-fat varieties.
'''Doritos''', produced by the American company [[Frito-Lay]], are the most popular snack chip in the United States.<ref>http://www.pepsico.com/PEP_Company/History/ — 1966 Milestones</ref> Doritos are similar to [[potato chips]], but are made with [[corn]] and a variety of [[spice]]s and [[season]]ings.
==History==
==History==
The brand was launched in 1966, the year after H.W. Lay's "Frito-Lay Company" (the maker of [[Fritos]]) merged with the [[Pepsi-Cola]] Company to form PepsiCo, Inc.<ref>http://www.fritolay.com/fl/flstore/cgi-bin/comp_hist.htm</ref> Pepsi-Cola had hoped to use the merger to its advantage, since salty snacks and cold carbonated drinks fit naturally together; however, an [[Federal Trade Commission]] [[anti-trust]] lawsuit brought against Frito-Lay in 1963 stifled many of Pepsi's aspirations. For example, the FTC barred PepsiCo from creating [[cross-promotion]]s between Frito products and Pepsi-brand beverages.<ref name="fundinguniverse">http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/FritoLay-Company-Company-History.html</ref>
The brand was launched in 1966, the year after H.W. Lay's "Frito-Lay Company" (the maker of [[Fritos]]) merged with the [[Pepsi-Cola]] Company to form PepsiCo, Inc.<ref>http://www.fritolay.com/fl/flstore/cgi-bin/comp_hist.htm</ref> Pepsi-Cola had hoped to use the merger to its advantage, since salty snacks and cold carbonated drinks fit naturally together; however, an [[Federal Trade Commission]] [[anti-trust]] lawsuit brought against Frito-Lay in 1963 stifled many of Pepsi's aspirations. For example, the FTC barred PepsiCo from creating [[cross-promotion]]s between Frito products and Pepsi-brand beverages.<ref name="fundinguniverse">http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/FritoLay-Company-Company-History.html</ref>
Nevertheless, Frito-Lay's new product — the triangular tortilla chips known as ''Doritos'' — took off, thanks to their being "more flavorful and crunchier"<ref name="fundinguniverse"/> than any competing brand. In 1968, Doritos' star rose higher with the introduction of [[taco]]-flavored Doritos; and in 1972 came [[nacho]] [[cheese]]–flavored Doritos. (Cool Ranch Doritos would not be introduced until Frito-Lay's exuberant expansion in the late 1980s.<ref name="fundinguniverse"/>)
Nevertheless, Frito-Lay's new product — the triangular tortilla chips known as ''Doritos'' — took off.<ref name="fundinguniverse"/> In 1968, Doritos' star rose higher with the introduction of [[taco]]-flavored Doritos; and in 1972 came [[nacho]] [[cheese]]–flavored Doritos.
As the triangular snack penetrated national markets, it gradually lost its ethnic, "Mexican" character,<ref name="fundinguniverse"/><ref>http://michaelianblack.typepad.com/blog/2008/06/hey-doritos-get.html</ref> much as Frito-Lay's flagship Fritos had lost theirs over the preceding 40 years. (Around the same time, in 1971, Frito-Lay retired its cartoon mascot, the Tex Avery–animated "[[Frito Bandito]]".<ref name="toonopedia">http://www.toonopedia.com/frito.htm</ref>) This "blandishment" of the snack's image may have helped it gain traction outside the [[Southwest]], where Frito-Lay had always been strongest. (Frito-Lay's headquarters were<ref name="fundinguniverse"/> and still are<ref>http://www.fritolay.com/our-company/contact-us.htm</ref> located in [[Texas]].) By 1985, Doritos were raking in sales of $500 million annually; by the end of the decade, they were being sold in 20 countries worldwide.<ref name="fundinguniverse"/>
As the snack penetrated national markets, it gradually lost its ethnic, "Mexican" character,<ref name="fundinguniverse"/><ref>http://michaelianblack.typepad.com/blog/2008/06/hey-doritos-get.html</ref> much as Frito-Lay's flagship Fritos had lost theirs over the preceding 40 years. (Around the same time, in 1971, Frito-Lay retired its cartoon mascot, the Tex Avery–animated "[[Frito Bandito]]".<ref name="toonopedia">http://www.toonopedia.com/frito.htm</ref>) This "blandishment" of the snack's image may have helped it gain traction outside the [[Southwest]], where Frito-Lay had always been strongest. (Frito-Lay's headquarters were<ref name="fundinguniverse"/> and still are<ref>http://www.fritolay.com/our-company/contact-us.htm</ref> located in [[Texas]].) By 1985, Doritos were raking in sales of $500 million annually; by the end of the decade, they were being sold in 20 countries worldwide.<ref name="fundinguniverse"/>
By 1993, Doritos were the #1 snack food in America, with annual sales of roughly $1.3 billion.<ref name="collins">Glenn Collins, [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9906E2DE173EF930A35752C1A962958260 "Pepsico Pushes a Star Performer"]. ''[[The New York Times]]'', November 3, 1994.</ref> Actress [[Ali Landry]] made a name for herself as the "Doritos Girl" in an acclaimed series of advertisements which debuted during the 1998, 1999, and 2000 [[Superbowl]]s. More recently, Nacho Cheese Doritos sponsored satirist [[Stephen Colbert]]'s abortive mock run for the Presidency.<ref>[http://writ.lp.findlaw.com/commentary/20071109_hasen.html "Stephen Colbert's 'Hail to the Cheese' Presidential Candidacy: Why the Comedian's Campaign Raises Serious Questions about the Role of Corporate Money In Elections"]. Richard L. Hasen, ''FindLaw.com''. November 9, 2007.</ref> (According to Frito-Lay spokesman Jared Dougherty, Frito-Lay "has an ongoing relationship" with [[Viacom]], the parent company of [[Comedy Central]].<ref>[http://www.insidebrandedentertainment.com/bep/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003728560 "Colbert snacking with Doritos again"]. Gail Schiller, ''The Hollywood Reporter''. March 21, 2008.</ref>) In April 2008, the Doritos brand sponsored a [[reality television]] series on [[MTV]] to promote its launch of Spicy Sweet Chili–flavored chips.<ref>[http://www.commercialalert.org/news/Archive/2008/03/mtv-doritos-partner-for-reality-series "MTV, Doritos Partner for Reality Series"]. Press release.</ref>
By 1993, Doritos had annual sales in America of roughly $1.3 billion.<ref name="collins">Glenn Collins, [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9906E2DE173EF930A35752C1A962958260 "Pepsico Pushes a Star Performer"]. ''[[The New York Times]]'', November 3, 1994.</ref>
==Criticisms==
==Criticisms==
It has also been pointed out that Doritos' many new flavors and varieties (22 varieties as of 2008<ref>http://www.fritolay.com/fl/flstore/cgi-bin/products_doritos.htm</ref>) are typically only slight variations on two themes: "spicy cheese" and "cool".<ref>[http://the-trifecta.com/2007/09/16/the-biggest-scam-in-the-history-of-the-flavored-corn-tortilla-chips-industry/ "The Biggest Scam in the History of the Flavored Corn Tortilla Chips Industry"]. "The Trifecta", September 16, 2007.</ref> Exceptions to this general rule include the "plain"-flavored Doritos "Toasted Corn" Tortilla Chips<ref>[http://www.fritolay.com/fl/flstore/cgi-bin/Nutrition_ProdID_3043.htm "Nutritional Information: DORITOS Toasted Corn Tortilla Chips"]</ref> and several generally short-lived or promotional flavors, such as Doritos [[Guacamole]].<ref>[http://www.taquitos.net/snacks.php?snack_code=1871 "Doritos Guacamole!"], ''taquitos.net''</ref><ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgMyrXGmDhI — Doritos Guacamole TV commercial</ref>
It has also been pointed out that Doritos' many new flavors and varieties (22 varieties as of 2008<ref>http://www.fritolay.com/fl/flstore/cgi-bin/products_doritos.htm</ref>) are typically only slight variations on two themes: "spicy cheese" and "cool".<ref>[http://the-trifecta.com/2007/09/16/the-biggest-scam-in-the-history-of-the-flavored-corn-tortilla-chips-industry/ "The Biggest Scam in the History of the Flavored Corn Tortilla Chips Industry"]. "The Trifecta", September 16, 2007.</ref> Exceptions to this general rule include the "plain"-flavored Doritos "Toasted Corn" Tortilla Chips<ref>[http://www.fritolay.com/fl/flstore/cgi-bin/Nutrition_ProdID_3043.htm "Nutritional Information: DORITOS Toasted Corn Tortilla Chips"]</ref> and several generally short-lived or promotional flavors, such as Doritos [[Guacamole]].<ref>[http://www.taquitos.net/snacks.php?snack_code=1871 "Doritos Guacamole!"], ''taquitos.net''</ref><ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgMyrXGmDhI — Doritos Guacamole TV commercial</ref>
==Quote==
==Quotes==
*"[Doritos are] uninhibited and irreverent ... If you think of [the] Doritos brand as a person, it would be a likable wise guy." —Roger Berdusco, Frito-Lay VP of marketing<ref name="collins"/>
*"[Doritos are] uninhibited and irreverent ... If you think of [the] Doritos brand as a person, it would be a likable wise guy." —Roger Berdusco, Frito-Lay VP of marketing<ref name="collins"/>