• by Teresa Buyikian , 2 hours ago

KFC’s latest ad effort taps one of the brand’s biggest fans to promote its new Hot Ranch Big Dip.

That would be IShowSpeed, a live streamer and internet personality with more than 184 million followers across platforms. IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., is well-known for his love of KFC, and for trying and comparing the chain’s various locations across the globe.

IShowSpeed stars in the chain’s elaborate spot for its new Hot Ranch Big Dip, which is described a “creamy, tangy ranch with garlic and herb flavor, followed by a kick of chili pepper,” and served in a four-ounce cup, which is twice the size of traditional side sauce containers.

The spot, seen here, opens on IShowSpeed chatting on his mobile phone with a KFC commercial producer while driving. As she describes the “hot ranch” spot, the phone drops reception, so he doesn’t quite get all the needed information. The ad cuts to IShowSpeed on horseback on a Western ranch film set. As he does an impressive backflip to dismount his horse (dressed in a red leather KFC outfit), the producer informs him he needs to “work in the hot ranch,” which he thought he was already doing by working on a “hot ranch” (all the ranch hands and extras are very “hot” as well).

IShowSpeed has “been part of the KFC story long before this partnership, making him the perfect person to help us bring Hot Ranch Big Dip Energy to fans nationwide,” said Melissa Cash, CMO, KFC U.S., in a release. “

The brand cites a recent Datassential survey which found that 75% of consumers “like or love ranch, with 44% eating it weekly,” as inspiration for the dip, along with ranch’s recent surge in popularity with Europeans during the World Cup.