In P.R class, we've been discussing pseudo-events held by companies and celebrities and businesses throughout the ages. One event that caught my eye was the long-running Pillsbury Bake-off.
The contest, whose first official name was the "Grand National Recipe and Baking Contest," was created in 1949 as a way of celebrating the 80th birthday of Pillsbury, but some may see it as a way of getting quick and easy publicity. Basically, the main task for contestants was to come up with a brand new recipe using only Pillsbury ingredients and have the best tasting dish.
Originally, it was meant to be a one-time event, but popularity rose and the advertising team at Pillsbury decided to hold the event for one more year. Gradually, the "Bake-off" grew into an annual event that brings in loads of publicity.
The very first winner of the event was Theodora Smafield of Rockford, IL. She received a grand prize of $50,000, which, in that time was a very large amount, and still is. The most recent winner, Carolyn Gurtz, took home a whopping grand prize of $1 Million.
Needless to say, this contest has come a very long way from a one-time only baking contest, to an internationally known... baking contest.
A true all-star of pseudo-events.
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