• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, September 22, 2009

Frances Allen, brand marketing officer at Dunkin’ Donuts, shared some important consumer insights with the OMMA Global crowd this morning. The insights, naturally, had to do with why people love donuts.

The first she said, was “variety:” the sight of all those colorful toppings and versions of the fried dough and sugar products. “It’s the eye candy in our stores,” she confided.

The second killer donut app, she said, is nostalgia. “Everyone has that one powerful donut memory â€" usually sharing with families and friends,” Allen explained.

Huh? I always thought it was because they tasted good? And as for variety, I’m a chocolate glazed man myself. Never stray from that choice, but I have been known to lust in my heart for an occasional, bright colored frosted version. My own household consumer research: chocolate glazed donuts outsell all other versions four-to-one.