Mr. Marketing: Simple Simon met a pi man

Saturday was Pi Day, celebrating March 14 (Pi is 3.14). We had a small celebration with some geeky friends.

In the spirit of combining math and marketing, Dan and Lynn Nichols of Poway initiated a blind taste test. Plate one held Moon Pies. Plate two: Choco Pies.

My bride and I had heard of Moon Pies (developed 1917). As devoted Mallomar fans, we’d never tried this Southern treat.

We were equally unfamiliar with Choco Pies (invented 1974), making us perfect test subjects.

“The Moon Pie costs nine times as much as Choco Pies,” our friends explained. They sought to determine if the extra cost was worth it.

Seven of eight around the table found Choco Pies superior in taste and texture. One friend grew up on Moon Pies and preferred them.

This result intrigued me, as I’d always assumed Moon Pie’s sales longevity was a direct result of superior product.

Based on our focus group, my assumption was apparently incorrect.

I’d argue if Choco Pies is willing to roll the dice, they have an opportunity here to take over the market.

By instituting a widespread taste test, Choco Pies could steal attention and sales from their larger competitor.

They just have to be willing to risk losing.

Admittedly, Moon Pie sales may be a matter of taste preference. They may also just be a matter of shopping habit.

Because I’ve seen that most customers, having found a product or service that works for them, don’t like to change their minds. The theory: It ain’t broke, so don’t fix it.

And recognizing that youthful buying habits can easily last a lifetime, many companies focus their marketing efforts on youngsters.

Which suggests if Choco Pies does a taste test with teenagers, they can potentially blow Moon Pies out of the sky.

Granted, blind taste tests aren’t new. Pepsi started doing them against Coke in 1975. French fries, wine, you name it, marketplace underdogs have for years used blind testing to prove their point or build their reputation.

Which means for you, using a blind test to persuade potential customers that your product is better than the other guys could really pay off.

Just first try it quietly to make sure you’re theory is correct.

With that said, I wish you a week of profitable marketing.