Teenagers are tricky. They can be fickle, moody, sly and sullen. Teens can also be tricky for marketers.

Just over a quarter of 16-to-19 year olds (27%) had summer jobs in 2013, according to research from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, down from 45% in 2000. The employment picture for teens in 2014 doesn't look much better, but they don't necessarily mind.

Just in time for prom season, KFC last month launched a campaign with an unusual message: give your date a chicken corsage. The cheeky marketing initiative encouraged teens to surprise their dates "with a chicken corsage that will make her eyes light up and her mouth water."